Reflection & Preparation

Today has been a day of reflection and preparation.

[Reflection] Today, I officially completed lecture phase of DTS. This may seem very small to some, but to me it is a milestone. What was supposed to be a three month journey of lecture phase for me, became six months. I failed my first lecture phase by one week. A choice I made had the potential of marking the course of the rest of my life. But of course, God in his goodness stood on my behalf and I was given a second chance. 

It was a hard second chance none the less. Every morning, I had to wake up and make the conscious decision to not be prideful. Just because I had already done all of the lectures, did not make me any better, wiser, or more spiritual than anyone else. In fact, I probably learned more the second time around than the first.  I had to make the decision to not compare my new DTS with my old. This was the hardest thing for me, and I did not do a great job at it always. Also, I had to decide to apply what I was learning this time, not to just learn it. There was a time when we were learning that humility was the most beautiful thing to God. I so badly wanted to be beautiful. But that meant walking in humility. That meant exposing something hidden in the dark. But I had to apply if i wanted to see progress. So I brought things into the light realizing that any consequence is worth it if it means I get to go deeper with God.

I also reflected today on just how thankful I am to God for the last six months of my life. The majority of my 2012 was spent here in Perth. I have had some amazing experiences, and met some incredible people here. I think relationships is the thing I am the most thankful for. Besides God showing me what it means to have a real relationship with him, He has shown me how to value others, and how to let others affirm and value me. The people I have met here are so amazing. They challenge me, love me, hold me accountable, pray for me, hug me, laugh with me, and demonstrate God's character to me. I have never met another group of people like this in my life. Talk about life-long friendships.

I am thankful for getting to be here in Perth an extra 3 months. God has confirmed my calling through this time. He has shown me His heart for the lost and the broken. But most importantly, he has shown me where I fit in his plan for the world. He has called me into missions. For how long? I am not sure. But I have committed my life to missions until He says move. I won't wait for him to tell me how long. I'll be in missions/ministry until I hear to do something else. With that said, I have turned down my enrollment to Berklee in September, and will be moving here to Perth, Australia for a bit of time to be apart of YWAM Perth staff. I will be able to use worship, music/performance, my heart for this generation, discipleship, and my love of Jesus to change the world. I am a world changer. Get ready.

God is so good. He is so faithful. He is so worth it. He is so gracious.

[Preparation] Tomorrow starts the next phase of my journey. Outreach. In less than 24 hours, I'll be on an airplane, almost five hours into a flight to Dubai with a final destination Mozambique, Africa. God has put me on a team of 11 others to go to Mozambique for six weeks. We haven't a ton of information on what we will be doing, but it will be a bit of orphanage ministry, evangelism, HIV/Aids help, diagnosing sight issues/giving out glasses, sports ministry, and simply loving on the people. 

On February 11, we will journey back to Perth for a short day and then head down south four hours to a town called Busselton for five weeks where we will be going into high schools to teach seminars on peer abuse, substance abuse, value, families, etc. 

I am so excited to see God move in these two different areas in the world. I am also excited to see how he stretches me and grows me as a leader during this time. For the whole three months I will be sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent. Talk about intense [no pun intended.. but actually there was]. I also have the honor of being the worship leader for my team. I am so glad to have the opportunity to get back into my element there. 

Please keep my team in your prayers as we head out. As you can imagine, this will be a physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging outreach. But God is good, hey?

Upon returning, my mom will arrive in Perth for two weeks where she will get to experience all that I have experienced in my nine months of training with YWAM. I am so so excited for this. 

Seriously... I love God. He is so cool. 

For now, I must finish packing.