Never Let Go

Who knew that a 20 something American girl would arrive in Darwin Australia and leave completely changed.... well I guess God did.

Today is my last day here in Darwin, a place that became home to me. During my time here I have experienced Gods love in ways I never thought possible. As I leave I have a better understanding of who I am because of who He is.

Though my heart is extremely sadden to leave yet another place I'm very excited for what God has planned next. I know that as I have to leave and let people go, God never lets me go or leaves me. God has become my constant joy, friend, provider and comforter.

God knew what he was doing when he called me to Darwin and I'm so thankful that he knows me better then I know myself. The friendships that I have made here were the exact encounters I needed to continue to grow, heal and believe in my abilities. Though you never know when you will cross paths with people again I'm beyond thankful for the love and support they have shown me while being here.

I know that the Lord will help me to let go of Darwin and not to dwell on the past. He will meet me where I am at and give me his peace and comfort as it is normal to be sad. I leave Darwin with a heavy heart but the Lord is faithful and will give me his joy and peace as I say extremely hard see you laters. The Lord knows me and all his ways are good, even if they seem impossible to get through. Darwin will forever be a part of my journey to knowing Christ and making Him known.

John 15:1-17

 

Days Go By

As I was taking down the pictures in my room and starting the process of packing, I was just hit with shock.  This is really the end of my time here in Darwin. I arrived here in Darwin on Feb 23, 2013 as this random American who literally knew no one. When I arrived I decided to invest in this place like there were no goodbyes.  Now as I leave I’m able to leave as a friend to many and know that this was home for the time that I was here.

My time away has been a time of pain, joy, laughter and tears. Through all of it I wouldn’t change what I experienced for anything. I’m not 100% percent sure why I had to come all the way to Darwin to learn what I did but I’m so thankful God made a way for me to come here.  I have learned that God is beyond faithful and knows me so much better then I know myself. Through everything I pray that I continue to trust that he goes before me and is always good.

If you know me then you understand how much I hate goodbyes. I’m someone that would rather just jump on a plane and not say anything to anyone. However over the years God has softened my heart to even love in my last days. Even though I hate the aspect of travelling and meeting amazing people and then having to say goodbye God has shown me that it is so much better to love then to ignore.  I am now thankful that my goodbyes are so hard because it means an exchange of kindness, love or laughter was encountered with those people.

 

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16

 

 

A tad cheesy but I still love singing this song =]

Comfort

If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair. - C.S.Lewis

These last couple of years have been a never ending process of  expanding my comfort zones. Through this I have learned that comfort can never be attained here on earth. There is of course one exception which is salvation. Christ who died for us promises that who ever believes in him will have eternal life. That is the only thing that can not perish, our salvation in Christ. So even though there are temporary comforts Christ love should be the only comfort we pursue. A friend of mine was called to be homeless in New York City for 3 months. During that time he never had any illusion of worldly comforts, the only thing he could trust and hope in was Christ's love for him. Even though he didn't have a bed or constant food he couldn't deny The Lord loved him. Take a second to think that if you didn't have a bed, food, more then one outfit or any friends to talk to would you still believe The Lord loved you? Even here in Manila people lack the basic standards for a comfortable life but they are experiencing the riches of Gods love everyday. You don't have to convince them that Jesus loves because they know and they are living on a garbage dump. So why do we have this illusion that if The Lord loves us we will be comfortable in the worldly standards?  These encounters are helping me understand that God doesn't call us to a comfortable lifestyle, not saying we should all become homeless but God is always calling us to do something. 

I'm having to re learn everyday on how to lay down my needs, I have this illusion that I'm entitled  to certain things. I think I'm entitled to a mattress, warm showers, privacy, regular dentist appointments and food I like but I'm not. If I keep this illusion that I deserve to experience these basic things I get caught in pursuing what comforts me. I should be pursuing Jesus and showing his love to the people I encounter and stop worrying if I'm gonna like dinner. 

Love Extravagantly

Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.”

 

As I find myself in more leadership roles I'm learning how important it is to learn how to rest in the Lord. The Lord created us to have a rest day, even when he created the world he took the 7th day to rest. Our God who is perfect and Holy  took a rest day what makes us think that we don't need to take this more seriously? If anything we need to be allowing even more time to just rest in his presence. I find it hard to just rest, we are in a society that says rest equals laziness. When we don't devote every minute of our time to something we feel as if we weren't productive. However God calls us to rest in him and we will be filled. I know that from experience when I am serious about my times of rest I leave refreshed and the full days ahead don't seem as heavy. When I rest in the Lord he gives me his perspective which makes a massive difference of how I handle things. So I encourage you to take time to learn how to rest in the Lord, he is waiting for you.

 

“Love extravagantly.”  ~1 Cor. 13:13

 

It is that time again of packing my bags and heading out on another adventure God has called me on. I'm really excited to have the opportunity of leading a unique, creative yet silly group of teenagers to the Philippines. We will mostly be working with children who are on the streets or in orphanages. We will only be there for 10 days but I know that these students are going to have an experience that will change them for the better. So please be praying for the students to really experience God's love in a way they never have before. I would say that half of the students have an understanding of who Christ is and the other half are really still trying to figure out who this Jesus guy is. So please pray that not only the community we go to experience the love of the Lord but also that the students leave changed. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to be used for Gods kingdom.

 

 

It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters .

 

 

 

 

Hey! I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22 ;)

I thought it would be fun to put a list of some things I've learned over the years. Hope you enjoy!

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 favourite 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

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

The Time Is Now

If ever there was a time to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, now is certainly that time.  

I’m so thankful for this time of seeing the world, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. I can’t say it’s been all laughs and no tears but it has been a time that continues to stretch me in every aspect.

A new season is approaching starting with my 22^nd birthday! I can tell you that every moment does count and that we need to be intentional with our days because years do go by fast. I don’t know if you still get “presents” for your birthday when you turn 22 since this is my first time but I would love to be able to purchase my plane ticket back home.

Then after my birthday is the Larapinta trail which was an amazing adventure last year. It is a trip that a local school does each year for their freshman class. It is an amazing opportunity to walk alongside the students and encourage them in their walk with the Lord, or to experience the love of Christ first hand. It is a combination of trails, worship, talks and eating! It is a 12 day trip and the goal is to walk 100 kilometres. It was is such a privilege seeing students come out changed with a better understanding of God’s love and becoming a friend they can continue to talk after the trip. I pray the same thing over these students this year. If you could pray for safety as these aren’t easy hikes and the fact that it’s a group of 25 freshman students together. Pray also that they have an encounter with the Lord that they will be able to hold onto forever.  I’m so honoured to be a part of this trip, God really does use it for his glory!

I have some other trips ahead but I will wait a little closer to time to explain them. I’m extremely excited for the things happening here in Darwin and that I get to be a part of God’s amazing plan for this city!  I continue to be encouraged by Gods love and the community here has been such a gift. I’m also beyond thankful for all your prayers and support!

I hope that where ever you are in life, you dare to follow your passions and make a change that matters to you.

 

Philippians 3:7-9

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

 

 

I really like this song about having hope and anticipating new beginnings even when there has been a great tragidy.

 

Dance in the Rain

You can let the rain stop you or you can learn to dance in it.

Yesterday I decided to stop letting my circumstances hinder my love for the Lord, so what did I do? I choose to literally dance and sing in the rain. To me this was more than just getting completely soaked to the bone, it was an expression of saying “God, I’m done letting the inconvenience and frustrating things in life bring me down”. I’m always going to be going through things that aren’t enjoyable or that cause confusion but in those times I should still be singing God’s praise!

So I walked around the suburb singing any worship song that came to mind and just let go of everything and let God consume me in his love. It was pretty spectacular. God’s love is really the same in every circumstance and instead of focusing on the circumstance I should be seeking his presence. I continue to be amazed by his faithfulness and presence.

I hope you take the time to let God into your heart and just touch your spirit. He calls us to come before him and if we do, he will be there.  I hope you choose to dwell on him and not the things of the world that can so easily bring us down.

 

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? -Psalms 139:7

 

 

Support Needed For Philippians

Time seems to be going quickly by even though we all know that is impossible.
 I can't help but think about what God has been doing over this last year. I am not the same person I was last year and I hope I can continue to say that each year as I try to follow in Christs footsteps. I'll be the first to admit that surrendering everything to God isn't easy nor is it glamorous. However learning to surrender to Him continues to be the best decision I make daily.

I know the Lord continues to go before me and that His love truly never fails! I have been blessed beyond measure with love, support and prayer! I am so thankful that I serve a God who knows me so well and really cares for my needs.

During this season in Darwin things are a little slow around the YWAM base but we are in the preparing season.  So I have been asked to lead a team to Manila, Philippines  for our program Mission Adventures. At this point there are 16 students that will be coming along. I'm not sure how effected this area is by the typhoon but I'm sure a lot of the Philippines are dealing with its effects. We are still planning all the details of what this trip will look like as well. However I'm so excited for this opportunity but as you probably know this isn't the cheapest flight. If you could pray about giving to my trip that would be greatly appreciated as I just found I will need to book my ticket by the end of the week and don't really like the idea of being indebted  towards anyone.

If you would like to give here are some ways.

Using Paypal
http://www.ywamoutback.org.au/#/donatepartner-with-us
Click for paypal link (in green on this page)
Fill out the following details and make sure to put supporting Emily Koerner in the comment box at the end.

For my Chase account my email is Egkoerner@gmail.com

If you want to transfer money to my commonwealth bank account just let me know.

I know the Lord will Provide, He always has! If you could be praying for this trip and for the students that would be greatly appreciated. Also if you could pray that I continue to pursue the people here in Darwin and become more intentional with showing God's love.

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement!! 

Past Achievments

Hello guys! I can't believe I have been here in Australia for a year now!

It has been a really trying time but God has been so faithful and comforting during it all!

I plan to be in Darwin till August so still need prayers for direction, joy, opportunities and finances!

I have made a power point to show what God has done over this last year! I hope you enjoy.

http://prezi.com/pvmugjq2vjdd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.Zephaniah 3:17

Torn

 Yesterday while in bed I was listening to the trains go by wondering what is the purpose of  me being here? I have been in India for 5 weeks and for a  1/5 of that time I have been so sick I was hardly able to get out of bed. I am not able to financially supply all their needs or wants while here. I have to use a translator in order to speak to the ones who need to hear the goods news. The atmosphere is so heavy you can feel the weight pulling you down in every task. I learned a long time ago that I cant change the whole world but thats not what I'm questioning. I mean to me it seems like there could be much more accomplished if i was someone else. Not saying I want to be someone else cause I don't but I question why me, here and now?  And while I realize I can't change anything Gods says I have got it all wrong.
God touches my heart and asks "Em do you trust me? " I remember my prayers of asking him to use me for his plans but then here I am now questioning them.

This last week we have been working with street kids. So around 9 in the morning kids who live on the street come for a temporary escape . Showers, food, clothes, songs and bible teachings take place for the next 5 hours Monday thru Friday.

So the other day this little girl comes running in and gives me this massive hug, the joy of being remembered. As she hugs me the smell of her is so strong and her little bare feet are covered with grim. While we wait for her turn in the shower she sits on my lap and plays with my hair. Now every kid has lice. So this little girl who has lice, smells and is dirty needs someone to accept her. For some reason my desire isn't to turn away but to embrace her to show her that she has worth. Yeah it costs me to get lice and my cloths dirty but she knows she is loved. As we proceed through the day I gave her a shower which was ice cold, washed her clothes, ate with her then she had to go back onto the streets.

I was so torn knowing that this life on the street isn't very easy to fix and though we are living with 6 kids who have an opportunity to get out of the streets there parents still think the street life is better. As I'm being torn I feel God patching what is ripping to better me and to bring glory to his name.

The question is do I trust God ? Right now I trust that my laugh, encouragement , friendship, smile, prayer and playfulness is accomplishing all that God wants. If I don't trust God in the things that he has planned I'm not going to be able to stand firm.

Please continue to pray for India and the kids living on the streets.
Also pray for Loch she is the person who runs the ministry here and the tumors in her stomach are growing again.

Called to Love

Today we leave Chennai today and it is very sad to have to say goodbye to such wonderful people. During these last 4 weeks here I have really learned a lot about Gods heart for people. It is a lesson that I continue to grow in and love receiving his love for others. Although God continues to call me to different places his expectations for me never changes. Where ever I go I am to follow his commands. He tells us that the greatest commands are to love him with all of our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The enemy will try to trick me into having to do all these "good" things in order to have worth and please God. However God is only interested in my heart and obedience to what he says, not what I think he says. 

During this time I pretty much just loved. I prayed, ate, worshiped, danced, cleaned and laughed with the people of India. I don't have a crazy story about how I moved a mountain but I loved and I loved with my whole heart. The enemy can deceive us in thinking that just showing kindness and being patient with one another isn't it enough, but it is enough and its what the Lord has called us to do. Not only was I able to love the people of India I got the opportunity to challenge and encourage them with Gods word. Every lesson I preached and every scripture I read was for me just as much as it was for them. God was present and working and I could feel it in my spirit and the people of India could as well. 

God has used this time so far to show me what my life should look like daily, whether I am in India, Australia, Fiji or home my life and actions should all look the same. When I was home it was easy to say once I'm gone in this place I will do this and make excuses. I should have my missions mind while I am at home. So I continue to learn as I go but this revelation is such an amazing one and I hope I can continue to live it out with Gods strength.