Further Up and Further In

Most people who know me for very long know that I love C.S. Lewis.  He is by far my favorite favorite author and I had the privilege of visiting the pub that he and J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings met in, back during my DTS in 2010.  My favorite books are, of course, The Chronicles of Narnia.  At the end of the last book, after the last great battle, the cry is Further Up and Further In as they go deeper and deeper into Aslan's land.  I was contemplating this yesterday as I was also meditating on Romans 16:19-20.

"The report of your obedience has reached everyone.  Therefore I rejoice over you.  But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."  -Romans 16:19-20

I feel like in order for God to crush Satan under our feet, our feet cannot be stuck.  We cannot be stuck in our junk, unmoving, staying in that place.  We've got to be willing for God to work in our lives, in order for Him to crush the work of Stan in our lives.  That's why we've got to be about what is good and be innocent of evil.  I don't think this is referring to never having encountered evil, but walking away from it towards what is good.  Obedience is being wise about what is good and pursuing it.  God will crush Satan under our feet in the process.  It's all about movement.  You're either headed towards what is good or away to what is evil.  Which direction am I going?

Thailand

Well, it's been a month and a half since my last post.  A month of pure craziness and God-stuff.  I don't know that I've stopped moving in the last month.  But it's all been amazing and I know that God was in it all, spoke through it all and changed me so that I'm ever more like Him.


Once we got to Chiang Mai, we found that our plans, really weren't plans.  Meaning that we needed to get something together so we'd have something to do in Chiang Mai.  However, God is always good and always makes a way.  If I am wanting to be used by Him to glorify His name, He will most certainly use me!

While in Chiang Mai, we taught for a week in a Change program, mostly on the Heart Chart and a little on identity.  The girls in that program graduated the Friday after we got there, so we weren't sure what the next 2 weeks would hold.  We made friends with people on other teams and staff at the coffee shop there.  In the next 2 weeks, we got to talk and share and pray with people.  Relationship, exactly what God said this outreach was all about.

We also got to do some fun things like hike up a waterfall (to then slide back down it) and ride elephants!  We went to night markets fairly often and enjoyed just being in Chiang Mai.

In Bangkok, we were with the staff at the MST Project (Men in Sex Trafficking).  The staff go out on the streets to minister to the guys who are potentially looking to buy prostitutes.  We didn't actually go out on the streets with them, being an all female team, but we had times of ministry and teaching for the 3 days we had there.

In all, the outreach was an incredible time.  My heart grew for the people God specifically sent me to Thailand to, funnily enough, some of them being from the USA.  God really loves His people.  He took this girl out of her comfort zone, to a country in which she was hot (which she really dislikes, especially so) and had to be quieter than normal (You all are aware of how hard this is for me right?), just for the people He loves.  When I stop and think about how amazing His massive game of chess is, it makes stand in awe of His love.  And I'd do it all over again.

I leave for Israel in 12 days.  I'll be there for 3 months loving on a family there and doing some work at a plant nursery.  I'm not sure exactly what the next 3 months look like, but I'm SO excited!!!

I'm praying about staffing with the Colorado Springs base come January.  I'd most likely be staffing the next FCM (Foundations for Counseling Ministry school) in April.  This means I'd have to raise 1,000 dollars a month for my support.  This is a bit nerve racking, but exciting to exercise trust as well.

Pray for:
Direction
Supporters that feel called to a monthly commitment
Every new opportunity

Praise for:
An amazing Thailand outreach!
Many new lives impacted!
My life ever changing

Adaptability Is The Name Of The Game

These short but long two weeks in Chiang Rai have flown by. They were short in that we've only had about 2 weeks with this awesome group and long because even with a short time constraint, we've managed to build some great relationships and do a lot.

If you've ever been on outreach, you know that you either learn to be adaptable or you have a miserable time. This had been especially true in this outreach, more so than even Serbia or Rotherham. Growing is never easy. :) We were just joking today about how we started with Plan A, then went to B, then C and now we're on D, watching in case F shows up. As it stands now, we have one more full day in Chiang Rai, then Wednesday we'll head to Burma for a visa run and then back down to Chiang Mai for 3 weeks. The closer we get to it, the less we know exactly what we'll be doing there. Adaptability. :) Early on in our time, God gave a word that our outreach was about relationship, relationship, relationship. And that's what it's been about. So in Chiang Mai, if what we get to do is hang out with the girls who've come out of the Bars, we'll be super exited! If it entails more teaching and small groups and such, we'll also be happy! In whatever we do, we just want to glorify His name. :)

 In the past two weeks, we've been able to meet with some staff for ministry time, hang out with university students (via an exchange camp and a dance party), teach English to 1st thru 3rd graders and lead a small group in the evenings. It's been a crazy few weeks, but so good. I feel as though I've learned more than I've been able to teach. The teacher is ever the student, eh? :) I've made friends with people that I'll be incredibly sad to leave, but that's the point right? This has been an incredible start to outreach!

 Please pray for:
My roommate's sleep (it's come up, but she still needs more sleep than she's getting)
Renewal throughout the days to come, I think we're all a little tired
Safe travels

Praise for:
Great relationships!
New learning experiences!
All the many blessings God has given us!

 I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for your guys' support, especially the prayers. The other night, I was feeling just SO drained and then out of the blue, I begin to feel renewed. I knew someone or multiple people had begun praying. I think when we think of support, it always revolves around money, but seriously guys, I KNOW God will provide for all my needs, but those prayers are so vital. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Eyes and Ears and a Mouth and a Nose

After what had to be one of the craziest journeys on record, we finally arrived in Chiang Rai on Friday. I think we were all on the edge of our seats to find out what God was going to do here in Chiang Rai. We didn't have to wait long, God is definitely showing us, though I don't think we'll ever understand the full implications. At least, not until eternity. What are we doing here, you ask? Quite a bit. In the early afternoon, we split and two go to the university with a group and two go to the primary school to teach English. Sarah and Carol go to the university to hand out flyers about the upcoming Exchange Camp on Saturday, as well as building relationships with the students and eating lunch with them. Karen and I get the joy of interacting with kids from about 5 to 10 years old. I feel almost guilty saying we're their teachers, 'cause I'm having so much fun! Today we had the 1st graders, two classes full of them. We sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," played Simon Says and told the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, then had them draw and write the names of animals (in English). So fun! Then in the afternoon, we've offered up ministry time for the staff, a safe place to talk and pray, if they want it. Putting into practice our Active Listening skills and the Inner Healing prayer skills we've learned. Come evening time, we eat with the staff here in a great big family manner. I love this time! It's exactly what this extrovert needs. I've tried lots of new dishes here. Some I know what they are and others I'm not so sure. The two that stand out are the gelatinized chicken blood, which looks like a dark tofu. The other being a pre packaged yogurt that upon eating, I discovered had corn and beans in it! Crazy! It's a great time of relaxation and conversation. Good food and good company are two of my favorite things. After dinner, we have a small group with staff and students, where we get to share. You never know what God is going to do! Last night we were headed one direction with a topic, in our planning session and then got to talking about how God has really been teaching me about His love and ten minutes before we left, we knew God would have me speak on that. So in 10 short minutes, I pulled together what I had and that's what I spoke on for about 25 minutes. So cool! Tonight, we're continuing with the Plumbline teaching, having built a solid foundation of His faithful love.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support. I can feel the prayers all the way across the world.
 
Praises:
We made it safely!
God is opening up awesome doors!

Prayer Points:
Inspiration to new and creative ways of teaching.
Renewed strength every day.
Ears to hear and eyes to see.

And then God says, "Surprise!"

This week has been wild and crazy. I think I met myself coming and going. After I wrote my last blog, I went back to the base to find out we were under pre-evacuation. Not even two hours later it turned into mandatory. And I found myself running out the door to my second family on the northern end of town. As I was driving, I looked back over my shoulder and could see the flames. I broke down crying then and there. My home was near the biggest natural disaster of the yer in the states and it might be eaten up by flames. At that point all I could think if was "I left my hairspray, if the fire reaches the base, it will explode." then relief came thru some laughter. The next few days were spent in intense watching of the fire and prep for outreach. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get back home to pack for Thailand, so I had a lot of extra stuff to do. I don't think I stopped to breathe. Then at 9am Friday morning, they lifted our evuavtion and I could go home! More goodbyes and packing followed. Tough but good. Sunday found me with 2 of my team members (Carol flew out of California), headed to the airport. We got there with plenty of time and took our time getting to our gate, only to find out our plane had been delayed. First an hour, then almost two and finally over two. When we landed in San Francisco, we raced across the airport, to arrive too late for our flight to Taiwan, which then lead to a flight to Bangkok. We were all filled with disappointment. I think, being tired and having had a stressful week, the rest looked grim. But God! After a harrowing, late night taxi ride through the streets of San Mateo, and a driver who tried to rip us off (God bless his socks off!), we ended up in the welcoming arms of the Comfort Inn. At 4:30am. A bit dazed, very tired and ready for sleep. God met me in my quiet time and promised me He had things under control and the morning would bring good things. Little did I know this stop in San Fran was JUST what He had ordered. We slept in and then, feeling refreshed, we headed out. We found a very cute place to eat called Kingston's Cafe and enjoyed fresh healthy food, great conversation and many books! We talked about the fire and debriefed about our weeks. Exactly what was needed. Now, we've just come from Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, where we enjoyed the sights, bought a few small souvenirs and ate like kings on fish and chips, clam chowder (in brea bowls no less!) and fried calamari. Pier 39 was my element. People and so many be aught sights, great smells and sounds! I was able to recharge my battery. My team leader told me that she's seen my beauty, but never so much as tonight when I was at home, with people. So, sometimes God says surprise, but remember this: He's our Daddy God and He only gives good gifts. Today's adventure has been one of the best I've ever experienced.

99 Degrees Means Frozen Lemonade

Today has been a true scorcher in more than one way.  The temperature was supposed to hit 99 degrees, but I think it's actually hotter than that.  We've got a raging wildfire burning thousands of acres, less than a mile away from us.  And no place seems truly cool.  I took refuge at Panera to write my paper, because the base feels so hot and there are too many distractions there.  I bought myself a frozen lemonade and sat down to write.  An hour later, I'm two-thirds done with the paper and in need of a brain-break.  So here I am, on my blog.

Only 5 days until we fly out of Denver for Thailand.  It seems to have rushed up all of a sudden.  Where did the time go?  The four of us, Karen, Carol, Sarah and myself will soon find ourselves where it is even hotter, if not degree-wise, certainly in humidity.  Hello big hair.  I'm not sure I have yet gotten my mind fully around the idea that I'm leaving the country so soon.  I'm not sure it will hit until I'm sitting on that plane.  Until then, I have a paper to write, bags to pack and massive amounts of errands to run.

This week has already been full of goodbyes.  The CDTS left on their outreach yesterday and today.  They have a total of three teams, two of which are going to Turkey and the third is going to Thailand.  I must confess, I am very excited about the possibility of getting to see the Thai team while we're in Chang Mai, about a month into the outreach.  A taste of home will be much appreciated at that point.

Well, that paper is calling to me again and it won't be quiet until I finish it.  Perhaps the next time I write, it shall be from Thailand!

Wow.

Can I just say that God is SO incredibly good?  Let me tell you, even in those moments when you don't think God is paying any attention to you, He most certainly is!  The last 3 months have really cemented that concept into my brain, in so very many ways. One that stands out to me recently, is walking into the mail room to find an anonymous check (crazy right?) for a rather large amount.  That completely floored me!  I definitely went screaming through the halls to tell people how good God is and how His people listen to Him.  Unbeknownst to whoever it was that sent it, it was exactly 3 months worth of support.

In the last 3 months, I have learned so many tools for both myself and to help others.  I have also learned SO much about myself.  We had a whole week dedicated to personality types and that was by far my favorite week.  We had to write a mission statement of sorts about ourselves after taking 10-12 different tests.  Obviously, it's just a brief overview, but here's mine: "I am an eternal optimist who knows who she is and isn't. I pursue harmony, mercy and value.  I'm trusting and a good listener.  I discern what is around me.  I look for intimate relationships while interacting with, including and empathizing with those around me.  I am full of humor, quick to smile and always dancing out my joy.  I'm an imaginative dreamer, looking for a grand adventure."  Wow.  God did a good job when He created me. ;)

In just eleven days, my small team heads out for Thailand.  There are just six of us: Brian and Megan, Carol, Karen, Sarah (our leader), and myself.  We get to work in several different locations.  In the first location, Chang Rai, we'll be involved in a college student ministry, as well as teaching staff and pastors some of the tools we've learned in this school.  After three weeks, we'll head to Chang Mai to teach in a DTS.  It's so cool to come full circle!  Just a year and a half ago, I was in a DTS, now I'll be teaching!  In the three weeks we have there, we will be teaching on Intercession & Hearing the Voice of God, The Plumbline and Inner Healing.  Then we'll spend a short time in Bangkok, coming along side a ministry that reaches out to the men who help perpetuate the sex trade! 

I'm so incredibly excited about teaching!  This right here, shows how much I've grown.  In our last few weeks of DTS, we had an oral exam, in which, we essentially had to teach on a topic for I believe, 15 minutes.  Several weeks ago, we had a week on teaching, in which we had to teach for 10 minutes in front of the whole class.  During my oral exam in London, I stuttered, stared at my computer and monologued the entire time.  It's a wonder I passed.  I did everything you're NOT supposed to do.  This time around, I felt so at home teaching!  And I was so excited to be doing it.  It's awesome how God can change our perspective on things, especially about ourselves. 

I feel like a whole new person, yet exactly the same.  The comment that was made to me a couple of weeks was that I come across as very attractive, because a woman who is walking out how God designed her to be, fully focused on Him, is very attractive to my brothers.  That blessed me so much.  I think I'm not quite there yet, but I'm getting there.  :)

"Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.  Speak up, judge (make decisions) righteously and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9)  This is the verse that God gave me upon praying about the next step.  I'm excited to see this fulfilled!

After I return from Thailand, I'll be headed back overseas to Israel for an undetermined period of time.  God hasn't told me exactly how long I'll be there yet.  So I'm waiting on Him.  Part of it, is I need to know what the next step after Israel is and as of this moment, He's not made that clear to me.  We shall see!

Please partner with me in prayer.  I am in the process of raising support and this is a intense, but cool step.  It's a part of the commissioning of my own separate ministry.  I'm still a part of my parents and sort of a branch off, but for now, our paths are differing.  It's exciting and nerve racking at the same time. 

Pray for:
-Support to come in
-Safety for my team and myself overseas
-Our impact on the people we come in contact with!
-Energy and refreshing!
-The next step on the Ella adventure.

Thank you guys!  I so appreciate ya'll.  :)