So, I am going to try to catch up little by little on the last few weeks....I don't want anyone to fall asleep reading 18 paragraphs. :) So, that story I said I would share about our community outreach...here it is! We gathered all the people here on our YWAM base and dispersed around the Flathead Valley (a few towns around where we live.) Between all our staff and students, we had over 200 people go out to pray and share our faith with people on the National Day of Prayer! There were a lot of great stories about "divine appointments" and things God did that day, but here is a personal one.
Jason and I were in a small group of five. We drove into Kalispell, not really knowing where we should go. One guy got a picture of an elevator, and felt we needed to go somewhere that had one. As Kalispell is a very small town, we couldn't even think of a building big enough to have an elevator! We drove by the county courthouse, and Jason thought we should stop and pray for the government in a few city buildings. As we wandered around, we found a courthouse building with an elevator, so of course we went up! On the top floor, we spent some time praying for a list of people who were about to be sentenced. Then, as we were about to leave, Ben, a student in our group, felt like he was supposed to stand up and ask if anyone in the room wanted prayer. However, this was a large, open room with 40+ people, full of lawyers, judges, and people waiting for their court hearings. Ben felt intimidated, but went for it anyway as a few people were cursing at us under their breath. Only one woman was brave enough to raise her hand, but it turned out to be such an awesome opportunity from God! She took us around the corner to her weeping daughter, whom we assumed was waiting to be sentenced. We got to pray for her, bless her, and share God's love and truth with "Mandy." God's peace really came on the whole group, and Mandy seemed comforted. We left amazed at the way God directed us to pray for her, and thankful that we hadn't been too scared or embarrassed- we would have missed a great opportunity if we had! This was one of many stories that stirred our faith, and we realized that sharing God's love is not a difficult as we make it out to be. Really, we all just need to make ourselves available, and God will direct us. There are hurting people everywhere who need encouragement, and all of us have opportunities each day to bless them with God's love.
For those of you who follow our blog, you may have noticed that the format has changed a little bit. The new background was chosen to convey the season in which we are working right now. Before, there were books....because we studied all the time! And now, we are actively spending each day building people up, and helping them to grow in their identity in Christ. Hence, the ladder and "construction" look! We also feel that we are personally in a new season of God building us up as leaders. We will be leading the Winter 2013 DTS, which is both exciting and scary for us! We are already beginning to plan for the school, and to select and invite guest speakers for it. Sometimes, we feel too young to do something like this, but then, as we reflect on all God has taught us and poured into us, we know that he has given us what we need for that to which he has called us. We are also really thankful to have such wise and seasoned leaders here to give us advice and mentorship.
If you haven't ever explored our blog, please do! The tabs at the top have more info about YWAM, as well as our needs, and even a little about who we are.
More stories will follow.......
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