(There) And Back Again

Papua New Guinea was spectacular.
There are so many topics I could share about.
God's creation, God's provision, God's presence, God's people in PNG, the evidence of His plan, and so much more.

I think pictures are the most apt way to share about my trip and about PNG's natural wonders, so I'll post many more in an album on Facebook, yay! One of my favorite experiences during the whole of outreach was snorkeling above a wonderful coral reef. Although I don't have experience with the Great Barrier Reef myself, my leader Lance said that the sea life we saw surrounding Pigeon Island (so named because... pigeons) was even more amazing. Wonderful beaches, colorful fish, strange birds, enormous spiders, intricate flowers, tall trees, and jungle vines: God's work is endlessly beautiful.

Wherever we went, God was already there opening hearts and doors for us. The people of PNG are largely declared Christians, but they lack a passion for Christ and an intimate relationship with the God who created them. Our role in their lives was to help them to realize who the Holy Trinity is, His desire for a personal relationship with His children, and why that relationship is always and forever the best thing that they can ever have. Also we were making connections and forging a figurative path for future YWAM teams to follow, but in the short term that's not as directly effecting.

The people in PNG were faultlessly generous and hospitable to us (a direct work of God, because parts of PNG are incredibly risky places, especially for women, young people, and white Americans; of which I am all three). We were welcomed enthusiastically wherever we went, and were frequently invited to stay longer, visit elsewhere, or share a meal. For hours we would sing songs, preach, talk, perform skits, converse with the adults, and play with the children, yet they were always ready for more and eager to listen. I personally preached 2 sermons, 1 solo and 1 with a friend, and spoke less extensively many more times. We bonded with the people, made friendships, and discipled individuals whom God chose to know Him. My team and I visited hospitals and prayed for the sick and injured. God chose us to pray over one of His daughters and cast out the demon that was possessing her mind and body. We drove over bumpy roads for hours to a prison on a mountain, and preached to inmates on death row- many decided to follow the Lord. We stayed 2 weeks on a medical vessel (the Pacific Link) bringing medical care to hard-to-reach places. A friend of mine helped deliver a baby, and another friend was asked to name the girl; she chose 'Lyla', meaning"island princess".  We met God every day, in every ministry opportunity, in many ways. I learned so many things, most unexpected, and created so many memories that will shape my idea of the world and what's possible in this life.

My team arrived back in Kona, HI on the 10th. Joyful reunions over, we had a free weekend before we began debrief class on Monday. Dan Shannon, our teacher for the week, led us through the question of "what's next?"-- how to continue discipleship in vocational ministry; small groups, Bible studies, and the "3 loves". A 'church' (in the God-sense) is a group of individuals who are committed to loving God, loving each other, and loving those who don't love God. A church won't work without all 3, and it needs nothing more. Every Christian needs access to such a group, and Dan Shannon gave us the tools to create one for ourselves if we don't have one at home.
This coming week we'll be focusing on what exactly is next for each of us individually; working out our plans and God's plan for our immediate futures. My classmates and I will spend time considering and praying and consulting others. Personally, I have a few options in mind- but I need advice from those I trust, and a word or two from God before I take any next steps. Prayer would be eternally appreciated! I'm so incredibly thankful for the opportunities and experiences God has given me, and the people He's placed in my life as a result of YWAM.

Some pictures: (not even the best ones, these just popped up on my computer as options)

YWAM Pacific Link

  

 

 

   (bird in the tree)

It's Tiiime

Oh my goodness, I leave tomorrow...
Our flight from Kona Airport leaves around noon, and then we change flights in Honolulu. We have a long, overnight layover in Brisbane, Australia, before finally landing in
Papua New Guinea!

We're all fully funded, we're all packed up, we're all excited, and we're all panicking. Three months in a foreign country, with little to no connection to the rest of the world- no wifi, no cell service, and a language barrier and culture shock. It's going to be grand!

I'm excited and can't sit still (honestly, I think that's due to nerves), and I kinda want to curl up in a ball and stay in my bed forever and ever. I miss my friends that left on Monday for other parts of the world, and I miss my family and friends back home. I get to celebrate Christmas and New Years and my birthday all in a foreign country. Honestly, it's absolutely going to be swell.

I'm excited to see what God does in my life and in my team members' lives while we're there, because I know it'll be spectacular, and probably life-changing.

I'll try to update when I can, but if I have any connection at all, it'll likely be poor, and I'll be working from my iPhone.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and God bless you all!

See you on the flip side.

Just Over a Week...

I have just over a week until I leave for Papua New Guinea!! I don't have any money for a plane ticket home though, so when I get back to Hawaii from PNG, I might be stuck here for the rest of my life! All's good though, I'd enjoy living in Hawaii.
Life has been the same; we're all very settled in the schedule, just in time to leave! Tonight I'm going to Walmart to get the rest of the things I'll need for outreach, and I'll pack next week. Every other outreach team is leaving on either Monday or Tuesday of next week, so my team will have a few days by ourselves. I've made a lot of friends who are on other outreach teams, and I'm going to miss a few of them really terribly over the next few months.

A lot of the people who are on my outreach team don't have their funds yet, so please pray for funding for them (if you want to help my friends out, just contact me and I can tell you how), and pray for smooth final preparations for everyone!

My outreach team leaves for PNG on the 22nd; it's coming up fast! All my funding is in, praise the Lord (and thanks to all who gave!!), so I'm definitely going to be able to go (woohoo!). We're busy preparing for outreach; mentally, spiritually, and practically. Packing lists have been drawn up, and thoughts of buying needed supplies are arising in my mind. Just today I made an actual shopping list, and browsed Amazon for deals.
My life is changing all the time, in subtle ways. I'm growing in faith and knowledge of truth, and looking forward to street ministry in Papua New Guinea. We practice street ministering every Wednesday night on the streets of Kailua-Kona, and every Wednesday is unique. Some are more successful and fun than others, but I always come away with a story or two.
My relationships with my classmates are growing more intimate, and many of us have already made plans to see one another over the coming summer.
So much has happened, and yet nothing really that can be put into words. At least, I don't possess the words to phrase all that this DTS has been. Regardless, YWAM is amazing and God is ceaselessly working on the hearts and minds of people in and around the Ships base and the University of the Nations campus, both students and leaders. It's gotten to the point that if I had one wish for each of my friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances, it would be for each of them to join a DTS and realize who God created them to be; what God has in store for them; and, above all, to know who God really is.

A Month and $3000

Time is flying by, and I find myself a few weeks out from going to Papua New Guinea. Classes are rousing and perspective-shifting, worship is beautiful, and life is wonderful. I know I'm in the middle of something amazing, and that I am where God has called me to be for this season of my life; because of the reality of God's calling on my life, I can honestly say that there's no place on Earth I'd rather be. I miss people from home, and I miss some aspects of my Michigan life, but I don't miss them in the sense of wishing to be back home. I'm coming to understand what surrendering my life to God truly means. I'm realizing how far I've come and how far I've yet to go. My excitement for the future is rising, and I'm understanding a little more of what that future will be.

Much of my focus is on my outreach period. I just have to wait for a month and $3000 before my team and I head out to PNG. The former will come steadily, without outside assistance (the nature of time being what it is). The second needs your prayers and support... I would like to ask each of you reading this to pray to the Lord and ask Him if you are to give financially toward my outreach and if so, how much. Please be obedient to God in any circumstance- the Lord may tell you that you are not to give, or He may tell you to give a certain sum. Whatever the case, I pray that the Holy Spirit guide you and bless you. Regardless, prayers are very much asked for, welcomed, and appreciated!!

Sailing, Yay!

There are three different tracks in the Ships DTS, and we were given the option to choose between them the 2nd week here. There's a basic medical track, a Bible track, and a nautical track. I chose the nautical track because sailing is a big reason I chose to do the Ships DTS.
Every Friday we have a lecture on our topic for an hour and a half, and the students in the nautical track have the opportunity to go sailing occasionally. We've been sailing twice so far, with the latest being yesterday. We sail on the Makana, a sailboat that was gifted to YWAM Ships for training purposes. I love sailing, and it's incredible to be able to learn some new aspects, and relearn others. Sailing is complicated, fast-paced, and potentially dangerous. We haven't run into any danger yet (I doubt we will), but the ocean is unbelievably blue, the sky's gorgeous, and just being on the water is amazing. Plus, it's nice to be able to sit by the bow and chat with friends.

Not much has happened recently... We've had lectures as planned, and are growing closer in our relationships with each other. We've all settled into our routines and are very used to each other and how things work here, so it feels like home. The Lord has moved in my life in many more ways as well. [If you'd like more detail on how, email me and I'll tell you. Some of the stuff is pretty personal, and I don't really like to get personal on the web, otherwise I'd post about it.]

A variety of sicknesses are going around the base; colds, pink eye, flu, strep throat, head/body aches, etc. It's an interesting combination, and nobody really has the same thing as anyone else. Because of this, a few of our leaders think that we're going through a time of spiritual warfare, which makes me excited for and anticipating the times to come.

Please pray for healing for myself and my fellow students.

Hallelujah and God bless!