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!

Glory to God

Now that I know I'm going to PNG for outreach, I know a bit about how much the outreach will cost. This Thursday, tomorrow, the first $2500 is due. Through God's grace and love, people have been moved to help support me, especially my parents, and therefore the $2500 will be paid on time. However, that still leaves an uncertain amount of roughly $3000 that I need to trust God with. I've already done the standard support letters, GoFundMe page, and asked my church; I've been wondering what else to do to try to raise the money. I would feel bad if I had to send out more support letters to the same people as before, not to mention that it would be awkward and rather socially unacceptable. I'm still in that circumstance a bit, but just now the situation has shifted.

This week we were assigned a book to read, a book about trusting God financially. I imagine it was intentional on the part of the leaders, to have us read about trusting God with our money just as we need to come up with thousands of dollars for outreach. Even so, it really is a great time for me to be reading the book. Before 30 minutes ago, I hadn't yet started to read it (we have until November 10th to finish the book and write our report). I planned to start it during our weekly Wednesday study hall, which is just now coming to a close. So I sat on my bed and opened the book, and read the intro and had just finished the very first page when another student, one who I've only talked to a couple times, walked into my dorm room hesitantly and asked to talk to me. Obviously I closed the book and joined her to sit on the floor.
She told me that a while ago God had given her the impression to send out more support letters to her friends.  At first she didn't know it was God who had given her the suggestion, but then a friend (who had given her nothing and was only a year older than herself) gave an incredible amount of money. She knew then that it was God. However, she had all her funds set and ready to be paid, so she asked God what to do with the money. God didn't send a clear answer, so she asked around and essentially scouted for people to give to. She saw my post on Facebook, and knew that I hadn't gotten all I need. So she told me that some of the money from her friend was going to me, about $750.
I wasn't sure how to respond, so I stammered my thanks and we talked a bit and she left the room. I didn't know what to do at this point. Tell everyone? Scream it to the heavens? Keep it to myself? Buy a celebratory muffin and continue reading? I did the last one, because I was a bit in shock and also I think I just wanted a muffin, and I had only read a single page. So I went to buy my snack, and on the way down I saw her talking- having the same discussion- with another DTS student. I bought my snack and went to my room, keeping silent about what she had told me, and I started to read. But then I thought, why in the world am I keeping quiet? God deserves the glory, and God deserves the glory now, and I shouldn't wait to tell the world that the glory is to God. So glory to God, everyone!

And now I have 2 minutes to get to class, and I've still only read 3 pages. :D

The Ocean Here

The ocean here is so powerful. Merely standing in the waves on a calm day, I can feel the power of the sea. The waves are weighted with potential disaster and can change in a heartbeat. Staring beyond the waves to the distant, endless horizon is surreally different than standing on the beach of Lake Michigan. I can't see the far side of either from their beaches, but the sea stretches vast before my eyes in a way that I never would have believed.

The ocean here is so blue. It's beautiful, fairy-tale blue; the blue of a painting or a postcard. I would see images of the rich blueness of the sea, but I didn't understand that each snapshot was realistic and true to the colors of the deep. It's aqua blue, mermaid blue, sky blue, bright blue, midnight blue, cerulean, and deep deep green; and so very purely clear.

The tide rushes in with immense strength and crashes against the rocks in a symphony of white, blue, energy, and might; it's stronger than man, stronger than rock, it's stronger than time itself.

I've added new pictures to the "Pictures" post!

Quick Update:

For the past week my group and I have been up in the mountains of Hawaii learning to hear and recognize the voice of God. There wasn't any wifi or cell service, so that's why I've not updated recently. We just got back to Kona, so I figured I should update the blog a bit.
It was incredibly relaxing and peaceful, and very much a bonding experience. We played many different card games, group games, and went on hikes. Our leaders made a point for us to grow closer with the people we'll be going on outreach with; I'll be going to Papua New Guinea with 12 other people, and have bonded with most of them.
I made the decision to go to PNG with God's help; I don't know anything about Papua New Guinea and I don't know what I'll be doing or what it'll be like, but I'll be going.
We were told our outreach locations about a week and a half ago, and were given a few days to pray, talk with parents and pastors, and ultimately make our decisions. Us students weren't allowed to discuss the decision process with the others on campus, or say where we would prefer to travel. We weren't even told which leaders would be going where. Their desire was to focus the decision making process on God and for us each to go where He wanted us to, and it worked well.
I'll be going with 2 of my roommates, which was a wonderful surprise and made me content with PNG.

Notable Memories Each Day

This is a sort of calendar of events; a way for me to remember what happens and when it happened, and for you to refer to if I mention something and you'd like to know when it happened or something (feel free to ask me about any of the things that I write down). I'll update this post about once a week.

2017 September
Wed September 27th- flight to Chicago, then LAX with a 16 hour layover
Thu September 28th- arrival day, met Amanda, then Bedo arrived. Christine arrived after I was asleep
Fri September 29th- ships welcome/orientation, Luau dinner and Aloha Welcome Ceremony
Sat September 30th- Hapuna beach day, played cards
Sun October 1st- Mokuaikaua church
Week 1
Mon October 2nd- 1st Ministry Night; got my calling
Tue October 3rd- went snorkeling, family fun night
Wed October 4th- rec center with children
Thu October 5th- went explore shopping, found cool stores
Fri October 6th- David talked about true worship, 1st day of Sailing track
Sat October 7th- Sailed in the morning, rain poured and we danced and swam in the pool, stayed up until 4am talking
Sun October 8th- Listened to one of Pastor Darrin's sermons
Week 2
Mon October 9th- bought pinkie ring, short lecture on Hawaiian culture, Jonathan's first day
Tue October 10th- walked to post office with Luke and Dolan, stayed up til 1am talking
Wed October 11th- walked to Walmart late at night to get swimmers ear remedy
Thu October 12th- ? apparently nothing of note
Fri October 13th- last day of Jonathan's Bible lecture, got gelato
Sat October 14th- volunteered at Ironman World Championship race, walked to Walmart with a group
Sun October 15th- went to End of The World, went for dinner at Jack-In-The-Box
Week 3
Mon October 16th- left for camping at Kalopa State Park
Tue October 17th- went on hike, started lecture on hearing/recognizing God's voice
Wed October 18th- PNG group bonding games (marshmallow activity)
Thu October 19th- Capture the Flag and S'Mores
Fri October 20th- back at base; talked for hours with my friend Meg
Sat October 21st- Got Taco Bell
Sun October 22nd- went to Living Stones church, Target run w/o Bedo
Week 4
Mon October 23rd- sat in park talking, sat meditating in back during Ministry Night
Tue October 24th- walked to book store, Ships 7th year anniversary dinner in classroom
Wed October 25th- received $750 from Anne-Sophie's friend, went to clinic
Thu October 26th- mask exercise, Thursday Night gathering with great worship session
Fri October 27th- shared my mask, sang Disney songs by the cafe
Sat October 28th- went with part of Team PNG to Hilo
Sun October 29th- went to restaurant by the harbor and got daiquiris, got pizza for dinner, prayed in the prayer room with Alex
Week 5
Mon October 30th- Tiger Hill's story pt. 1
Tue October 31st- Tiger Hill's story pt. 2, family fun night (affirmations and karaoke)
Wed November 1st- chatted with Dolan and Luke during work duty, walked to Walmart for cheap candy, got glass bottles of Coke
Thu November 2nd- read by the pool during work duty
Fri November 3rd- went to Thor: Ragnarok
Sat November 4th- went sailing, had roomie pizza party
Sun November 5th- watched Doctor Who in conference room, and also with Amanda in dorm
Mon November 6th- Shannon Casteel's 1st day (powerful, 'fear of the Lord'), ministry night- I focused on Whitney
Tue November 7th- powerful lecture, got card from church, walked to Walmart and Safeway with Everett, Luke, Torborg, and Anne-Sophie
Wed November 8th- Starbucks with Dolan, 1st street ministry night
Thu November 9th- book presentations due, conversation during/after Thursday Night Gathering
Fri November 10th- sailed
Sat November 11th- bought a pizza and watched Doctor Who, watched more in conference room with Dolan, then Alex came in and we talked until 4:30
Sun November 12th- went to Living Stones Church, then to Magic Sands beach, went with Dolan and Alex to Walmart
Week 7
Mon November 13th- Maria Daughtry's 1st day
Tue November 14th- scavenger hunt during Family Fun Night, stayed up with (Chris and Dolan, Luke and Amanda
Wed November 15th- chilled during work duty in hallway with Dolan and Luke, Francis Chan spoke, got McDonald's with people
Thu November 16th- fasted, TN gathering
Fri November 17th- Holy Spirit encounter after Maria's lecture, navigation track about charts and dead reckoning, finished Spiritual Warfare book
Sat November 18th- last sail, got a pizza with Bedo, went to SanFran with people, talked with Alex, then Anthony and (D til late
Sun November 19th- with LA- walked around market, then went to Pizza Hut, hung out by pool in a cuddle puddle with them and D and Hannah H, Alex left
Week 8
Mon November 20th- 1st day of justice week, ministry night with band in center around lamps and lightbulbs,
Tue November 21st- had night class watching trafficking video, stayed up late,
Wed November 22nd- carried buckets of water for a mile, had to get water from diesel container for the day, went to SanFran with LAD, got Snickers ice cream bar, stayed up late with (D, discussed Greek philosophies of love, stayed up praying by myself
Thu November 23rd- Thanksgiving, gave meals to homeless people
Fri November 24th- Bedo's pizza lunch, watched A Christmas Prince, chilled in Christmas room (chart room) with LAD
Sat November 25th- went to SanFran for hours, stayed up late with LAD, acknowledged and changed
Sun November 26th- slept in, watched cheesy Christmas movie with McDonald's, walked out and sat on bay wall listening to music, broke glass bottle
Week 9
Mon November 27th- corporate Impact Week, ministry night with word from God via Rob
Tue November 28th- family fun night watching Home Alone
Wed November 29th- walked to Long's Drugs with D, talked with L, 3rd street ministry night, walked to McDonald's with a big group, then to Walmart with LD and Anne-Sophie
Thu November 30th- fasting day, last day of impact week, leaders prayed over anyone and everyone in Ohana Court; went to 3 groups and got words,
Fri December 1st- had lecture in the writing school, started feeling sick
Sat December 2nd- felt worse, got pizza for lunch, went to urgent care and left without getting checked out
Sun December 3rd- mostly stayed in bed
Week 10
Mon December 4th- stayed in bed, went to clinic in evening
Tue December 5th- quarantined all day
Wed December 6th- quarantined, again all day
Thu December 7th- freedom!! watched Psych the movie, got McDonald's and Starbucks, watched Penelope and SPN
Fri December 8th- Joseph's last lecture, nautical track with a guest speaker (medical), PNG team meeting at beach, chatted with T and D
Sat December 9th- rode trolley around, shared a pizza with D (and T and Lani) for lunch, watched SPN, watched the Christmas parade
Sun December 10th- listened to one of Pastor Darrin's sermons, napped, made rice krispie treats, watched SPN
Mon December 11th- 1st day of Danny Lehman (Biblical worldview and evangelism), last ministry night, stayed up late with (D and LA
Tue December 12th- played games on the pier for workout, called Cameo and chatted for a long time, last family fun night
Wed December 13th- walked to Walmart, meteor shower peaked- watched it at the old airport with D and L+A (was amazing and wonderful), got in at 2:30
Thu December 14th- Danny Lehman lecture, D saved, TNG with Todd White
Fri December 15th- Danny Lehman's last day, took Katja's work duty whilst D took Anthony's, stayed up til 1:30 looking at/for luxury hotels in other countries, LA came back late from old airport
Sat December 16th- L packed A lunch, had Apple Jacks for breakfast, Esther taught a Bible class on Hebrews, napped, watched SPN, had stressful work duty, de-stressed with D, got Pizza Hut
Sun December 17th- experienced nonstop inner monologue/story telling whilst asleep, woke occasionally; went to Livingstones, with D- walked to Walmart to get medical supplies, went to Taco Bell. deep-cleaned room, Target run
Mon December 18th- last worship session at upper campus, Andrew and Melody got baptized, Cambodia and Haiti teams left
Tue December 19th- Marshall Islands team left, started packing
Wed December 20th- met with girl from PNG and talked about what it's like, started cleaning classroom and continued packing
Thu December 21st- finished packing, finished cleaning classroom, moved everyone's stuff to the storage facility,

Pictures!

The Supernatural Aspect of God

[I'm not sure where this is going, but I feel the need to share some of what I'm experiencing... I'm not the best at verbalizing what I'm thinking, but writing: writing works. So bear with me, because my thoughts may ramble, and I don't plan to edit it much because I'd like to come back and read this someday and be able to see how my mind was turning. Just know that I'm passionate about what I'm experiencing and learning.]

Growing up, I was taught neither that God enacts miracles, nor that He didn't. If miracles were mentioned in the modern sense, it was about the miracle of birth, of life and creation, of God's love. Supernatural works of the Holy Spirit, vision sending- God speaking direction in a non-metaphorical sense: these were "for Biblical times, and God chooses to keep them that way".
Of course, there'd be the standard rumors on the wind, you know, of miracles and people catching a glimpse of Heaven and getting visions; however, they were restricted to the "strange" side of Christianity, the side that might just be people seeking attention, the "hey, look at me!" side. The side that belonged in a mystery spot, or a funhouse, or the circus. The side that was to be viewed with skepticism, and even some annoyance because of the reputation and negative attention it gave the Christian community.
If I or one of my siblings asked, our parents would say that we couldn't know if these things actually happened; it might be true and it might not be. As such, I essentially believed in the possibility of the supernatural, but not in the actual occurrence; except in very extreme circumstances, of which I hadn't yet heard. We glossed over the Holy Spirit, and focused on Jesus Christ and the existence of God. (Recently a church group I'm involved in did start going deeper into the Holy Spirit, but not with YWAM's intensity.)

Coming here- joining the YWAM family and becoming a YWAMer- has challenged and transformed that belief in a matter of days. I've heard tell of the miracles that God performed to support and bring YWAM and YWAM Ships into existence. I've listened while the co-founder of YWAM spoke about her life, and the God-driven path her and her husband have been on since God sent him a vision in 1956, of waves of young people covering the world following the Great Commission. The stories of YWAM and YWAM Ships are stories of large and small miracles, of simultaneous revelations, of inexplicable coincidences, of visions, of God sending passages of Scripture and encouragement. They are, plainly and simply put, a story of the supernatural and the power of God. I am now a part of that story.

Every Monday night here we go up to the main campus for something called "Ministry Night". Ministry Night is a time of worship, prayer, intercession, and feeling the Holy Spirit. Last Monday night was obviously the first of the quarter, and going into it we didn't know what exactly to expect. We were told that it was for worship punctuated with prayer, and warned that powerful things might happen- had happened during Ministry Night in the past; instantaneous healing, the Spirit speaking to people, people accepting Christ wholeheartedly into their hearts and lives.
Now, background. It rarely rains on campus, and I hadn't experienced the rain yet. I am naturally a bit uncomfortable with raising my arms in worship and praise; I haven't really learned yet to worship with my whole body. Nobody knew each other very well, so we all had inhibitions. This is all in the O'Hana Court, a huge pavilion with a stage along one side. Hundreds of people were in the court, reportedly more people than had been present before. The worship music was loud, the singing was passionate and growing in strength, and the Holy Spirit flooded the place with His presence.

At the beginning of the night, one of the worship leaders took a moment to tell us that on many Ministry Nights the Lord chooses to act in powerful ways, because when a group of God's people gather He is pleased, and things happen that might not have happened if people had been praying or praising by themselves. So I was a bit excited, and I admit slightly doubtful of whether God had anything above the norm to say to me.
When the worship leader said something like "we want the Holy Spirit to come into this place of worship tonight, and we want to be ready and open for Him when He comes, so if we can all just take a moment to welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts and welcome God to speak-" and there was a loud cheer, I did open my heart and I asked God what my calling was, what he wanted me to do, and I waited for an answer. In my mind, I went through the list of the things I've considered over the past few years, referring to them by their theme. I went through college, psychology, mentioned sailing, and was on my way to mentioning casting in the theatre world when I felt a subtle, but definite confirmation. Immediately I knew it was the Lord and I asked for greater confirmation on sailing, "Am I meant to sail for you, Lord?", and God sent an immensely powerful sensation of overwhelming certainty, peace, contentment, and happiness. I started crying from the power and dwelling on God, resting in this mind-numbing moment. I was laughing out of pure delight and sheer happiness at the evident love of God.
A while after this (though for me time felt suspended, so I'm actually completely clueless about how much time actually passed), the same worship leader prayed for the Holy Spirit to 'give a clear, absolute indicator of His presence to those in here who had already experienced Him in an unusually powerful way, and for Him to enter the hearts of those who hadn't'. I received from Him what I needed at that moment. Not more than minute later the skies opened and pouring rain fell upon the campus of the U of N, and I went to play in my first experience of Hawaiian rain. God performed more beautiful, powerful things that night; acts of healing in particular; but I remember my experience most, and I remember how I felt and acted afterword. When someone encounters God, they can't help the tears or the laughter. They stop caring about what the people around them think, and they delight in the presence of the Lord. My inhibitions were gone and I praised and worshiped my Lord with my whole heart, mind, and body.
Now, a week later, I've had the time to process and consider. The complete lack of inhibition only lasted for that evening and I'm again slightly (although less so) self-conscious about using my body in praise. I'm eager for the future, and I have no clue how or when I'll be able to pursue what God told me to do.
The concept at the heart of YWAM, its informal mantra, is to "say yes to God without knowing all the details". This concept is shared and followed by all YWAMers; it is not merely the key, but the sole reason how YWAM exists and is successful. All throughout the Bible are stories of the followers of God saying yes without knowing all the details. God made these people unbelievably successful.  God will still make one successful if they obey Him in the end, but He particularly cherishes those who follow without knowing the how, the when, or the why. These are the people who aren't just thinking about the immediate future, the 60 year plan; they're thinking about the 400 year plan and about furthering God's will for the distant future, giving sole glory to God in a way that brings Him the most possible glory.
So I am saying yes, without knowing the details, and it's exciting, electric, and powerful. I am sometimes a bit terrified, but I am always content.