Settling In

So far this week has been all about adjusting and getting use to my environment. I still have trouble sleeping. I cant seem to stay up past 8:30 which enables me to wake up at 3 in the morning. I'm getting more adjusted to the heat, I even was able to take a light jog the other day. Things are becoming easier and i'm able to navigate around the base better. We are expecting a team tomorrow for the weekend so hopefully there will be some people my age to talk to. 

On Wednesday I lead Intercession for a place called Gambia, its is located in West Africa. It is really amazing how a place I never heard of before can seem familiar once you research them and pray deeply for there needs. I have interceded many times for family, friends and places I have been to, never have I lead the research and prayer for it though. Defiantly something I need to be doing more often. 

This week I read a chapter on prayer, I always thought I was good at prayer because I love talking to Jesus. However it turns out you still need to listen in prayer for it to be totally effective. So verse 7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" in Psalms 37 applies to prayer too. So I  have some more quieting my heart to do. 

Its funny how the verse I say the most is the verse I need to work on the most also, coincident, I think not. So being still is something I need to learn and apply to a lot of aspects in my life. I will be studding Psalms 37 to better understand the context of verse 7. I encourage you all to read the whole passage and reflect on it.  

The song listed below is the song I played at the end of intercession while we prayed for the youth of the country to be broken of chains and to be set free in the name of Jesus. 

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

- Psalms 37:3-4

Arrival to Darwin

 I have arrived and it seems unreal that I will be here for at least the next year. I didn't really have any expectations on arriving but its definitely different than what I had pictured. I am one of 5 staff members at the moment and the base has everything I need but it does need a little work. I believe that I will be helping out with random jobs as painting, organizing and landscaping through out my stay as side projects. At this time on the base its pretty relaxed , we will be doing more ministry with the community shortly which is exciting. There are many types of people here with very different cultures, so it will be interesting to see how things unfold in the future with the community. It is extremely hot here and its very humid at this time so I have some adjusting to do for sure. Oh and crazy fact no one goes swimming in this crazy heat at the beaches because of crocodiles, deadly jelly fish and sharks. I knew I wasn't brave enough to go swimming but who knew all of Darwin was the same way.

I can't really tell you my specific place here yet but I know this base is up in coming and right now will be the season of preparing for the harvest, could take months, could take years. I would love to be around when the harvest comes but I have no idea. Our official school doesn't start till August and its always a mystery at how many people will come. There have been schools as little as 2 and as big as 20. I would love to have more then 10 so prayers for that!

At the moment I have my own room but if/when more staff comes It has 2 more beds... don't know where their stuff will go though =]. I will post pictures later of the Base and my room. I am extremely blessed to have semi air conditioning in my room but I only turn it on at night. It allows me to sleep pretty well so far however the noise it makes will take some getting use to. The people on base or very nice however all a lot older then me so praying that some staff members who are planning on coming in are at least under 30. So we will see about that one however I know who is here is suppose to be here and I am thankful for them.

God keeps reminding me that home isn't an earthly place, its with him in heaven.

"My command is this, love each other as I have loved you. 
Greater love has none than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." 
 John 15:12-13

The Time Has Come

I can't believe that the time has come for me to finally pack up and head to Darwin. I can't say this last year of waiting has been easy but it definitely has been its own adventure of growth. I leave my home knowing that God has put amazing people along side of me and a family that is so strong. Although my heart is torn with having to say temporary goodbyes, I know that God is the ultimate comforter. I believe this new place is where God wants me to be and I'm trusting that his plan for me is far better then my plan.

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Psalm 71: 5