A time to...

Life in England.

There was usually something that could keep you busy while living at The Kings Lodge. From ''Bored" Game Thursdays to Street Evangelism, if you wanted to be social, you could!

Here's a few random things that I did whilst living in England!

Working with Kids Klub-Salvation Army. Every Friday evening, 20-30 kids aged 7-12 would join us at the church. Most of the kids were unchurched and from broken families. It was a great opportunity to be a light is their lives. We would have crafts, bored games, wii, and large group games available for them to do as they liked, and after, would have a 'God Spot,' where one of us leaders led a devotional talk. It was a lot of fun getting to know them, laugh with them, and be able to answer and ask questions of them.

  Manchester. London. Cambridge. Bournemouth. Peak District. Birmingham. Stratford-upon-Avon.

             


                             








Morning worship and intercession was a daily thing throughout the week. So many talented musicians to lead us to the presence of God!










We started Evangelism Day at the Kings Lodge. Everyone on base would go out that day. We did things like worship and dancing on the street, offering free prayer, and doing "The God Test" with people in our nearby towns and cities.

"Bored" Game Thursdays was there for anyone needing to take a break from studies,  or to enjoy each others company! Kept us from being bored anyways!

Christmas is always fun, no matter where you are!

"Football"....every Sunday afternoon! Rain or Shine. Winter or Summer.

Come to the well...

Cagyan De Oro, Philippines.

3 weeks.

I joined the mega-outreach team, which was the April DTS's outreach plus anyone else who wanted to go! And I'm glad I did! There were about 130 of us from 20 different nations in total throughout 2 months, which included DTS outreach teams from England and Hawaii, extra people from The Kings Lodge (like me!), volunteer Filipino translators, and a few randomers from all around the world!

YWAM Jeepney

We were put into 6 different teams and were assigned a location. I was assigned to a near community called Gusa. Most days, we would have worship, and have a few people share testimonies, and pray for the day before we all piled into Jeepneys and headed to our destinations. There, we brought out a guitar and worshiped until people started coming out. We ended up doing many different things in Gusa, such as going door to door and talking with people, doing small programs for the kids, handing out bags of food to those in need, helping fix houses and starting bible study groups, just to name a few.

My two favorite interactions started at the well in town. Both times, we were able to help someone carry water to their homes.

The first was an 85 year old woman. And she was absolutely amazing. I think she encouraged us more than we her. Funny how that can happen sometimes. She was a Christian lady, and had been for many years. She told us the story of her husband. He had died many years earlier (I want to say 40?) and as they were waiting for the coffin to arrive, a group of Christians came to the village. They heard about what had happened, and went to visit this woman. Then they prayed for her...and for him. And he woke up, got straight down on his knees and cried out to God, worshiping Him! For the next two years, he travelled around telling everyone he could about Jesus, and how He saves! Yup. You read that correctly. Jesus rose him from the dead to spread the gospel. I can't imagine what would have happened to the village at that time. All I can say is that my God is powerful, miraculous, and always at work!

Her family, and her sister's family

The second woman is a mother of 4, age 25 and a sometimes absent husband. We ended up spending quite a few afternoons with her. It seems God was ready to change a few things in her life, and I was blessed to witness it. One day, as we were there, her mother came by. She stayed and chatted with us. We ended up talking about forgiveness, sharing our stories, and about the freedom that comes with it. They both ended up confessing to things in their life that had kept them from God, the mother in tears the whole time... which of course, brought us to tears. None of it was translated, but you could feel the Holy Spirit moving in her. Absolutely beautiful. The next day, we brought a bible with us to give to her, and were surprised by some news. She hadn't spoken to her mother in months, even though they live in the same village! That was the first time they had been together, and after we left, they had talked a long time, found forgiveness in one another as well, and now shared a new beginning with Jesus.

The next time we visited her, she had even more stories to share. For one, she couldn't put the bible down! She just wanted to read it! And you could see she had! Her husband had come home with money for food, which he doesn't do. Instead of singing lullaby's to her kids to put them to sleep she started singing hymns. Her husband finally asked her what had changed, and she was able to share about Jesus. He then wanted to talk with us too!

Preparing and handing out Food Packages

Each week, we were also able to speak at 10 different churches. I was able to share at a small church the last week I was there. I spoke on obedience and disobedience to God, which had been on my heart for quite awhile.

We were also able to go to schools, youth groups and malls to share testimonies and the gospel.

Also, a HUGE thank you goes to our faithful translators! Wonderful friends. It was amazing watching them grow along side us, and share their lives and culture with us!

On a side note--at the end of my trip I made a friend at a hotel in Manila, who took me to the Mall of Asia to hang out! It's the biggest one in Asia! We talked for a few hours in the room about Faith, Family, Cultures, Life. One of those instant friends. Pretty cool, I must say....then she took me out for supper!

Such beautiful people. Beautiful hearts.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst...

England.
I have wanted to go to England for a very long time now.
So incredibly thankful that my dream could become reality!

I joined Youth With A Mission--The Kings Lodge in September 2012 as support staff. Willing to do anything that needed to be done, they put me in the kitchen. God has a sense of humour. And yes, I laughed with Him.


I spent 3 months as an assistant cook, where we cooked for the students and some staff on the campus, which usually totaled 50 people. I thought this was a lot-until I took over the managing and cooking in January, where we fed about 70 people. Then the next quarter came around: April. 3 Schools running and up to 150 bellies wanting to be fed.

Needless to say, I learnt a little more about responsibility. And how to think on your feet. And how much grace I needed. I couldn't have done it without the amazing team working with me, the encouragement of those around me, and a God who gave me strength to take it one day at a time.

That kitchen, however, is one of my favorite places at the Lodge now. Between baking to-die-for Brownies, making sure there was no Gluten in the meal, ordering massive amounts of vegetables, and basically buying a cow, the time spent in that kitchen is cherished.







Worship playing in the background, while we learn some new dance moves and sing into the spatula.
Laughing at how many times we let the boiling water overflow onto the floor. (All accidental, I promise!)
Speaking into one another's life when they're not sure what the future holds.
Learning to cook foreign foods that I had never even heard of. (Some of which are now my favorite!)
Praying for allergies to be gone in Jesus' name.
Enjoying the busyness of community in the heart of the building! (I may be bias! :) )
Watching God shape hearts and minds.
Building relationships that are going to last a lifetime.
Heart to hearts. Fears. Tears. Laughter. Joy. Growth. Freedom.
I got to love and be loved in that kitchen.
In my home.
In my England.

Blessed.

                             

A sweet smelling aroma

Rwanda.
Sunshine. Red Dirt. Smiling faces.

At the beginning as I was getting to know some of the kids, I continually asked what they liked to do for fun. I was slightly taken aback when a lot of the answers were worship Jesus. I thought maybe they were just trying to make a good impression on us "mazungus" (white people). But soon I understood...

What I remember most is the worship. Absolutely sing-it-out-with-all-your-hearts kind of worship. Loud. Clear. Beautiful.

It didn't matter if you couldn't sing well (but most of them could), you sang to Jesus and you meant it. Drums pounded. They clapped. They swayed. They hooted and hollered. They danced. And we all joined in. It was infectious. By the end you were covered in sweet smelling sweat, with a huge fulfilled smile on your face.
Now I understood.


We went to help run a children's summer program started by a few locals from home a few years earlier. As we were there to help the Rwandan locals take over though, we founds ourselves with time on our hands and amazing opportunities just around the corner.

At the camp, we played games, worshipped, had bible stories, skits and a message, and group discussions over lunch. 150 kids a week crammed under a roof wanting to learn more about Jesus. So blessed to be a part of it.

When we weren't helping out there, we made our way into nearby villages. And started similar programs with the kids there, but on a smaller scale of course. These kids seemed to be a little bit shyer, but once they warmed up to you, it was the sweetest thing.

Village School Grounds

Always followed as long as they could!

There was a hospital not to far from us as well. We often went to visit them in the afternoons. Did some programs for the kids, but mostly took time to play with them. Sing with them. Draw with them. Hold them. Love them.

But the kids weren't the only ones interested in what was going on. We had lots of older patients come to spend time with us. Such an amazing opportunity.


We also got connected with a young man named John. He had a heart for his village, and took us there one week for church. We went door to door afterwards, meeting and sharing testimonies with those around. We ended up going around that village a few times, meeting some needs and bringing food with us to share as we went. And as per usual, going about it with a trail of kids smiling behind us.

Sunshine. Red dirt. Smiling faces.
Rwanda.

Rwandan Team with Billy Jean (Goat)

Life to the full.

Discipleship Training School. Youth With A Mission.
                         (DTS. YWAM.)

In Fall 2009, a friend from elementary school emailed me and wrote about doing a DTS with her. She wanted to do it, but didn't want to do it alone. She figured I might be up for something like that too.
I didn't know what it was.
I looked it up.
She was right.

The bug was planted quickly. I knew I wanted to do one...but the question was WHERE?! Oh, the options! You could do it basically anywhere in the world!

I eventually narrowed it down to 3, and inquired to all of them.
1. England for a soccer themed DTS.
2. Oregon--guess it just kind of stuck out to me...
3. California because it was the one my friend pointed out initially.

In the end, we went with California. Chico, California.







January we started the 12 week lecture phase, where we had teachings on many topics, such as Hearing the Voice of God, Nature and Character of God, Plumbline (forgiveness and getting right with God) and Spiritual Warfare and Authority. This time was a life-altering few months. Absolutely amazing. It felt like God had let me see EVERYTHING in a new light. Instead of just having head knowledge, I was gaining heart knowledge. I finally received the forgiveness Jesus had for me all this time...and the freedom that came with it was like nothing else. I just wanted to hug everyone and could not wipe the smile off my face for anything!  I experienced Jesus like never before, and I only wanted more of Him! This was life! This is the Jesus that Paul was crazy about! I got it! And I loved it!

We were sad that this time had come to an end, but we had 2 months of outreach to look forward to: an opportunity to apply everything we had just learnt! And I don't think any of us were too upset that Fiji ended up being our outreach location....shucks, eh? :)

So off we went! And once again...we saw God at work. In those around us, in our team, and in ourselves. We did a lot of different kinds of ministry, to let everyone get a taste of what could be. We did door to door, where we visited in peoples homes, children's ministry, church events, prayer on the streets, treasure hunts, preaches and bible studies, skits and testimonies. We stayed in mansions and tents, huts and houses.



My favorite place was Dreketi. A tiny village. We stayed in tents on the church yard. Most of us had a horrible attitude the first night there, as we had just come from living in a mansion with all you can eat doughnuts, to a place with no electricity and we sleep on the floor. As we were supposed to be speaking at a church event that night, they asked for volunteers. We were supposed to ask God who was to speak, and on what? I didn't ask. I just didn't want to do it. I sat in the front row and watched my comrades do the skits and the testimonies. Thankfully, God decided it was time for an attitude adjustment. I don't know how he did it, but by the end, I was so excited to be there and to team up with what God was doing! It was like God just flipped a switch. Everything seemed great! Most of the week, we did door-to-door ministry, which was my least favorite out of all of them, and yet, it really didn't bother me. I even kind of enjoyed it!

It was there that I also got to share my faith with an Indian man who had questions about Christianity. I had just been having a quiet time with God while the rest of my team were getting ready for supper. Soon I noticed a man lingering, and acknowledged him. He jumped at the opportunity to question me. At first I was scared that I wouldn't know all the answers, or that he would grill me on everything I knew about Jesus or the Bible. But he didn't. It was a conversation with a guy who was curious. Who didn't quite get it yet. Who was searching. In the end I got to pray for him and encouraged him to keep asking the questions he had. When I got back to my team, they said they had been interceding for me. Now THAT'S what God's family looks like, I thought. People who stand with you. Pray with you. Share your hurts, your excitement, your fears, your challenges, your accomplishments. It was a another new look at those who are supporting me. So thankful to have the encouragement behind me. So incredibly blessed to know those people in my life.

And with saying that, it was incredibly hard to say good-bye to them. They were people from all around the world. It's hard to live when your heart is gone to Korea and Guatemala and Switzerland and different parts of North America.... Let's just say I was really thankful for Facebook after we parted ways...

DTS Graduation
Fijian Haka

In the beginning

My beginnings started out like many others, I suppose. Raised in a church-going Christian family. Everybody knows everyone kind of small town. People go to school. Graduate. Get married. Have kids. Work. Go to church and do the two-finger wave as you pass another truck on the back road.

Growing up, I wanted to be a dentist. Odd for a child, yes, but my dentist was great! I felt special going to the dentist! He gave me stickers and high fives and remembered my name. (which I now realize would have just been in my file...) Yup... I wanted to be like him.

I also was going to be a Pastor's Wife. Without knowing how to put it into words, I wanted to do ministry. That was the only way I knew how to at that age. So that's what I would be.

Oh, and a missionary. I remember sitting in the back of the van driving home, and thinking that one day I wasn't going to be here. I would be in some far off land where I needed to go. That simple. I would have been about 7.

These weren't something I wanted to achieve though. It's not like I was bouncing off the wall telling people I was going to be a Missionary. My parents didn't even know what was going on in my heart. In reality, I don't think I quite understood it back then. It just seemed like my reality--What was going to happen. And I was good with it.

It took a long time for me to realize that not everyone wanted to do these things. To be "in ministry." Honestly, it was probably in my later teens before I caught on. I didn't know how it would work. What would happen. Didn't really even think about it. Yet, every time someone would talk about missions in Chapel at school, I was all ears. I wanted to know about these things. I wanted to go along with them.

Grade 11 was our School Missions trip to Vancouver. First time doing missions...first time on a plane! And I loved it! Scared me at times, thrilled me at others. Made us step out. Talk to people. Help someone in need. Listen to stories. And I loved that our class became closer that week. We were able to be honest about what was going on in our lives, and have our friends pray for us. That was the life! That's what I wanted! I felt so alive in that! ...but then it ended... We all went home. Basically went back to our normal lives, but left me with a taste of what could be...

...So...maybe I can somehow tie in the best parts of all my childhood thoughts...make others feel incredibly special and loved. But not just feel. Let them know they ARE. Tell others about the Jesus I know and love. Let them see Him in me. Show them He is there for them too. Team up with those who are like-minded, those who want to be in this crazy adventure with me called LIFE.




It also was many years later, when I was about 21, that my mom mentioned that she always knew she wouldn't be able to keep me. She said it kind of as a nonchalant remark; In passing. As if God had always been preparing her for me to be gone. I was shocked to hear this, and yet, I appreciated it. It was kind of like my confirmation from God. ...I like how He looks out for us like that.