Visions and Direction

I still cant believe that we are here...it feels very surreal when I look out at this vast ocean. Who ever thinks they can bring their family of 6 to Hawaii and train for missions? People all around marvel at me, but really it is a challenge at times. Having to tote around a baby, feed him, care for him all along the way, homeschool the kids in the afternoons and keep up with what is going on in our classes. Believe me, its been so worth it. The adventure of a lifetime.

This past month has been hard, but beautiful. God has graced us with a wonderful couple who ministered to us for several weeks, taking us out to dinner, to swim at their condo and there we got to watch hula dancing girls and eat some wonderful native food, like their pulled pork that was roasted in a pit, fresh pineapple and a variety of other things...

Many great things going on around us and in us! God is planting seeds of vision that we hope to see come to pass! As we thrive in today, we trust Him for tomorrow! We will make our plans but He directs our steps! (Proverbs 3:6)

Here is a little vision that Israel had while we had been praying about the nations and our place in God's big picture...

"So the other day I was praying for clearer direction and I saw a picture of houses in a village...So I quickly drew it on a piece of paper. Then a few days later a speaker came to our Thursday night meeting and talked about new opportunities in Papua New Guinea. So that night, I typed in "Papua New Guinea House" into the Google search bar and this is the first house that came up! I was like wow! Because we are planning on moving to a base in Brisbane Australia, and it's really close to Papua New Guinea! Anyway here are the two pictures side by side." -Israel

Why Australia, then PNG?

So the opportunity came to us by Israel's friendship with the leaders at the base in Brisbane. Israel went through a DTS with YWAM at age 20 before we met! He has held communication with his friends there ever since. They do not yet accommodate families but we believe God is challenging us to go and He will provide the things we will need.

Israel would most likely take a secondary course of leadership. A Basic Leadership School will give Israel the tools to lead DTS schools and outreaches. This school is not offered at all YWAM bases, but it is offered at the base in Brisbane.

https://www.goywam.com/bls#bls2

Click the link above to learn more about the BLS and the base in Brisbane!

We are praying specifically for the nation of Papua New Guinea as a school here in Hawaii..

Visit this link to read about how YWAM is going to establish an education and training base, bringing in the University of the Nations! WHAT at opportunity for the people of PNG!!

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/ywam-establish-alotau-training-campus-50590

We are very excited to see how God will use us in this awesome vision and work in these nations!

A Great Beginning to a New Chapter..

The first 6 weeks of training here has been draining and overwhelming at times! But God has done amazing things in us and our family. Some things hurt, like discipline! Just the simple things like getting up early, kids pushing their boundaries in new things, and even at home with common things like reading and homework and obedience. In which, gives us insight to what needs better communication from us as parents as to what is expected and required of them... This takes time, energy and our very own discipline habits examined more closely... it was a rough week and we have had several rough weeks...but things always make a turn for the better and so we are thankful for mercy and grace. My hope is to be better...tomorrow I want to be a better parent, a better friend and a better student and disciple. If there's one thing we know for sure, it is that..we can improve! That's why someone goes to school at all right? And missions training.. well, all levels of life need improving for us to thrive in missions! DISCIPLINE - its just my word right now, I guess. Order and boundaries bring security and freedom and to embrace those things you must be disciplined!
However, at first the kids are not too thrilled with their new structure and order and way of life, but when they see it working in action, ultimately it brings them more happiness and contentment. Work isn't fun in the process but when you start to see results - you just hit the target! And that's a satisfying feeling for sure. Makes it all worth it!
We know all of this crazy effort of schooling is going to be totally worth it. Some days I want to crawl back into bed and give in to the flesh, but when I feel that way and press on and show up for worship or class, I am so glad that I did it and its those days that God really does show up too.
I am so glad we did this! I know our kids are having an adventure of a lifetime as well...we have made friends that may just be apart of our lives til the end of days. God has had a good plan for us coming here. All in all, I would not trade it for anything in the world.