Brunette's Travels

Weeks Two Through Five

2011-12-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

What a time it has been! I have been to Rome, Venice, Assisi, Fiesole, and now Sienna!

I have had the priviledge of completing E. H. Gombrich's history of art book as well as having wonderful and passionate conversations about beauty and art.

As individuals we have sought answers to questions such as: What is beauty?, What is art?, Is there such a thing as christian art?, or Should christians even participate in art?

Some questions have been brought to concensus but, as with most subjects, any answer reveals more questions.

From these photos I hope that you catch a glimpse into the beauty and majesty that has been preserved and cultivated here in Italy. With regards to a brief explanation of some of our discussions, allow me to let Charles Dickens give you a snapshot:

"How much better,'he said at length, 'to shun all such thoughts and chances, and, in the peaceful shelter of the church, devote your lives to Heaven! Infancy, childhood, the prime of life, and old age, whither as rapidly as they crowd upon each other. Think how human dust rolls onward to the tomb, and turning your faces steadily towards that goal, avoid the cloud which takes its rise among the pleasures of the world, and cheats the senses of their votaries. The veil, daughters, the veil!'

"Never sisters,' cried Alice. 'Barter not the light and air of heaven, and the freshness of earth and all the beautiful things which breathe upon t, for the cold cloister and the cell. Nature's own blessings are the proper goods of life, and we may share them sinlessly together. To die is our heavy portion, but, oh, let us die with life about us; when our cold hearts cease to beat, let warm hearts be beating near; let our last look be upon the bounds which God has set to his own bright skies, and not on the stone walls and bars of iron!'
- Charles Dickens : "Nicholas Nickleby" pg. 65-66

- "For Glory and beauty"

Location:Florence, Italy

First Week in Italy

2011-12-02T00:10:00.001-08:00

It has been a momentous fee days. I have had the amazing priviledge of seeing some of the greatest pieces of art man has ever expressed. Pictures of these great works have not come close to the experience of standing before them in person.

As a group we have left the busy streets of Rome and moved to the much quieter hills of Tuscany. With our own private villa a complete with church dating back to the 15th century- we have settled in.

This trip has begun to open my eyes to a whole new language of the created order. Form, line, color, space, and composition. These are the tools of an artist. As I cultivate an "eye" for such things I have been drawn in a new way to the Great Artist. Beauty, what a thing to be desired.

God is the root of beauty. To search for beauty is to search for him. To create is to create after Him. I am beginning to see His creation as the work of art that He created it to be. I will keep you updated on how it goes.

- "For glory and beauty!"

Winter Sunset

2011-11-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

- "To live out consistently the truth that has been revealed to me."

Location:Bloomington Ferry Rd,Bloomington,United States

Update

2011-11-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

It has been six months. Looking back always seems a little more surreal and dream like: the bad things falling from memory and good things in amazing technicolor.

Since mathematics I have sailed through physics, biology and am now in my third semester studying psychology.

From mathematics the grounds were laid for any discussion of physics: as physics may, in a sense, be considered math, applied. From the basic assumption that math analogously reveals the triune-nature of God through symbolic language we got to explore what math can do in the physical world. This application was explosive, we were able to do projects outside - finding the height and distance of an object using similar triangles .

Once we understood the physics of an object we moved into Biology- the study of Life. We got to ask such profound questions as: What is life? and What does it mean to be alive? We ended on the conclusion that life, rather than being a substance or force, is more likened to a capacity: A capacity that allows for a Response-Ability.

Standing upon the foundation of God (theology), our grasp of the metaphysical nature of reality (philosophy), the immaterial plans of reality (math), the material effects of those immaterial plans (physics), and the Response-ability given to that material in certain instances (biology), we have now zoomed in on man with Psychology.

Where does man's dignity come from? Where, when, how, and to what extent does his deformity occur? How may he be delivered? And what is his destiny? The answers to come!

P.S. I leave for Italy in 2 weeks. OH BOY!

Update

2011-05-26T10:56:00.001-07:00

My first semester has just finished and I have returned from a two week break. During my two week break I visited YWAM Salem, OR with one of my faculty tutors. He spoke on biblical worldview while I had the privilege of some great downtime and fun with YWAM DTS students! Also, I got to visit my family in california. Woohoo!!!

Now, the mathematics module has begun and I am excited to say that I am not overwhelmed yet. The area of mathematics has a long history within my family. My dad's side were all mechanically inclined. My aunt was actually a math professor. That particular trait is not as, shall we say, cultivated in my particular case. In other words, its hard!

This module is broken into two concurrently running classes. One is a philosophy of mathematics. The other is a self-study of mathematical skill sets: essentially, "traditional" math - algebra, geometry, etc..

Philosophy of math! You may think, "what does that mean?" Fundamentally it is a look under the hood of mathematics. When was the last time you asked yourself the question, "WHY does 2+2=4?" Typically, we just assume that it does and that is enough. Some folks may dive a little deeper and say that 2+2=4 because in real life two of something placed beside another two of the same thing makes four of that thing. These are true statements but do not answer the question WHY, they simply repeat that they do.

If this is confusing don't worry, it was for me too. But bare with me a little longer and it will all be worth it.

So, if the proof that 2+2=4 in real life is not enough what is? This is where we move from math to philosophy. What is two-ness? What does it mean to "equal" something? Why does 2+2=4 and not 5 or 8? At face value you may say to me, "Joey, who the flip cares?" But follow me. Why not 2+2=5? Because it just doesn't? Or is there something deeper? We instinctively know that it doesn't, don't we? Many languages call it different things; cuatro, quatre, vier. But we all have a sense of four-ness. This then smacks of design. Why does 2+2=4 everywhere in the world? Where could this come from? This is where we dance around in philosophy until we cross from philosophy to theology. Just like complex systems within biological systems, this design comes from the same origin. Having effectively crossed from mathematics to philosophy to theology we reach a staggering point.

If math is grounded in the infinite personal God and all "good" math or "well-done" math comes from Him then, by doing math well we actually perform an act of worship. Additionally, by doing math perfectly, we actually follow God's thoughts after Him.

Do you now see why philosophy of math?

To conclude, this is what I get to do for the next 6 weeks. Pray for me? :-)

1st Semester Coming to A Close

2011-04-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Been 2 months since my last update. I have gone through 6 weeks of theology, and am about to finish a 6 week module on philosophy. This particular module will culminate in a 3 day lecture hosted by J.P. Moreland. Mr. Moreland is a prominent christian philosopher and apologist.

All that to say, my life is truly being impacted by the vivacious and robust material I have been encountering here at Rivendell. Our daily discussion are rich with content of both edifying and controversial material. With such topics as, the trinity, natural theology, Christian ethics and responsibility, meal conversations are VERY lively!

Originally I came with the goal of furthering my understanding of a truly Biblical Christian worldview. Being here has been every bit a blessing as I had hoped that it would be. My worldview is being stretched and bolstered by the great men of the past. More importantly, God has been impressing upon me the simple profundity of the gospel.

The deeper I go, the more I read, and the farther I travel with this "Jesus," I find that the answers to my questions become so personal that they could almost be said to be a person. As I stretch my small mind to search out the edges of ideas, seeking to find where God has been hidden amongst the lies and garbage I find not a perfect answer, but a perfect person. It could be misconstrued that this is but a fanciful way of saying that the answers are beyond reach, but I would disagree. I am saying this because everywhere I turn, each place I look and at the bottom of every mystery I find this man "Jesus."

I find myself more in love with God everyday. I love Him not only in feeling but also in mind. I think about it all the time now. He is in everything. I see His touch on everything. Each time, I remember what He did and what He has said. Perhaps to make this more poetic,

"He has wooed me, every where I go I see His love notes. I cannot go a day without being reminded of His love. That love that went to death on the tree for the joy that He found in me. How can I not but love Him? How can I not love thee my God, my king? I give all of me to thee."

In sum and in short, it is going really well out here in the great white north.

Something new amongst the Old

2011-02-22T14:29:00.001-08:00

I have been learning so much in this school. But, I don't know how successful I would be in an attempt to list it all here. Instead, I want to share something more personal.

I have been surprised by the love for others in my heart. In the midst of opening up the fire hydrant of truth and drinking deep, my love for people is genuinly growing. Now, you may say, "well duh Joey, that is what it is suppose to do!" To which I would heartily agree. However, it is one thing to know in theory and totally another thing to experience sincerely.

In the bible we are told to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. This, although simple, can be - as some of us know - simply the death of us. In the faithfullness of God, or the reliability of His decrees - otherwise known as truth, is the source of this love we are asked to give to our neighbor. This roots my love in God, not myself.

If God is faithful and my love is rooted in him, then my love can be faithful. This is what I am experiencing: not in theory but in experience. The Love of God made manifest in my life.

Perhaps the rubber is finally hitting the road. Ha! Who knew?

Updated Photo

2011-01-14T09:09:00.001-08:00

SNOW!!!

2011-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Photos from Campus

2011-01-09T14:44:00.001-08:00

Here is the Cafeteria

The Gazebo

My Bedroom

The Living Room

The Guys Hall

In Case you Forgot: God really is Faithful

2010-12-25T22:24:00.001-08:00

Well, here is the news. As of one month ago I owed 48,000 dollars for my 2 year program at Rivendell Sanctuary. As of 3 weeks ago I owed 33,000 dollars. As of one week ago I owe only 11,000 dollars. And of that 11,000 I need 800 by January 3rd and of that 800 I have 200, leaving a whopping total of $600 dollars needed by January 3rd 2011. In case you forgot: God really is Faithful.

Please E-mail any thing you might have in mind or prayers for me.
Please mail any contributions to:

Joey Brunette
c/o Rivendell Sanctuary
6820 Auto Club Road, Suite T
Bloomington, MN 55438

You can also contribute online by card any amount you wish for the next 30 days by clicking
HERE

Here is the Link

2010-11-29T18:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the link to the guest blog spot I had the opportunity of writing for Rivendell Sanctuary;

Click Here

A fresh Look At School

2010-11-24T10:38:00.000-08:00

I am letting you in on another email to Rivendell Sanctuary. I am getting to be a guest writer on their blog and I wanted to show you what I am planning to write. I'll post the link when it comes up.

"Five years ago I finally gave my life to Jesus and have been asking the question, “How do I live the whole of my life to the glory of God?” After hearing about Rivendell from my Base Director at Youth With A Mission Maui I saw a step towards my answer.

My first impression of their educational model was, “PRAISE GOD!” to say the least, I was flabbergasted. What made me so excited? My utmost desire is to know and live out consistently the word of God in every sphere of my life to the glory of God. After years of frustration at the lack of adequate answers I was pointed in the direction of this amazing program that attempts to not only apply Biblical truth to the whole of life but also create a student that both knows that truth and has the tools to live it out.

How could I not be excited? This program is literally the answer to the cry of my heart! Now that I have been accepted and the start date of the inaugural class is quickly approaching, my excitement towards the future is only growing. I have many goals laying in my future: a deeper relationship with God, continuing to learn long after I leave the classroom, influencing society, being the best light I can be for the truth and message of the good news of Jesus Christ, working an honest job, adventure, marriage, children, and developing a legacy that blesses even my children’s children. This program is not just any common tool in my growing tool belt of life to accomplish these goals but is perhaps one of the most important. I could not have imagined a better one.

I try to expect God to be himself – faithfully large and in-charge, once again He has complete surpassed my expectations by showing me Rivendell Sanctuary."

Only One Month Away

2010-11-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

So, I have been looking at the calendar. Less than a month left till I end this season of my life here at YWAM Maui and start the next. To say it succinctly; It is so wierd!

I am stepping out to start a new adventure and I would love if you would continue to come along with me.

A Verbal Process Update

2010-11-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

This Excerpt below is from an email that I sent to the University I am planning on attending in January. While writing it I thought you all might enjoy it so I decided to post it for you.

"I moved out of my parents house when I was nineteen in a wisp of a hope that life had some coherent objective universal upon which I could base everything in my life the alternative of which would have been honest nihilism and then suicide. I had heard about YWAM from some cousins who had done it and read about a program being run here in Maui called the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions - which is almost identical to your Battle of Beliefs School - Which boasted the subtitle of, "Why you believe what you believe." I gave Christianity one last shot knowing only the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life but having no answers to my philosophical and as Ravi puts it,"Existential questions." Having gone through almost a full year of mission building and completing my DTS, I was finally able to do my SBFM. Through this school experience I was actually changed forever by not only having the time and community around me to help guide me through the deep questions I had about life, the universe, and everything but also - despite the theological issues that may arise - I believe, finally getting saved. The day after returning from that second outreach, I began staffing. It has been almost 3 years since that day and I am now hearing the Lord moving me on to continue in the plans that He has for me. In my short YWAM career I have gotten to see God work in the lives of people in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, The Big C, Malaysia, Brunei, and Philippines. I see no reason to stop doing what the Lord says now! "

Thank you for all your support over the years, weird that I can now say years.... It truly has helped change the world.

Apologetics Week

2010-10-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Now that I am actually in the country and do not have a 24 hour a day schedule I want to start back-up my weekly updates.

This week's lecture topic is Apologetics- Equipping us with the tools to give a reason for the hope that we have. 1 Peter 3:15

A brief synopsis of the week:

- The four laws of logic
- Evidence and proofs for the inspiration, authority, and the inerrancy of the bible.
- Classical Arguments for the existence and nature of God
- Light touch of basic Christianity, with a focus on what should be first defended.

In other words it is a good time!!

On a more personal note, I am not only getting to review so much wonderful content but I am also getting chances to teach it! As much as I enjoy it I am really being humbled by it. Turns out it takes a lot more work to teach then it does to learn. *wink* Who would have guessed it!?

In a few weeks I will be fascilitating a week on Jesus's sermon on the mount - specifically the beatitudes. If you think about it please pray that Holy Spirit will be completely free to move in the lives of my students. This is my greatest request. There are 14 students.

Till next time, God bless

Fresh Off the Post

2010-10-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

I have shared a little about my plans for January. I think I am gonna go back to school. I have been praying a lot and I think the Lord is leading me in the direction of Rivendell Sanctuary. it is really one of the only schools of its kind. And as of today I have just received the acceptance package.

The package is a lite one, seven simple pages describing the plans for the next two years of life. On the one hand it gives me a lot of peace to have something planned for the next two years of my life on paper. On the other hand, I am having to count the cost once again of what it means to leave everything behind for what I think the Lord is telling me to do.

God has truly blessed me with life here in YWAM Maui, I have friends,family, spheres of influence, seniority in our little microcosm of people - an entire group of people that love me and care for me. But the pinnacle has been the relationship with Him - Jesus. I have encountered Him, learned more about Him, been through time of weeping and times of joy with Him here. I did this all at His call to follow him. And I want to be with Him where He is and I want to go with Him where He goes. So the time is coming to move on.

I will probably take some time in the next few months to reflect back on over four years of journeying with the Lord but for now this post is for a prayer request.

My first two years comes to a total of $48,000 for everything. This price pays for room, board, and all school expenses. And as I write this to you I have $260 saved for it. In my heart I fear that I will believe the lies of satan that say, "This is impossible." And as I sit and wait on the Lord for the truth, He says,

"For grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

He has already done the impossible, He saved me.....
God is the God of the impossible. It is His gift. So please be praying for my finances.

School Of Biblical Foundations and Missions

2010-09-30T14:27:00.001-07:00

As usual, I have jumped right in to another set of responsibilities. I am a month into staffing the SBFM. I got to participate in the this school in the fall of 2007 and now have the wonderful opportunity to staff it. I get to be apart of what the Lord is doing in these men and women's lives as He transforms them with His truth.

The focus of the SBFM is to transform the lives of God's people helping to renew their minds with the truth and conform them into the image of Jesus Christ.

This makes for some powerful encounters with the living God. And as the light of truth illuminates the dark lies of their lives they are forever changed.

This is what I get to do with my days. This is the priveledge that God has given to me as I follow Him around.

On a slightly different note, as I follow the Lord Jesus around, He has been talking to me my university opportunity in January. I still think that this is what God is guiding me to do. More and more He confirms to me His plans for me to leave YWAM Maui and join this amazing college in January. My circumstances however, have not changed. Each semester costs roughly $12,000 for everything. I have none of this cost.

I have that inner struggle - where does moral responsibility meet stepping in faith? As I dig into the bible for answers I come across promises:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."- Jeremiah 29:11

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:11

So please pray and walk with me as we will get to see together what happens! God Bless

Spring DTS '10 is Officially Over

2010-09-01T19:05:00.001-07:00

Here We Are!

This is Me and My Co-Leader Liz

This outreach to asia was one of the more exciting trips that I have gone on. I have never met so many people who were truly hungry for the gospel. Seemingly random people on the street were open and eager to hear about Jesus and the good news.

Thank you for your prayers, these made all the difference, and boy, could we tell!

Here is one story;

While helping to run an English Corner we met a women named "E" - I will call her E for security purposes. She made friends with a girl on my team instantly and from the first "hello" was already interested in what we had to say. This was no regular encounter, God had set this up!

In a country that boasts an aesthetic government, "E" had just begun reading the bible on her own initiative! A bible which had been given to her by a teacher in her high-school a few years before. Needless to say she had some real questions. "Who is this God?" She asked, and "Why are we separated from him?" And, "What must I do to be saved?"

Our mouths dropped to the floor! Before we had even arrived, God had been working in this woman's life, preparing her for this meeting. We got to share the entire gospel with her and pray with her. And as we left we prayed with her that God would continue what He was already doing in her life.

There are so many other stories like this one; stories of people who had been to church before but never understood what was going on. Or, stories of people feel overwhelming peace and joy as they enter a church for the very first time in their lives. We had the opportunity to witness such a mighty move of God in the hearts of people. These kinds of things do not happen everyday, even our contacts were astonished at the people we would meet on the streets.

Truly your prayers have changed peoples lives, thank you for being apart of this crazy things the Lord is doing in me and through the lives of the people who follow hard after him. Thanks for following me in my journey with the Lord.

Like most things in life, there is little time to breathe as we jump into what is next. Starting Friday, I will be staffing the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions. If you remember - or wish to look back - I did this school back in the fall of 2007. It has been a defining moment in my walk with Jesus and changed my life forever. I am looking forward to being even a small part of what the Lord does in young men and women's lives through this program.

New students come on the 8th. And I get to start the ride all over again. What a ride it will be!

Only Five Days Left!

2010-08-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Our Final Bible Study

Just In Case you forgot where I was

2010-07-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

Please do not leave ANY comments!! For security reasons

The Count Down Begins

2010-06-19T01:09:00.000-07:00

Well folks it is that time again,

I stand less than two weeks from my next trip out to the nations. This class of students has certainly been the best I have seen. They are hungry for the truth of the word and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Needless to say that is the most exciting combination a student could have. In light of this hunger for God, He has responded in kind with new revelations of Himself. As a school we have been devouring the scriptures and making the most of our personal times to try and absorb as much knowledge and experience before we head out. What are ride it has been!!!

We fly out on July 1st, please keep us in your prayers and remember.... There is a whole world out there in need of the gospel, are you doing your part?

The Team

2010-05-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

Left to Right

Sarah, Daniel, Grace, Me, Liz, David, Shannon, Maddie, Catie, Johanna

Be praying for protection, encouragement, and salvation for the nation.

Talk about good Times!

2010-05-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Lord is always faithful. It is the middle of week 2. The topic is Identity in Christ. This particularly deals with two subjects. The first is what we think of God; the second is what God thinks of us.

There are some notable differences between this school and the Last school I helped to staff (see further down in the blog for information regarding the last school that I staffed). God has made a very bold promise to this school. He has said:

But this is the covenant which I will make the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put my law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying' Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31: 33&34

God has promised to make us his people and to make Himself our God. Their is such intimacy in this promise. And we get to pursue Him as deep as we want as He fulfills His promise to us.

Hello!

2010-03-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

Been quite some time since my last blog. O sweet vacation with the Lord. Looks like I will get to be doing another DTS heading to another asian country. I will keep you all updated with events are they transpire. Love you all tons.

God's Unchanging Faithfullness

2010-01-21T23:49:00.000-08:00

I am back to life as usual here at YWAM Maui. I am currently directing base intercession and overseeing outreach into our community here on the island. The last few months have rushed by and I am so happy to say that God's hand of rest and healing is upon my life during this restful season.

In the midst of the lord's hand upon me as I continue to serve Him out here I am still being reminded of how blessed of a Life I live. And so I want to encourage you with a video of what the Lord is doing through us here at YWAM in the nation of nepal and show you that a poor economy changes nothing that the Lord is doing in the world. Be encouraged and humored, God is faithful and He doesn't change despite the circumstances.

Scenes From Nepal

Photos

2009-12-02T00:18:00.000-08:00

Come and check out some new photos I uploaded

Bangladesh

Another Season Come and Gone

2009-11-25T15:02:00.001-08:00

All but three of the people of this picture remain here at ywam maui. Another season of students has come and gone and once again I find myself looking to the future and what god has in store for me next. But first let me take a second to just briefly tell you what has happened.

I just got back from the country of Bangladesh - a crazy muslim country that can only be described as complete chaos. I am beaten up emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It was the best and worst thing I have ever done. But you know what God did? He remained faithful, He supplied every bit of strength, energy, and spirit. He remained good - never letting us out of His sight and hands. He truly remained our all in all.

That is what I learned on this outreach. Fight, fight for everything, fight for what the Lord has for you, for what He has given to you, for what He has spoken to you. Fight because you do not fight alone, because He is on your side and no matter what - and I really mean no matter what - He is there for you when you are in need, you will be squeezed until nothing of you is left and He will come and be himself. We are not in this fight of life alone. We have Him and His body.

Seriously read this:
Phil 1:27 - 2:18 and consider the hard times you are going through. Press on my friends for God is faithful and sure.

We are back!!

2009-11-17T12:16:00.001-08:00

Wow

2009-10-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Well this is really the first time that I have had the time to sit down and update all of you guys on my life overseas.

I have now been on outreach for about a month and things have not been easy. Leading a team is the hardest thing I have ever done and it certainly is stretching me in ways that I have never been stretched.

Learning about yourself in the school of hard knocks is never easy, but it certainly will be rewarding. Currently the team and I are in Chittagong, Bangladesh. We are headed to a remote hill trek full of Hindus to preach the gospel and see what God has placed there for us. Bangladesh most certainly is a crazy place, similar to India it is a wild country of millions of people and very little order. Most certainly the craziest place i have ever been. In the midst of the crazyness there is a thread that the Lord has been weaving in me.

What does it mean to abide in christ. Reading through chapter 14 of John over and over again I have been trying to live life wrapped in christs love for me. Having it shield me, having it care for me, having it guide me. I wish that it wasnt so metaphorical sounding. I am seeing now that in the hard times how tangible his love really is, how sweet a comforter he can be and how much i really need more of him and less of my own strength.

Pray for us, as we head into the jungles. Pray that the broken hearted will be bound up and the captives will be set free. Pray for me. I need God, and I am helpless and cold without him. Life is so simple and yet such a struggle - love God and love people. We were meant for love and God has an endless supply of himself, after all He IS love.

1 Day

2009-08-23T18:41:00.001-07:00

Here we are, on the eve of my next adventure with God overseas and the waiting is probably the hardest part.

I have been finding out a lot about myself these past couple of weeks: funny how being under the pressure of responsibility seems to squeeze out the crap in you. Me and Jesus have been becoming better friends everyday because of it. Simply put, I can sum up all of what God has been teaching me into a few short, age-old sayings: Keep It Simple, Don't take yourself so seriously, Jesus is with you always.

Turns out that these are the best leadership motto's I have as I follow after Jesus and lead a few of my friends into the unknown wilds of His plans for this trip overseas. BOY, I am excited!!

1 more week

2009-08-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

We as a team have one more week till outreach and we have just received and put together our itinerary from the contacts within the countries. Here it is:

August 26 – Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand

August 27- Country cultural Orientation

August 28 – Bangkok temple tour

August 29 - Sept10: College campus Ministry

September 10 – 22 – Slum Ministry

SEPTEMBER 23 – LEAVE THAILAND

September 23-25 - arrive in Bangladesh

September 26-30 - COX BAZAR (ywam pioneering place prayer and un reached tribal ministry)

October 1-10 - CHITTAGONG (youth camp for christian youth, tribal ministry etc)

October 11-17 SHERPUR (women camp and ministry)

17-25th DINAJPUR (evangelism, kids mini, church mini)

26-6 nov- DHAKA (university mini, mercy mini, kids program)

An update of the team

2009-07-28T17:00:00.001-07:00

Of course life here in the pleasant little hawaiian town of Haiku is going just swell. So far we have learned that not only that God loves us unconditionally but that satan most certainly does not. With that we would like some prayer for health as almost all of my team has eaither gotten sick or is sick or is starting to feel sick.

On a completely different and better note! Time has been flying by here and we leave in less than a MONTH!! Each one of these students has actually been growning in more ways than even I know. God is so personal and detailed in each of our lives isn't he? A verse for this week that hopefully will inspire some fresh meditation and encouragement is

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11 We have all read it before, but do you cling to it?

Shrug

2009-06-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I have given you an actual glimpse into my personal life and what the Lord has been doing in my heart. So comment on anything the Lord might be speaking to you through my life. Know that I don't have it all figured out.

Where to begin.... Turns out that God is real. NO large philosophical arguments or complex words or cunning illustrations. Just first hand happenings sent to you via a blog. I have been out here for over three years now. Hard to imagine isn't it? I have not worked for money since I was 16 years of age. I live in hawaii, I have no outstanding debts, and all my bills are paid monthly. Paid promptly by God and His cattle on a thousand hills (psalm 50:10). I travel to foreign countries as Jesus leads, sharing of a relationship that I have with a man that walked the earth, died on a cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sent His Holy Spirit to walk with us here on the earth till He returns(John 1:1-18) . This is simple life. Look to past blog entries for some empirical evidence.

So it turns out that what is spoken of in Hebrews 12:1 is true. Jesus, being the way to the father (John 14:6), can set us free and we can be free indeed (John 8:36). I can hear the Lord's voice (john 10:27) and I follow Him. The rest is history. The time has come to grow up.

Time to commit, and so here I am - grown up and serving Jesus Christ. Welcome to true life (John 10:10). (Song of Songs 6:3) Till next time...

Thai Tie Party

2009-06-20T13:07:00.001-07:00

This past wednesday we had the 29th birthday party of our school leader Tik Pimpaeng. We decided to celebrate with a tie party in honor of her being from thailand!

The Team!!

2009-06-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

Well Here is the TEAM!! I figured I would put up their "mugshot" visa photos, seeing as we are headed out in only a few months. Let me introduce you to them! You can only know their first names do to the sensitivity of the countries we will be traveling to.

This is Ms. Holly from California

Ms. Daena from the Philippines

Ms. Ashleigh from Florida

Mr. Michael from Texas

Ms. Alisha from Canada

Mr. Benaiah from Colorado

Praise the Lord that we get this sweet opportunity.. Pray for us as we begin learning more about God, His story, and His plan for this world. We are now official team Thailand/bangladesh

My Birthday!!!

2009-05-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures from the party.

The Mens Camping retreat

2009-05-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

With the church i attend here called NEW HOPE i went witth 45 other men out into the jungles of east Maui to seek the Lord. I was an amazing time of healing, revival, and encouragement among the locals as well as myself.

Good is God with an extra O!!

2009-04-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

I have recently heard of a unique university that is beginning in June of 2010. It is a private christian college that will offer a unique style of curriculum. While it still has regular subjects, the style of curriculum is from a holistic approach to the traditional disciplines, allowing for better results as well a perfect match for what I want in a university.

The details are very limited, I know. I will definitely update you all as I get more information. Please just pray some simple prayers for the opportunity to remain open as well as clear direction of how or even if I am suppose to approach it.

Picture Update

2009-04-13T03:15:00.001-07:00

A Little Birthday Party Fun

Me and my cane

And the Hippy Hair

Wooohoo!!

2009-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well we just finished another DTS. We actually just finished sending them off at 4 am! The spring quarter coming next brings with it some time of reflection, resting, and the occasional staff movie night. But for me this time is going to be some what of a mystery.

This Thursday is operation day. I am unsure of what, when, how long, or even where, that will look like. Details will come a little later. As for my life... God has blessed me with what I like to call, "The Gravy Train Life," First off I live in Hawaii, cramped 5 people in a bedroom yes.. but Hawaii: second, He pays for all my bills on time, sometimes on the day of, but they are paid all the same: Third, God has given me the truth, there is only one point to life and that is to bring Him glory through living in right relationship with Him and I can do that in a hospital bed in any amount of pain or anguish.

I like to be very blunt when I can, so here it goes; God sent Himself to earth to die a horrific death, proving His benevolent love that gives me what I need not necessarily what I want, the least I can do is not complain.

So here is my little motto on the eve of occasions such as these, "Everyday is a holiday and every meal a banquet." In the face of great suffering and opposition let us never forget that death hath no sting for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Constant transition

2009-03-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

It seems that right when we get into a groove, life sends us a curve ball.

Jesus continually asks me simple questions about the foundations of life. What are you meant for? What am I telling you? What have I already spoken?

So here is my life, keeping up with the bills is impossible - like so many people out there, my knee surgery is on april 2nd, my sister is back in california - right when I finally feel like we are connecting, and God is moving me into a new season of revelation of Him through the bible.

In the midst of what should be stressful time of looking at the life I have created for myself with the Lord and beginning to wonder if I have failed, if I shouldn't be out here... Time to go home.. pack up... get a "real" job; I realize that God has not changed, His words have not changed, and His plans for me are now truer then ever.

So, then..Who will I choose to follow? My fear, my failure, my hopes, my dreams, or God and His perfect plans for my life?

...... I'll let you in on what I am thinking...... I am not going to go back to the world of depending on my own two hands, my conjured up decisions and opinions. It is useless to revert back to the lie of independence that broke my life in the first place.

Pray that I can hold true to all that the Lord has for me, especially when the storms of life try and push me in other directions.

fresh

2009-02-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

what do you think?

2009-02-15T23:23:00.000-08:00

As God instructs, destructs, forges and molds me and this life into a master piece of His own fashioning; I see the horizon receding ever before me. It really is fascinating to note that the horizon truly is just an invisible line that will always flee your approach, so like the Lord in our pursuit of Him, you find yourself thinking you are reaching His end and yet ever extending before you is the ocean of water that is Himself.

Great men and women have sailed the seas of his character, finding wondrous lands and riches and yet still these is so much to be seen - to be discovered. Given only one life time to accomplish such a task as to master the great sea of God I see the dark clouds of hopelessness discouraging me quickly. But the truth rises as the son off the sea, bringing warmth and clearness to my overcast sky of struggle. I have been redeemed, brought back into perfect relationship with my creator through the man of Jesus, for to be now and forever with God, sailing this great sea for eternity.

I now sail this sea in this life simply thinking of the life to come; plundering, advancing, charting, mapping, to show more people the way deeper into the sea of God, merely now building the legacy of those to proceed me, understanding that life has a purpose and a meaning. His name is Jesus Christ - He is my ship, he is my captain, he is the wind in my sails, the breath in my lungs, the beat of my heart, and I will sail on into the great sea of Him forever and eternity.

I want to learn more about Him and so I am planning a few things that I would ask some prayer and support for. In April begins a phase 2 SBFM focusing on the cores of biblical foundations accompanied by intense study of the world religions in response. Immediately following this school which will end in late June I would then attend a course at the U of N in Kona Hawaii with the sole hope of meeting the God face to face and learning to speak with Him more. The basic costs thus far are around $6,000 not including the outreach which should take place around December. Please message me with any further questions or confirmations of prayer support. He is all we have, I will know Him more.

'nuff said

2009-02-15T23:19:00.000-08:00

So last week our school took a trip over to the "big island" to attend a conference at the YWAM University of the Nations. If the whole trip could be summed up in one picture, it would look like this.... 'nuff said.

Update

2009-02-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

This is the theme of this particular school - winter DTS 09

Bible Reference"...giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; {regarded} as deceivers and yet true;as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things."

And here is a little piece of my tuesday. Waiting for Costco to open to buy groceries.

Here are some photos

2009-01-20T22:05:00.000-08:00

The View From Our Exodus Campsite

A wonderful Summation of what actually went on. Read into this as much as you wish.

And here is a little flash back of my own exodus

And yes even though its dangerous we still jump off perfectly good water falls

Hot DANG!!

2009-01-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

been quite a while...

As usual, when my life gets busy I start dropping the ball on communication.

So far I have been back to visit my family in California for two weeks. A new school, has arrived and I have had the privilege of going on a introductory camping trip with them all; its called exodus.

Photos soon to come.

In short god has been doing so much in my life as usual.

He truly is real and as of late i have begun to know Him in a way that I have never known before.

In the beginning God is an acquaintance: you get to know him, introduce yourself perhaps. Then, friendship: you hang out more regularly and realize how cool of a person He is. Next, you may move to the idea that your rather fond of the person of God: Then He introduces you to this girl, her name is Wisdom. You are rather nervous at first realizing how cute she is and exchange numerous lingering glances. As you warm up to Her, you see all the qualities of Christ in Her. The word of the Lord echos off the walls of your heart, bouncing - I was with God in the beginning, through me He made the heavens and the earth. Secretly, you begin to spend more time with her, calling her to hang out, maybe coffee or maybe something more.. And then, in one still moment of intimacy stolen in a very crowded room she whispers in your ear... I love you.. Your heart skips a beat: what is captured in a second seems so long a period of time as the awkward and ill-timed words," Me too" trip out of your mouth. Her smile then turning into a hand covered giggle of both excitement and understanding at your now completely stumbled words of acceptance and reciprocation. You want to marry her, her and no other.

Welcome to my life with the Lord so far, a bit rushed in the eyes of most but all the more my life to live for eternity. I wish I could tell you were this is going to go, but isn't that mystery just like the Lord to give?

The Holidays

2008-12-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

It has been over a month since my last post. Which is far, far, to long. God and I have been doing so many things that free time has been in short supply. Through it all God has been showing himself faithful, caring, and oh so hilarious.

Thanksgiving;
80 people = 160 pounds of turkey, 35 pounds of stuffing, 40 pounds of mashed potatoes, and 30 pounds of sweet potatoes. We simultaneously cooked 8 turkeys in different ovens, house, and even towns! Let me say that I am now a thanksgiving master and yes.... I am more than willing to do it again.

4 day weekend;
A bunch of guys and I decided that the long weekend was a glorious opportunity to do some good old fashioned camping. I say old fashioned because we kind of forgot simple things like.. a grill, fire wood, food.. Although the out look seemed a little grim, it was the best time I have had camping. We were up in the beutiful poli poli recreational park on the south side of the local valcano.

here is where we slept

We hiked and goofed-off like only men can do for two whole days. Priceless memories and definitely no pictures *wink*

Christmas;
I am going to be in California on December 18th - 3rd of January. I have no idea what I will be doing so call me up and we will go from there.

God Bless

The Waterfall

2008-10-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

Some have been asking to see the waterfall specifically... So here is a picture.

Living Life

2008-10-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

God has continued to be faithful to me. Over and over again He comes and provides in each situation of need. Thank you all for your prayers and support. As of today I have every debt paid. And I am relying on God for continued insurance payments as the months of recovery and eventual surgery are on the horizon.

I also have been considered as DTS staff for the winter quarter. Which means I will have the opportunity to be placed in charge of a team to disciple and eventually take overseas.

Your prayers and support are the only reason that I am so healthy, so well provided for and so positive. God is with His people. He is with you as you pray to Him. We have not because we ask not. Prayerlesness is something that He has been convicting me on in these past weeks. God is the only one who can change a man's heart. He alone can change a hopeless situation around. I have been so broken in this area of my life. Do you love your family enough to actually change their lives for the better? Will you fight for your friends who are going through a ruff time? Will you rely on the sole provider of your life for all the things that you need?

I worry about money, drama in my family, painful situation with friends; God stands opposite with His promises having altready been spoken - I will never leave you nor forsake you: I will give you the desires of your heart: I will work out ALL things for the good of those that love me.

"So do you trust me?" God asks. My response was a scared and painful," yes." And here I am having all that I need.

What do you choose?

God Is Really There

2008-10-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Its been only 4 weeks

But God Is faithful and His mercies are truly new everymorning.

Here I am

So there was an accident

2008-10-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

Last Friday me and the guys were going on a midday excursion to the jungles of Maui. I happened upon a waterfall and while trying to jump decided to trip and fall about 20 feet. Pin-balling on the way down.

Everything has gone great! I need serious help however with prayer financial provision. Insurance is being difficult and because of being asked to live this life by God i have no money to pay for anything with.

God has been teaching me so many things through this time, but because of my wrist its super hard to type anything. please please call me. 714 454 7332

The School is HERE!

2008-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Thank you all so much for your prayers. They really do change everything. Over and over again I have begun to see God be Himself. Because of my position as kitchen head, I get to see how God provides for this base through the simple thing of food. All of us worry about things, and now a days the price of food is creeping up on our list of things to worry about. Well, have I got a story for you.

I serve people food here at ywam maui on $2.00 a day, that is right, breakfast, lunch, and dinner; $2.00 dollars A DAY. With that requires an incredible acrobatic feat of budgeting and more faith in the Lord being our provider than I have ever needed before. With that said, here is what happened.

I was in Costco looking at my list of things to buy. Every week I make a menu and write out my list of things that I need for each day. Today I had $433 dollars left to spend here at Costco but I had that sinking feeling that it wouldn't be enough to get all that we need for the 90 people I serve here on base all the meals for an entire week. But I know that the Lord is who He says that He is, so I just go and start grabbing what I need. I keep a running total of how much I have spent to make sure that I don't go over budget. So, about half way through I realize I am not going to make my budget and I begin to skimp on things, I need 6 cases of eggs but I I cut it down to five to save an extra 12 dollars, and I continue shopping. Well, about 3/4 of the way now I KNOW I am not going to make it but I continue to shop anyways. And finally, here I am at the last item, 7 bags of tortillas, prie if 8 dollars a bag. As I do the math and begin to add it to my running total I fight back tears standing in the baking aisle at our local Costco. The total..... $421 and right at the moment God speaks so clearly to me and tears begin to fall, he says,"How many times must I tell you who I am." Still fighting back tears and slowly walk back to the cold section and grab the $12 dollar case of eggs that I had not boughten because I didn't think I had enough. Bringing the grand total of everything that I needed down to the very last thing to $433. God is who He says that He is.

Wow it has been an interesting few weeks. We have been getting prepared for the 28 new students coming to participate in our fall program. They all come from different walks of life, but each and every one has been brought here by God for a specific purpose. I am so excited to see what God has got in store for them during their time here with us.

So, in preparation for the this school, I have been doing everything from scrubbing my kitchen floor to doing tune-ups on all of our big green vans to making sure all my paper-work is filled out perfectly. In short I have been ridiculously busy.I have some pictures of my escpades as well as pictures with some of the new staff and students, that I will post today as well.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Quote of the week," There is just one problem with prayer, God ansers it."

Kitchen Times

2008-08-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

Times are beginning to speed up around here. The 5 person summer school is about to leave on their outreach and the 45 person fall school is winding up. That's right.. 45 people just in the school which puts me at a grand total of right around 100 people to cook 3 square meals a day, 7 days a week, for three whole months. In case you were wondering that is 27,300 meals! And you thought it was hard for you to whip something up for dinner.

So many things are beginning to kick off now that we are settling in for the busiest time of the year. New staff have come in and I have begun training them for the task that is ahead of them. They are such an interesting group; God sure has some creativity. And I would like to introduce them to you.

Ashley Montgomery

She is a hilarious young women from Colorado that loves the Lord and, Lucky for me *wink* LOVES to bake!

Ray Latronica

This Young man is from Northern California, laughs at almost everything and is back here on staff to train others to seek after the Lord and hope in Jesus as He does.

Life moves on. We grow deeper with our friends and family. And for us out here on the Maui frontier we have set our eyes on Jesus and nothing will hold us back. Please be praying with me that these new staff will grow closer in intimacy with Christ, there savior and King. Thank you.

Awaiting

2008-08-04T00:26:00.000-07:00

The waiting game seems like forever sometimes. We wait for people, meetings, work, sleep, food, breaks. We wait for life to some and tell us what is next or where to go from here. But I have given up all of that and now wait for something that people only realize they need when life has seemed to pass them by.

God works in mysterious ways. He will tell us something and then, right on the cusp of you forgetting it He will come and, through circumstance, remind you of what He has spoken. Today was one of those days where God took up his bullhorn and decided it was time to set some things straight.

We each have a reason to live. Some of us choose things or people or systems, but each of us has something that we live our lives for. As for the general Christian consensus we would say that we live for Jesus Christ. Please do not misunderstand, while this is completely correct this is not what I am trying to explain to you. I wish to go much deeper.

I am in search of my destiny, my mission, what I was placed on this earth at this specific time in history for. Each of you has a story, a progression of events leading to a defining moment. Some of us take years to find it, others whole lifetimes, and worse still some never even ask the question.

I have lost sight of the grand story that we live in today as mankind. I have been caught up in the hopelessness of this day and age. And today He has set me straight. He placed me here at YWAM to have the time, courage, and opportunity to pursue what He has for me; to run after it with all of my strength and heart.

I am looking for His great cause for my life and being. You have provided me with an oppurtunity of such great magnitude that so few get. And so I am await His reply.

Hello Everyone

2008-07-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Me with one of the DTS students

This past week has kind of been a weird one. I am facing quite a dilemma. I seem to have run out of things to give up to the Lord. Impossible you say... I know it sounds hard to believe and presumptuous to even think about but let me explain the situation a little bit more.

I have nothing left to give Him, not because there isn't anything bad left inside me to give up; it is really that I have given up so much that currently I am without ideas as to what is left of me. I think that the Lord has changed my life from, "what are you willing to give me," to a life of more creativity by now saying, "now let us see what I have given to you." As change usually is for me with the Lord, this switch has been very quick and, also as usual, not so timely.

The School Banner

I am always caught by God like a deer in the headlights. I will be headed one way and then BAMM! blindsided by His plans for me. This time though it is quite interesting to note that He hasn't given me anything new. I have no new project, no new mission; He stands in front of me and simply asks a question that I feel as though I should have the answer to. Who are you: what are you here for: and how have I built you for that purpose? While this should be 3 questions I believe that they are so interconnected that they must be asked all at once.

perhaps you can shed some light on the subject

Now you see my dilemma, it is something - I suppose - that all men must ask at sometime in their lives, this now is my time.

Care to help with what gifts you see in me, or anything that the Lord is speaking to you: please comment. I am pretty open to any suggestions. *chuckle*

2008-07-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

It has been over a month since my last post. Life had gotten into a bit of a routine with us here on base and to write about routine is rather, well.. impossible. Turns out that nothing is very routine for us here at YWAM Maui.

Sue Fluger

During that time things relationally here on base started to get a little funky. It started out slightly, perhaps someone chose to go out by themselves to the beach that day, or maybe just decided to hide in their room for some rest. While none of these are bad in and of themselves, they slowly piled up into a mountain of little things that was breaking our family here apart. After all here at YWAM Maui we are a family. We live, work, eat, sleep, and pray within feet of each other every single day.

Kieva Daughtery and Nick Ryan

Turns out that satan had been doing some attacking on our relationships here as we have begun to really move forward in a new phase of the base. We really began to notice it in the past week as the oppression was really becoming just unbearable. Life began to really get hard and we all felt like we were going through it alone. We all got together finally after a lot of praying and asking the Lord for guidance as everyone now was more then just alone, they were hurting and very sensitive. We began to come together in small groups at first and then larger and larger groups randomly as the Lord led us to talk openly about how we were feeling and what should be done about life here on base. God really brought us to the heart of family. Family spends time with each other, they lean on one another as they get weary. We have really begun to turn back to communicating what are hearts are an remaining open to other to pour into us. The attack is certainly not over but we are beginning to push satan back.

Rachel Whaby

These pictures are photos of some of my family here at YWAM Maui. We are a family because we seek to love one another as Christ loves us. Family is there for one another. They comfort those who are hurting and those who feel they can't go on. I have chosen to love these men and women with all my heart. Yes it hurts sometimes, but everyday God reminds me how much they are worth it.

They may never know how much I love them but that doesn't mean that I will ever stop. Pray for us whenever the Lord puts us on your heart. We are out here training youth to love Christ with all their hearts and to live out what He has spoken in His Holy Scriptures. With that comes battles in life and in the heavenly places. This life of ours is for real and challenging but it is what God has asked of us, how then could we do any different?

Another Fine Couple Of Weeks In Paradise

2008-05-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Being in charge of the kitchen has definitely been an up hill battle of challenges. Who knew that some day I would be making food for almost 100 people in just a few weeks. Daniel Jenkins just recently arrived as well as some more 3 month volunteers. ( I will post some pictures of them at work as soon as I take them.)

Life here is moving right along and God is making me grow daily.

To be honest I have been doing a poor job of keeping in contact wit you all. I am not sure how to go about doing it better. So please leave a comment with the best way to get in contact with you over a long period of time. I need to get more on top of communicating all things that go on in this crazy life of mine.

I pray that you can forgive me and give me some ideas to really step up to task that could potentially go on for the rest of my life.

Hiya

2008-05-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

As usual so much has been happening to me in the past two weeks that I am behind on updating you all.

Let me being with saying I had a wonderful birthday and thank you to everyone for all the cards and encouragements. It was a nice and quiet party, just the way I like them. It is so amazing to not only think that I am now 21 but that I have been in YWAM now for two years!

It has been 2 years of such intense growth. Jesus brought me from a pit of a selfish and empty life. I had almost everything and non of it fulfilled, it could only fill the void in my heart for a short time. i spent years of my life trying to numb myself to the emptiness that was slowly encroaching upon me. Around may 2006, god made himself evident and provide me with a choice - continue with the life that I had chosen that was empty and void of rest for my soul or finally step out to do what i created for. You know the choice that I have made and the rest is history in the making. I have traveled to over 6 countries now telling people about the man that set me free. And through me simply following where he leads me I have grown and stretched in ways that I couldn't have imagined. And with that the pace was set for my life and God has only increased the pace of growth in my life. So now here I am in staffing in the kitchen.

Being the kitchen head here at YWAM is an incredible responsibility and it is so stretching. I never knew that I could have such a depth of dependence on the Lord. I have been brought to my knees weeping God as he changes me into what he created me to be. I don't know where He is taking me this time, but it hurts and He is going deeper then I have ever been. I hope to keep you guys in the loop with whats going on.

Please be praying for Him to work out all that He has for me. I do not want to stand in His way any longer. For each of us as men and women created in His image He has created a life so full of life and love everlasting that the world can not contain it. Know that God exists that He is always next to you, we must start talking to Him and reading what he has already communicated to us. Life is not worth anything without a relationship with Jesus.

Wonders

2008-04-28T01:55:00.001-07:00

Well first things first, this is a short trip I got to take with some missionaries taking their furlough vacation from work with Campus Crusade for Christ Canada.

Simply awe inspiring.

God has been doing some amazing things in the past week. He is moving so tangibly through my life. As He seeks and finds me I am more and more overcome by his presence. I can see Him moving so mightily through my family that He must planning some sort of break through. Pieces of a life long puzzle are moving into place and he is letting me see it happen. It is very staggered right now as you can see but I will paint for you a better picture as i get more of the details myself.

God Bless and know that He has planned every second of your day for you, all you need to do is ask for it.

Sorry about the Late update

2008-04-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone sorry about taking so long with this next update. I am now officially kitchen head for YWAM Maui, which means that I not only get to plan for, shop for, and prepare for all the food that is consumed on the base but right now I also have to MAKE IT! So needless to say I have been very busy running around making sure everyone eats.

But In everything the Lord is teaching me so much about myself. He is bringing out my strengths and weaknesses making me to depend on Him for everything. I am having such a great time. Thank you all for your support and encouraging letters that you have been sending me. Your prayers are what make all the difference in my life.

Lately, I have been looking back over the past 2 years of my life. It is incredible to see how far the Lord has taken me. You all have seen the immense change that has happened in my life. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed you all in my life to show me God's life. The freedom and joy being released over my life has left me awe struck. simply without words to describe it.

This video came up recently and I think it illustrates what I am going through right now.

Some Fun this Weekend

2008-03-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

I had some great fun this weekend with with mission builders before they all leave this Saturday. They have helped us so much here on the base, I am going to miss them so much.

The base here in Haiku is So much fun with so little people up here. We have moved couches back into the lecture hall and have turned the house into a great family home once again. There are only about 10 living here on Base which makes it very quiet and spacious.

I miss you all so much and I have mailed out letters for all of you that I have an address for. If someone who reads this doesn't receive a letter within the next few days please just email me with your address and I am more then happy to put you on the mailing list.

On a more personal note, God has been moving me closer into His presence. As I read the bible and see how it speaks to every aspect of my life God has been changing me. The Bible does not just apply to the spiritual part of my life. It is the only thing that validates my whole life. And through the Bible God has reminded me of something very special this week. As Christians every part is to be an act of worship. Worship is not just singing on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Worship is an attitude of the heart looking to and serving Jesus alone that will then be shown through MANY different physical representations. This can be anything from Singing on Sunday to filing your taxes. Rock on....

Da' Kitchen

2008-03-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone welcome to the Kitchen.. Let me show you around.

This is where we wash and dry all of our pots, pans, boards, and dishes.

Our oven and skillet. This is where we do the cooking.

Here is some of the tasty food being prepared for today's lunch. The young women in pink is Kiera, she is one of our wonderful mission builder volunteers.

Some leftover ham also being prepared for today's lunch. Ooo it tasted so good!

And this is Ms. Loretta another one of our volunteers here. *Whisper* I am not to sure she liked me taking a picture of her. I miss you all so much. If you all have any questions about how I am doing or what I am up to. Or perhaps you would like to see a few more pictures of something in particular just comment, or email me at GCapostle@aim.com.

God Bless

Island Life

2008-03-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

I have been back for two weeks now and life is slowly returning to normal. My culture shock is slowly going away and I am coming back into my normal emotions and reactions to situations. I want to thank you all so much for your prayers and support through these past 6 months.

As you know God has asked me to stay here on Maui as staff for at least the next two years, that is the length of a regular commitment here at YWAM MAUI. And I am excited to finally settle in after 2 years of transition and intense learning. This season of serving the base in practical ways has already been so encouraging for me. I get to now live out what I believe to be true. God does exist, He is holy, He is infinite, and He is personal. Because of my sin I am forever cast out from Him into the fires of Hell. But because of His incredible love for me He sent Himself, Jesus Christ, to save me from Hell and eternal separation from Himself, so that now I may stand as holy and righteous, through Christ Jesus' finished work on the cross, before God in loving relationship with Him. Loving God with all my heart, mind, body, and soul and loving my neighbor as myself. And I can only weep for joy at the opportunity.

Christ has called my here to YWAM Maui for this season. And I know He will provide for my in incredible ways. My current support per month is $350 and I have a goal of at least $500 per month for my time here at YWAM and a long term goal of $3000 per month for longer term missionary work overseas. Also currently I am still in need of a laptop computer, I am sharing a friends, but my own is essential in this day and age for keeping you all updated as well as informed. I have been praying and researching what is the best what for what I do and will last me at least 4 to 5 years. I am looking at spending around $1500 for a new Apple Macbook. Please email me if you would like more information.

You all have been so instrumental in my life. Praying for me and encouraging me. I pray that you can see how much Christ has changed me and my life through you all. I miss you all so much.

Humbly In His Service,

Joey

Here is the Video!!

2008-03-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

Update On Life

2008-03-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

God did so much on my outreach that will be so hard to put down into writing, but i am trying. I am making a new post on this blog called "tales" and on it I want to put testimonies, stories, and pictures of some of the people that I have met and gotten to share the love of Jesus with. god has been doing so much to me and through me over the past 2 years that I have been in YWAM. My whole goal for coming to YWAM was the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions, which I just completed. So, as I look forward to what is ahead I hear the Lord asking me to stay here at YWAM Maui serving as staff. He has simply spoken and is asking that I simply follow, He has said just this, "Remember Lot's Wife." And then He opened the doors or me to stay here without going back to California.

The Lord has asked me to stay, so I have and am now on staff full-time here at YWAM Maui. I have the wonderful opportunity to work in the kitchen here in Maui for the remainder of this quarter. My commitment here is 2 years long and already I can see God's hand in placing me here for this time. The students of the current DTS that I get to serve are so hungry to know more about Jesus and through working for them and with them in the kitchen God has provided a unique opportunity to disciple them. I am so excited for the future. God has all of our lives in His hands and He works all things out for the good of those who love Him. i am still working on getting the video online but i have loaded a ton of new pictures on the picture section of this blog for you all to check out!

I AM BACK

2008-02-26T16:30:00.001-08:00

I have safely arrived back from outreach and have conquered the evil beast of Jet lag. I am currently working on getting all iof my outreach pictures put together into a nice show for you all. I will have it up shortly. Along with the pictures will be an update on my situation and future.

I ahve missed you all so much and feel free to call me anytime to talk. I will post plenty of stories here on the blog along with pictures and various other goodies. until then God bless.

Probably my Only Blog Till the 20th of february

2008-01-25T00:21:00.002-08:00

I apologize for the very late update. the internet here on the island has been down due to some malfunction on the providers end. But its working right now :-)

Well let me see where to begin. we made if finally after 3 attempts at a flight to southern Philippines, we ended up having to change carriers and have an extra stop, but after a 2 hour bus ride, a 4 hour boat ride and a 1 hour jeep trip we have made it to hope for the island!

We have already been here for almost two weeks and what God is doing here is simply incredible. Hope for the island is truly ministering to the people of this island in every area of life (see the website link for more information). We have been going primarily to a local town nearby running health clinics and evangelism meetings. I have had some wonderful opportunities to share Christ with quite a few number of people even in my short time here.

The team here is doing great and we are really being able to accomplish the main purpose for our coming here, discipling the staff. They are the ones that will be here for the long-haul changing the island for Christ and it is for them that we have come here. I can really see the Lord's leading in bringing us here. The staff are so hungry to know about Christ and on the same note they have so much to teach us. It has been an incredible time thus far and I am excited for even the few short weeks we have left.

Thank you all for your prayers they are really making the difference here. Me and the team that I am with here thanks you for your support. Haha, I am so excited for what God is doing here through these men and women of God. And I am looking forward to coming back and being able to share this all with you as well. I will be headed back to Maui on the 23 of February and, God willing, back to California on the 1st of march. God Bless!

2008-01-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

So I made it to the Philippines fine. We were scheduled to go to Surigao city in the south yesterday but our plane flight was cancelled due to bad weather there in the city. Pray that the weather will clear up so we can leave Friday and head out to the small island were we will be spending the majority of our time serving.

The area we are staying at here in Manila is almost exactly like Los Angeles so it is definitely weird for me to think that I am in a foreign country. The street names, the traffic, the Mexican food (even though here it is Filipino food). They drive on the right side of the road and it is very heavily American influenced. The culture gap that is between here and Thailand is very large and I find myself going through quite a bit of culture shock while here in the city. Thinking of it as L.A. has been helping but I think that I am ready to go down south where it is a little more rural.

I am hoping and praying that you will realize that God is always there for you whether or not you may feel Him there. And because of that our prayers for each other move and effect our lives for our benefit through Christ. You guys are great. Thanks for being awesome!

Thailand Ends Philippines Begins

2008-01-07T00:23:00.000-08:00

Photo with the mascot for you momma.

The Philippines

2008-01-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

SO I leave in two days for the Philippines!

Thailand has been such a blessing to me. We as a team are working with a campus ministry called Bon Jai Deow - "house of one heart" (BJD for short) It is an affordable student dorm building where non christians come in - because its cheap- and hear about God. We get the incredible opportunity to teach and answer questions of the staff and college students here. Thais are so hungry to know more about Christ. We have had some of the most amazing lessons and teaching sessions not to mention a few interesting conversations. They are so interested in what we have to say and they are SO smart. Here in Thailand there is such a great need for Bible teachers. BJD has needed people who can teach the bible in its entirety, connecting the old and new testaments together into a cohesive whole that points toward Jesus Christ crucified and risen, so that the students who are here can be discipled and grounded in God's word. This is done so that when they graduate from college they will go out into the country and change it for Christ. And this is what we as a team teach. God has answered the need of the people with a divine appointment of bringing us here. In the beginning we were unsure if we were going to spend a lot of time in Thailand but now we are sure that we were following the Lord's leading. Praise the Lord that He holds the whole world in His hands and that He orchestrates such amazing meetings.

We have been holding small group bible studies and large group lessons. and heading out to the college campus across the street. Mind you it is the WORLDS largest college campus, having over 600,000 students attending. We have been able to sit in on classes and talk to many students about the evidence of God's existence through creation. We have really been able to share the gospel at a level that is so needed here. In Thailand it is primarily nominal Buddhists who have been so effected by concepts like evolution and atheism that they have become hopeless and apathetic. So when they are presented with an alternative to what they have been told there entire lives that makes more sense with the world that is around them they reach for it. And the Lord is taking Thais for Him.

In light of that I am realizing how much these ideas of hopelessness and futility of life are prevalent back in the States and how much of a need there is to have what I now know presented to you all back home. It is such an encouragement to know, and I mean really know that the Bible is the spoken words of an infinite and personal God who sent Himself to die on a cross for our sins and raise himself from the dead so that we might have eternal life in Him. It is a message that changes and transforms lives. It is the entire reason for my existence and I think I am being led back to you guys for a little while to encourage you all.

This school and this trip are appearing to be very large turning points in my life. And it is because of you all that I am here. Thank you so much for supporting me. God Bless and I will post the rest of my pictures before I leave Thailand.

Update

2007-12-26T04:31:00.000-08:00

Thailand is going great and all is well here. I have a few new pictures for you all. And I will sit down in a few days and tell you about our time so far here in Bangkok. Until then.. God bless

Thailand

2007-12-19T19:54:00.000-08:00

I made it to Thailand! As a transition to the Philippines we as a team stop over in Thailand for a few weeks to get our visas and adapt to a new culture and climate. I will be here for 19 days before leaving for the Philippines on the 7th of January. We are going to be working with a college ministry that houses students for the campus close by. I am excited to spend Christmas and new Years here. We get to go caroling Thai style tomorrow. I miss you all and will try to keep up the blogging as I travel around. God Bless!

THE LAST WEEK!

2007-12-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

This is my last week and it is already Tuesday. I have a 4 hour cumulative final on Friday. I am so excited to be headed for outreach a week from now.

I haven't been taking enough time to really look back on all that I have learned because I am studying for the final on Friday but I am hoping to while on outreach. Still, I would like to take a short time now to reflect on the past 12 weeks so that you may know what God has been teaching me. And perhaps better understand why it is that God placed me in this school through you.

1) An intro week to the course and a overall perspective of its goals to enhance our knowledge of God and give us the tools to communicate Him to both Children and Adults without any loss in content or significance. This was a great motivation for me. I could see God wanting me to pursue Him and seek Him. It also served another purpose; it provided me with the basis with which to test if I was really understanding the material. If I can effectively teach Christ to both a child and an adult without losing content or power I will have truly mastered the material.

2) This week was bible survey week. In one week we go through the entire bible focusing on the "big Picture" - God's redemption of mankind. This week emphasized the old testament prophecies and stage setting for Jesus' coming, death, and resurrection. This was the first time that I had ever seen the big picture presented to me. I have been taught stories out of order and out of context with what the bible was trying to say. This week brought me to a new level of love for God by seeing His hand work all things out for the good of those that love Him.

3) This was a teaching on the Inductive Bible Study Method. It is one of the many ways to look at the bible and do an in depth study of it. It operates under the primary formula of
"Content + Context= Meaning." This was a great tool for me to learn. t provides so much knowledge of scripture and allows for God's word to impact my life in a more powerful way.

4) This was the Basic Christian Doctrine week. We went through the first 9 chapters of Romans searching for what Paul was communicating in what is called, "the most succinct gospel chapters in the bible," effectively summarizing the entire gospel in just 9 powerful chapters. This really gave me hope that all that Christ has reveled to us is simple and straight forward. It smacks of the truth and welcomes any challenge to its claims. This week was life changing. I no longer question whether or not God exists through my suffering or circumstances.

5) This week was a video series on the Beatitudes that are found in Matthew chapter 5. It setup a biblical model for brokenness and service of Christ. Beginning with the realization that we can't do anything without Him and ending with a deeper hunger for God that only repeats the cycle from brokenness to hunger. This week was a very heart breaking time for me. God drew me into deeper intimacy with him through only a few versus of the Bible and left me wanting more of Him.

6) We had our introduction to worldviews - a worldview is the way people perceive the world, in other words the way they believe that the world works and the way they act according to those beliefs. This week was a large kick in the butt to wake up and smell the flowers. Ideas have consequences and it was time for us to start living out of a place of conscious love for Christ.

7) This week was on Cross Cultural Communication. We had the privilege of learning from a professor of CCC at Moody Bible Institute. This laid the ground work for viewing cultures and ourselves correctly so that we may effectively minister Christ cross culturally. This was a hilarious week of weird food and old time jokes. Dr Ray Badgero really extended to us a model that works within any culture we are placed in, allowing for us to really love people and their culture.

8) This week was the presentation of our worldview projects. we each had been given a project to research, explain, and teach one of the major worldviews of today. I had the topic of communism. This week opened my eyes to how much of the West has been impregnated with communist ideas and ideals. It brought into sharper focus the need for a Biblical view of the world and the need of the belief of God in order for our country to remain working the way it was designed to.

9) This week was another video series by the late Francis Schaeffer. It is titled "How Then Should We Live." At its core it shows the history of dominant thoughts about God, morality, and Man and how they influence all aspects of societies. He lead this up to where we are at today in society and how we arrived here. This week showed me the power of an idea. God can, will, and does change hearts and minds.

10) This week was on Post modernism and the emergent church. These are the two main roles that can be seen as dominant in society. Post-modern is the time that we are considered to be in right now. It is an age where the youth are casting off the systems of the old because they have not worked for them. This can be seen very easily in the 60's and 70's and more subtly today. The Emergent church is the new breed of church that produces such things as "relevant" magazine and other such publications.

11) This week touched on the competing beliefs systems to Christianity. This was facilitated by Dr. Ron Carlson, one of the worlds foremost expert on cults and world religions. This week gave me a concise explanation of the major religions of today and what the Bible says in contrast to them. This is a wonderful tool for me to witness to people of all religions.

12) This was a week on apologetics. Which is simply giving a reasonable answer for why you believe the Bible to be true. This week was by far the most intellectually challenging but was one of my favorite. It really was amazing to see how this world truly proclaims the Glory of God. Creation is evidence of his handiwork. And I will never look at it the same way again. I can now only marvel at the simplest construction of God's creativity.

Needless to say I have been up to ALOT the past few weeks! :-P

God bless you all and I look forward to telling you stories from Thailand and the Philippines.

2007-12-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hiya!!

School is done in 2 weeks and it is taking a lot of love from Jesus and your prayers to keep me going. I am definitely worn out and rubbed raw. This school has taught me so much about God and the world around me. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support in getting me to this school and providing for me.

I am now changing my focus to outreach, which is coming up very quickly. You all have done so much for me and I thank you so much. Through you God has changed my whole outlook on life. He has so much in store for each one of us. Through him all things are possible, and its through Him that we gain all things. I leave on the 18th for Thailand and then on to the Philippines. Money and prayer has been coming in from you all and I am so humbled by it. You are teaching me and providing loving examples of what the family of God is all about. I tell you with tears, thank you for changing my life. Thank you.

So the money is coming in left and right. Thank you all for praying for me. I still need money for getting some clothes for the Philippines. I came prepared for cold weather before I learned that I was getting to go to the Philippines so I need to go get a couple more pairs of shorts. I only have 2! I am praying for you all daily. And I am praying that He will teach you more and more about Himself. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we can say that Jesus Christ is Lord. May God Bless you!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

GREETINGS!!

Greetings from the lecture hall as we just completed the reading of the whole new testament in two days!

We are ending the week a little early because of thanksgiving and I am praying that you all have a great time getting together with family or celebrating some traditions of your own. I am so excited to have a few extra days of rest and relaxation in order to recover from the past few weeks. And I am looking forward to spending some extra time with the Lord, going over with Him what I have learned so that I can begin to apply it to my life so that I may show Christ more through my life.

Today is the day that $1500 dollars is due for my plane ticket to the Philippines was due and I am rejoicing because of the Lord and His faithfulness to provide. As of last night I had only $1100 towards my plane ticket when I got a phone call from one of my family members who wanted to help me with the ticket. I got the check this morning and I have enough money to buy the plane ticket! Thank you all for your prayers and support.

During this week I have been humbled by Jesus. I need to rely on Him more, ask Him more, and involve Him more in every area of my life. He wants to be part of my day.He wants to walk and talk with me on everything. This has been so hard for me, despite all I am learning I still find myself forgetting about God and going about my day without involving Him. I am not trying to be hard on myself, I just really want to know Jesus. I read about what He has done for His people and what He has done for all mankind through His death on the cross and resurrection, saving us from our sins and bringing us from death to life. But those are just things that He does. Please understand I am not saying that they are not the most important things in all of history, by no means! What I want to get across is my burning desire to KNOW the person of God not just what He does. I want to know WHO He is and experience a relationship that rivals that of a husband and wife, an intimate and unquenchable loving realtionship. This is what He promises all of His children, He knows us more than we know ourselves and we can know Him the same. He is our father and I want to know His intimate love. Please keep me in your prayers, as I seek after the heart of God. And I pray for you the same, that you will dive into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; choosing everyday to love Him with all of your heart, mind, and strength.

2007-11-12T18:08:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone!

I have just finished a week on world religions. The heart behind the week is 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

We were placed into groups to study, report, and then present about Secular Humanism, Communism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and New Age. I have learned so much in this past week that my whole body is tired. But this week was one of the cief reasons that I wanted to attend this school. The Lord's heart is for people to be saved and discipled and understanding other religious beliefs provides such a profound tool for accomplishing this. Through the knowledge of what people believe we can see and minister to their hearts. At the same time, working effectively to present a biblical explanation and example for them to receive Christ.

Let me tell you that Christ is truly our only hope. No other belief can stand up to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is infinitely holy and lovingly personal. The Bible is the only basis for absolute truth and compassion. Praise the Lord for revealing it to us.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. This whole week has been very exhausting but The Lord's grace is sufficient everyday. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Your prayers make every bit of difference in my life.

I am praying for you all daily and am hoping for a great thanksgiving celebration with family and friends for you all. I am hoping to be back home for at least a few days during the holidays to enjoy your company. I love and miss you all. God Bless!

2007-11-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

Well hello there everyone! I have meant to get my monthly support letter out to you all but homework has been keeping me rather busy. We just finished our most laborious project this week, an essay with 2 hour presentation on a particular worldview, and I am looking forward to seeing some daylight, ha!

Thank you all for your prayers and support, I could definately use any encouragement I can get! You all are my support team. I am submitted to your authority, to be honest you are the men and women who keep me on the ground, holding me back from floating off somewhere random, dissalutioned and tired. I gain all my strength from your prayers and support. You are so needed in this team effort of missions. Please email me anything that the Lord gives you while praying for me. Or any suggestions you have for me please I am open and I fully realize how much I don't know. Our lord Jesus Christ gifts us all differently for specific reasons, that reason is to help and support others, together and only together can we fullfill the great commission.

""All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Song and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:12-20) This is what we are called to as christians, and this can only be done through you and I supporting eachother through Christ.

I love you all, God Bless.

P.S. anyone can now leave comments, I realized that this was not setup correctly so now you can just post your comments here and may not have to email me with your comments.

2007-10-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

I am now in my 7th week, we are learning about cross cultural communication and it is hilarious. We are being given the tools to analyze cultures and settings so that we may properly present the information we have to any culture within the culture, without trying to change it or impress on them our own. Its fun stuff, learning gestures and mannerisms.

I am doing fantastic, the lord is drawing me into deeper relationship to him, he has been getting so close that I almost don't want to breath. He has been teaching me about his presence during my quiet times and hearing his voice. And I mean actually hearing his voice not feeling his voice. He has taken down my defences and has been speaking to my heart. Thank you all for your prayers and support, it is only you and Jesus that can keep me going, my strength was left in the dust long ago.

Please be praying for me that I can keep on going, diving headlong into his heart and plans for me. I would also ask if you read this today to pray for my extended family, a lot of us are on island here and we are all going out to lunch today with my Grandpa. So pray that we have a great time and that Christ is shown through us.

You are his beloved people, he came down and let himself be subject to death for your sins. For while you were still sinners he loved you and died for you. That is true love, that one man would lay down his life for his friend. I love you all, God bless

God of Miracles

2007-10-24T22:19:00.003-07:00

The computer is now ok, we prayed over it and its working great. amen.

OH NO!!!

2007-10-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

My computer decided it had taken its last email and suddenly died on me! Please pray for the computer to either start working again or the money for a new one and fast. This is the worst time for my computer to go down as all my projects were on it and they are all do soon. This is an obvious attack and please help me come against it in any way. The lord has something up his sleeve. ;-)

2007-10-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

The Beaitudes week has been so deep and intimate. By expouding the words and meanings of the original greek an entire new sense of what it means to be a "kingdom kid" to use the word loosely. I have not fully digested and processed the content of this week, homework pile is getting a little daunting. I am not sure when I will get through it all. Please be praying for my brain it has been on a crash course of christian information for the past few weeks and enjoys its breaks, ha! I miss you all and am praying for you too.

Also I mentioned that the ministry we are going to in the philppenes for outreach is call "Hope For the Island" here is their website. We got some more updats today about outreach. it still looks like its going to be around $3000 dollars and we think we will be leaving on the 14th to thailand for 2 weeks, we will be working with YWAM bangkok, and then down to the philippens for the remaining 2 -1/2 months. So far that is all I know. Love you all!

2007-10-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Philippines Flag

This is now the 5th week and the topic is the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) it opens and unpacks in a word by word study the meaning of things like "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven."
Thank you all for your prayers and support the Lord has provided $1800 dollars for outreach, which means I only need $1200 more by December. Once again the Lord has shown himself to be faithful and loving. It is so encouraging to see all the pieces of the puzzle God has placed before me being put together and the picture coming into sight. It makes me almost giddy to think of it all, so I try to take my time on each thing not to lose my head, Ha! I am thankful for all you men and women of God who pray and support me. I really can do none of this without you, and God keeps reminding me almost hourly, we cannot do any of this without him.

2007-10-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

I am now in week four. And it has been an intense ride. Homework is getting longer and more interesting, to say the least. I have begun to develop a dependence on caffeine, HA! But physically I am doing good, thank you for the prayers. I get to go on outreach to the Philippines! It is going to be about $3000 dollars round trip for three months and I am scheduled to leave in December. We are going to Surigao to work with a ministry called "Hope for the Islands"

While I am still here though let me tell you a little about what has been going on. The Lord has been teaching me some amazing things about himself and the world around me. For instance, the bible says that The Lord holds everything together, have you ever thought about the implications of that? That means that not only did God create the world out of nothing, but that out of his unconditional love for us He continues to sustain it, keeping the natural laws of gravity and inertia and such going simply because of his love for us, if he forgot or didn't want to anymore they and we may not exist. How often I seem to think that this world is just a machine run by laws that cannot change. Even though this world is not a part of God it definitely shows us parts of His character and exclaims his wild and crazy love for us. And I have been standing in awe. maybe a better word is dumbstruck.

Take care, and I am praying for you all daily. God bless you.

2007-09-25T16:10:00.001-07:00

The First week is over and needless to say I don't have very much free time, if any. The last week has been outstanding. It was the introduction week to all that this SBFM course will discuss as well as the heart behind why it is they are running the school. ( If you would like to know more click the SBFM resource link.) This week is Bible survey - Looking at the big picture given to us by the Old Testament. The whole point is to get a clear picture of what the biblical answer is to life's most basic questions:
- Where did we come from?
- Who are we?
- Why are we here?
- Why are we the way we are?
- Where are we going?
- How should we live?

God bless you. I look forward to telling you of what I learned next week.

2007-09-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of me and my school chums!

This school has already proved to be everything I have been waiting for, praise the Lord for his perfect timing! I am already being SO challenged by both God and the Teachers here. Please pray for widom, revelation, and understanding for me as already we have been assigned 3 books and the first 25 chapters of Gensis to have read by friday.

I love you all so much and I am praying for you all daily

2007-09-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

SO I am here in Maui. Here is the story: 3 days ago, after me and Daniel's going away party at my house, I begin to count and get ready to go to the beank with all the money I have been donated over the past two months while back home. So $945 dollars donated to me at the party, $200 from my mom, thank you mom, $600 from a long term supporter comes to the grand total of $1745. And wouldn't you know it I found another check for, you guessed it $30 dollars in my bible bringing me to the WHOPPING total of $1775 3 days before I need it. Praise the Lord. I made it here and am going to start the school Monday. I can't wait, thank you all for the support and prayers. If it wasn't for you all I wouldn't even have left my bedroom let alone come all the way to Maui in the name of Jesus.

Support

2007-08-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

God has been doing some even more amzing things in my life since I have been back in California. I have been growing closer to him while I has this time off to relax and see what he has planned for my life (the next step anyways) and help my family with whatever they need.

The Lord through his body provided the money that I needed for the fist half of tuition on the DAY that I needed it. PRAISE THE LORD!!!. Thanks to all who helped. Nothing I do can be done without you.

I still need the other half tuition. A whopping $1,775 by Sept 12, 2007 which is now less then a month away. Please prayerfully consider any support you wish to donate. But more importantly please keep me in your prayers. I have given my life and included in that, this trip to the Lord it is his to provide for, and I am trusting in him for all I need. God Bless.

Back At Home

2007-07-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well I am back home and am raising support to do the YWAM SBFM, (http://www.ywammaui.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29)
The last year of my life has definately been an interesting one to say the least. I have been at YWAM on Maui in the Hawaiian islands.(click here for a tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSG6CyjV9wU). The last three months have been intense and powerful as I have seen God move in new ways not only within me but in the world and his body. I need $1,775 by august 2nd 2007 and an additional $1,775 by Sept 12th for the full cost of the school being $3,550. Thank you all for your prayers and support. What God does through me cannot be done without you.
Here are some pictures of the ministry my team and I did in Borneo and Thailand. (http://picasaweb.google.com/gcapostle)

Some Outreach Pictures

2007-04-08T02:15:00.000-07:00

Our team of borneo standing in front of the temple mount of Buddhism in Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok Thailand

2007-04-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

It is now my 8th day in bangkok and the thai culture is AMAZING. We have been doing outreach prep and going out into the slums and sharing and playing with people and kids. It has been an amazing experience to find people who have never heard the name of Jesus and we are still in the Big cities I don't know what ewill happen when we go into the jungles of borneo on tuesday. We have been prophesying over the ywam thailand base helping to encourage and refresh the full time missionaries here and abroad. We have been doing prayer walks and we held a 24 hour prayer day on thursday to friday seeking god's heart not only for thailand but for our roles in Borneo seeking his will for who we should talk to and where we should go and for Holy Spirit to go ahead of us and blase the trail for us. I can't wait till we get on the plane monday for Kuching Malaysia and then our 10 hour bus ride to pontionak indonesia!

Brunette's Travels

Weeks Two Through Five

First Week in Italy

Winter Sunset

Update

Update

1st Semester Coming to A Close

Something new amongst the Old

Updated Photo

SNOW!!!

Photos from Campus

In Case you Forgot: God really is Faithful

Here is the Link

A fresh Look At School

Only One Month Away

A Verbal Process Update

Apologetics Week

Fresh Off the Post

School Of Biblical Foundations and Missions

Spring DTS '10 is Officially Over

Only Five Days Left!

Just In Case you forgot where I was

The Count Down Begins

The Team

Talk about good Times!

Hello!

God's Unchanging Faithfullness

Photos

Another Season Come and Gone

We are back!!

Wow

1 Day

1 more week

An update of the team

*Shrug*

Thai Tie Party

The Team!!

My Birthday!!!

The Mens Camping retreat

Good is God with an extra O!!

Picture Update

Wooohoo!!

Constant transition

fresh

'nuff said

Update

Here are some photos

Hot DANG!!

The Holidays

The Waterfall

Living Life

God Is Really There

So there was an accident

The School is HERE!

Kitchen Times

Awaiting

Hello Everyone

Another Fine Couple Of Weeks In Paradise

Hiya

Wonders

Sorry about the Late update

Some Fun this Weekend

Da' Kitchen

Island Life

Here is the Video!!

Update On Life

I AM BACK

Probably my Only Blog Till the 20th of february

Thailand Ends Philippines Begins

The Philippines

Update

Thailand

THE LAST WEEK!

Happy Thanksgiving!

God of Miracles

OH NO!!!

Support

Back At Home

Some Outreach Pictures

Bangkok Thailand

Shrug