Almost the New Year

Hello Friends,

I realize that it's been a very busy month since my last update. Our past three weeks of lecture have been spectacular. As the weeks go on the lectures continue getting better. We have had two more weeks with South Africans, one on culture and having a Biblical worldview and the other on Discipleship. Both of our speakers live and work on YWAM bases in South Africa, so we should be able to visit with them when we get there in just over 2 weeks. We also had a few days doing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. That was quite the experience since some of the people on our team had done the test in the past and for others it was a completely new experience. We were able to talk about how our different types react when we're in a team setting and what that looks like when we're in conflict. It was fascinating because I came out differently from what I had tested as before, but I think that I'm still split on either an ISTJ or an INTJ.

We finished lectures for the year on December 21st and we'll start again on January 2nd. So we've had a brilliant break, with people leaving to visit family and friends during this time. Seven of us decided to stay at the house during the break and it's been such a time of rejuvenation and relaxation. We've been able to process through some of our lectures, watch films at the house, and just have some great fellowship and team-building. And yes, since there were only a few of us, I have spent quite a bit of time cooking and hanging out in the kitchen.

I've also had some really amazing experiences with God over break and definitely some fresh revelation from Him. I've realized that I have a distinct calling by God and although I'm attempting to walk in it, I want to be doing more. I know that I'm not walking completely in God's calling over my life to minister to the broken and the lost and to teach and love on others. Part of that is because then I have to acknowledge what I'm not doing and I have to act on how God is calling me. The less I acknowledge, the less I have to die to myself and count the cost of what it really means to follow God completely. So what is passionately stirring in my soul right now is to follow God more, to believe that I am who He says I am, to believe that with Him I can do that things that He has given me the power and authority to do.

As we prepare to go on outreach, we've been reminded that there are other forces at work against us. In the past few days, one of our students has been told that she is diabetic and that it would be best for her not to go on outreach to South Africa. She is currently in the hospital in Carlisle and the care is nothing like she would receive in the U.S. She has yet to see a specialist or anyone who can really talk to her about having diabetes. Naomi has been told that she has Type 1 diabetes, which is usually diagnosed in children, and will have to be controlled by insulin. We have been praying fervently in regards to her health and I ask you to do the same.
One of our other students, Meghan, has had many difficulties with lectures and has been quite rebellious while we've been here, refusing to take part in many of the team activities, and not wanting to share in the responsibilities. Please pray for the disunity that it is bringing to the team and how that will affect if she goes on outreach. Right now there is much tension in the house due to the different situations at hand.

Thank you always for the emails and cards. It also brings me such joy to hear from you all!