Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
THURSDAY
During corporate intercession this morning, we heard from a couple who are on staff with YWAM Salem as leaders of FAN "Friends of All Nations". They did a Crossroads DTS in 1992, and felt an immediate call to this ministry. Since that time, they have ministered to international students at local universities. They told us of specific ways they have befriended young people from other countries, shared the love of Christ, and helped them blend into our western culture. We then entered into a dedicated prayer time for their ministry, and two of their students in particular who are sisters from Japan. The couple had recently given them a copy of "Purpose Driven Life". Although the girls have yet to make a commitment to Jesus, they are very interested in reading the book. We closed by all encircling the couple to pray for them. Prayers were being offered up in English, Korean, Malagasy (Madagascar), and French. It was a really moving experience.
As a class we celebrated the birthday of one of our classmates, Lisa Maxwell. She & Tom and their four beautiful young girls are a special addition to our Crossroads experience!
Dean Sherman continued his lecture on spiritual warfare:
The purposes of God & Satan are both recorded in John 10:10
God's purpose is to give life to the fullest
Satan's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy
Satan's main agenda is to 1) discredit God, and 2) divide people.
A Christian's main agenda should be to 1) glorify God in my daily life, and 2) be a minister of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18).
Yep, that's it! Then, why is it so hard? It's WAR, folks!
Nat and David, another maintenance fella, left before dinner to drive to Portland to rescue/fix a van which had been driven to the airport to pick up some folks. He got back around 9pm, and went to the kitchen where his supper had been held for him. I told him they need to pay him overtime. I think he's holding out for a raise in pay!
My work duty????? I played one of my favorite new games . . . "Sorting Sheets" . . . and helped one of the Korean girls with her ESL homework (English Second Language).
The last thing before I returned to our little home? Helped welcome to the base a young man from Brazil, Jason Mayer. He will be volunteering for a month, which is his vacation time from his work. And remember . . . he's paying to be here! Absolutely amazing!
As a class we celebrated the birthday of one of our classmates, Lisa Maxwell. She & Tom and their four beautiful young girls are a special addition to our Crossroads experience!
Dean Sherman continued his lecture on spiritual warfare:
The purposes of God & Satan are both recorded in John 10:10
God's purpose is to give life to the fullest
Satan's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy
Satan's main agenda is to 1) discredit God, and 2) divide people.
A Christian's main agenda should be to 1) glorify God in my daily life, and 2) be a minister of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18).
Yep, that's it! Then, why is it so hard? It's WAR, folks!
Nat and David, another maintenance fella, left before dinner to drive to Portland to rescue/fix a van which had been driven to the airport to pick up some folks. He got back around 9pm, and went to the kitchen where his supper had been held for him. I told him they need to pay him overtime. I think he's holding out for a raise in pay!
My work duty????? I played one of my favorite new games . . . "Sorting Sheets" . . . and helped one of the Korean girls with her ESL homework (English Second Language).
The last thing before I returned to our little home? Helped welcome to the base a young man from Brazil, Jason Mayer. He will be volunteering for a month, which is his vacation time from his work. And remember . . . he's paying to be here! Absolutely amazing!
NATALIE February 4, 2007
--- On Sun 02/04, natalie wofford <> wrote:
Well, i made it finally :) the connection in sydney was no big deal at all and i met up with YWAM perfectly. my luggage is no where to be found, but they are going to keep me posted on their tracking. i ADORE the people on base and ADORE the other students. There are 9 of us and the girls are phenomenal. i already met a staff member here who wants to take me hiking on the weekends ~ she's pretty great :) Chris (leader of my school) and Gloria (his fiance as well as base manager) took us to surrey hills park for a jazz festival and picnic this afternoon to mingle and relax. Chris is a climber and is going to show me all the walls around. he was very excited that i packed my stuff. Theres apparently an incredible bouldering wall under an old bridge in Melbourne!!. The weather is perfect and surrey hills is picturesque. im going to adore it here i can tell, and want to give you a heads up that i am very likely going to want to stay :) im pretty exhausted right now, but i will write more later (the flight was perfect: complete with empty seats on either side of me, showings of "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton and "Because I Said So" with Diane Keaton, and Cantebury hot cocoa ). the base is super gorgeous and very easily accessible - it feels like a home. there are three computers with internet right outside the girls' dorm as well as wireless that my comp can use. like i said though, im going to be very careful how much i allow myself to use it as not to create a habit.
Well, i made it finally :) the connection in sydney was no big deal at all and i met up with YWAM perfectly. my luggage is no where to be found, but they are going to keep me posted on their tracking. i ADORE the people on base and ADORE the other students. There are 9 of us and the girls are phenomenal. i already met a staff member here who wants to take me hiking on the weekends ~ she's pretty great :) Chris (leader of my school) and Gloria (his fiance as well as base manager) took us to surrey hills park for a jazz festival and picnic this afternoon to mingle and relax. Chris is a climber and is going to show me all the walls around. he was very excited that i packed my stuff. Theres apparently an incredible bouldering wall under an old bridge in Melbourne!!. The weather is perfect and surrey hills is picturesque. im going to adore it here i can tell, and want to give you a heads up that i am very likely going to want to stay :) im pretty exhausted right now, but i will write more later (the flight was perfect: complete with empty seats on either side of me, showings of "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton and "Because I Said So" with Diane Keaton, and Cantebury hot cocoa ). the base is super gorgeous and very easily accessible - it feels like a home. there are three computers with internet right outside the girls' dorm as well as wireless that my comp can use. like i said though, im going to be very careful how much i allow myself to use it as not to create a habit.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WEDNESDAY
Here is a pictorial video of YWAM Salem made by one of our classmates, Tom Maxwell. It is a good representation of this beautiful campus, which is becoming "home" for us these three months. The community living is teaching us on a deeper level about humility, service to others, and eternal concern for people of all nations. Because people of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life come to this base to learn what God has to say about these things and other attributes of His character . . . His presence permeates YWAM Salem. Everyone, from the top down, is self-supported and they continue to come by the droves. Currently, this base is experiencing the largest influx of students and staff in its history. To accommodate everyone at meals, they enlarged the dining hall our first week here! Multiply this by over 550 YWAM locations in 130 countries, and we are confident that we are learning in an anointed environment.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
TUESDAY
Our team (13 adults & 11 children) continues to seek the heart of God regarding where we will go on our two month outreach phase, beginning September 2nd. Our excitement is building as we pray, and seek His heart. Our staff consists of four couples, and they are seeking his guidance diligently with us.
This week at "The Rising" our CDTS speaker, Dean Sherman, spoke to us on abiding with God in the secret place. We also prayed for two young women who will be leaving in a couple of weeks for Sudan and Uganda. Among other things, they will be working with the child soldiers of Sudan. As part of the peace process in Khartoum, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) has been releasing hundreds of child soldiers since March 2004. Many of these children, generally aged 10 to 17, had been recruited by force (from about aged 7 or 8) to fight. YWAM is participating in the healing process of these precious children.
This week at "The Rising" our CDTS speaker, Dean Sherman, spoke to us on abiding with God in the secret place. We also prayed for two young women who will be leaving in a couple of weeks for Sudan and Uganda. Among other things, they will be working with the child soldiers of Sudan. As part of the peace process in Khartoum, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) has been releasing hundreds of child soldiers since March 2004. Many of these children, generally aged 10 to 17, had been recruited by force (from about aged 7 or 8) to fight. YWAM is participating in the healing process of these precious children.
WEEK #3 June 26-July 1, 2007
MONDAY
Dean Sherman is with us from here in Salem, Oregon to teach on Spiritual Warfare, or recognizing the S(s)pirit factor in the things we experience in life.
He talked about hidden treasure and how we need to change our thinking. We don't need to try to "sell" a field to unbelievers . . . we need to live our lives, filled with His Spirit, that makes them want to sell all they have to purchase the field for the treasure, Jesus.
There are two power systems in our society . . . the Kingdom and the WORLD. Many in the WORLD are living Kingdom principles, and many in the Kingdom are living WORLD principles. There is a battle going on within the mind . . .
If my belief system does not include the supernatural, I will tend to become too reactive toward others. We need to be:
Faithful to God
Gentle to people
Aggresive in the heavenlies
If I'm not aggressive in the heavenlies, I will be aggresive (harsh) with people.
"For we battle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the high places." Eph 6:12
Dean Sherman is with us from here in Salem, Oregon to teach on Spiritual Warfare, or recognizing the S(s)pirit factor in the things we experience in life.
He talked about hidden treasure and how we need to change our thinking. We don't need to try to "sell" a field to unbelievers . . . we need to live our lives, filled with His Spirit, that makes them want to sell all they have to purchase the field for the treasure, Jesus.
There are two power systems in our society . . . the Kingdom and the WORLD. Many in the WORLD are living Kingdom principles, and many in the Kingdom are living WORLD principles. There is a battle going on within the mind . . .
If my belief system does not include the supernatural, I will tend to become too reactive toward others. We need to be:
Faithful to God
Gentle to people
Aggresive in the heavenlies
If I'm not aggressive in the heavenlies, I will be aggresive (harsh) with people.
"For we battle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the high places." Eph 6:12
WEEK #2 June 18-24, 2007
A class assignment was to read Joy Dawson's book titled "Intercession - Thrilling and Fulfilling". Using her principles for effective intercession, we divided into two groups and prayed for God's heart on behalf of the nations. It was a very moving experience as God revealed to us the things He wanted us to pray for.
As the week progressed our speaker, Donna Jordan, taught and modeled for us how to listen to God. So many times, we pray but don't take the time to listen . . . really listen to God. The week culminated on Friday when Donna challenged us to find a quiet place and ask God three specific questions:
1) What do You think of me?
2) What plans and purposes do You have for me?
3) What do You and I have in common?
We also each randomly drew another classmate's name and were to ask God, "What do You want to say through me to _______?"
Applying what I had been taught this week about preparing my heart to hear from God, my answers to the first three questions came rapidly. But it is one thing to ask God to say something to ME, and quite another to ask God to say something THROUGH me to someone else! But I did ask, and He did say something. I was a bit unsure when I read it to her, but she was obviously moved. Nat's word to another man was very specific, and was right on!
I will take the spiritual principles taught this week to energize my prayer time!
Sunday, Nat & I had kitchen duty for the entire day (every student will have this assignment one Saturday or Sunday during the three months we are here in Salem). It entailed breakfast prep & cleanup, coupled with sack lunch prep & cleanup, and dinner prep & cleanup. WHEW! It gave us a deeper appreciation for our fellow classmates who have these work assignments regularly! Hospitality is looking better and better . . .
Between breakfast/lunch and dinner, we joined some folks for worship at Salem Vineyard Church. It is a great fellowship, and we heard a good teaching on "The Food of the Father's Will" from John 4:27-38.
It was a good week, and we are looking forward to all that God has for us during Week #3 . . .
As the week progressed our speaker, Donna Jordan, taught and modeled for us how to listen to God. So many times, we pray but don't take the time to listen . . . really listen to God. The week culminated on Friday when Donna challenged us to find a quiet place and ask God three specific questions:
1) What do You think of me?
2) What plans and purposes do You have for me?
3) What do You and I have in common?
We also each randomly drew another classmate's name and were to ask God, "What do You want to say through me to _______?"
Applying what I had been taught this week about preparing my heart to hear from God, my answers to the first three questions came rapidly. But it is one thing to ask God to say something to ME, and quite another to ask God to say something THROUGH me to someone else! But I did ask, and He did say something. I was a bit unsure when I read it to her, but she was obviously moved. Nat's word to another man was very specific, and was right on!
I will take the spiritual principles taught this week to energize my prayer time!
Sunday, Nat & I had kitchen duty for the entire day (every student will have this assignment one Saturday or Sunday during the three months we are here in Salem). It entailed breakfast prep & cleanup, coupled with sack lunch prep & cleanup, and dinner prep & cleanup. WHEW! It gave us a deeper appreciation for our fellow classmates who have these work assignments regularly! Hospitality is looking better and better . . .
Between breakfast/lunch and dinner, we joined some folks for worship at Salem Vineyard Church. It is a great fellowship, and we heard a good teaching on "The Food of the Father's Will" from John 4:27-38.
It was a good week, and we are looking forward to all that God has for us during Week #3 . . .
Friday, June 22, 2007
WEEK #1 June 11-17, 2007
Our week began with orientation, YWAM Salem history, and three lectures 1) Intercession 2) God Loves & Uses Ordinary People 3) Leadership. We begin every Monday morning with corporate worship with the entire base, and have "class" every morning and afternoon 1p-3p. From 3p-5p, everyone who has not been assigned breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal prep/cleanup reports to an assigned duty . . . i.e. Nat has been assigned to work with the maintenance team, and I have been assigned to help with the hospitality team (Nat sez- they saw immediately that Shirley would be the "Hostess with the mostest!).
Every Tuesday night, the entire base gathers for "The Rising", which is corporate worship and a message from a current speaker on base. We begin every Thursday morning with corporate intercessory prayer (this first week we prayed earnestly for the Amado province of Tibet, China). One of the young men here at YWAM Salem, 21 yrs old, will be leaving next Tuesday to devote two years to these people. This is where he did his DTS outreach a year ago, and he knows God is calling him back. He can hardly wait . . . very impressive.
This last Friday afternoon, we did part of the "ropes course". The instructor took us to an area where we each, in turn, were strapped into a body harness and were given a helmet. The harness was tethered to a steel wire pulley, and the rest of our team (12 members) took hold of an attached rope. After asking the team if they could be trusted (and being assured that they could be), we each gave a command word (such as "Now!") and the team ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction. This caused each of us (ME) to be yanked up into the pine trees . . . hence the name "Flying Squirrel". Each activity of the ropes course is designed to instill trust, confidence, teamwork, courage, etc. It was also a lot of fun! We had another rope activity and were promised that before we leave on outreach, we will experience the entire course.
Our second week began this morning (Monday, June 18th). We are learning "How to Hear God's Voice". God gave our instructor a specific word early this morning for our team. It is full of scripture, all very encouraging and motivating. I need to go mull it all over before class reconvenes tomorrow morning.
This is a beautiful place, full of God's presence and many folks of all different ages and nationalities hungry for more of God's presence in our individual lives. I expect the rest of the week to be very challenging and even more rewarding.
Natalie should be finishing up her time in Zambia, Africa and her team of seven will be heading to Tanzania.
We all so appreciate your prayers!
Every Tuesday night, the entire base gathers for "The Rising", which is corporate worship and a message from a current speaker on base. We begin every Thursday morning with corporate intercessory prayer (this first week we prayed earnestly for the Amado province of Tibet, China). One of the young men here at YWAM Salem, 21 yrs old, will be leaving next Tuesday to devote two years to these people. This is where he did his DTS outreach a year ago, and he knows God is calling him back. He can hardly wait . . . very impressive.
This last Friday afternoon, we did part of the "ropes course". The instructor took us to an area where we each, in turn, were strapped into a body harness and were given a helmet. The harness was tethered to a steel wire pulley, and the rest of our team (12 members) took hold of an attached rope. After asking the team if they could be trusted (and being assured that they could be), we each gave a command word (such as "Now!") and the team ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction. This caused each of us (ME) to be yanked up into the pine trees . . . hence the name "Flying Squirrel". Each activity of the ropes course is designed to instill trust, confidence, teamwork, courage, etc. It was also a lot of fun! We had another rope activity and were promised that before we leave on outreach, we will experience the entire course.
Our second week began this morning (Monday, June 18th). We are learning "How to Hear God's Voice". God gave our instructor a specific word early this morning for our team. It is full of scripture, all very encouraging and motivating. I need to go mull it all over before class reconvenes tomorrow morning.
This is a beautiful place, full of God's presence and many folks of all different ages and nationalities hungry for more of God's presence in our individual lives. I expect the rest of the week to be very challenging and even more rewarding.
Natalie should be finishing up her time in Zambia, Africa and her team of seven will be heading to Tanzania.
We all so appreciate your prayers!
WE HAVE ARRIVED! June 9, 2007
Just to let you know that we arrived this afternoon. Several staff began to gather, and they took us to the kitchen where they opened up the pantry and watched us eat egg salad sandwiches . . . yum . . . one of my favorites! So far, everyone is so nice and eager to help us get settled in. Only one other student is here so far. Norma is from California. Everybody else is driving in, also, and will arrive throughout the day tomorrow. The Pakistani couple could not get their paperwork through to join us. There are about 25 children running around (kids of staff and students). So cute, from the States and So. Korea. There are other schools going on, as well, i.e. ESL (English Second Language) . . . hence the South Koreans . . . Introduction to Biblical Counseling, and a "ropes course". The "zip line" begins at our porch and zings through the pine trees to somewhere. I'll getback with you on this. I plan to just step out on our porch and cheer them on! This YWAM runs about 5,000 folks through their ropes course during the summer . . .
Our little apartment is very nice. I was tickled, because it has a private bath, which we were not expecting! It has a little kitchenette, which I do not plan to utilize. One fella said, "Shirley, you won't have to cook for five months." Not that I've been cooking that much lately, anyway. We're sure going to enjoy three meals a day 7x/week!
We're going to do a little reading before bed. No tv, which will taking some getting used to for me. I do enjoy vegging in front of Fox News a little in the evening, or watchingHistory or Discovery or Military channels if Nat has the remote . . . This will be good for me. Change of habit, you know . . . I need to read more!
We are going to church with some of the folks in the morning. The "Church on the Hill". One guy said, "It's a fun place!" Well, all righty then!!!
Then, we're going to drive to Portland. Nolan Lewallen has a layover there tomorrow and Zandra will try to join us, too. That would be a treat! Perhaps a salmon dinner??? Another fav!!!
Thank you all, so much, for your prayers for our travel. Gettingto see friends (Flanagans) and family (Larry, Mary & John Hereford), and Yellowstone National Park . . . everyone should do that at least once, right Nell? We had such a great cross country trip this week!
We received an email from Natalie as we were leaving our hotel this morning. She wrote, "Well, by the time i talk to you again i would have (bungee) jumped off of the Zambia side of Victoria Falls bridge - - - all 115 meters (376 feet) of it!!! no worries, ill have a rope :) im so so so so excited! I cant even begin to imagine what that will feel like!!!" We wrote back and told her that this is something we would prefer to know after the fact!!! Here's website for the bungi jump experience. Maybe Natalie will post her own video soon! http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/greatvac/bunji.htm
Our little apartment is very nice. I was tickled, because it has a private bath, which we were not expecting! It has a little kitchenette, which I do not plan to utilize. One fella said, "Shirley, you won't have to cook for five months." Not that I've been cooking that much lately, anyway. We're sure going to enjoy three meals a day 7x/week!
We're going to do a little reading before bed. No tv, which will taking some getting used to for me. I do enjoy vegging in front of Fox News a little in the evening, or watchingHistory or Discovery or Military channels if Nat has the remote . . . This will be good for me. Change of habit, you know . . . I need to read more!
We are going to church with some of the folks in the morning. The "Church on the Hill". One guy said, "It's a fun place!" Well, all righty then!!!
Then, we're going to drive to Portland. Nolan Lewallen has a layover there tomorrow and Zandra will try to join us, too. That would be a treat! Perhaps a salmon dinner??? Another fav!!!
Thank you all, so much, for your prayers for our travel. Gettingto see friends (Flanagans) and family (Larry, Mary & John Hereford), and Yellowstone National Park . . . everyone should do that at least once, right Nell? We had such a great cross country trip this week!
We received an email from Natalie as we were leaving our hotel this morning. She wrote, "Well, by the time i talk to you again i would have (bungee) jumped off of the Zambia side of Victoria Falls bridge - - - all 115 meters (376 feet) of it!!! no worries, ill have a rope :) im so so so so excited! I cant even begin to imagine what that will feel like!!!" We wrote back and told her that this is something we would prefer to know after the fact!!! Here's website for the bungi jump experience. Maybe Natalie will post her own video soon! http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/greatvac/bunji.htm
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
BIG NEWS! May 8, 2007
Hi folks!
We have some big news regarding something Nat & I have been contemplating for a while now, and have made our decision . . .
Not only does Natalie continue to tell us about her wonderful experience thus far with YWAM (Youth with a Mission ), we have also been hearing about it from other, unrelated, sources. One in particular, really got our attention. We were in Dallas a couple of months ago at a financial seminar. Nat has "known" the head of the organization, Don McAlvany, since the 80's but has never had opportunity to meet him. He was in Dallas for this particular seminar. We were told that the daughter of one of his close friends and associates had been on a YWAM DTS ( Discipleship Training School ), and is currently a missionary with YWAM in China , so we planned to make that connection with him.
When the seminar was over, we went up to introduce ourselves. It didn't take long for the discussion to turn to YWAM and he kept us there for another hour talking about it. He & his wife, Molly, were very impressed with the YWAM DTS. He mainly wanted to talk about is how it radically changed their son's life a few years ago, and subsequently their own lives. Their son, Scott, is a single 26 yr old who runs an orphanage now in Bali (but that's another story).
Because of Scott’s radical life change since his DTS, Don & Molly decided they wanted to attend one themselves to see what it was all about. Neither had really been personally involved in missions prior to hearing about Scott's experience. Don said, "Shirley, I didn't even know how to spell missions." They now are deeply involved with an orphanage in the Philippines , and are in continuing education through YWAM to do full time mission work. He is also turning the helm of his financial institution over to another son. He looked intently at us three times that night and said to Nat & me, "You two need to do a Crossroads DTS!"
YWAM began as an organization (in the early 1960's) to train postschool/precareer youth to go on mission. It has become a worldwide organization to train part time and full time missionaries. This is how we have heard from others about how great YWAM is. They now have the Crossroads DTS, designed for folks age 35+, and are worldwide. The Salem , Oregon Crossroads DTS will begin June 11th. We are in the process of filling out applications, and taking care of lots of things around here in order to be gone for 5 months (three months of lecture/school in Salem , and 2 in outreach . . . don't know yet if stateside or overseas).
Our decision was finalized when we ran it all by Natalie in Melbourne , Australia via phone a couple of weeks ago, and she began to cry. It is what she had been praying for!
We (actually all three of us) are eager to see what the Lord has for this next stage of our life together. The two of us are both very excited and, realistically, a little anxious about an unknown future. But the excitement outweighs the anxiety. We plan to leave the first of June and head for Salem , Oregon to arrive no later than Sunday, June 10th.
Our plans right now are to drive (rather than fly) through Colorado Springs to visit friends, through Wyoming (where Nat “cowboyed” before we married), hopefully see some if not all of the Colorado Herefords, then on in to Salem.
God has, indeed, given us “beauty for ashes” up here on the hill, but we don’t want to plant roots too deep again! We are of one heart and mind for this thing.So, there you have it thus far. I remarked to Nat about a week ago, "You know, we are on the cusp of finding out why Satan has tried so hard to destroy us." I feel it with more conviction each time I say it.
We need your prayers:
- The enemy doesn't want this to happen. Please pray with us that we will press through each hindrance placed before us
- That we know the best way to leave the place for extended periods (family & neighbors are willing to look after the property)
- Chip away at a looooooooooooong "to do" list
- Prepare our hearts to be away from Kenzley & Taryn for an extended period. We are so grateful, in instances like this, for cell phones and internet technology!
We may just be talking five months, and no more or we could be talking about a complete life change, which we’re getting pretty good at!
We have some big news regarding something Nat & I have been contemplating for a while now, and have made our decision . . .
Not only does Natalie continue to tell us about her wonderful experience thus far with YWAM (Youth with a Mission ), we have also been hearing about it from other, unrelated, sources. One in particular, really got our attention. We were in Dallas a couple of months ago at a financial seminar. Nat has "known" the head of the organization, Don McAlvany, since the 80's but has never had opportunity to meet him. He was in Dallas for this particular seminar. We were told that the daughter of one of his close friends and associates had been on a YWAM DTS ( Discipleship Training School ), and is currently a missionary with YWAM in China , so we planned to make that connection with him.
When the seminar was over, we went up to introduce ourselves. It didn't take long for the discussion to turn to YWAM and he kept us there for another hour talking about it. He & his wife, Molly, were very impressed with the YWAM DTS. He mainly wanted to talk about is how it radically changed their son's life a few years ago, and subsequently their own lives. Their son, Scott, is a single 26 yr old who runs an orphanage now in Bali (but that's another story).
Because of Scott’s radical life change since his DTS, Don & Molly decided they wanted to attend one themselves to see what it was all about. Neither had really been personally involved in missions prior to hearing about Scott's experience. Don said, "Shirley, I didn't even know how to spell missions." They now are deeply involved with an orphanage in the Philippines , and are in continuing education through YWAM to do full time mission work. He is also turning the helm of his financial institution over to another son. He looked intently at us three times that night and said to Nat & me, "You two need to do a Crossroads DTS!"
YWAM began as an organization (in the early 1960's) to train postschool/precareer youth to go on mission. It has become a worldwide organization to train part time and full time missionaries. This is how we have heard from others about how great YWAM is. They now have the Crossroads DTS, designed for folks age 35+, and are worldwide. The Salem , Oregon Crossroads DTS will begin June 11th. We are in the process of filling out applications, and taking care of lots of things around here in order to be gone for 5 months (three months of lecture/school in Salem , and 2 in outreach . . . don't know yet if stateside or overseas).
Our decision was finalized when we ran it all by Natalie in Melbourne , Australia via phone a couple of weeks ago, and she began to cry. It is what she had been praying for!
We (actually all three of us) are eager to see what the Lord has for this next stage of our life together. The two of us are both very excited and, realistically, a little anxious about an unknown future. But the excitement outweighs the anxiety. We plan to leave the first of June and head for Salem , Oregon to arrive no later than Sunday, June 10th.
Our plans right now are to drive (rather than fly) through Colorado Springs to visit friends, through Wyoming (where Nat “cowboyed” before we married), hopefully see some if not all of the Colorado Herefords, then on in to Salem.
God has, indeed, given us “beauty for ashes” up here on the hill, but we don’t want to plant roots too deep again! We are of one heart and mind for this thing.So, there you have it thus far. I remarked to Nat about a week ago, "You know, we are on the cusp of finding out why Satan has tried so hard to destroy us." I feel it with more conviction each time I say it.
We need your prayers:
- The enemy doesn't want this to happen. Please pray with us that we will press through each hindrance placed before us
- That we know the best way to leave the place for extended periods (family & neighbors are willing to look after the property)
- Chip away at a looooooooooooong "to do" list
- Prepare our hearts to be away from Kenzley & Taryn for an extended period. We are so grateful, in instances like this, for cell phones and internet technology!
We may just be talking five months, and no more or we could be talking about a complete life change, which we’re getting pretty good at!
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