DTS: Week 3

               It has been another incredible week of God working in the lives of the people here! The main focus was the Father heart of God and unfortunately, lots of people here have had abusive, absent, or awful dads. On Tuesday we talked about how God created ALL people, men and women, with equal value. He was really encouraging the guys to be strong protectors who were also playful and loving. We had a time of prayer/affirmation and guys went up to girls who had been scared of men and apologized on behalf of anyone who hurt them. They then spoke words of encouragement over the girls and some said it was the first time they had ever felt valued by a male before. It felt like waves of healing were washing over the room. On Wednesday, the focus was that God, as a good father, wanted us to be free from sin. Free from sexual thoughts and temptations, free from lies, and free from the bonds of hidden sin. Another thing we talked about was original design. This really impacted me. God made me just the way I am for a reason. If I don't like something about myself that's not a sin, I have accused the Maker of creating something faulty. That's rebellion and I'm done with it.  Another beautiful moment happened on Thursday. There was a time where people came up and shared some of the things they were struggling with. This DTS has been a safe place for vulnerability and accountability. When things are brought to the light, there is healing and transformation. 

         Please pray that God will keep bringing up things in my own life that need work and that I'll be open to correction. That He will provide guidance in all my plans and I will trust Him with all things. Also, please pray for the work here on base in the students' hearts as well as the lives being changed across the city. 

Whitney, and intern, and Lydia, volunteer, working hard

Jaden and Caren had a cake fight

early morning workout before... 

... and after

group ministry 

yummy ice cream close to base

Caren, Kisela, and i

sky pics :)

walking around town

I held an iguana!!

drank a coconut 

ceviche with shrimp, fish, and octopus 

DTS: Week 2

 

             What a wonderful week! God is so good and I am so blessed to be here in this city and this environment. This week we learned about hearing the voice of God. The thing that I want to take into to my quiet time is when we talk to God, we have to set time aside to hear Him speak. We won't be able to hear Him if we're never silent. Also, I've also realized I've been hearing His voice but just in a different way than the people here. In YWAM, speaking in tongues during prayer and receiving word or visions for people is common and biblically practiced. During the first half on the week I was struggling with that. However, after processing on Friday, I feel like my eyes have been opened to all the unique ways God works in and how He uses different people and stories to glorify His name. That's the main reason He does anything; to glorify His name. What a great God we serve! That was the main spiritual thing this week but I have had so many fun times too. 

            On Saturday night we went to the Plaza Merchada and got dinner at a cute café called Totum.

late afternoon walk

some of the gang 

yummy drink

Us girls acting like bad boys

The boys acting like white girls

          Tuesday we had dinner at a staff members house and I felt so at home. They really had the gift of hospitality. 

such good conversation time

          Wednesday was a market trip

pigs' head

          Thursday was ministry day so I got to hang out kids and did some street evangelism as well.

the little boy on my lap fell asleep 

          Friday night we found out our outreach location. 

love my team

          Saturday was such a fun day! We were at the beach all day. I got burned pretty bad but it was a lot of fun. We went to a surfing beach so the boys rented surf boards while the rest of us swam. Afterwards, we saw dolphins and one of the guys and I got 50 feet away from them! 

       Today was a pretty tiring day. I had a relaxing morning with a long in-depth quiet time. Then, I wandered around the city close to base, went to the mall, and did laundry. 

such a cool spot

I feel ready for the upcoming week and what God has for me. If you could be praying for energy throughout the week and that I will be open to whatever God has for me! 

         

DTS: Week 1

      I can’t believe it’s already been a whole week of being here. However, it also feels like it’s been months. Let me describe the base and kinda what my daily life looks like before I completely share what has felt like an emotional roller coaster. 

      A couple nights ago, my DTS school, Kingdom Seekers, had dinner with the founders and they shared their story. It’s so amazing how God has been providing for this base. This place is truly impacting the city around it. I live on base with 9 other girls in one room. We have storage, a bathroom, and all sleep on bunk beds. During the week we have meals, classes, work duties, ministries, and some free time on the weekends. My job throughout the week is dinner clean up. For ministry, I chose two. Yesterday I was able to work with kids and go into the community where they’re from and prayer for some people. I also chose burning hearts street evangelism. It was a good night and people were saved in other groups!!! All glory be to God! But, I didn’t talk to anyone. This is where the most tiring part of this week has come from.

   God has been showing me where I have so little faith and trust in His power to move through me to reach other people. I thought God made me for a life of quiet faithfulness and walking in the mundane of ordinary experiences. But, here I learned that 4 BILLION people haven’t heard the Gospel. Who am I to be quiet when so many don’t know His love, truth, forgiveness, and power? I’m praying that God will give my guidance and boldness to proclaim His name to all people even if there’s a language barrier. Please pray for me! I know God called me here and I know He has a purpose, BUT God‘s plan isn’t easy. I don’t know where my life is headed but I know from this moment on I will be different. My life is surrendered and I am on fire for Jesus!

  

Odds and ends

What a challenging couple of days! 

I arrived in Mazatlán on Tuesday and stayed the night with my parents at their hotel. Wednesday morning, we hung out some more and they dropped me off at YWAM. From Thursday to Sunday I felt a roller-coaster of emotions. There was a lot of decisions that I had to make and I was tired and everything was brand new. At first I struggled with loneliness and homesickness but God was faithful and provided friends and new experiences so that I wasn't just with people but that I had good connections and conversations that drew me closer to Him. This weekend I went to the beach, got street food, and grew in Christ. Enjoy the pictures!