Thursday 29 March 2012

with love from Korea

I've officially determined that the rush of "Take-off" on the tarmac is one of the best feelings ever!
I'm currently reclining against the window of Gate 12 in Seoul, Korea. We've been awake for around 18hrs now, and people still somehow have the energy to be excited. The fact that I'm in Asia for the first time in my life has yet to hit me. Let alone that I'll be in India & Sri Lanka for the next 3 months of my life. Its all extremely surreal. I can't believe how blessed I am to be travelling with this amazing family. There is so much love here. I think if it weren't for knowing how safe I am with them, this trip would be a crap-ton more intimidating. But it will be good! One of the more epic adventures in my life thus far.
Anyways, off to Bangkok, some tears & goodbyes, and then to Mumbai!
Much love,
Becca

Tuesday 27 March 2012

saying "Goodbye" to say "Hello"

Hey y'all!
I have been meaning to write you for sometime to give you an update on all that's been going on here in the past few weeks. Unfortunately there has been so much that its hard to bring up in my memory well enough to put into words right now... especially given that its currently 11pm and I've just come down off a Skittles high... so I will simply have to sum things up.
3 Weeks Ago:We had Chad Dedmon come and speak on Supernatural Evangelism. It was an amazing week. He really spoke to us on being Radical Listeners and Obeyers of God, and gave us amazing practical stories as well as miraculous stories of what that's looked like in His life.
For me personally, God revealed so much of His heart for particular people groups, and I felt like God has really begun to emphasize more of my "Life's Calling", particularly during this week.
2 Weeks Ago:
We had Marcia come to speak about living Cross Culture. It became a lot about social issues. She has worked in the Indigenous Tribes in Brazil for the majority of her life and has been exposed to issues of infanticide. It was an extremely moving week, and our whole school became exposed to issues the majority of us never knew existed.
I encourage you to check out her websites: http://www.atini.org/ , http://www.hakani.org/en/
1 Week Ago:
We had Kenny Peavy speak on Holy Spirit. This week was absolutely PACKED. Almost everyday ran straight through lunch as we just experienced the Holy Spirit moving and changing our hearts. It was such a powerful week, and truly life-changing. A few of the highlights are that
1. We listened to this amazing song, were a man was recording worship music.. just vocals and a guitar... and you can hear Angels worshiping with him... Here is the link if you`re interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Xh5-1nBtc&feature=share
2. I got BAPTIZED! In the Ocean... it was so amazing to finally say "Goodbye" to the old me and "Hello" to the person that God originally designed me to be. Its not to say that there is nothing left for me to work on, but its a commitment to get there. :)

OH. And the main reason I am writing today?
I LEAVE FOR INDIA IN LESS THAN 48 HRS!!!
Unfortunately I won't be bringing my laptop (apparently the humidity has been known to kill electronics.. gah.) So my updates are bound to be few and far between, sadly. But I will be keeping a journal, so hopefully upon my return I can post some old journal entries and whatnot.
It's shocking to know that the Lecture Phase is officially complete.
It's terrifying to say goodbye to some of my best friends and "family"
It's EXCITING to be going on the next half of this adventure.

Frankly 2 or 3 weeks ago, I would not have felt I could go on Outreach. But now (besides the sad part of leaving "Home") I can say I'm truly excited, and raring to go. It will be new, and hard, and shocking, and terrifying, but it will be EPIC and GOD will MOVE. It will be LIFE CHANGING.

Please be praying for Safe Travels, that everyone in our school gets there Visas soon (there are currently 4 people waiting to get there visas) and that our Teams Have Unity!

Thanks for following and supporting me as I walk out this part of my life, it means more than you know!
Much love,
Becca

Wednesday 14 March 2012

4K research

So. I leave in 2 WEEKS!

I cannot believe how quickly time is going by. We've been warned that these next two weeks will become even more full and crazy as we prepare to go on outreach.
"Official Training" began today for me, with 4K Research Training.
Let me explain (hopefully) 4K:
4K divides the world into (4 thousand) omega zones. These zones are made using population, existing political divisions and availability of the Gospel. This information creates a "Map" so we can see the world and respond to its needs. So that we can see where we are and where we are not... and the most effective way to reach every people group.

So what will I be doing?
As 4K isn't able to travel all over the world collecting data, they train each Outreach Team to research and collect information on location. When we return all our information will be given over to 4K and put into their system.
I will be tracking all the Villages we go to, the Ministry we do there, and When. I'll also be collecting information about the Culture, Food, Clothing etc.so that future teams/ministries going into these zones can be even better prepared. There are also Zone Surveys that we will be answering, which will talk more about the peoples response, and help future teams plan the most effective way to minister in that particular zone.
For instance; If we've been doing a lot of evangelism in a zone and have had a good response, than future teams may look at starting a discipleship program to begin stewarding the people in their relationship with God.

I am so excited to be a part of gathering information and expanding 4K's database. Access to the 4K Interactive Map and more in-depth information is available on their website http://4kworldmap.com/ As well, if you are planning a trip or have recently returned from one, you may consider adding some of your own information to the site, through creating an account!

Friday 9 March 2012

KONY 2012

Hey all,

This year there is a huge movement going on, which is trying to capture KONY. I'm sure many of you have seen posts on Facebook. He is the leader of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and has committed horrendous crimes against humanity. Specifically capturing children and forcing them into becoming soldiers, or sex slaves.
If you haven't already, please look at the following site(s) to learn more about KONY and how we as a global community can help to capture him.
http://www.kony2012.com/

Thank you for taking the time. I encourage you to be praying for the families that have been affected by KONY and the children who are still at risk of being abducted.
No child should have to live in that fear, and no parent should have to go through this loss.

Thursday 1 March 2012

in 28 days

So in 28 days, I will be leaving for Sri Lanka.

It hasn't even sunk in yet. First, that this lecture phase will so quickly be over, and it feels like we haven't even started yet. Second, that I'm leaving for Sri Lanka in 28 days.

Assuming we get our Visas (Please be praying we get them on time) we'll be going to India for 2 weeks with 4 of our outreach teams. It will be a time of cultural orientation and street ministry. We'll be staying in Mumbai (Bombay) and will probably be working in the slums there. We may have the opportunity to travel around India a bit more and see Calcutta and a bunch of other places I currently don't remember the names of.
Than my team will be flying over to Colombo, Sri Lanka where we will be staying on a YWAM base and serving them and the community and ministries they work in!

As of yet, we aren't sure exactly which ministries the YWAM base is working in, there has a bit of a language barrier, which is creating some difficulty in getting specifics. So we've been praying as a team about where we feel God wants us to work, and he has put Orphans and Children heavily on our heart. We are continuing to pray about more specifics, and have heard that going into more rural parts of Sri Lanka is a likely possibility.
We've also been trained through JUSTICE WATER (http://www.justicewater.net/)  in different ways to provide pure and safe water to people. If the opportunity arises, we are all raring to go and try our hand at teaching the local community about water safety.

This Friday is the deadline for our Outreach Fees. I need a total of $2,900. That means that if I could get a donation of $20 from 145 people, my fees would be covered.
If you would like to support me financially, please see the "How You Can Help" tab at the top of the page. Both a one-time or monthly donation would be such a help.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Much love,
Becca