Left to right: Michelle, Lara, me, Scott, Matt, Eric
Nicknames! I am Piston. My father called me that years ago. I convinced Matt to be Amp, Amp! (It makes a good threatening dodgeball nickname)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Too much fun. Time for hard work: dodgeball...
Class is over for the week and a weekend of outreach and quiet time is coming up. But what do we do beforehand on a Friday night? Unreal dodgeball tournaments. We, the intimidating Komodos Dragons, went up for our first game against (I forget the other team's name), and we won. Not because we hit them with the ball, but because the other team didnt even come onto the court. We figured they were just scared of our warrior-like faces and big muscles. But that doesnt make sense because we lost the next two games. Its humbling, I swear.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Visual? Watch this...
Tre Shepherd speaks, brother of Trent Shepherd (both met in Kona to speak to all DTS's).
Its just a snapshot of the couple hour talk, but the main point of the lesson is this: The Lord was expected to ride in on a white horse with a sword, like a proud conqueror. At least this was the expectation of Pharisees and Sadducees, etc. But He came as a humble baby boy, riding into town on a donkey. While these religious groups misunderstood God's intentions and forced strict laws on the people (especially on the Sabbath), Tre explains that Jesus wants us to remember to love them, not prove them worng. Today, some may misunderstand as well, but even if they are in the wrong andthey lay laws on you, it is our job and our honor to express love with our arms open wide. How else will they see His truth? Jesus lays the example all throughout scripture. Love, love, love. Even your enemies. He comes as a conqueror, but as a conqueror of injustice.
"Repent"- is a term that is meant to be firm, not cruel. It is only saying that God's message has much more to it than just recieving salvation and getting to heaven. To repent is to turn from sin and live a life of love, demonstrating what God's kingdom looks like to the rest of the world so that they may see His love too. God's kingdom= love on earth.
Here's the News: http://www.youtube.com/user/tenachie?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/qb2PRP5_lAU
Thanks for watching
Its just a snapshot of the couple hour talk, but the main point of the lesson is this: The Lord was expected to ride in on a white horse with a sword, like a proud conqueror. At least this was the expectation of Pharisees and Sadducees, etc. But He came as a humble baby boy, riding into town on a donkey. While these religious groups misunderstood God's intentions and forced strict laws on the people (especially on the Sabbath), Tre explains that Jesus wants us to remember to love them, not prove them worng. Today, some may misunderstand as well, but even if they are in the wrong andthey lay laws on you, it is our job and our honor to express love with our arms open wide. How else will they see His truth? Jesus lays the example all throughout scripture. Love, love, love. Even your enemies. He comes as a conqueror, but as a conqueror of injustice.
"Repent"- is a term that is meant to be firm, not cruel. It is only saying that God's message has much more to it than just recieving salvation and getting to heaven. To repent is to turn from sin and live a life of love, demonstrating what God's kingdom looks like to the rest of the world so that they may see His love too. God's kingdom= love on earth.
Here's the News: http://www.youtube.com/user/tenachie?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/qb2PRP5_lAU
Thanks for watching
Pictures for today
Compassion DTS goes girly...
Class with Tre Shepherd
The whole Compassion DTS wore pink. Yeaaaa man
Priya was too cool to wear pink all day ;)
Compassion Students on a door
Smile! My dad wants more pictures guys! (hey dad ;)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Colombia South America. Yebo!
Our big DTS fam huddled in our quaint pavillion classroom tonight to find out our outreach locations. Our staff has a nice way of drawing out anticipation as we all sit there watching them act out crazy skits in attempt to strategically reveal our destinations and teams. We then had an ape-like celebration, dancing around the pavillion excited to know where the Lord has called us.
Its the Amazon, people! Not Africa, for those that I have mislead into believing. It was an accident.
Bring on the bugs and humid air, I can tackle this! December 14...
Its the Amazon, people! Not Africa, for those that I have mislead into believing. It was an accident.
Bring on the bugs and humid air, I can tackle this! December 14...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tallahassee. TALLAHASSEE!!!
Brothers and sisters- a lot has taken place today. But one thing sits on my heart and burns like a passion. I cannot get it out of my mind. I am beginning to take this mission even more seriously, as God reveals to me the possibilities that can come with faith. We have a great God, and I want to include all of you in these opportunities. Please be openminded to what I have on my heart.
God of this City, a song, rings in my ears. Every time I hear it, it speaks louder. Tallahassee. TALLAHASSEE. TALLAHASSEE! What does God want to do in that city? Really? Does He want it to settle for a status quo that has been set by society? Or does He want it to seek and find restoration? Every city I believe could use restoration. It doesnt mean its an evil city or it needs desperate help. But dont you feel that God is just longing for the church to do something radical? I mean absolutely radical. Something that has 'love' written all over it. I wonder what kind of love it would take for the city to come running to the church, rather than avoid it. What would happen if members of the church went up to city officials and asked "what are the top 5 problems in Tallahassee and is there anything we can do to help?" I can imagine that even if the officials said "no, there is nothing," that acting as PRAYER WARRIORS would make radical change! God teaches us to pray. All the time! He wants to see that we believe He can work through our faith. When I hear the word warrior, I think of a dedicated soldier armed and ready to serve. With open arms and a heart of love...something that looks like Jesus. Now thats a new way to do church!
I say these things to you for this very purpose: we are ALL on a mission as one body. A love mission. I am here, you are there. So while I am here, I absolutely love to share with the church, the one body of Christ, back home, everything that I am learning and that God has placed in my heart. Communication is key with any relationship. And God has placed a desire for restoration of Tallahassee right between my heart and lungs. In my very being. I wonder, what is life about anyway? Getting a degree and a job and to raise a family and to create a sweet bucket list and fulfill it and eat ten different kinds of sushi and be nice and make a good reputation and succeed in soccer and try out dreadlocks and....NO! Friends, those are all good, but we know there is so much more than that! So much more. Please understand I am now on a huge mission: matthew 28:19-20. And that includes my wonderful home, Tallahassee.
AND- We as a YWAM group had intercession today in the prayer room. If you were to fly to Hawaii and enter that room, your eyebrow might have gone up because we sounded like an army. But if you were to listen close, we were chanting. Chanting for our individual hometowns. We prayed, we sung, we chanted, for Gods love to radically overlfow. OVERFLOW! WHeeeW! overflow. Im on fire with excitement here! I sang out Florida State University as a song to the Lord, proclaiming that I wanted to see His Kingdom come in that place. He wants to do it! You know? I would shout for joy if I knew that some of you are feeling this same excitement. The excitement of knowing what God can do in Tallahassee. And the rest of the world. Our job as Jesus-lovers is to bring the flavor back where the flavor has been lost in the world. Wherever! Our lights shine in the darkness much better than they do in the light, yes? I hold open my cellphone to see in the dark of my room, not in broad daylight do I? What good is our love if we keep it in the church? We are a light to the world, yes? Yes!
A few more things. I tell you this not to sound proud, but as someone who has learned a good lesson: to follow Jesus with nothing else holding you back. It is the most freedom a person can ever feel. I am a single 19 year old, with no future plans to tie me down, no access to a facebook account, no phone comm(except to talk to my family), no job, no food. Got you on the food part. Really, though. I have never been able to sing "I lay it all down, for the sake of You, my King," and really, really meant it. Until now. FREEDOM!
Know this friends- I have faith that Tallahassee could be transformed for His glory. I guarantee I will be praying hard for that over here on this island. What to do? Jesus just tells us to love. So how can we love every person in Tallahassee? Whether they are young or old, liberal or conservative, naughty or nice, tattooed or not, peirced or not. How cool would it be if the church member's hobbies included building houses off South Monroe street on the weekend or maybe, just praying like a warrior. Oh, the excitement of this life, you guys!
I send out a big 'mahalo' to everyone that has ever had a part in sharing with me the love of Jesus Christ. You have truely introduced me to the Love of my life.
God of this City, a song, rings in my ears. Every time I hear it, it speaks louder. Tallahassee. TALLAHASSEE. TALLAHASSEE! What does God want to do in that city? Really? Does He want it to settle for a status quo that has been set by society? Or does He want it to seek and find restoration? Every city I believe could use restoration. It doesnt mean its an evil city or it needs desperate help. But dont you feel that God is just longing for the church to do something radical? I mean absolutely radical. Something that has 'love' written all over it. I wonder what kind of love it would take for the city to come running to the church, rather than avoid it. What would happen if members of the church went up to city officials and asked "what are the top 5 problems in Tallahassee and is there anything we can do to help?" I can imagine that even if the officials said "no, there is nothing," that acting as PRAYER WARRIORS would make radical change! God teaches us to pray. All the time! He wants to see that we believe He can work through our faith. When I hear the word warrior, I think of a dedicated soldier armed and ready to serve. With open arms and a heart of love...something that looks like Jesus. Now thats a new way to do church!
I say these things to you for this very purpose: we are ALL on a mission as one body. A love mission. I am here, you are there. So while I am here, I absolutely love to share with the church, the one body of Christ, back home, everything that I am learning and that God has placed in my heart. Communication is key with any relationship. And God has placed a desire for restoration of Tallahassee right between my heart and lungs. In my very being. I wonder, what is life about anyway? Getting a degree and a job and to raise a family and to create a sweet bucket list and fulfill it and eat ten different kinds of sushi and be nice and make a good reputation and succeed in soccer and try out dreadlocks and....NO! Friends, those are all good, but we know there is so much more than that! So much more. Please understand I am now on a huge mission: matthew 28:19-20. And that includes my wonderful home, Tallahassee.
AND- We as a YWAM group had intercession today in the prayer room. If you were to fly to Hawaii and enter that room, your eyebrow might have gone up because we sounded like an army. But if you were to listen close, we were chanting. Chanting for our individual hometowns. We prayed, we sung, we chanted, for Gods love to radically overlfow. OVERFLOW! WHeeeW! overflow. Im on fire with excitement here! I sang out Florida State University as a song to the Lord, proclaiming that I wanted to see His Kingdom come in that place. He wants to do it! You know? I would shout for joy if I knew that some of you are feeling this same excitement. The excitement of knowing what God can do in Tallahassee. And the rest of the world. Our job as Jesus-lovers is to bring the flavor back where the flavor has been lost in the world. Wherever! Our lights shine in the darkness much better than they do in the light, yes? I hold open my cellphone to see in the dark of my room, not in broad daylight do I? What good is our love if we keep it in the church? We are a light to the world, yes? Yes!
A few more things. I tell you this not to sound proud, but as someone who has learned a good lesson: to follow Jesus with nothing else holding you back. It is the most freedom a person can ever feel. I am a single 19 year old, with no future plans to tie me down, no access to a facebook account, no phone comm(except to talk to my family), no job, no food. Got you on the food part. Really, though. I have never been able to sing "I lay it all down, for the sake of You, my King," and really, really meant it. Until now. FREEDOM!
Know this friends- I have faith that Tallahassee could be transformed for His glory. I guarantee I will be praying hard for that over here on this island. What to do? Jesus just tells us to love. So how can we love every person in Tallahassee? Whether they are young or old, liberal or conservative, naughty or nice, tattooed or not, peirced or not. How cool would it be if the church member's hobbies included building houses off South Monroe street on the weekend or maybe, just praying like a warrior. Oh, the excitement of this life, you guys!
I send out a big 'mahalo' to everyone that has ever had a part in sharing with me the love of Jesus Christ. You have truely introduced me to the Love of my life.
Ohana Court Monday morning worship.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Lessons Learned. Fiery passionate lessons.
Alumni YWAMer Andy Byrd spoke in our class this week on intimacy with God. His character reflects his fiery red afro, and when he speaks about God's love, you forget about your hunger for lunch. Instead you start gaining a hunger to go hangout with the Lord. Here are some of his words:
1) We serve Him BECAUSE He loves us. Not to earn His love.
2) God wants to release tenacity in your life
-He said the word tenacity maybe 15 times. I've always related that word to my last name.
3) Regarding sin?
-repent and move on! (said it jokingly, yet seriously).
- no use in rolling in your failures of the past. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for you, and that should be valued. These failures should not consume your thoughts. It draws you away from the relationship you could be having with Him.
4)Sheep
-sheep have no defense mechanism. They are fluffy, have short teeth, their 'baa' isnt threatening, they are slow, and they're white fuz stands out against the green grass.
-they are also stupid. They will head toward a raging river thinking "water, water, waaater." And end up miles downstream dead.
-sheep need a shepherd. We need a shepherd. Jesus is the perfect Shepherd. He says "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me by still waters, he restores my soul." What a promise, yes?!
5) hmm...what will the students do after outreach? Look to the SHEPHERD! We need not worry about tomorrow.
I wish I could shout this with passion like the fiery afro man. He certainly is a man of God. We learned MUCH. Lifelong applications. Present realizations. Self-righteous annihilations.
Goodnight Tallahassee. I hope you are all asleep right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers
1) We serve Him BECAUSE He loves us. Not to earn His love.
2) God wants to release tenacity in your life
-He said the word tenacity maybe 15 times. I've always related that word to my last name.
3) Regarding sin?
-repent and move on! (said it jokingly, yet seriously).
- no use in rolling in your failures of the past. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for you, and that should be valued. These failures should not consume your thoughts. It draws you away from the relationship you could be having with Him.
4)Sheep
-sheep have no defense mechanism. They are fluffy, have short teeth, their 'baa' isnt threatening, they are slow, and they're white fuz stands out against the green grass.
-they are also stupid. They will head toward a raging river thinking "water, water, waaater." And end up miles downstream dead.
-sheep need a shepherd. We need a shepherd. Jesus is the perfect Shepherd. He says "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me by still waters, he restores my soul." What a promise, yes?!
5) hmm...what will the students do after outreach? Look to the SHEPHERD! We need not worry about tomorrow.
I wish I could shout this with passion like the fiery afro man. He certainly is a man of God. We learned MUCH. Lifelong applications. Present realizations. Self-righteous annihilations.
Goodnight Tallahassee. I hope you are all asleep right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Radical love-breathing Father. I wonder: do you know Him?
It is peaceful here as I look down the night-lit hill toward the ocean. The University of the Nations fountain is in front of me, and the statues around it are children praising God. Its really a glorious sight. And it makes me think of what God has already done though it has only been a week.
I ask you just to take a moment to get out of your chair...and go ahead and do a dance for the Lord. What? If I was asked to do that two weeks ago, I might have just stared at you. But this is what I have been learning: A parent is delighted when their child is jumping and dancing for joy in front of them right? The parent wouldnt get mad at the kid; instead they would probably be thrilled! The Lord loves to see us dance for joy before Him, singing His praise. He longs to see us joyful! There are hundreds of verses that tell us we should be glad in the Lord, for His loves endures forever! Oh that gives me a reason to dance!
And that is what our worship is like here. Dancing, singing, rhythmic clapping, sitting, standing, swaying, praying, raising hands toward our Father. It is my favorite part of the day. He longs to see you dance for joy too :)
Here's The News:
1) We begin amazing outreaches soon. Just like the Lord told the disciples to begin in Jerusalem, we are to love and reach out to wherever we are before we go on outreach. If we dont minister here, why would we go elsewhere? So my ministry in Kona HI is for Planned Parenthood. Wednesdays from 1-2:30, a group of us will be praying outside of the abortion clinics. We believe that our faith in letting the Lord work is the best way to speak to these people. Protests tend to scare away, not welcome in with love. In the past, this outreach has seen some amazing outcomes. One woman turned around because of the YWAMers and decided not to have an abortion. years later, that baby joined a DTS with YWAM. Pure beauty. I invite you to take some time to pray where you are for these women during these hours. It should start 7:00 pm your time on Wednesdays. So excited!
2) Ironman. This is not a movie, but an extreme event that gets people around the world cranked up. They all come right here to Kona HI for this major athletic event that involves intense and sweaty competition. Each athlete swims, bikes, and then runs. And the YWAMers all volunteered. My DTS worked as security. I fought off a couple bad guys with bombs. Seriously, I have no idea how they would want a tiny me to have a title such as security. But thats what I did and it was amazing. Our shift was from 6 pm to midnight. Yesterday the island through the 5,000 volunteers a "Mahalo Party."
Cameras were not allowed during the shift, but here is some of the thank you party
I ask you just to take a moment to get out of your chair...and go ahead and do a dance for the Lord. What? If I was asked to do that two weeks ago, I might have just stared at you. But this is what I have been learning: A parent is delighted when their child is jumping and dancing for joy in front of them right? The parent wouldnt get mad at the kid; instead they would probably be thrilled! The Lord loves to see us dance for joy before Him, singing His praise. He longs to see us joyful! There are hundreds of verses that tell us we should be glad in the Lord, for His loves endures forever! Oh that gives me a reason to dance!
And that is what our worship is like here. Dancing, singing, rhythmic clapping, sitting, standing, swaying, praying, raising hands toward our Father. It is my favorite part of the day. He longs to see you dance for joy too :)
Here's The News:
1) We begin amazing outreaches soon. Just like the Lord told the disciples to begin in Jerusalem, we are to love and reach out to wherever we are before we go on outreach. If we dont minister here, why would we go elsewhere? So my ministry in Kona HI is for Planned Parenthood. Wednesdays from 1-2:30, a group of us will be praying outside of the abortion clinics. We believe that our faith in letting the Lord work is the best way to speak to these people. Protests tend to scare away, not welcome in with love. In the past, this outreach has seen some amazing outcomes. One woman turned around because of the YWAMers and decided not to have an abortion. years later, that baby joined a DTS with YWAM. Pure beauty. I invite you to take some time to pray where you are for these women during these hours. It should start 7:00 pm your time on Wednesdays. So excited!
2) Ironman. This is not a movie, but an extreme event that gets people around the world cranked up. They all come right here to Kona HI for this major athletic event that involves intense and sweaty competition. Each athlete swims, bikes, and then runs. And the YWAMers all volunteered. My DTS worked as security. I fought off a couple bad guys with bombs. Seriously, I have no idea how they would want a tiny me to have a title such as security. But thats what I did and it was amazing. Our shift was from 6 pm to midnight. Yesterday the island through the 5,000 volunteers a "Mahalo Party."
Cameras were not allowed during the shift, but here is some of the thank you party
My Canadian, Katie. Rebecca on the right
Stage
Katie and Jordan. He is my DTS leader's son.
3) I need my warriors. The Lord has been doing some really amazing things here in all of us, and I can certainly vouch for myself. But there comes a cost. Where there is good, there may be bad. And the spiritual warfare seems constant here. Right when the Lord teaches me something radical and I step out in faith, the spiritual warfare gets a little tough. The father of lies tells me things that I know the Father of truth would never tell me, and it is an immediate battle. So, all I need is some prayer warriors, asking the Lord to send satan away in Jesus' Name. Work needs to be done here and the devil has no say in these important matters. He is unqualified. Seriously.
Thank you for all of the support I have seen from you already. I prayed over each and every one of you the other day; I have slips with your names on them. So know that your Father sends His love even from the islands of Hawaii! This includes family, friends, all supporters, Creative Child Learning Center, Cutco Office, Community Christian school, Seminole Christian Life, Good Samaritan Network, Calvary Chapel, and the community of Tallahassee. I believe strongly in the uplifting and communication of believers, especially from an individual's hometown. It is something that I should not take lightly. We are together in this! God's grace be with you.
Recent photos
The Lord has showed me I am free in Him. Like a bird
Just have to show pictures of Gods glory and creation. It's everywhere, yes?
Ironman at 5:00 am. (Hawaii time!)
People stood on sea walls to get a good view of the swimming
Ironman 6:30 am
Discussing loving ways of ministry with a fellow brother of ours during Ironman. How would Jesus serve? Might look something like washing feet ;)
Colorful God
Glowing God!
Hard working athlete gave me a thumbs up as we encouraged them on
Right in front of our school!
Front area of U of N
This is an established church. No building necessary!
Shuttles take us to local churches so we can plug in
Hope Chapel: wonderful church that I will be attending.
(Larry Lawrence, its great!)
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Kingdom of God
I cannot just sit through my class today and go about life without sharing what God has brought to our table. If I could, I would fill every website with the beauty of this lesson.
Do you know that the Kingdom of heaven is talked about by Jesus more than anything else in the Bible? I used to think it was something like sin, love, heaven, or faith. Faith comes in 2nd with Jesus mentioning it 95 times. But the Kingdom is brought up 117 times. That, hoapili, is truly significant. I only wish I could share with you all that was revealed. But lo, its content is too lengthy.
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN/ GOD? It is every place where the WILL of God is being done. That is founded in The Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done." But- The will of God for the future is not for us to know. If we long to know it, it would be a crystal ball we would need (John Piper). BUT- we do know the Lord's will IS a beautiful story, meant to be told to the world. Why do we long to go to AMC and see Avatar or Inception? (I don't know the latest shows out ;). We naturally yearn for a story: a story with good overcoming evil and relationships restored (like God wants for His kingdom!). And...most of the time there is a 'hero.' Superman anyone?
WHY do we like stories? Life is a story! Created by God, and He has the most beautiful ending to the most glorious story. The world is longing, searching for a better story, and we have that to share! We have the Kingdom of God to share, and though evil came and intruded on His perfect plan, our Daddy fights for us gracefully. What a story of hope and healing for these people. For us! He asks us: who will go? To Africa, downtown Tallahassee, wherever! Send US Lord! But teach us to show them with grace and love, inviting them to eat with us like you did to the sinners.
It is hot here, turning off the computer might make it cooler. Goodnight Tallahassee, East Coast.
Do you know that the Kingdom of heaven is talked about by Jesus more than anything else in the Bible? I used to think it was something like sin, love, heaven, or faith. Faith comes in 2nd with Jesus mentioning it 95 times. But the Kingdom is brought up 117 times. That, hoapili, is truly significant. I only wish I could share with you all that was revealed. But lo, its content is too lengthy.
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN/ GOD? It is every place where the WILL of God is being done. That is founded in The Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done." But- The will of God for the future is not for us to know. If we long to know it, it would be a crystal ball we would need (John Piper). BUT- we do know the Lord's will IS a beautiful story, meant to be told to the world. Why do we long to go to AMC and see Avatar or Inception? (I don't know the latest shows out ;). We naturally yearn for a story: a story with good overcoming evil and relationships restored (like God wants for His kingdom!). And...most of the time there is a 'hero.' Superman anyone?
WHY do we like stories? Life is a story! Created by God, and He has the most beautiful ending to the most glorious story. The world is longing, searching for a better story, and we have that to share! We have the Kingdom of God to share, and though evil came and intruded on His perfect plan, our Daddy fights for us gracefully. What a story of hope and healing for these people. For us! He asks us: who will go? To Africa, downtown Tallahassee, wherever! Send US Lord! But teach us to show them with grace and love, inviting them to eat with us like you did to the sinners.
It is hot here, turning off the computer might make it cooler. Goodnight Tallahassee, East Coast.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Campus Life @ KONA
The weather is very similar to that in Florida: humid and warm. Gods teaching me longsuffering with that (no AC in the rooms), and I'm not a huge fan of the tropics. I love cold mountains. However, the campus is still very beautiful and there are flowers everywhere. You can walk two steps and see three different bushes with radically different flowers of which all smell like perfume.
I live in a room with 8 other girls. Many from Canada, some from Norway, Brazil, etc, you name it. We had a Ceremony of the Nations with all the flags to represent on the day that I first got here. Little hawaiian girls got up in front of the campus and did wonderful authentic Hula dances for us too. It was a great way to start off the trip: recognizing all the nations that God has called into ministry to go TO all nations and preach the gospel. YES!
The schedule is kept full. Today we had our first class which started at nine. But first was breakfast (6:15 am), then a GOD-FILLED worship service (8:00 am). "God is in this place, He is in this place," they kept saying/singing. Tomorrow work duty will begin, which is from 3-5 pm.
I want to share some of the lessons learned in class today: the Glory of God. It is everywhere. Why do we enjoy the flowers on the island? Or the sunset? Or a clean, comfortable place to live? As apposed to dead flowers or tornadoes... Or an old beaten up apartment? Because we are naturally made to see God's character in the things that are beautiful, and we are drawn to it. We see God's beauty in flowers. We see His creative hand in a sunset. We see His power in a sturdy, clean house. When we see these things, we are to glorify in Him and praise His name. God is a God of order, so as you straighten the house or clean at a job, God is glorified even in that (if it is done in a godly spirit) So we YWAMers look forward to work duty! YES!
Every good thing should be a conversational piece to express to others just how great our God is! What a witness, His creation!
I live in a room with 8 other girls. Many from Canada, some from Norway, Brazil, etc, you name it. We had a Ceremony of the Nations with all the flags to represent on the day that I first got here. Little hawaiian girls got up in front of the campus and did wonderful authentic Hula dances for us too. It was a great way to start off the trip: recognizing all the nations that God has called into ministry to go TO all nations and preach the gospel. YES!
The schedule is kept full. Today we had our first class which started at nine. But first was breakfast (6:15 am), then a GOD-FILLED worship service (8:00 am). "God is in this place, He is in this place," they kept saying/singing. Tomorrow work duty will begin, which is from 3-5 pm.
I want to share some of the lessons learned in class today: the Glory of God. It is everywhere. Why do we enjoy the flowers on the island? Or the sunset? Or a clean, comfortable place to live? As apposed to dead flowers or tornadoes... Or an old beaten up apartment? Because we are naturally made to see God's character in the things that are beautiful, and we are drawn to it. We see God's beauty in flowers. We see His creative hand in a sunset. We see His power in a sturdy, clean house. When we see these things, we are to glorify in Him and praise His name. God is a God of order, so as you straighten the house or clean at a job, God is glorified even in that (if it is done in a godly spirit) So we YWAMers look forward to work duty! YES!
Every good thing should be a conversational piece to express to others just how great our God is! What a witness, His creation!
Why is the School Important, Anyway?
Hawaii. I know, its terrible. This question may be raised at one point or another: is it really worth using a significant amount of money for a Bible school in a place like HAWAII? That can't be glorifying to God or useful to others, can it?
I have learned this: God is to be the center. Before school, before work, before fun, before relationships, and- even before ministry. Our relationship with God is so important that He wants us to seek Him even before ministering. And, now that you have read the post about finding God's glory in beauty, what a better place than Hawaii to meet Him in! I promise you, this time in Kona is going to be the turning point to what makes this outreach (and the rest of many lives) very radical in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I have learned this: God is to be the center. Before school, before work, before fun, before relationships, and- even before ministry. Our relationship with God is so important that He wants us to seek Him even before ministering. And, now that you have read the post about finding God's glory in beauty, what a better place than Hawaii to meet Him in! I promise you, this time in Kona is going to be the turning point to what makes this outreach (and the rest of many lives) very radical in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Woman Pushed Out of A Car
My Norwegian friends were on their way back to campus from a night walk, when they saw something ahead on the side of the road. As they got closer, they realized it was an older woman. She was bloody. Her shoulder was twisted backwards. Her elbow bone was coming through her skin and her abdomen area was bloody as well. The girls found out that she had been pushed out of a car while it was moving. As EMS personel was on their way due to my friend calling 911, the girls got down next to this woman on the side of the road, sharing the love of Jesus with her. The campus nurse was nearby across the street and heard of the incident and went down to administer any help he could.
This is it. This is how Jesus is working, even during the DTS part of this mission. God used those two girls that night amidst a situation that appeared at its worst.
This is it. This is how Jesus is working, even during the DTS part of this mission. God used those two girls that night amidst a situation that appeared at its worst.
Monday, October 4, 2010
24/7 Prayer room. One of my favorite places
Where I am currently sitting. (Cafe) Using my Canadian friend's laptop, Katie. The view here looks over the top of the campus to the wateredge. It is 8:47 p.m now, 3:47 a.m for you ;)
Mingle area below my room. Beautiful trees. See God's glory anyone?
Two Italians on the left, two Canadians on the right.
At the end of the day theres time to squeeze in Frozen Yogurt fellowship. The Yogurt man gives YWAMers 10% off.
In my favorite tree
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