Let the meetings begin!

YWAM is no stranger to the American phenomenon of planning meetings. :) But I'm thankful for them as I begin this new season of ministry in Salem, OR.

I arrived safely in Oregon last Wednesday, June 1. While friends and family back home sweltered in the heat (my heart is with you!), I drove through hail, melting snow, a little sun, and typical NW drizzle the day I arrived in the Beaver State. The drive was beautiful! I especially enjoyed the charming town of Sisters, OR, where I stopped for a small bite to eat, and to call my sister, of course. ;)

God's been good to me this first week here. He's helped me have just the right balance of unpacking and decorating to feel at home, socializing, sleeping, and I can't forget those meetings with this group who will be my friends, colleagues, and a sort of family for the next 3-6 months during my initial position.

Aptly Named
When I started this blog and named it "Next Step", I never know how appropriate that name would be. In YWAM, there is a variety of ways to serve during our commitment to staff. Over the next two years, I'll be eager to unveil God's plan to you as I follow it, step-by-step, as He reveals it. This fact puts me out of my comfort zone (I'd rather have the plan laid out ;)), and it's one of my favorite aspects of God's call on my life to serve here.

Our meetings this week have centered around getting to know each other as staff, learning the key aspects of Discipleship Training School, and the logistics of preparing for the group of students we'll be walking alongside this summer and fall. I was especially encouraged and strengethed today with the verse II Corinthians 1:21, 22 because God has ordained this time in your life and mine. If we have accepted and are following Him, He has equipped us for what we are called to do. And His Spirit in our hearts is a deposit...not even the full measure of what He has for us, no matter how wide and deep our experiences here on earth.

(II Corinthians 1:21, 22 - Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.)

Children of Destiny (COD)
During the next few months, you'll be hearing a lot about this ministry as I blog -- it's my primary responsibility! Together with two other young women, I'll be preparing twelve 4-12 year olds to walk alongside their parents on missions outreach, but more importantly, walking beside them as they learn to hear God's voice, are validated and loved, and so much more. Each day, from about 8:30-3, we'll use stories, activities, and field trips to encourage them in their development as children and as children of God!

In the coming weeks when God brings me to mind, please join me in the following:

Praising God
* for safe travels to Oregon and settling in
* for providing me an opportunity to serve families in a ministry to their children, both which are dear to my heart

Praying to God
* that I will guard my quiet times with Him, set aside or spontaneous. They are my lifeline!
* giving and receiving all God has for me while ministrering with COD

I would love to hear from you when you have a chance. My email is amyrenee78@hotmail.com or you may send mail to my address at the campus in Oregon (found at the right side of this page). As my friends, family, and prayer and financial supporters, I lift you up in prayer and want to coninue to walk alongside each other as God leads us in this journey.

God bless!
Amy

On the road again!

T-minus 17 hours...
The past couple of weeks have gone a slightly different direction than I'd thought, so I apologize for the delay!

On a positive note, since I last posted, God has faithfully added partners to my prayer and financial teams and I am at 30% my monthly budget of $3000. That is an increase of more than 2% per week! I look forward to how He will continue to develop the rest of my team as I follow Him in faith to begin my call in Oregon.

Have you ever been praying faithfully, wondering why God wasn't showing you an answer?! I'd been praying this spring for God to confirm when I should leave to start staffing at YWAM Salem and just didn't see a clear answer. In mid-May, with a friend's guidance, I allowed myself to consider that maybe God didn't "care" when I went, that the important thing was that my heart was in the right place and my hope in HIM.....not the control I felt I had or the visible finances coming through.

Since I left Oregon last November, I knew God was calling me back to Salem to continue the work He'd begun there. I specifically have a heart for discipleship, training, and cultures/languages. The Salem, OR Youth With A Mission campus has a mission to Inspire, Train, and Go. Sounds a lot like what God's placed on my heart!

I had a positive trip to Emporia and Osage City last weekend, visiting friends and family who have supported me in this journey. I feel very blessed I had that time with them. This week has been spent packing and saying "see you later" to my friends in the Wichita area. What a wonderful treat (the time with friends, not the packing ;))

I leave tomorrow morning (Monday, May 30) for the 3-day trek to Oregon, solo this time. I'll miss my travel buddy, but will try and treasure the 8-10 hours "alone" time in the car each day (aughh!).

When I arrive Wednesday or Thursday, I'll jump right into this summer's responsibilities. Last summer, I received training through Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) on the YWAM campus, specifically designed for adults who are sensing God's call on their lives to make Him known to the nations. This is a little different from the stereotypical "Youth" With a Mission bunch of 18-24 year olds. ;) What that means is some will bring children who are preparing to be missionaries alongside their parents, wherever God calls them.

I'm excited to announce that this summer I'll be working with these children in a daily class called "Children of Destiny" (COD), mentoring them in the same concepts their parents are learning. We'll learn about hearing the voice of God, spiritual warfare, and similar topics, in a way that applies to their lives. What an answer to prayer! I'd enjoyed substitute teaching this spring, and had been asking God how He'd help me transition from this area...I'd really be missing it a little! He's so good to provide when we relinquish control! It's not where I thought I'd be ministering this summer, but God knew just what He was doing!

I don't want to take all your Memorial Day weekend with this update, so I look forward to being in touch soon! I'll try and update facebook each night this week to let you know I've arrived safely at my destination. :)

Partnering in Prayer
* Safe travel Monday-Wednesday/Thursday.
* My heart to remain faithful to God and His voice.
* For God to be preparing the hearts of the young people I'll be working with in the COD class this summer.
* For God's provision as I continue to work with His guidance to develop prayer and financial partners for His work.

Partnering in Praise
* Treasured time with friends and family in the last few weeks
* Continued weekly increase nearing the budget for this ministry
* A specific role working with children this summer that brings joy to this teacher's heart :) and meets a need for missionary families.

Thank you all for your love and support! I pray that God is drawing you near to Him today and that you experience His presence this week in abundance!

In Him,
Amy

Who's in control?

As promised, I'm back a week later. :) God continues to provide and add to my support team. Despite missions ventures in the past, this longer-term support-raising journey is teaching me a lot. About patience, about my job vs. God's job....all sorts of stuff!

Today, I stand at 23% financial support raised (up 3% from last week), with friends also renewing their commitment to support me in prayer. Thank you God, and thank you friends!

In life, I battle with control. The less I feel in control, the more I try to control. It's not pretty! Sometimes I control my food (good/bad choices). Sometimes I interupt in conversations more. Sometimes I teach ;) .... the list could go on. But these are the times I experience the most internal tension too, until I can return to that place where my heart's submitted to God.

In short, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). That could really frustrate (why plan at all?!?!), but it comforts me most days, and reminds me to return to the One who holds my days, and my heart, in His hands.

Until next time,

Amy

Sunny days

Sunny May to all...at least most days in Kansas lately. ;) Though it has a beauty all its own, I guess I need to get used to the idea of NOT having all those sunny days throughout the year as I prepare to move to Oregon!

It's been a while since I met you here last, so I'll catch you up on my progress toward working on staff with YWAM in Salem, OR (check out their link on the right side of my page!).

After meeting my 4th niece and spending time with all 5 nieces/nephew and their parents in March, I substitute taught almost every day in April. Thank you, God, for that provision! I enjoyed "bridal shower weekend" :) with Angie, a good friend and roommate, who serves as a missionary in Mexico. I continued to share with Sunday Schools and friends how God's called me to train missionaries through Discipleship Training Schools in Oregon. And God continues to meet some of my personal and ministry needs through friends like you, like a computer and phone to use after both of mine died! He is so good!

With a plan to move to Oregon at the end of this month, it's essential financial support is raised. God is teaching me a lot about support-raising and the joy it can bring both you and I as we partner together to reach some of the most unreached nations with the gospel and train others to do the same! If you've not received a personal call or email from me recently, please expect one this month! I'm doing my best to reach those I know with the opportunity to support me in prayer or financially on this journey.

I'll be updating the blog weekly (or more!) to let you know how close I am to full monthly support. If it's not in a new entry, check the thermometer at the side of the page! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and please let me know how I can support you in prayer!

Prayers
* to reach full monthly support this month
* wisdom how to use my days ~ balancing sub jobs, sharing my vision with support team, and preparing to leave...plus leaving some room to breathe!
* my niece Baylie, to stop having seizures/find the cause

Praise!
* 20% support raised
* God's provision for daily needs and technological ones
* Joyful times sharing life and vision with friends and family

By His strength,
Amy

Afraid...

The following comes from a journal entry I wrote last week. I'm excited and ready for this step God's placed in front of me. But I wanted to share this snapshot of reality to encourage, inform, or however God wants to use it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fear.

It's a silly thing, but can be like a mountain.

I'd known I was afraid for this next step, but could figure out why. A conversation with a good friend this weekend helped me figure it out, by reiterating what others have said before, but this was the time I would HEAR it.

-->Going on staff is a big deal...it is a change and commitment greater than a 5-month school.

And me, I love stability. But I yearn for novelty and die a little inside without it. What I'm going to could be both, but I don't know. And I have to trust. Trust that God has shown me this is where I need to grow and give next. Obey.

Have faith. Because I'm scared. I'm scared that I won't 'find my heart' here; scared to leave my friends and family; scared I won't be to them what they need; scared to love and be loved by new friends, and grow in true community; scared I won't do all God will call me to.

So there it is. I am human. You knew it, I knew it, but I couldn't put my finger on it. And boy am I glad God uses broken things. I'm glad He honors a broken spirit and contrite heart (Ps 34:18; Ps 51:17). I'm glad He knows the plans He has for me (Jer 29:11). And I'm glad He loves me with an everlasting love, I'm still learning to let that be "enough" and not worry about how my heart will be fulfilled.

It's official!

So it's official ~ I'm goin' to Salem! My application was officially accepted last week, and I am prayerfully considering when I will join the Salem YWAM campus for a minimum two-year commitment. Please pray with me for discernment. I want to honor God with my finances and time, and balancing both is what drives my decision right now.


I'm currently substitute teaching and sharing my heart with others about where God is calling me for the next season. If you don't yet receive email updates from me when I've updated this blog, please send me your email address (send to amyrenee78@hotmail.com) or home address, and I would love to keep you up to date. I'll include more here soon about how you can easily support me financially with automatic withdrawals!

I'll close today with II Corinthians 3:18. I was cleaning my room last night night and came across a welcome note from one of the YWAM bases in India that included this verse. It was a good reminder of what my priority should be everyday: to demonstrate what Jesus is through my words, thoughts, and actions.

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

God bless as you seek Him,
Amy

Next Steps

How little did I know what an appropriate name this would be when I started my blog. One of the biggest lessons God taught me over the last five months was how to follow Him one step at a time. This meant stopping trying to manage every decision, every plan, trying to have everything figured out. I thought I’d learned that lesson as I slowly lost or let go of so many familiar things over the last couple of years, but He had more to show me…





One step at a time
God wanted to show me that when I let Him lead completely, it brings a lot more peace. Examples…As I used money wisely and let Him take care of my needs, He’d do that…and often bless me with more (in time with loved ones, with “extras” above my need, etc). Or when I dug into teaching again in India, He’d provide the support and boundaries I needed to not get overwhelmed. Or even when I returned to Wichita, dealt with health issues, and tried to take care of them myself by going a little OCD overboard :), God provided the people, emails, and stories I needed to remind me HE is leading, HE is in control, and He cares even for these little things. They’ll go so much smoother when I step back, listen to His voice, follow just that, and enjoy this ride I’m on.









Taking one step at a time. I'm not in this picture ~ I couldn't find one with me in it, but I promise I was there. ;)

God provided me a picture-perfect illustration of His step-by-step leading our last week in India. It had rained something fierce, leaving a normally swampy area completely flooded. We needed to cross that area to minister at church that morning! As I hiked up my pants and started step-by-step on the rocks each placed a stride apart, someone said “Amy, you look like you’ve done this before!” I smiled to myself and had a giggle with God; I don’t know that I’ve ever crossed a flooded field in dress pants or a dress, but I do know I follow Him on this journey step-by-step, not turning to the right or left, keeping my eyes on what He has before me. In this case, it was the next rock! A year and a half ago, it was selling my house. A year ago, it was applying for Discipleship Training School. Now, the next step is returning to Oregon to pursue what God has placed on my heart: discipling others.

Why?
When I was repeatedly asked to teach English classes in India, I got frustrated. I told God, “I thought we both agreed classroom teaching is not for me right now!” Since I genuinely believed this, I asked Him what He meant by having me teach so much. He answered me with a string of opportunities to preach! I enjoyed these opportunities, as I learned to seek God for what He wanted to say to the group I was visiting. He reminded me also, through books and conversations, about leadership. Since middle and high school, I’ve enjoyed being part of leadership, but found I didn’t like being president, or the one in charge of a group. During CDTS, He’s used books, friends, and mentors to show me more effective leadership, and perhaps part of my frustration through the years when I’ve lead.

What do all of these things mean?! That’s what I asked God. Throughout our outreach, He’d shown me and others many verses about waiting on the Lord. I was doing that in a number of ways, but believed it was time to take steps toward what I’d do after outreach.

Receiving my certificate at CDTS graduation

To GO...

Throughout this process, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the Great Commission. God’s placed within me a desire to GO (perhaps for short stints throughout my life), a part of Matthew 28:19-20 that’s often emphasized. But now I understand the rest a little better:

“…and make disciples of all the nations (people groups), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Wherever I am, I have a call on my life to make disciples, teaching them to observe everything Jesus has commanded. And He’s given me (us) a great promise…to be with us as we do it! For the next two years, this means returning to Salem, OR upon acceptance to the YWAM campus there. My desire is to disciple others through Discipleship Training Schools, as well as other areas of staffing, like Hospitality. I also hope to learn new skills while there, like bookkeeping, to prepare me for other opportunities to serve and disciple later in life. This position will again be support-based. In the weeks and months ahead I'll update more about how you can partner with me in prayer or financially. In the meantime, you can continue to use the contacts to the right or my email (amyrenee78@hotmail.com).

Thanks for coming alongside me as I learn to always take the next step God provides. I pray you are challenged to do the same, and look forward to continuing on our journeys together. (Picture below ~ my first horse ride (!)....in India)

~Amy

Home!

Thank you for being patient! In the past three weeks, I said good-bye to India and friends made there, spent a week of debrief and graduation (and saying good-bye / see you later) in Salem, OR, and made the long trek home to Wichita, KS (2800 miles this time) for the holidays. My body’s revolted a little along the way (just sinuses mostly, thank goodness!), and I’m adjusting to the temperature and time changes as I go.

Ministry in India
The last time I wrote, we’d just begun work in our last city in India – Chennai (Madras). We never knew at the beginning of the trip that God would take us on a 3+ city tour of India during our time there! Chennai, a coastal city, was hot and humid, but a little more bearable than Trichy, as our bodies and lifestyles were adjusting.
One part that helped our adjustment was our team’s commitment to 24/7 prayer. We’d talked about it earlier in the trip, but didn’t get it going until the last 9 days of October. With some of us waking up for midnight shifts or adding it as another “task” to the day, a person would think we’d be more tired, but God honored us with increased energy to fulfill His will during the last leg of this outreach.
Days here were filled with many things, but mostly “open-air” outreaches and prayer walks. Open-airs allowed us to sing songs, share the gospel via an Indian, and pray for those who gathered. At one open-air, a Hindu priest’s daughter came to be prayed for, and the priest stood at the entrance of his temple (just half a block away) and just observed us. This is a miracle—Christians have been beaten in this same intersection! On our last day of planned ministry, God healed at least two who came for prayer. The picture above is from this day (I'm in leopard-print, back turned to camera). One man had not spoken for three years since falling from a roof and uttered Hallelujah and other phrases this day. Another young lady came not able to move her arm, and left able to raise and lower it. Praise God! I continue to pray for the healing of many who came to us, spiritually and physically.

Debrief and Graduation (Salem, OR)
I spent November 6-November 12 in Salem, OR, just like training, this time debriefing as a team. We took time to share what was on our hearts and give it to God, allowing Him to do the work as we continue to remember those we’ve met in prayer. We prepared for life outside the “bubble” of campus-life and ministry, talking about what we planned to do next, where God is leading us, and taking time to ask Him what He’d have us take away from this time.
For me, debrief was all too brief! :) Jet lag, a hefty cold and allergic reaction, and a little reverse culture shock made the week speed by and before I knew it, I was on my way home, promising God and myself to take my time and process with Him what I’d been through. On the trip home, I stayed with hospitable friends and family, plus a couple of nights at hotels in Arizona and New Mexico, adding two more states to the states I’ve visited (27)! Along the way, I continued to ponder what God had showed me my last two weeks in India.

What's next?!

A post in the next few days is what's next! I'm trying to write what's on my heart a little more clearly! For the shortest version, I know God's leading me to explore training and discipleship more. Check back here in a few more days for more details!

In the meantime, enjoy Thanksgiving, whatever that may bring you! I wish warmth to those who brave Black Friday at stores, and God's blessings to you all,

~Amy

Power and Strength

God is truly our source of power and strength, is He not?!

During this trip, I've been part of a team that has gone above and beyond what we could do on our own. My conviction is this is only possible through the power of a risen Lord, the one, true, living God that that loved us so much He sent His Son in human form and had Him suffer death on a cross for our sins, to pay a debt we could NEVER pay ourselves.

Our team is still praying to experience miracles while we're here. Like the little boy in a village Saturday who has sores on his feet the doctors can't get rid of. When he is healed, his whole family will believe in Jesus. I prayed for and anointed him, believing for this healing. Or for the woman in another village who wants to believe, but wants God to heal her pain first...such a common occurance here. For her, I pray for strongholds of unbelief to be broken, that she knows God's peace and love in her life, even if she never experiences complete physical healing.

But even if we do not SEE these miracles in the next week, is our God not still faithful?! He is faithful when we are faithless. And besides, is it not a miracle of a different sort that around 20 adults, well-established in their ways, are learning to approach each other in love, whether it's pleasant or not? Or that my 60 year old teammate with a pacemaker, when shocked by a refrigerator, was not rushed to a hospital or worse as we gathered in prayer? Or that I'm learning to be a peaceMAKER, not a peaceKEEPER...a seemingly small difference, but with distinct differences!

And so, I praise my God, for the things seen and unseen. I thank Him for you, my supporters and friends, who He's wanting to draw closer to Him and each other in relationship.

Thank you for your faithful prayer support. Please pray for protection for our team as we begin our final week of ministry in India and fly home in less than two weeks. Pray that hearts (of Indians and team members alike) may be opened to all He has for us.

Pictures from top left to right:

1)praying for a young woman in a village who has helped raise money for the temple across the street from the church. In the past 3 days, she's visited the church at the end of the ladies' Bible study with us and church service, and let us pray for her at both.

2)Praying for a young woman at a church in the last city we were in

3)Drawing and talking with kids at the slums

"Pray for me"

Time is flying by in India. We have been ministering at some of the areas in the last blog entry 6 days a week and I'm enjoying it immensely. It's hard to believe I will be headed back to the States in less than a month!

This week brought work at a slum (pictures later) ~ we rebuilt their church from the ground up. Last week, I got to teach English with small children one day. It broke my heart. All I wanted to do was be able encourage them to speak a little bit. Many are so malnourished and shy that they hardly speak, but we were breathing life into them through God's love, our smiles and hugs, and food (for some, this is their only meal, sometimes eating only once a day).

Another wonderful answer to prayer was for a seminary student (they meet in a home for school) who fell from their roof. We prayed for him, and heard the next day he had no external injuries. Praise God! I look forward to hearing of his full healing!

One of the most common things I hear here is "pray for me". This is such an interesting statement to me, as Americans often say "I'll pray for you", either in earnest or not. Each time someone says this, I write down their need and name if I know it, to ensure I will remember them in prayer.

More to come as soon as I can....must let the next person have the internet!

A diverse week

This week, settled into a new place, I have a diverse week ahead of me. Please keep the following areas in prayer, 1)that hearts be open to the Good News and 2)God direct my thoughts, words, and actions:
* Church ministry (different team members present message, testimony, and song)
* Teachers' Seminar/In-service (teaching valuable methodology, strategies, etc + testimony/message)
* HIV/AIDS outreach
* Youth Group (teens or 20-somethings)
* Orphanage program on Saturday afternoon (we're about 12 hours ahead of Pacific Time here, give/take 30 min)

I'm excited for the week ahead and the new opportunities to get to know the hearts of the Indians I'm living with. Please join me in praising God for 1)improved health for our team--everyone's out of the hospital, 2)a positive result in a recent national court case (over disputed land between Hindus and Muslims) which helps avoid increased persecution, etc, and 3)God's presence in our lives every day.

Thank you for joining with me on this journey. I could not do it without your prayers and support. I welcome your comments and questions.

~Amy

It's been a whirlwind few weeks in India. We've moved locations, but are still active helping the community around us. I'm thankful to have been blessed with good health overall.

The last couple of weeks include teaching English to college students and young students in slums, preparing inservice material for teachers at a school here, and visiting orphanages, amongst many other activities. I'm sorry I can not include more here right now ~ our time online is very limited at the moment.

Please take a moment to enjoy the pictures with some of my new friends (top left) and eating lunch at a conference after we performed a skit.

Blessings,

Amy

Thank you! On our way!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! By the time you read this, we'll be on our way to India! I'm excited for what the two months ahead will bring ~ and I have no idea what that will look like! :) That is an exciting place to be, one of total dependence on God for what the future will bring. I've been pretty desperate for that for a while. I struggle with taking back control, but am so thankful for His loving guidance that brings me back to dependence on Him.

So again, thank you all. I look forward to staying in touch as often as I can. Right now, I hope to update this blog every week or two.

Blessings to you!

Amy

Support update

Please note the change on the right hand side of the blog. If you would like to support me financially, you may send checks to me at the Seneca address (if no tax-receipt is needed) OR still to Asbury Church with my name in the memo (for tax-deductible receipts). For those who have asked, I am trusting God to provide the remaining $2400 of my budget for this season in His timing.

Thank you all for your continued support. I firmly believe I am able to approach my days here with hope and expectation for what He has in store, because of your prayers. I'm thankful that God has placed us in each others' lives, to weave in and out for encouragement and growth. I continue to see how awesome that is as He reunites me with friends I haven't seen in years.

Thank you, God, for allowing us in each others' lives. Thank you for knowing and providing just what we need.

Four days and counting!

We serve a great God! Tuesday was the final day ALL outreach funds had to be in for my classmates, and God provided it all through the sacrificial giving of many. I'm thankful God is my loving Father and Provider and cares for our needs even more than we do! He even arranges times of encouragement with friends ~ thanks Dusty and Kristen for your hospitality, and to the many others who have let me stay in or offered their homes and support as I've taken this step. I love and appreciate you all.

This week wraps up our Lecture Phase of training. In just four days we'll be making the 2 day long trek (with layovers and such) to Trichy, India. Please keep our team in your prayers for safety, rest, love, and unity as we begin this second phase. We've been starting to apply what we've learned here at home, but we're excited to show God's love through us as we head into another culture with people who have many differences, yet many similarities to us.

Because that last sentence is true, these two weeks of training have been so important. Last week, Patience Gifford spoke about Spiritual Warfare. She began with a focus on character. How important that was! If there's one thing that Satan optimizes to keep us away from relationship with God and others the way He intended, it's this. We started by listing all the things that would make someone a bad soldier, someone we wouldn't want in battle. Maybe 30% of those things would be physical, but the other 70% is about character! (Ex: lazy, unprepared, poor listener, doesn't follow commanding officer, etc) How true this is for us in our daily lives too. Ephesians 6:12 and others point out that we are in a spiritual war, and if so, it is our responsibility to be good soldiers. The rest of the week, we discussed the enemy's battle plan, God's battle plan, and practical application of both. All of this = so important as we enter a country with a very different spiritual climate from our own.

This week, we discussing missions. Yes, true, we've been preparing for that all along! But we've taken a practical look now at what that looks like. I hope to share a little more of what that looks like with you before I leave, but for now, I must head to bed! Must be taking care of my body as well!

On a funny note, I might not experience my birthday year this year. Depending on when we cross the international dateline, we might hop right over September 15! Don't worry, though~we're already planning on celebrating a teammate and my birthdays the weekend we get there. Plus, it'd be a funny story to tell~I could forever be one year younger than I really am! ;)

Love and blessings to you, and thankfulness for your support,

Amy

Praise God!

Just a quick update to praise God for providing my classmate's funds to go with us on outreach!! Thank you to all who've prayed for us this week!

Just two more families are waiting for outreach funds to come in, and several of us (me included) are looking forward to seeing how God will meet our remaining financial needs as well.

More to come Sunday or Monday!

Without a voice

The past couple of weeks, I've been without a voice, literally and figuratively! A nasty cold/infection hit several of us, making me tired, giving me a persistent cough for more than a week, and very little voice for about five days. I'm feeling much better now; please keep me and the team in your prayers for continued healing now and during outreach!

Figuratively, I've had a hard time putting my finger on where God is leading me and what He's doing in my life. Last school week (Aug 23-27) gave more of a voice to my feelings of helplessness.

Two weeks ago, we studied "Radical Discipleship". I took away two key concepts from this week. The first was a "return to the basics" of Christianity: both the root definition of "radical" AND one that fits our idea of radical = extreme. These basics focus on devotion to 1)Scripture, 2)fellowship, and 3)prayer. The second concept that stuck with me is that God is worthy of 52-card deck devotion...the whole deck! The only way we can meet all the challenges of our day is to give EVERYTHING to Him (our thoughts, decisions, emotions, worries, etc) and let Him give us and others what is needed.

Last week, we concentrated on team building. We started with a Scripture study of all the places the Bible talks about "one another" and what that looks like in reality. I encourage you to do it sometime! Then we focused on affirming all others in our group. Finally, we experienced our base's "Ropes Course" (http://www.ywamsalem.org/ropes/) that helped us focus on team building in SO many ways. My personal challenge became "leadership" and how I respond to it...especially my own leadership abilities. Please join me in prayer, asking God to reveal His desire for me in this and grow into who He wants me to be.

This week, we're learning about Spiritual Warfare and Kingdom Dynamics. I'm loving its simplicity and power...more to come next week about that. The pace all around me (including me!) is picking up as we get close to outreach time ~ I can't believe it's almost here! To get a glimpse of India, please check out my friend's webpage (http://www.harvestindia.in/) when you have a chance--you'll even find some opportunities to serve or support if God lays India on your heart. He and his family pastor in India and have been called to our school for this season.

On a serious note, I want to share my need with you as I prepare to leave the country for two months. God has been SO faithful through you to provide for my financial needs on this journey. I try not to mention the need often, but it's hard for you to know of the need unless I tell you! The amount outstanding is $3000. If God has laid this need on your heart, please see the information to the right about how you can partner with me as I represent Him in India. Praise God, He knows our needs and how to meet them!

So, to sum it up...

Praise:

* Healing! I'm grateful to have a voice and breath back!

* I've been learning SO much about myself and God in the past few weeks. Several significant steps have been made toward recognizing God's specific call for this next season of my life (see above).

* God's providence, emotionally, financially, spiritually, etc. He is faithful, and He is good.

Prayer:

* Clear direction from God during outreach as I prepare for my next step in November and beyond.

* Financial needs to be met for me and my classmates. Please specifically pray for how God will meet the financial needs of my roommate, whose fees must be paid by this Friday in order to join us for outreach.

Blessings to you!

Countdown to India

Thank you for being patient for my next post. The last three weeks have been times of great growth for me and multiple birthday celebrations for team members.

Countdown to India
The countdown is on with just over a month until we leave for India. We plan to leave September 14 and arrive the next day (this will definitely be my longest international flight yet!). Outreach and debriefing will continue for 2 months, ending on November 13. I am seeking God for His will for me following CDTS.

Though I have a lot to learn, here's a little about where we'll be. We will be based in Tiruchirappalli, called Trichy ("Tree-chee") for short, a city of 1.2 million people. India is a Hindu nation, filled with temples and colorful statues. Transportation for foreigners includes taxis, rickshaws, buses and trains. We plan to help in orphanages, teach English, share testimonies, skits, and puppet shows. Preparation for these is already moving many of us beyond our comfort zones (me included!) and God is equipping us for things we did not know we could do.

In the classroom
During the past three weeks, I've re-evaluated my "Truth Box", more deeply felt the Father Heart of God, and pondered "Who is God?". It's nearly impossible to summarize these each in a sentence or less, but I'm going to try and share what touched me most.

* I realized how many untruths/lies I'd let into my Truth Box (another way of saying "beliefs you operate from on a daily basis") and how I need to "take them out" as they're revealed to me and replace them with God's truths = two-way communication with Him SO important!

* Through multiple truths from the Bible and a more relaxed week, God ministered to my heart...I just felt more at peace, getting a clearer glimpse of how much He loves me...no matter what!

* What are my anchors/non-negotiables that I'll weigh everything in life against? - God is good. God is big. God is love. For my dear, over-analytical brain, this brought some clarity as I move forward in more training.

"Life"
Life on base has been full of typical small group and one-on-one meetings, work duty, class, studying, worship, and intercession, but we've also celebrated 4 or more birthdays (yea for surprise parties and princess birthday cakes) and relaxed at the river...marking another feat for me!

For those who don't know, I'm not a huge fan of deep ends, though I'll tolerate them. ;) So when the opportunity came to jump off a 20+ foot bridge, of course I said....YES! It was a lot of fun, though I wouldn't add it to my list of "favorite things to do" just yet. :) Don't worry ~ the water where I jumped is much deeper than it looks, I promise!


Praise
* Continued growth as a team and personally with God
* Unexpected financial contributions last month and faithful giving from others
* Good health! In community life, that's quite a feat!

Prayer points
* God to continue to open my eyes to what He wants to refine in me
* God to help me to know how to love my teammates and those on outreach as He would
* Continued financial providence ~ the remainder of my outreach fees are due August 26 and I do not have that money in hand yet ~ trusting God as He's been so faithful!

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