In JO-burg Airport!

Is it Almost Monday Already?

My experience here in Belize has been unexplainable. I never thought I would get as far as I did these past 3 months. My life has been so transformed. My expectations for this experience and for YWAM completely BLEW MY MIND! I don’t know how you feel about living with people for three months but for me, it has been one of the best experiences of my life. 

                We spent twelve weeks of lectures 5 times a week 4 hours a day. How would you feel after that? Tired/sore? Ha-ha. Well Lets’ begin with a little run down of what the lectures were about. : ) .

WEEK ONE: This week was Orientation week; basically we just got to know each other and the staff as well as the base. It was a week of learning the ropes.

Week TWO:  Was taught by our base director Chris Toney. He spoke about worldview and how each of us views things differently because of how we have been raised. Through our parents, teachers, school, friends, church, media etc… He also explained different religions like Islam, Mormonism, Scientology and the Jehovah’s witnesses. He taught us about dualism and how if you look closely at every religion in the world they all have a piece of truth from Christianity in it, whether it is about the Bible or Jesus.

Week THREE:   Five of the staff took a day of the week and each prepared a lesson for us. They spoke about different topics like passion, heaven, prayer, the fear of the Lord and the Fear of man. It was really cool to have them take a week and do our lectures because it gave us the opportunity to really learn about them and see how they take things from the Bible and explain it to all of us.

Week FOUR:  We had the amazing privilege of having Jeff Pratt speak to us. He is really an incredible man who is a mouthpiece from the Lord. He spoke on the father heart of God. It is hard to summarize all he taught but basically he showed us how God desires to have an intimate relationship with all of his children. Jeff revealed the truth of how God’s heart is broken for all his missing children, and he longs to bring everyone person on the earth home.

Week FIVE:  Lynn Toney who is also one of the base directors and the wife of Chris Spoke on the Ball and Chain. How each of us is carrying around things that keep us from a pure relationship with the Lord, whether it is bitterness, hurt or unforgiveness. And how in apologizing to someone or forgiving them and restoring broken relationships we can enter close and honest friendships, marriages etc… During her lectures we were to write down some people who we felt we needed to forgive either through a letter, or with the smaller things through just speaking it out. We then were all asked to write letters to those we felt took more than just saying it out loud. It was really hard for a lot of people to do but it definitely changed several of the students’ lives after taking the steps in doing so.

Week SIX:  This next week was from John Gotz who was by far one of my favorite speakers. He spoke on our identity in Christ and how as Christians we have victory and authority against the enemy because God has already won the ultimate battle! As he spoke on this topic it taught me so much about myself. This week was where things just began transforming. John was such an encourager and I’m so happy that he brought his own team down to our base. It was such a time.

Week SEVEN: Was a week of bible study and digging deeper into the word. John Peterson showed us different ways of putting the bible into proper context and programs and books that we can add to our “tool box”.  Part of the homework for the week was to read the book of John through five times. Each book of the bible was meant to be read in its entirety so we are able to know the context. One thing I loved that John Peterson said was:
“Let’s say you’re standing in front of God in Heaven right now and he asks you… ““How did you like my book?” “Are you going to say you loved it even when you didn’t even take the time to read it? Or are you going to tell him you didn’t read it but you still believe in him?”

Week EIGHT: This week taught by John Murphey was also one of our favorite weeks. John is a very passionate speaker with a heart for revival in America. He spoke on relationships, Romantic but also friendships, parents, authority and God. He said that “Every problem in the world is a problem of relationship”. So if we can’t get that right we won’t be able to get anything right. He really showed me how I can’t just settle for anyone. God is going to provide the man for me and I need to trust him in that.

Week NINE: Her name is Tiffany Thompson; it was really great for all the girls to finally have a women speaker besides our base director, Lynn. Tiffany talked about how the world has shaped beauty and how we must find our identity first in Christ. Her Days consisted of going through the 5 Pinky Promises.  The girls were able to ask her questions with what it is like to be a woman in leadership. Woman taking on the role of leadership has been such a negative thing.

Week TEN: This week was our ministry week. This was an amazing week where we were able to go out into the community of San Pedro.  We helped out in a school for three days of the week and lead an event for the children in the park. We also went to a church and put on children’s church for the kids. When we went to San Mateo we spoke to so many people. A lot of the ladies I spoke to really made me realize what “Hope” really is.  I have never seen so much hope until coming to Belize.

Week ELEVEN:  Was taught again by Chris Toney but it was more of a wrap up and debrief week of the whole lecture phase, getting us prepared for the next step.

Week TWELVE: We are in the last few days of this week right now. In which we are preparing for all things outreach related. We have spent most of the time in our separate outreach groups. We have been preparing in many ways, learning some things about South Africa, speaking out our expectations and fears and most of all just getting to know each other more as we prepare to spend the next two months together.  These next two months are going to be so much different than how these past three months were. There are twelve of the students heading off to South Africa and only two going to Guatemala!

Now on Monday we are all heading off to our opposite journeys. Twelve students and two leaders getting ready to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! I am stoked.  This new phase came faster than I ever predicted.  Our flights are going to be quite the experience.  We start off by leaving Belize City to Miami. Then we have a 6 hour layover then we fly to Amsterdam and have a 22 hour layover. Then we fly to Jo-burg then have about a 9 hour layover. Finally we fly to Durban. It is so crazy for me to sit here and think of just how much is going to happen during these next two months. I can just picture God using us each in so many different ways. 

There will be more posts to come while in South Africa!

HOORAY!!!!!

So I'm sorry its been such a long time since i last updated my blog! There has been so much going on here!! I just wanted to inform all those who have been checking up on my blog that our team raised enough money for outreach!! yay!!! We head off to South Africa some time next week. Were still waiting on some of the facts of where were going when and other things but were all super excited! Please if you would just keep praying for us as we head out.

Prayer Requests

1. Unity with the team
2. God will work in our lives there
3. Short accounts are still being made when things come up
4. There wont be conflict between us and our leaders or between our leaders.

I look forward to some comments in return.. and Ask questions... id love to answer!!!

God Provides in Such Awesome Ways

Dear Family,

            At this point in our school, we are about 5 weeks away from leaving for our outreach. The majority of us are heading to South Africa, though some of us are headed to Guatemala as well.

As you may know, our funds were due on Friday, October 14^th. The cost for South Africa is $3,700 USD per person, while Guatemala $2,550 USD per person. By the deadline, less than half of us had our funds. At this point, there are still two of us who have about $800 each to raise.

Yesterday, we were given an ultimatum. This Friday, the 21^st, is the final deadline for our money to be in.

Throughout these past weeks, we have been learning about teamwork, and about having a group mentality. We decided that, as a team, if one of us is short on funds, all of us are short, so we went over our financial situation together.

As of tonight, we are short about $1,500 USD. We believe that God is sovereign, and that He can provide, but we decided that we needed a plan of action. We are not called to be stagnant Christians, and we are called to work for our money. We have been fasting and praying over our financial situation for weeks on end, and God is delivering the funds to us. He has been providing in incredible ways. While we are being diligent in our prayer, we felt that we also needed to be proactive in our communication to you, and to involve others in our situation.

Dear family, we are coming to you in desperate need of prayer and financial support. I realize that no one person can donate $1,500 USD, but I urge you to seek God in this situation and consider helping us out financially. We believe that God can work miracles, and we are continuing to pray and be diligent and faithful in prayer. We believe that if God called us to this, He will not withdraw His hand from us. As a team, we decided that we need your help, friends. We need your prayer support. We desperately need funds.  

We ask that you would consider coming alongside us in this, and prayerfully seeking God about our situation. As a support group, you are so important to us, you are crucial. We appreciate you! Thank you so much for stepping out in prayer, faith, and support on our behalf. We are incredibly grateful!

            Again, thank you for reading and following us as we outline our experiences, trials, and triumphs. We are praying for you, as you pray for us! 

Could Life Get Any Better?

Conditions


So living here in Belize has been such a great Experience. Its only week 4! I absolutely love it here! Words cant even explain whats going on through my head right now. We are 14 young brothers and sisters living as a huge loving family! Our day consists of laughter, lectures, quiet times, and tears. Manty of us has been hit with a lot but God keeps doing some crazy things. I love my new family. We all have such unique personalities in which they all bond so close together. I thank God for all of this!


Small Groups


I have the best small group ever! Kim and Becky are such amazing, incredible people.  I already feel such a close bond with them but the one person that makes us complete is Ally our small group leader. She has such and awesome spirit with the Lord. She is so encouraging to us all. She prays for us each and every day and wants to know all thats going on in our lives. When I have my One-on-one time with her it just feels so nice to be able to go to her with anything on my mind. I can ask her question after question. I can tell her how I'm feeling and continue to get feedback from her on what she know and what she can answer for me. I love her and I love my group. I couldnt ask for a better Small group


NOW HERE IS THE TIME I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TO TALK ABOUT!


Outreach!


God has decided to send me to South Africa. Yes you heard me.. South Africa! I am so excited. Never did I think i would get this opportunity. I have always wanted to go back to Africa and now here is my chance. I am very worriled with money but I know that God is going to provide. We don't know what part of South Africa we will be going to but whenever that comes I will definately tell you! In the beginning I kept telling myself that I cant go international and that I have to stay regional but I feel God just pounding at my heart that Africa is where I am needed and I am willing to go! I hear Gods voice and I can't wait to keep listening to him and have him tell me more and more!

This is the LIFE!

  ROUTINE:
So our routine schedule is now starting! I am having such a blast here. Wake up at 7.. Man its camp all over again.. Haha! Then we have worship and devos most days and intersession on tuesdays! then we have lectures at like 900-1:00 with some break in here and there. Lunch is at one. and then sometimes were off or sometimes  we have sessions going on.At 430/500 each team has a day of kitchen duty which consists of making dinner and cleaning it up. My team is pretty great. We are the Belizable Tarter sauce! HAHAH...


   Home Sick
 I'm a little homesick but it comes and goes. I just really miss being with family and friends all the time but, I am loving the community living here. It brings me back to the days in Africa at boarding school not being able to see my parents for months and months to come. I feel like I want to be home but at the same time I want to be here. I want to bring my home here! I want to show everyone the paradise here! 


    How I feel!
In the next few weeks I have to lead a devo and I am super nervous. I mean what am I supposed to talk about I have never done this before! I know God willl provide in so many ways. I have ideas but I never know how to tie everything together. I'm not much of a public speaker and I really need to work on that! I am really hoping that in the future I can stand up on the stage and speak on something. I feel that leadership is a huge struggle with me. I am not one who really likes to say what they thing and I keep quiet alot. I'm not very good at explaining my reasoning for things and I really wanna work on being able to give my opinions. I want to be a leader because there is so much to a leader and I don't want to just be the person that follows everyone. Things need to change! I cant wait to see how God provides for me here! 
Scuba Diving!
I cant wait for scuba diving! I was scared in the beginning to try the certification but now I am so glad im going to be certified! It is so cool to actually be able to breath underwater! Never did i think I would have this opportunity! When we began the process in the pool it felt weird that the tanks were so light in water but heavy out of water! I thought i wouldnt be able to hold it. I thought i wouldnt be able to take out my breathing mouth piece and be able to put it back in. I thought i would just start choking. I thought that when we took our face masks off and had to put it back on I would have trouble getting the water out! I thought that the certification would be hard like how the lifeguard trainning was when i did that. This certification was easier than i expected. I wasnt as nervous anymore. I enojoyed every moment of it. When we had to watch the scuba videos it was like yeah i can do that now. We have done everything except for the diving part of our certification. This weekend we will be heading out to dive ! Can you believe it! 


I cant wait to upload pictures and all such things this weekend in town. Keep following and soon there will be plenty of pictures to look at and on Facebook as well! 

Now the Fun Begins

The flight to Belize was so great! There were problems here and there but everything turned out great. My flight from Atlanta had a few of the guys and girls on it with us. Going through the customs in Belize was quite interesting but fun!! :) The staff here at DP is so awesome and I already feel so close with everyone. This whole week is Orientation week so its been great..

The first day I got to where we were staying we all got to hang out get to know eachother and swim in the warm nice pool. For lunch we had rice and beans and for dinner we had hamburgers! We have been playing tons of games and done alot of team buildings. I cant wait to see God just bring us all so close together and such a family. On the second day we did alot of games, guidlines, and I went out snorkling with a bunch of the Students. It was so cool to see all the different colored fish and all the cool things that are filled throughout the Ocean.

Tonight was such a special night to all of us. All the Students were able to give there testimony and it really just brought us all together so much more. We were able to just sit in eachothers rooms and talk about everything and just not feel a slight of judgement or hurt from anyone. It is so cool to see how God was able to bring all these students together and how so many of us went through alot of the same things. God is going to do so much in all our lives and i cant wait to see what happens. My experience here has been so great and positive. Im excited to get more involved with things throughout the place and to really pour myself onto others and show people who i once used to be. Im here to make a difference in myself and to change my life through Christ Jesus. I am definately worried about the public speaking and reports but I know God will help me with what I need to say and that God will help me improve on my public speaking to others. I feel like God is going to do so much in us and it's just so cool to sit here at this beautiful place.

I have decided I really wanna work hard at reading the entire BIBLE during these next nine months. I have never doen it before but i feel like it would be a great experience and a struggle to get through but i plan on trying. If anyone could just hold me accountable to that. Maybe we could do it togeher? BEGINNING TO END :).

Thanks for reading my blogs and I cant wait to post more with tons and tons of pictures!

6 More Days!!!!

So I leave for Belize in less than a week away! I can't wait to experiece everything. God has so graciously given me this opportunity. I'll be gone for a total of nine months and I most definately will miss my family and friends very much. Packing for this trip is definately going to take much time. I'm not quite sure how im going to fit all my things in a 5500 cubic inch hiking bag and make it only 50 LBS. I'm now just getting started and clothes are piled in which I know i will have to put so much of the clothes away.  I'm so excited to meet new friends and make long lasting friendships. This experience is really gonna help me grow so much closer with God and get more and more in the Word. I can't wait to see where God leads me for my internship...

I will do my best in updating here when I can! Keep the prayer coming!