Once again it feels like time is flying by, this school seems to be going so much faster than my DTS (Discipleship Training School) did earlier this year.
I wanted to take a minute to give an update on the "big news" I mentioned in my previous post. I have decided to make a 5 year commitment to the YWAM base here in Cape Town. It was not a decision I took lightly, a lot of prayer and thought went into this. I feel called to stay here and work with the DTS department for the next few years. How that will actually look as time progresses is something I'm unsure of but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. South Africa is now home for the next 5 years...that's a scary thought sometimes! I'll leave this news as it is and will refrain from expanding on it anymore than I already have. If you have questions or want to know more please send me an email and we can talk about it.
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Our speaker in class this week has had many thought provoking statements and testimonies to share. Today he shared a song with some spoken lyrics read in the middle of it. The entire thing was incredible but there was one line that hit closer to home for me than the rest. The speaker said this about the current Christian generation that is rising up: they pray as if it all depends on God and they live as if it all depends on them.
When I first heard this a rebellious thought rose up in me. We aren't supposed to live as if everything we do depends on us, we aren't saved by the things we do. I'm not even debating that, I know it's true, but follow me with this here.
A new generation is being established and a new revival is breaking out in front of our eyes. People today are buying into the idea that they can change the world. Our speaker, Jeff, put it like this. People are buying shoes (like TOMS) that make their feet stink only because a new pair of shoes is being sent to Africa to help children in need. People go to fair-trade coffee shops (because it supports third world farmers) even though the coffee might be horrible compared to the shop next door.
A new generation is being established and a new revival is breaking out in front of our eyes. People today are buying into the idea that they can change the world. Our speaker, Jeff, put it like this. People are buying shoes (like TOMS) that make their feet stink only because a new pair of shoes is being sent to Africa to help children in need. People go to fair-trade coffee shops (because it supports third world farmers) even though the coffee might be horrible compared to the shop next door.
This generation is looking for something to believe in and live out fully. They aren't happy with the folks who speak out on various issues but don't actually live it. If we don't live our lives as if we believe in God on more than just Sunday morning then who are we going to influence?
I think some of us need to start living our lives as if it all depends on our actions. We need to stop standing around waiting for God to tell us to move and actually start moving.
I met a man this week who sold his business in the US, packed his family onto an airplane, and moved to Africa. Do you think God will punish him if he wasn't supposed to move? He's taking a step to do what he believes is right. If a child brings you a drawing do you yell at them for coloring outside the lines? Of course not! If we know to not punish someone who is trying their hardest to please us then how much more does God know about this? He is desperately seeking those who are willing to take a step of action!
These are the forerunners of a new revival, are we running with them or are we running scared because they are doing something different?
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In other news, I'm leaving for India in 5 weeks! My co-leader and I are meeting regularly to figure out details for helping the students with ministry options during the 11 weeks we'll be there. I'm excited to be reconnecting with 2 cities I was in earlier this year and working with established missionaries to help continue their work there.
I still need help to make all of this happen though. I'm praying for $1,500 to come in soon so I can cover my share of the food and housing while we are there. I also need $300 within 48 hours to be able to pay for the plane ticket that we have booked right now. If you are interested in making a single donation or you want to help with continuing monthly support you can find a link at the upper left corner of this page labeled "How to Donate". I would love it if you would stand with me in prayer for this need.
