team SriLi ministry

SO I'm going to attempt to update!
First of all, my birthday was EPIC! (yes I am blogging about it) We took a bus into Negombo (where we've done house-ministry all this week) and then squished 7 ppl into a rickshaw in the pouring rain into the town. We had an amazing meal and fellowship. Then took a second rickshaw to another home where we saw a woman delivered! We also had a second AMAZING meal... with dessert! The next morning my team surprised me with ice cream and nutella with bannanas in it and prayed/affirmed me, so super sweet!
We've been lead a kids ministry/ sunday school one night this week, which went remarkably well! We even had the parents get involved with a relay race, it was so funny seeing the women get all competitive and really challenging the guys side... obviously us girls won!
For the most part, this week has been house ministry were we've been sharing testimonies, short preaches, and leading worship. The fellowship has been wonderful and we've truly felt like family in this community! and we've been stuffed with incredible food... you literally have to cover your plate if your full.
Mid-way through the week we were super blessed and went boating! We took a picnik out into the middle of nowhere (and saw a legless, dead, massive turtle on the way) and went swimming in the ocean! Such a wonderful relaxed day, after we visited two different homes and had amazing food at the second with dessert! (again, so spoilt).
Saturday we went for a prayer walk on the beach... my team of 3 were blessed by one of the church members who bought us a coconut on ... Coconut Grove! (Kona people will appreciate that :P ) ... and corn-on-the-cob! We did an open-air on the beach which involved doing 2 dances, 2 skits and a testimony (half of which we were not! prepared for) and leading some games. Which ended being the locals teaching us how to play "Telephone Charades".

Next week we'll be teaching a Bible Study class for 4hrs a day for 4 days... it is bound to push us in entirely new ways, but it should be good!

Sri Lanka is so beautiful! It hasn't all been easy, and there are so many little things that we miss from home, but the community here has welcomed us and spoiled us in so many ways that any hardship pales in comparison!

Thank you for your continued prayers, and please be specific in praying that these bible teachings go well!

Much love,
Becca!

The Story of India

So we have all arrived alive in INDIA!
It took us 48hrs travel time and around 30hrs couped up in a plane. But we made it!
Arriving in Mumbai, we met up with our contact at the airport and loaded into a too-small bus for us and our luggage, but being true YWAMers we made it work and sardined-it, for the 4hr bus ride to Lonavala. Going through Mumbai and up into Pune was unlike anything I've experienced. You hear that the traffic here is crazy, but seeing and hearing it, is an entirely different thing. You see vehicles come within litteraly inches of each other, and people walking straight through the middle of a road (which seems more like a death walk than crossing the street). Honking is a constant, and we gradually realized that the only traffic law that is followed, is to not hit anyone else. One of the more important things that I think we all realized on the drive through Mumbai is the contrasts here. You drive next to a slum city and than right beside it, you see a sky-scraper, and then back into slum-housing. Its so difficult to see the wealth and the poverty so close together, and not see the one helping the other.
oh. I saw monkeys on the drive up. awesome-sauce.

The base here is beautiful. Its what I would picture to be post-colonial India (though I actually have no idea). White stucco walls, jade and cream marble, and old-wood interiors. We have bucket showers (try figuring that one out... it takes longer than you think) and paper-free toilets, and mattresses that may be 2 inches thick.
Breakfast: rice and chai. Lunch: rice and dhal. Dinner: rice and dhal. As well as Chai Time at 10am & 4pm.

We went into Pune day 2 of being here to purchase traditional Salwar Kamiz, via Local Train. That is a whole other experience. Its a mad rush to get on and off the trains as you have 20sec and a whole wall of people coming from the opposite direction. It was beautiful to see the scenery of India, as well as extremely difficult seeing the level of poverty surrounding you on all sides. Even walking to the train, this one beggar, she was probably 14, kept following along beside me for 5 minutes even as I tried to go around cars and "loose her". Its difficult being told not to give to them and just to completely ignore them. Being here on outreach you think that that is who you help. But since being here and learning that many of these children don't actually keep the money they receive, that "Slumdog Millionaire" is more of a reality than we realize, it becomes easier to "ignore" the beggars, and focus on the children and situations that we can help. Just praying that God brings someone into their lives that can help draw them out of their circumstances.

The first Sunday we were here, we led a home-church in Kahne were I shared my testimony. The whole time I shared I noticed this one woman whose eyes were bright and she seemed so excited to hear about Jesus. I figured that she was a hungry follower of God and eventually felt like I was speaking directly to her. After our "service" was done, we had the locals share their testimony, and this woman spoke-up. She said that her (approx. 6yr old) daughter had been coming to church for a month, and every time she came home from service she would tell her Mum to put all her faith in Jesus and that He is the only God. The service we came to preach at was the first time this lady had ever come to church!
We've gone into "The Hill Slum" a few times, the first time we were there we got to pray for a woman who had been beaten by her neighbours and then cursed by a witch doctor. Not your everyday story in America. She has recovered from being beaten but seemed to have some mental issues, we're not sure exactly what the reason is, but we're assuming its a result of the trauma, as she wasn't in that state beforehand. Her younger daughter has been watching her as she is not able to do anything. We had the chance to pray and worship in their home, and when we went back a week later, the lady was much more energized and had begun to do some cleaning.. so encouraging to see God moving!
In the same slum we were praying for a Hindu family whose son had a heart condition, when the grandmother came in who had cataracts, and asked for us to pray for her. We did and she was able to see! AND the big news is that she gave her life to Christ! When we went back to visit she said that she is able to see at night but not during the day. I had the opportunity to talk to her about faith, and the ways that God is moving in her. This grandma really touched my heart, and I will continue to be praying, if that is something you would like to come alongside in, that would be amazing!
We also had the opportunity to go into a village/slum and pray for a woman who had a stroke and was paralyzed in both legs and her right hand. As we were praying we were able to assist her in walking, and she gave her life to God!!! Some of our team went back to see her, and she now has mobility in her hands and is able to pull herself across the floor.Unfortunately her legs still aren't working properly, and our team really feels that the atmosphere has shifted in the home from being very welcoming to being rather closed-off to us and God. (I personally feel that it may be because she hasn't had the oppotrunity to practice walking, which would be something her family would have been coming alongside her in). So please be interceding that that atmosphere shifts and that this wonderful grandma will be able to function independently, and have the support of her family!

Now for a highlight of mine! When we went into the Hill Slum 2 days back, we led an open-air ministry. Aka. sang some worship songs, did a drama/dance, and had a preach and altar/prayer call. At first it felt a little discouraging as there was a lot of distraction in the crowd (around 30 people) and people didn't seem to interested in responding to "the call". But as we waited we ended up having a bunch of people come forward! I got to pray with quite a few kids, and ended up leading 3 girls through a prayer of giving their lives to God! Such a special moment for me, and is bound to change their lives forever!

I know this has been a super-long post, but it only glazes over the surface of what God has been doing here in Maharashtra India over the past two-weeks. Our team has become so much closer to God and each other, and as individuals as well. God has blessed us with seeing the lame walk, the deft hear and the blind see... according to scripture, the next thing on the list is seeing the dead raised!
Please be praying for our safety as our team is flying-out tonight to Sri Lanka for the next 2 months of outreach!

Blessings to you all, and thanks for your support and continued prayer!
Much love, Becca

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

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

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!

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.

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