It's a New Year!

2011. Where did you think you would be in 2011? 

I certainly had no idea of the adventure God would take me on! It's so amazing to serve Him and get to do what we do here at YWAM Denver.

In 3 days we get a whole new school of students for the Boarders DTS. A new season of God's faithfulness. A season for Growth, for surrender, for beauty, for the unknown.

Jesus, lead and guide us every step of the way. When we don't know what to do..we will cast all our cares on you. When we celebrate, we will with you. 

Welcome to something entirely new. 

Growing Pains

I like to be comfortable..to a certain degree. It's nice to know what I am doing, where I am going, how to do tasks well, to feel accomplished and..well, to not fail.
My whole life I've had a complex about failing. It's silly really, I think others have more grace on me than I have on myself. So when I learn to do something..I work at getting really really good at it. This makes me efficient, reliable and...somewhat of a perfectionist.
However, because of all this it seems there is also a constant challenge of being asked to shed the skin that I am comfortable in..to molt, so to speak. Ouch. When faced with new things I find myself torn between..well, what about what I am doing now? Who will do it right? And if I say yes to this new role will I fail miserably and never be asked to do the things that I actually love and care about? And how do I know that I won't love doing what I am asked to do...unless I just step out and try?
Uncomfortable...always feels a little odd to be wearing new skin when underneath I know me as me.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength...." Good thing it's not really about me in the end..His grace is sufficient.

Just a little late night rambling from a new creation that sometimes doesn't always grasp what the fully means.

Be a blessing....

From time to time during our worship and intercession times here at the base we take up offerings for differing things, sometimes base needs, other times to bless people, ministries, etc. On Monday we took up an offering for students who are currently in our schools. The total of the outstanding debt was around $14,000. In the matter of 20 minutes 150 people who are mostly well beyond broke (according to most of the general american understanding) raised over $8000. Now, that's a miracle. And because I am privileged to work in the accounting office I get to see the money get turned in. Every person who faithfully paid their $5.00, their $2.00, their $.59! No gift was too small. God is faithful. 

Every time we do this in our community I am blown away and encouraged, and honored that God would use us to bless others. 

How has God blessed you today? How has He used YOU to bless others? We always have something to offer. 

3 years ago today...
Time has gone so quickly and yet every time I see the videos of Tiff and Phil it feels like yesterday. It's still hard to watch the opening of Jesus Freaks. I think I cry every time. It's out for sale now-you can buy it on the website.

We are nearing the end of the Fall quarter. 18 of the 24 students from the Phase 2 School of Ministry Development are joining staff here at YWAM Denver. They will join us-some after Christmas and some in March when the official beginning of our new year starts.

A word God has given us more than once is prepare for growth, and for the last couple of years its felt like a season of pruning more than a season of growth..but pruning is what you do when you want something to grow. Clean out the dead parts and cut way back. Now we are seeing exponential number increases. Next quarter we are going to have 2 DTS's going on. The Boarders DTS which I will be assisting directing..WHAT!?! (Also if you watch Jesus Freaks you will see a bit of a Boards DTS in action!) And the Compassion DTS which has a focus specifically toward the poor/needy/injustice. Super excited about them both. And to top it off we are running this BRAND NEW school... that every time I hear about it, something inside of me screams YES-YES-YES.
Do you ever wonder God how do we help to change communities permanently? So we don't slap band-aids on the problems, such as hunger and disease, but how can we share the fullness of the gospel in such a way that communities are transformed? That is what this school is completely focused on...Community Development for Missions Seriously if you- or anyone you know of who has done a DTS and is interested in this school, consider coming. It will radically rock your life, of this I am extremely certain!

So while there is sooo much going on that is exciting and stirring around the ministry here in Denver I am also looking forward to a quick week home to see my family at Christmas. I can't promise I will be able to get out and see too many people as it's always such a busy week for us all-but if the opportunity arises I'd love to visit!
So..that's a little of what is happening these days. As always a little of everything!

One of my personal Thanksgiving Traditions...

My ABC's of Thanksgiving for the year of 2010!

Around the World this year! Wow, God thanks for such an incredible experience!!
Brycen doing DTS-ANSWERED PRAYER OF MANY YEARS!! Yippy! Thank you Jesus!
Chris & Lorrie- Its been a blessing to live in their basement for the past year and a half.
Dentists-just think, without them...we'd likely have no teeth left to eat the incredible Thanksgiving meals that we just did!
Everlasting GOD-Creator of all the earth, who never grows tired or weary, who's ways are inscrutable..
Family- I'm truly blessed to have a loving, Godly, beautiful family that is multiplying at a great rate. I love you all dearly!
Grapefruit seed extract, and my dear friend lorinda who introduced it to me years ago when i got really sick and couldn't afford to go to the doctor.
Hope Fellowship-it was such a blessing to be welcomed in, it felt like a little home away from home.
Intercession...getting to partner with God in what He's doing all around the world.
Jesus, Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, Friend, Miracle Worker, Life Transformer...You are everything...
Koreans! I love my Korean friends..and I pray for their country now.
Little things...cuz it's the little things, that make a difference. God, continue to help me be faithful in the little things!
My bed which is very comfortable and will feel wonderful in a few minutes when I crawl into it!
New, and long time supporters who have financially backed me to make it possible for me to serve here in  the capacity that I am.. without you this mission would not exist. It takes all of us doing our part to see the world reached for Jesus.
Outreach..seeing God use a group of people who say, Lord-we are available..use us. And He does.
Pie..and yes, I ate a lot of it today.
Quality time, when I get to spend quality time with people it blesses my heart.
Roberto-getting to see God come into his life in Mexico City, and him get his voice entirely restored.
Settlers, Scrabble and other fun games that I get to enjoy with such good friends. I've been blessed with great friends.
Travel-we live in a big and beautiful world that is worth seeing..the people, the landscape, the creation of our God.
Unity with in the Body of Christ- "They will know who you are by the way that you LOVE one another." Let us be known by our love more and more.
Voting- Yes, We do have a Voice people..so get out and use it.
Water, did you know that so many people in the world don't have clean water? What a blessing to have it every single day at the turn of a tap.
Xactly what I need and even more, every single day. God thank You for Your faithfulness..on the days when I think..how in the world will this work out-and there You are, taking care of me.
YWAM -I get to live dreams every day, and see God transform people's lives..really who could ask for more?
Zee lovely holiday season :-) Christmas is one month away! :-) it's the Most wonderful time of the Year. And we have much to celebrate.

Random bits!

Hey everyone,

 The latest Jesus Freaks Webisode is up, you can find it on the new tab I made or any time check out the webpage..jesusfreaksmovie.com and save it to your favorites. December 6th is the release of the movie for purchase and the general public.

  Be praying for this as it has been in the works for a long time. 

  Already this video has been shown in many churches, youth groups, and venues all over the country..and multiple other places in the world. God has used it to reach kids that maybe otherwise would not have turned their lives around. 

  

In other news...

I had a free ticket on SW so i flew out to NH to see my little nephew for the first time! And spend some time with my sisters. My sister Julie happened to be out there while I was there for the first few days. It was a much needed week of rest and catching up with so many friends. Thanks you guys..you are all such a blessing. NH is so much a second home to me! 

I wanted to upload a few more pics but they aren't working properly so this will have to do! 

Tonight as a last minute thing I ended up driving for the local outreach ministry for Confluence Ministries. The first couple of years I was here in Denver I was pretty involved down at Confluence each week. Their building is now all finished, after 7 years of a lot of volunteers, sweat, and prayer! It's SO beautiful! A bit different than when we were down there in my SBF sanding and staining the trim! 

My favorite song lately is called "Every Day New" by Lovelite

(you can download it for free at www.comeandlive.com) 

The coldness in my heart

The silence in my soul

You're the only One

Who can make me whole

Lord You pulled me from

The emptiness I bear

You wrap me in Your love

As You draw me near

You make everyday brand new

With Your power to undo

I am complete when I'm with You

I give myself away

Savior of my life

You saw what I'd do

So You sent Your Son

To bring me back to You

I will trust in You like the earth trusts rain

I will stand and sing marvelous our King

I will trust in You like the stars trust sky

I will stand and sing marvelous our King 

#2....

"Bethany and John Murphy Vignette" | JesusFreaks Movie Web Episode 2 from JesusFreaks Movie on Vimeo.

Jesus Freaks...web edition.

On December 9th, 2007, a gunman opened fire into a Youth With A Mission dorm in Denver, Colorado killing 2 people and injuring 2 others. “JesusFreaks” is an observational, character-driven documentary, based on a young, dynamic, visionary leader, John Murphy and his school of 45 boarders (ages 17-25) as he guides them through a maze of spiritual transformation in the wake of tragedy. With little in common but God and snowboarding, these young boarders wrestle with authority, substance abuse, religion, dysfunctional relationships, death and more. Guided by peer leadership, deep faith, and the longing of fresh snow, they set out on a journey that will ruin them for the ordinary...
http://jesusfreaksmovie.com/current-episode/

A Blast from the Past!

Memories from my DTS outreach....

video created by Jonah Pyhala

Recalibrate

To correct a measuring process by checking or adjusting again in comparison with a standard.  The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell.


Friends,
We've been forgiven much. Now what is called of us is but to love much. Sometimes we live like Javert rather than Jean Valjean. (Les Miserables). We are offered freedom, we are offered forgiveness..but rather than choosing to walk out that freedom we put ourselves in miserable chains of our own devices over and over again. And in the end, it will destroy every ounce of life- and it causes others suffering as well. If Jesus can capture your heart, and mine..and make us new- can He not also do that for the ones who don't know Him yet? 
Are you living in self made chains today? Lay them down at the foot of the cross..go..love. 
The only standard we are to have in our life is His love. 
Sometimes I'm not so good at loving. Sometimes I get selfish and tired. Often I fail, I'm hard hearted or insensitive...thank you Jesus that all it takes to recalibrate is to come into Your presence and focus on You. 

Crispy Pages

Sometimes cracking the pages of a brand new Bible brings about a fresh perspective of God's word..different verses jump off the page, insights waiting to be highlighted and pondered.
Just started a reading of the new testament in a new Bible, highlighting everything by themes...some of the areas that have jumped out at me.. statements of Who Jesus is, righteous living, sin, temptation, The Holy Spirit, THE KINGDOM, The Word, provision, discipleship, healing...just to name a few.
Thank you Jesus for a renewed desire for your Word.

Teach me your ways O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name. -Ps. 86:11

It is written. Man can not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the Mouth of God. -Matt. 4: 4

why we do what we do..

This is my cousin Brycen..he's doing a DTS in Kona right now!
And God is up to something...AMAZING. Pray for a continued renewal
The revival and transformation is coming..and is already here!

journaling...

an inside look at what God has been teaching me lately....random excerpts from the last 2 months...

Be available. Be obedient. We are not called to meet needs; we are called to do what the Father is doing. "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 15:7

Is it ok to just have the desire to be more like Jesus and learn to love well? That's my goal; to love well.  Total life transformation. Phil. 3:12-14 No other goal.
It's like this- once I was drowning in a lake with no hope of reaching the shore. Christ came to my rescue, I know we'll make it there-I'm relying on HIs strength. But this also means if He says turn; I turn. if He says rest; I rest. Because I'm pressing on toward this and as the journey goes..He knows what is best.
Serve: be willing to play out of position. No matter what your gifts are. Be willing to step into places where you are needed so we can win! -Jay Pathek (I think...its in notes from church)

"Teach Me your Ways, O God; that i might walk in Your Truth. Give me and undivided heart so that I may fear Your name!" Ps. 86:11

To live above reproach is to live in a way that every area of your life is worthy of imitation- Eric Barlow

"I wil say You are my foundation. I will lay-down my own obsessions...." -Martin Scott (SOW cd)

..been running. Running in circles, running myself ragged. Gotta go to the source. So Jesus, here I am.

Not by Might. Not by Power-but by My Spirit says the Lord" -you don't have to try..just be.

God, I'm a mess.
-I know..I love the mess. Just as you are.

Discouragement can keep us from being obedient.

"Because he has loved Me; therefore I will deliver him; I will set Him securely on high, because He has known My name." Ps. 91:14

Today is beautiful. The trees are golden. The sky is blue. The breeze is light. God you are all I need.

David: was is practice training (bear/lion) that lead to giant killing. If I were David and came upon a lion would i have thought "oh there must be something greater coming?" Probably not-I'd probably think.."why me?"

Do it scared. (in regards to stepping into the unknown with faith.)

The Truth over this generation: 1 Peter 2:9-10 "but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy!"  Dry bones..LIVE!

The transforming power of Christ in our lives should lead to overwhelming generosity.

Staffing Phase 2

Two and a half years ago I returned to Denver to do this very school..to grow in leadership and focus on ministry development. Now here I am staffing this school. 

We've been talking about Strength finders this week (if you haven't ever done the test its really interesting and insightful.) This school already I can see is going to be really good! These guys are here and ready to seek what God might have them do with their lives, they are committed to serving Him whether it's in full time ministry (be it foreign, local or church related) or in the business realm. 

i have 5 lovely girls to walk thru this season with- Molly, Hannah, Jessica, YiRang, & Veronica. It's fun to think of creative ways to see them excel in the areas that God is calling them into! 

So, thats's just a little snippet about this season. I'm trying to write a newsletter to give all the bits..it's a process cuz i want to convey so much! And I can really only use so much paper so that people read it! :-) Want to get it? Send me a note and i'll add u to the list!!! 

Jesus & Salsa....

I've come to the realization that Life with out Jesus would be like chips without salsa...really really boring. Only Life without Jesus is actually a lot worse, since chips are ok by themselves ...and I on the other hand am not, so really its not a good analogy! But at any rate....
So tonight about 18 of us went downtown to just do whatever God wanted to do...so much fun. I say that with MUCH emphasis which is difficult just in type!
I wish I could describe to you that Joy that comes inside of my heart when God meets people and ministers to their hearts. Three of us met this guy June, inside he's been running for a long time. He was catching a bus, he had probably a bag full of drugs..and according to him he also had a big gun. This I don't doubt-however God had some things he wanted to share with him. We got to speak to him for a while and then pray for his foot. He kind of freaked out at one point and wanted us to stand up...we asked him how his foot felt "it's on fire" he says..so we prayed again and its restored. Why? Well, because God loves His kids.  June had once been in Seminary, now he's been messed up for a while.
Inside right now I am just so excited that God doesn't give up on us. Man, we can screw up royally..but He's constantly calling for us to come back to Him. Desiring relationship, bringing restoration and healing to our hearts, lives and even physical bodies.
Jesus, thank you that you meet all of us..the June's inside of us that have been running from your heart-trying to make our way on our own. Thank you that you call us to come home and rest in you. To find our identity and purpose in you. Thank you that you don't give up on anyone. It's never to late...

A month flies by

It's been over a month since we returned from our last stop -Mexico. It's been an interesting month.
The first week was debrief week, our team felt like it was just another week of outreach and approached it as such. They were able to be a real blessing to the team that just left for Panama and Costa Rica-sharing our team stories, praying for them and even doing evangelism down town as a whole community.
At YWAM Denver we have a vision to start another location down town that will be a give us a permanent presence and local ministry focus, along with the discipleship aspects of what we do every day. It's been really cool to see how God is weaving it all together and bringing people in who have a heart to reach this city. More on this as it comes up...
Next week we are having 5 new schools start. I will be working with the Phase 2 leadership school. I'm excited to see many past students returning to invest in the area of leadership. We are also running a school of social justice, video impact school and two DTS's. So in a matter of 7 days we will have about 104 students showing up.
This week is a week to prepare and also to reflect and process a bit what God has been doing and teaching us. It seems He has been really challenging us as a staff to draw into Him more deeply- to understand our identity in Him that we can be more effective as we give out to others.
So that's my thoughts for the moment...till next time.

Roberto

We spent our last week in Mexico City.
It was monday and we were in the upper room of the house we were staying, worshiping and praying. God's presence was so thick. Sometimes when God is moving you just have to go, or you miss out. So we went. We took the guitar and some signs and we went down to the metro station. As we continued to worship there, people began to come up and ask for prayer.
We began to see people get healed and set free. A woman, whose name I don't remember, had been in a car accident. Cat and I prayed for her, and all the pain in her body disappeared. Don't we serve a good God?
A few minutes later we were praying for a couple of ladies and I was startled by the sudden image of hurdling off the bridge we were standing on. Setting that aside we continued to pray.
A man shuffled up and grabbed Cat's arm. His mouth was barely moving and we couldn't understand him so we asked Reuben, one of the local guys with us, to help us out. This man, Roberto, led us to the ledge of the bridge and as he looked over the road below he, managed to whisper out a little of his story. Reuben shared it with me and I shared it with Cat. Roberto hadn't been able to speak properly in nine years.
So we began to pray. Reuben shared the gospel with Roberto. Yes, he wanted Jesus to come into his life! Whispering prayers of repentance and acceptance-right there Roberto came to the Lord. Then Reuben told me (in spanish) lets pray now for healing.
So we prayed and as we did, a few things happened. We encouraged Roberto to begin to say the name of Jesus. he did, and as He did His tongue began to loosen, his mouth began to open wider. This man began to speak out in more than a whisper "Jesus, Salvador-Jesus, Jesus, Salvador" Over and over. Then  he began to spit stuff out of his mouth onto the road below. Globs of multiple colors went hurling to the road below- one big red chunk was so large I saw it hit the ground.
God brought salvation and healing that day to the life of Roberto!
The next day we held a service at the place were we were staying- Roberto came, in the front row as we were worshiping he was raising his hands with the biggest smile and proclaiming "Amen-Amen"
Don't we serve an amazing God?!

Love.

This little guy was my little cuddle bug one day while we were up in the mountains in Haiti. I was sitting under the big tree you see out behind him spending some time with the Lord. The children came and were playing at my feet, he climbed into my lap and didn't move for over an hour. He probably would have stayed longer was it not so hot I finally put him down.
The children are so love starved and hungry for attention. It's incredible when you can just be Jesus to a little child. It doesn't take language, or special talent. Just arms and a lap.
Be His hands and feet.

One of my favorite days of Ministry

In Uganda we girls spent the day with the women of Hope while the guys were at a Prison. We started the morning with about 6 women, praying and singing and then we were told to share. It was cool to see how God wove together encouragement and teaching as each of us shared scriptures that He had put on our hearts. At lunch time a couple of the girls said they felt like maybe we were supposed to wash the women's feet. So we gathered together all of our wash basins and some bars of soap.

As we washed the hard leathery feet and prayed for each one, topping it off with some colorful nail polish, each woman was blessed and you could see their faces became more beautiful- because they recognized their worth and value in the eyes of the King. As the afternoon passed on more and more women kept arriving, by the end we had 40-50 women whom we were able to bless and love on that day.

Reflections from outreach...South Africa....

Let us never under estimate the power of a hug. To us it may be a fleeting moment, but to a child with whom love and affection is rare- it is a moment that will be treasured for many years to come.
This is Amanda and her little friend whose name I can't remember.

 "Faith, hope & love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." -1 Cor. 13:13

If i can give the gift of love to a child, it is no great sacrifice and yet it yields 100 fold.

The beginning of Outreach stories...

Every student in the Korean Tourism High School is special and was affected by our time teaching English. This is Rebecca. (her english name.) She is the first person I ever got to personally lead to the Lord. I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of her life story.

Here are some notes from some of my students I thought I'd share a bit...

"I was happy to meet you. You taught Jesus to me. So i realized Jesus. So I love you. -Jordan"
"I was very happy to meet you. And thank you pray for me. Today you will go and I 'm very sad. I'll be missing you. Don't forget me. -Meagan Fox."  (gotta love that English name choice. The best thing is, she came from a buddhist background..but Jesus touched her life.)
"..I want to be like you. I want to believe God, feel Him. I love you, thank you. -Ellie"
"I am happy because I can know God a little bit. I will go to America to meet you after two years.-Scarlet." (she drew a picture of me saying "Scarlet, Jesus loves you.")
"Hello teacher! I'm Minho (Jack)! Thank you. I believe the God. I love YWAM. Good bye! Thank you!"
"I'm so sad because we soon say bye, but it's never 'end' we are always together when we are live in Jesus's arms. I love you and never forget you. Jesus, I love Him. -Claire from Korea

Being a Student of Culture...

It doesn't matter where we are, who we are with or how we find ourselves there..we can learn from the culture we are in at any given time. Culture, the flavor of the people.
There is so much here in France that I find myself enthralled with and contemplating. One word to describe South France: inviting.
The other night when we were down in Ales engaging in the independence day celebration I observed how present people were with one another. It didn't connect until I saw a girl on a cell phone and realized she was the first one I'd seen using one since I've arrived. not that people don't have them, but they recognize the value of the time spent with those whom they find themselves. This spoke volumes to me about what this culture values. It is something I want to take away with me. To remember to enter in to where ever I find myself, with whom ever I find myself around.
Until next time...

Home..

Coming into God's presence, it's coming home. Tonight I was reflecting as our team worshiped -the presence of God is such a welcoming place. A place we can find sanctuary, refuge, a place to rest.
We are blessed.
We've arrived in France. After driving all night from Paris down to the South we have found ourselves in a beautiful old stone farm house, surrounded by beauty.
We enjoyed every second of Uganda. A bit of each of our hearts were left behind there in a some way. I loved working with the Women of Hope. To see the smiles on the women's faces after we spent the afternoon washing their feet, painting their toenails and praying for them, was a captured moment forever. These women who have long been rejected, called unclean and shut out had so much light in their faces. We saw much transformation...
it's late, and because of driving through the night my sleeping schedule is quite a mess. I'll write more again soon.
Love from France, Carmen Joy

Equator Sun, Beautiful People, Red Clay and a Sky of stars

This is Africa..
And I love it. Uganda is beautiful. Our team arrived on Wednesday evening. We are loving being in Africa-Africa. :-)
The Spirtual climate of this place is much heavier and we are finding more challenges. On friday we had a chance to meet many women who are living with HIV and many of their children are affected as well. We visited the village and will go back on Tuesday. WHile here we will be ministering mostly with these families, working in the prisons and a couple of schools. Pray for us to stay alert. "The enemy seeks like a prowling lion- looking to devour." ALertness and awareness to what is going on in the Spiritual is so key.
This is almost the mid point of our outreach. While in someways it feels like it has gone quickly, when I think of all that has happened..its been a while!
Our team is a blessing all the time- to one another and to everyone we come in contact with, often we hear "you guys are just different" or "we love having you around."

South Africa

Hi Friends!
We are having an incredible time here in South Africa. I can’t believe that the time is so quickly coming to an end. We take the bus from Durban on Tuesday night to catch our flight to Uganda.
The opportunities here in SA have been so varied and I feel like I’ve learned so much. We’ve been staying with YWAM Durban where we have made so many new friends, enjoying the company of several other teams from other places!
Much of our ministry time has been spent in a Children’s home about a 20-25 minute walk from here. We have had our fair share of walking this leg of  the trip! We fell in love with the beautiful children and got to speak a lot of truth into their lives, but mostly we just loved on them! It was such a blessing. We were an answer to prayer to the leaders of the home as they were taking on this program for the local kids during the World Cup Vacation and had a lack of volunteers.  I loved watching the kids expressions as we did puppets. Most of them just wanted to be loved and held.
We also have gone down town a few times into the red light district to reach out to prostitutes. The girls are so young, it breaks my heart because this is all they know. We saw several of them come to Christ and 2 of them chose to come out of the places they were in, but then when they were taken to the safe home they still chose not to stay.
Some of the times we have gone down to the beach front near the fan parks  and held signs for free prayer. People are so open. They always think there is some gimmick or something, that the prayer isn’t really free, we must be up to something, but then when we offer to pray, they readily accept. People from all over the world we have had opportunity to minister to! Several times we have done dramas on the walk ways as well.
I have loved South Africa. I was able to go to the Netherlands and Japan world cup game, it was totally a blessing. I have really been growing to love soccer! I’m cheering for Brazil, all tho’ of course seeing the USA win would also be exciting!
Today was our  day off, saw some BEAUTIFUL beaches! Absolutely love it. It’s a bit breezy, but I went in to say I’ve been in the Indian Ocean.
I’ll try to post again soon. In the mean time check out Sara’s blog to see some photos as I haven’t had a time to put any on. Here is the link to hers:
www.saratress.wordpress.com

can't write much..so i copy and paste our team update :) enjoy!

Hello all, welcome to installment #2.
I am writing from Seoul South Korea, in a few hours we begin the 2 days of travel to our next destination Durban, South Africa!  This past week has been phenomenal.  Our time at the high school leading the English camp was a 5 day whirlwind of activity. Our first night after more than 24 hours of travel we arrived at midnight their time to the dorm rooms where a couple hundred students were waiting up for us in anticipation.  Needless to say we didn't get a lot of sleep that night, next morning we were up at 6 am bright and early to start the week.
We did four days of camp with a full schedule from 6 am to 12 am everyday.  Plus a day and half homestay with the students where we each got to go home with a student for a short stay. The relationships we were able to build in 5 days were incredible, it changed all our lives and I don't think the school will ever be the same.
We really felt God wanted to use us to encourage the school in a big way and he showed up. We each had a homeroom class we got to lead in devotions and meet with plus all the rest of the 200 plus students filtered through each of our classes.
The week was capped off by us getting to share the gospel through our dramas and testimonies to the entire student body.  At least 20 students came to Christ for the first time that we know about plus the countless others who thanked us for changing the way they viewed God and that you can have a loving relationship with Him.  In one class period alone Carmen led 3 of her students to the Lord. The week was full of testimonies like that.
From there we headed to one of the YWAM bases in Seoul to receive teaching on Missions. It was a great couple days, very refreshing after such a grueling schedule. This team has done an incredible job!  They really have rose to the ocasion and allowed God to be a part of everything we have done. So until next time!
The ATW team



And that is all folks! Thanks for loving and for praying and for keeping our team lifted up!

Well, it's been a bit of an adventure so far on outreach.
I'm writing briefly because I am exhausted from not having much sleep.
We arrived in Korea on Friday night and jumped right into a service and time with students on saturday morning.
Saturday afternoon each of us went home with one of the students. I stayed with Mi-So for the weekend. She is very sweet and very quiet. She lives in the city of Pyong Taek with her father, mother and brother when she is not at the school. The family showed me what Korea is like. I found it very challenging in many ways. it is tiring when you do not understand a langauge and have limited communication.
The family took me to try many kinds of foods. Everything from from fried beetle things (maybe silk bugs) to unidentified meat, to chewy giant mushrooms, puffy rice (basically giant trix),rice cakes, gimchi (ok..so this one i can't stomach...as much as the beetles were interesting this is hot and sour at the same time!) I really enjoy the barbequed meat with lettuce and rice.
Also we had this whole sushi meal. I tried so many things, but could not do the octopus legs that were crawling off the plate..in fact, i was not really hungry any more after they arrived at the table. It was very important to the family that I like Korea and like the food and the culture.  And really I have enjoyed it a lot. I went to church with Miso. Her family does not believe but she met Jesus when she was just seven and has gone to church on her own since that time. The church we went to had about ten people and the pastor was very welcoming. I really didn't understand anything, but i could feel God's presence in the place. I have been praying that her family will come to know God as well. there was a very strong attitude of the need for acceptance that was constantly there in everything we did and every where we went.
I will try to post pictures..but no promises! Internet is good her at the school, but not sure how it will be as this trip goes on.
Love ya all...will try to keep this posted.

Root canal??

So this morning i went into the dentist for an emergency visit. Thankfully they will be working with me to make it affordable because I discovered I need a root canal. But i got to the dentist early, we got the xrays and everything going for the tooth and I'm sitting in the chair..they've started the process and the lights go out...so then, the backup kicks in and the dentist can pretty much just continue on as normal. So she goes ahead and gets the Novocain going..and then all the power goes out. So I am sitting in the room in the dark with my right cheek going numb...waiting.
From the outside looking in this looks like a disaster. But this morning in the middle of it all i found myself praying for the people around the office. For God's intervention in their lives and His favor to be there as I am needing to trust Him to provide to take care of this..it's going to be a process that continues when I get back from ATW, but have to get the tooth taken care of this week..so I will be back to get it done. What if its more about building relationships with these people than it is about the problem of teeth and money???
I've been realizing a lot lately that sometimes I can entirely miss what God might be doing because I'm so entirely focused on my circumstances...when maybe God is doing something else.
Paul never focused on how he must have done something wrong to end up in prison..instead He thanked God for the new congregation every few hours that were shackled to him as his guards.
What in your life right now might need a slightly different focus? So that instead of looking around we look up and we see what He is doing? Maybe we don't see something else..but then again...maybe we will.

What if we are asking the wrong questions...

So i was driving up to Eaglerock tonight and whining to God..yes I was whining. Complaining to Him that I wanted Him to just show up and fix my tooth so i didn't have to spend my time going to the dentist. Did I ever mention that the drive up here is absolutely beautiful? ..I was missing the entire thing, because I was so focused on what's wrong right now.
So I was then reminded hello girl, you are complaining about having to take care of a tooth problem when He is sending you around the world? It's like grumbling about a slow driver and God is saying HELLO...is that really what its all about? Is life about how fast you can get some where or is more about enjoying the moments brought your way?
Can't help but realize maybe, just maybe I was missing the bigger picture...

A bit of rambling...

I've come to realize that when I was younger and had nothing to talk about I never ceased to write. But now when I actually have much to talk about I write nothing. Perhaps if I approached this blog differently it would be more exciting. Somehow I think I subconsciously believe that if I can't portray EVERYTHING then it's not worth writing anything. I know this isn't true! :-)
So, I'll just begin here.
We leave in 12 days for our first stop in San Francisco. Our whole team is getting geared up and excited!
However, in the mean time this is Debrief week for the boarders DTS. They have just returned from Haiti and Samoa. It's been SO fun to hear all the stories and hear what God has done.
You can see on the students faces that God has done a work in their lives.
Today is a nonstop day with morning worship, time with the returning school, class with the current school, one on ones with my girls from Boarders and then also tonight we have a time of report back where the teams will be sharing dramas and more testimonies of outreach! They will be praying for us teams who are leaving on the road as well.
One of my girls was sharing with me today the story of what is going on in Port au Prince with  the starting of a YWAM base there. God has opened the way for them through incredible door to be able to have their own buildings and property- on which they will also be able to build homes of Hope for displaced peoples. Just one small testimony of our Big God.

By the way- my trip home went well. I have some videos that I shared that evening. I'll email them out- but if you don't receive my normal updates, let me know and i can add you to the list!
More soon.....

WE have tickets!!

So details are on the ATW page (see link at top)!
Also I've posted a page for giving instructions.

I'll be home in WA on the 29th. Sharing at Firm Foundation on the 2nd at 6 pm. Please join us! Chili and Cornbread, Salad and Desserts..and a chance to hear what God is doing here in Denver and around the world through the ministry of YWAM.

teams on the road

Just re-read through an update from the Haiti team today! They shared about a day when 25 people were healed!!!!!! WOOOO HOOO!!!!!! That's our God! :-) A woman with a stiff hand that wasn't working properly and then after that the word spread and people began to come and ask for prayer. The nation is hungry- and the team is reaching their needs. They've been able to minister in tent villages, orphanages, all over the place. If that doesn't excite you; I don't know what does!
The Samoa team has been working with Habitat for Humanities and today Matt (team leader) stepped on a nail; so be praying for a quick recovery of his foot! They are rebuilding homes that were destroyed a couple of years ago by natural disaster.
The team in Thailand (lead by Jonah and Merel for those who know them) just got back from a village. If you click on the side links for videos on my blog it should bring you to our podcasts and there is a whole one done by the Thailand team! Enjoy.

Anticipation. Nervousness. Excitement.
Words that describe the first day of any new quarter. It's been a good day meeting new students. Practicing a few korean words. As they have been arriving I am more and more excited with each ATW student I have met. It's going to be a good quarter.
Our Itinerary is almost nailed down. I'll be posting it on the ATW in 80 days, as soon as the flights are confirmed. We are waiting on some partner airlines to agree with United on the price of the tickets and sell the seats. Be praying. Also working on Visas, when we have 6 nationalities traveling through 14 nations, a lot of research is required! Please be praying for everything to go through with no glitches.

Kingdom Culture

What happens when you combine 8 different cultures in one school? You get the opportunity to really live out Kingdom Culture. The last couple of days staff training for the Spring quarter we have been dialoging a lot about what this looks like, and what it means for us as a base to really honor other cultures and celebrate the differences that we all bring. We have so much to learn from one another.
Choosing to run a school that will be translated into Korean means a lot of added processes of translation and rethinking how we operate some of the daily routines.
In Matthew 5 Jesus exhorts us to love those who aren't like us, namely he's talking about enemies, however it really applies to anyone who "isn't like us". Because really, it's easy for anyone to love someone who is just like them. Same likes, dislikes, mannerisms. What about someone who grew up in a different culture? We can learn from one another! Some cultures have a strong emphasis on family and honor. Others, a strong focus on education. Some have a rich heritage of prayer and intercession.
There are somethings that cross cultural boundaries and those are Kingdom principles of treating others the way you want to be treated, choosing to forgive, speaking truth in love, serving... its here where we all meet- the common ground of Jesus and the way He modeled the way we ought to walk.
More soon! (PS check out the page called Around the World in 80 days for specific outreach related details...)

9 days...

Awn yo haws eyo (Hello in Korean!)
nine days 'til ATW DTS starts! This quarter I am working with the Around the World DTS! Students arrive in just over a week! We will also be running the Multi-Cultural DTS simultaneously and a Phase 2.
Thanks for praying for this season with the Boarders DTS, it's been such a blessing to work with them! The Samoa team left this morning and we send the Haiti team out on Monday!
I'll fill in more details about the ATW as we dive in!
This coming week it's time to switch those gears and start to prepare for a new lecture phase with new faces. The students will have 8 weeks of lecture here and 11 weeks on the road. several of their lecture weeks will be on outreach in the midst of ministry!
To say I am excited would be an under statement.

Sundays at Breckenridge

The beautiful view of the mountain

Laken, Adam, Alli & Hannah getting ready to start the service.

Roxy, Katey & Cody getting the service started.

Me and Jada at Service on the Hill!

Isaac got blessed with a Hot chocolate from a woman that came to service on the Hill :-)

The crowd at service on the Hill before it began!

Pat handing out cookies to our school to give to all the Lift operators and photographers all over the mountain.

Generosity

Giving at times when we feel we have nothing to give out of marks generosity.
We as believers are called to be some of the most generous people on the planet. Just by living in America alone makes us some of the richest people in the world. But if we do not live within our means and live with a heart of generosity-planning to give, we will never feel as though we have enough.
Proverbs 11: 24-25
One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

God has really shown me the past couple of years, how really true this is in our lives. Every quarter we have a week of teaching on the Holy Spirit. As a community we take time one evening to come together after praying that day about what God might have us give to someone else in the community. Last night was the third time I have been in what we call a "giving night". Our Father gives us so many good gifts, and we are called to walk in Faith and also be generous givers.
What happens every time is so absolutely countercultural. We are sitting in a room of 30-50 people who live by faith, who from the outside looking in we don't maybe have a lot..we share houses and live in dorm rooms..but when I look around the room I see some of the richest people on earth. Rich not in possession but in the Spirit. Out of a place of gratefulness and obedience people are blessed.
Last night I saw people meet one another's needs without even knowing for sure that the need was there. shoes were given, snowboards, money for outreach, jackets, jewelry, hammocks...I received a pair of Goggles..I've been looking and looking and looking for a pair that fit my face and didn't cost a fortune, these ones fit perfectly!
We as a community raised almost $2500 to give as a gift toward a new car for a family in need. What if we lived like this every day? I'm learning that it is the way we are called to live.
From one child of the King to another ....We are so blessed beyond measure, it's pressed down and running over....

Saying Hello

You know, you meet a lot of interesting people in life just by saying hello!
Riding the lifts on the slopes brings up a lot of fun conversations...
There is the retired elementary p.e. teacher, ski instructor, sharpshooters who work for commission and make nothing if they don't sell the pictures they take, Coca-cola business men. People from Massachusetts who know the NH towns I know, Texans, visitors from Mexico and Europe...
Have you said to hello to anyone you don't know recently? Do it and you never know what you can learn, and when they ask who you are..you can share.
Pray for us-the Boarders DTS as we go out every weekend that we will as a school strike up good conversations and that we would be able to really make an impact. Sometimes it's easy to go out and just ride, but my heart is to be intentional- and listen to the Holy Spirit's promptings when He says "share me with them."
We've also started to pass out cookies and run service on the hill again with Alpine Resort Ministries!
http://www.armsummit.org/breckenridge.php

Thanks for the continued prayer and support!

Outreaches!!!

Two weeks ago outreach teams were decided...Samoa and Panama. However, God has been speaking strongly to the eldership and others around here that we need to be sending to Haiti. So the decision was made to give the students the opportunity to pray and ask God if they were to go to Haiti instead.
Check out www.ywamhaiti.org to see videos and read updates of everything that's been happening down there! We spent time interceding for Haiti and for the ministry going on down there..and then we presented the option to the students.
We are now sending 20-22 students to Haiti, from up here at Boards, as well as a few students from the Base DTS and WISE school. We are still sending a small team to Samoa, and the Panama team will no longer be going. Such a turn of events, but I am so excited about what God is doing.
Please be in prayer for our teams as they are facing a totally new outreach. I also prayed about going, but know that I am to be here-continuing to serve in discipleship and such from this end, making it possible for the work to go on down there! So we have 6 weeks remaining of this quarter.

We also have students returning tomorrow night from Ireland, Thailand and Colombia. Please pray for safe travels back! Looking forward to hearing the stories of what God has been doing in these nations!

We are back...

Here are a few stories from our time in Aspen!

Saturday night my friend Hannah and I met JR. All 45 or so of us were downtown handing out hot chocolate and striking up conversations with people amid the chaos of an uncomfortable party scene. Being unaccustomed to the culture around me I struggled to reach out. People were drawn to us as we shared the light. There were groups of kids who were looking for parties and instead of going off to drink they stayed and talked all evening. Several times throughout the evening Hannah and I took some time to prayer walk around the blocks. We ended up at the base of the mountain right in town. (not Buttermilk where the X-games actually took place.) There was a huge party going on and so she and i turned down a street, later she told me she had an urge in her spirit that we should walk that way. The street was completely empty so we were walking and praying. We passed a couple of people and then it was silent. To my right I noticed a guy and a couple of girls on a balcony in a hotel room. We reached the end of the street and he yelled the most bizarre statement to the people we had passed "your mom goes to church" we paused.
Then we looked back and he yells "not talking to you" cuz he saw us turn around..but then he said "but your mom goes to church." both Hannah and I at the same moment said "yes she does!" we turned back and stuck up a conversation with this guy, who's name was JR. We asked him why he was yelling it, if his mom went to church, and the conversation went on a while. He was a bit drunk, but we felt like we should talk to him anyway. The night before one of the students had met someone named JR and had the opportunity to share a little with him. We were not sure whether he was the same JR but either way...I asked him what he wanted to be doing with his life in five years. He told me "I want to be an alcoholic." Man, that broke my heart. The hopelessness. We chatted a bit longer and then Hannah and I went back to the center of town. Please pray for JR that he will continue to encounter people who will speak into his life. I have been praying that he remembers the question, where do you want to be in five year- and that he realizes what he really wants- because the truth is, no one really deep down wants to spend their life drowning in misery. "Your mom goes to church" was a blatant cry for help.

On Sunday night we spent time giving out hot chocolate again and this time the town lit the fire pit for us, they didn't turn it on the previous night because in past years it's been the most littered and dirty party scene (and also the homeless tend to camp around it.) But because of our presence the night before the city council actually said yes they wanted to turn it on for us.
We played worship music and sang and some of the same kids came back again. The night was a lot emptier with the games being over that evening.
Around ten o'clock Charlie showed up. One of the guys was playing Brandon Heath's song "give me your eyes" and I struck up a conversation with Charlie. He's from Australia and was in town on holiday to get away from home for a bit. He took a turn on the guitar and then threw $5 in the guitar case for "damages." And then we started talking again. He was so drawn to our group. Myself and one of guys had an opportunity to share what we were doing in Aspen. He shared a bit more of his story and then whipped out his wallet and began to hand me money telling me to take everyone out to lunch or something on our way back. I was in shock. This man, so drawn by the love of God that was being exhibited by our group, felt compelled to give. The vans pulled up then to pick everyone up and we began to walk down the street. I introduced him to John, the school leader and the three of us chatted for a bit longer. He again pulled out his wallet and handed me money. WHAT? Yes. We offered to pray for him, he waved his hand and said "no, pray at home. I'll be okay." I could see in his face that he was so torn. We piled into the suburban and began to pray for Charlie. Thanking God for his generosity that provided for our team (our breakfast food was running a bit low!)
As we prayed suddenly there were lights behind us..uh oh..Foster, being the good driver that he is wasn't going very fast so we were relieved to discover it was just our headlight. The cop came to the window and asked for his info and in the process found out who we were. And then..he thanked us. Get pulled over and then get thanked? Wow. But here's the thing, where we spent two evenings giving and spreading the light and love of Jesus was usually the central party location after the X-games events.
I could go on about the doors that doing simple things like picking up trash opened up, but I guess this is enough for now. I hope you are encouraged and blessed. Thanks for being a part of the ministry that we are doing through YWAM Denver by investing in my life. God is at work even here in America in the most unlikely places. Keep your eyes wide open to the possibilities and your ears tuned in to the cries of the broken.

Ready for the X-games!

Today after worship (which was sooooo good!) seeing chains be broken and people being set free...we went into a time of Intercession for our upcoming time at the X-games in Aspen.
We are going in the confidence that God is going to move, He is going to use us and speak through us. Pray for each one of us-about 50 (counting the kids) of us in total, to be used by God, to speak with Boldness and to be the Light in the dark places.
We spent time praying with our Goggles on, just as an act of intercession- praying that we will see the whole time through the lenses that God would have us see things through. That we will see His heart for the people and see what He is doing. Just as a snowboarder wouldn't ride down the hill without goggles-or the wind hits, the snow blinds and the sun can scorch the eyes-so we wouldn't go into this without the protection of Him!
Stay tuned for testimonies and stories of what God does! Thanks for praying!

Tidbits on Curriculum- Father Heart of God

So, this week was what we call "Father Heart of God week" With a phenomenal speaker Jeff Pratt. Understanding God as our Father is so key to walking out life with Him!
I thought I'd share some of the things that really stuck out to me this week as I was in class a few times. Would love to be in class more than a couple of times a week..I think it's the learner in me coming out! :-) I love to learn...
One of the most powerful lessons comes from an old British Film called "The Mission"- in this story there is a man who wants to get rid of his guilt and shame for what he's done in the past-namely murdering children from a tribe of indigenous people. So he goes to some Jesuit priest/missionaries and asks them to give them a penance. So they strap to his back a bundle of heavy armor that he drags through the jungles on the way to see this tribe.
At one point one of the priests begs the leader to let the man be released from his load "hasn't he done his penance already?" They both look over at him and the leader replies "But he doesn't think so."
Do we know the love and freedom and forgiveness of the Father, or do we keep our sin and mistakes strapped to our back dragging them around with us? it stuck me at one point as the man almost fell off a cliff how much it also affected those who he was with. When we hang onto our past, not allowing ourselves to be released from the burden, it also drags those around us down. But, "when we walk in the light as HE is in the light. We have Fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin." 1 John 1:7 When we walk in the light, being known for who we really are, that is humility.
Let us walk in the light and lay our burdens down before our God and Father who longs for us to know He's freed us and we need not take them with us any longer.
It reminds me of in Pilgrim's progress when at the foot of the cross the heavy burden that Christian is carrying breaks off and rolls away. Freedom!
Often in forgiveness we have forgiven those around us, but we can not allow ourselves to receive that same forgiveness.
Have you let others truly know you? Have you allowed the Fathers love to penetrate every area of your heart? Are there places where you need HIs love and Forgiveness?
Just a taste of the week.
To end the movie clip, he finds himself with a young indigenous boy holding a knife to his throat, only to have him cut away the burden and it's there that the man realizes he's truly free.

What does it mean to staff a school?

Tomorrow begins another quarter. Boarders DTS is here! One year ago I was up here at Eagle Rock, with no idea of the incredible things God had in store. This time as I write I have a sense of anticipation in my heart, because My God-He is good.
Tomorrow begins the journey of a life time for 31 young people. I think back to my first day of DTS, the nerves-the questioning in my mind "What did I get myself into? God, did I make the right decision? Why am I here?" Meeting person after person who is here for the same reason, more or less..to get to know God on a deeper level and bring that knowledge to those around us. This is a fresh start, a time of solidifying faith in God, and finding identity in Him.
Nothing is more rewarding than knowing that God has given me the opportunity to join Him in watching lives transform. To bring love, life, and hope..to ask challenging questions, to give honest answers, to get to spend the next 3 months walking through life with these students along with 15+ other staff.
So what do I "do"? Our staff is made up of the school director, assistant directors and "school staff". Our job as school staff is to come along side of the students on a daily basis. To meet with them individually once a week (I'll have four girls with whom I have the privilege of discipling.) We spend time going over journals that have questions pertaining to what God is doing in their lives, areas that are difficult, community living, scriptures to meditate and spend time on. These operate as a spring board to getting insight into each of the students lives. We also join in with the students on class sessions a couple of times a week so that we can be familiar with what the students are learning. No matter how many times I hear a teaching on a topic there is ALWAYS new things to glean! We have some speakers who come every quarter to speak on the same topics, and then we have some that vary depending on the quarter.
Also we pray with and for each of our students regularly. It's so fun to see God answer prayers! Some answers are very clear and right away while others take time, which I am sure anyone who is reading is well aware.
We have sessions of time where we reflect on the school and the teachings. Taking time to let everything sink in. Each week looks a little different depending on the topic of the week.
So, that's a little on the school/training side of things, the role I am privileged to play. Difficult to put it into a nutshell, but that's my attempt!
Along with this, the rest of responsibilities this quarter are focusing on preparing intercession topics each week. (Along with getting to teach on intercession again this week! To introduce the students to Intercession as it is such a large part of our weekly ministry.) I will be in charge of Personnel- which means any schedule changes at our mountain campus, I'll be the main coordinator. As well as still keeping with some basic accounting things. Sounds like a lot, but for anyone who knows me- you know that I love change and variety!