Saturday, December 30, 2006

Adventures in Change

Well, this blog has been a long time coming. I wasn't really sure what to say.

I wouldn't trade my time in Hawaii for anything in the world. God met me in a radical way that I never knew was possible, and I didn't leave it behind there, I'm still experiencing it.

During the lecture phase of my DTS (from late September to early December), I struggled with my depression a lot at times. My school leaders heard from God that it is not the right time for me to be going on outreach. Even watching films and hearing stories about Africa was negatively affecting my depression to a point that it wasn't safe for me to go deeper into sharing in their suffering.

I wanted to go to Africa right now more then anything. More then I cared about being happy. God has plans for me at home right now though. Even on the trip home I saw how He wanted me right where I was. I was able to pray with another girl who was travelling home and was in the unique position of understanding what she was feeling at that moment.

My plan is to go back to DTS later this year and finish. It will be a new group of people and new leaders, but I know God will lead me to the right school.

Leaving my YWAM "ohana" (Hawaiian for family) was and is very hard. Going from having 19 roommates to having none is a blessing as well as an ajustment. I have never experienced sisterly and brotherly love like I did at YWAM. They really just love you from the moment you get off the plane and they don't stop loving you when you go home.

I know there is a reason that God has placed Africa on my heart. I've been doing a lot of intercession for Uganda and Ethiopia since I got home. God is working powerfully in these nations. I also feel that I will go to Africa sometime in the near future.

God has been doing a lot of work in my heart and after working through some more things I feel that I will be ready to finish my DTS. Some people tell me that I need to do the lecture phase over again, other people say I can just do the outreach. I'm not sure yet which it will be, but whatever the requirements I know God will provide.

I am praying right now about whether I should apply for DTS that begins in April, July, or September. Each of these quarters have special focuses I am interested in. I will update you when I know more.