Kathmandu pit stop

After a wild week in far away Gorkha, we returned via the same mad bus route to arrive tired and sore in Kathmandu. We did laundry in buckets of chilly well water, then took turns in the heated shower before dinner. At dinner we caught up with the DTS team and swapped stories, and sat around a newly installed wood stove in the upstairs sitting room until bedtime. It felt wonderful to be clean and relatively warm.

We are in the city today and tomorrow- a pit stop before heading to east Nepal. We don't know what it will be like there, no how long we will travel to villages in that area...probably anywhere from two weeks to a month. After that it is uncertain whether we will return to Kathmandu or not before moving on to a region south of Everest to reach villages in a target district there.

Thank you for your continued prayers as my team travels, treks, and teaches- its already been a pretty hardcore journey and we are grateful for the grace and joy we have received! Please pray for grace for the coming challenges, energy for the demanding stretches, continued love for one another, and eyes set on the Lord and His glory through it all.

Danya Baht! (Thank you:)

a very Gorkha Christmas

Christmas started with me having a scenic coffee and presents picnic ready for the team down on a terraced slope near the house. I had a string of battery operated lights (brought from Maui) decking out a little bare tree branch stuck in the ground as our Christmas tree. I hung candy canes all over it (also from Maui) and arranged gifts (which i secretly got from the students' families- and brought from Maui) under the tree. Then i led the team down there, each one carrying their tin mug of Starbucks Via... Christmas blend, of course. They loved it all and were so surprised at their gifts from their families- they got all teary eyed and it was a really sweet team time. The mountains were clear and gorgeous, our tree dear and glowing... it was a great little Christmas morning.

But that was only the beginning.

 

We sang carols at the village church's celebration, recieved thank you speeches for our days of teaching, and then were given garlands of flowers- just like leis! That was amazing and such an honor. Then, the church slaughtered a goat for us and cooked and curried every inch of it...we all ate platefuls of intestines and stomach etc. for Christmas lunch. It was a bit of a challenging meal, but i just remind myself of all the generosity and hospitality it represents... and persevere. Next came the two hour hike to a scenic spot (which proved a bit less scenic than the stunning view from the house we were staying at...) and the way up was definitely UP- straight up via rough stone stairs(ish). Even without our packs that was a difficult ascent. 

 

Upon returning, we were given an entire gutted goat to roast on the bonfire we were planning to make that evening. So they skewered big hunks of bone and meat on rods and sent them with us down to our fire site ... for us to figure out how to barbeque. Hahaha It was a pretty awesome team activity (and it went down better than the insides we ate at lunch:) We reveled in the warmth of our big fire, and joked about how bad we probably smelled (no showers and living in smoke and hay). Then we boiled a kettle of water on the coals and had hot cocoa and peppermint chocolates (also brought from Maui). 

 

Last of all, when I climbed in my sleeping bag, i ran my hand over my stomach and - what was that? A hard object in my clothes? I felt for a moment and then burst out in laughter (causing a stir of sleeping bags and a sudden glare of head lamps pointed my direction. I struggled to free myself from my sleeping bag and digging in my clothing produced... a candy cane! I don't know how many layers of clothing you need to be wearing to fail to notice that a candy cane has fallen down your shirt, but...yeah. Hahaha. It was a pretty great moment. 

 

Quite a memorable holiday. Really, a very Gorkha Christmas. 

 

mornings in Gorkha

The little homestead we were situated at in the village was the home of a pastor, his wife and baby, and his parents. They hosted us girls in their home. The guys stayed with a church elder some ten minutes walk away. All things considered, the overall effect of the house, goat stable etc. was decidedly medieval. Thatch and stone were the dominant materials, though the main house featured some wood construction and a corrugated tin roof. We were in the squat little loft- all of us girls in a tiny room sleeping on straw mats (praise God for quality cold weather sleeping bags). There was an outhouse, and no running water besides a little outdoor tap used for washing your face, laundry or dishes.

Besides in the afternoon for a couple hours, we wore several layers of fleeces and jackets- the damp cold permeated everything. The house kept out the breeze, but was an unsubstantial structure. We used a ladder to reach our room in the loft. Everything was low ceilinged and chimneys have not come into use- a constant thick smoke filled the close main room where grandma spent all day squatting on the mud floor over a a clay cooking pit. Our eyes burned as we sat inside for meals, eating rice and lentils with the family. It was a privilege to share life with this family and I know it was an eye opening experience for my team to live alongside real people in such a rustic life situation. It was much like camping in many ways- but you realize that these people aren't living like this for fun, for just a few days. For them, this is as comfortable as life gets. 

We spent our days teaching in the tiny church, some believers living in the area walking an hour or more from their homes to join the sessions. It was such a privilege to help these brothers and sisters who have so little instruction on how to follow the Lord they love.

 

 

 

on (and off) the road

Last week, we boarded a bus and took off on the wild roads to reach a region called Gorkha district. From there we would walk a distance in to a village area. But first was the bus ride. The NINE HOUR bus ride. Though the bus generally stayed on the road, i think it would be fair to call the last five hours "off-roading". I am still astounded that the vehicle managed to haul up the precarious dirt ruts that constituted the ascent to the Gorkha district. Mud holes, river fording, inclines and sheer drops...bags of vomit being tossed from windows and occasional diapers sailing past...it was the epitome of an adventurous asian bus ride. If there had been a live chicken in the aisle, it would have completed the picture. Wait, i have just been informed: i missed the chicken that was a few rows back from me. So... yep. It was a legit asian bus haul.

We stopped for momos (dumplings) that were spicy as all get out out, and then were served tea in the classic (and here ubiquitous)  scalding hot tin camp cups.  The tea was wonderful- some of the best we have had here- it tasted like Christmas:) Cloves and cinnamon... it was a nice road side break before getting back in the bus and hauling on the last few hours. Those tin cups are tricky. You have to be sure to only fill them two thirds of the way so there is ample room to hold the cup without burning your fingers off.

teaching team

I wish the computer was fast enough to upload all the images of my team and I teaching! We spend much of our time doing basic biblical living teachings out in villages now. Even this week a church elder thanked us for coming to his village- saying that he had never been taught these basics of the faith. We were astounded. Its such a privilege to teach these brothers and sisters how the bible instructs us to follow our Lord. 

Maui staff in Nepal!

Its been a great blessing to have another Maui team alongside us during our time here in Kathmandu- the Fall DTS team! They have been hitting the streets with evangelism and been distributing dozens bibles- meanwhile my team has been working with developing fellowships of converts and preparing/ training to head to the villages with foundational bible teaching. It is great pursuing the purposes of God here together, in these complimentary focuses. In addition, our teams have benefited greatly from serving and encouraging one another daily- awesome to see them step out to build each other up!

 While staying in the house here in Kathmandu, its a gift to have fellow Maui staff Mike and Rachel around- we've each  been blessed by this encouragement and support within our little staff community:)

pictures from every day

the vision

When we arrived, our contact gave my team a commission. We are to walk from village to village in east Nepal, fellowshipping with small churches scattered through the mountains. We are going to them to impart the vision for a disciple making church.
We are informed that many of the churches in Nepal have remained in spiritual infancy, and therefore are unstable and do not reproduce. The vision we are imparting is for key members or leaders of the fellowship to receive solid biblical training and then proceed to train and mentor those in their care. Because most of these villagers are unable to go away to receive such equipping, we offer to stay in the village several days to teach them the basics of the Christian faith, so they may in turn mentor and establish those they serve. They will teach their people not only these foundations, but the commission for each believer to continue reaching out to others, and discipling those that come into the faith. This is a basic discipleship model that we may think very obvious, but is revolutionary to the church in Nepal.
Basically, we are encouraging small/home groups and intentional discipleship- including clear biblical instruction being passed down once entrusted during our visit to the pastor and overseers.
We have visited churches in Kathmandu already to encourage this model, urging discipleship rather than superficial weekly church attendance. The small congregation embraced the call, and urged us to stay all day to explain to them how to begin shifting to a discipleship model. We will be returning to them in at the end of our trip to train the leaders with a set of basic biblical foundations. The local team here will provide follow up for them. Its encouraging to see the vibrancy and life and love of Nepali fellowships that are embracing the fullness of the Family of God...loving one another, maturing, having accountability, worshipping together, and encouraging one another.
It is such a privilege to be coming alongside the work of God in Nepal, seeing these believers established and released to both follow the Lord and to imitate Him in making disciples.

This photo is of a Nepali home group that meets next door to where we are staying. When they met the other evening i watched them from the roof- before i knew that they were neighbors who had received the gospel and were discipling other believers. I kept thinking how these folks seemed so joyful- and so really must be a family gathering... then i saw a bible,  and then began the guitar and tambourine... and a familiar Nepali praise chorus I learned this week... brothers and sisters! It was a really remarkable experience and made me just love the Family of God all the more:)

Good morning, Kathmandu!

Today marks one week in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is amazing to be here. My team is settled into the locale rather well, and i am experiencing just heaps of grace. Every day i have found the joy of the Lord in my soul. Already, this outreach has been remarkable!

This place is wild and wooly, challenging and desperate, frenetic and vibrant. Mornings begin with steaming milk chai, and the days end by candlelight and a deep chill settling back in after our curried dinner. Dust, yelling, colored scarves, rickshaws, careening buses, babies with kohl lined eyes, incense, curry, endless streets of potholes... and so the city sprawls at the base of the Himalayas.

This week we are heading to villages up the valley to teach. We will be there through Christmas, with a fellowship of Nepali believers. Afterwards, we will return to Kathmandu for a couple days, before heading to the mountains of east Nepal. I hope to post an update during that stop back through the city.

Its a privilege to serve the church in Nepal- the believers here are often just that: believing converts. They have little or no knowledge of how to grow and follow Christ. Basics such as repentance and the character of God are unknown to them. It is a joy to be here and to be sent to the villages all over Nepal to make disciples that in turn can disciple others.

Seoul stepping stone

Seoul is our stepping stone to the Himalayas... by this time tomorrow we should be arriving in South Korea and spending the night at a hotel supplied by the airline (probably the last real mattress and duvet for several months). After that, there is just a five hour flight between us and the wild blue yonder of Nepal...

Thank you for your prayers as I travel with my team!

yet another countdown

She's about to fly!
Nepal departure: three days and counting...

i wish i had time to give more of an update- suffice to say the Lord has continued to provide and pave the way for my team. I continue to grow in anticipation of  participating in God's purposes in Nepal- but until that plane takes off,  the days are busy and bittersweet. There are a lot of loose ends still being tied up and a lot of significant goodbyes being said.  Not only the "see you in a few months" sort of partings that we call the YWAM-see-you-later, but also some close friends moving on permanently. The Lord however, is unceasingly faithful to give grace and comfort for all that each day brings- and it is in Him Whom we hope.

The clock is ticking and i see calendar pages drifting to the floor....

enriched (and thankful for peppermint mochas)

Holidays in Maui aren't always exactly the sort we all grew up with. Many folks out here, YWAMers and otherwise, don't have extended family on island... so holidays are often a patchwork of gatherings with friends instead. This puts a unique emphasis on the family of God during this season, and has enriched my perspective on the holidays. I am thankful for my family, even though they are far away- and I am thankful for the family of God, that has enlarged my heart and added a whole chapter to the holiday traditions long held dear.

Out with my staff roommates for holiday drinks at Starbucks on Thanksgiving day:)

Not exactly traditional, but it works- after all, the arrival of Starbucks red cups and holiday drinks are one of the only island wide indicators that its winter- and that the holidays are here!

on the mend

Thank you for your prayers- I have been gradually feeling better (after briefly feeling quite a lot worse).  Tomorrow begins our long weekend for Thanksgiving- more time to rest and try and be in good form for these final two weeks beafore outreach. Thank you for your continued prayers as i recover.

Happy Thanksgiving!

bleh

Been a bit sick the last couple days- sore throat, headache, and zero energy. Bleh. Feels more like the day after being sick than an actual bout of sickness. Anyhow, trying to get some rest this weekend so I can take on the last couple weeks of the course as well as outreach preparations! Thanks for your prayers during this time.

introducing... my Nepal outreach team!

I have finally managed to get a photo of my Fall 2012 outreach team! In the top row is Margrethe from Norway on the left and Kate from Canada on the right; next down is Kyle from the United States on the left, and Anna from Denmark on the right; next to me is Suzy from Scotland, and Alex from Canada. This team is diverse, teachable, eager and committed. I am excited to see how God can use a group like this; young people confident in their call, open to be challenged, and ready to step out of their comfort zones...putting action to the faith they have been cultivating.

Just one month now until our departure- where does the time go!? (I have to not think about it too much or i just want to start screaming.) Its truly crazy how fast this semester has gone by. The Lord has enabled me to stay abreast of all the logistics as well as the relational aspects involved with supporting and mentoring my students... His grace is both remarkable and substantial- praise the Lord!

A month and a week: crazy

Just a month and a week out from outreach- crazy. My students are feeling the weight of the course as they recieve one assignment after another and to them the distance to December looks like a million miles. From my vantage point, however, the distance looks more like a busy Saturday of errands. As if there is very little actual distance to cover, but about a hundred stops to make or  hoops to jump through- and traffic, to boot. Basically, its coming up fast. And though our outlooks differ, ultimately we all use the same adjective: crazy. The next couple weekends have plans-a base outing, a thanksgiving break... then there is basely two more weekends till out trip departure. Like i said: crazy. Its hard to believe I will be able to make all the plans, budgets, etc for both the course and the outreach... while still serving daily/being present with my class. I need continued grace!
I do need grace to diligently do all that has been entrusted to me. And I am confident i will recieve all that I need; this i know: the One who calls also empowers and carries us.

Krispy Kreme: post lecture stealth run

After our evening lecture tonight, we had a staff (& guest speaker) stealth mission to Krispy Kreme, about a ten minute drive away. It was stealth because we didn't have room in the car to fit the students... but we plotted to bring them a box of donuts, so it really wasn't mean at all:)

It was a great end of the week treat, and fun fellowship time with old friends. Praise God for little refreshments. Its always the little things:)

You know its a good time when you get glaze on your hat.

observing reformation day

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his issues of dispute with the practices of the Roman church upon the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These points of disagreement have been called Luther's Ninety-five Theses. This action is widely considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation- in which the protesting parties were divided from the official church of Rome as they sought to worship according to Scripture and conscience, apart from church traditions. 

The Reformation was by no means perfect, nor were the instigators thereof- however, the movement has indeed borne fruit for the world and the history of the Church at large. The Reformation preserved the Biblical assertion of the priesthood of the believer which was at the time obscured under traditions within the church of Rome: this is the doctrine affirming that every believer can approach God directly, without the mediation of a priest. It also affirmed that we are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ: not by any works meriting our salvation, nor relying on further representative sacrifices or intermediaries. It was the Reformation that insisted upon the bible being put in the language of the people and in the hands of the common man- not the clergy alone, as was the tradiiton of Rome at that time.

These are Scriptural truths that most of us cherish deeply. I know that I certainly do. That is why I am celebrating today as Reformation day; as a direct result of those events in history there is a copy of the Holy Scriptures, in my language, sitting on my table right now. Because of the Reformation, I recognize those Scriptures as the final authority in my life, superceded by no man, nor any tradition. These truths are precious- and due to them,  I am grateful for the work and sacrifices of my long past brothers and sisters, imperfect though they were.

Happy Reformation day. When you pick up your own copy of the bible today and read it in english, thank God for the men we know as the Reformers.

a reunion

My friends, Peter & Jessica, arrived on the island today. Peter and I spent years as friends (maybe more like family) here in Maui; having him and his lovely wife back here for a week is a joy. Peter will be speaking on the topic of Apologetics this coming week in our SBFM course- but until that starts on Monday, we all plan to spend the weekend both resting up and catching up. 

With my longstanding friend Peter & his wonderful wife Jessica (Peter is such a brother to me, I feel like Jessica is my sister in law- i love this extended family God has given me!)

pray for the people of the Himalayas

Please remember to pray for the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal! I am praying for myself and my team to walk in boldness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to testify to the saving power of the Almighty God in Christ. Those far mountains and deep valleys are not sufficient to hinder the love of God from reaching the people to whom He is bringing His revelation.

they're almost half way...

Next week will mark the halfway point in this Fall's SBFM course, complete with a mid-term exam- they're almost there...! Wow, time flies. 

Studying, studying...and studying some more:)

well shod squirrel

Today, in the mail,  I received a pair of boots that I ordered online a week ago. This was a joyous occasion for me. These boots are (made for walking, yes, but also...) for my upcoming trip to Nepal. I didn't have a single pair of hikers or even athletic shoes to my name, and when I found that we would be doing a great deal of trekking to village areas, I knew the shoe hunt was on. Athletic shoes and I have never had a good relationship, so I leaned toward hiking boots which were recommended anyhow. After a bit of research online, I found an (on sale) waterproof hiking/walking boot with great traction, serious warmth, lightweight build, and a style I could reconcile myself with:) 

So today when the package arrived, I promptly put on jeans and thick socks (despite the afternoon heat) and set out to see if my research paid off. I tried the boots on, and while it wasn't love at first sight, I think we have a winner. I am thankful to have this pre-trip task already taken care of, and look forward a well shod trip in December. 

this week in SBFM

This week, Tom (our base leader and my partner in leading the School of Foundations and Missions), is teaching our SBFM course lectures. We are doing a two week Bible Overview, surveying the meta-narrative of Scripture from Creation through the First Century. This isn't study for the sake of study- the goal is to provide a context and framework for an understanding of Scripture and an awareness of the enduring purposes of God upon the earth.

Its always an outstanding series of lectures for our students, as even for those having grown up in the church, its easy to have never really developed a strong understanding of the big picture of Scripture. As a result, the bible seems to many people to be a collection of disconnected stories and incidents- capped with the gospel story of Jesus and a shout out from Paul to the early church. These weeks are intended to bring understanding to the consistent epic of Scripture- looking at the clear theme of God's Self-revelation and His redemption of Man in the context of both His love and His holiness throughout the ages. Throughout the Bible this redemption is promised, covenanted, prophesied, and accomplished. But as we typically read in short erratic patterns, most of us tend to miss the continuity of the story and fail to see how it fits together. Its always exciting for the class to see the big picture that sets what they do know and understand in context... significantly deepening their understanding.

shout out to Hawaii Five-O

Got new olive colored cargo pants ala Steve McGarrett this evening at a thrift store for $6. One step closer to being outfitted to trek through Nepal; one step closer to being as hardcore as Steve McGarrett.

Photo: Hawaii Five-O (the new series, based on the 1960's television classic)

a glimpse ahead

I wanted to share this video from a recent Nepal outreach team sent out from our  base's Discipleship Training School. We will not, of course, necessarily be doing the same projects as they did, but i hoped this video could give you a glimpse of Nepal! Our contact (the man shown briefly at the very end of the video) intends that my team will be spending significant time teaching believers in more remote villages who have received little or no instruction in the Faith since receiving Christ. So as you watch these images from the dusty streets and elaborate temples of Kathmandu to the tiny communities nestled between soaring Annapurna peaks, I hope that God will move your heart to prayer for the people of Nepal and those seeking to bring the light of Christ to this remarkable Himalayan kingdom.

hello, weekend!

This week, I have been teaching in the course I co-lead, the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions. Twelve hours of lectures later (my topic was Bible Study: Rightly Handling the Word of Truth), I have finally wrapped up my last session and the weekend has arrived. Hello, weekend! This week actually flew by and seems surprising that its Friday again...but no complaints- i'll take it! A day of rest will be most welcome. Happy weekend, one and all!

Outreach Announcement: NEPAL!

Our outreach location for the Fall quarter has been decided: We are going to Nepal! I will be leading the team in December, and returning in the last few days of February. There are four students confirmed, and several more praying about joining our team. 

Our DTS teams regularly go to Nepal and serve a network of pastors and ministries there; SBFM has not served in Nepal in several years. We recently received word from a returning DTS team that our contact there was asking about having an SBFM team back, citing that he desired to have a team particularly equipped to do foundational bible teaching. People are responding to the Gospel, but there is not an abundance of local ministers prepared to disciple these believers or build up the church. Our contact understands this need, and articulated it in the form of an invitation to us, at the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions in Maui! It is to this call that we have prayerfully responded. 

I visited Nepal briefly in 2007 and worked alongside our ministry contact there. I am excited to return to Nepal for several months and participate in God's purposes there. Over the coming weeks, i hope to share more about this upcoming outreach to Nepal, perhaps by way of reflection on my last visit there.

Fall 2012 SBFM

Here's my class for the Fall semester- ten students, representing seven nations!They are already a blessing and joy to have with us and i look forward to investing in their lives over these next few months!

Really humbled that the Lord has entrusted us with this awesome group- such a privilege!

push, shove, & help from Above

Tonight we had to transport the class to a church upcountry for a special event, and getting base vehicles together for the task was a bit of a scramble. I got slotted to pile my four guy students into my own car and follow a base minivan that has been unreliable lately. Unfortunately, we should have had the convoy arranged in the reverse!

About a block from the church, just as we were on an incline and about to turn off the highway, my car just lost all power. All the various maintenance lights came on. I managed to pull onto the shoulder. After brief deliberation, the guys got out and pushed the car up and around the little turn off from the highway...only to find nowhere to pull over! A narrow country road with an embankment went on for some distance. As it turned downhill, the guys ran to catch up with me. Long story short, I called our SBFM staff guy, Ben, and asked him to come down from the church and pick us up since we'd ended up a ways away. Meanwhile, the guys decided to pray for my car. "I think we should try and start it" one of them concluded after a minute. I threw him the keys. It readily turned over and we all piled in and drove to the church before Ben got down the church's street. Praise the Lord!

The car was making a noise and the engine light stayed on- but at the end of the night the car was normal and the engine light went off before we were out of the driveway- and our ride home was fine! I am so grateful for God's provision in the midst of my flustered moments beside the road upcountry, and for the support of my guy students: when push came to shove, they were behind me- prompt with strength, and ready with faith. Praise the Lord!

Copilot, my stuffed squirrel, looks on while the rearview mirror reflects my students pushing my car up the shoulder of the highway...

warm welcome: the SBFM barbeque

Tonight was the SBFM welcome barbeque. While the new DTS students are off in the woods on the most challenging of icebreakers- a challenging get-to-know-you camp out- my class is at our school director's house, having a barbeque! Its our way of extending a warm welcome to the students, as well as providing a more subtle environment for getting to know one another. The night features lots of fellowship, local styled food, and a time of sharing our testimonies- where God has brought us and the season in which we now find ourselves. Tonight was a sweet one, for sure- our students readily engaging one another, being wonderfully open about the season they're in, and eagerly ministering to one another when (following our time of sharing) we moved into a time of prayer. I am SO stoked to see what God can do in a group of young people already so quick to engage Him and one another.

Getting started with fresh pineapple, california roll, and some local raw fish dishes called poke (Poe-keh). Myself and the director's wife ( a genuine local girl) could have eaten the entire pound of spicy ahi poke ourselves!

 Next up was grilled teriyaki chicken, rice and tropical salad with toasted coconut and mac nuts- okay, so maybe i go a little crazy with the tropical/local themed menu... but i think a taste of the islands is a good way to start the semester:) As administrator, I plan welcome barbeque- including the budget and menu- and do almost everything from shopping to marinating the chicken! I had a bit of back up this time with our kitchen head making the salad and a banana bread for dessert, and the director's wife making a rich chocolate bundt and a pan of bars: thank you Emmiline and Hoku!

The students had a great time connecting, being spoiled with amazing food, and relaxing...  but tomorrow they hit the books. The barbeque is a good demonstration of our love for them, and well timed- because tomorrow when they get their first pile of assignments they may be tempted to think we hate them!

heels off

Welcome night is over, my heels are off, and the Fall semester is officially underway! After five hours of running around in heels, I am finally home and unshod- with a great new class of students now filling the rooms of my house. I am thankful that the Lord has brought each of them here; tonight's aforementioned running around in heels actually included a late airport run for a delayed arrival, as a Canadian student was denied entry to the States for two days and finally got through this evening on her third attempt. Praise God she persevered! We are blessed to have all ten of our students, from the United States, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland and Palau, now settled safely here in Maui with us for the next few months. On a lesser note, I am also blessed to have my heels off and be heading to bed...

almost there

We have spent a couple weeks industriously preparing for our Fall semester and now we're almost there! Students arrive in just two days now- crazy. Though there has been a great deal to accomplish, its been less like a wild trail run and more like intently traveling a decently paved road. I really believe that God has supplied our team (I know certainly myself) with an abundant grace and empowerment for the task at hand- thus the impression of our way being paved. Its been a great blessing to sense His resources welling up from inside me during this pressing stretch of the road. And now we are almost there. 

Haha. Of course, there is actually just the beginning, isn't it?

Like five years ago, when I was in Nepal: we left Kathmandu in a minibus to drive for hours along fearsome mountain roads to arrive at our destination- the drop off point for a six day trek in the foothills of the Annapurna range! The end of the road is only the beginning of the adventure. 

We are coming to the end of the steep prep road and have sensed the grace of God in the pressing points of the journey- we are almost there. Now we embark on the real adventure of the school itself, stepping into it with confidence that the God who supplied grace when we were pressed will surely carry us when the trek becomes even more demanding and endurance is called for.

This picture is of a road heading up toward the West Maui mountains. It pictures well a smoothly paved road with a greater adventure rising before it...

smote

I just mentioned to Tom today that i haven't had any serious centipedes in the house since i got back from outreach, when tonight as a girl who is new to the base was sitting with me downstairs chatting, a beast races across the floor. "Oh- centipede..." she remarked as she pointed it out to me. (This house gives great first impressions, i tell ya. At least the girl is familiar with the tropics and wasn't put out in the least.) I leapt up but was too late: it snuck up under a warped baseboard.  None the less I poked my crowbar into the recess and, finding that futile, sprayed heavy duty pest control chemicals into it. "May God smite you if you try to harm me."( I know God made that creature, but its in the space He gave to me- so its out of bounds and beyond its rights.) I released the situation and entrusted my protection to the Lord. (It can be hard to not be a little paranoid as you try to fall sleep knowing that something like that went into your bedroom wall a couple feet away from your head.)  I sprayed chemicals across my bedroom threshold and moved on with my life in peace:)
Just now, less than two hours later, I was just about to turn out my lights to go to bed when i spontaneously did a brief stretch. While bent over, i saw a shape the same color as the floor that looked  like a few inches of tangled of cord under the empty bed in my room. But i just cleaned and i know there shouldn't be anything there. I looked closer. Yep. My enemy lay perishing- and i didn't even have to use the crowbar. He was good and smote.

(I  do not mean to give the impression that the Lord just struck the beast miraculously-  I think that  would disrespect and belittle the skill which God gave to the makers of pest control chemicals, and would unnecessarily multiply hypotheses. Rather, i point out with gratitude that even though it got so far as my bedroom, the chemicals God provided to me worked upon the creature before it had further opportunity to harm me. In this natural and yet gracious way- gracious in allowing me to find the fallen foe so I need not wonder about it as I tried to sleep- God smote the pede.)

I am grateful to go to bed knowing that it is now quite deceased and lost in the fathoms of the plumbing.

don't panic

I fell in love with this image shown below, which in postcard form was plastered liberally around the All Saints church offices back in England. They told me where this slogan came from, and i found the history of it interesting as it has to do with morale in wartime. I bought a handful of the postcards when i left and now have one stuck to my bedroom mirror. This reminder that i see daily is yet another blessing holding over from my summer in England (and comes of course with memories of all my brothers and sisters there so is all the more dear for that association). 

I like that it is headed by an image of the crown. While this certainly carries other connotations for the British, for me it speaks of sovereignty and of just rule. On a daily basis, it is that sovereignty of God that allows me to heed the first exhortation; unless I were persuaded that God is ruling over all, I would panic. The state of the world -clearly an occupied territory- would overwhelm me. But He is on His throne: keep calm. Likewise, He is a God of justice and His rule will not always endure the evil which i see heavy upon the earth- as surely as the sun rises, He will one day set things aright; unless I had this hope, I would lose heart and could not heed the second exhortation: carry on.
I appreciate this reminder both in this deeper vein and in the lighter sense- hearing it remind me both to not panic when i see the impossible situations of life, nor when i see my day planner; reminding me to persevere both in hope of His coming, and in getting out of bed on mornings when I feel a mess. Whether great peace is called for, or just a deep breath; resolute hope, or just a nudge- I often find myself blessed by this now familiar red reminder.

In light of He who sits on the throne, we have every reason to Keep Calm and Carry On, friends.

you win some, you lose some

Today, I...

... thanked the Lord that I got my car's air conditioner fixed a few days ago and am cool again

... saw a rat while i was pouring my iced coffee at 7:30am

... wore a shirt from the 90's that i got at a thrift store recently (I don't know why i love the 90's...)

... had three meetings, two of which cancelled last minute (blessed are the flexible)

... ate banana bread

... read from Ezekiel and remembered how thankful I am for Christ's righteousness imputed to me

... restocked my house with toilet paper and trash bags

... wore cowboy boots and red lipstick

... cleaned termite chewings off my sink no less than four times through the course of the day

... typed a lot

... ate a veggie burger for dinner

... hugged people i loved

... realized that yesterday when i bought sunglasses to replace my broken ones, i lost my sunglass case

... heard geckos chirping inside my house and thought how special living in Hawaii really is

... plotted to eat a waffle  (so i'll be going now...)

graduation and everything after

Out with the old

In with the new

Welcome to YWAM Maui-

This is what we do!

I guess Hawaii is a good place for us, since Aloha means  Hello, Love and Goodbye. Thats kind of the pattern of life here, every three to six months.

Another couple teams are home from outreach and debriefed. We had a fun and casual beachside graduation at Launiupoko, and it was great to bedeck the students with flower leis to congratulate them on course completion. Strangers when we first greeted them just six months ago, we have loved them and seen them grow- and now its time to let them go. Even as the weekend is peppered with sad partings and airport runs, our eyes are (rather unbelievably) already on the horizon...

Take a deep breath: without pausing, we are hastening straight into preparation for our next group of students... as they will be here in just two and a half weeks!  

The second level course, the one I am primarily involved with, is expected to be under a dozen students. The moderate enrollment is a blessing and a perfect fit, however, as we have a minimal staff available this quarter. I am already covering more than one position, and i think a heavy enrollment would have compromised the quality of what we could offer with just two full time (and one part time) staff! The entry course will be straining our base's seams though, with over forty students likely. 

Its going to be an exciting Fall, as always- and I am sincerely looking forward to it regardless of the inconveniences of a quick turn around and the substantial workload. I know that at times we will all be stretched a bit thin, but that always reminds us of our dependency on the Lord, and pushes us to lean on His strength rather than our own. Thats a good place to be. Even so, we have to be alert that we don't run ourselves ragged- but I have seen that that risk is greatly minimized as we intentionally and genuinely love and serve one another. 

I am excited to share this season and all its challenges with our whole ohana- staff and students and my far away support partners. Though as a base we are perpetually in transition with life turning over at quarterly intervals, the work God does in people's lives here has a great deal of permanence... impacting them for the rest of their lives. That reality often serves to cultivate patience in me for the constant stop/start of life here:)

A couple of my students at graduation- one of which is joining our staff on the base!

A couple of my students from an outreach team I led in 2010- now both staff on the base that i am SO proud of!

No complaints about the backdrop of life here... :)

Luis

So, when I came back from England, my friend gave me back my spare car key and for some reason i could not find my main key... and with it my normal key chain, a brass bangle. Rummaging through my storage, I came upon a gift a friend brought me from China before I left on this trip... half joke, half serious, it is a fur swab something akin to a rabbits foot. I reluctantly attached it to my spare keys and began hauling it around that afternoon, feeling a great disconnect from the odd fur thing. After all, it had a coziness that seemed unbefitting to Maui. As i walked down the street with a friend, I pulled it out and we just started laughing. "It needs a name," she stated. "Luis," I promptly responded. There was no debate. (I have no idea where I came up with that at the moment.)

I wasn't particularly fond of my new ever present companion, nor his oddly incongruent name, however, my first couple days back were rather solitary ones and i found myself saying (sometimes aloud) "Well, Luis, here we go" every time i got him out to get in my car or go in my house... hahahaha. And its stuck. Even now with my friends more often around, when I leave to drive home and pull my keys out of my bag I tend to comment "Well, its you and me, Luis." Or something after that fashion. Hahaha. Strange to say that now I got my normal key ring back I am not sure whether to go on with Luis, or go back to normal. Maybe normal...but since when have i been normal?! ;) 

Luis.

when you're not cool anymore

What do you do when you aren't cool anymore? You just wake up one day, get in the car and .... you aren't cool? Well, if you are me, you make it to the end of the driveway in reverse and then conclude (rightly) that your air conditioning isn't working. No air/con = (literally) not cool anymore.
My functioning windows are three for four, so I drove around with them down all day- no great burden, just... wilder hair. I haven't been able to get into a mechanic, and don't have loads of time now with our debriefing week about to begin, but I will have to find somewhere to have it looked at soon. Really hoping its not an expensive repair as thats never really in the budget. Expensive repair= not cool either:) Haha. But the Lord knows what I need and I am very thankful its not a more vital function of the car thats impaired! I'm grateful to still be on the go...even if I'm not cool anymore:)

you're officially back in Maui when...

...you have had coffee at Anthony's and have had chicken katsu for lunch:) As tradition would have it, I was at Anthony's within hours of my arrival on island. But just today I got around to grabbing chicken katsu for lunch at the unpretentious Minit Stop. This little styrofoam tray features a serving of rice, a filet of fried chicken cut in strips, and some katsu sauce to top it off... one of the best ways to spend three dollars on this island. It was wonderful. So I think I am officially back in Maui now...

Chicken Katsu= Love

settling in

Not my easiest transition on record, but three days in and i'm getting more settled. I was actually unpacked and settled in that sense within a day's time, but beginning to feel significantly reconnected to life here has taken a couple more. (The base is closed for a vacation week, so almost no one is around- a definite factor in my slow reconnect!) However, through some different aspects of our church service this morning, God really met me and gave me peace... and things continued to comfort me as the day went on. It was my birthday, so a wonderful friend took me to lunch and listened and cared- such a blessing... then this evening I went out for dessert with a handful of friends from the base that are around- several of whom I hadn't seen since coming home. That was helpful for feeling settled in relationally, i think, and I count it a real blessing. After dessert, we walked down to the beach and sat talking as we watched rain clouds roll in from the horizon. Good conversation- until the first rain drops began to fall ...at which point we finally called it a night and headed home.
I'm really grateful for all the ways the Lord met my heart today. He used so many little things to bless me, encourage me, and minister to me... and really, to settle me in. Such a blessing.

unpacking is just the beginning

Safely home in Paia... with sun shining, wind rustling the palms, and both the ocean and good coffee just steps away. I am glad to be home in my familiar space and seeing some familiar faces, but I still admittedly miss some of the faces that become so familiar this summer. Sometimes there is more to transitions than just unpacking...

Blue Lagoon: the geothermal springs

Last stop in Iceland: bathing in the Blue Lagoon geothermal springs out in a lava field. Air temp: 50ºF. Water temp: like a jacuzzi. Loved it. Best dip ever. And gorgeous!