Slight change of plans...

So as most of you know, i've been in South Africa for a month now...


My time here has surely looked very different than i thought it would have. A lot of change has occurred.. and if it hadn't been for the word of the Lord to be here in this season, i may have doubted myself! Thank the Lord for my "Adaptability" strength in my strengths finder results ha ha.


Ever since I arrived here, change has been the theme of my life. First, I was staying in Cape Town for the first ten days instead of Mossel Bay, but then that got switched around and I actually stayed in Worcester with the LA DTS. Staff training for the DTS was planned to start on the 10th of January in Mossel Bay, but was actually moved until the 17th. And then recently, the DTS, which i came here for, had seemed as if it was going to be canceled altogether!


Last thursday, the 27th of January, Markus (who is the base director of Mossel Bay, South Africa YWAM) came into my room one morning to give me an update on how the logistics of the DTS were coming along. I found out that there was a possibility that the DTS, which was supposed to start on the 30th of January, would not happen because of a lack of students and because the first two speakers didn't have a peace about speaking at the base when they said that they could. This was some scary news for my ears to hear.


My heart literally sank when i heard those words. Here i am 8000 miles away from home to staff a DTS that seemed to have the possibility to not even happen! I played if off cool to Markus as if i was fine, but inside i was mildly frustrated inside to say the least. For the next two days, this was all the information i had.


This situation caused me to do a lot of thinking. My first concern was thinking what the heck i am going to do now! I basically started strategizing options for a way out if the worst case scenario occurs and the DTS actually does get canceled. I thought of moving back to LA to possibly staff a school with them. I also thought about going to business administration school with Keiser university in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I thought about going to the colorado YWAM base because I heard they have schools within YWAM pertaining to business. I also thought about going to Germany to do a school of frontier missions. And lastly, I also thought about emailing a contact a guy here gave me pertaining to business. As you can tell my mind was racing quick! The second thing I was concerned with was the fact that i had a lot of supporter money for the purpose of me being in South Africa to do missions. If i had to go back to the states, i thought, "what would i do with all of the money?" and, "what about the money that i've had to spend already?" and, "how would I go about giving back the money people gave me?"


As my mind continued to race, the Lord reminded me of how faithful He is. He reminded me of that fact that He specifically called me here with a purpose and that He will never leave me or forsake me. He reminded me that he is the same God who spoke to Job and that if Job could remain faithful amidst all the struggles he went through, I could do the same. After that thought, i recognized the test of faith that was in front of me, and i was determined to pass that test!


Saturday came along, and the LA DTS that i had been with for the past month was due to leave that day. Markus stopped by that morning and explained to me the scenario that is going on with the DTS. I was trembling a bit awaiting the news that was about to come. He explained that the DTS would not be canceled (thank God!!), but that it would be postponed four more weeks. Although this was very good news, I was still kind of bummed out. This would mean that id be in South Africa for another month, without much direction and stuff to do. After he said this, he left the house along with the other 13 ywamers from LA. Quite the sad day!


For the next three days, I remained in the house i was staying in alone. I believe the Lord orchestrated it that way so that Him and I could spend some quality time together. Although those three days were quite lonely, i certainly wasn't alone! The Lord told me that all of the change that was happening  was nothing new to Him. It wasn't by any means a surprise to an omniscient, omnipotent, all-knowing God. I was reminded of how in control the Lord is and how when i surrendered my life to Him, I gave Him free reign to do whatever he pleases with me and to bring me wherever, whenever! I love reality checks from the Lord! During those days, and for the week before that for that matter, I had been going through the Old Testament. Man was i blown away! To me, It is insanity to see the people God chose to use. It is crazy that such a huge God chose to live in a tent in the wilderness with the Israelites just because He wanted to be near the people He loved and to be in communication with them. All He ever wanted was to just be near and to love His people! Man God is awesome.


After those three days, I moved out of that lonely house into Markus' place about ten minutes away. It is certainly nice to be with people again! This next month wont be empty after all! Ill be going to Cape Town this weekend to go to a University of the Nations conference and i'll be meeting an awesome YWAM speaker named Floyd Mclung. I'll also be going to Jeffereys Bay to go with Markus because he is speaking at the YWAM base there. Our staff has plenty of logistical things to figure out with plenty of meetings necessary to get them accomplished, and on the weekends, we will be doing local prison ministry and share Christ with the inmates! I really feel this next month is intended for our staff to be closer knit in unity to lead this DTS. I also really feel this month is a time where the Lord wants to take me deeper in His intimacy. Exciting!! I am stoked :]


What i've been reading these past few weeks: Deuteronomy & Romans, The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T Kiyosaki, The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey, and The Purple Cow by Seth Godin.


What i've been listening to these past few weeks: Jesus Culture, Cory Asbury, Charlie Hall, Mumford & Sons, Pheonix, Right Away Great Captain, Sufjan Stevens, Jon Foreman, and Band of Horses.


What i've been consuming: espresso, espresso, and more espresso! oh and cadbury turkish delight... its amazing!


Cheers!