Half Way Home

We are going into
the six month and are now at the half way mark. I wanted to take time to
reflect and recognize what God has done. 
Every time we proclaim what the Lord has done we give praise to His name
and bring glory to His Kingdom.  Plus it
is time to remind myself of the works of the Lord, as encouragement to myself
and others.

New Zealand: 

Ministry: We worked at Change
Point Church joining in their intercession and prayer every morning. Every
afternoon we did manual labour. We also assisted with the YWAM Jubilee
conference and Call2All conference.  We
did background work such as: garbage, security, setting up, and taking down,
etc.

One key story: All across the
world people came together to worship the one living God. God began to bring me
into a new boldness of praying for others, being undignified when I worship, and
listening to His guidance. I remember one day we came into a place of worship,
people were dancing all around me, and I asked God as I was standing there “What
do you want of me?” He told me “Just let my peace cover you”. I remember
standing in a crowd of people dancing freely and I was completely still before
God as His peace poured over me. After awhile I felt God tell me to pray over a
girl, so I walked over to her and prayed God’s truth into her ear and asked for
God’s peace to cover her. She began crying and I remember seeing God’s peace
capture her.  God spoke to me clearly
that month- that the peace and faith He has put into my life, He will use as a
testimony to many others- to continue to seek His face.
Scripture:  “Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14)
“May the God of hope fill you with peace and joy as you trust in Him” (Romans
15:13)
Something new: Drove on the left
side of the road.

Australia:

Ministry:  Encouraged Christians in a small aboriginal
community called Beswick. We were involved in the church, Bible studies, Sunday
school, after school programs, and just hanging out under trees.

One key story: We met Angelica at fellowship one evening. She was lifted out of the
car and put into a wheelchair. She came and wanted us to pray for healing in
her body. She does not know what she was diagnosed with. One day her limbs
became weak and her skin was covered in scabs- she could no longer walk or use
her arms. As we prayed over her, she asked to try walking. We watched her get
up and walk- very slowly but there was a hope that glazed over her eyes and
smile.  I learned through her I possess
something that people crave- a hope that people need. It is the light of Jesus
that makes us attractive. Jesus says “freely you receive, freely give”. Angelica
is a precious lady desiring a hope that will not fail her.
Scripture: “Sorrowful yet
always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing
everything” (2 Corinthians 6:3-13)
Something new: Swam with fresh water
crocodiles ( swimming was the only way to get to Beswick falls)

Philippines:

One key story: As I saw the poverty
struck community I wondered, “God is there not more?” but he challenged me with
the question “Am I not enough?” Apart from God we have nothing. These people I
saw living in shacks need Jesus- need His hope, need His joy, and need His
love. I wanted to give them more (physical things, a house, water, etc) but
there is nothing better than Jesus- nothing that will satisfy or quench the
thirst of our souls except Jesus. I met a girl named Roxanne with one leg (I now
keep a picture of her in my Bible).  We could not give her a new leg, but
what we did give her was joy, the joy of Jesus. Nika -a blind abandoned girl- was
hopeless, but now is known (to her community) and reminded of Jesus- who will
never leave or forsake her. She carries hope in her smile.

Malaysia:

Ministry: We worked with
Pastor Martin in Kuala Lumpur. We also went and worked in Gua Musang with Kumar
teaching English, preaching, and sharing testimonies.

One key story: Every time we
leave a place, we pray over our contacts and speak life and encouragement. I
remember we were leaving Gua Musang and we were praying and speaking over Kumar
and his family. God wanted me to speak, but I was scared, so I turned to
Michelle and said to her “I want to speak but I am scared, can you pray for
me?”(You see, I like to kick fear in the butt, so by proclaiming I was scared I
had accountability to push past it). 
Michelle prayed and I just began to speak. The words coming out of my mouth
shocked me- boldness overtook and the Holy Spirit spoke. I remember Kumar and
his wife confirming everything I had just said. That one week in Gua Musang was
a week I will never forget. It was one of my favourite weeks because I did not
let flesh rule but let the power of the Holy Spirit overtake completely.  My desire is that when I walk into a room, the
atmosphere does not shift me but my presence shifts the atmosphere, because
Jesus lives in me and is alive- His light radiates through me and makes me different.

Scripture:  “He who speaks of his own does so to gain
honour for himself, but he who works for the honour of the one who sent him is
a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”  (John 7:18)
“Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf of mute? Is it not I, the Lord? Now
go, I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:11-12)
Something new: Saw my first wild
Monkey on the phones lines and drank from my first coconut shell.

Thailand:

Ministry:  S.H.E (Self Help and Empowerment) Ministries

One key story:  During the time in Thailand walking in and
out of the red light district each night, I had gotten to know a beautiful
woman.  She would be so excited to see us
each night. We would embrace her with a smile and God’s love.  She came to visit us at S.H.E, and did not
want to leave because she did not want to go back to her life at the bars- so
she just hung out with us, talking and just being for hours.  As it was our last night to visit, sadness
came over all of us.  We gave her a
letter with a reminder of Jesus’ love and hope. We presented her with a
bracelet to match ours, to remind each of us of our friendship and the time we
shared together.  I said to her, “What
will you do without us coming to the bar each night?”And with no delay she replied
saying “I will just look at my bracelet”.  Brokenness and love was huge that month. That
month I met an awesome woman of God named Autumn Breeze and the words she sang
speak so clear for the red light district : Chains be broken, lives be healed,
eyes be opened , and Christ be revealed. 
In the darkness light will be revealed.
Scripture: “But where sin increased,
grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20)
” He is the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as
though they were” (Romans 4:17)
Something new: Got stuck in a
monsoon and went for an elephant ride.

These stories are just a glimpse into our months, yet so much more is
to be told. I am absolutely amazed at the Lord’s work.  Each person I interact with blesses me (more
then they know) just as much as I want to bless them. We are God’s vessels for
His kingdom- He chose to use us and teach us.

Key words for my life this year: Boldness, speaking, peace, deep love,
obedience, surrender, faith and passion.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses
his life will find it” (Matthew 10:39)

I am finding my life each day as I surrender and come to deeper
knowledge and relationship with our KING!