Maui week 6 adventures!

Well it's week 5 of lectures which means I've been here for 6 weeks. Crazy think that I'm almost half done lecture phase which means outreach is coming faster and faster.  As my team prepares for Bangladesh we having been praying for the people we are to meet and for our own hearts to be ready for what we are to see, experience, and learn. I'm so excited for outreach, God has really been developing and breaking my heart for this nation. 

Last week as some of you know my school did a media fast where we had no phones, laptops, ipods, etc. The lecture was on hearing God's voice, and I have never heard his voice so clearly.  On Thursday myself along with 20 other students made the decision to be baptized. This was one of those moments where it was a decision between me and God. There were no outside pressures or influences, we made the decision and did it no time to have doubt enter your mind.  The whole thing only took half an hour.  I am so happy that I made this decision on my own terms and I am now living my life in courageous obedience to the Lord.

As I become closer with my sisters and brothers and leaders here at YWAM I am realizing the importance of community and what it means to be truly transparent and vulnerable with someone you trust. And I love it! I am being filled with such a fire that is overflowing in my life that I want to bring home and see other people experience just a taste of what I have.  As I developed and learn more about my faith and the Bible I am reading the importance of knowing the history and facts behind what you believe. You can never just take it at face value, you need to know it inside and out. 

I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  Some prayer requests are for the speakers coming to speak to us that they would be able to communicate clearly.  For the students here who are struggling with finances, I have been blessed with provisions in this area.  For this generation as there is a feeling of anticipation that this is the generation that is going to see major changes in the world throughout their lives, that we would be wise in our words and actions.  Continued safety and health for everyone on base as earlier this week a couple students had to go to the doctor for different injuries.  The staff take such good care of us and take the role of older sibling or parent as we are far away from home.  We love them for that!

See you all later! For those in Canada enjoy the snow, I'll keep working on my tan! 😜

~ Melissa

In Hawaii- Part 1

Aloha!

Well it's been a busy two weeks since I left my little town in Saskatchewan.  I got on a plane all by myself and flew over the wide ocean all the way to the little island of Maui.  In the past two weeks I have heard from God more than I have in my entire life and been stretched physically, mentally and emotionally.  My school consists of 22 girls, 9 guys, and a ton of amazing staff.  The first Saturday I was here our leaders took some of us hiking and waterfall jumping; beautiful and breathtaking.  After our opening night (Saturday night), our leaders informed us that we were going on a camping trip with a very specific list of what we were and were not allowed to pack. 

 So at 6 the next morning we left in vans having no idea where we were going or how long we would be gone for.  We started off with a scavenger hunt around our area of the island, hitch hiking from town to town.  Then we went to our campsites, set up our tents, and started getting into the camp routine.  Everyday, for the next three days, we ate oatmeal or noodles for every meal, played get to know you games, became open and vulnerable with each other, sharing our testimonies, and just having fun.

Our trip was called Exodus, and even though we were gross and smelly afterwards, it was an amazing experience.  When we came back from Exodus we were surprised with a beautiful banquet called Love Feast put on by the staff that didn't come with us and the 2nd year students.  There we were fed a good wholesome meal, had a foot washing by our leaders, and amazing worship.

I would love to tell you all in detail, who are reading this, about all the amazing lectures we are having but it is truly something you have to experience yourself.  It is not easy to put into mere words.  

Today we finished our first week of lectures called Basic Christianity.  Blew my mind with how much information is out there and how much I didn't know.  This past Thursday we found out who is in our outreach team, our leaders going with us, and where we are going.  We had been patiently waiting since Exodus to find out, and were on the edge of the pool waiting.  We each were privately told a number and literally jumped into the pool when our numbers were called and that was our team.

I have the privilege of going to Bangladesh with 8 other amazing Christians from all over Canada and the United States.  I will try my best to keep you guys updated on this blog and Facebook, but you must understand my main goal here is to put away worldly distractions and focus all my time and energy with the people I am living with and my relationship with Jesus.

See ya guys later!!

- Melissa