A Lot

I'm looking through my note book trying to find out what interesting fact to share with my loved ones... ok got it.

Ways God Speaks
He's the voice behind you Isaiah 30;21
Dreams and visions acts 2; 17
Audible Voice 1 Samuel 3; 1-10
The written Word Psalms 119; 105
Gifts of the spirit 1 Corinthians 12
Preaching of the Word Romans 10; 13-14
Animals Numbers 22;28

These are just a couple of examples as to how our Loving Father makes His plans known to us. I'm loving class and expanding my knowledge of the One. I'm really considering a bible college. I'm feeling the need to get through the whole word with in depth study. I'm trying to hear where God wants me on outreach and still no indication has come. I'm not stressing out because I know I'll be used anywhere, but it is still important to know from Him because when it gets hard I'll want to be reminded that i was supposed to be there. I want to be regret free and totally confident in his calling.

I was blown away by Johns blog. It really means the World to me that the Lord is and has been using me.

To those at home, I want to tell you. Yes, I'm here where and my whole day is scholastically focused on God and serving Him. I'm learning and growing, but just because your still at work, school, home, or wherever does not mean Hes doing more work in me than in you. The Kingdom is near. I don't mean to sound rude, just encouraging you that the Lord is working in you too. Jamaica or Maryland, God is using.

YWAM has a photography school, a performing Arts school, and Bible school. So many doors please pray.



Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patients Colossians 3; 5-17

So I'm really excited about school. We have been placed into groups and we are going to all act out a chapter from Philippians then perform it in a park during our outreach time in Mo Bay and our other outreach time. I can't wait. i think the main point of Philippians chapter 4 is rejoicing and contentment. We have to learn to be happy whether hungry or well feed. it's cool we read that today because we were fasting today so I was really hungry, then God reminded me that my food is his will and the price has been paid and therefore, rejoicing is in order. I'm learning so much and doing so much. I think this weekend my dts mates and I are going to Nagril! I think I'm going to jump off the cliff! But, probably not cuz it took me like ten minutes to jump off that stupid platform at Cascade lake so chances of me making it off a cliff are slim, but who knows I'm kinda crazy... I miss my people and can't wait to see them. I also was told today that my hair is that of someone half white and half black! yes! almost there.

Romans 12;9-20

Truth

Today we did some street chillin'. Hanging out with the people and spreading the light. I raced with these kids in the park and held this woman's baby and ate sugarcane, which was gross, but cool. I love the way we learn and do here. I know I've already talked about that, but it's such a healthy way to grow. we get t o explore the town and enjoy the beauty! I also really want to be in the performing arts school. You learn dance, an instrument, song writing, vocals, play writing, miming, and theatre. i also learned that my dts counts towards about 21 college credits. I think with that in mind I'll be praying more about what could be next and be sure of where hes calling. I'm really excited about the next week because were actually starting the lecture phase of school. Dave Alexander gave the truth sermon and tomorrow were continuing. We talked about the lies we've chosen to believe and our reasons for doing so. I think it's easier to believe lies sometimes. I get down on myself and just stay down it's so hard sometimes to remember that He has won the victory and we are clean. I really miss home and i want to see my dad. God is good, all the time God is good.

Last night I had dinner with the married staff members Jenny and Aaron, they remind me a lot of Davey and Jill, I miss them too...

The Last three Days

September 18
Good News! Today they announced that our field assignment will be in; Guadalupe, The Bahamas, or Antique/S.t. Kitt. We are not told where to go we will be praying over these places for the next two weeks, then sharing what the Lord has spoken. Please pray for me in this, I really have no clue. I don’t know much about these places so I’m worried I might just pick. I am scared I won’t be listening just guessing. I know God is going to use me anywhere, but it’s important I’m confident in the place I go.
Today we shared testimonies all day. It was really exhausting but freeing. I told these eleven strangers parts of my life that had been in the dark for a long time. The Lord is restoring and shepherding. I was so encouraged to here about everyone’s own journey to dts and their stories of faith. I am surrounded by committed people who also desire God to be first, and dts is what that looked like for all of us. How neat that God would have this select and willing group together to grow in our knowledge and love for Jesus together. Oh, cool fact there are twelve students here, twelve disciples, very significant eh?
Tonight we’re going to the YWAM Caribbean overseer’s house for some brownies and fellowship. I just found out they have a trampoline so I’m going to show off my cheer-skills. Really wow the crowd, ya know?! Anyway, blessing and thanksgivings I send home! Sleep well!

September 19
Today we learned all about Jamaica and its brutal history. We also learned all about the Rastafarian's and what they actually believe. It’s very complicated but basically they worshiped a man from Ethiopia and thought he was the actual Christ. The think that Jesus was a prophet but usually associate the name as a slave ship that brought Africans into Jamaica for slavery. They thought that Haley Salasie was the true son of God. I’m sorry if my Lord we’re in Ethiopia I’d be in Ethiopia, but most Rasta’s were in Jamaica, weird. It made me rethink my bob Marley music taste and understand some lyrics I had been questioning. That was an abbreviated version, but the main idea.

So we had a welcome home party tonight that was amazing. We played all these fun games and had a Jamaican Banquet. The food is really unique but not my style, too much starch! We had a dance party afterwards, there are a lot of cool reggae Christian artist, and many reformed Rasta’s!! The music is so fresh and full of life! I learned signature moves like, gully creeper, and the sweep, and heel toe, the Jamaicans told me I was pretty good and asked me where I learned to dance like them! I felt pretty accepted because some people on the base were a bit standoffish too me but loosed up last night, very nice. I also got cornrows, it was ridiculous.

September 20, 2008
Today I got up and cooked for and hour then feed the homeless at a shelter. I love ywam. We learn and we do. The people were a little scary, but God allowed me to speak John 4; 34 to them. I told them that Jesus gave them this meal, but his word and will are our true nourishment. They took pretty well to me and it was humbling to sit and talk with them. I met this one crazy woman who was really out of it. She told me her name was Monica then asked me about my bracelets. I told her about my people and the reasons I wore them, she really liked this orange, brown, and yellow one I had from forever ago. I put it on randomly before I left for no reason. On the plane I asked myself why I was wearing it and I guess it was for Monica. She gave me a string from her coat and we prayed together. How cool? I of course will wash the bracelet then wear it with pride! We went to another shelter and I made friends with this guy named Alvin. He said he wanted to write me and ask me questions about God. I’m not really sure what to expect, but yeah we’ll see. We prayed with them and then ran through downtown handing out meals to anyone who looked hungry. Seeing the kids starving stirred up something in me. I am certain this is my call in ministry right now. I’m really blessed by the work God is doing in this city. It’s breaking to see people with no home praise God for the little things they do have.
We went to the beach and met up with the rest of the students because the street feeding was optional and only 5 of us felt called to run around with Marion. The beach was amazing you have to pay $2.50 and it was worth it. We could watch the airplanes come in on these water trampolines and I swam about 30 feet down with my snorkel. The fish are see-through and the coral looks amazing. It was so nice to swim in God’s creation and give thanks for the blessed morning with his people. We had pizza Hut for lunch which really hit the spot and I had a Pepsi for the first time, soo good. It was a nice bit of home. I have to go finish hand washing my clothes and reading my book! God is good, God is always good.

New Stuff

So I love the base director her name is Marion and she is really cool. Today we got our first assignment and briefing for our classwork. we were all assigned a partner that works on the staff, and a YWAM foundational value. The goal is to put a debate together that proves why we believe our value is the most important. Lucky for me I got the first value; KNOW GOD. I think I've got this in the bag. I have to dress up and share my three minute presentation in front of the whole base. Here are my supporting reasons why Knowing God is the first and most important YWAM value...

Psalm 105; 9
"Give thanks to the Lord call on his name; make known what he has done"
we can't make our God known unless we know him first

James 2; 17
"faith by itself if not accompanied by action is dead"
Yes, we are called to DO, but we can't step out into action unless we have faith/knowledge

Philippians 3; 8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING Christ Jesus my lord for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish that I might gain Christ.
All is worthless without the Knowledge of Him, our good works are nothing without the heart of a servant allowing our Lord to work through us.

If we Know God and continue to further our knowledge all the other amazing YWAM values will come into place. If we know him we want to be hospitable, and hear his voice, and make disciples of all nations. We have to get it so we can give it. We first learn of his great sacrifice before we live it.

Love. Mercy. hope.

First Monday

September 15,
So today we had to get up at 6 and have breakfast, and then we had worship service. At worship we met the entire staff for this ywam campus. The people here are extremely nice. The staff gathered around the 12 of us students and prayed over us. I felt so at home because my people circle around me in Maryland too. They prayed for us to hear God, to understand his calling in each of our hearts, and they gave thanks for our willingness to leave home and seek Him.
Then we went with our dts leaders; Eric and Alice, to the front gate of the base. We all took a small piece of paper and wrote down sin that we needed to confess. We prayed alone and then gathered at the foot of a wooded cross, there we burned the pieces of paper and prayed for forgiveness and if we felt lead we could confess anything we were okay with sharing. It was raw and touching to share our sin nature with one another. I did not share, but my friend Sandra was suffering from something similar to me and she shared. God has really been bringing me closer to her these passed three days. We have a lot of fun together and I love learning about the German culture and sharing Americas with her.
After the confessing we went into the worship hall and finished paper work for our visa for our field assignment and flights home. Oh, Thanks dad for printing a copy off my return flight information, once again I couldn't be here without your help!!!! I picked up my books and bought a drumstick, which was my first taste of home because Jamaican food is kind of weird. My girl Alice and the director of YWAM Mo Bay had a meeting with me earlier. They prayed for God to teach me and use my gentle heart. They read me things that the Lord had laid on there heart for me before I arrived. They read me scripture and told me how God created me to lift up others…Wow. Already an amazing day and I haven’t eaten lunch yet. I miss my people but I’m carrying them with me in my paradise.

Oh we have a memory verse each week so I thought I’d let you guys know what I was learning.
Habakkuk 2; 2-3
Then the Lord replied; write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. The revelation awaits the appointed time. It speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger; wait for it, It will not delay and is coming.

I send you all Love. Love. Love.

Oh also some random things; I’m not a person that sweats a lot, but here I walk ten feet and half to change shirts, so yeah it’s really hot and humid. Also at worship we learned this really cool song. The chorus goes,”a ma mi daddhi Oh, a ma mi daddhi O” it means He is my Father. I loved it. I’m about to go on a scavenger hunt of the beach town so until next time.
Peace.

Made It.

I woke up, repacked, left my passport at home, cried, laughed, ate breakfast with Denny, received 3 special last minute gifts, and made it safely. The clouds looked so majestic from the plane, it looked like kingdom. I am so blessed and so happy here thus far. I got off the plane and headed to immigration. I had to prove why I was in Jamaica then meet a YWAM rep out side. My flight landed early so I just wondered outside for 30 minutes and it was fine, but I had to tell about 80 sketchy cab drivers that I would not need their services. Then, Alice was there! She is a dts staff member and an awesome stylish British girl. She put me in her truck and we drove off through the beach town and up to campus. I told her how i came to Jamaica and how Jesus had clearly pointed me her. I told her about all the love surrounding me back home and the affirmation I'd been granted. It cool how other believers understand me, how they know exactly what kind of love and support I'm talking about. Alice made me feel very at home and welcome. At ywam we pray whenever we leave and enter the base. So Alice prays and we unloaded.
The first person I met was Sandra. She's from Germany but was born in Switzerland so her first language is Swiss-German. Sandra is really sweet and dear she says cute catch phrases when shes trying to articulate with English words. Every other minute she goes, "uuhh how you say..." it's interesting. Hannah arrived next she's from PA so we connect over everything. Larissa is from Canada, and loves ice hokey. I old her Canada was basically America just better health care. The four of us explored campus and walked off base last night which was not a good idea because Jamaicans drive like their crazy. Later that night we hung out with Erin and his family. His wife and him are staff members and they have two adorable children, Malachi 3, and Ezra 1. I'm really happy their are little kids here I might not miss Jason so terribly.
I swam in the Caribbean today. I had my goggles on and saw about 15 feet down I also scraped my foot on a rock and bleed neon blood for a good ten minutes. I'm okay but I then repeatedly stubbed the wound. No hospital trips yet, but have no fear I'm sure it's coming. I also found out that my out reach has been changed to somewhere in the Caribbean. I guess I'm not going to Africa after all which is disappointing but God is going to use me regardless so who cares where I go? Selena Mildred and Shauna lee arrived today they are all Jamaican and they've been teaching me slang. wahguan me doops means, whats up friends. I can't wait to learn about this great place. The view from my room is outrageous. Mo bay is beauty. Thanks for reading even though it's sporadic and grammatically poor. I love you guys...Here are some pictures.

Sueprise!! ahhhh I am so LOVED.

Well, I was happy with a great farewell morning at church and some Starbucks with my mom today, little did I know what excitement laid ahead of me. After coffee my mom and i came home she wasn't feeling well so she laid down for a nap and I posted the blog entry directly below this one. All of a sudden, she busted into my room saying that someone from church had been in a terrible accident and many people were going to meet at the church to pray. I got up, changed clothes, and ran to the car. My mom was crying on the way over and I was trying to calm her down even though I was very nervous to find out who had been hurt or even killed. I came into the church expecting tears and bowed heads when what I got was a ton of people who love me shouting "surprise". I was so confused, wasn't someone dead? no. I was shocked and a little upset. I would have rather gone to Church with a different mind set than, "someone is gone and God's going to use it for good" but nonetheless I was surprised.
My Aunt Brenda and cousin Kristen set up a lovely arrangement turning our plain church into a tropical paradise. They had a cake with flowers, volleyball, slide show of my life, heart breaking speeches, Jesus music, useful gifts, amazing hugs, and most importantly people who love me and trust that the Lord is making his will done in my life. I have been filled with the love and grace of the savior through those he has placed in my path. My heart is going to explode! Thank you everyone for the best party ever.

Prayed Up!

Hello all! I have only 6 days left here in the U.S.A. I could not have asked for more love an support as I step out into this journey of faith. Today at church the congregation laid hands on my and prayed for the love our our lord Jesus to be demonstrated through me,the grace of our Lord has brought me to this excited and life changing time. I'm overwhelmed with joy. after church, I was prayed over again by a close family friend and I could feel the Love of Christ pouring out of her heart over me. I can't wait to See what God is going to do not only to me and my mission but to my home and my community. I am loved and forgiven and ready for this next chapter in life...

Please be prayinh for the people in Jamaica; my teachers, classmates, the political leaders, the government, the children, and the weather. I know God is moving and preparing me for this time away from almost all that I know, it's time to see who I am regardless of my enviornment.