FB: Third Update from Jbay

Today is 16 November therefore in 2 days I will be here for 2 months. I can sort of call this place home now... There are times I get a bit restless, but I am grateful that God has removed everything, my family, friends, car, money, freedom, etc...To grow my relationship in Him. And to let me learn to be content and even to appreciate my family and friends even more.

Mission:

In terms of the mission, we are going more specifically to Porto Velho in the Amazonas Region of Brazil. We will be staying at the YWAM base there, and doing work in schools, in the streets as there will be a carnival with addicted youths, prison ministry, service ministry which involves building and then a ten day trip at the river where we will minister to an unreached people group in terms of missions.Please do pray for us as for strength,language barriers, health and safety (have to get lots of vaccines including one for diarrhea, yellow fever and malaria), God's hand and direction both on us now and on hte missions trip. Also for our ministry in South Africa - Tarkastad and Pedi, towns I have never heard of before as never went to this side of South Africa, but is a great opportunity to go and bless these towns. So if you could all pray. Also for us as a team to be united and focused, firstly on God and then on the people.

Lectures:

We have been blessed to have a Jewish Venezuelan who is the base director of YWAM Amsterdam as our lecturer in this time. We had intense lectures in Genesis, Song of Songs, Luke 15, Jonah...Great to get it from a jewish perspective too. Mainly what stood out about my time from learning from him was Just a revelation of God as Father, Papa...Welcoming the dealings of the Lord in our lives, seeing the treasures in people and in nation,Knowing that God lifts you up for others...We also had a nations 2 nations conference which was about 270 people with about 50 nations, and a huge map of the world on the floor the last night of the conference, we prayed and celebrated God in our diversity. God wants us to celebrate our differences and worship. He doesnt want us to be uniform, but he wants unity in our diversity. I will be adding pictures and maybe videos later...

Personal Change:

If you had met me this year you would have known I was tired most of the time. Ask my mom, how I would oversleep every morning. I got into university to study a dream of mine, but once there, I just couldnt motivate myself to make the most of it. It got so bad, that I went to see the campus psychologist and she had me tested for depression. I am glad to say I am not tired, I am not depressed, the joy of the Lord is returning to my life. Also there was a time i was tired of ministry, serving, even the compassion that sort of came normally for me was gone and I asked God to restore this, but the weekend past God has been using me unexpectedly in this community and I don't feel burnt out. Doing the right thing, chores, doing a job properly is starting to come naturally, and I don't speak as much (or rather am learning when to speak and when to be quiet). Also learning to look to God for affirmation and not to man and if I do have an argument with someone, most of the time, I am learning to run to God instead to sort out instead of trying to fight it myself. Learning to operate in the opposite spirit. Of course I am still learning this, so its not always smooth, but I can say God is busy teaching me how to relate to people again, after I had a lot of pent up frustration in the past... Keep praying for me, I am of course being vulnerable telling you all this, but ja I can only be honest. Keep me in prayer that I will become even more like the woman God has created me to be.

Finances:

Last Friday was the due date for lecture fees, today we are supposed to have our plane fees, So far I have paid in R4800. Thanks to all who supported my parents braai. Really that in itself has been a miracle. We also had some fundraising on this side, as a group. Also one day when praying for an outreach various people felt led to sacrifice something valuable to go towards those of us with lecture fees outstanding. That day laptops, cellphones, surfboards, money, clothing and jewellery were sacrificed. God challenged me too to give my best. It was hard, but I believe that God is doing a new work in my heart concerning money and looking to Him as the one who provides for me, and what is my a thing compared to what he has done in my life so far through this DTS. Having said that, if you believe God is prompting you to contribute anything as some have let me know privately, I ask that you send it shortly as time is running out our side to get the best deals. Remember that it is not me necessarily that you are partnering with but with what God wants to do in SA and Brazil through me. In the same way I have been blessed by friends unexpectedly (Thanks to those who sponsored, donated money!) even friends on FB that i have never met in person. God will bless you all. I also understand that sometimes we want to support but can't. Please keep praying for me. Not asking God, because I know he already heard but thanking and declaring his favour on my life. Also really have learnt in this time, it's not people who will support, even though the money comes from people at times, but God who I need to look at and he moves the heart, it's quite exciting sometimes.

Prayer Points

1) I think clarity and a greater sensitivity to hearing God's voice in this time, and not being distracted.There are one or two things I have been going through that has kept me running to God and crying out to him about it, but really pray for my relationship and intimacy with Christ to just grow more and more.

2) Pray for us as students, that God would continue to speak to us, strengthen us, stretch us, and mould us together. Also for our leaders for strength, wisdom and favour.

3) Pray for favour, finances, etc..for all the team. Many in the team are for the first time going out of the country and just that God will make a way for everyone to go

4) Pray for Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, Phillipines and Brazil.

5) Please pray for my family and friends ;) I am too.

6) Direction for me also after DTS what God's plan for me and how to sort out some of the issues around that.

And lastly please pass on any prayer request you have my way...i have a new heart for intercession and i cannot bless you with money gifts, or anything but i can pray for you. Really! May God bless you all even for just reading. I recommend doing a DTS for anyone but even better than a DTS. I pray you know that God is with you and he cares about every concern you have. U do not have to be afraid to approach your Pappa. God bless you!

Thanks
Chandre

FB: Third Update Updated

Hi All,

Just to inform you my outreach location has changed.As I was unable to reach the cut off date for plane ticket. However before receiving the news God gave me a word about laying down my dreams and some other confirmation came later. I have peace about the decision.I will not be going to Brazil anymore but Swaziland and South Africa. It is my privilege to serve my country and Swaziland in this season. Also at Nations2 Nations conference really bonded with Swazi team so looking forward....

Chan

FB Update: Some things I've been learning this week

this week our speaker is a Venezuelan Jew who is the base director of YWAM amsterdam...which is also the city with the highest multiculturalness (if that is word)




the topic is about hearing God's heart for the nations,how he loves multiculturalness...diversity, etc.etc...



one good biblical story that raps up this is that in gen 1,abraham, isaac and jacob were told to that God is making covenant with thier nation and thru them all the nations will be blessed. Joseph comes on the scene and after a long series of events he is second in command to Pharoah..this leads to him deciding on a certain territory being for priests and everyone else became slaves...and as u know in Exodus, the israelites are in slaveery from Egypt... Moral of the story, God hears, calls restores you and puts u in a position, not for yourself but to transform the nation, Joseph didnt enquire of the lord and led to making a decision which caused the israelites later to suffer...



anyway just found our speakers website and laughing cause he is as funny in writing as in reality... http://www.benners.net/



anyway just some quotes so far from the session:



Advise for the rich, Pick up your cross, give away your riches, live to bless and empower others.

Advice for the poor. Arise. Shine. Get out of your situation, trust God for greater things, but when you get to the top.... Pick up your cross again... The cycle repeats itself



When rebuking people, remember you are withdrawing from their emotional bank account...And unless you are also encouraging them which is making deposits you may leave them in a negative which then may lead to them disrespecting your leadership...



Anybody can look but not everyone can see.When you see , you will see the treasures of nations...



"The Kingdom of God is not about tolerating differences, but embracing diversity".



Do not marry a man who has no vision (he can have no money but a dream, and still make it) - Without vision the people perish, Passivity is a passport to the cemetry.



True leaders always allow his ceiling to be the floor of his children.



I love the story when he told about teaching in Norway/Denmark? and came in class and told them "What are you expecting? An anointed men, look here" Lays his hands on them, nothing happens Says something nothing happens. A clever man? "I have dyslexia...etc etc" etc. etc... Whatever you were expecting all I have to my name is God is my Father and I am his son, and no one can take that away from me! He is my papa!"



Now you know the real meaning of God's name and the meaning is God is our Father/Papa! :)



Trusting in the supernatural in the sense that trusting our behaviour is going to align with what we believe

From my update on FB! - First Update from Jbay - 15 October 2009

Hi All,

By now you should know that I am fine and well and you can also take a look at some of the first pictures I have taken.

Life so far is definitely more peaceful, I'm in bed for the latest 10, normally 9:30PM...

A typical day consists of Breakfast at 6h30 Am, kitchen/lunch or supper duty once a week, lectures, work duties which involves cleaning the base (Toilets, Raking,Deweeding, Garden planting, washing cars) or going into the community...Which so far involved cleaning the dirt in the roads surrounding near us. (Ppl Dump the dirt just like that as they don't have black bags...) and guys helped an old man with deweeding and cleaning his back vegetable garden...We also have kidzone a program with the community kids... As for the team we are about 25 individuals...
People from Canada, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Madagascar, New Zealand...and in SA: Durban, Me(Cape Town), Witbank, Pretoria, and 2 in Jbay...We get on really well...And its amazing how South African the team is beginning...

There was also a team from YWAM Australia, musicians from all over the world who are here for a month and on two occasions we supported their concerts, one at a church, one at a restaurant...We know the words of the songs :)

And me personally. Been learning, and growing...one of the things has been for e.g. that sometimes we are physically tired, but it's actually cause of all the burdens we carry. I can testify that some of my tiredness has been lifting though the first couple of days super tired, and sad:) Missing home.

But in conclusion. Thanks for all the Love, well wishes and prayers. I am blessed to have all of you in my life, and am praying for you too...

God bless!
Chan