What! It can not be so! You mean that I can not find my ipod...before I am boarding a 9 hour flight and before entering into a season of 6 month intensive and intrusive learning and ministry where personal space will already be little to none. Now....not being able to find my ipod almost is insult to injury...the only little device that allows me to plug into worship through music, to tune into God and tune out every other noise and person around (we all know how we “need” to do this at different points in the day – something we like to call “space” or “time to ourselves”.) And hey – when living in a community setting (I mean the only private space is a 1 X 1 room that houses the toilet!!) every buffer of personal space is welcomed and used as a tool to connect with Jesus and disconnect with people, even for an hour....to simulate solitary time and allow a vacuum of the Presence of God in a personal meeting space.
Yes, you might be thinking what God is thinking!! Ha ha ha ha...and He was letting me know some of His thoughts, as I was on the way to the airport and asking Him about this fiasco! Firstly, one of His thoughts was this : “Do I need to plug in an ipod to “tune out the rest of the world”? One of my classic crutches for using my ipod (let me clarify, I rarely use my ipod....mostly to connecting with Jesus in the midst of an airplane ride, to encourage sleep, in devotions and worship, on runs and walks at times...and you know...the rare occation to separate myself from the others around me that I might not “feel” like talking to and can’t physically get away from!) Back to the crutch - and it is this – to keep garbage from entering my ears. Most times, I would rather not hear the conversation my neighbours are having about the neighbour who does this and that....or the curse words exchanged in “normal” conversation that I am not a part of. I know my heart motive is pure, and as I write this is all starting to sound a bit like insulation.
Fire can’t start in a vacuum!
The next thought that God shared with me was relating to this very fact. God hears the just and the unjust. He has listened to every vile song, every curse riled against His own name, every degrading thing, every slander, every gossip, He HEARS IT ALL. Does He tune it out to regain His holiness? Does He need to keep His ears plugged with His own praises in order to do His mighty works in the heavens and earth? Nope – His holiness is settled in heaven, His heart is secure and fixed....and yet He is grieved, His heart breaks and He weeps and stirred to powerful love when He hears His creation entering into anything that is not faith. His compassion is the filter that takes sin and defilement and translates it into the burden of the Cross and the power of the resurrection that He is waiting to be received by every heart.
So....obviously, I can see Jesus probing my heart to teach me a lesson in this all. Admittedly, for convenience sake, I would really love to have my ipod with me...I mean – 6 months in different languages and cultures...some English solice of anointed worship at my fingertips seems greater than gold in this moment...and will seem as such a couple months into this thing!!
But there is a greater solice that the Lord is trying to open me up to receive. Jesus didn’t tote an ipod. He lived in constant fellowship with the Father – IN THE MIDST OF A PERVERSE AND SINFUL GENERATION. Jesus must have heard all kinds of ungodly conversations in passing, and we all know that He wasn’t afraid to be the light in those dark places. He lived in close community with the 12 disciples for 3 solid years. His “tune out” was the hidden place of prayer and the rest of the time it was the secret place of abiding in the Father’s presence and love by Holy Spirit’s constant help and presence.
This is it. This is the goal. This is the Father’s desire for me, for us. To not rely on anything but Him. So even an ipod, used for godly things, can become a crutch, and a means of disconnect from the very people God is desiring us to share deeper community with, even in the kaos of kosmos and defilement of the world. What would we do if faced without having the “normal” helps in our relationship with Jesus. We could call them conveniences, because they are that.
Take away my solitary place of prayer. Take away my “buffer” of personal space as manifested in my ipod. What will You find Lord?
My prayer in and through this learning time is that with or without the things and cultural expressions of worship and devotion there would remain ABIDING. You would remain, Jesus, constantly present and speaking and making holy. There would remain the love of God, burning deeply and passionately for Jesus and for others. There would remain heaven and earth and the two colliding through my life.
It’s time for the test!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Gypsy Camp
Gypsy Camp
What an amazing experience – all around! Our team had the opportunity to go to a Roma Youth Conference on our last weekend in Ukraine. “Roma” is the rebranded name for Gypsy, because there has been and still exist so much racism and discrimination associated with the term gypsy throughout all of Europe and the world.
We went to the historic city of Mukachevo, which once was a part of Hungary and has one of the largest Roma communities. The Roma church was hosting a youth conference for the weekend and we went to be a part. It was an incredible experience....we drove through the beautiful city, crossed the rail road tracks and were all of a sudden in the gypsy camp. The conditions were very similar to Guatemala – the roads were dirt, there were children all around playing on the streets in dirty clothes, with dirty faces. Many homes are without running water, etc. and there are a lot of evidences of poverty, both spiritual and physical, that can be seen just from walking down the street. All of the brothers and sisters that we met that were involved and had desires to see change and improvement had at some point gone 'out' and done training with Youth with a Mission. This was an encouragement!
After the conference ended we had a short time to tour around Mukachevo...we even went to the castle! It was INCREDIBLE! This was my first time in a real castle...and in the company of dear friends and family in the Lord was a memory that I hold dear. After this we made the 6 hour drive back to Ternopil and packed and prepared to go home! It was a wonderful way to wrap up our adventure....and also wet our appetite for more outreach and ministry in Ukraine!
Praise be to Jesus for all He continued through our visit and all that He will do in the future. This people group are dearly loved by God and He has great plans for them!
Love,
Allison
For more photos of the time in Mukachevo click on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=451221&id=741610340&l=27e8653a82
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Visiting Orphans
Visiting Children who have been orphaned:
In our last week in Ternopil we had the opportunity to go to two orphanages and love on the children and staff there.
Berzhany – this is a special place, about 45 minutes west of Ternopil. The town is small and very beautiful and historically was a center of study and commerce during Hungarian rule. Now, however, it is small and somewhat impoverished.
There is a state orphanage here where 145 children live. Because summer had begun, most of the children were away at state run sanatoriums, or summer camps. There were about 40 children that were still at the institution, however and we were able to give them a short English class, play games with them, share a meal together and buy them fruit and ice cream (which was a really outrageous treat!)
We also had time with the staff and I was impressed with the heart and love that they have for the children. The orphanage is not a Christian institution, but many of the staff are believers and the director treats all 145 kids as his own. The evidence of the lack of funds was not hard to miss in the building structure and maintenance, but the staff seemed to do their best with what they had.
This was an exciting experience for us all. Our team joined up with one of the regular Orphan Ministry teams from the base at YWAM. This group goes weekly to children’s homes and takes animals from the city ‘zoo’, along with city workers to allow the kids to learn about the animals and mostly to pick them up, pet them and play.
Praising the Lord that we were able to meet these precious ones and bless them with very little of what we had - our time and some icecream - all in the name of Jesus!
Blessing and love as we share all the Lord has given us to share...our lives and the rest!
Berzhany – this is a special place, about 45 minutes west of Ternopil. The town is small and very beautiful and historically was a center of study and commerce during Hungarian rule. Now, however, it is small and somewhat impoverished.
There is a state orphanage here where 145 children live. Because summer had begun, most of the children were away at state run sanatoriums, or summer camps. There were about 40 children that were still at the institution, however and we were able to give them a short English class, play games with them, share a meal together and buy them fruit and ice cream (which was a really outrageous treat!)
We also had time with the staff and I was impressed with the heart and love that they have for the children. The orphanage is not a Christian institution, but many of the staff are believers and the director treats all 145 kids as his own. The evidence of the lack of funds was not hard to miss in the building structure and maintenance, but the staff seemed to do their best with what they had.
Once we had spent a couple of hours with the kids, some of them began opening up to us and asking us questions about our families and our lives. One young girl of about 7 years old, asked my team member, Megan, if she wanted to adopt her and take her home. It also was hurtful to see how violent and aggressive the children were towards each other and for a moment I saw into their lives of fighting their way for survival, attention and love.
Personally, I was overwhelmed with the need for love and attention this amount of children requires and over 100 of them were not here! This was a revelatory moment for me, understanding how limited my love is and how much more I need God to fill me with His love that is sufficient for every one of these dear children.
Petting Zoo Outreach:
This was an exciting experience for us all. Our team joined up with one of the regular Orphan Ministry teams from the base at YWAM. This group goes weekly to children’s homes and takes animals from the city ‘zoo’, along with city workers to allow the kids to learn about the animals and mostly to pick them up, pet them and play. We visited a Christian orphanage in Ternopil and even from the get go there was a greater sense of peace and love in the kids and in the home. This was a testimony to me personally.
The children were ecstatic about the large rabbit, the guinea pig, the turtle and the hamsters. The birds did not get very much attention, but all in all the children had so much fun playing and holding the animals. We were able to talk to some of the kids, most of whom ranged in age from six to ten years old.
Interestingly, there was an older couple that was hanging around and I quickly found out that they were there to adopt one of the boys in our group. The couple were from Italy and had been in Ternopil for a number of weeks and had more weeks to go. This was my first experience seeing the process of foreign adoption taking place. I had a good conversation with the wife and she was so impressed and thankful for such a ministry that would come and visit and play with the kids. I pray that the Lord’s guidance and wisdom will be with them in their transition and with the dear boy that will become their son.
This was our experience in only two of the many, many orphanages in Ukraine. There are so many children needing parents, naturally and spiritually. Let's continue to pray for these kids, that they will know and receive the love that God has for them through the people that are in their lives. That God will raise up and send more people to go and visit and care for and love these children. Each one of them is so precious and dear!
For a larger photo album, please click on this link:
Blessing and love as we share all the Lord has given us to share...our lives and the rest!
(this is me sitting on the knee of a statue of some famous guy from Berzhony - a Ukrainian hero of sorts!)
Tail End of English....
“You are going to Chernobyl?”, asked my Mom and Dad simultaneously when I reminded them that the YWAM TESOL Practicum was being held in Ukraine. No, it was not Chernobyl, it was Ternopil, a city and province in Western Ukraine, close to the Polish border.
We were working with the Youth With a Mission Base in Ternopil, which was established over 15 years ago and is really a “centre” of Christian Ministry for the city of Ternopil. Very wisely, the English classes were advertized in the newspaper and all around the city and for the entire month we were able to serve and reach out to over 100 students, many of whom we and the other missionaries at the base developed strong relationships with. So many of the students truly improved their English skills in such a short time, and as Armand, an African student studying at the Medical University in Ternopil said, “The best thing that has happened to me this week is feeling more confident in being able to have an English conversation. I can say and understand things now that a few weeks ago I could not.”
Our team had the opportunity to love these people with Jesus’ love by teaching English Grammar – who would have thought!!!!!
In our classes we were training future and present doctors, business people, children, missionaries, ministers of the Gospel, high school teachers, children from orphanages, etc. What a blessing to meet and relate to such a wide variety of people....people who God loves and longs to be one with through Jesus Christ! It all starts with loving relationships!
The icing on this cake was certainly on the final night of classes. As teachers we decided to throw a big party and encourage conversation, photos, goodbyes and the whole bit! We had a short program where we thanked the students and presented our translator and co-labourer, Tamara, with a gift and card. We had students share some of their English accomplishments, such as the Hokey Pokey song (lol!) and some advanced students read a famous speech. To our surprise the students took over and presented us teachers with flowers, a very official certificate and a Ukrainian gift. We were so amazed and BLESSED! Many hugs and tears were had and our good-bye’s were said!
Lots of laughter.....here is our translator, Tamara (full time missionary) to my right and Oles (missionary to India) to my left.
We will continue to believe God to complete His good work in each one of the student’s lives. He is faithful to do so!
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU FOR PRAYER, LOVE AND SUPPORT! More posts to come following this one.....trying to break it down into bite size peices for you all :)
In His love,
Allison
For a fuller photo album, please click on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=451221&id=741610340&l=27e8653a82
Needless to say, our time was explosive, but not of the nuclear variety...more along the lines of the love and power of Jesus Christ!
English Classes Wrap - Up
As you were aware from previous emails, we went to Ukraine to serve and minister to the people there by offering FREE English classes by native English speakers. In case you did not know....if you are a native English speaker, you are a hot commodity to foreigners who are so hungry to learn our native language. In my last update I had shared about the large amount of students we were already seeing come to classes...it was amazing! The enthusiasm and interest by the community was overwhelming. Not only were the students excited about English, but they were so grateful that we were giving the classes for free and with lots of love!
We were working with the Youth With a Mission Base in Ternopil, which was established over 15 years ago and is really a “centre” of Christian Ministry for the city of Ternopil. Very wisely, the English classes were advertized in the newspaper and all around the city and for the entire month we were able to serve and reach out to over 100 students, many of whom we and the other missionaries at the base developed strong relationships with. So many of the students truly improved their English skills in such a short time, and as Armand, an African student studying at the Medical University in Ternopil said, “The best thing that has happened to me this week is feeling more confident in being able to have an English conversation. I can say and understand things now that a few weeks ago I could not.” One of my students, Galena,
who is a doctor
Our team had the opportunity to love these people with Jesus’ love by teaching English Grammar – who would have thought!!!!!
For me this was a very valuable experience, in seeing how our practical skills, whatever they may be, serve as one of our greatest gifts and investments into the lives of others who are needing those things that we might see as common. My understanding of evangelism and outreach to foreign people groups has expanded in seeing how many things we can offer and serve to people in a spirit of true love through teaching the English language. Many of our students dream to someday study in English universities, gain higher paying jobs because of their English skills, become English teachers themselves, and my personal favourite: go into English speaking nations as missionaries!
In our classes we were training future and present doctors, business people, children, missionaries, ministers of the Gospel, high school teachers, children from orphanages, etc. What a blessing to meet and relate to such a wide variety of people....people who God loves and longs to be one with through Jesus Christ! It all starts with loving relationships!
The icing on this cake was certainly on the final night of classes. As teachers we decided to throw a big party and encourage conversation, photos, goodbyes and the whole bit! We had a short program where we thanked the students and presented our translator and co-labourer, Tamara, with a gift and card. We had students share some of their English accomplishments, such as the Hokey Pokey song (lol!) and some advanced students read a famous speech. To our surprise the students took over and presented us teachers with flowers, a very official certificate and a Ukrainian gift. We were so amazed and BLESSED! Many hugs and tears were had and our good-bye’s were said!
Lots of laughter.....here is our translator, Tamara (full time missionary) to my right and Oles (missionary to India) to my left.
We will continue to believe God to complete His good work in each one of the student’s lives. He is faithful to do so!
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU FOR PRAYER, LOVE AND SUPPORT! More posts to come following this one.....trying to break it down into bite size peices for you all :)
In His love,
Allison
For a fuller photo album, please click on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=451221&id=741610340&l=27e8653a82
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ukraine News - June 2010 from Ternopil
JUNE 2010 - News from Ukraine!!!!
Teaching English in Ternopil – training missionaries and many more in English
WOW – can you believe it! We have already been here in Ukraine for two full weeks! This also means that we have only 2 weeks remaining. The outreach has been amazing thus far...we have been able to serve over 80 locals through teaching English each evening! Some classes have been crazy, challenging and certainly a learning experience – having 44 students that can speak little to no English when we were expecting 25 was a little shocking! We have spent a lot of time in prep work, writing lessons, cleaning up, setting up! The staff here have been such a blessing - cooking, serving and helping us in every way. We have received a few lessons in Ukrainian....still are pretty limited! Ha ha ha - funny going to the grocery store and coming home with what we think is butter...and it is lard...or cream...or who knows what!
The teaching has been a 24/7 thing, as we are living with 7 of our students here at the YWAM base!! This has opened the door to many wonderful opportunities to laugh, learn and grow together. I am in awe at God’s strategy for us to be training and teaching missionaries in English. This base here does their outreaches to India, which is why having English is so important for them. So...in an indirect way we are a part of equipping outreach to India through teaching English! Praise God!
Over the next two weeks we have plan to join in the outreaches to local orphanages – there are over 125,000 orphans in the nation of Ukraine. We are all looking forward to this opportunity to serve and love in Jesus’ name!
We have been also blessed to enjoy nice walks in many of the beautiful parks and the neighbourhood surrounding us here. The work has been intense, and the joy and blessing has been abundant :)!
Opportunities in Community
The Lord has opened (and continues to) other doors while we have been serving and ministering here. We accepted an invitation to share at a Youth Home-group last week. There were about 15 young people from the ages of 12- 25 at the meeting. It was such a powerful time of sharing and prayer and ministry! They received us with open arms and hearts and each one of us teachers shared for a time, mostly encouraging them to shine Jesus’ light right where they are and to DREAM BIG in God’s plans!
We have an opporunity to teach/visit a TESOL class at the pedagogical University....it is still in the works....so we will see about that...time is moving quickly! Would be an amazing opportunity indeed!
Worship/ Prayer / Intercession
Another area that the Lord has prepared for us to serve in has been in worship and prayer/intercession here on the base. In typical last minute style, I have lead worship for the weekly staff worship and intercession for the past two weeks. Last week Holy Spirit was moving in such a powerful way....and the time simply went away, but we were all ministered to in a great way!
We also felt strongly to open up an English Worship and Intercession time during the week in case our students wanted to participate in that time. This past week again, there was a great move of God in our midst....such a joy and delight in the mercy and goodness of God’s love in Christ Jesus!
Our team, Megan Murray from Washington State, Joanne Degruyl from New Brunswick, Doug Sadler from Winnipeg and myself have been seeking God for the good of this base, these people, this city and nation. One area that we really have sensed God prompt us in is prayer work....so long before our teaching prep and follow through takes place we have been seeking God together and releasing His praise, worship and word! We have already seen some very amazing and speedy answers to prayers that God laid on our hearts! He is good and He answers our prayers!
PRAYER SUPPORT
To all you prayers out there - THANKS SO MUCH.....we would have drowned in the first few days..had it not been for the prayers of each of you and God's faithfulness! And even now - His grace is so clearly and continuously flowing to us...and your prayer and covering of love and faith has such a huge part in that!
All I can say is...keep it coming! God is truly doing something special in our midst...it is such an honour to be partnering together in His Kingdom! As a team - the Lord has bonded us together...it will be tough to part after living and breathing so closely together for 3 months! (Requesting prayer for the transition back!!)
I return to Guelph on June 22....so am requesting prayer for what is to come for the summer....and all the rest of the details...my car is still waiting and ready to sell...you know - all the rest!
Guatemala Update
Many of you have likely been aware of the disasters that have been taking place in Guatemala...I wanted to pass this information on to you, if you are not aware. As you all know we work closely with Fe Viva Guatemala (Casa Esperanza Children’s Home, etc.) and I have been getting updates from them regarding the volcanic eruption, tropical storms, floods and mudslides, etc. There are over 200,000 people displaced from these natural disasters and many bridges have been washed out....our Bible College Students were in El Salvador on their yearly outreach and the bridge was washed out. I have not heard if they have been able to return to Guatemala yet.
If you can please keep these ones in prayer – Fe Viva, all the staff and children, and the people of Guatemala...let us see God’s goodness revealed through His people in this time of need.
For more info, or to get more involved please go to http://www.feviva.org/ .
Photos from TESOL Training....and New York Stop over - more to come soon!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=442036&id=741610340&l=3504ac4148
For now....that is all I can say! Again - a HUGE thanks to all of you that are praying and that gave financially and are still giving financially towards this outreach and our missions work through Word of Life....We are walking in what He has for this season :) It is exciting!
Love you all so much and am praying for you and yours - Ephesians 1:17-23!
Allison
Teaching English in Ternopil – training missionaries and many more in English
WOW – can you believe it! We have already been here in Ukraine for two full weeks! This also means that we have only 2 weeks remaining. The outreach has been amazing thus far...we have been able to serve over 80 locals through teaching English each evening! Some classes have been crazy, challenging and certainly a learning experience – having 44 students that can speak little to no English when we were expecting 25 was a little shocking! We have spent a lot of time in prep work, writing lessons, cleaning up, setting up! The staff here have been such a blessing - cooking, serving and helping us in every way. We have received a few lessons in Ukrainian....still are pretty limited! Ha ha ha - funny going to the grocery store and coming home with what we think is butter...and it is lard...or cream...or who knows what!
The teaching has been a 24/7 thing, as we are living with 7 of our students here at the YWAM base!! This has opened the door to many wonderful opportunities to laugh, learn and grow together. I am in awe at God’s strategy for us to be training and teaching missionaries in English. This base here does their outreaches to India, which is why having English is so important for them. So...in an indirect way we are a part of equipping outreach to India through teaching English! Praise God!
Over the next two weeks we have plan to join in the outreaches to local orphanages – there are over 125,000 orphans in the nation of Ukraine. We are all looking forward to this opportunity to serve and love in Jesus’ name!
We have been also blessed to enjoy nice walks in many of the beautiful parks and the neighbourhood surrounding us here. The work has been intense, and the joy and blessing has been abundant :)!
Opportunities in Community
The Lord has opened (and continues to) other doors while we have been serving and ministering here. We accepted an invitation to share at a Youth Home-group last week. There were about 15 young people from the ages of 12- 25 at the meeting. It was such a powerful time of sharing and prayer and ministry! They received us with open arms and hearts and each one of us teachers shared for a time, mostly encouraging them to shine Jesus’ light right where they are and to DREAM BIG in God’s plans!
We have an opporunity to teach/visit a TESOL class at the pedagogical University....it is still in the works....so we will see about that...time is moving quickly! Would be an amazing opportunity indeed!
Worship/ Prayer / Intercession
Another area that the Lord has prepared for us to serve in has been in worship and prayer/intercession here on the base. In typical last minute style, I have lead worship for the weekly staff worship and intercession for the past two weeks. Last week Holy Spirit was moving in such a powerful way....and the time simply went away, but we were all ministered to in a great way!
We also felt strongly to open up an English Worship and Intercession time during the week in case our students wanted to participate in that time. This past week again, there was a great move of God in our midst....such a joy and delight in the mercy and goodness of God’s love in Christ Jesus!
Our team, Megan Murray from Washington State, Joanne Degruyl from New Brunswick, Doug Sadler from Winnipeg and myself have been seeking God for the good of this base, these people, this city and nation. One area that we really have sensed God prompt us in is prayer work....so long before our teaching prep and follow through takes place we have been seeking God together and releasing His praise, worship and word! We have already seen some very amazing and speedy answers to prayers that God laid on our hearts! He is good and He answers our prayers!
PRAYER SUPPORT
To all you prayers out there - THANKS SO MUCH.....we would have drowned in the first few days..had it not been for the prayers of each of you and God's faithfulness! And even now - His grace is so clearly and continuously flowing to us...and your prayer and covering of love and faith has such a huge part in that!
All I can say is...keep it coming! God is truly doing something special in our midst...it is such an honour to be partnering together in His Kingdom! As a team - the Lord has bonded us together...it will be tough to part after living and breathing so closely together for 3 months! (Requesting prayer for the transition back!!)
I return to Guelph on June 22....so am requesting prayer for what is to come for the summer....and all the rest of the details...my car is still waiting and ready to sell...you know - all the rest!
Guatemala Update
Many of you have likely been aware of the disasters that have been taking place in Guatemala...I wanted to pass this information on to you, if you are not aware. As you all know we work closely with Fe Viva Guatemala (Casa Esperanza Children’s Home, etc.) and I have been getting updates from them regarding the volcanic eruption, tropical storms, floods and mudslides, etc. There are over 200,000 people displaced from these natural disasters and many bridges have been washed out....our Bible College Students were in El Salvador on their yearly outreach and the bridge was washed out. I have not heard if they have been able to return to Guatemala yet.
If you can please keep these ones in prayer – Fe Viva, all the staff and children, and the people of Guatemala...let us see God’s goodness revealed through His people in this time of need.
For more info, or to get more involved please go to http://www.feviva.org/ .
Photos from TESOL Training....and New York Stop over - more to come soon!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=442036&id=741610340&l=3504ac4148
For now....that is all I can say! Again - a HUGE thanks to all of you that are praying and that gave financially and are still giving financially towards this outreach and our missions work through Word of Life....We are walking in what He has for this season :) It is exciting!
Love you all so much and am praying for you and yours - Ephesians 1:17-23!
Allison
Sunday, May 2, 2010
May 2010
Dear family and friends,
We are over half way done our TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) training here at YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Discovery Bay. Wow – it has already been crazily intense, to say the least! We are learning an entire 4 month semester in 5 weeks...so we have been in the books and producing lesson plans and assignments intensely!
Highlights
Here are some highlights that are apart from the studying, note-taking, homework and presentations I have been up to! Some of them may seem trivial, but are all so special to me and know God has caused them to come to pass simply because He is good and He loves me!
- Clam digging/Goe Duck Hunting – one of the Camp Directors gave us a lesson in clam digging down at the beach front of the camp before he left for China. I was able to be a part of making homemade clam chowder....from the shell, as well as the adventure of digging for Goe ducks – we caught quite a few and a family on base had fresh sushi – mmmmmm!!
- Olympic National Park – our class took a Saturday morning and all chipped in for gas, etc. and went to the mountains, which are about 45 minutes away. There was so much snow – it was a shocker....our Mongolian friend gave each of us a face-wash like I have never experienced. What passion for snow!
- Provision – in the last number of weeks there have been two more families that shared with me that God has impressed on them to commit to support me (Word of Life Missions Director) and our work on a monthly basis – Praise be to Jesus! We are not far from the 12 committed monthly partners!! Luke 8:3...!!
(Also...the complete amount for tuition for our 5 week training also came in for the glory of the Lord! Woohoo!!! )
What is to come:
We have two and a half more weeks remaining of training and then we have the opportunity to go to Ukraine and volunteer teach for one month. This will allow us to complete our required hours of practicum teaching, which we need to receive our diploma’s as TESOL instructors.
This is not only a great way for us to get our practicum hours done in a short time, but mostly it is a means to go and serve the people of Ukraine (Turnopil) and see them advance in the skill of English, which for many of them is what they are working on to advance in work and school.
We will be working with the Youth with a Mission base in Turnopil and will be offering our classes for free out of their base. Each one of us going is required to have full support for all of our travel, work, and stay so that it is no cost to the Ukrainian people, and rather that it be a blessing to them.
We are definitely starting to get very excited about serving, loving and blessing Ukraine. Because of some of the common national issues : poverty, human-trafficking, many orphaned children, etc. we are also hoping to help and serve in various outreaches that are taking place there in our spare time.
If you are passionate and prompted to help with the Ukraine project, please contact me. We are hoping to buy more English curriculum to leave in Ukraine for resources.
Praise report/prayer
- My new guitar – God spoke to a dear friend to give me their Seagull guitar that has been an instrument of worship in many nations already. This happened about a month ago, but I am still in awe at Jesus’ gift in this!
- God’s faithfulness – again to give God the praise for providing the resources to take this training – that the entire amount for tuition and my flight to Seattle all came in good time!
That’s ALL!
So...for now...that is it.
Your prayer is always more than welcome...as we keep moving forward with all God has for this year...to be a witness of Jesus and His love in 12 nations of the world! Nothing is impossible for those that believe!
Love you all and am so thankful for each of you and am praying for you all regularly :)
Allison
We are over half way done our TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) training here at YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Discovery Bay. Wow – it has already been crazily intense, to say the least! We are learning an entire 4 month semester in 5 weeks...so we have been in the books and producing lesson plans and assignments intensely!
Highlights
Here are some highlights that are apart from the studying, note-taking, homework and presentations I have been up to! Some of them may seem trivial, but are all so special to me and know God has caused them to come to pass simply because He is good and He loves me!
- Clam digging/Goe Duck Hunting – one of the Camp Directors gave us a lesson in clam digging down at the beach front of the camp before he left for China. I was able to be a part of making homemade clam chowder....from the shell, as well as the adventure of digging for Goe ducks – we caught quite a few and a family on base had fresh sushi – mmmmmm!!
- Olympic National Park – our class took a Saturday morning and all chipped in for gas, etc. and went to the mountains, which are about 45 minutes away. There was so much snow – it was a shocker....our Mongolian friend gave each of us a face-wash like I have never experienced. What passion for snow!
- Provision – in the last number of weeks there have been two more families that shared with me that God has impressed on them to commit to support me (Word of Life Missions Director) and our work on a monthly basis – Praise be to Jesus! We are not far from the 12 committed monthly partners!! Luke 8:3...!!
(Also...the complete amount for tuition for our 5 week training also came in for the glory of the Lord! Woohoo!!! )
What is to come:
We have two and a half more weeks remaining of training and then we have the opportunity to go to Ukraine and volunteer teach for one month. This will allow us to complete our required hours of practicum teaching, which we need to receive our diploma’s as TESOL instructors.
This is not only a great way for us to get our practicum hours done in a short time, but mostly it is a means to go and serve the people of Ukraine (Turnopil) and see them advance in the skill of English, which for many of them is what they are working on to advance in work and school.
We will be working with the Youth with a Mission base in Turnopil and will be offering our classes for free out of their base. Each one of us going is required to have full support for all of our travel, work, and stay so that it is no cost to the Ukrainian people, and rather that it be a blessing to them.
We are definitely starting to get very excited about serving, loving and blessing Ukraine. Because of some of the common national issues : poverty, human-trafficking, many orphaned children, etc. we are also hoping to help and serve in various outreaches that are taking place there in our spare time.
If you are passionate and prompted to help with the Ukraine project, please contact me. We are hoping to buy more English curriculum to leave in Ukraine for resources.
Praise report/prayer
- My new guitar – God spoke to a dear friend to give me their Seagull guitar that has been an instrument of worship in many nations already. This happened about a month ago, but I am still in awe at Jesus’ gift in this!
- God’s faithfulness – again to give God the praise for providing the resources to take this training – that the entire amount for tuition and my flight to Seattle all came in good time!
That’s ALL!
So...for now...that is it.
Your prayer is always more than welcome...as we keep moving forward with all God has for this year...to be a witness of Jesus and His love in 12 nations of the world! Nothing is impossible for those that believe!
Love you all and am so thankful for each of you and am praying for you all regularly :)
Allison
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Goe Duck Stomp and Assortments
Wow - how good is GOD!! So good I could go on for eternity (and will) describing His awesomeness!
I have been in Washington State for over 2 weeks now...and it has been quite the time already.
There is a constant sense growing for such a need for a greater Fear of the Lord. This was overtaking me as I was home in Canada for a few weeks and has not stopped. IT is the beginning of wisdom. It is clean and pure. It is to keep our way pure. The fear of the Lord and humility lead to riches, honour and life.
Here in this place, known in the past as a haven for hippies and new age, God is speaking so strongly of my greater need for the Fear of the Lord. A greater surrender to who He is and His place in my life and heart and actions. Oh for a greater encounter with the Holiness of God!
In this place of desiring and learning to fear Him more, by His grace, I find that Jesus is pressing me to enjoy people more. To encounter His holiness and walk in His fear (or reverence) is so connected to loving Him and loving people. To walk with Him. To be where He is and do what He does. To speak what He speaks. To rest in Him. To love in Him. To live in Him. And the by-product of remaining in Him is His holiness. Is a reverence for Him and all He is.
God is not common. Nothing He does is common. He is Holy. There is no one like Him. Yet - in His awesome holiness He desires that it be tangible and relatible to all those that desire to touch Him and know and live in His holiness. His holiness is not untouchable - it is actually the most touchable. It is real. It is Jesus Christ - living and changing lives of the highest or lowest of society!
Holiness is not segregation from the world, but it is seperation from sin and all that brings death and an empowerment to touch the world with the love and grandness of the One true God! Holiness is James 1:27 and Isaiah 58! And so much more....just starting to somewhat receive from Holy Spirit a little better understanding of what He desires!
Ha ha - simply - less of me, less of "kosmos" (or the common sense of the world) and MORE of Him, more of Heave invading earth through my mind, will, emotions and actions!
Let it be! Start in me!
In the midst....I am here taking a TESOL course....encountering God's holiness in English grammar and preparation to reconsile nations to Christ through something as simple as the language I speak!
Holiness
Fear of the Lord
I have been in Washington State for over 2 weeks now...and it has been quite the time already.
There is a constant sense growing for such a need for a greater Fear of the Lord. This was overtaking me as I was home in Canada for a few weeks and has not stopped. IT is the beginning of wisdom. It is clean and pure. It is to keep our way pure. The fear of the Lord and humility lead to riches, honour and life.
Here in this place, known in the past as a haven for hippies and new age, God is speaking so strongly of my greater need for the Fear of the Lord. A greater surrender to who He is and His place in my life and heart and actions. Oh for a greater encounter with the Holiness of God!
In this place of desiring and learning to fear Him more, by His grace, I find that Jesus is pressing me to enjoy people more. To encounter His holiness and walk in His fear (or reverence) is so connected to loving Him and loving people. To walk with Him. To be where He is and do what He does. To speak what He speaks. To rest in Him. To love in Him. To live in Him. And the by-product of remaining in Him is His holiness. Is a reverence for Him and all He is.
God is not common. Nothing He does is common. He is Holy. There is no one like Him. Yet - in His awesome holiness He desires that it be tangible and relatible to all those that desire to touch Him and know and live in His holiness. His holiness is not untouchable - it is actually the most touchable. It is real. It is Jesus Christ - living and changing lives of the highest or lowest of society!
Holiness is not segregation from the world, but it is seperation from sin and all that brings death and an empowerment to touch the world with the love and grandness of the One true God! Holiness is James 1:27 and Isaiah 58! And so much more....just starting to somewhat receive from Holy Spirit a little better understanding of what He desires!
Ha ha - simply - less of me, less of "kosmos" (or the common sense of the world) and MORE of Him, more of Heave invading earth through my mind, will, emotions and actions!
Let it be! Start in me!
In the midst....I am here taking a TESOL course....encountering God's holiness in English grammar and preparation to reconsile nations to Christ through something as simple as the language I speak!
Holiness
Fear of the Lord
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