Flash Mobbin', Teaching and Intercession In my five years of being with YWAM Brisbane; this feels like the most exciting time. Stepping into more of who I have been created to be has shown me there is so much more!!
We are fighting for breakthrough in visas, youth, personal revival, revival in our community and city, property development and global events. Often prayer can seem so tedious. I don't know about you but sometimes when praying I have felt like its a waste of time. Why am I praying when I can’t see anything changing? But this is not true. God is always moving.
Would you only be in a friendship with someone if they always gave you what you wanted? Of course not, because we were not created to just take in relationship. We were created to be generous, to be givers, to be listeners; this encouragers me further to push in and fight for these things. For seven weeks we are believing more than ever for breakthrough. As a base we prayed and worshipped 24/7 this week. It has been awesome to partner with God in what we know is bigger than us. He doesn't actually need us, but He delights in our prayers as we seek Him for deeper ownership.
Prayer has opened many doors and the opportunities seem endless. Schools are constantly asking us to come in and help; talent shows, school fetes, 100 year celebrations, the list continues. It is awesome to be able to serve them and show the love of God just by being a presence in the schools.
A couple of months ago I was walking into the auditorium and began worshipping with 2000 teachers from all over Queensland, I felt super blessed. Just a couple of years ago; we as YWAM Brisbane did not have much involvement in schools. We are now in a position to do more since our name has become known and it has been amazing to see the faithfulness of the Lord in this. Following this about 18 of us partook in a flash mob, we walked through the audience and ended up on stage. The life of a YWAMMer is always fun and interesting, the day to day can sometimes looks so different.
Our local primary School have as always been so kind to us. Two of my co-workers and I go to the school every Tuesday morning to assist preps in obstacle courses, skipping and other motor activities. Following this; we hang out with the rest of the school for their morning tea break.
I also go their to teach religious education (RE) to a grade 3 and 5 class. As well as teaching three grade 2 classes at another school. It is such a privilege to be there, freely talking about God. A recent highlight was asking the kids to write a prayer for our staff on base. The lesson was talking about how the Holy Spirit still speaks today, and through that we wanted them to see their prayers can make a huge impact. When we got to share the prayers with our staff, it felt like Christmas. Everyone was gathering around and it was awesome to see joy and excitement spread.
The more I’m aligning myself with God, the more I am seeing how hungry people are for more of Him. Often when I am out, I witness how much people desire more. This more is often something they are not even aware of.
God loves our obedience but He is so gracious to connect us to people who are crying out to Him. A friend and I were walking through a shopping centre when a lady stopped us to advertise something. She heard our accents and like many conversation starters over here, she asked why we are in Australia. As my friend began saying “youth..” she said “oh, the mission group. An american lady who supervises your cafe stopped yesterday and prayed for me, would you mind giving me some of your spiritual stuff.” Although it was short, we were able to explain that Christianity is not a religion, it is simply a relationship with God. We prayed for her and wished her a good day.
It is awesome to just step into the endless doors God has open for us. As I grow more like Him everyday, the opportunities seem clearer and more available.
Praise Reports My cousin has been selling Rollasole’s shoes and has generously given me a bunch to sell. As a part of our cafe’s Blue Door Project, along with other local artists, I am displaying and selling these in our cafe. This is a way for me to receive more finances. http://www.themeetingplace-cafe.com/blue-door-project.html
I have been asked to be a part of a churches kids ministry team, because word spread that I was good with kids, this felt like a real honour.
We have seen God answer so many prayers as we have been fighting for visa breakthrough. As a base we have had meetings and seen hearts turn towards what we do.
Prayer Requests Further breakthrough in the seven things we are YWAM Brisbane are fighting for. Visas, property development, youth, personal, local and Brisbane reveal, as well as prayer for all global events.
A friend and I have started a kids club here at the base, right now we have three children coming but not very consistently. We would like prayer as to how to progress further to get it off the ground.
As our Discipleship Training schools are in week three of their schools, further prayer as they go through lecture phase and discover a greater depth of God.
And Then He Gently Whispered, I Love You…
Facing the castle at Disneyland Paris; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! As I shy’d away my mum encouraged me to take in my surroundings. It really looked like it did on TV!! As an eight year old, I felt like all my dreams had come true!
We had taken a family holiday; and it was times like these that I knew I was loved.
Over the years; being an average student academically, creatively and any other ly word you want to throw out there, I didn't feel like I could amount to much. I felt the constant battle of trying to prove myself.
I studied and studied to just scrap a better grade. I pleaded and cried to my mum for there to be a way for me to get picked to be in dance shows. I did what my friends wanted in high school so that I would always be included. I spent days, weeks, hours looking for a job and I wasn't ever the one to be chosen. And that was it, i never felt like I was chosen.
I was living in constant fear, remaining in the shadows.
When I heard the words I love you I brushed them off. My mindset was; if I was loved then wouldn't I be more capable? Wouldn't I be able to relax at school without being fearful of being left out? Wouldn't I be able to get into the high school where my older siblings went? Wouldn't I get a solo in performances? Wouldn't I, wouldn't I, wouldn't I?
These wouldn’t I’s led me down a dangerous path of feeling unworthy, ashamed and not good enough. My vulnerable, mouldable years were based on a huge amount of comparison.
And then He gently whispered I love you…
Six years ago a good friend prayed over me and shared a beautiful vision she had from the Lord. She saw a warm, cosy, inviting house in the forest. As I walked by, the Father said “come in”.
Since then I haven't forgotten it.
Over and over again He has been whispering “I love you”. But my own self-worth has gotten in the way of receiving that.
As I have started to hear and receive His invitation to come inside His house, I have physically heard other people say “I love you”. Words I used to brush off subconsciously or not hear because I didn't feel worthy enough to own that label; were replaced with comparison, self hatred and negative self-talk.
As I am learning to receive and vast in being loved, I am understanding the difference between the castle at Disneyland and the house in the forest. One I can look at, admire and be in awe of. Whereas the other I can receive the invitation, take off my shoes, be comfortable and feel permanently at home in.
While at home I can rest, because I have been chosen…
Peru, Post One! As I go in to schools I often teach kids about comparison. I teach them about embracing themselves so that they can celebrate who they are and the gifts God has given them.
As we prepared for our trip to Peru, we had a few things planned, but I was unsure how God wanted to use me specifically. However it didn't take long for us to see what God was up to. He used our team in incredible ways. Elyssa and Hannah are amazing musicians and able to lead people in worship right to the core of the Fathers heart. Lesley has felt called in to nursing and will start studying this September. Jake and I enjoy teaching and are eager to grow in this area. Together, we love music and the power it brings.
Although this trip was one of the most emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausting, I felt so near to God. In situations where I normally would have felt weak, I felt closest to His grace.
As God did so much, there are many stories to share. Over the next few weeks I would like to share those with you, so God can be glorified through the testimonies.
To sum up our trip; we spent our first week in the Amazon jungle where we worked with Hannah’s family and their kids home. While there our week consisted of decorating a bedroom, teaching the Shine and Strength program, worshipping at one of the worlds top 10 ugliest towers, and worship and prayer in the jungle. Following this we headed to Cusco for two weeks; God opened up so many doors. We taught on the Discipleship Training School, prayed and worshipped in hospitals, did art and music on the street, prayed at abortion clinics, taught Shine and Strength at a couple of schools, went in to a women's prison and hiked up mountains to do a couple of house visits.
It was a life-changing three weeks; where all in all we spoke identity, prayed healing over people and released truth of who God is.
While visiting a Dialysis clinic, we were able to pray and sing worship over the patients in the waiting room. After a couple of visits, a paramedic came into the clinic and asked us if we would like to go to the public hospital and pray for the patients there. As we entered every hospital floor, Gods presence was so evident. God is near to the brokenhearted and He is just waiting for us to meet Him there. When we arrived we met with the head of media and she led us to each floor. My friend Elyssa wrote a song based on Hebrews 1. The head of media, unsure if she was a christian began sharing the gospel while explaining what her music was about.
On a separate occasion we went into every room on one floor of a hospital praying for the two patients in each room. From cancer to people being paralysed, we prayed for it all. As we entered the room, we sung the song Healer and asked if we could pray over the patients. A lot of family and friends were visiting so we were able to pray with them too. As we left each room, took a deep breath and entered the next, we did it all in Gods strength. The love He has for each individual felt so pure and tangible. The most challenging part for me was when I read ‘Niñyo’s’ (kids) on the door, I almost couldn't enter imagining what those kids were going through. A mother was crying by her sons side, blaming herself and believing that because she had fallen away from God, He was punishing her. We were able to share with her that this isn't who God is. His character is not one who leaves us or punishes us when we do something wrong. Rather He is stepping closer towards us. As we drop our arms in praise, He stretches His arms wider. It was powerful to see how when we prayed, the patients were open to receive. God brought hope to what seemed like a hopeless situation. People were able to restore their perspective of who they saw God as.
I want to say a huge thank you to you all for your continued support. Your prayers and generosity went a huge way and I first hand saw how it impacted so many.
I look forward to sharing another story with you soon. Enjoy some of my favourite photos and the picturesque view of Macchu Picchu!