Unity in Christ

My prayer is that as you read this your heart would be encouraged to let go of the past and pursue the Lords heart for the now. 

Not going to lie these last couple of months have been extremely confusing and task oriented. It wasn't till this last week that I felt a tidal wave of peace, joy and clarity come upon me. It's extremely encouraging to know that making faithful, hard and obedient decisions really provide what are hearts really long for. For me my heart is now in a new place where I believe I'm thriving because I'm completely dependent on the Lord. He has provided an amazing community of people who get my heart to pursue the Lord whole heartedly even if it's tough. I'm no longer in a place of settling to meet other people's expectations of what being an adult should look like, I am completely free when I abide in Christ's love. I take comfort in knowing that I should look different then how the rest of the world is living. I look different when I live out of an obedience to what the Lord has set before me.

On another note God is flinging open the doors for his heart on the ministry he has planned before me. I am so humbled to be in a position of leadership in reaching the lost through short term out reach opportunities locally and internationally! He has given me so many new ideas on how to reach the lost here in North America and build friendship with other nations to come along side them and serve while they show the fathers love to us here. I'm beyond excited to see where God takes this. 

Locally God gave me the burden to worship in public 3 weeks ago. I was downtown and saw people break dancing and was like "why aren't we worshipping?!" I shared this idea of needing to worship with my friends and they got behind me. So tonight at 8pm  July 9th, God has blown me away with how he is moving in this simple act of obedience. A guy named David from Germany has flown in to lead with a dear friend of mine named Paloma. Along with a worship pastor from my church and a couple from IHOPE. This worship night has fallen on such a broken, confusing and disunited time in our country. This night was chosen intentionally from the Lord and we ask that you join in prayer for what the Lord wants this night to look like. The original idea was to come together as the body of Christ to worship our father and that's what we plan to do. 

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement in my life.  

Keeping Steady

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought. - James 1:2-6

I have been in Australia this last month and have had more time to myself then what feels like my whole lifetime. Probably not true but one feels that way when they normally are tasked minded, extrovert and always on a mission. So this last season was of learning about resting in the Lord and this last month has been practically practicing it when not on a schedule. It has been challenging yet great to grow in discipline of making time for the Lord. This was such a needed trip to figure out the balance of how ministry is going to work when I get home. I think we forget that we are the ones actually in charge of what we put into our days. No life is just simply busy or relaxed, we choose the job, friendships, meetings, trips, children and future events so its extremely important that we fill it with what we care about most. For me that has to be my relationship with Jesus. This last season in Kona was a great opportunity to realize you can never get enough of Jesus. The last 6 months revolved around prayer, worship, intercession, serving and community 24 hours 7 days a week. Not that I didn't have the choice to either participate or skip it was what I wanted and what was on the schedule. Now being back in a environment where full time ministry isn't the normal I have to make sure that Jesus still is the priority with where my time is spent. 

I have one more month until I am home so I get to have in a little more practice of realizing I am the one in charge of filling my day. I head to California in a couple of days and I am so excited to see what God has planned. I will be seeing family and friends along with meeting up with people about future ministry opportunities. What I thought was going to be a random trip to Cali is now looking like a very well thought out plan from God.It is going to be epic.

 This trip to Australia has also been so great and I have loved visiting and seeing my friends. This place was defiantly home to me. Although I have no idea when I will be back I know God is good at figuring it out. I mean I didn't even expect to see everyone again so soon, it hasn't even been a year since I left last time. God is the one with the best plan and I continue to learn it each new day. The more I trust in him the more steady I become. 

Rejoice in Hope

What Happened in Nepal? 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,be constant in prayer.

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to go on this recent trip to Nepal. There was a great need for us to help in the villages after the earthquake, and I was so honored to get the chance to walk along side these amazing people. 

 There is no doubt in my mind that God is working in Nepal and is pursuing the hearts of the people there this very moment. I went to a village named Koad just outside Kathmandu where we were some of the first people to show up with help. We were able to help rebuild houses so that the coming monsoon season would not set them back even more. There were 150 homes in this village and 97 of them became unlivable after the earthquakes. Between our two YWAM teams, we built 15 shelters so that when the monsoon season starts next month they have a dry place to stay. Then after monsoon season, reconstruction on their permanent homes can begin

 We were in a very populated hindu village and it was amazing to represent Christ during such a difficult time. We saw physical healing in peoples bodies and hindu elders became Christian, which was incredible. I got the privilege to pray for so many people and share that Jesus is one who is full of love and joy. The people are still so consumed with fear and are questioning who God really is. Hearts were so open to receive the love of Christ and seeds were definitely planted. I learned so much about Gods faithfulness. He was there before we arrived in Nepal and he will continue to be there. I was able to come alongside these people and encourage them not to lose hope, but rather seek truth. I was surprised at how much impact our two small teams had on this village in just 2 weeks. This has encouraged me to remember that, although I am just 1 person, through God all things are possible. Through all of my travels and experiences, God has continued to make himself more real, new, and everlasting. This experience was no different, and my heart is forever changed.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers during this season, It was unlike anything I have experienced or would have expected. 

I am not where I have never been

Tomorrow is my 23rd birthday! I still feel as if life is this crazy adventure of doing just whatever my heavenly Father says, and though its been unlike anything I could imagine, I wouldn't change a thing. I get to experience this next year of life in Nepal, something I never would of thought on my own. I have so much hope for this next year and really believe God is preparing my heart for some crazy dreams to start coming true. Below is a modified list I made last year plus one more of the things I have learned over the years. 

1.       God has big, exciting, amazing and over the top plans for your life

2.       It is important to talk to strangers, they could become amazing friends

3.       It does not matter the number of friends you have but the number of people you can be completely yourself around

4.       Dancing is the best way to just let go of anything holding you down

5.       Do not under estimate how much your family loves you

6.       Love is the only investment that cannot fail

7.       Money is not worth worrying about, its only value is the value we give it

8.       Never let fear be the thing that holds you back from being radical

9.       Take time to learn what you need to do to get healthy

10.   Always try new foods, it may become your new favorite dish

11.   It is not about the places you visit but the people you meet and experience events with

12.   Laugh whenever possible, it can change your attitude in a second

13.   Learn to crave alone time with God it will change your life

14.   Be in awe of the little things

15.   Being childlike is a gift people grow out of but learn to remain in that place of faith

16.   Random back massages will always be appreciated

17.   Always be honest even if its hard or uncomfortable

18.   Praying is the most important way to make a  breakthrough happen

19.    Hugs can change moments completely around

20.   It is important to live in the moment and to embrace each moment as its given

21.   Being generous is something that will always bring joy

22.   Dream massive dreams with God and prepare to be amazed at what He can do

23. Be still and rest in who the Lord says you are 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Eph. 3:14-21

Hope

We will never be ready if we keep waiting for the perfect time to come. 

As I take the steps of leaving for Nepal with out knowing the outcome I am really trying not to be easily shaken. The continually trusting that God is going to provide finances is such a hard thing for me. It also highlights the massive control issues I have. I mean if I don't get the finances I don't go to Nepal so the fact that I really have no control over the outcome scares me. God is faithful to do his will I just wish it was easier for me to completely trust that no matter the outcome he is working through me.

These last couple of weeks I have been really learning how to not give into fear. Fear can only dictate my life if I give into it. The bible says that there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. So if I am truly walking with Jesus who freely gives me his perfect love I shouldn't fear the things around me. 

So what I am learning to replace fear with is hope. Instead of giving into the fear of circumstances and scenarios I choose to hope that God is working and trust his faithfulness in my life. 

So I will not fear the unknown but put my Hope and Trust into the Lord who knows what He wants to do.  I will not be easily shaken by my and mans expectations. For I and the world are always changing but my God stays the same. One of the most beautiful characteristics about God is he never changes he is Holy and perfect. So I am putting my hope into Him and will no longer be afraid of 

fear. 

Nepal Relief

A massive 7.9 earthquake shook Nepal on Saturday the 25th of April affecting more than 8 million people. We are shocked as we hear of a death toll of 4,600 and climbing daily, 10,000 injured and many more without food, water, shelter or electricity. The government is concentrating relief efforts in Kathmandu, however hundreds of remote villages not far from the capital have faced total devastation and received minimal attention. 

YWAM Kona family has been sending DTS teams to Nepal for years and a long term team from here has also made Nepal their home. This country and its people are dear to our hearts and we are committed to loving and caring for them in their time of great need. Our field team was protected from harm in the quake and is part of the YWAM Nepal crisis response group. They have updated us daily on the evolving situation on the ground and avenues for service. 

We are sending a medium strike team from Kona around the date of May 12th that is willing to live rough, travel light and trek into some of the more remote villages that have been affected. They will document and prioritize needs, and return to assist in the delivery of necessary supplies. We expect to train and send two or more teams from Kona with medical, need assessment and logistic skills. All are committed to praying that Jesus’ love for Nepal would shine through each act of service, whether that be cleaning out a collapsed pit latrine or cuddling a crying child. 

I personally have decided to be apart of the team that is leaving in May. In order to go I will need a team of people committed in prayer and in finances. I will need to see a total of 4,500 to come in to buy my plane ticket and supplies for when I am in Nepal. I can not do this trip with out the prayer and support from you guys. If you would like to give financially there are 2 ways I can get the money for the trip in time. I will be leaving in less than 2 weeks.

Paypal: My email is egkoerner@gmail.com 

If in Indiana you can write a check to my mother Vicky Koerner and drop it off at 8332 Alcona dr Indianapolis IN 46237 and she can put it directly into my account.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to pray and see if this is something you can partake with me in. I know that God goes before me and is preparing the way for me as I take a step of faith. 

See you later Ireland

Tonight is the final night here in Ireland with my crazy dysfunctional yet radical loving team. I have learned so much about myself and about the character of God through my team mates and the new friends we met along the way. I never expected a nation to move me the way Ireland has. While serving with the different ministries I couldn't help but notice how much simple love can change a life. The obstacles Ireland faces are unforgiving, unworthiness, substance abuse and lack of identity. However God is so faithful and through the short time of being here we heard testimonies of forgiving murders, loving drug dealers and users, leading people to Christ and encouraging Christians   To walking in their full identity in Christ.  It has been such a stretching time for me but I have grown so much in the ways of hearing Gods voice, gaining boldness in singing In front of people, wisdom in praying for people and learning how to rest in The Lord.

Ireland has changed my perspective on how to choose love every moment. To choose love is the greatest choice one can make. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with the people here in Ireland. I hope to one day return to this amazing place where God is so evidently working in. Thank you all for your prayers and support during this season.

Psalms 119