Changes

YWAM Honolulu Base Life

YWAM Honolulu is currently full of LIFE! As the summer quarter neared an end for us in early September, my own job as Personnel Director became the busiest I had yet to experience. Anytime jobs change within our staff (new staff, staff exiting, new quarter jobs for staff, etc) my job kicks into high gear. And, September is possibly one of the biggest quarter for changes within staff. 

I was able to help welcome eleven staff to our base, as well as send off an incredibly wonderful couple who has faithfully served our base for the last four years. It was also my privilege to team up with a couple of our base leaders to plan and facilitate our September staff conference. We had a great speaker, times of worship & prayer, as well as fun & games. I am grateful to be a part of a staff community that truly feels and functions like a family. Though things are not always perfect, we run this race with like-mindedness and genuine hearts to love & serve the living God. 

We also welcomed 42 students into this September quarter. As I begin to get to know them, I truly appreciate their quick willingness to honesty, humility, and a genuine desire for Jesus. It is refreshing to be around a group of people so ready to lay down their lives to draw closer to the Lord and share the good news of God's love with others. So encouraging!

Provision from the Lord

God continues to remind me that He will always provide what I need and when I need it! I felt led to take a trip to WA specifically for my 10-year high school reunion, as well as visiting close friends and family. Though I didn't have the money to pay for my airfare when I purchased the ticket a couple of months prior, the Lord brought in ALL of the finances I needed while I was in WA. So great! 

My new 2003 Ford Focus SE! 

Additionally, while in WA, I received a phone call that my friends are able to fully hand over their car to me! I mentioned this story in a blog last year. I had been praying for a car (which few people knew about), and friends came to me saying they had prayed about what to do with their car, and felt led by the Lord to give it to me. Due to unexpected circumstances, they have been unable to release the car to me...until now! Saturday, I met up with them and got the keys to my new car! Thank you Jesus, and thank you to my two, wonderfully faithful friends! I am blessed. 

Now, I am needing continued prayer to believe that the Lord really will provide all the finances I need to maintain my new car. The car was a blessing from Him, so I know He will continue to provide what I need, and when I need it. 

Personal Life 

As I mentioned earlier, I was able to visit WA earlier this month. Though I went in full expectation of relaxation, rest, and refreshment, plans do not always happen the way we hope. After a week of traveling to my reunion, visiting family in eastern WA, and spending some much needed time with my Dad, I received a call that my grandma Marlene (mom's mom) had experienced a major stroke and was in the hospital. Over the course of about 5 days, I was able to rally my friends into prayer, as well as spend some time by my grandma's bedside in the hospital. The doctor would not operate due to my grandma's age & health, so we waited patiently as grandma passed in her own timing. I was able to pray peace and truth over her, as well as recall memories with her. For the most-part, Grandma was rarely responsive; sometimes with small hand squeezes, a joking attempt at kicking someone with her foot, or even a groggy "thank you" to the nurses. On Monday, October 8th, we said our final goodbyes as Grandma passed away. 

Me and my beautiful Grandma, Marlene, enjoying a day together in Olympia WA

I cannot even begin to describe my gratitude that I was with Grandma and my family during this time. I never could have planned for this, but the Lord knew. I believe she is at peace now, and am extremely thankful. My heart is grieved to not have her here anymore, but I am hopeful for a day when I will see her again. Until then, I love and will miss you greatly Grandma! 

Lots of love,

~Megan

    

He is Trustworthy!

Taiwan! So beautiful....just thought I'd post a pic from the last outreach. 

YWAM Honolulu Base Life

The April quarter came and went. And, here I am, already four weeks into the July quarter! I am still enjoying my job! After a quarter of training, I am now operating as YWAM Honolulu's Personnel Director. I am still learning to be confident in prayerful choices, as they ultimately affect others' lives. It helps to keep a fresh fear of the Lord and desire to hear His voice everyday. 

I also began stepping out more in the area of my personal giftings...one being worship! I have been attempting to grow in playing the guitar, and have had the opportunity to lead worship during a few of our corporate gatherings on base these last few months. It is a stretch for me to continue stepping out, especially as I make mistakes. But, I know that this is a passion He has created me with...and I want to use it to glorify Him and bring encouragement to others. 

One area of service to our base community that I didn't foresee was heading up the Kids' Club this quarter, which is our ministry for base & community kids during our weekly community gathering, called Launch. I, along with a few other staff, have been caring for the kids, playing with them, and helping to instill fresh views of our wonderful God. One of the highlights came as we talked about how God is love (1 John 4:8), and that we are also called to love others. We prayed with the kids, asking God to bring to each of our minds a person to love for the week. With that person in mind, they each asked Him how to love that person. And, they heard His voice! Some of them said that God was asking them to hug someone. One girl ended up helping in the kitchen over the weekend, scrubbing tables and keeping the staff company. Another said God was asking her to forgive her friend for a wrong done to her. AMAZING! I am so blessed  to be around these kids. Their honesty, purity, and genuine love is both convicting and challenging. It is my goal this quarter to love these kids, bless & serve them, and glean as much of their childlike faith as possible!

Provision from the Lord

While I continue to hope & pray for greater regular financial support, I am so grateful for all that the Lord is providing! I have all I need. And, I am blessed to live in a community that values their staff and continues to keep missionary living expenses low and doable. :) 

I am continually grateful and honored every time I receive support! Whether financial or prayerful encouragement...know that I am BLESSED!

Additionally, God provided in other creative ways this past month. My pastors here on the island were visiting the mainland for nearly 3 weeks and let me borrow their Mini Cooper! Another family visiting the mainland, let my friend and I housesit. To have quiet and an incredible view for a week, while experiencing the life of a commuter again, was such a gift! 

Personal Life 

I continue to be stretched as I am stepping into this new life with God in Hawaii. I know that this is my long-term home, and I look to Him to show me how to adapt and grow in this new environment. I have an incredible support system - emotionally and physically - here in Hawaii. While I am grateful, I am having to learn to be content with the ever-changing friendships that remain in Washington. This is not easy for me, and so I look to the Lord for encouragement to continue. 

I am excited for all He is doing. It is a time of continued vulnerability with others, learning to give, not just in time or resources, but with my whole heart. I am learning to be myself, and needing the Lord to show me just who that is. I have noticed that the more I draw close to Him, experiencing His character and hearing His words, the more content I become in the adventure of life with Him. Knowing that I am who He says I am. That I am beautiful. That I am loved. That I am never alone. This is my God, and these are the words I hear from Him most often. What a good, good God we have. 

I leave you with the words that have been bringing me such encouragement lately:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

    

Lots of love,

~Megan

God Is Provider!

God is provider! 

This has been such a blessing of a month. In many ways, I have been stretched and challenged. 

And, God has provided the whole way.

YWAM Honolulu Base Life

The beginning of April came with my transition into the Personnel Department, as well as purchasing food for our base kitchen. These are two completely different jobs, which makes my daily life on the base very exciting! :) Hehe.

In Personnel, I have been training specifically in the area of accepting or declining staff & volunteer applications. While I was still on this last outreach, I had begun asking the Lord for His heart & vision for these upcoming two years in Personnel. I wanted to know what God's vision was before entering into the job and learning others' visions. Well, one of the things I really sensed from Him was to be wise & seek His voice in each person who applies. That people would not just choose to be here because it is Hawaii but because God has SPOKEN to them to come, to invest, to disciple & be discipled. When we follow Jesus, we learn His voice...in the unique way He speaks to us individually. And, God has an opinion about the choices we make! Because He loves us and desires the best for us! I want to see people flourish in their positions serving here. But, more than that, I want those people to KNOW that this is where God has called them to be for a certain season. It is so important, when difficult times come, that we know God has said that this is where He has us. When we have Truth to cling to, it is more difficult to waiver when the storms come. So, that is a big part of what I am learning to walk in within the Personnel Department.

Provision from the Lord

What I really wanted to update you all on, as well, is the great provision God has been showing me! In this past month, I have had an additional person commit to supporting me monthly (financially), which is a HUGE encouragement and answer to prayer. I truly believe He has said He will provide, and He has been! In addition to that, I was accepted this past week on Hawaii's medical coverage plan for low-income families! Huge praise report! Just wanted to fill you all in on this. :)

Personal Life - Healing

He also has me walking through a lot, personally. He has been teaching me to be more vulnerable in the area of my heart with others. I am in a fresh season of remembrance and grief, walking through deeper levels of healing with the Lord. This past week I celebrated what I am NOW (previously a typo...oops) referring to as my mom's birthday into Heaven. It has been 15 years since I said goodbye to my mom. But, in my almost 11 years of walking in relationship with the Lord, I have felt peace that my mom chose Jesus in the end. And, I believe I will get to see her again someday. For now, the pain of not having my mom on this earth with me is still very raw sometimes. There is a freshness to that grief, and the Lord is bringing greater healing through it, as well as greater levels of joy! Because He is the God who will:

    "comfort all who mourn,

³                                   and provide for those who grieve [...]

to bestow on them a crown of beauty    

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy    

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise   

 instead of a spirit of despair." 

~Isaiah 61:2-3

That is who God is! And, that is what He is doing in my life right now. :) Thanks for reading!!

Lots of love,

~Megan

A new quarter!

It has been so long since I last posted an update. I've been back from my last outreach for almost 6 weeks. There has been a lot of transition on our base as I graduated my students and sent them off to their homes. Our base has also commissioned (sent out) 5 teams in the past week to 4 different countries, moved families on our base into different base houses, and prepared for the new School of Biblical Studies (SBS) that is beginning this week! We have 18 new SBS students arriving tomorrow!

I have enjoyed about a year-and-a-half of staffing the Discipleship Training School. I have had the privilege of walking through life with three different DTS schools, two of which I was honored to lead teams on outreach. I have loved my time as DTS staff. But, a new season is coming for me. I am feeling led by the Lord to take on a different role for our base, and to commit more time into building relationships in my community. I am committing to two years in the position of Personnel. Essentially, I will be responsible for knowing all of the available staffing positions on the base, placing people in those positions, and helping to continue the discipleship process with the YWAM Honolulu staff. Basically, I get to love on the staff! I get to love on the people who are loving on other people, which is one of my biggest passions and dreams. And, God is fulfilling it! In addition, this new job will allow me more time to get connected more into the Honolulu community. Yay!


As the April quarter (April-June) begins, I am going to be training more thoroughly to take on this position full-time in July, as well as helping out with purchasing food for our base kitchen. It will be a full quarter, but I am greatly looking forward to it! 

Stay tuned as I continue to fill everyone in on the goings-on of YWAM Honolulu and the greater Honolulu community. So excited about this new season!

Home from Southeast Asia!

Hello friends & family!

I am so happy to be sending you a little update on my recent adventures and future plans! I hope that all of you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I was privileged to spend the 2011/2012 holiday season in Taiwan and other parts of southeast Asia this year. Here are a few of the highlights...

Ministry at a military school in Taiwan
(we performed dramas centered on Jesus, preached the Gospel, played games, and got to know them)

Our wonderful team of 5 girl students, along with my co-leader, Jimmy, and I headed to Taiwan at the beginning of December. Taiwan is, religiously-speaking, a very open country. We were able to visit many different elementary, middle, and high school classes, a university, a military school, among various churches and youth groups. During these visits we performed different dances, skits, and dramas centered on the origin of Christmas. We also preached the Good News of how much Jesus loves each and every one of them. We met many young people who chose to give their lives to Jesus, and others who were touched - and sometimes surprised - to hear the true meaning behind why we celebrate Christmas. Our entire team grew closer with each other, grew close with our Taiwanese contacts & friends, and continued to be amazed at the wonderful things the Lord was doing all around us. We had so much fun!

After celebrating the beginning of 2012 in Taiwan, we headed to another country for the next 7 weeks of our missions outreach. Because of security concerns (and being unable to email our contacts regarding specific ministries), we were unsure as to what type of ministry we would be able to do. To our surprise and excitement, God gave us wonderful contacts who had set up plenty of different ministries for us to take part in. We were set up to help out at a local elementary school during the week, running english conversation times in a cafe on the weekends, and a Bible study for older folks at a local restaurant every Thursday. These were all weekly planned events. But, what we weren’t expecting was all of the doors to open in front of us! On a couple occasions, we found ourselves able to worship Jesus - guitar, voices, and all - in the middle of the city! Considering that the country we were in is a religiously-closed nation, this is not typically a safe thing to do. But, the city we stayed in is a little less strict (plus we were singing mainly unknown worship songs to the Lord, which helps). In addition to worshiping our Jesus in the open, we were also able to help the long-term missionaries there form new relationships and connections with a local government church branch. This country allows government churches, but they are very strict in the regulations, and typically the attendants, though believing in Jesus, are not necessarily walking in depth of relationship with Him. Our team were the first foreigners to be invited to run a Bible study in one of the church branches, and perform dances, dramas, and preach in the main church. This was a huge honor for our team, but an even more amazing open door for the long-term missionaries here. God is so clever! We were even able to run a three-day Winter English Camp for Korean missionary kids to this country.  It was not easy, but the Lord taught our team so much about His great love for his children. What a blessing!

We had been hoping to visit a village at some point in these three months. But, due to high costs, it was looking like we would not be able to. Well, with God all things are possible! (Mark 10:27) The woman we had connected with to help run the Bible study on Thursdays, really took to our team. :) Long story short, she felt led to pay for our team to visit a few villages in the countryside. She even provided all of the costs of the trip; transportation, food, etc. We were able to see a new part of the country, and were especially excited at the opportunity to love on and witness to the two translators with us who did not know Jesus. We visited a few villages in the area, praying everywhere we went, and even worshiping publicly on one occasion. God paved the path, and we just got to walk in it!

I have never seen more unplanned doors opening on an outreach before. My heart truly is to spur on the long-term missionaries everywhere I go. Three months is still a short-term mission, as far as I am concerned. And, being able to help open new doors for our long-term contacts is one of my greatest privileges. 

At the beginning of this quarter & outreach, the Lord told me that this was going to be a FUN outreach! It was difficult for me to imagine. But, knowing that my God is faithful to fulfill His promises always, I clung to that word, reminding myself of it multiple times while on outreach. And, I can confidently say that this was the most FUN I have had on an outreach. I love watching God move and love in other countries! It causes me to look forward to the day when all of those who choose Jesus will worship God together! All nations, tribes, and tongues. What a beautiful sound! What a wonderful day! It’s coming!! 

So, thank you again to all of you who supported me in this particular outreach. Your financial and prayer support makes all the difference. And, God used it! Thank you for partnering with me. :)

And, Lord, I love you! Thank you for an incredible outreach. Thank you for teaching me more and more about your love for ALL people and the wonderful ways You love to fulfill Your promises. I love my life with you, Lord! I am privileged to be loved by You, to love You back, and to love others in Your name. :)

~Megan