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
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