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
Thursday, 29 March 2012
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
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!
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.
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
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
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
i may just "get" Jesus a little more...
Hey y'all! So I want to share something that I learned last week, to me it is epic, and I hope it will be to some of you too. But if its something you knew already, even better.
Starting out with the honesty part.
Since I've been thinking about Jesus and who he is, I've never had the greatest impression of him. I always known he is both God and Man. But to me, him being on the earth, was just pretending to be a human, but he was secretly operating as God.
To me that meant that miracles were all His personal doing (nothing to do with God the Father). That Him being "tempted" was just going through the motions of what we go through, but really He wasn't affected by it because He is God. That dying on the cross didn't hurt him, because he switched over to being God and kept himself from feeling the pain, and just faked it. That during the three days, he was just chilling and waiting to re-inhabit his body on earth. etc.
I'm not sure if anyone else can relate to this, and if you do, there is good news. This IS NOT TRUE!
Let me explain... or try to.
First off, lets start by calling Jesus by the name he would've been called by his own family and friends, "Yeshua". The only reason we know about the life of Yeshua is because four of his friends decided to write down his story. The four being Matthew, Luke, John, and Mark.
Yeshua was fully human and still is. He has perfect relationship with God, and still is God, but he chose to limit himself to just a human, out of love for us, so that he could come and reveal to us who we are intended to be as humans.
I think this is one of the most difficult things to grasp. One thing that has really helped me, is the disciples. Until Yeshua rose from the dead, they didn't believe or understand that he is the Son of God. So as they are following him and being his disciples they would have been seeing him as fully human, and witnessing a perfect relationship with God the Father.
For example. When Peter sees Yeshua walking on the water, the only reason he would dare to think that he could too, was if he saw another HUMAN walking on the water. If they knew that Yeshua was the Messiah than Peter would never think that he could operate in the same way.
I think the best way to really grasp who Yeshua is, is to read through the gospels, knowing that the disciples would not have recognized him as the Messiah.
Than maybe think on what it would mean to the disciples to finally realize that Yeshua, their friend, and rabbi, was the Messiah.
We need to relate to Yeshua the way the disciples did. See him as a man first so that you can truly understand the wonder of his character.
Jesus didn't come to give us a system of salvation, He came to show us a new way of living. A Holy Spirit-filled life looks like Jesus'.
This is, for me, a pretty intense revelation. Frankly I'm not sure if I've explained it well. Please feel free to post questions, and as best as I can, I'll rally some answers together and get back to you with them.
Much love,
Becca
Starting out with the honesty part.
Since I've been thinking about Jesus and who he is, I've never had the greatest impression of him. I always known he is both God and Man. But to me, him being on the earth, was just pretending to be a human, but he was secretly operating as God.
To me that meant that miracles were all His personal doing (nothing to do with God the Father). That Him being "tempted" was just going through the motions of what we go through, but really He wasn't affected by it because He is God. That dying on the cross didn't hurt him, because he switched over to being God and kept himself from feeling the pain, and just faked it. That during the three days, he was just chilling and waiting to re-inhabit his body on earth. etc.
I'm not sure if anyone else can relate to this, and if you do, there is good news. This IS NOT TRUE!
Let me explain... or try to.
First off, lets start by calling Jesus by the name he would've been called by his own family and friends, "Yeshua". The only reason we know about the life of Yeshua is because four of his friends decided to write down his story. The four being Matthew, Luke, John, and Mark.
Yeshua was fully human and still is. He has perfect relationship with God, and still is God, but he chose to limit himself to just a human, out of love for us, so that he could come and reveal to us who we are intended to be as humans.
I think this is one of the most difficult things to grasp. One thing that has really helped me, is the disciples. Until Yeshua rose from the dead, they didn't believe or understand that he is the Son of God. So as they are following him and being his disciples they would have been seeing him as fully human, and witnessing a perfect relationship with God the Father.
For example. When Peter sees Yeshua walking on the water, the only reason he would dare to think that he could too, was if he saw another HUMAN walking on the water. If they knew that Yeshua was the Messiah than Peter would never think that he could operate in the same way.
I think the best way to really grasp who Yeshua is, is to read through the gospels, knowing that the disciples would not have recognized him as the Messiah.
Than maybe think on what it would mean to the disciples to finally realize that Yeshua, their friend, and rabbi, was the Messiah.
We need to relate to Yeshua the way the disciples did. See him as a man first so that you can truly understand the wonder of his character.
Jesus didn't come to give us a system of salvation, He came to show us a new way of living. A Holy Spirit-filled life looks like Jesus'.
This is, for me, a pretty intense revelation. Frankly I'm not sure if I've explained it well. Please feel free to post questions, and as best as I can, I'll rally some answers together and get back to you with them.
Much love,
Becca
Thursday, 16 February 2012
simply difficult
Hey y'all! Time for an update, yes?
To start-off, I'll fill you in a bit on what I've been learning about these past 2 weeks!
Last week we had Donna and Tom Cole come and speak to us about Pure Heart. It is basically a week of dealing with your heart; the good, the bad, and the ugly. But the great thing is that you get to sort through it and get freedom in a lot of things! My favourite days were on true femininity and true masculinity. We got to learn so much more about what it means to be a woman and how fantastic that is, and how we reflect God's beauty and His heart. Then for true masculinity, we got to learn about how God designed men to have godly authority and how that is intended to be exercised, as well as calling them out of passivity and into their role as leaders and conquerors.
This week we are learning from Danny Lehmann. He's been speaking to us on what it really means to be a disciple and to discipline yourself in your walk with God. This has really challenged me to commit to my relationship with God. As we've been taught, a walk with God is simple, but its not easy. Like any relationship, it takes time and energy and effort. Its time for me, to really delve into the Word, and spend time with my God. There is a verse that says:
Danny has been talking to us a lot about Spiritual Discipline. That we are meant to take dominion over our lives and discipline ourselves to grow Spiritually, Physically, Socially, Mentally, and in Relationally. Its so easy to over-spiritualize our walk with God. I've done it, and still am in many ways. But its not just a good feeling, its about truly knowing who my God is, and from that place there is no response but falling in love with Him.
For me during DTS, that means that I'm not going to be going-through-the-motions anymore. It means being truly dedicated and studious in everything I do. It means taking time that I would spend being with my friends, and spending time with my God. It means really getting into the Bible and digging for answers. It means spending time talking to and listening to God.
Like we've been told, its not complicated, but it isn't easy either.
To start-off, I'll fill you in a bit on what I've been learning about these past 2 weeks!
Last week we had Donna and Tom Cole come and speak to us about Pure Heart. It is basically a week of dealing with your heart; the good, the bad, and the ugly. But the great thing is that you get to sort through it and get freedom in a lot of things! My favourite days were on true femininity and true masculinity. We got to learn so much more about what it means to be a woman and how fantastic that is, and how we reflect God's beauty and His heart. Then for true masculinity, we got to learn about how God designed men to have godly authority and how that is intended to be exercised, as well as calling them out of passivity and into their role as leaders and conquerors.
This week we are learning from Danny Lehmann. He's been speaking to us on what it really means to be a disciple and to discipline yourself in your walk with God. This has really challenged me to commit to my relationship with God. As we've been taught, a walk with God is simple, but its not easy. Like any relationship, it takes time and energy and effort. Its time for me, to really delve into the Word, and spend time with my God. There is a verse that says:
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26Its pretty scary to read it, but what I believe its saying, is that your love for God has to be so much greater than your love for people who are dear to you, that your love for them seems like hate in comparison. That is hardcore. And this doesn't mean you have an excuse to hate people, it means you are seriously in love with God.
Danny has been talking to us a lot about Spiritual Discipline. That we are meant to take dominion over our lives and discipline ourselves to grow Spiritually, Physically, Socially, Mentally, and in Relationally. Its so easy to over-spiritualize our walk with God. I've done it, and still am in many ways. But its not just a good feeling, its about truly knowing who my God is, and from that place there is no response but falling in love with Him.
For me during DTS, that means that I'm not going to be going-through-the-motions anymore. It means being truly dedicated and studious in everything I do. It means taking time that I would spend being with my friends, and spending time with my God. It means really getting into the Bible and digging for answers. It means spending time talking to and listening to God.
Like we've been told, its not complicated, but it isn't easy either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)