1/18/2012: So its been a while since the last update. Still
loving it here. A lot has happened too. Esther, Josh, and Liz all left for Iris
ministries on the 10th. Sounds like they’re loving it there. That
same day we had a meeting as a team and decided that we really wanted to step
it up when it comes to boldness in sharing during the village ministry time. It
really hit us that while God will tell us if he wants someone to speak
specifically he will say so, but if we don’t hear a name it’s not an excuse not
to speak and share the gospel. In reality, as Christians were all called to
share the hope that’s we have. That day we got to sit down with two women for
about two hours and talk about Jesus! So good! The day after that we prayed for
a man’s foot to be healed. Till believe that it will happen! After that house
we came upon another one. There a sister in Christ was added to the kingdom!
It’s so crazy how God wants to use us to tell others about him. When we stop
trying to sell it as something the people need and stop saying how life will be
better with it fruit comes. It comes because we simply tell people about the
love of Jesus. It’s not like some info-mercial trying to give you something
new. It’s simply a story of love. It’s simply a story of someone dying for people
that he loved. So good! A couple days ago we were doing the same thing in the
villages and two more people came to Christ! Oh the power of the simple gospel!
God is
really stretching me like crazy to speak more and more. In several of the
village times I find myself saying something…next week we’re going to panyana
and leading a camp there. I have a sermon and two seminars that I’m leading
there. It’s cool how God told me before I left Kona that I would be speaking
and that he would prepare me…and now it’s happening. Crazy!
We’re
moving along on the rain catchment tank! The first full layer of cement is
done! It finally looks like a tank! Three more to go and it will be done! So
stoked.
God’s
really been challenging me to dig into the bible even more than ever before. I
am finding that if I don’t spend time with him at the beginning of each day
then it is very difficult to walk out in love. It’s not an obligation thing, I
simply want to spend time reading it! I’ve never had that desire before, so I’m
really enjoying it! Tara and I have started reading threw the new testament
from start to finish and out loud. Matthew has really been rocking me. What if
I truly took everything that Jesus said and lived by uit? So good! I’ve also
been reading 1st Corinthians (at the time I wrote this 1st, now I’ve
finished it and am into 2nd Corinthians) on my own. So good. I
encourage everyone to read it and get ready to get rocked. Remember, it was
written to the church…and somehow it is still totally applicable to us as
Christians in our time as well. So crazy.
Still feels
like home here. God’s placed some things on my heart and I’m pretty sure I’ll
be out here again someday for longer than three months. If anyone is up for a
crazy God adventure then pray about joining me! It’s gonna be epic.
Break off
any stereotypes you may have about south sudan. It’s not like what I
pictured before coming. It’s very safe. Of course, there are some parts that
are dangerous, but isn’t that the same story everywhere? There’s some parts of San Jose that you don’t
go to because it’s dangerous. God is moving like crazy in this nation. It’s
only a matter of time before it takes off and is a hub for revival in Africa. And hopefully the rest of the world.
1/22/2012: We made it to panyana today. Begins the week long
youth camp. It’s about an hour and a half or so away from Yei. We’re right
along the border where South Sudan, Congo,
and Uganda
meet. The camp is pretty sweet! We’re staying in one of the African style
brick/mud huts. They had beds already made with mosquity nets and everything
ready for us! We go in, had a short meeting then went to church. Service was
like 4 ½ hours long. Never before in my life have I ever been so thankful for
hour and a half long services like back home in America. It was really cool and
they had so much good stuff to say, but man, 4 ½ hours is a long time to just
sit there. They had us up front as guests too, so we couldn’t get up to go to
the bathroom or anything. We have a break now until 6:00pm. When we’ll meet
before the evening meeting. This week I’m speaking at least 3 times. On Tuesday
I am doing a 2 hour seminar on “Hearing the voice of God.” Crazy that as of 4
months ago I woulda called you crazy in regards to this topic, yet now here I
am speaking on it to the youth of this camp. Funny how God works things like
that. On Wednesday I’m doing a seminar on discipleship methods. On Friday Night
I am doing the evening teaching on “sharing your faith.” I’m so stoked to see
what happens with this camp. We’re expecting some crazy fruit to come from it!
Lately,
I’ve been thinking about going back to school right away before I go back into
the missions field. I’m considering teaching while also getting my degree in
psychology. We’ll see. I’d love to be a little more equipped in some areas
before I go into long term missions overseas. We’ll see after outreach what
happens with that!
1/24/2012: We’re into the third day of the youth camp. It is
going well so far! God is moving big time here and it is cool to see how the
students are taking it all in. I spoke today on hearing the voice of God. I was
super nervous right before I went up but then ended up speaking for over an
hour. There were a lot of questions afterwards too which is awesome! Revival is
starting in South Sudan! Loving panyana! We’ll
get to go for a walk today and go for about 3 miles to the congo! Crazy!
So stoked for it! So, everyone here is a freaking beast at soccer. You say
you’re gonna play then all of a sudden they’re all changed into their cleats
and Manchester
united jerseys. They’re really good though! Luke and I were talking and it was
like our varsity higschool teams wouldn’t even be able to touch these guy…and
they’re like 12-16 years old. So funny! I did score a goal though (total fluke,
shouldn’t have happened at all…) The keeper was out of the net when I shot…he
dove back in front because it was a weak shot but it hit a hole in the ground
and bounced up right over him…plus he was like 12…but come on, those are just
minor details! It was so fun though. When I come back to the states I’m
definitely going to get more into soccer so when I’m out here next I can at
least keep up a little bit with these guys.
1/27/2012: Today went really well. I was supposed to speak
on discipleship but I felt like God really wanted me to talk on how He isn’t a
God of fear but a God of relationship. What was crazy is that I really felt
like I was supposed to go in with no notes.
I was so nervous going into it. The holy spirit really moved though and
I spoke for over an hour with no filler stuff…just strait speaking. It is
getting a lot more comfortable to speak in front of people. I’m actually
starting to enjoy it!
Pretty
much, We met the speaker of the house of south sudan today. No big deal. He’s just
number 3 in line in the government. No big deal. If the president dies, the VP
takes over. If the VP dies, the speaker of the house takes over. No big deal.
Not only did we meet him, b ut we3 got to sit and talk with him for over an
hour over drinks. He is a solid Christian! So good! From what he said, the
nation is moving in an amazing way. So good! We got to pray for him too! So
good! I also have pictures to prove it too!
1/30/2012: We’re back in Yei from panyana. Camp was an
amazing week. There was so much growth in the students. Our small group
especially seemed to be really impacted. All week long the generic church
answer (not too different from home) was “if you humble yourself and confess
your sins Jesus will give you whatever you ask for.” By the last day of small
groups their answers were all about how they truly understand what a
relationship with God means and how they’re going to tell others about it! A
lot of them sound really ready to go out and live Jesus out with their lives!
So stoked!
Being back
in Yei feels like being at home. There’s something about this base and the
leaders here that’s different from anywhere else. I’m really going to miss Seme
(The pastor in panyana)…a lot…but YWAM Yei really feels like home.
I am
constantly amazed by how similar Africa is to the United States. I used to look at it
and imagine a whole different world. It’s very similar. It’s not that image of
everyone and their mother about to die of starvation that usually gets painted.
There are teenagers who rock sunglasses and act like they’re too cool for
everything. Kids on their cell phones and that are texting. Phones go off in
church. People tell jokes and play pranks on each other. People care about how
they look and what they wear. Teenagers struggle with doing drugs. There’s
little motivation for school. Girls get pregnant at younger (teenage) ages.
Some churches are dead. Some churches are alive and kicking. There are stores
to buy things at. Everyone loves music. There are things specific to the culture
and customs as well. Now, if no one knew that I was living in Africa, or I
hadn’t mentioned it, one would have thought this description was about America. So why
does Africa get all of the bad rep? I know
it’s not perfect, but people starve in America. People don’t have proper
health treatment in America.
There’s poverty there too. I’m just really noticing how no matter where you go
in the world you will see the exact same things. Sure, there are minor
variations, but still…same thing wherever you go.
I really
have a hope for this nation though. Some of the strongest Christians I have
ever seen are here. The government has some very honest people in it which is
helpful for setting the groundwork. It’s going places.
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