Last 2 weeks before Outreach!

School is almost done here. We're in our final 2 weeks. Winter is coming upon us rapidly. This morning it was 11 celcius (about 48 farenheit) in my room (we have no heat in this part of the house). We had a pitiful snowfall on Sunday of about half and inch that melted by midday. But the mountains were beautifully white well into Monday.
I have to say I've gleaned so much from this DTS. Outreach in Christchurch on Friday nights has been awesome to meet and interact with the locals and even lead many closer to the truth of who God is. From the lecture phase of DTS, I'd say the Lordship of Christ has been most impressed upon me. The idea of surrendering my all to Him and truly making Him Lord of my life, I've discovered, is a daily process. There have been some times of sacrifice and struggle that have subsequently led to amazing peace and joy at the love of Jesus Christ! Through submission to Him comes blessings and amazing growth! As well as discovering who He really is as my Father who loves me unconditionally.

Final prep is being done for outreach. We will spend one week in Perth, Australia, then Johannesburg-South Africa for 2 weeks, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Egypt each for 2 weeks. Before Grad in Israel. In these countries we will be working in orphanages, AIDS hospitals, building projects and public evangelism.

At present, I don't have a clear direction on what God is calling me to after DTS. I have some ideas and visions concerning a few different ministries afterwards. Right now, I've decided to continue traveling after outreach, for about a month or so with the remaining miles on the Around the World ticket that we are using for our outreach. I plan to look into YWAM opportunities during this time in Greece, Ireland, Scotland, and some states. Then back to NZ for about a week before coming home. When I get home, hopefully by late Sept. I will continue to look for opportunites within Canada unless God reveals His calling for me while overseas.

Some prayer requests I'd like to send along are;
*continued focus as I try to hear God's calling for post outreach.
*the open hearts of the African people as we move to work alongside them in their orphanages, AIDS hospitals, building projects. As well for receptiveness to the message we give through our testimonies, skits, evangelism etc in each of these nations.
*our sensitivity to the African people and their needs and culture. That we will do everything with real love and a driven desire to help and reach everyone!
*safety both within the communities we will be in, and also physically against any disease or sickness for all our members.
*God's provision financially during outreach and afterwards, since I have to buy extra vaccinations, supplies, and general daily necessities throughout the next few months of this journey. As well as a plane ticket home from New Zealand afterwards. I'm thinking of selling my truck to help out, but I'm waiting on Him to be sure.
*And finally, a continual 'dying to self' so that I can give Him every part of me and fulfil His purposes every day.

I'm really excited to get started on this next adventure. And also to get to a warmer climate!
Blessings Abundant everyone!