And the destination is...

INDIA!

For those who didn't know, our team has been anxiously awaiting the announcement of where outreach would be since we applied for Discipleship Training School! Imagine a group of 18 adults and 12 children, some prepared to go to Thailand (had been a strong possibility for our group), some knowing God was preparing us for this location, and some just waiting for God's direction in the decision, not knowing where to imagine!

Today, months of waiting and uncertainty dissolved as our school director announced we'd be ministering in India, but details have not been finalized about where or what we'll be doing. As he did, I had a peace, perhaps because I finally knew where we'd spend the fall months, or perhaps because the announcement alligns with what God placed in my heart but I did not previously understand.

I'll let you know more as details are available. One huge blessing is the Indian family on our team, who can provide helpful information about culture and experiences in their nation. They are excited that God is bringing us back to their country and I have been encouraged by them while here. (see picture of Abigail and me above, while berry-picking)

Camping

Last weekend, I had a fun and relaxing time with my friends Maggie, Jodi, and her daughter Erin at a family church camp about an hour from Salem. It was a fabulous time of swimming in the river, being girly with pedicures and massages, worship, and group devotion time. Only thing is, we missed our group devotion time, so us girls decided to do something we've done sometimes "on base" here in Salem ~ each of us spend some time in prayer and the Bible asking God for a word, song, verse, encouragement for the group, then come back together and share it. As we did, God amazed us by giving us similar words and verses about His protection and how essential it is to remain "in Him" (seeking and obeying His guidance regularly; growing closer to Him in relationship all the time). For those who want to read what He gave us, check out Psalm 119:114; John 15; Jeremiah 10:12 and beyond; and Psalm 37. One particularly powerful image was a tree down by the river that had started growing sideways-it was amazing to see how, over time, God has straightened it out to be alligned with what it needs (sun, space, etc.) just as He does with us when we allow Him to.

Of course, what else could make the weekend complete w/o viewing things like banana slugs, chocolate-eating chipmunks, and little stick-bugs in the water (this was the most amazing one to me, by far :))?! And is anyone ready for the "physical Plumbline" of jumping into COLD river water because there's just no other way to get across?! ~ this tested our willingness to plunge into the "difficult" things physically like "Plumbline" classes had last week emotionally and spiritually. It was worth it, though, in both cases!

Until next time,

Amy

Week 4 already?! Plumbline...

<---Berry-picking at Fordyce Farms. A nice "break" from studying...and a chance to start working on my sun-absorbtion for outreach. ;)

Week 4 at Crossroads Discipleship Training School brings "Plumbline". What's that, you ask? The best and most difficult week of the school, I've heard. It's a week that brings us to deal with the difficult issues in our lives as God brings them to our attention. The image of a plumbine is used. In really rough layman's terms=a weight hangs on the end of a string and this line helps a building be straight. Except this plumbline is based on God = truth on one side and love on the other. I'm anxious to work through the rest of this week and strengthen my "life message" with God's help.

Last week we learned about "Lifestyle of Repentance". Based on the Bible and the rich family heritage of our speaker, I learned that this means having such a close walk with God that you are always listening to the Holy Spirit and doing what He says. It was encouraging to hear this, as God's been helping me understand this concept better over the last couple of years. A few other encouragements I heard: 1)Plant seeds of gratefulness, not of bitterness (sometimes easier said than done!), 2)Blameless does not equal faultless, 3)Get the mind of Christ through reading the Word, spending thime with Him, spending so much time in His presence I start to look/act/see, etc like Him, and 4)Do not judge--you don't know the truth in others' hearts! All of this reminds me to have an unshakable confdence in the unchanging character of God (not dependent on circumstances) through the tragedies and joys of life.

Such in-depth teaching, daily time living in community (4 women now in our room, 8 in our suite sharing one bathroom :)), and service in the hospitality department and other ways God leads...such is my "learning zone" at YWAM-Salem. My days are all mixed together now and I'm having a hard time keeping the days straight!

Please continue to keep my finances in your prayers. God is faithful and He will provide. I am currently at 62% of support, which means funds are still needed for outreach and living expenses. Those funds need to be raised by August.

I'm so thankful for your prayers and encouraging posts/emails and look forward to hearing what God is doing in your life. I apologize for the times I don't get back to you in a timely manner ~ when I find a moment, I often don't have phone/internet access! They're working on that at the "base" (our collection of living and meeting buildings).

Praises: relief from allergies, new experiences (yea for berry-picking!), LOTS of learning in class and out

Prayers: Humility before God as He "breaks" and rebuilds me for what He wants, emotional and spiritual healing

In God's love and grace,

Amy