Tonight we abandon the comfort of civilized life and head out on a four day wilderness excursion. This test of physical, mental and emotional endurance is to prepare us for worse case scenarios that can occur during outreach. The leaders are secretive about what exactly will happen, so there is not a whole lot to expect, except a lot of challenges.
We can only back the essentials and even they are numbered, no jewelry can be worn and no food can be packed. All we have to wash is a bar of soap. I'm not sure what its like to sleep with out a pillow, but I will know soon! We will be with our outreach teams the whole time to form unity and team building.
As I think about what's ahead, I know these conditions may not be spectacular. I do know however, that it's great we are doing this to not only prepare us for outreach, but because challenges are good. Challenges are hard at the time, but they are designed for growth, maturity and to learn something about yourself. When I look back, I wouldn't trade the challenges I've been through because they made me the person I am. In fact, how are we expected to grow if we don't encounter them once in a while?
So cheers to a four day, rainy, Australian adventure. I pray I come back a little stronger and smarter then when I started.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Today wrapped up Holy Spirit week, and I believe we went out with a bang. :) We braved the rain and went to beach for lectures and baptisms. Our whole DTS shared towls and huddled under the trees as we listened to Chris Twinn talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It totally reminded me of something Jesus would do. After lectures five students got baptised. It was so beautiful to be apart of. Then the sun started to come out and we gathered around for an amazing prayer time. I could sense God was with us in that special moment. What a cool afternoon.
"Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be.
There is a design,
An alignment to cry,
At my heart you see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be"
Lyrics from Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons. a great song and worth a listen.
"Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be.
There is a design,
An alignment to cry,
At my heart you see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be"
Lyrics from Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons. a great song and worth a listen.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
While my intentions were to update more frequently, I suppose my lack of corresponding with you all is a sign that they are keeping me occupied here at YWAM. Now that the internet is back on track and we're back from our outreach trip I'm planning on getting back on track with blogging. With each passing day, I wish more and more to update. I decided to crack down and do it today, to let you all know I'm still alive and still loving it here :) I am learning and experiencing so much here! Here is a quick recap of what I have been doing since the last update.
My last update was right after Fear of the Lord week. We had Mark Parker as our speaker. This was the most significant and life changing week thus far for me on the DTS. Ever since then, I can truly say I wake up with a different mindset. On November 13, Mark Parker lead a 14 hour ministry time for our group. (we were also privileged to host the YWAM Byron Bay DTS that week) We praised and gave thanks to God, surrendered, confessed and received healing. I will never forget this amazing time.
The next week lectures were on faith and finances, and conflict resolution. Greg Cummings spoke to us about trusting God with money. He has an amazing story. He and his wife run an orphanage in Africa, so he knows quite a lot about what it says in Deuteronomy 28. Conflict resolution was good as well. It's amazing how the Bible is our answer book about anything in life. I'm glad to say that I haven't had to put this into practice much since we all get along so well here :)
Last week, our base had the opportunity to volunteer with a highly credited Christian chaplaincy organization. We spent the week in Surfers Paradise helping out with the Australian version of senior week. (I have to be rather careful with my words because they are strict about what we blog and share...) My group of John, Grace, Michelle and I were assigned to a hotel. We would knock on the door and offer them candy (I promise it wasn't as creepy it sounds. The graduates know what this organization is.) and then they would have us come in there rooms to hang out. We would clean up their apartments, (no maid service here) make them pancake breakfasts, clean up their vomit, walk them home for safety, take them to first aid etc... When we weren't in the hotel we would do all these other things. Our group formed some amazing relationships with them. The best part was leading a girl to salvation. God is so amazing! In fact, that was my one expectation going into the week and he never ceases to amaze me with his impeccable timing As exhausting and crazy as the week was, I would do it again in heart beat. As I walked down streets and saw all the young people, (most were drunk) my heart went out them and I know God loves them so much. Each one of the 30,000 kids in Surfers has a destiny with the creator. So many of them I talked to were hungry and longing for something more out life. Doing YWAM, I am so spiritually fed; constantly in a christian environment. It was a privilege to be sent out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. To win a generation is to SERVE a generation.
This week the topic is the Holy Spirit. Chris Twinn is our speaker once again, and just like last time it's been amazing! I am so thankful to be here learning this. It's amazing how much more God wants for our lives. Christianity is not intended to be boring, monotonous, and full of rules. Rather, it is exciting and the greatest source of joy anyone can ever know or experience. Everyone here is open to what the Holy spirit has to offer, which makes for a neat environment. I'm excited for the rest of this week.
I am doing so well! Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray. Not just for me but for my whole group. Pray that we will be united and strong through this time. We have been here for ten weeks and as they say: "the honeymoon phase is over." God's grace is sufficient in every situation and I love every person here on this DTS. Seriously, living community style, you not only learn so much about your neighbor, but so much about yourself.
My last update was right after Fear of the Lord week. We had Mark Parker as our speaker. This was the most significant and life changing week thus far for me on the DTS. Ever since then, I can truly say I wake up with a different mindset. On November 13, Mark Parker lead a 14 hour ministry time for our group. (we were also privileged to host the YWAM Byron Bay DTS that week) We praised and gave thanks to God, surrendered, confessed and received healing. I will never forget this amazing time.
The next week lectures were on faith and finances, and conflict resolution. Greg Cummings spoke to us about trusting God with money. He has an amazing story. He and his wife run an orphanage in Africa, so he knows quite a lot about what it says in Deuteronomy 28. Conflict resolution was good as well. It's amazing how the Bible is our answer book about anything in life. I'm glad to say that I haven't had to put this into practice much since we all get along so well here :)
Last week, our base had the opportunity to volunteer with a highly credited Christian chaplaincy organization. We spent the week in Surfers Paradise helping out with the Australian version of senior week. (I have to be rather careful with my words because they are strict about what we blog and share...) My group of John, Grace, Michelle and I were assigned to a hotel. We would knock on the door and offer them candy (I promise it wasn't as creepy it sounds. The graduates know what this organization is.) and then they would have us come in there rooms to hang out. We would clean up their apartments, (no maid service here) make them pancake breakfasts, clean up their vomit, walk them home for safety, take them to first aid etc... When we weren't in the hotel we would do all these other things. Our group formed some amazing relationships with them. The best part was leading a girl to salvation. God is so amazing! In fact, that was my one expectation going into the week and he never ceases to amaze me with his impeccable timing As exhausting and crazy as the week was, I would do it again in heart beat. As I walked down streets and saw all the young people, (most were drunk) my heart went out them and I know God loves them so much. Each one of the 30,000 kids in Surfers has a destiny with the creator. So many of them I talked to were hungry and longing for something more out life. Doing YWAM, I am so spiritually fed; constantly in a christian environment. It was a privilege to be sent out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. To win a generation is to SERVE a generation.
This week the topic is the Holy Spirit. Chris Twinn is our speaker once again, and just like last time it's been amazing! I am so thankful to be here learning this. It's amazing how much more God wants for our lives. Christianity is not intended to be boring, monotonous, and full of rules. Rather, it is exciting and the greatest source of joy anyone can ever know or experience. Everyone here is open to what the Holy spirit has to offer, which makes for a neat environment. I'm excited for the rest of this week.
I am doing so well! Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray. Not just for me but for my whole group. Pray that we will be united and strong through this time. We have been here for ten weeks and as they say: "the honeymoon phase is over." God's grace is sufficient in every situation and I love every person here on this DTS. Seriously, living community style, you not only learn so much about your neighbor, but so much about yourself.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
the beauty of love as it was made to be
We spent the past fourteen hours in an intense ministry time. We spent the day praising, worshiping, confessing and praying. It was incredible. I experienced healing and an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Oh my goodness, surrendering everything to God gives such freedom! After I gave God everything that controlled me, I have never felt more happy or free. This day changed my life. Running on very little sleep, my bed is calling. :) God is good!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I'm wrapping up week six here on the Gold Coast. I can't believe how fast time is going. God is doing so much in my life. He always wanted to, it's just that now I am letting him. I find myself waking up, wanting to spend time with God. This journey has been incredible. Although situations come up as they would in normal life, I have this grace to handle them like I didn't used to. I am getting reallllllllly excited for the outreach trip to Alice Springs. I know God put our team together for a reason. Each of us brings something unique and I know God will use each one of us. God is so good. We are all anticipating the arrival of YWAM Byron Bay this week. They are going to be staying with us so they can hear the speaker as well. It will be nice to make some new friends. :) I think a few girls are staying at our house, so that should be fun!
Service not serve us
The topic this week was poor and needy. Our speaker was Sue Strachan, who was from YWAM Byron Bay. She talked about it in a way that didn't make us feel bad, but rather motivated to go out and make a difference. It is important not to underestimate the power of making a difference in one persons life, because it creates a ripple effect that can impact eternity.
Sometimes it's easy to be overwhelmed with the problems of the world, there are so many. The good news is we serve a big God. If we're willing, He can use us for big things. Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:30). The boy sacrificed his lunch for Jesus. With the seed of faith he planted, Jesus used it to feed a whole village. Everyone was satisfied. It doesn't matter to Jesus how much money we have. What He cares about is our hearts. Think about the widow who only gave two coins. Jesus said she gave more then those who gave ten times more than her. I learned this week that it is our heart that trumps the amount of money we have.
The Invisible Children were on our hearts this week. A group of us got together after evening lectures to watch the documentary filmed by three guys out of high school. As sad as it was, it was inspiring to see how God used these young guys to bring light to the subject. We were all pretty emotionally burdened after the movie. It was quiet on the way home, then we just held hands and prayed. As we cried and prayed, I knew that God heard our prayers. These children have been on my heart a lot this week. Every time I think about them I lift them up in prayer.
Among the Invisible Children we learned more about different people groups and issues in desperate need around the world. We spent time learning about Human trafficking and the Railway Children of India. The statistics on these issues broke my heart. We spent Saturday morning praying for all everything we learned about in the week. The websites out there are good for raising awareness and giving information on ways to become involved.
Ephesians 3:2o (msg version) "God can do anything far more than you could ever imagine, guess or request in your wildest dreams!" 1 John 4:4..".because the one who is in you is greater than he that is in the world." Romans 15:20 "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known."
Websites:
www.invisiblechildren.com
www.humantrafficking.org
www.railwaychildren.org
www.worldvision.com
www.timeanddate.com/worldclock
Sometimes it's easy to be overwhelmed with the problems of the world, there are so many. The good news is we serve a big God. If we're willing, He can use us for big things. Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:30). The boy sacrificed his lunch for Jesus. With the seed of faith he planted, Jesus used it to feed a whole village. Everyone was satisfied. It doesn't matter to Jesus how much money we have. What He cares about is our hearts. Think about the widow who only gave two coins. Jesus said she gave more then those who gave ten times more than her. I learned this week that it is our heart that trumps the amount of money we have.
The Invisible Children were on our hearts this week. A group of us got together after evening lectures to watch the documentary filmed by three guys out of high school. As sad as it was, it was inspiring to see how God used these young guys to bring light to the subject. We were all pretty emotionally burdened after the movie. It was quiet on the way home, then we just held hands and prayed. As we cried and prayed, I knew that God heard our prayers. These children have been on my heart a lot this week. Every time I think about them I lift them up in prayer.
Among the Invisible Children we learned more about different people groups and issues in desperate need around the world. We spent time learning about Human trafficking and the Railway Children of India. The statistics on these issues broke my heart. We spent Saturday morning praying for all everything we learned about in the week. The websites out there are good for raising awareness and giving information on ways to become involved.
Ephesians 3:2o (msg version) "God can do anything far more than you could ever imagine, guess or request in your wildest dreams!" 1 John 4:4..".because the one who is in you is greater than he that is in the world." Romans 15:20 "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known."
Websites:
www.invisiblechildren.com
www.humantrafficking.org
www.railwaychildren.org
www.worldvision.com
www.timeanddate.com/worldclock
Monday, November 1, 2010
"Everyone has worth and value"
This week our speaker was Annette McClasscen and the topic was on relationships . I enjoyed the lectures and got a lot out of them. I thought that they would be focused more on the dating aspect, because that is on the minds of many young people. Instead she spent majority of time talking about how God created them and his ultimate desire. In a society where the relationship concept is often distorted, it was refreshing to break down how God designed the way relationships with Him and others to be.
Relationships all began with the Trinity. The ultimate love poured out to humans was Jesus dying on the cross so we can have a relationship with Him. The cross demonstrates a perfect love. Christ came to earth and died for our sins to show us perfect love in action.
What does the cross signify?
1. death to self. John 13:34-35
2. service Matthew 20:28
3.humble oneself. Romans 12:3
A relationship with Christ is the ultimate relationship. All others should align with that. I had a gym teacher that once said "everyone has worth and value." and it is so true. Relationships are necessary because everyone has value. Although it's easier said then done; we give the people we don't like the love they don't deserve. We didn't deserve to have our sins forgiven. Christ is the perfect example of giving us the love we don't deserve so we can have a relationship and someday spend eternity with Him!
Relationships all began with the Trinity. The ultimate love poured out to humans was Jesus dying on the cross so we can have a relationship with Him. The cross demonstrates a perfect love. Christ came to earth and died for our sins to show us perfect love in action.
What does the cross signify?
1. death to self. John 13:34-35
2. service Matthew 20:28
3.humble oneself. Romans 12:3
A relationship with Christ is the ultimate relationship. All others should align with that. I had a gym teacher that once said "everyone has worth and value." and it is so true. Relationships are necessary because everyone has value. Although it's easier said then done; we give the people we don't like the love they don't deserve. We didn't deserve to have our sins forgiven. Christ is the perfect example of giving us the love we don't deserve so we can have a relationship and someday spend eternity with Him!
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