India

I will praise The Lord, who counsels me even at night my heart instructs me. I have set The Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Psalms 16: 7-8

India is like no other place I have been to before. Although it has a familiar feel to it because of the dirt roads, trash misplaced everywhere and the sound of car horns it is definitely different. I say this because I have never seen so much idol worship out in the open. The atmosphere is so heavy that if you aren't worshipping The Lord you are exhausted. Although there is so much idol worship The Lord is at work. I went to a church last Sunday where 50,000 Christians attended church and its still growing. I am in such awe of how The Lord is working here. Christian church's are rising up everywhere and it's so encouraging!
I'm staying in a village with a pastors family that inspire me. They live by faith and God has blessed them with 3 church's and  yesterday 9 people were baptized! We have been mostly encouraging and praying with the people in the village. We had the opportunity to help at clinic who help people with diseases. So I got to be the nurses assistant, although it was shocking at moments it was eye opening. These people are actually sent out of the villages to live outside the town. In all honesty the Old Testament has never made so much sense. It's like revelation after revelation about what Jesus was talking about.

If you could pray for break through in the spiritual atmosphere and for peace to consume the people.
We are hoping to run a children's program in the village for about 200 kids so pray for finances and Salvation's.
Lastly if you could pray that I let go of my fears about the future.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Trust

God needs all of me, God needs all of you but what does that mean?

This journey of trying to give God all of me has been extremely hard. There are days were I feel like I am completely in the dark and then there are days where Gods presence is so consuming.

I have to ask myself often do I believe the God I serve is who he says he is? What breaks my heart is that sometimes I don't. Even though God has proven himself to me so many times I still doubt him.

 

It is so easy for me to just grab hold onto everything around me when I should just fall so God can catch me. This last month has changed me completely. I have had to really trust God's timing for India. My student's visa just got confirmed last week so we are waiting in the mail for it. We have been doing outreach here in the community of Darwin and God has given us opportunities to show his love for sure. I have had to really humble myself and realize that God is the one in control.

 

Even for next year God has really shifted things and I'm not certain what God wants me to do. I'm learning to let it go and really trust him. I want to be known for having unshakable faith in him. However I fine it so easy to doubt his character. I want to be in place that I never question his promises. So at this time there is a possibility of coming home at the end of February. However it would be extremely bittersweet to leave Darwin. I honestly just want to do what God wants me to do. I am continuing to learn how to give him all of me.

Outreach

I am not sure about you but I crave the unexpected. I love going into a new a place and having no idea what I will gain when I depart from the place. So I can only imagine what will take place on my journey to India.

I'm so excited for the opportunity to serve along people  who have amazing ministries in India. I am going into India with an open heart to serve and expecting opportunities to show God's love. If you could pray for favor in the communities and for our health that would be greatly appreciated.

I know that the Lord goes before us and we are praying that we are able to follow in his steps.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1: 3

 If you want to give financially here are 2 ways;

· If you are from Australia my bank account details are:

I’m with Commonwealth Bank. My BSB number is: 06 5901

My account number is: 1097 6461

· The second way is for anyone and it is through PayPal.

Go to this website and click "click here for PayPal" Then fill out the information accordingly and put "Supporting Emily Koerner" in the comment box.

http://www.ywamoutback.org.au/#/donatepartner-with-us

NLM

This last week I have been in Canberra, the capital of Australia for YWAM's National Leaders Meeting (NLM). I was so excited that we got to be in community with other YWAM bases. It was so refreshing being able to meet new people and hear their amazing stories about what God was doing.
I was so impressed with all that YWAM is wanting to accomplish through there mercy ministry. I now have sense of hope about what the future holds for me. My biggest prayer is wanting to have an undivided heart. It is really hard being away from friends and family but I know the Lord is at work even when I am away. I have had to lay down the things I want in order to experience the things I need. The Lord has been so faithful and continues to reveal himself to me in the most amazing ways. I'm still scared of the lifestyle that I am currently living but I know that as long as I keep seeking the Lord he will provide all that I need.

Days Go By

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

 

 

Today I spent mine exploring, watching the sunset behind the clouds as the stars came out from hiding. As the night fell upon us we could see shooting stars appear for just a brief moment. I was captivated by a lighting storm just off the coast line as I listened to the waves crashing against the rocks. All of this felt as if God was putting on show for me, just to show me that he is near. God is so beautiful and I can't help but be in Awe.

 

 

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. -- Nehemiah 9:6

 

 

 

Don't Stop with Your Love.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to everyone who responded to the last post!

 

I have now received almost 2,000 dollars! You have no idea how encouraging yet humbling this process has been! I'm so in awe of who God uses to provide for this adventure He has called me on. I seriously have an amazing community of people who are from all over the world!

 

So my flights are almost paid for but I still need money for while I'm in India.

While in India I would like to be able to be a blessing to the ministries we work along side and though we are helping them out with our time I would still like to financially bless them.

 

Please also continue to pray for this trip. Pray for our health, finances, favor and protection!

 

 

 

 If you want to give financially here are 2 ways;

· If you are from Australia my bank account details are:

I’m with Commonwealth Bank. My BSB number is: 06 5901
My account number is: 1097 6461

· The second way is for anyone and it is through PayPal.

Go to this website and click "click here for PayPal" Then fill out the information accordingly and put "Supporting Emily Koerner" in the comment box.

http://www.ywamoutback.org.au/#/donatepartner-with-us

 

  

 

 

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord! Psalm 31: 24

Going Deeper

The time has come again where I have to put my faith in the Lord as a provider. I know He uses people to provide and I know that this is the way He wants me to do it in this season. India is just around the corner and I’m really in need. I leave on November 19^th and will need the money as soon as possible to buy flights. Below are the details of what it will cost for flights.

Darwin to Singapore -- $300.00

Singapore to Pune -- $800.00

Pune to Chennai -- $200.00

Chennai to Kolkata -- $150.00

Kolkata to Darwin -- $900.00

Total: $2350.00

So if you aren’t a monthly supporter this is a time where your gift will be extremely helpful. The amount listed above doesn’t include anything extra while in India it only includes my flights. I really want to be able to be a blessing while in India and be generous to the people that we are working alongside of. So please do pray and ask the Lord if this is something you are able to do.

If you’re not called to give at this time don’t feel like you can’t help. I need people to stand alongside of me in prayer as well. Without prayer it’s impossible to see the Kingdom expanded. I can’t stress the importance of prayer enough. I’m so thankful for all that have been praying for me. It is by the power of prayer that I’m in such great health and have a peace about being here in Darwin. It’s been such a random, crazy, draining time and the Lord has been so faithful. He has blessed me with such an amazing group of people here in Darwin.

So for all you prayer worries here are some points.

Please pray for the people we will encounter. We are praying for healing, salvation's and favour while in the communities.

Pray for our visa’s to be approved and for our passports to come back in time.

Pray for our team’s communication to be clear and full of genuine love while serving.

Pray for our health and that while we are in a new country that our endurance won’t be affected by the different elements.

I’m so thankful for everyone who has supported, prayed and encouraged me! Without you guys it would be extremely hard to continue on this path the Lord has called me on.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5

If you want to give financially here are 2 ways;

·         If you are from Australia my bank account details are:

I’m with Commonwealth Bank. My BSB number is: 06 5901
My account number is: 1097 6461

·         The second way if for anyone and it is threw PayPal.

Go to this website and click "click here for PayPal" Then fill out the information accordingly and put "Supporting Emily Koerner" in the comment box.

http://www.ywamoutback.org.au/#/donatepartner-with-us

·         Also if you are in America my bank is Chase and I’m not sure if you can directly put money into my account but if you know how, please let me know because that could be helpful.

God Knew What He Was Getting Into

Are you overwhelmed by what Jesus did on the cross for you? I know I fall short in understanding what really took place for my life. He died so that I may live. God sent Jesus to show us His faithfulness and character. He wanted to be in relationship with us. God knew that Jesus would be mocked, beaten and wounded. Jesus took on  my sin, do I even understand the cost of my sin? I know that I can question if God knew what he was doing. Did He really know how many times I was going to fail? Does He really believe that I was worth the death of His son?

 

This song is God telling us that He knew what He was getting into when he created us.

Take time to just listen to the words and reflect on what God might want to tell you.

You have great worth and value. You are called by name. You were bought with a price.

 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

I Give All Myself

I want to take this time and encourage you. Take a second to think about how you view God. The same God who created the sunsets, stars, flowers and the air that we breathe created you! You have immense value to Him, he knows you by name and His love will never change. You could spit in God’s face and believe it or not His love for you wouldn’t change. He longs for you to know Him and to call upon Him. You are fearfully and wonderfully made in HIS IMAGE. You are the dwelling place of God. Do you really believe that you are a Co-heir with Christ? Your Father is Holy, a King and He loves you in a way that no one ever could.

I’m not sure about you but I have a hard time really comprehending these truths. I’m so quick to fear the unknown. I need to put my faith in God who is Faithful, Strong and Constant! Not only do I need to know the truths of His character I need to live as I believe them. The Lord of all has great plans for us and we need to start believing them.

I want to say thank you so much for your prayers and support. It is such a different journey trusting in the Lord for finances and the funny thing about them is I always need them. He however has been so faithful and I haven’t gone hungry once. He is such a personal God and really knows the desires of my heart and continues to bless me with random things I love like ice creamJ.

I’m currently staffing a Discipleship Training School (DTS) and although it looks different then what I expected the Lord has His hand on this school. We have 2 very different students who are definitely in the right place at the right time for this school. I’m so thankful that the Lord has trusted me with 2 girls to encourage, teach and love.

We are running Mission Adventures again next week and we are expecting 18 students. This program involves 4 days of teaching and allowing time to get to know God and His character. Then the next 6 days we will be on outreach. This time I’m going into an aboriginal community to share the love of Christ and teach them practical life skills. I will be co leading a team of 8 students and I’m so excited to also be encouraging these students to really pursue God.

Then my next adventure will be taking the DTS students to Canberra for a 2 week training session. This will hopefully be a great time of fellowship since we are such a small school. There will be around 1,000 people gathering to meet for this meeting. Then when we return from that we pack our bags and head out for our outreach phase. We will be going to Singapore for a week for orientation and culture awareness training. Then we are in India for 11 weeks. While in India we will be working with women who have been rescued from abuse. We will be working with orphans and just loving them along with helping out with facilities. Then we will be doing some work in the slums of India not sure what way we will be helping out with at this moment though. Overall our goal is to show every single person we come in contact with the love Christ has for them. Please keep us in your prayers and that hearts be softened and that the Holy Spirit goes before us laying down the path.

Even though these last 7months have been challenging and difficult, I do know the Lord is at work here. I’m so humbled to be his beautiful daughter and that he has called me to make his name known here in Australia. As soon as I feel like I’m not measuring up he prompts someone to encourage me with how I’ve impacted them. He is so faithful and I can’t help but want to tell everyone how much the Lord loves them. There is nothing we can do to earn His love, He just does because we are His.

 

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-Romans 12:2

Why?

Why do I worry? Why do I have fear of the unknown? Why do I freak out?

If I really grasped how massive God is I wouldn’t struggle with any of those things above. It never seems to fail that once God breaks the box I put him in I then put him back in another slightly bigger one.

When has God ever failed? If he has never failed and never changes why do I sometimes fail to trust His plan... it sounds ridiculous that I fall so short in trusting in Him for the plan he created for ME?! What on earth makes me believe that I can trust in myself for a plan I didn’t think of?

Take a minute to think about God.

God is Love:Just:Holy:Faithful:Jealous:Healer:Merciful:Patient:Provider:Comforter:Compassionate.

I have been finding it hard here in Darwin to not get caught up in my expectations for things. Sometimes I get so frustrated because things are falling short of what I want them to be. I get restless when I don’t understand what the next step is. I fear when I think about how much things cost here and wonder how God will provide. I become overwhelmed when I take on too much. These things shouldn’t be consuming my thoughts God’s faithfulness should be.

As I was sitting in church and the pastor was talking about healings it hit me straight in the face about how selfish I was being. The massive God of the universe wants to use me for His glory and all I can think about is how much I’m missing “home” and my comforts of life. He choose to heal me completely for His glory, I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing without that healing. He gave me my strength back and showed himself to me in my most desperate hour. It’s because of him I have life and to think that I have any right to live for my comforts is crazy.

What is even more mind blowing is that even though I become selfish He still extends His hands out asking me to surrender to Him. Every time I fall short, He is there extending His grace and mercy ready to help me again.  The God we server is AMAZING!

The most important belief we possess is a true knowledge of who God is. I encourage you to spend some time with God asking Him to reveal His character to you; sometimes we just pick and choose what we want to view Him as and that doesn’t allow us to fully experience him.

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

 

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Romans 8:35-39(MSG)

Struggle

These last couple of weeks I have been stuck in my thoughts which is never a good thing for me. I tend to over think everything during this phase along with being more inclined to listen to the enemies voice. In this phase I tend to hide, not just stepping away from crowds but also mentally taking myself out of conversations. I am not sure why I do this or how it gets to this point. It's obvious for others to know that something is up with me but I can't even pin point it myself.

I think what is holding me back is not being able to let go. I have to let go of my future plans, family, fears and what I think I deserve. It's no coincident that the Lord has been speaking about having His Joy always. Right now I'm not sure what's holding me back from jumping out of the boat. My eye's are on Jesus but I can't fear the storm when I step out. I tend to fear the build up of the storm but once it hits I know the Lord is with me. So why do I fear as if Jesus isn't with me while the storm is building? Also why do I assume there is always a storm coming? I have to stand strong in His strength and let Him use my weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.


I know the Lord is near and that He is at work. Our Discipleship Training School starts August 19th and lasts till February 1st. During this time I will be doing a short term outreach program in a aboriginal community, going to a national leaders meeting in Canberra and running another Mission Adventure's program. On top of that I will be helping out with the local youth group and co leading the group of service for the students to show the love of Christ locally. I'm also getting the opportunity to be mentored in how to lead worship at my church. Then in November I leave for 2 months to go to India. I will be giving more details on what I will need financially and what we will be doing in India later. So I have a lot on my plate but I am really excited to be trusted with so much. I know the Lord has called me to these things and can't wait to see the fruit they bear for His kingdom.

 

Psalms 34:17-18 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

 

 

I would say that this last month has been amazing, random and uplifting. I am so blown away by the love the Lord has shown me and to the others around me. I am in awe at all the laughter and comforter I have received in this last month. I was walking back from the super market and was amazed at the fact that I can afford to by some of my own grocery's now! I also had the sense that Darwin isn't unfamiliar anymore, Indiana seems like the one that is foreign. It is bittersweet having the "normal" transition into  abnormal and as the streets of Indiana fade, the streets of Darwin become more clear to me. I know the Lord continues to build up the community here for me in Darwin and I'm blessed beyond words but I can't help but long for Indiana at times. I need to know that even though I can be upset and sometimes its for no reason other then I miss the familiar, I must learn to rejoice.

 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 peter 4:13

All these verses have a common theme to rejoice and be joyful. These verses tell us to have joy even as we suffer. We are even suppose to count it as a joy when we face trails and to rejoice always. That is a massive request if you ask me. How am I suppose to rejoice when sick kids are dying from common illness, people are attempting suicide and parents are walking away from each other? I am not going to lie, I fall short of rejoicing in every circumstance often.

However in the bible it talks about having a time and place for everything. So how does rejoicing always fit into that. I believe the answer to this is that as long as we are in the Lord we should have Joy. In Nehemiah 8:10 it says "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So although I be having a hard time and not able to see the whole picture I should still be joyous.

Mission Adventures/East TImor

I have just experienced a glimpse of God's love for Australia and East Timor and it has changed me.

 

During the first week with 21 students I had a blast. I was able to continue to be molded into the leader God wants me to be. I was able to speak life and influence girls to see the world in a different light. The Lord was at work in each students life. We had a great speaker who was able to connect with the students and also encourage them to seek the Lord. His name was Aaron and he came with his dad and they created a really cool atmosphere for the students to engage in. They also provided me with a lot of laughs and great music. We all know my love for guitar and I was blessed to listen to a lot of it. These students where from 2 different schools one school went to Cambodia and the other went to work with an aboriginal community. I was given many responsibilities and I even got to lead worship 3 times with the help of Katheryn. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have an influence in these students life's.

 

Then I met up with the local team from Darwin to head off to East Timor. Boy was I in for a surprise with this crazy bunch of students. I have learned the way Australian's show affection and it is through insult and sarcasm and man did they love me. This girl Piper must have loved me the most because did she dish it out ;] What was unique about this mission trip was that only 2 out of the 8 students called themselves Christians. So although we went with the intention of starting the process of rebuilding a community the Lord was softening the hearts of these students to know Him. I'm not a mind reader of what they took from it but they now know that the Lord is a loving God and no one is to far away to choose to follow Him. I hope that I was able to show Christ's love to them in a practical way. I know I made mistakes because I'm human but I think I showed them a practical picture of what following Jesus looks like. I'm so excited that I can keep in contact with these students because they live here in Darwin. There desire to see change and want to be apart of something bigger amazed me. They might not understand the Lord yet but the Lord is already using them for His kingdom. They were such a smart bunch of students and overall I was impressed. I can't wait to continue our relationships with East Timor either, God is at work every where and it's so amazing to see His heart for different nations.

 

I want to thank everyone for there prayers! So many things came together at the last minute that only God could have put together. I also didn't get sick once which this is the first trip I haven't at least got a cold so thanks heaps!!

 

As I settle back here in Darwin I'm so thankful for the people who decided to support me. I'm almost at my target goal for each month! Keep up the prayers.

 

 

 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

I can officially say that here at YWAM Darwin the Lord has some pretty amazing plans up ahead. Not going to lie but the last 4 months have been pretty draining. Although we have more to do now the atmosphere is lighter. I'm really excited to see God move here in Darwin and in all the places He is sending us to go.

 

My team and I have been preparing for Mission Adventures which is a 2 1/2 week program the first four days are for the students to know God and learn then they go on an outreach to experience what they have learned.

 

I will be co-leading a team to East Timor. We are going to a remote village where we have been asked to rebuild it. So our main task will be making concrete blocks and building homes. We will also be working along side the community which is why we were asked to come verse a company who can build them faster then we can. They are craving relationship and community. I know the Lord will also be rebuilding their hearts during the process of rebuilding their homes.

 

Although this is only a 10 day trip the goal is for me to continue to lead teams into this village over the next couple of years. This is something I am really excited about. So we won't be able to accomplish everything in this one trip but we will continue until it is finished.

 

My biggest obstacle right now is finances. It is such a gray area to me. I have never had to rely on others for support and if I'm short I don't know what I am suppose to do. The Lord was very obvious to me about not working here in Darwin. plus visa wise I am not allowed to. So the only thing I can do is trust in Him and continue to ask people. The asking people is very hard for me but He has spoken some things into my heart about it. I need to trust that if He is calling me to go somewhere then I am worth being supported by others. If He believes in His ability to use me then I need to fully believe it to. I had a Revelation about the importance of Jesus being spoken to people while giving them bread. If I were to give them just bread without the truth they would still be hungry. If I can tell them about Jesus and they choose him they no longer will be eternally hungry and they will have the bread of eternal life.

 

Each month I am $250.00 dollars short of what I need in order to live here and to be a blessing to others. I really need people to commit to walking along side of me and trusting in the Lord for his plan here in Darwin and where ever else he sends me .

 

In total it takes 600.00 dollars to live here a month. That is double of what I thought it was going to be. With that said the 600.00 dollars does not include trips. So my trip to East Timor is not yet paid for and that will cost a total of 850.00 dollars. I don't know what else to do except ask people and surrender the fear of lack of finances to the Lord. I have been blessed with such an amazing community and God has put extremely faith supporters in my life and I'm so thankful for them but I hate to say that I still need more.

 

If monthly supporting isn't something you think you are being called too do please keep me in your prayers, for prayer is what can move mountains. You can also give a donation for any amount. Nothing is to small. I pray that you do ask the Lord if this is something he wants you to be apart of. I am so thankful for all that has already been given and pray that you continue to put your hope and trust in him. Below is how you can donate.

 

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

 

Go the following website;

http://www.ywamoutback.org.au/#/donatepartner-with-us

 

Click the green words saying " Click Here for Paypal"

Fill out the information as asked. Then if you see the comment box please type for "Emily Koerner" if there is no comment box please email me and let me know that you donated so I can tell the person on Accounts.

 

Thank you so much!

Jesus is a life changer!!

Today was my last day of teaching 2nd graders about the love of Jesus. As I was talking about how we are all sinners and how we need to ask the Lord for forgiveness. The topic was brought up about how we need to ask Jesus into our hearts and repent of our sins.

Believe it or not but Kaden, the little boy I have told you about asked how do we ask Jesus into our hearts? I told him that we pray/talk to Jesus like He is our friend and ask him to forgive us of our sins and to come and transform our hearts. Then Kaden proceeds to say that He would like to ask Jesus into his heart right now. I was speechless then 9 other kids in the class said they wanted to have Jesus in their hearts too. I was almost in tears with how much I could feel the Lord's love for them.

I told them to bow their heads, close their eyes and repeat after me. I then proceeded to lead 10 kids in the Lords prayer. It was so amazing to hear them proclaim out loud how they wanted Jesus to be in their hearts. Please do pray for them to know that something has changed in them and that the enemy doesn't come and trample over them. Please pray that they experience and encounter the Lord today.

 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-John 10:10b

Cross references:

1. John 10:10 : S Jn 1:4; 3:15, 16; 5:40; 20:31
2. John 10:10 : Ps 65:11; Ro 5:17

 

Home

 

I find myself sometimes dwelling on missing home, however what is home? As I'm currently living in Darwin I'm finding it hard to accept that this is my new home. I guess home to me ultimately is an atmoshpere. After loosing my home physically you realize that a home isn't just about the things in it but it's the people who live in it.

I need to grasp the fact that earth is my temporary home and that heaven is my ultimate home. So I guess I should be thankful that I get to create many temporary homes on this journey God has called me on.

 

The base here at Darwin has a whole new atmosphere and I'm excited to see the new growth God has in store for us here. We have some really great missions coming up. We have mission adventures in a couple of weeks which are short term missions for students to become disciples then go disciple. I will be going along side a team to East Timor for 10 days which should be a really amazing opportunity to show the love of Jesus.

 

I also teach 2nd graders about Jesus in a local school here. While I was talking about how Jesus loves everyone this little boy who has made it very clear that he does not like Jesus, because his dad hates him, raised his hand.
Me; Yes Kaden
Kaden: Jesus doesn’t love me
Me; why would you say that?
Kaden: Because I don't love him.
Me: Well Jesus loves everyone even the people that claim to hate him.
Kaden: Does Jesus love murders?
Me; Yes he does, I just heard a story about a man in Egypt who killed 21 people and Jesus still loved him and even now uses him to tell people about that love the murder received when he accepted Jesus.
Kaden: Well I don't love Jesus now... but ... maybe someday

 (he said this while whipping a tear from his eye)

 

I thought this story was really amazing about how God is at work in the little things that He gives us to do. Kaden, that little boy came up to me as I was walking away after class and asked me for a hug. That little boy who was the thorn in my class had just received a seed of truth that changed him in a moment. He may not love Jesus like he said yet, but I believe someday he will.

 

I know that the Lord has good things for me here and the more that I focus on him the more I will be able to realize that this earth is not my home.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?  

  - Corinthians 3:16

 

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.          

 -2 Corinthians 5:1

As I was praying about what to write Proverbs 16 was given to me.

To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.

  Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

 The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

 Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.

 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.

 

I know the Lord is here in Darwin and is at work. I may not see or understand everything that is happening but I do know the Lord has a plan. There are some trips that are coming up that I want to make sure that I can commit to with out having fear of finances. I have to trust that if the Lord has called me he will provide what I need. I want my plans to be from the Lord and when they are from him I don't want to question them because I'm not sure if its what I can afford. Having to rely on the Lord for finances is very different to me and I know that he has called me to do so. I want to fear the Lord not my bank account amount. It is a process of surrendering control but I know ultimately he is refining me. I love the verse that says "commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans".

 

I hope that as you read this the Lord speaks to you through this proverbs. I pray that you surrender your plans and trust God with his plan. What is holding you back from doing God's plan is it finances, comfort of home, doubt or confusion of what it is?

Take a minute to just be.

 

 

 

 

 

As I sat in the doctors office this morning I began to wonder what could possibly be wrong with me this time but I was also accompanied with a peace. Normally when I get some random sickness I am in immediate panic mode that my disease has come back, however this time it didn't consume my thoughts. It was an amazing feeling knowing that the enemy does not have the upper hand when sickness hits me anymore. The progress of this was very refreshing.

 

I pray that you continue to make progress in the area's where the enemy pretends to have the upper hand in your life. Know that the enemy has already been defeated and the only power he has is the power we give him by reacting to him in fear. The enemy has nothing on us if we have Jesus.

 

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Luke 10:19

I'm tired. I don't fully understand God's picture at this time. I'm in waiting. I need His comfort.

 

I can't really put into words on how I feel but I will try. Here in Darwin at my base the atmopsher has been exhausting. I can't really go into detail about what is happening but please pray for direction in leadership and for God fearing memebers to join our mission here in Darwin.  I am trusting in the Lord to provided the people we need to best give Glory to Him.

 

I know the Lord is near and at work.

 

He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9

Stand

As Easter is around the corner, the story of Jesus, that I have heard several times before has revealed a new concept to me. While I was teaching and planning children lessons for schools in the community a verse in Mark seemed to jump out and hit me in the face. I don't know why these words of His never impacted me before. However take a minute to read them yourselves.

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35-36

My heart is stirred when I read this. Just picture Jesus there alone praying to his Father that He does not want to do this but that He trusts His Fathers plan so much, that he will go and die. I never really thought that Jesus would ask for this pain and sorrow to be taken away from him but he did. To me his actions and words are comforting and challenging. 

It brought comfort to know that Jesus wasn't like, yes Lord this plan makes perfect sense to me and I will do it with a smile on my face. His Love for us came with a price and though he may of had Joy in his heart, this surly wasn't on his top 10 list of experiences to have while alive. 
I say this because I can relate in some small way. Being here in Darwin has been pretty hard. I am unable to see the Lords big plan for this trip and its been the opposite of what I am use to. Jesus' journey wasn't easy, though he had an easier time listening to God then I do, he still stayed on the path His Father laid out for him. 

Its a challenge because I think of how many times did I not want to do something because it wasn't in my plan? I'm learning to have confidence in the Lords plan for my life. Not that His plan will meet all my goals and dreams but that it might expand the kingdom. I want to be so firm in the Lord that when persecution is before me that I say "yet not what I will, but what you will". 

God Is Able

 

 

This week has been a roller coaster kind of week. I'm pretty much alone during the day and it doesn't really hit me until after dinner, that I am actually alone. However this week God has really helped me out with comfort and peace about being here.

So last Sunday I went to church with my director Jen and it was really neat. They had an Evangelist  named Daniel come preach and pray over us. The first time he prayed for me he told me that I would be a person to break religion off of people and that I was called here for a good amount of time. He told me that God is my comforter and he will put people in my life here and that he saw me surrounded by a great community of people back at home. Then he asked me what my name was. So its was pretty amazing to have God confirm things through other people who don't know me.

 

Then Jen introduced me to a guy who plays in the worship band because they have random meeting places for worship that I would be interested in going to. He vaguely mentioned that they hangout after church and desperately I asked "Can I join?" Thank goodness he said yes, this was my chance to get off base for a little bit. I hung out with him and his friends till church that night, Daniel was preaching again. During this prayer session Daniel called me out and said " YWAM girl come up here so I can pray for you" so I obeyed. This time when he prayed for me he told me that God wanted to go deeper with me and open me up to more of the spiritual gifts. This kinda makes me nervous but I'm ready to go deeper. Then he told me that I would have a children's ministry and that he can see me coming and going from Australia for at least a number of years. This still freaks me out since its been a challenging couple of weeks. However the Lord has good plans.

 

Amazingly the girl who lives next to my room but who isn't on staff will randomly find me, we will go on walks and just talk. I'm so thankful for her because she is some one who I can just have fellowship withhand just be myself around.

 

Ministry is starting to pick up, last Friday we did a picnic for the aboriginal community at a water park. We sang songs, did a puppet show about the Lords grace and love, then ate. I didn't really know anything about aboriginal people here in the Northern Territory until I got here. Its definitely a diff rent culture I will post a couple of links if you want to know more about them. Basically there culture believes that animal god's formed the earth and diffrent structures represent different gods. they believe that doing certain rituals will give them rain, sun and wind. However each tribe has a different view on these issues. Now a lot of them live off the land and are very poor. Substance abuse is very common among them and there isn't really any structure to how things need to get done. So the Lord has put me here to help with these people groups as well. It can be very hard at times sense the culture is so different.

 

Next week we start children camps and I was nominated to be a main coordinator. So hopefully this goes well, its focused on The true story of Easter so hopefully it will impact these kids. It will run for a total of 2 weeks.

 

Overall God has been putting people into my life off of base to interact with and its been amazing. I'm starting to find friends and I'm getting a chance to get involved in the community! Things can only get brighter from here. Thanks again for all your prayers and support keep them coming! You guys are so awesome that people here in Australia know that I have an amazing community back at home!

 

Love you guys!!

 

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him. Psalms 40:1-3

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australians

Organisational StructureEach clan-grouping has an important religious specialist who will initiate and foster contact with spirits and divinities. Specific elders may also be keepers of specific stories or rituals. Sometimes this knowledge is segregated according to gender – there is men’s business and women’s business.

Key Beliefs

• The earth is eternal, and so are the many ancestral figures / beings who inhabit it.


• These beings are often associated with particular animals, for example Kangaroo-men, Emu-men or Bowerbird-women.


• As they journeyed across the face of the Earth these powerful beings created human, plant and animal life; and they left traces of their journeys in the natural features of the land.


• They also connected particular groups of people with particular regions and languages.


• Some groups held belief in a supreme being.


• The Dreaming continues to control the natural world.

Key Festivals

• Ritual ceremonies involving special sacred sites, song cycles accompanied by dance, and body painting, and even sports, invoke these mythic and living beings and continue to provide the means to access the spiritual powers of The Dreaming.


• At important stages of men and women’s lives, ceremonies are held to seek the assistance of spiritual beings. This makes them direct participants in the continuing process of the Dreaming.


• Other ceremonies are known as increase rites, in which the willingness of ancestral beings to release the land’s fertility depends upon humans continuing to perform certain rituals.


• Recent years have seen major indigenous festivals emerge, including Stompin’ Ground, Yeperenye Dreaming, Barunga Festival, Laura Festival, NARLA Knock Out, Survival, Coming of the Light, CROC Eisteddfod, NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week.

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s790117.htm