As evidenced by the length of time since Ive written, Ive been keeping quite BUSY!
Rather than boring you with the details of my life here in England, I will tell you some of the stories of how God is currently rocking my world.
My outreach team and I are going to South Africa!!! [more details to come]
When I came here, I really thought that I would be learning a lot about God's Word and character. I have.
However, so much of what I have learned is centered on who I am in Christ. When I came here, I was spiritually DRY. Like a desert with a small water oasis in the very center where I could go for a drink every now and then. I tentatively asked God to break me. I told Him that I'd rather feel sick and broken by Him then to continue to feel nothing at all.
The third week, each member of my team was prayed over by a team who is devoted to spiritual freedom (the Freedom Team). They laid hands on each of us and asked God to speak about our individual Original Design [aka] the truth that God says about us.
I went in predicting all the issues they would pray for. Instead, God led them deeper into my heart and false beliefs I had about myself. God broke me. And there were tears. and snot. Haha! I was a mess, but God really proved Himself to me by speaking to me through people I didn't even know!
Would you like to hear what God says about me? It makes me so excited, so here it is:
I am:
[Person 1]
A town cryer, one who raises my voice and gathers the people to follow Christ
I announce, and I proclaim, I am loud enough to be heard
A woman of great strength [word] Isaiah 61: 1-3b!
I am an Oak of Righteousness!
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has(B) anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;[a]
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and(C) the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[b]
2(D) to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
(E) and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
(F) to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
(G) the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
(H) that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD,(I) that he may be glorified.
[picture] A rushing river, strong and flowing, so much water it can move earth, even MOUNTAINS!
[Person 2]
A waving flag!
"When I get older, I will be stronger, they'll call me freedom, just like a waving flag."
Have a noble heart
A woman of persistence through trial and difficulty
Learn through trial and error
Have strength and boldness
Steady on a mountain
A bold warrior
(hard to believe)---> possess sweetness because I (will) hold onto God's Word like honey, the sweetness of the Word will flow from me
A Woman of the Word
[Person 3]
A woman of influence and great authority, have a presence that draws people and friends towards me
Created as a giver of life and energy in relationships
[picture] A sunrise, a symbol of life and energy
Social and relational
A leader with the wisdom of Esther
[Person 4]
A woman of faith [picture] volcano, my faith is deeper than what can be see
A learned scholar [picture] book shelves, with lots of books, the BIBLE remains MY book of life
[picture] library of books again [words] medicine and science
BUT I am persuing the unlearnable out of compassion
*I am in tears at this point*
[picture] a scale with wisdom on one side and compassion on the other where
wisdom=learned and compassion=unlearned
If you'd like to hear more about where this prayer session led, skype me sometime because we ended up in prayer for an hour and a half!
Something current you should all know are my financial needs.
As most of you know, I came here on faith that God would provide. He provided JUST enough for a one way plane ticket and $220 for an 8 month UK visa.
Lecture fees: 1600 pounds/$2500
Outreach fees: 1200 pounds/ $1900
Flights to SOUTH AFRICA (!!!): approx. 600 pounds/$960
I have pretty much been allowed to stay here for free in faith that God will provide.
If I have the lecture fees and plane tickets paid for, I will be able to go on outreach. Lecture fees need to be paid by week 8 (The week of March 7th) for me to stay here and complete my DTS. God has, so far, provided through various beautiful people slowly but surely. I currently need 778 more pounds ($1244) to complete my lecture fee payments, which means I'm halfway there!
We will be purchasing our plane tickets to South Africa soon. I will need approximately 600 pounds/$960 for the the tickets.
TOTAL NEED= $4000.
Pray with me! God will provide!
I took way longer to explain that awesome experience than I was expecting.
I will update again soon with details concerning my outreach and what else I've been learning!
