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.