This past week has been the craziest roller coaster! I have my downs and for sure my ups! I am seeing people discover God in a whole new way on a daily basis and all at the same time I am learning and going deeper myself. I had times where... old pains that I never truly believed would ever disappear, come up only to have Lord remove them and begin to redeem. I have been challenged by what I believe and didn't know which way was up and then rushes in with his mighty hand so I can stand on truth! I had times of feeling hopeless and God came in so suddenly to refresh my heart with true life and joy!! I can honestly say Im not sure that my heart has ever felt that full of life than it did on that day! He is a God of hope! He is the author of LIFE! He is the Redeemer! He is my closest friend!
I have sat back at moments to just ponder what I do here. I feel so blessed and privileged. I never thought I would be doing what I am doing, but I love it! I get to tell people about the one thing I am most passionate about... Jesus! I get to be in a community of friends that call me higher and has truly begun to feel like a life long family to me. I get to see people restored and healed. I get to see relationships built and grow. I get to see the world begin to change all because Jesus has called me to be here and just be a vessel for him. I am so blessed! I feel blessed that I get to do that with so many other people. We all get to see one of the greatest moves of God in our time than we have ever seen. Now that doesn't mean that everything I do in this season of life is a piece of cake... by far... its not, but its all worth it. God is so worth it and I feel so honored!
Ministry Night Worship Session
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. If you ever have questions or want more detail about what is going on here, please feel free to ask. Email me or call me. If you ever want to come visit or even come do a school with us, your more than welcome so let me know and I can help you with some details!
Please pray for finances. All of us staff have a deadline for outreach deposits of $500 by August 4th.
Its been 2 weeks from the beginning of DTS. Time goes by and the days are full from sun rise to sun set! I love it! The first week, all of us staff shared our testimonies along with an exhortation/word for the students. I did not realize how powerful that would be. So many of the students responded that they were not the same by the end of the first week, than when they first arrived! How incredible!! So many of them had breakthrough with the fathers love that week! When the spirit of God moves... healing happens...hearts start becoming whole. We have never seen a group of people so hungry for the Lord during DTS than this season! We also have a seminar called Circuit Riders running along side of us. They have lecture and then send groups out into the community to share about Jesus! Just to give a little insight... so many people on this island are not very open or warm to the idea of Jesus. There is so much spiritual confusion, but the first week there was about15-25 people that made a decision to follow JESUS!!!! WE HAVE NOT SEEN SALIVATIONS ON THIS ISLAND IN AT LEAST A FEW YEARS!! God really is bringing the truth of his word and revival!!
By the end of the first week, we announced outreach teams and formed them! Come mid to end September, I will be leading a team, along with a good friend of mine Matthew Scapparotti to Fiji! It is considered a 3 world nation and many do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus. We are very excited! Our heart is to see our team be a family and really show the Fijians who God is. There is a large Indian population there and many Hindu festivals are celebrated. Funny how I can't get away from that people group. I love them! I am excited to learn more about the Islanders as well.
The second week just ended, we had a speaker by the name of Ivan Roman speak about hearing Gods voice. This concept to many people is new... and some of our students began to hear Gods voice for the first time! The culture of our campus and the people that God is raising up in this time felt like only a year ago would be a dream!! God really is raising up people that will love him with everything and truly believe who they are in Jesus! This season has been so much about our identity in Christ. Its where everything else flows. He is our foundation. Our rock!
Prayer Points/Needs
Pray that we will continue in unity and becoming a true family
Pray protection over our minds.Satan likes to come in with lies and destruction often. He doesnt like what we are doing
Provison/Budget- I need at least $500 by August 4th to pay for my outreach flight.
I need $700 for the remainder of this quarters Staff fees
Ummm.... What! What is happening! hahaha God is so good and so faithful and there is nothing cliche about that! Yesterday was arrival day... we registered the students and got them settled into their dorm rooms. Today was a day of orientation and familiarizing them of what were all about! We had about an hour of worship in the morning before starting and I have not seen that much hunger in first time arrivals before. Seriously, what God is doing is a reality on this earth and what he really says will happen... really will happen... whoa when I think about that I get a little hint of the fear of God. You know... the verse that says through God all things are possible..? Have you ever truly believed that...? God lives inside you and if you commanded the waters to be still do you believe in the Authority that Jesus has given to you? Well... Im definitely getting there yet...but for sure have more faith to believe it than I did a few months ago. I do believe that all the things that HE has said that will come to pass in the days really will come to pass! Im sure that you have heard about revival and crazy encounters and all of that before... but there is a serious reality to what Jesus talks about. Its so much better than we make it to be. Its hard to explain what is happening on campus, partially because words seem to really lack in comparison to the reality of it... Did that make sense? Ill hopefully get a chance to get some video footage of whats going on. Please keep us in your prayers. I am praying for all of you and that God would begin to shift and move in your hometowns as well! PRAISE THE ONE WHO SET ME FREE!
Prayer points
Unification of the Body of Christ
A stronger devotion to give God my everything
For the students to be at ease and quickly adjust to all the new people and surroundings
Finances- I need monthly supporters.. as of right now I need $350 a month to pay for rent.
We want what God has cultivated here in Kona to go out into the nations and remain... going from glory to glory.
A deeper revelation of who God is. The reality would fall upon us and we would never be able to shake it.
Needs
Journal
A new computer, mine is crashing and its essential to have a computer
Welp! Its almost that time! We have been preparing for this time for months and months now! With many things to still get done... in 4 Days is Arrival Day for our students to get here July 7th also known as Revival DAY! Wow I really hope that you have read the previous post to get a glimpse of what has been going on here. Its been incredible. I have so much expectancy for God to do some amazing things... to try and figure out what those amazing things are beyond me at this point.
I have more faith and trust in God more than I ever have and I believe that God is going to move powerfully in peoples lives. We are learning to move out of a place of being children of God, instead of a place of striving and begging for God to do something. For so long I have always tried to keep it together and appear to be perfect when knowingly on the inside I was very broken and very much in need of help. A few days ago, us staff had a time where we got together to just hang out with the Holy Spirit, whatever that would look like. So there was a time where one of our fellow staffers invited us to hold nothing back from the Lord and respond to him whether that be crying out to him or sitting in silence. Some people began to cry out and I felt the need to just kneel and be on my face. As I was sitting there, asking the Lord to take all of me and be no hindrance of me giving him all of me, another fellow staffer was crying out... In my heart, I felt like I was holding back because I wasn't responding with my verbal voice. But as I sat there, God began to simply speak to me about how the role of a man is to pursue a woman when it comes to marriage and the woman needs to just respond. He then said in the same way I am your groom and you are my bride, I am pursuing you and your posture is to just keep saying yes. Just keep saying yes. I just felt this grace come in my being and that pressure of striving to look a certain way or respond the correct way began to just ease away. Oh, I am looking forward of this season of just resting in God and His peace. Responding in complete surrender and obedience by just saying yes. Never moving out of a place of performance, but a confidence that I am a Daughter of the King.
I will be hopefully posting a few more updates within this week. Please be praying for our school, our finances our students, staff, and the workings of everything coming together. If there is something that you would like me to pray for please let me know. I would gladly pray with you. Love yall
Seriously... what is HAPPENING?!?!?! I could not be more thankful for what God is doing right now. I want to share a few things that have come out of the Kona YWAM Base as well as share a few things that God has been doing in our very midst.
The sites that I am about to share with you have really been a result of God moving and stirring people on this very campus to fight for justice and give God's perspective to the world.
Please check out http://www.grassrootsnews.tv/ Many people from this campus have signed up to capture a story in countries all over the world as they come. Its news that comes from the positive perspective, so check it out!
Secondly... there are many people that come to this campus to learn about film and acting. This last Thursday we had the priviledge of watching the Sex and Money film by some people that I personally know (the Sex and Money crew.) It is about the abuse of Sex and Money and how sex slavery happens in our very back yard. Check out the promo video and their website http://sexandmoneyfilm.com/film/our-story/
There so many different things happening right now its unreal! The atmosphere of this campus is shifting and its changing things around the world! There is a coropate hunger for Holiness and Freedom! My hearts jumps with gladness and I feel like weeping all at the same time because the time has come! So many people on campus have made a vow to only speak words of faith. No grumbling or complaining and to ONLY speak what builds others up. Never tearing someone down, especially when they are not present. It makes my heart so happy... I am working on this as well. I want to be completely pure and blameless, its not easy but I am making that vow.
Psalms 15
Lord who may dwell in your scanctuary? Who may live on your holy mountain?
Those whose walk is blameless, who do what is righteous, who speak the truth from their hearts; who have no slander on their tongues, who do their neighbors no wrong, who cast no slur on others; who despise those whos ways are vile but honor whoever fears the Lord; who keep their oaths even when it hurts; who lend money to the poor without interest and do not accept bribes against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be SHAKEN.
We as a body of Christ are beginning to understand and believe who we are! We are starting to understand the authority that Jesus has given us! Identity! Identity! Identity! I recently have had an experience that I will never forget. Actually the past few weeks are hard to even put into words. About a week ago some outreach teams came back and shared some stories. It as a night that imparted Faith big time! Every team had big amazing stories to tell! They saw people give their lives to the Lord and people be raised from the dead! The Power of God was being manifested! Like I said its really hard to put into words what He has been doing. I came back from that meeting with so many questions in my heart. I have never been in a season like this in my life and it was a little bit uncomfortable. What does the Trinity really look like... who is the Holy Spirit? God isn't an emotion but when the Holy Spirit comes, people experience emotions and feelings? God what is happening to me?!?! As I walked back to my room, I felt encouraged by the words that were prayed over me; but as I reached my room... I started experiencing something that words will never fully explain. I laid on my bed and fear started to come over me.... I felt like I was in a foreign land... I felt all alone.. but not isolated... it was so strange. I felt almost like I was in space and the vastness of it was never ending. It was the spiritual realm and I knew that anything I said would shift something and angels and demons would respond. I KNEW that everything God said was going to happen and everything He says to us, without a doubt, is TRUE. I suddenly knew that our God, our religion has more authority and power than all other religions and spirits in the world! All at the same time I felt like I didn't know God because it was all too big for me to understand and so un-familar to what I already knew God to be! He is SO BIG! It changed my life!
The times we live in are like any other! This summer, us on the YWAM campus are so expectant for God to move in ways that we have never seen... We get excited but its so much more than hype, its reality and people are going to be set free from fears, anxieties, hurts and pains, physical healings, experiencing God that blows our mind!!! People are going to have more joy and life in this world than they ever thought possible, all because of JESUS! It starts with us! God really loves to hang out with us...its all about relationship and he's showing it! It blows my mind! I did not explain what is going on justice. Ill end it with this...We are expectant!
Before we headed out to Jerusalem.. we went to a town called Natania...pretty sure I spelled it wrong... anywhoo... we had a contact out there that had invited us to help out with a food drive that they normally do. So we packed our bags and headed out. We arrived and immediately started setting up tables and the items to be given away. This food drive was not a normal one... this one was special and we were privileged enough to be a part of it. We were giving a way food, soap, heaters and such items to Holocaust Survivors. It was all very organized. They slowly came and grabbed the items from each table and were offered cookies and free literature about Jesus if they would like. Mind you there is a law in Israel that when giving away free items, Christian material and the Gospel cannot be forced upon the people. It can be available for them to freely choose to take. As well as, it is illegal for someone to share the Gospel and convert a person under the age of 18. I may have not worded those laws to the best of my knowledge but I would encourage you to check those out. This was so amazing to me...I couldn't communicate with any of them because they all spoke Hebrew...all I could say was Todah... which is Thank you. I really wanted to be able to sit down and have a conversation with one of them. I am sure I could learn so much from them that it would change my life forever. I also wanted to ask them how they felt that I... a blonde haired, blue eyed German, was giving them food... there were definite moments I wanted to slip down my chair because I didn't want them to think I was anything like Hitler. I guess that is a big testimony in itself. To be honest that was a great but hard day for me.They all came and some stayed to listen to the music and grabbed some literature. After the long day, we cleaned up and headed to Jerusalem.
The Old City In Jersalem
First day in Jerusalem... wow so much different than Tel Aviv. I didn't mention it earlier, but Tel Aviv could be compared to LA. The reputation that we heard of, was it had a huge night life on the beach. Much partying and things of the sort... they even had surfers! WHOA huge surprise to me!! So back to Jerusalem, We took the bus about 10 mins to my families place. It was amazing. They were so welcoming and hospitable. Another surprise was that we could basically look out the window and see Mount Zion... and the Old City. To tell you the truth... I don't have a whole lot of knowledge about what happened there. Just a few tid bits here and there, but when you gaze at that city and those hills... the reality of Jesus sets in your heart. Whoa do I know and understand Jesus what you did... and the reality of how difficult that was... pah hardly...Oh Jesus how I hunger to know you deeply!
We were so privileged that we were in Jerusalem! We really felt like God was going to be doing something in us very significant while in this place. We did not have as many things lined up, so we were very flexible with what the Spirit wanted us to be doing. As we walked along the streets and visited the upper room, temples, the wailing wall, and many other places we would pray in our hearts or under our breath. One specific thing that God had been giving me revelation and understanding, was that since I am a child of God, I am a carrier of His Spirit, where ever I am I have the authority to change the atmosphere by just existing in that place. God poured so much life back into my heart while I was there and I was able to bring that to streets of Israel. God put so much joy in our team and we carried it every where we went. People noticed. A little side note, one of the strongholds and common thing I noticed was that the people are impatient and seem to be offended quickly. I had so much confidence that since God was encouraging us, as a team, to just enjoy ourselves, it was changing the atmosphere. We were moving things in the spiritual realm by just letting God be released in us. It was the most freeing, life giving trip I have ever experienced. My heart was being tugged by the people and the place.
We went to a church on Shabbat, to the church my family attends. For those you that do not know what Shabbat is, it begins at sun down Friday night and ends on Saturday night when 3 stars appear in the sky. Its the day of rest and one is not allowed to work the slightest bit. They follow this strictly because God calls his Sabbath day Holy. As we pulled into the parking lot, my relatives had shared with us that some Jews had previously lit the church on fire because of this conflict between Christians and non messianic Jews. We met a few contacts there to see what other ministries we could find to make available for future teams. Our team was prayed for at the end of the service to welcome us into the land.
A few days before we had to leave Jerusalem, Sam received an invitation to a prayer room that over looks Mount Zion, from a friend he had previously met. Our team went for a set that began in the evening and it was so refreshing. One of the leaders of the place had given a word... and honestly I do not fully remember a lot of what he said because I was so preoccupied with what God was working out of my heart... Which by the end he began to share about our offenses and how that hinders us from running into the fullness with the Lord and others. Which was exactly what God had been trying to get out of my heart. That night was so refreshing. The Lord is doing so much in Israel it would blow your mind. And I believe for the followers of Jesus in Israel, its a deep reality for them. They are living and walking and doing ministry in the land and with Gods chosen people! How incredible is that! Before I forget, while staying in Jerusalem, we had the opportunity to go to the Dead Sea! It probably was one of my biggest highlights! It is the weirdest strangest thing! You float and you dont even have to try! We as well bout the mud and covered ourselves. My skin and hair felt amazing afterwards! So, if you ever feel like going to a spa, just head to the dead sea and it should do the trick!
After a week in Jerusalem... with anticipation and sadness we had to pack our bags and head out to Karm'iel, which is only 30-40 mins away from Mount Carmel. We had a few contacts lined up but they fell through, so we tried to head to Mount Carmel by bus... but the bus driver told us to get off at the wrong stop and we got a bit turned around. Oh the adventures in different countries! They always make me chuckle inside. Chuckle thats a funny word... So we finally made it to Mount Carmel but not to the historical site. After about an hour or so of traveling and getting lost with buses... we just went to a mall to meet up with a potential student we would have here in Kona. It was nice to be with someone who could speak the language and get to know the culture a bit better. Even though people get impatient quickly... the culture is very laid back when it comes to restaurants. We never were given our bill unless we asked. It was very easy to just enjoy yourself. It was a nice way to wind down our trip. Our last night we went to a town that really seemed like in the middle of no where... and attended the most amazing church where they sang in Hebrew and blew the Shofar! It was INCREDIBLE! OH my heart just came alive seeing all these things! I could go on saying much more stories but that may have to come at a later time. Thank you all for your prayers and support! Its all building up the Kingdom and for a purpose that is greater than us! I pray that God is moving in your heart and giving you life and revelation just as He has done mine from this trip!
So here I am back in YWAM Kona, wow what journey the Lord has taken me on!! We have begun staff training and it has been incredible! I know that all of you are wondering what happened in Israel. I will try to explain as best as I can.
On May 11th, Kristi, Chantal, and I flew about a 20 hour flight from Kona to Israel, The Holy Land," with much anticipation!!! I honestly had no idea what I was in for. The only thing I had under my belt were the few things God had placed on my heart in going and the amazing reports I heard from close friends. We flew El Al from LA straight to Israel... we had a connecting flight so, we already had our boarding pass and getting to our gate. To our surprise.. we were supposed to go through some intensive security. Since we didn't, when we approached to entrance to our plane, we were taken aside questioned and searched. To say that I was not a bit nervous would be a straight up lie. I slightly felt like I was a criminal... After trying to seem intense and scary (to make sure we did not have a bomb) they kindly gave us back our passports and said "enjoy your visit to Israel." All I could do was laugh inside.
Our long... very long 14 hour straight flight, with very good food and fresh bread I might add... we MADE IT TO ISRAEL. Sleep deprived and crazy hair, we landed in a place that is unlike any other. The Holy Land!
My heart didn't know what to do. All I knew is that I was ready! Whatever God had in mind.... I hope that I was ready! We arrived in the airport and had to go through customs, which surprisingly was easy... and they automatically give you a 3 months visitors visa... INCREDIBLE! We then gathered our things and headed for a taxi and rode to our hostel in Tel Aviv. I couldn't get things straight in my head. I could tell that we were no longer in America... but it was nothing like India. All the signs are in Hebrew or Arabic, but the streets are clean and the roads are organized! We spent the first day just cleaning up and making sure we did not fall asleep to adjust with the time difference but we had not slept for about 2 or 3 days! Oh but if felt so good to be where we were. It was beautiful. Every part. Our team, the place we were staying, the country... just everything. My heart was getting so full. After a full nights sleep, we headed for old Jaffa. We walked along the Mediterranean Sea which is supposedly where Jonah had sailed and just took in our atmosphere. There is so much rich History there... and I wish I could tell you more about it.... This trip as you will see made me extremely hungry to know more about this place and the people! We walked along very old cobble stone streets and walked through old stone buildings. I couldn't wrap my mind around the things that had taken place on those roads and in those buildings.
God told us that there were going to have wonderful surprises on this trip and one of them was that I was able to run into my friend Jan, whom I did my DTS with, at a coffee shop that does ministry. Along with
finding out I had family that we could stay with! God is so faithful!
Finally after 2 days, our friend Sam arrived and joined the team! We met up with a few contacts that we had and heard what their heart was for the people and what sort of ministries they have. We went to a prayer room that over looked the city! I was blown away! How INCREDIBLE! They are the real deal out in Israel! A little side note... I think Israelies are HILARIOUS! While we were waiting to see our contacts, I met an older man in the coffee shop who didn't speak English. He asked me what my name was... I told him Shawna... he responded " Shoshana.." I said no... Shawna... and he said "YES! Shoshana!" Oh I said and he began to sing a little tune to Shoshanaaaa ohhh Shoooshannnaa. I found out with a translator a few minutes later that it means good smelling flower and there is a song about it... ahhaha I felt the Lord just blessing me through that... besides it just being humorous!
While in Tel Aviv, we would worship and pray for the nation, the people, and each other. God was so gracious. He repeatedly kept telling us to just enjoy ourselves. We started out one morning just laughing at things for about an hour... God gave us so much freedom and JOY! I was amazed! I was loving it... all we could do was laugh. Mind you, we were a bit delirious with jet lag and lack of sleep... we thought everything was funny... we have a whole list of random quotes we said... that most don't make sense or are just ridiculous in a little barbie notebook... haha if you want to know... just ask me.
Being in Tel Aviv for a few days, we took a shrut to Jerusalem. We got dropped off at the wrong place... but quickly met up in the right place with my family, that I had never met before... talk about interesting moment... haha. We arrived at their place and quickly went to bed. Lots of moving around and laughing so much takes a lot out of you. This trip was such a faith journey. We had a few contacts but a lot of it was just trusting the Lord and allowing him to guide us where we needed to be. Especially with finances! To be Continued!
