Hey friends! Welcome to my October - November update! I just wanted to say - thanks for being patient! I hope you enjoy this little update, and please reach out if you have any questions.
On the weekend of October 20th, we as a base welcomed the students to Marine Reach. With 9 countries represented, and ages 17-30, this school is incredibly diverse. It's amazing to see how God has brought people together from so many different walks of life for this season. After arrival weekend, we jumped straight into Life Stories - a chance for the students to share their testimonies and receive prayer and ministry as they start their DTS journey. I spent a lot of this week remembering how exactly a year ago, I heard God speak to me for the first time concerning staffing a DTS. It was a full circle moment as I got to pray for students and partner with what God was doing, just as the staff on my school did.
1-on-1s
My 1-on-1s are a key part of my role as DTS staff. They are essentially a chance for deeper and more personal discipleship between staff and students. At the beginning of the school, I prayed and decided on each of my own. I ended up with four of the sweetest, kindest, most loving girls! I meet weekly with each of them to discuss lectures, process the week, grow as friends, and pray together. It's been the biggest privilege to walk alongside them, intercede for them, encourage them, and most importantly see all that God is doing in their lives. On Friday of week 6, I had the chance to baptize one of my them. It was incredible to see all that God has done in her life and I was filled with joy as I watched her say "yes" to Jesus and commit her life to following Him.
(from left to right: Jubilee, Eva, me, Kristina, Josi)
Small Group
Another one of my roles as DTS Staff is to lead a weekly small group! Meeting with this group of people has consistently been the highlight of my week. The goal of small groups is to connect with people you might not interact with on a daily basis, provide a place to discuss lectures, have fun, and pray for and support one another! Our small group has done a variety of things during our time together - from writing encouragements to picking strawberries, baking, and sitting around the Christmas tree with homemade hot chocolate! Leading small groups was something I was a bit nervous about, but God showed up and showed me that when I pray, I am heard and that He cares about the details. I just love my small group :)
Pilgrimage
Can't forget about the fact that I get to go on hikes with other believers and marvel at God's creation together! Our group has done two out of three trips, and we've had so much fun! Some highlights would include: the stoves refusing work, our 5 hours of solitude in the middle of nowhere, a surprising lack of rain, fellowship with others, praying for each other, singing silly songs as we hike, squishing into tents, reaching the summit of Te Aroha (the highest point in the Kaimai Range), eating food on the trail, doing Tim-Tam slams, and sleepy car rides home. There is something so sacred about being with a group of believers in nature. To experience the stunning landscape of NZ and acknowledge the Creator, and then to look to each side and see people, the crown of His creation...it will never get old. I treasure these memories and I thank God for the opportunity we have to get outside with one another.
Outreach Teams
Another exciting aspect of staffing is that I'll be leading an outreach team! With my co-leader Johnny, we will be taking a team of 8 students to three different countries! We'll start in NZ, head to Vanuatu, and then end in Tasmania over 7 weeks. I am so excited for my team, and it's been awesome to see different parts of the outreach coming together. Most of our time will be focused on encouraging the local church and showing the love of God in a practically. Our team is the youngest (ages 17-23) and I'm eager to watch as they step out in faith and learn more about what it looks like to live for God.
Fundraising Update
So far, the Lord has provided for my financial needs. I have an amazing community back home that has continued supporting me. Despite this, I have some upcoming fees that will need to be payed. If you feel led to support me financially, you can head to the link below. I have full confidance that the Lord will provide for my needs.
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