curious workings of a life and purpose planned out not by flesh and blood but by a compass held in the hand of an ordinary girl being directed by an extraordinary God...
Cambodia - We will be in Battambang for the first month and then over to Ratanakiri for the last 3 weeks or so Bali the Island
Indonesia with Bali highlighted in green
The time has come the walrus says to speak of many things of shoes-- and ships-- and sealing wax --of cabbages --and kings...
2 days until Bali.
We had a Love Feast with all the base staff, and students of all 3 schools. It was a beautiful occasion where we got all gussied up and ate and danced all night. Our EarthCare Team also got commisioned off to our mission. The words of excitment, don't be anxious, peace, joy, comforter, rooted in the gifts God has given me and encouragment were given specifically for me. As a team whole we have recieved "... the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Our beds are cleared underneath and our drawers mostly empty to move onto the Nations which will be out new home.
There will be no connection to Internet in Bali so please keep me in your prayers.
My prayers are with you all as well over Christmas and take Joy in being able to celebrate Jesus' Birth with your families in a country that makes it something special.
Bali is a place where most of the people have never heard the Christmas story and will have no idea about the celebration of it. We are going to be shining the light!
Christmas Decorations on our door! Beach at Rakatuara Farm Anna, Sam and I at a Waterfall in Torlesse We spent the past week up in a little town called Kaikoura on a farm called Rakataura. We slept family style on mats in a Marae (a meeting house), luckily no one snored to loud. We are in the phase of preperation for leaving on Outreach. On the farm a wonderful Maori Pastor, George, came and spoke to us as we lounged on our sleeping mats(traditional teaching method of Maori's). We had the privilage of learning much about the language of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand and a little on breaking down belief systems of indigenous people groups around the world. "Ask God where His fingerprints are in differences." -George He taught us that God really has placed ideas and beliefs that speak of the Gospel message if we only look deep enough into others beliefs. Christian missions has gained a bad rap for a lot of the culture that has been destroyed upon 'white' people coming into aboriginal people groups. This was not God's intention but he created all people groups to be celebrated, in Heaven '26The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.' -Revelations 21:26 That does not mean transforming cultures to the western ways of Christianity but celebrating the differences of music, heritage, dress, language, food, arts and such and yet bringing them Jesus and the simple truth of who He is and what He has done. The 4 days we spent on the farm were rainy and allowed a lot of time for reading, thinking, playing games and getting into Holiday spirit (by that I mean we watched The Holiday, Snoopy's Christmas, and The Grinch Cartoon). God also gave us a gift in spite of the rain of being able to see Orca (killer) whales and Hector dolphins and seals (although they are always around). We saw them from the window after breakfast and sprinted to the beach to watch them gracefully flow up and down in the water. It was God's Beauty at hand. The weekend before Sam, Anna and I took a trip to the Torolesse to a hut for a real backcountry experience. We had a lot of fun exploring and scree sliding (to move downward on loose rock debris covering a slope). We are rapidly approaching our departure date to Bali, Indonesia. We leave on the 14th of December. We will spend 3 weeks in Bali (that means Christmas and New Years). We then head off to Cambodia until March. Most of us here on base are feeling a twinge of homesickness as Christmas is approaching. Once our team leaves base on the 14th, it may be the last time we see some of our fellow students on the backpacker and Father's Heart schools which adds to the blues. This week we are playing Angels and Mortals (a version of secret santa) and we put up some Christmas decorations. It makes the mood a little lighter. Also, thanks to my mom for sending some Christmas cookies to share! Anyways, Prayers are greatly needed now that we are getting ready to head off again, ecspecially for safe traveling, good health, spiritual strength, and positive relationships.
~Thanks for continuing to read my blog and for prayer! It helps more then you know!~
So my roommates are something else. Let me tell you, we live in a house with 20 girls and 5 of us are in one room. Our room is something, we have peach colored walls with blue carpet, 2 bunk beds and one single bed, one of our walls is a window, and we have an outside door. I will just explain my roommates to you individually. Sam is also doing earthcare we share a bunk bed. She is from Texas, also a vegetarian, she brings spunk and laughter to our room. Lydia, Courtney, and Rebecca are all doing the backpackers school. Lydia is from the UK she is very dear and caring, she brings joy and excitement to the room. Rebecca is from Canada she is quiet but loves to laugh, she brings a listening heart to our room. Courtney is from the great state of WI! She is cheeky, and unique, she brings room bonding and fun. Every night we tell bedtime stories we each say a part in the story so they are pretty interesting and funny. We always go to bed happy and wake up the next morning with some weird dream or we wake up reminiscing about the night before. I love all my roommates they are all amazing. We are really the only room that all talk together at night and have good stories and inside jokes with. It's fun...
This week was simply EarthCare. We had RusAlit a come visit who started BATI-Bali Appropriate Technology Institute. Basically he trains people in simple technologies that make a world of difference for developing countries. He mainly focuses on getting clean water to different tribes in Bali. We learned how to build a water pump. He showed us videos on how to build a water holding tank and how the people were so happy to have clean water to drink. The clean water would help with diseases in the tribe and with the other health issues. The way Rus taught the people how to build the pump was by using their own resources and money. That way they would be able to repair it and maintain it, which made the people eager to get the water pump. Community Development was another area we covered, which is bringing resources such as health, community centers, treatment centers, youth programs, prison ministry, homeless ministry, and other community projects that would better the community to have people become more involved. Biblical Development is "the process through which people catch a vision of God's intentions for man's restoration and then intentionally move toward the vision." - Bob Moffit It's a process that we have to go through to see what God has in store for us. If anyone is broken, it's gonna be a bumpy road. We have 3 relationships with God Spiritual, environmental, and Social. Sin broke all 3 relationships, we have to rely on God and know that he is the one that can make it work. Reconciliation is our ministry, we are going into these different countries to bring the news of God. We are going to mend the countries to help further their relationships with God.
Bridge we had to cross over lagoon to get to Ounatai (ricketyaz)
Dawn Boat crossing river of fresh freezing alpine water
The days seem to slip by here in New Zealand. We are very busy and in the spare moments it is nice to just relax for a minute. I will update you on the last 2 weeks.
Our EarthCare team made a trip over to the West Coast and had the opportunity to spend one week on our leaders land called Ounatai. It was all native NZ bush and gave us a week to live with no real running water, toilets, or showers, basically 3rd world living. We had to cross a river at dawn's low tide in 2 little row boats, it took many trips to get 18 of us over plus all the food and packs. It was a week like none other. The river we crossed fed right into the Tasman sea, and surrounding us on all other sides were the white-capped southern alps. It was an oasis. We had 2 instructers (Dave and Wayne) join us, both bush men who brought a lot of wisdom on ecology and the glory of being able to worship Father God outside. The first day there we set up camp which consisted of a very large 60's style canvas tent, wood poles and all. We nicknamed it the "mirage" because it looked almost surreal to see it in the middle of the bush. We then had lecture on a tramp through the temperate rainforst. We climbed through vines, ferns, flax plants, beech trees, large precious Remu trees, and of course a lot of mudd. It gave a whole new meaning to the world Jungle Gym! A great quote to describe it from Dave "The closest you will get to a real rainforest without all the 'nasties'". I also got to take a lovely nap on the sand by the sea. The next day it rained and we spent most of our time in Rob and Jenny's cozy hut and had some teaching and worship time. Seung our lovely Cambodian friend told us a little more about his Country and gave us a glimpse into the culture and what life is really like there. The next day was spent learning "Bush Craft" ( camping skills basically)to prepare everyone to leave for their Solo experience. A Solo is a chance for us to escape and survive on our own with a couple matches, a shelter, our sleeping bags, some food, and our Bibles. I got dropped off on the edge of the lagoon and set up my camp for the night, got a fire started, got my billy boiling for a cup of tea and some noodles (pot of water), I saw a possum and then went to bed as the sun faded. I woke up with a dewy tent and failed at a fire in the morning because the wood was not dry and then spent a lovely day alone with the Lord in a meadow right near my 'home'. I loved the chance to escape and be alone, as living in a community doesn't lend a lot of quiet times. God really spoke "Be still and know that I am Lord" Psalm 146:1 onto my heart and the encouraged me to enjoy that alone time with Him even more. It was then time to head back to the others and a great bonfire (actually 3 bonfires) on the beach, singing and sharing what our solo was like. We then had to pack up and head out the next day sadly. We spent a night in a nice hostel of sorts and were treated by Wayne and his wife a wonderful meal. On Sunday we got the unique chance to hold a service at a small Baptist church in a town called Hokitika. Rob led worship and then Julie and Mark (two of our team) gave short testimonies and then I shared a little of what God was doing in my heart the past week on "being still before him, and calling on him (Jeremiah 33:3), and that even when I am living with many people, and have so much going on that making time to spend with him is key and it is myself that has to put forth the effort and He will meet me! We got prayed over from the congregation and it was a great end to a great week, and then a cook-out by the sea as a send off. All in all it was a week that we got to spend soaking in the indescribable beauty of God's creation and to revitalize.
This past week was not near as beautiful but was special none the less. It was a pretty routine week on base. We had to get adjusted back to taking showers (after spending 1 week without them at Ounatai), and life in a house and amongst many others. Our lecturer this week was Hank Overeem. A Dutchman who moved to New Zealand many a years ago. He had a great accent that made it a lot of fun to listen too. He taught on the Charachter and Nature of God. He imparted so much wisdom and encouragment to us. It was amazing how he made the stories of the Bible come alive. It's hard to pick favorites here becuase all of our teachers have been great in their own special ways but I would have to say that Hank and his teachings touched me the most so far. He gave us a great lecture on how God is with us when we are on the top of the mountain, screaming with joy and also with us when we are in the valley needing refreshment from just having climbed a huge mountain. He related the valley to Psalm 23 and it made it clear that the Lord does lead us and desire good for our lives and give us water, food, comfort, and feasting so we can continue on doing what He has willed and planned for our lives. Our EarthCare school spent an afternoon at Dave's Farm on the canterbury plains and learned about restoring soil, composting, and budding and grafting fruit trees and then got to have fun in his outdoor brick wood burning pizza oven.
This weekend another school (Snowboarders Disciplship Training School) has arrived back on base from traveling on their outreach, so we have about 9 more girls living in our house for the week. It is great to have them here and I hope to hear some amazing stories of their outreach.
The past two weeks have been filled with so much heart and head learning and transforming that it is hard to relate it all in a short blog post but I hope this has given you a small glimpse! If you want more on what is going on here send me an e-mail and that is easier for me to get back to personally.
Also If you are still wanting to support me on outreach please don't be shy to do so! Checks can be sent here with a letter (as it is sweetaz (az means 'very' in Kiwi) to get mail!) at:
P.O Box 47
OxfordNorth Canterbury 7443
New Zealand
Also, let me know of any prayers you have as prayer is something we all need and we get the privilage to do a lot of it here! And keep me and all of us in your prayers as well!
Our God is a God of Justice, Mercy, Compassion, Love
Today was Thursday and we spent the day trekking the Torolesse Mountains. It was a perfect Spring day. Hott but not overbearing and the cool breeze from the ice capped mountains was breathtaking. Our Earth Care school is growing closer everyday. We are small with 6 girls and 2 Kiwi guys and Rob and Jenny are our Leaders and their kids Johanna, Jonothan and Susanna hang around often. Then there is the one Canadian staff Laura, who is great and climbed a mountain in one hour today at the Torolesse...crazy!
We have fun!
Yesterday we had a traditional Maori welcoming. Kia Ora means hello and bless you in Maori. It is custom to Hongi during the ceremony. A Hongi is a forhead and nose touch as a way of greeting each other.
The lambs are all out in the fields with their mom's and dad's and they certainly are abundant here!
I arrived safe and sound to Oxford, New Zealand. I was greeted with a warm welcome at the airport by me Leader Rob and 2 of his little girls and our staff Laura and and immediately felt at home. Looking out to our backyard the foothills of the Southern Alps begin to climb up and it is truly beautiful. The 'Southerly' came in today, a storm from Antarctica and makes it very cold here. Although the trees are bright with spring blooms and the daffodils are cheerful in the ground. It is very spring weather here.
We attended the local Baptist church this morning and then went into town for a hot chocolate. There is a sense of peace amongst the staff and students and I am even more confident that this is where God's compass has directed me!
I am thinking of you all as I sit by the wood stove in our living room and feeling very blessed to be here.
Our team arrived back in the states yesterday and I made it back to Eau Claire today for a brief visit with my family before heading off for YWAM ,Oxford tomorrow. I am still in awe that I just got back from Burkina Faso, Africa. I would like to say that it was more of a Kingdom trip than an emotional trip. Witnessing the quality of life in one of the poorest countries in the world takes a lot to wrap one's mind around. Since the flooding that happened a couple weeks ago the people who were displaced were crammed into schools and churches to wait until tent villages were erected. In one school we visited, the courtyard about the size of a football feild there were over 3,000 people living, many of them children ( who were not allowed to use the outdoor toilets) prime condition for cholera and sickness to spread. In this particular school the Central church we were working with had bought out the entire countries stock of training potties and donated them to this refugee compound to prevent sickness from unsanitary living conditions. The day before we left the tents were up and people were starting to be moved. Just in time for school to start! The conditions were hot and sticky becuase it was rainey season. The two main projects we worked on while there were teaching the Dorcas House women how to crochet a hat and digging holes and welding poles for an awning with lights in the church parking lot for students to study at night. The 15 girls 15-25 at Dorcas caught on to the technique of crocheting fast (faster then I did!) and were able to complete one hat before we left and are excited to make more! The awning didn't get all done due to some natural occurnces of life, including the death of one of the founding ladies of the church, and a wedding. My heart goes out to the Burkinabe' people but not in a sympathetic way and that is not meant to sound harsh. It takes an understanding that they are living with the resources they have, which is not many, and trying to see life from where they are at. A significant lesson I learned is that it doesn't work for a white person to barge in and expect to fix all their problems becuase we can't even comprehend their problems. What they need is an ear to listen and hands to help them where they are at. They are working towards the basic means of survival, food, water, and health but they need systems that leave them independent of our help. Ideas hashed from their own minds and put into effect with thier own people working as doctors, nurses, pastors, missionaries, teachers, dentists, and entreprenuers.
I Love them, I love their country. It is indescribable to have a street child come up and stick their sweaty hand into mine and stare up at me with a look of wonder and study my hand knowing we are different, and just being able to look down with love and not push that innocent child away even though they are dirty and untouchable to most people.
Pictures top to bottom: A decorative gate is all that is left of someones mud home and new bricks being made to rebuild; children at the school refugee; one of the little blue potties donated; the girls at Dorcas house with their finished hats on with Lacey and myself.
I am sitting at a cafe' with a cup of coffee, waiting for the last minute oil change to be finished on my car. Procrastination is something I excel at. My car that will be stagnant for the next 6 months yet a week ago the oil light flashed red. Life always has little quirks and it reminds me that we still live on earth, that the trivial details of this life will still come and they still must be taken care of. This morning I read of Romans 8:18 " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ... not that an oil change is suffering but it just reminds me that an oil change is not something I will need to worry about in eternity with our Father.
We leave in about one hour from Appleton to Chicago to fly out and I am excited yet filled with peace and calmness about what waits in Africa!
Sometimes God ordains things beyond our knowledge. Earlier this summer I decided very last minute to go with my Church Appleton Alliance on a mission's trip to Burkina Faso, West Africa. I was still hesitant about going as we were preparing, thinking what could I bring to these people that would be a significant help, I am just a 21 year old girl with no outstanding occupation or abilities. Our team currently consists of a doctor, a welder, a pastor, a musician (my friend lacey) and a student (myself). We head out on this Friday, September 18 and just in time as just 2 weeks ago Burkina Faso, as well as Senegal and Niger were devestated by annual flooding. Flooding in West Africa is usually bad but this year it has been particularly bad. According to the missionaries there and other reports 9 are dead and 150,000 displaced in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. Our expectations of building a kitchen for a women refugee house (the Dorcas House) have been changed as we are leaving with prayers for the people and that we may be of help to them in whatever way they need. Please keep West Africa in your thoughts and prayers as well as our team as we travel and for good health for us all.
My posts will be more frequent now and I am grateful to have all of you wonderful family and friends to join me on this adventure!
Welcome to my Blog. This is a learning experience for me in making this page. I want to make it as easy to navigate as possible. I hope that by having this page it will allow for you to stay connected with me and share my experiences with you. Currently I am just waiting on God's provisions to go. I am working at Panera Bread this summer as well as a group home to save money. I am getting quality time to hang out with friends and camp, hike, bike, play cards, read some good books, and work in my little (but hopefully abundant garden). God has gave me the opportunity to stay involved with Church ministry at Appleton Alliance through the summer as a leader of a womans small group. I am amazed at how faithful our God is. The verse I will carry with me this year is Numbers 6:24 " The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Bali the Island
