This was such an exciting and new time for me. It was great to reunite with all of the other teammates, learn about New Zealand, and prepare emotionally, spiritually and physically for the race. It was also a great time for team GLO to become closer as a team.
Week Two: Change Point Church
The first part of our ministry consisted of two parts. The first part was to participate in THOP (Tauranga House of Prayer). We spent 4 hours of every morning worshiping the God I know and love. It was a great way to start everyday and the race. It was a time for me to grow into my gifts, intimacy with the Lord and for me to intercede for the people of the conference “Call to All”. The second part of the ministry was to serve the church. We hammered every nail in sight on 3 patios, power-washed the buildings (to prep for painting) tore down a brick wall, sanded hand rails and window sills and painted them. It was a great time of getting our hands dirty and really serving them. It was a blessing to get to know our ministry contacts and to know where they have come from and where they plan on going (as a church, as a family, and as individuals).
This was probably one of the most impactful times I have had so far on the race. The YWAM Jubilee was a celebration of the 50 years they
have had so far. Early in the morning we helped prepare the traditional feast for 700 people, it is called Hangi. It was such an honor to be involved in this process. If you were to ask a Kiwi (New Zealander) if they have prepared this meal, many would say no. At the end of this food preparation, the main leader gathered us together to encourage us in our journey, equipt us, and to speak life into us. He spoke and sang in his native tongue which is so beautiful. We concluded this time with Hongi. This is where you place your nose on the other person’s nose in front of you, then touch foreheads, and close your eyes while you breath in life with that person. This concept of breathing and sharing life (or breath) as stuck with me and my team so much. This will carry us on for the rest of the journey.Furthermore, the end of the Jubilee celebration was where the 40 cultures each did a tribal dance from their own country and presented gifts to the YWAM leaders, and the Samoan leader’s speech really was impactful. Read more here.
Finally, the Call to All conference really stretched me in some new ways and deepened my journey of discovering a gift I have. There was one night where there was no message and only worship. We prayed, celebrated, and sang for the entire time. It was where I was able to speak life and truth to many young men and women and be a part of seeing God heal a woman of back pain through me.
