sleepless in Seattle

Along my journey from Toronto to Kona, I stopped off in Seattle for 5 days to visit one of my roommates from my Discipleship Training School in Jan.'12. Other than the incredible opportunity to reconnect with some friends and see a new part of the USA, I wasn't expecting much out of the trip.
Boy was I wrong.
It turns out, Seattle was exactly what I needed before heading out to the Leadership Track.
The first night I was there, Nae and I went to a leadership meeting for "Thrive." A college youth group in Gig Harbor whose leadership team she has joined. We had an incredible night of prayer and worship, and I was able to connect with the team immediately, as well as be able to come alongside them in prayer, as though I was just another leader. But it didn't stop there. Touring Seattle became less of a priority as ministry and fellowship became the greater focus of the trip. Every day I was in Seattle, I spent at least a few hours with this incredible group of people. I am truly inspired by them and their dedication to the work they are doing in Gig Harbor. Despite the hectic schedules they are all managing, they've made the Lord's work their focus. Each of them are leading lives of discipleship as they come alongside other youth and lead them closer into relationship with Jesus. I have been truly honored by them that I was so welcomed and included in the work they are doing.
God is truly moving in the north-west... and not just in Gig Harbour.
Nae and I went to visit another Youth With A Mission friend midway through the week and got to hear about the incredible work he is doing near Bremerton. "The Coffee Oasis" is a youth cafe and drop-in center that is growing in WA and becoming a popular place for street kids to come in, get some practical help, as well as a dedicated staff that live to serve, pray for, and disciple them if they desire it.
We also attended a prayer meeting that was a radical blessing. After hours of learning more about the One we serve and what He wants for our lives, we all received prayer and anointing as we were prophesied over regarding what plans God has for our lives. It was an incredible night, and even more encouraging when I got to see the fruit of that prophecy just 24hrs later as I co-lead a small group at the youth group in Gig Harbor.
It was an amazing week of fellowship, ministry and personal growth. While I was in Washington, I realized the importance of community in a way I haven't before. Sure, on DTS I experienced community living 24/7 for 6 months, and I thought I had an understanding of its importance then. But I think it takes losing it and then becoming a part of community again to realize its value. Going to Seattle, I got to witness and be a part of a community that inspired me. It made me realize the importance of pursuing deep relationship and fellowship wherever you go, so that together you can dive into ministry and grow deeper with God corporately and individually.

I am so excited about the work God is doing in the North-West. He really is moving in incredible ways, and it such a blessing that I got to witness a bit of what He is doing, and know how to be praying and interceding more specifically for the work going on there. Please join me in prayer as I pray for the "Thrive" youth group and "The Coffee Oasis". These are two ministries, among many, that are dedicated to bringing the Kingdom to earth in very practical ways.

You can visit their websites here:
The Coffee Oasis: http://www.thecoffeeoasis.com/#/the-coffee-oasis
Thrive Youth Group: http://www.thriveharbor.com/

cheers to round two!

In less than one week now, I will be leaving Ontario once again and making my way back to Hawaii.
This summer at home has truly been a learning experience for me. I've seen how easy it is to take things for granted. Whether its modern conveniences, friendships and community, or the food I like to eat, it is so important to recognize and appreciate what you have while you have it.
I've been so blessed by "My Home Team" that has been, and continues to be such a support to me as I pursue the dreams that God has placed on my heart. I am so excited to reunite with my YWAM Family and begin doing life together once again, as we prepare for the next wave of students for the "Engage Discipleship Training School" that will be joining us in just 3 short months! My heart practically leaps in my chest at the blessing it is to be able to come alongside them and support them as they grow into themselves and deeper relationship with God. I cannot wait to see all of us become the world-changers that we are all created to be!
Thanks to all of you here at home who have been so supportive and blessed me with your time, as you've poured into my life and guided me when I didn't know which way was up. You mean tons to me!

I have so appreciated your support in prayer and finances and ask that you continue to pray that all my finances will come in, and that I will learn all that God has for me in this next season and be a blessing to those around me!
Much love,
Becca

why is staffing important?

Hey y'all!
So one of my staff from the Engage Discipleship Training School (DTS) made a video about what a DTS is, and why staffing is important to its students.
Here is the clip, so you guys can hear what the students have to say about their staff!

I find it inspiring as a future staff, that it is possible to be such a big part of a person's transformation and how much of an impact I could make.

Please join with me in prayer and support, as I begin to walk with the future students of the Engage DTS'13 and help them walk in an even deeper relationship with God!

coming soon!

So, just a heads-up!
I am currently working to set-up an account with Project Funding Vancouver, BC. 

Project Funding is dedicated to the adminstrative support and processing and receipting of financial donations from Canadian individuals, churches and organisations who want to support YWAMers all around the world. 

AKA:

Through Project Funding, I will be able to issue tax-receipts to Canadians who donate money to me!  I'm still working to set-up the account, but I will post all the information you need to donate as soon as the account is established. There will be multiple ways to donate, either via pre-authorized payment, check, credit card, and/or online banking. 

In the mean time, please consider setting up a regular donation. My goal is to receive $1,000 per month, and any contribution towards that would be amazing!

Thank you so much for all your support!
And I will get this information to you as soon as I am able! 

Becca

why radical life?

During the lecture phase of my Discipleship Training School we daily had incredible speakers teaching us about a variety of topics. Some of which were:
God's Nature and Character.
God's Intention for Individuals, Peoples and Creation.
God'w Redemption: Sin and the Cross.
God's Family: His Children & His Church.
God's World: His Call & His Commission.

But one of my many favourites was being challenged by Jeff Waalkes to "live a life of radical obedience". This was week 2. It became a theme for the rest of our school. And became a personal pursuit for me.

Its so easy to become caught-up in the mundane. And even easier to think that is what Christianity is. That maybe, following God is boring, because:
"we have to be good"
or
"we have to follow the rules"
or
"we cant' be controversial... because that could cause offense, and people may not want to be a Christian then"
or
"what I really want to do, is not Christian enough, and God wouldn't approve because its not being a insert ideal Christian career here."

But the incredible thing that we must remember, is who God is. He gives us the grace we need and the help we need to "be good" through the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that we have every access to, because the Holy Spirit lives within us. We don't need to worry about "the rules" because the law was fulfilled on the cross. The only "rule" we have is to LOVE (Galatians 5:14).

Frankly, being controversial comes with the call. Jesus was super-controversial. He was constantly being confronted by the religious leaders of the time, who were infuriated by the freedom He was teaching. Paul says in Colossians 1:25:

"I have become its [the church] servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness."

The word of God is controversial to the world that we live in. Because the world we live in, is a fallen world. God's word is everything that is good and perfect, so when you act and speak from the Word, it creates change, and not everyone is going to like it! But we all are commissioned to present the fullness of God's word. So go ahead. I (and more importantly, God) give you permission to be controversial. As long as everything we do follows our only "be good" rule, which is to do everything in LOVE. 

Now the last 'concern' we have, is that God doesn't want us to 'live the dream'. That is a horribly large lie. God knows you. Perfectly. He made you. He knows, and placed the deepest desires of your heart, IN your heart. 

1 Chronicles 28:9"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Psalm 20:4
"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."
Psalm 37:4
"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 40:8
"I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart."

Do you see? God wants to give you the desires of your heart, and He knows what they are. It says he "searches every heart and understands every desire and thought." He cares. His request? "Take delight in the Lord." And there is a bonus here! If you trust in God's will, that He only ever has the very best for you, knowing your desires (because remember, He searches them out) than you naturally desire to do His will. His will is perfect, and it only brings the best about in your life!  

And we know that in all things God works together with those who love Him to bring about what is good with those who have been called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

So, radical obedience. Right? The questions I discussed, at least for me, are the questions that can keep me from being obedient to God. They all stem from a lack of trust in Him, and belief in His character. I could have said them this way instead:
"Jesus dying on the cross did not fulfill the law. I still have to."
"I have to perform for God, or else He won't like me anymore."
"I'm more afraid of what people think about me, than doing what God tells me to."
"God doesn't love me enough to give me my heart's desire. He will test me by putting me in situations I don't like."

Being radically obedient, means that when God says "go", I go. When He says "stay" I stay. When He says "wait" I wait. etc. 
But my response, is not just in response to a command. Its a response, out of love knowing that He loves me and has the best for me. That by responding to His will, only the best things for me will happen. That makes life exciting!!! I get the gaurantee, that only the best things, determined by the creator of the Universe, will happen in my life. IF I obey.
There is NO BETTER PLACE to be, than IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S WILL. 

Think about it. 

Then? Just say "yes".

the next big thing

Hello! Welcome to my new blog!

For those of you who were following along on live-now-work-later you may be wondering why there is a new blog that will be "detailing my life with Youth With A Mission [YWAM]" when I have already completed my Discipleship Training School (DTS).

Well, here is why: 

As of September, I will be going back to Youth With A Mission's "University of the Nations" in Kona. I will be joining the staff team for Engage DTS 2013, which will begin in January. 

Why?: 

My DTS was such a life-changing experience for me. My hope going into it, was that I would develop a close relationship with God, and that I would finally become, the person that He has created me to be. It most certainly was not an easy process, and there were so many stubborn moments on my behalf, that made any change take longer than it should have. But in the end, I am so grateful for this experience. 

But the thing is, that DTS doesn't just happen. There is a huge team of people behind the entire process, that keeps the wheels turning so that we as students could have that life-changing experience. The staff were there for us 24/7, volunteering their time to make sure that we got everything we could out of DTS and could learn and grow and develop into the people we are destined to be. The work is by no means done in my life, but there has been a substantial step in the right direction.

As I was praying about what my next step should be after DTS, I went through many different ideas. But I felt God settle it in my heart, that I am meant to pour back into the program and the community, that so blessed me. I have so much more still to learn, and at one point debated doing another DTS entirely. But I've heard, and believe that staffing a DTS will push me just as much, if not more than my DTS, but in new and deeper ways. 

What Will Staffing Look Like?  

September - January: Leadership Training. Details of what that will look like, will be coming soon.

January 3rd: Students Arrive!!!

January - March: Lecture Phase. I will be hosting one-on-one meetings with girls in the school, helping with work duties, co-leading a small-group, outreach team meetings, and supporting the lectures, local outreach, and other activities the students do throughout the 3 months.

April - June: Outreach Phase. I will be leading an outreach team to a country in Asia and/or the Sub-Indian continent. Locations and teams won't be determined until the second week of Lecture Phase, but teams will likely have two leaders per team. 

I am so excited for the opportunity to grow alongside this community. To be able to pour out all that God has taught me into the lives of the youth that will be starting out on their newest adventure with Him. 

Thank you, for your continued support as I embark on this adventure!

To read more about YWAM, DTS, and the financial support I am looking for, please click on the tabs at the top of the page!  

it all comes to a close

june 22, 2012
marks the day that I graduated Engage:DTS ... filled with laughter and tears, we wrapped up 6 months of adventure, challenge, love, joy, healing, growth and getting to know and love an incredible God.
together we have built friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, truly some of the best 6 months of my life.
thanks to all of you have walked with me on this journey, you are closer than family and have made this time incredible for me.

and a special thanks to all of you who have supported me in prayer and finances and made this time possible for me. You have blessed me immensely.

Stay tuned, this next season is bound to be even more exciting than the first as I continue to walk with God and follow His voice and call on my life.

much love, and see ya soon ;)
Becca