So, I know I promised to update my blog often but sometimes things are just so hectic that promise is easier made than kept.
Life in Maui has been amazing. I've talked about how awsome the lectures are and how incredible the people are as well, but to neglect to note the absolute beauty of the nature and scenery here would be a discredit to God's creation. I am awed everyday. Whether its the rocky shores with waves crashing against them, the spray twenty-five feet above me or the green mountain vallies hanging with rain clouds, there is just no end to the spectacal of it all. I am going to miss the rain we get almost daily [I love the rain] and I'm also going to miss the wind. It is always blowing, and not just a breeze but in gusts. I love it! God speaks to me in the wind. When I feel it on my face, in my hair, rushing through my hands I feel him surrounding me with his presence. I feel free.
I will miss waking up to the sound of the rain outside the open window above my bed.
It is unbelievable to me that we are already leaving for outreach in ten days! I feel like I just got here few days ago and here it's already been three months! I am so excited for outreach. We will be spending the first ten days in Thailand and then the next two months in Nepal. The last three weeks of outreach we will be in Bangladesh. It is going to be an amazing life changing experience, I'm sure.
When I start to think about outreach I have found myself just burning inside to share the gospel. I want to be found worthy of the high calling I have recieved through Christ Jesus. I look at the apostle Paul. His letters give me new fire to run the race and to finish the course [if I may quote]. I want to be one who is willing to keep the faith even unto death. I don't want to keep my life for my own sake. If I try to keep my life, even in simply the sense of direction and purpose, I will lose it. I have been learning a lot lately about dying to myself daily. That was a phrase I grew up hearing constantly from my dad, "die to yourself, Chelsey." I hated it sometimes, my flesh would get the better of me, but I see that in trying to be an effective missionary, placing yourself as a priority is absolute poison. It is all about Christ, everything, everyday. Without his redemptive work I am just lost and wondering and speaking words. But through his work I can walk in confidence knowing that I have recieved salvation and in that salvation, the power of the Holy Spirit. By Him, we have all authority over every power and scheme of the enemy! It's so awesome!
I know I will never be able to repay him for what he's done, but I just want to give him everything because of it. He's so worthy.
I've also had the burden of the importance of prayer before we leave, layed heavy on my heart. If we are not in prayer, asking God to prepare appointments and the hearts of the people for the gospel to be shared, we will hinder our own ministry efforts. Without the revelation and preparation by the Holy Spirit we cannot effectively minister to the nations.
I came across the passage in Collosians last night and it just struck me so profoundly on this topic:
Collosians 4: 2-4 -
"Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."
It is so important that we pray for our ministry. Here Paul is in chains for preaching the gospel and he is praying for doors to be opened and to preach clearly. My first thought was, 'well obviously you're preaching clearly if you got arrested for what you were saying." But then I realized what this passage was saying. Regardless of what you face, or the punishment you endure, Christ must still be preached and we should pray for open doors in every circumstance and situation! Dang, I love Paul's devotion. I have to admit he's kind of my 'bible hero', [haha]!
Well, it's getting late and I am absolutely exhausted. I'll probably add another blog tomorrow with more details about the upcoming events!
PLEASE PRAY FOR TEAM NEPAL/BANGLADESH! thanks and God Bless you!
ps-All of my outreach funds have been provided for by our wonderful, faithful, loving Heavenly Father! PRAISE THE LORD!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
God's Plan is Perfect.
As most of you know, I have been planning for a very long time to go to China with YWAM; over a year and a half to be exact. It was the place I first felt a pull to go and that pull was the main reason I chose to come to YWAM Maui specifically [its one of their main focus areas] but I said all the while that if God lead me to another country I would gladly go. Little did I know how I was about to be tested.
When I arrived I still had every intention of continuing with that plan. I talked about my desire to go to China with many other students and some of the staff and during the days leading up to and following the outreach locations being revieled my mind remained unchanged... almost. On the day they finally told us what our options would be we had to play a game of hang-man to guess the names of each country's capital city and then from that the name of the country. They came out to be Indonesia, China and Nepal. The moment Nepal was written on the white board something in my spirit stirred; a soft, nearly inaudible whisper, saying that I was supposed to go there instead. Immediately I resisted, shoving that thought to the very back of my mind and saying that it was an invention of my own head and not the Lord speaking to me.
Over the next two days I continued talking with the staff about my plans to go to China, and each time I would hear that voice telling me that if those plans remained unchanged I would be making the wrong decision. I would even say I was at peace with my decision to try and convince myself that I was and each time that voice would whisper "no, you're not". I continued to resist. I avoided talk of Nepal [when it was the subject of dicussion that whisper became much louder] and tried to stop thinking about it all together, I did not want to surrender my plans. I did not want to have to try and explain to people both at YWAM and back home that after a year and half of planning to go to China, in one afternoon my mind was changed and I was going to a country I knew nothing about. I couldn't comprehend it, that just wasn't going to happen.
Then a speaker named Marie came to lecture. She spoke on having greater faith and that greater faith requires greater testing. She also said that when you tell God you will do something He will take you at your word and test you in that as well. I continued to think of Nepal and the fact that I'd said I would go wherever God lead me. He was leading me there. I was immediately convicted. I would either choose to surrender and lay down my own plans and follow God's or choose to be a hypocrite. A suddenly felt a fire begin to burn in my chest I wanted to surrneder. She then gave a call to stand up if we wanted greater faith... I knew that it was going to take greater faith to follow God to Nepal [a country I knew nothing about] than China a country I'd studied and gotten to know over the past year or more. With tears pouring down my face I stood; then and there I gave my plans up to God and asked Him to confirm that going to Nepal was truely His will.
I felt suddenly light, but I still wanted God's confirmation. I called home and talked to my mum, asking her if she'd heard anything from God since I'd first told her the outreach locations. She orginally said she'd been thinking of China because it had been where I wanted to go for so long, but she was actually feeling more of a pull from Nepal. I couldn't believe it! Confirmation. I went a step more and asked her to [without saying anything about our conversation] ask my dad the same question. He said the exact same thing she had said! Confirmation twice! Then my mum told me that she had also talked to our pastor who had immediately said "He'd have a hard time knowing that it wasn't himself but God calling him to Nepal." He'd said it jokingly but that just happened to be the EXACT place I was now. Three times!
That night I wrote Outreach Location Choice #1: Nepal on my paper and I felt a peace I had not been able to find when my mind was still set on China.
And so, just to let everyone know, I am going to Nepal and I couldn't be happier! Himalayas here I come! Lord lead and guide me into intimacy and greater faith in You through this experience.
When I arrived I still had every intention of continuing with that plan. I talked about my desire to go to China with many other students and some of the staff and during the days leading up to and following the outreach locations being revieled my mind remained unchanged... almost. On the day they finally told us what our options would be we had to play a game of hang-man to guess the names of each country's capital city and then from that the name of the country. They came out to be Indonesia, China and Nepal. The moment Nepal was written on the white board something in my spirit stirred; a soft, nearly inaudible whisper, saying that I was supposed to go there instead. Immediately I resisted, shoving that thought to the very back of my mind and saying that it was an invention of my own head and not the Lord speaking to me.
Over the next two days I continued talking with the staff about my plans to go to China, and each time I would hear that voice telling me that if those plans remained unchanged I would be making the wrong decision. I would even say I was at peace with my decision to try and convince myself that I was and each time that voice would whisper "no, you're not". I continued to resist. I avoided talk of Nepal [when it was the subject of dicussion that whisper became much louder] and tried to stop thinking about it all together, I did not want to surrender my plans. I did not want to have to try and explain to people both at YWAM and back home that after a year and half of planning to go to China, in one afternoon my mind was changed and I was going to a country I knew nothing about. I couldn't comprehend it, that just wasn't going to happen.
Then a speaker named Marie came to lecture. She spoke on having greater faith and that greater faith requires greater testing. She also said that when you tell God you will do something He will take you at your word and test you in that as well. I continued to think of Nepal and the fact that I'd said I would go wherever God lead me. He was leading me there. I was immediately convicted. I would either choose to surrender and lay down my own plans and follow God's or choose to be a hypocrite. A suddenly felt a fire begin to burn in my chest I wanted to surrneder. She then gave a call to stand up if we wanted greater faith... I knew that it was going to take greater faith to follow God to Nepal [a country I knew nothing about] than China a country I'd studied and gotten to know over the past year or more. With tears pouring down my face I stood; then and there I gave my plans up to God and asked Him to confirm that going to Nepal was truely His will.
I felt suddenly light, but I still wanted God's confirmation. I called home and talked to my mum, asking her if she'd heard anything from God since I'd first told her the outreach locations. She orginally said she'd been thinking of China because it had been where I wanted to go for so long, but she was actually feeling more of a pull from Nepal. I couldn't believe it! Confirmation. I went a step more and asked her to [without saying anything about our conversation] ask my dad the same question. He said the exact same thing she had said! Confirmation twice! Then my mum told me that she had also talked to our pastor who had immediately said "He'd have a hard time knowing that it wasn't himself but God calling him to Nepal." He'd said it jokingly but that just happened to be the EXACT place I was now. Three times!
That night I wrote Outreach Location Choice #1: Nepal on my paper and I felt a peace I had not been able to find when my mind was still set on China.
And so, just to let everyone know, I am going to Nepal and I couldn't be happier! Himalayas here I come! Lord lead and guide me into intimacy and greater faith in You through this experience.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
We're Back...
Okay, so I know I said that I would fill everyone in on what happened during Exodus, but I've had a change of heart. I will say it was amazing, enlightening, challenging, hilarious, adventurous, and WAY outside my comfort zone, but thats all I'm going to give.
Why? Because I know a lot of YWAMers look up the blogs of people who've already gone to see what the experience is going to be like and I don't want to give anything away. It is an experience that needs to be had without prior knowledge... it simply makes it that much better.
If you want to know more I can send you a private message with more detail but I'm not going to right about it in my blog to make sure it stays a surprise for future DTS's.
It was an experience I will never forget. It opened my eyes and changed me forever. Exodus is AMAZING! the end for now.
Tomorrow starts our first actual lecture and I am so excited to see what we will be studying. I've been told that no matter how many times a person sits through the lecture phase they will always be challenged and impacted, so I'm sure it's going to be incredible as its my first time! Can't wait to update on all God is doing and how I am changing!
Goodnight and God Bless!
Why? Because I know a lot of YWAMers look up the blogs of people who've already gone to see what the experience is going to be like and I don't want to give anything away. It is an experience that needs to be had without prior knowledge... it simply makes it that much better.
If you want to know more I can send you a private message with more detail but I'm not going to right about it in my blog to make sure it stays a surprise for future DTS's.
It was an experience I will never forget. It opened my eyes and changed me forever. Exodus is AMAZING! the end for now.
Tomorrow starts our first actual lecture and I am so excited to see what we will be studying. I've been told that no matter how many times a person sits through the lecture phase they will always be challenged and impacted, so I'm sure it's going to be incredible as its my first time! Can't wait to update on all God is doing and how I am changing!
Goodnight and God Bless!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
EXODUS!
Day two of my YWAM experience began so amazingly. With the time change and all I ended up waking up at 5:13 this morning, laying in bed, unable to fall back to sleep. Okay, so that doesn't sound amazing at all but the amazing part came after. While I wondered what I was going to do at that hour I suddenly felt the urge to read Ephesians 5:13. I don't know exactly why, but I felt like the Spirit was leading me to do so. I fumbled around in the darkness as quietly as I could and found my bible and notebook, deciding to read that verse and start the day with a quiet time with the Lord.
I opened up my bible and began to read from verse 13 to the end of the chapter and I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit the starting of a DTS. It says the following
Ephesians 5:13-21
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is the light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every oppertunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I feel like the Lord really wants me to understand, that to truely walk in the Light of Christ and therefore to shine for Him, I have to wake up out of any spiritual ruts I've let myself fall into. He wants me to consider all my words and actions and make the most of every oppertunity to share the gospel with others, He wants me to seek His will in all things, He wants me to pursue Him that I might be filled with His holy presence. He wants me to use my gift of music, and to do it always for His honor and glory, and He wants me to submit myself to the service of others, becuase that is what Christ himself did.
I finished reading and just sat for a while taking it all in. I know God is going to do some amazing things and He's going to test me and stretch me in ways that will sometimes be painful and difficult, but they will bring me closer to being the person He wants me to be. A person more like Christ. That is the prayer of my heart and I can't wait to see Him move.
And so, that journey begins at 6 am tomorrow morning...
Tonight was the opening ceremony for the Fall 09 DTS. Everyone dressed up nice and was brought to a church in Paia. We walked in the doors and were waiting outside of a second set of doors that led to a fellowship area. Suddenly those doors were opened and all of the students were welcomed in by cheers and applause from all of the YWAM maui staff members! It was an incredible and overwhelming feeling, it was a feeling of celebration! After a few words from the YWAM maui base leader, the SBFM leader [my cousin Trevor Hilman] and a word from Ben, the Fall 09 DTS leader, we were all introduced and brought to the front to recieve a beautiful le'i of yellow flowers.
After the introductions there was an announcment for the SBFM people about what they would be doing tomorrow. Then came the announcment for us DTSers! We were told that we would be doing what is called an "Exodus". We were each given a very short list of items which we had to pack. They included the following: 3 pairs of underwear, 1 pair of socks, one shirt, one pair of shorts, one pair of pants, a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of sandals and a sweatshirt. A camera, a hat, contacts and eyeglasses, a sleeping bag, a bible, a notebook, and a pen. No toothbrush, no shampoo, no phones, or ipods, or makeup. Now we're all wondering what exodus includes, and well, thats just it. WE HAVE NO IDEA! All we know is that we will be in the woods without showers, toilets, or electricity and we'll be there for... who knows how long? It will be at least three days, most likely more. So, we're heading out tomorrow morning into the great unknown that is Exodus.
I'll give an update when we return [whenever that is] and fill you in on what I've been up to, but as for now I just don't know! I can't wait! It sounds absolutely amazing and I know by the end we'll all be smellier, dirtier, and grungier than we've ever been. But I also know that this is going to be an amazing time of growth and change for everyone! So, here I go... more later!!
I opened up my bible and began to read from verse 13 to the end of the chapter and I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit the starting of a DTS. It says the following
Ephesians 5:13-21
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is the light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every oppertunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I feel like the Lord really wants me to understand, that to truely walk in the Light of Christ and therefore to shine for Him, I have to wake up out of any spiritual ruts I've let myself fall into. He wants me to consider all my words and actions and make the most of every oppertunity to share the gospel with others, He wants me to seek His will in all things, He wants me to pursue Him that I might be filled with His holy presence. He wants me to use my gift of music, and to do it always for His honor and glory, and He wants me to submit myself to the service of others, becuase that is what Christ himself did.
I finished reading and just sat for a while taking it all in. I know God is going to do some amazing things and He's going to test me and stretch me in ways that will sometimes be painful and difficult, but they will bring me closer to being the person He wants me to be. A person more like Christ. That is the prayer of my heart and I can't wait to see Him move.
And so, that journey begins at 6 am tomorrow morning...
Tonight was the opening ceremony for the Fall 09 DTS. Everyone dressed up nice and was brought to a church in Paia. We walked in the doors and were waiting outside of a second set of doors that led to a fellowship area. Suddenly those doors were opened and all of the students were welcomed in by cheers and applause from all of the YWAM maui staff members! It was an incredible and overwhelming feeling, it was a feeling of celebration! After a few words from the YWAM maui base leader, the SBFM leader [my cousin Trevor Hilman] and a word from Ben, the Fall 09 DTS leader, we were all introduced and brought to the front to recieve a beautiful le'i of yellow flowers.
After the introductions there was an announcment for the SBFM people about what they would be doing tomorrow. Then came the announcment for us DTSers! We were told that we would be doing what is called an "Exodus". We were each given a very short list of items which we had to pack. They included the following: 3 pairs of underwear, 1 pair of socks, one shirt, one pair of shorts, one pair of pants, a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of sandals and a sweatshirt. A camera, a hat, contacts and eyeglasses, a sleeping bag, a bible, a notebook, and a pen. No toothbrush, no shampoo, no phones, or ipods, or makeup. Now we're all wondering what exodus includes, and well, thats just it. WE HAVE NO IDEA! All we know is that we will be in the woods without showers, toilets, or electricity and we'll be there for... who knows how long? It will be at least three days, most likely more. So, we're heading out tomorrow morning into the great unknown that is Exodus.
I'll give an update when we return [whenever that is] and fill you in on what I've been up to, but as for now I just don't know! I can't wait! It sounds absolutely amazing and I know by the end we'll all be smellier, dirtier, and grungier than we've ever been. But I also know that this is going to be an amazing time of growth and change for everyone! So, here I go... more later!!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Aloha from Maui!
Wow! It's been a crazy few days! I'm finally here after quite a bit of scheduling troubles with flights and so forth but God is faithful and worked everything out! When I thought I wouldn't have to flight at all from Greenville, God provided one! When I thought I would have to spend a night in the Honolulu airport God worked it out so that I could stay at the YWAM Honolulu base with a hot shower and a warm bed! He is so awesome!
And now I've finally arrived.
The natural beauty of Maui is breathtaking... I actually teared up when we rounded a bend on the way to the Maui base and I saw the ocean for the first time! Unbelievable. It's such an awesome example of the imagination of our creator. The teal blue of the water, the green of the mountains, the details of the flowers, the innumerable kinds of trees and plants; there is no end to the variety of it all, and I get to LIVE here! Also unbelievable.
Beyond the beauty of the landscape is the beauty of the people I have met here. Within hours I was laughing with other students like we'd known eachother forever. One girl actually told me she couldn't believe I'd only arrived today because it felt like I had been there all along. Everyone is so friendly and the staff are all incredibly helpful and inviting. I know we are going to become our own little family in no time at all. We spent the later part of today just hanging out in the house and getting to know eachother better [I had several compliments on my Star Wars t-shirt] and I've found a few kindred spirits already!
Tomorrow begins the official first day of our DTS with a welcoming ceremony in the evening; I'm sure its going to be an awesome time! I can't wait to start classes and really delve into what God is going to do during these next six months! But as for now it's late and my body is telling me to go to sleep, so I'm going to listen!
GOODNIGHT AND GOD BLESS!
And now I've finally arrived.
The natural beauty of Maui is breathtaking... I actually teared up when we rounded a bend on the way to the Maui base and I saw the ocean for the first time! Unbelievable. It's such an awesome example of the imagination of our creator. The teal blue of the water, the green of the mountains, the details of the flowers, the innumerable kinds of trees and plants; there is no end to the variety of it all, and I get to LIVE here! Also unbelievable.
Beyond the beauty of the landscape is the beauty of the people I have met here. Within hours I was laughing with other students like we'd known eachother forever. One girl actually told me she couldn't believe I'd only arrived today because it felt like I had been there all along. Everyone is so friendly and the staff are all incredibly helpful and inviting. I know we are going to become our own little family in no time at all. We spent the later part of today just hanging out in the house and getting to know eachother better [I had several compliments on my Star Wars t-shirt] and I've found a few kindred spirits already!
Tomorrow begins the official first day of our DTS with a welcoming ceremony in the evening; I'm sure its going to be an awesome time! I can't wait to start classes and really delve into what God is going to do during these next six months! But as for now it's late and my body is telling me to go to sleep, so I'm going to listen!
GOODNIGHT AND GOD BLESS!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We serve a BIG BIG God!
I had one of the most incredibley supernatural and amazing experiences of my life last night. I actually bawled this morning thinking back on how completely orchestrated by God it was!
Let me start at the beginning. As most of you know, I will be leaving to YWAM a week from today. This next week is not going to be easy as I leave all of my family and friends behind for the next six months. I've already had some really emotional moments just thinking about the reality of being away from home and the people I care about for so long and in those moments I have found myself asking God if I'm doing the right thing and if I'm going to be able to handle that seperation.
Last night I got His answer as clearly as it could ever be given.
I was in downtown Greenville with a good friend of mine and we ended up getting into a really indepth discussion about God and our faith while sitting in his car. It lasted quite a while and when it came time to leave we realized [to our dismay] that we'd forgotten the radio on the entire time and his battery was dead. Not a big deal unless neither you have jumper cables.
At this point its somewhere around two in the morning and there isn't a soul in sight so we decided our best bet was to walk up to the main road in downtown and see if there was a police officer around who could help us out. After walking a pretty good distance and seeing no one I was beginning to doubt we were going to find help unless we called someone, but moments later we saw one lone car parked on the side of the road with three people standing beside it [a guy and two girls], talking
Seeing as it was two in the morning on a Wednesday I didn't really know what kind of people we were encountering. Honestly my first thought was that they had probably been at a bar and were just now heading home.
[This was a lesson on 'snap judgements' for me as well.]
We walk up and say hi, explaining our dilemma, and ask if they happened to have a set of jumper cables. They said yes, and immediatly all three of them agreed to help and even offered to drive us back to his car in theirs. I was blown away by how friendly they were to us, complete strangers. As I got into the car, I happened to notice a sticker on the back window that said "I left my heart in Uganda". I thought that was cool, since I had been in Africa a year and a half ago, and said to the driver, a girl about 22 or 23, "You left your heart in Uganda, I left mine in Kenya."
Immediately her mouth dropped open and she said "You've been to Kenya?"
"Yes" I said, "I went there to do some mission work." Now all three of them are looking at me wide eyed as they tell me that they had just gotten back from Kenya two days before!
I start flipping out about how cool that is and the guy, probably about 25, asks me what I did there. I told him I had been working with the Masai tribe. Yet again all three mouths drop as they explain that that had been exactly what they were doing as well! Now all of us are laughing at how incredible it is that we happened to meet in downtown Greenville at two something in the morning and we've all done the exact same thing! I then went on to tell them about how I'll be leaving for my dts soon and explained about what it was. They all said they thought that was really great and then the girl driving asks me, with a curious expression, what day I'm leaving for my trip.
September tenth I say. Once again there is an outburst of laughter and disbelief. I'm confused and then the guy and one of the girls tells me that both she and he are leaving for sepperate mission trips on that EXACT same day! Now I'm flipping out because I realize what this is. It's not coincidence, or chance, or accident. It's a divine appointment set up by God!
Can we look at this again. Just as I'm in the midst of wondering if my direction is where God wants me to be, I run into three people who've done the mission trip I've already done and are leaving to do more mission work on the day that I am leaving! That's what you call confirmation.
I am now more certain than ever in my life that I am following God's plan for my life and it feels AMAZING! This is where I'm supposed to be. He will carry me when days get hard, because He has called me to this purpose! Praise the Lord for His awesome ways and that He is a BIG BIG God!!
Let me start at the beginning. As most of you know, I will be leaving to YWAM a week from today. This next week is not going to be easy as I leave all of my family and friends behind for the next six months. I've already had some really emotional moments just thinking about the reality of being away from home and the people I care about for so long and in those moments I have found myself asking God if I'm doing the right thing and if I'm going to be able to handle that seperation.
Last night I got His answer as clearly as it could ever be given.
I was in downtown Greenville with a good friend of mine and we ended up getting into a really indepth discussion about God and our faith while sitting in his car. It lasted quite a while and when it came time to leave we realized [to our dismay] that we'd forgotten the radio on the entire time and his battery was dead. Not a big deal unless neither you have jumper cables.
At this point its somewhere around two in the morning and there isn't a soul in sight so we decided our best bet was to walk up to the main road in downtown and see if there was a police officer around who could help us out. After walking a pretty good distance and seeing no one I was beginning to doubt we were going to find help unless we called someone, but moments later we saw one lone car parked on the side of the road with three people standing beside it [a guy and two girls], talking
Seeing as it was two in the morning on a Wednesday I didn't really know what kind of people we were encountering. Honestly my first thought was that they had probably been at a bar and were just now heading home.
[This was a lesson on 'snap judgements' for me as well.]
We walk up and say hi, explaining our dilemma, and ask if they happened to have a set of jumper cables. They said yes, and immediatly all three of them agreed to help and even offered to drive us back to his car in theirs. I was blown away by how friendly they were to us, complete strangers. As I got into the car, I happened to notice a sticker on the back window that said "I left my heart in Uganda". I thought that was cool, since I had been in Africa a year and a half ago, and said to the driver, a girl about 22 or 23, "You left your heart in Uganda, I left mine in Kenya."
Immediately her mouth dropped open and she said "You've been to Kenya?"
"Yes" I said, "I went there to do some mission work." Now all three of them are looking at me wide eyed as they tell me that they had just gotten back from Kenya two days before!
I start flipping out about how cool that is and the guy, probably about 25, asks me what I did there. I told him I had been working with the Masai tribe. Yet again all three mouths drop as they explain that that had been exactly what they were doing as well! Now all of us are laughing at how incredible it is that we happened to meet in downtown Greenville at two something in the morning and we've all done the exact same thing! I then went on to tell them about how I'll be leaving for my dts soon and explained about what it was. They all said they thought that was really great and then the girl driving asks me, with a curious expression, what day I'm leaving for my trip.
September tenth I say. Once again there is an outburst of laughter and disbelief. I'm confused and then the guy and one of the girls tells me that both she and he are leaving for sepperate mission trips on that EXACT same day! Now I'm flipping out because I realize what this is. It's not coincidence, or chance, or accident. It's a divine appointment set up by God!
Can we look at this again. Just as I'm in the midst of wondering if my direction is where God wants me to be, I run into three people who've done the mission trip I've already done and are leaving to do more mission work on the day that I am leaving! That's what you call confirmation.
I am now more certain than ever in my life that I am following God's plan for my life and it feels AMAZING! This is where I'm supposed to be. He will carry me when days get hard, because He has called me to this purpose! Praise the Lord for His awesome ways and that He is a BIG BIG God!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
we are being called out.
God has really been speaking to me over the last few weeks, calling me to a new level of relationship with Him, a level I have never known in all my life.
A couple weeks ago our pastor spoke on how the church, is called OUT of ordinary thinking to live as citizens IN the Kingdom of God. I began to realize that so many times I neglect my spritiual growth and give it the back seat treatment in my life, or just stare at the green patches on the dead lawn of my communication with God. I get so caught up in the mundane and unimportant that my relationship with Christ becomes secondary, but that's just not what God wants are spiritual growth to be. He doesn't want a back seat, a passanger seat, and definitely not the roof rack [when I think back, I'm pretty sure I've given Him that at times]. What He wants is to be the driver; He wants us to take our hands off the wheel and give Him control. And He doesn't want us to have a "lawn" thats green in patches. He wants them to be thriving, growing, and full. He loves us unendingly, and He wants us to experience life at its best!
He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. More abundantly than what? Than ANYTHING!
But we're not going to simply fall into abundant life, or spiritual fullness and maturity. That takes time. Time in the word, time on our knees, time in His presence... oh, how I love to be in His presence. Over the last few weeks I've found myself overwhelmed by it. Most often is when I'm listening or singing along to praise and worship and I think that's because music is such a part of me. Particularly the song "Take My Life". It's the prayer of my heart and my anthem right now. Every part of that song relates to a part of my life; something I'm dealing with, worrying about, going through, or striving for. The other day I was in my car; it's messy, the A/C's broken, the speakers are blown, the vinyl is tearing, but suddenly it was the most beautiful place in the world. Driving to work, blasting that song at full volume, I felt Him there with me. You don't have to be anywhere special to find yourself in the most special place of all and here I was, in the presence of Jesus.
As I continued to sing along it sank in deeper and deeper. God was listening at that very moment. He could really hear me, I was driving down highway 80 singing to the God of the universe! The maker of heaven and earth. The way, the truth and the life, was listening. [I'm pretty sure the people beside me thought I'd lost it] but I couldn't hold it in, I just had to praise Him in anyway I could think of. It was pure joy!
Of course, it doesn't have to be some major [stare inducing] extravaganza to mean you're in the presence of God. That was just an experience I had the other day. It's quiet too, silent even, and just as beautiful. Either way, that's where our lives should be lived; always aware of His presence. He has given us the Holy Spirit, his Holy presence living within us. It fills and at times it overwhelmes. It floods us with who He is and what he's done. The more time we give God and the more of our lives we surrender to Him the more we will be filled, until our cup runs over, and when our cups run over, we can fill the cups of those around us. The world will see the difference, they will see Jesus, and wonder what this life in Christ is all about.
I'm sure you've heard the example of how Christians are like the moon. We cannot shine on our own, but we can reflect God's light and shed light into the world. But I think what often is left off is that the closer the moon is too the sun, the brighter is shines. The same is true for us! The closer we are to Christ, the brighter our lights will shine, and it will pierce even deeper through the darkness.
I want to shine, I want to live the difference, and have a new way of thinking. God is calling me out, and I must answer!
A couple weeks ago our pastor spoke on how the church, is called OUT of ordinary thinking to live as citizens IN the Kingdom of God. I began to realize that so many times I neglect my spritiual growth and give it the back seat treatment in my life, or just stare at the green patches on the dead lawn of my communication with God. I get so caught up in the mundane and unimportant that my relationship with Christ becomes secondary, but that's just not what God wants are spiritual growth to be. He doesn't want a back seat, a passanger seat, and definitely not the roof rack [when I think back, I'm pretty sure I've given Him that at times]. What He wants is to be the driver; He wants us to take our hands off the wheel and give Him control. And He doesn't want us to have a "lawn" thats green in patches. He wants them to be thriving, growing, and full. He loves us unendingly, and He wants us to experience life at its best!
He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. More abundantly than what? Than ANYTHING!
But we're not going to simply fall into abundant life, or spiritual fullness and maturity. That takes time. Time in the word, time on our knees, time in His presence... oh, how I love to be in His presence. Over the last few weeks I've found myself overwhelmed by it. Most often is when I'm listening or singing along to praise and worship and I think that's because music is such a part of me. Particularly the song "Take My Life". It's the prayer of my heart and my anthem right now. Every part of that song relates to a part of my life; something I'm dealing with, worrying about, going through, or striving for. The other day I was in my car; it's messy, the A/C's broken, the speakers are blown, the vinyl is tearing, but suddenly it was the most beautiful place in the world. Driving to work, blasting that song at full volume, I felt Him there with me. You don't have to be anywhere special to find yourself in the most special place of all and here I was, in the presence of Jesus.
As I continued to sing along it sank in deeper and deeper. God was listening at that very moment. He could really hear me, I was driving down highway 80 singing to the God of the universe! The maker of heaven and earth. The way, the truth and the life, was listening. [I'm pretty sure the people beside me thought I'd lost it] but I couldn't hold it in, I just had to praise Him in anyway I could think of. It was pure joy!
Of course, it doesn't have to be some major [stare inducing] extravaganza to mean you're in the presence of God. That was just an experience I had the other day. It's quiet too, silent even, and just as beautiful. Either way, that's where our lives should be lived; always aware of His presence. He has given us the Holy Spirit, his Holy presence living within us. It fills and at times it overwhelmes. It floods us with who He is and what he's done. The more time we give God and the more of our lives we surrender to Him the more we will be filled, until our cup runs over, and when our cups run over, we can fill the cups of those around us. The world will see the difference, they will see Jesus, and wonder what this life in Christ is all about.
I'm sure you've heard the example of how Christians are like the moon. We cannot shine on our own, but we can reflect God's light and shed light into the world. But I think what often is left off is that the closer the moon is too the sun, the brighter is shines. The same is true for us! The closer we are to Christ, the brighter our lights will shine, and it will pierce even deeper through the darkness.
I want to shine, I want to live the difference, and have a new way of thinking. God is calling me out, and I must answer!
Monday, July 20, 2009
50 days and away we GO!
So as of today I have exactly 50 days until I leave for my DTS. I can't believe how quickly time goes by! I'm in a very surreal place right now, and my emotions are bouncing between nervous and excited so fast I can't keep track.
I'm not nervous about the actual DTS, I know it is going to be a life-changing, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring experience. I know I'm going to learn things about God and His Word that I never knew, and I know I'm going to learn a lot about myself as I step out on my own. I know I won't be alone, but I have never been in that place where I have God and only God to depend on; without the familiarity of home and my family and friends to lean on. It's going to be a growing experience for me both spiritually and personally. That makes me excited!
My nerves are mostly related to the amount of time I will be spending away from my family and friends. Living within ten minutes of every member of your family is a privaledge a lot of people don't have, and I am so grateful that I do, but I know its going to make being away from them even harder. I ask everyone to pray for me, that God would carry me through those days of homesickness and that he would send people into my life to uplift me when I am feeling down. I know that God is calling, not just me, but each and every person who will be attending the fall 09 DTS for a reason, and I know we will all lean on eachother for support when we have rough days. We will be our own little fam away from fam.
I am so thankful for God's provision in paying for my DTS. I am so close to my goal, closer than I thought I could be at this point, which is very exciting. I still need around 1,500 dollars which needs to be paid by October to have my full cost made up, but I am trusting that God will provide as he always has. With work, I will be able to cover about a third of that need, which leaves me a thousand to raise before I go.
I typically go into work around 4pm so I am free before than any day and I usually have three days off during the week as well...
If you need a babysitter or a cleaner anytime, CALL ME! I would love to help you out! I typically know my next weeks schedule by friday, so if you need me I will let you know when I am free! All money earned would go directly to pay for my DTS.
If you would like to send a donation, you can mail them to me at, 104 Briarcliff Way, Greer SC 29651. and THANK YOU! so much, for your generosity!
Please pray for my financial situation that I could meet my goal and go without any worry or stress about money!
Most importantly I ask that all would partner with me in prayer as I prepare to enter the mission field. This is a calling we all share, to carry the love of Christ into the world, and I feel humbled to be a part of the work God is doing through YWAM. I want to be a light to those that I meet, that they would not see me, but see Christ and glorify HIS name!
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!
chels.
ps- if you are reading this on FACEBOOK you can see more of my blogs by visiting
www.chelseyatywam.blogspot.com :)
I'm not nervous about the actual DTS, I know it is going to be a life-changing, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring experience. I know I'm going to learn things about God and His Word that I never knew, and I know I'm going to learn a lot about myself as I step out on my own. I know I won't be alone, but I have never been in that place where I have God and only God to depend on; without the familiarity of home and my family and friends to lean on. It's going to be a growing experience for me both spiritually and personally. That makes me excited!
My nerves are mostly related to the amount of time I will be spending away from my family and friends. Living within ten minutes of every member of your family is a privaledge a lot of people don't have, and I am so grateful that I do, but I know its going to make being away from them even harder. I ask everyone to pray for me, that God would carry me through those days of homesickness and that he would send people into my life to uplift me when I am feeling down. I know that God is calling, not just me, but each and every person who will be attending the fall 09 DTS for a reason, and I know we will all lean on eachother for support when we have rough days. We will be our own little fam away from fam.
I am so thankful for God's provision in paying for my DTS. I am so close to my goal, closer than I thought I could be at this point, which is very exciting. I still need around 1,500 dollars which needs to be paid by October to have my full cost made up, but I am trusting that God will provide as he always has. With work, I will be able to cover about a third of that need, which leaves me a thousand to raise before I go.
I typically go into work around 4pm so I am free before than any day and I usually have three days off during the week as well...
If you need a babysitter or a cleaner anytime, CALL ME! I would love to help you out! I typically know my next weeks schedule by friday, so if you need me I will let you know when I am free! All money earned would go directly to pay for my DTS.
If you would like to send a donation, you can mail them to me at, 104 Briarcliff Way, Greer SC 29651. and THANK YOU! so much, for your generosity!
Please pray for my financial situation that I could meet my goal and go without any worry or stress about money!
Most importantly I ask that all would partner with me in prayer as I prepare to enter the mission field. This is a calling we all share, to carry the love of Christ into the world, and I feel humbled to be a part of the work God is doing through YWAM. I want to be a light to those that I meet, that they would not see me, but see Christ and glorify HIS name!
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!
chels.
ps- if you are reading this on FACEBOOK you can see more of my blogs by visiting
www.chelseyatywam.blogspot.com :)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Jesus. Be the center.
Jesus, be the center. Be my source, be my life, Jesus. Be the fire in my heart, be the wind in these sails. Be the reason that I live, Jesus. JESUS.
This song has been running through my head for a week or so now, and it's really gotten me thinking. There are so many things in this life that distract and turn our focus away from Christ and onto things that are not lasting or meaningful when all we really need is JESUS.
Our pastor spoke yesterday on how often we lose sight of THE KINGDOM. We think of the kingdom as this far off distant thing that someday will be established when Jesus comes back and, then we'll finally be living in eternity. But in reality, we are living in eternity NOW! For those who have recieved the gift of eternal life through Christ death on the cross and his resurrection, the kingdom is not yet to come, it is here, and only coming closer!
Our pastor gave the example of his very young son who, though he doesn't know exactly where the church is, never doubts that when his daddy says its time to go there, they will get there in just a little while. His son couldn't show tell you the way or draw you a map, but he trusts so completely, he doesn't question whether or not they are going the right direction. He just sits back and lets his daddy get them there.
We need to be like that! We need to trust our heavenly father to lead the way. We are headed for eternity with Jesus at the wheel, and though we don't know where it is exactly, we can be confident that he knows where he is going. As long as we're riding in His car, he will get us to that final destination.
I want to be focused on His kingdom and to have at the forefront of my mind the good news that he is coming back for us! Nothing else in this life matters except for Jesus and what he has done for us. In fact, that's isn't just a part of "life" that IS life!
So, are we truly living?
This song has been running through my head for a week or so now, and it's really gotten me thinking. There are so many things in this life that distract and turn our focus away from Christ and onto things that are not lasting or meaningful when all we really need is JESUS.
Our pastor spoke yesterday on how often we lose sight of THE KINGDOM. We think of the kingdom as this far off distant thing that someday will be established when Jesus comes back and, then we'll finally be living in eternity. But in reality, we are living in eternity NOW! For those who have recieved the gift of eternal life through Christ death on the cross and his resurrection, the kingdom is not yet to come, it is here, and only coming closer!
Our pastor gave the example of his very young son who, though he doesn't know exactly where the church is, never doubts that when his daddy says its time to go there, they will get there in just a little while. His son couldn't show tell you the way or draw you a map, but he trusts so completely, he doesn't question whether or not they are going the right direction. He just sits back and lets his daddy get them there.
We need to be like that! We need to trust our heavenly father to lead the way. We are headed for eternity with Jesus at the wheel, and though we don't know where it is exactly, we can be confident that he knows where he is going. As long as we're riding in His car, he will get us to that final destination.
I want to be focused on His kingdom and to have at the forefront of my mind the good news that he is coming back for us! Nothing else in this life matters except for Jesus and what he has done for us. In fact, that's isn't just a part of "life" that IS life!
So, are we truly living?
Monday, June 15, 2009
And my God will meet all of your needs...
... according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, I love that verse.
When I was saving to go to Africa last year, I clung to that verse against the odds, and God showed me His faithfulness yet again. He more than provided! Praise His name!
I've clung to that verse while saving for YWAM as well and He has been so awesome in provision, sometimes out of the strangest circumstances, but God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He? It's so amazing to see Him move, especially when the need seems impossible to meet in my finite view of things. Then He shows up in the most spectacular and simple way and I find myself deeply humbled by His faithfulness. Inspite of my doubt or unbelief, he provides and I have to step back and ask Him to forgive "oh, me of little faith".
I have also been blessed so much by the generosity of God's people. I want to say a tremendous THANK YOU to any and everyone who has sacrificed a portion of their income, to support my DTS. In these uncertain and at times scary economic times, when simply paying the bills and buying groceries is a great accomplishment, you have selflessly donated, with no motive of return. Large or small, I have been so blessed by your giving, and I pray that God would bless you all and return ten fold what you have given me. And to those who may have wanted to give and couldn't, I pray God blesses you as well and thank you for your giving heart!
I also want to say THANK YOU to all of those who have supported me with prayer! God bless you for your thoughtfulness! I have no doubt that you have been an ESSENTIAL part in my journey toward YWAM, and I ask that you continue to pray for me as it grows ever closer.
I am still a bit shy of what I need, but I know that if I do all that I can God will provide as he always has, and always will. If you need a babysitter, house cleaner, lawn mower, dish washer, errand runner, grocery shopper, etc... I'd be more than happy to give you a hand!
My goal is to have my entire DTS payed for before I leave, please keep me in your prayers that I can meet that goal!
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
When I was saving to go to Africa last year, I clung to that verse against the odds, and God showed me His faithfulness yet again. He more than provided! Praise His name!
I've clung to that verse while saving for YWAM as well and He has been so awesome in provision, sometimes out of the strangest circumstances, but God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He? It's so amazing to see Him move, especially when the need seems impossible to meet in my finite view of things. Then He shows up in the most spectacular and simple way and I find myself deeply humbled by His faithfulness. Inspite of my doubt or unbelief, he provides and I have to step back and ask Him to forgive "oh, me of little faith".
I have also been blessed so much by the generosity of God's people. I want to say a tremendous THANK YOU to any and everyone who has sacrificed a portion of their income, to support my DTS. In these uncertain and at times scary economic times, when simply paying the bills and buying groceries is a great accomplishment, you have selflessly donated, with no motive of return. Large or small, I have been so blessed by your giving, and I pray that God would bless you all and return ten fold what you have given me. And to those who may have wanted to give and couldn't, I pray God blesses you as well and thank you for your giving heart!
I also want to say THANK YOU to all of those who have supported me with prayer! God bless you for your thoughtfulness! I have no doubt that you have been an ESSENTIAL part in my journey toward YWAM, and I ask that you continue to pray for me as it grows ever closer.
I am still a bit shy of what I need, but I know that if I do all that I can God will provide as he always has, and always will. If you need a babysitter, house cleaner, lawn mower, dish washer, errand runner, grocery shopper, etc... I'd be more than happy to give you a hand!
My goal is to have my entire DTS payed for before I leave, please keep me in your prayers that I can meet that goal!
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
3 months and counting...
So, I've decided since I'm going to ywam and I have lots of family and friends that I'll be leaving behind, I should start a blog. This way I can keep everyone in the loop on what I'm up to.
As of right now I am three months [technically 2 months and 28 days] away from leaving and the time is flying by! On Sept. 10th I'll be boarding a plane bound for the Pacific Ocean and the island of Maui. I'll be based there for the first three months of my DTS. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the "oh pooor you" eye roll when I mention where I'll be based and I can't say that I blame people. I'm sure it's going to be amazing living in Hawaii, but my real reason for choosing Maui is its focus area. When I first decided I wanted to do missions and eventually decided YWAM was the place I wanted to do it, I wasn't positive where I wanted to actually go. India? The middle east? Africa? But the place God laid on my heart was China [which turns out to be one of YWAM Maui's main focuses right now] which made their base the obvious choice.
Since I'll most likely be heading to China in a matter of months, I've wanted to learn a little more about the people and the country itself so I picked up a documentary last night and started watching it and the most amazing thing happened. I was sitting there watching some footage of a peasant family enjoying a meal together. They were laughing and smiling and despite their yellowed teeth and weathered faces; tattered clothes and the humble means of their home all I saw was God's beautiful creation. I started tearing up, my heart was bursting with love for these people I didn't know, but longed to serve. My heart was aching for the people of China.
I am so excited for what lies ahead in the months to come and I am so excited to be a part of the work God is doing around the world! Please keep me in your prayers as I step out into the unknown, holding the hand of the all-knowing! I'll be sure to keep you updated! God bless!
Chelsey
As of right now I am three months [technically 2 months and 28 days] away from leaving and the time is flying by! On Sept. 10th I'll be boarding a plane bound for the Pacific Ocean and the island of Maui. I'll be based there for the first three months of my DTS. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the "oh pooor you" eye roll when I mention where I'll be based and I can't say that I blame people. I'm sure it's going to be amazing living in Hawaii, but my real reason for choosing Maui is its focus area. When I first decided I wanted to do missions and eventually decided YWAM was the place I wanted to do it, I wasn't positive where I wanted to actually go. India? The middle east? Africa? But the place God laid on my heart was China [which turns out to be one of YWAM Maui's main focuses right now] which made their base the obvious choice.
Since I'll most likely be heading to China in a matter of months, I've wanted to learn a little more about the people and the country itself so I picked up a documentary last night and started watching it and the most amazing thing happened. I was sitting there watching some footage of a peasant family enjoying a meal together. They were laughing and smiling and despite their yellowed teeth and weathered faces; tattered clothes and the humble means of their home all I saw was God's beautiful creation. I started tearing up, my heart was bursting with love for these people I didn't know, but longed to serve. My heart was aching for the people of China.
I am so excited for what lies ahead in the months to come and I am so excited to be a part of the work God is doing around the world! Please keep me in your prayers as I step out into the unknown, holding the hand of the all-knowing! I'll be sure to keep you updated! God bless!
Chelsey
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