Megan's DTS Staffing Experience: A New Season

Taiwan!!

2011-12-27T17:30:00.001-08:00

Hi friends!I have been in Taiwan for almost 4 weeks now. Our team leaves this country (headed for another) on January 2nd! This particular outreach is probably the most fun I've had.From the beginning, our students have been incredible. They love to pray for each other, those we meet in ministry/outreach times, and also strangers on the street. They have beautiful hearts, desirous to see people know the awesome love of Jesus that each of them have experienced. I love my team!Personally, I am loving this outreach! The Taiwanese people are no exception to the other Asian cultures I have been privileged to experience. They are so kind, hospitable, and generous. The food is wonderful! Can I just say.... Bubble tea for about $1...that is a steal! It costs me $4 without tip in Seattle. In addition to enjoying Taiwanese people and culture, our team has been blessed with a wonderful contact/guide/babysitter. :) She makes life for Jimmy and I much easier. She has arranged wonderful ministries for us during these 4 weeks, has helped us purchase food for the team, has been a skilled and faithful translator. But, much more than that, Mayi has become a true friend to all of us. I love her dearly!Among other incredible things that have happened so far:- we performed dramas, dances and preached the Gospel of Jesus to a room of about 30 university students who did not know Jesus, and EVERY ONE OF THEM said they wanted to know Jesus!!!(these were just some of the salvations that we have seen)- our students have been boldly preaching the Gospel and sharing their personal stories of Jesus in front of public markets, inside elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, churches, youth groups, and a military school. - we have been able to partner with local churches as they reached out to their communities during the Christmas season; desiring that the Taiwanese people would have an accurate understanding of what the true origin of Christmas is...Jesus Christ's birth! Not Santa!It has been a blessing to love and serve the country of Taiwan. We are blessed as a team and are excited to see all that God has for us in the next 7 weeks! Prayer requests:• For good rest as we prepare to travel to a new country...• For fresh boldness to preach the Gospel in creative ways...• For comfort from God, as communication with friends/family will be greatly limited during our next part of outreach...• Wisdom, safety, and peace... Thank you to all of you who are partnering with me during this season. Your support and prayers are greatly needed and appreciated!I will be unable to update you from the 2nd of January - the 21st of February. But, I will catch you all up then, when I arrive back to Honolulu. :)Blessings!~MeganSheng dan kuai le & shing nien kuai le (merry Christmas and a happy new year!) forgive me as my spelling may be a bit off... :)

Leaving on a jet plane!

2011-12-04T16:05:00.001-08:00

Hi friends!

At this time tomorrow, I will be on a plane headed for southeast Asia! My team is very ready. All of my student's finances came in, and she was even still able to be on our same flight! :) Major answered prayer. :)

I am blessed with an incredible co-leader - Jimmy - and five incredibly beautiful, kind, and loving women. Please, be praying for us as we continue to grow closer to the Lord, each other, and immerse ourselves in new cultures, loving on the local people. :) I am so excited!

Of the couple of outreaches I have been blessed to go on in the past couple of years, I am definitely most excited about this one. Perhaps it's the ways that the Lord has been growing and stretching me. Or, maybe it is the promises He has been making to me regarding this particular outreach. We are going to have FUN! But, either way, I am going with great expectations that the Lord is already moving in these countries, and I just get to be a part of it. :) I'm believing that I will fall so in love with these cultures, that coming back to Hawaii will be a difficult thing for me. :)

This is my first Christmas away from my dad. I know...I'm 28 years old. How is that possible?! But, I have a wonderful dad and actually enjoy spending the holidays with him. Though I know there may be times that this is a sad thing for me, it is an honor to be missing a family Christmas so that I can see people meet Jesus in another country! It is an honor to serve my God.

This has been an incredible lecture phase (September - now), and I have great expectations of the wonderful things God is wanting to do in and through my team over the next few months. He has shown Himself to be a great provider, healer, and restorer! I can't wait to see all He has in store!!

I will do my best to send updates while I am in Taiwan (until January 2nd). But, after that I will be unavailable until I arrive back in Hawaii on February 21st. :)

So, thank you again to all of you who have jumped on this outreach with me; both in financial support, and through your prayers and love. I truly would not want to do this without all of you!

Lots and lots of love!
~Megan

Believing for provision...

2011-11-27T19:53:00.001-08:00

Hi friends!

Well, this week I am happy to say that ALL of my financial needs have been provided for for this current outreach! Thank you again to all of you who have provided financially. It is so completely appreciated! And, I love that so many of you are wanting to partner with me (whether in finances, prayer, or both) during this season. Thank you!

With that being said, my team is in need of prayer and finances! One of my students, whom I love dearly, is still in need of over $2,000. She has been contacting people that the Lord has been highlighting to her to ask if they would consider supporting her. She has been seeking the Lord to see finances come in. And, as a team, we are seeking the Lord to see what we can be doing. So, I am asking if there is anyone who would like to consider/pray about helping my student get on outreach. :) Let me know!

On another note, we are having outreach prep week this week. So excited! We will have great team times to work on different dances, skits, and dramas in preparation for the school performances we'll be doing in Taiwan.

Here are a few prayer requests for those of you who love to talk to the Lord!

- Financial provision!!!
- Continued unity in our little family (ie: team) of 7
- Great communication & productivity as we practice & prepare for outreach this week
- For me personally, that I would be able to manage my time wisely, not stress out, and be able to find time to rest...

Thank you thank you thank you!
~Megan

An answered prayer...

2011-11-19T10:45:00.001-08:00

Our beautiful school! (with a few staff missing)

This has been a week to remember. I've watched as the number of needed funds has dropped about $20,000! The school, as a whole, is still in need of about $30,000. But, what a blessing! (Please be praying with us for this money to come in!)

For me, personally, I have seen so many of my friends feeling led to support me on this outreach. I continue to be surprised and blessed by those of you who have given. :) Thank you! I had mentioned to you all that I was still in need of about $800. Well, that number is now down to about $230! (Just received another donation this morning).

Some of you may have also noticed that I have added a "Donations" page that you can click on at the top of my blog. On it is a "Donate" PayPal button. So exciting for me! I feel like I've entered the 21st century! Haha. :) Hopefully this will be an easier way for people to donate in the future than sending checks.

On another note...there has been a particular prayer request I have had for the last couple of months. As I continue to live my life here in Hawaii, I have been mentioning my desire (and efforts) to get more involved in the greater community of Honolulu. One of the things that would make this a lot easier would be to have a car. So, feeling led by the Lord to ask Him, I began asking back in September for Him to provide me with a car. More specifically, I asked Him to have someone GIVE me a car. Only a few people knew I was praying for this. Well...it happened!!!! Friends of mine on the island (one of them a past student) are being given a car in March by their friends who are moving off of the island. As they were praying about what to do with her current car, they felt led to give it to me! It is completely paid off and in great condition! A Ford Focus! I am overwhelmed this week by the obedient generosity of others and the great provision & kindness of my Heavenly Father. :) He truly is a Father who loves to give His children good gifts (Matthew 7:11).

Lastly, I am learning this week that my hope and provision truly is in Him. God will not call me somewhere and then not provide the basic needs for me to get there. I am believing! I am believing that this outreach is going to be the most fruitful (spiritually) that I have been on yet. I'm believing that my students are going to thrive in Asia, loving on people, praying for people, and serving people. I'm believing that, as a team of seven, we are going to grow closer and closer as a family, learning how to love each other well.

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:35

Blessings! And, have a great weekend!

~Megan

Trusting...

2011-11-12T00:24:00.001-08:00

Hi all!

Our staff meal time last week...got blessed by our leaders with steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus! Mmm...

This has been another wonderful week! Prayed for a couple more people on Sunday...both completely healed! So exciting. :)

Then, this week I got some great reports back from our group of students that heads to University of Hawaii campus (about 10 minute walk from our base) each week to talk with them, hang out, pray for them, etc. Well, one guy on crutches got COMPLETELY healed! He was able to walk around totally fine without them. One of my friends went up to another guy who didn't really seem to want to talk, but my friend persisted in asking if she could pray for him. He said yes. She prayed for the Holy Spirit to come. Holy Spirit came. ;) The guy, feeling the Holy Spirit tangibly, asked what was happening and if he could feel it other times, too? She said, absolutely...he just needed to give his heart and life to Jesus. He said yes! :) Another group of young men came up to some of our girl students, acting all tough, and asking for prayer as a joke. Hehe. So, the girls started praying for them, hearing God's voice clearly for these guys. Well, they all started breaking down, crying...the girls were getting direct words from God for these guys, encouraging them that God truly is real and loves them. God is real! He is even showing up on college campuses!! :) Bringing healing, salvation and encouragement. Sounds like the Gospel (Good News), ya?! :)

On another note, our school is currently waiting to see around $56,000 total come in for our 3 outreach teams. Wait, watch, and see that number drop to $0.00. :) My team needs a little over $5,000 by the end of next week (as we are a much smaller team). And, to break it down further, I am needing about $800 of that total. Fully believing God will provide!

If any of you feel led at all to partner with me in this outreach, you can send checks (payable to Megan Robbert) to: 2707 Hipawai Pl.
Honolulu, HI 96822

I will also be setting up a PayPal button on my blog shortly, if that is more convenient. :)

All for now! It's been a great week, and I am greatly looking forward to my rest day tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy your weekends!

Lots of love
~Megan

A Week of Healing!

2011-11-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start with the highlights of the week! This week, our lectures were focused on the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday afternoon, after lecture, I was walking out of the kitchen with my plate of food and getting ready to eat my delicious lunch. All of a sudden, there was a sudden shooting pain in my left knee. I do NOT have knee problems and it came out of nowhere. There have been times in the past when God has brought a sudden pain in my body. This is one of the ways that He sometimes shows me that there is someone near me (in proximity) that needs healing in that part of their body. There were about 4 picnic tables full of people eating. So I loudly asked all of them, "is there anyone who has pain in their left knee?" Two people immediately raised their hands. So, I went over to both of them. The first one I prayed for was a 13-year-old young man on our base whose mom is on staff here. Apparently he had a knee injury a little while back, and is in fairly constant pain. He later told me that his knee was wrapped up when I prayed for it. (I couldn't see, since he was sitting at the picnic table). So, I laid my hands on him (they do that in the Bible) and I prayed for the Holy Spirit to bring healing and commanded healing over his body. I asked him how he was feeling, and he said it was fine! I asked him if he had pain before I prayed...yes. I asked him if he had any pain now...no! That was 3 days ago, and when I checked in again with him last night, still 100% healed! I also prayed for the other person about 20 minutes later when I realized she needed prayer, too. (Note to self: always pray for everyone who says they have pain and want healing in a situation like this.) I prayed. Not sure if she is healed, but my knee pain went away entirely, letting me know that what needed to be prayed for was good! :) Yay God!

That's not all! Tonight, a couple of my friends and I decided to head to Barnes and Noble to relax, grab a cup of decaf., and read a book. (Some of you may have already read my Facebook status, but this story includes more!!!) I sit down at a table, getting ready to read my students' journals from this week. Suddenly, my attention was grabbed by a conversation happening next to me. A man, probably in his mid-40's, was talking with a couple other women around the same age, telling them about a pain he had been having in his right arm all day. Immediately, I felt the Lord stir up faith for healing. They were preparing to leave, so I quickly interrupted their conversation, saying that I overheard that he was having pain, I'm a Christian and believe Jesus heals, and could I pray for you? The woman next to him, said yes for him. (Haha). He stuck out his arm to me, saying sure. So, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to come and bring healing from the root of the problem. (Sometimes when I pray for healing, the Holy Spirit shows that He is doing something by making my hands heat up...this started happening). So, I took my hands off and asked him how he was feeling. He moved his arm around briefly and said that it felt a little better. (Not the answer I was looking for, but I KNEW God had healed). So, I looked at him, smiled, and said, "ya?" He moves it again, barely looks at me, shockingly says, "ya...that's creepy." I could tell by his reaction that all of the pain was now completely gone! As he quickly walked away toward his friends, I told him that Jesus heals and God loves him!

But, that's not all!!!! So, then, about an hour and a half passes as I'm reading my girls' journals and began reading one of my books. All of a sudden, I feel the Lord telling me to go to the Christian book aisle of the store. (I didn't hear an audible voice, just a small thought in my mind...that's how I hear Him a lot). So, I put my book down and walked to that aisle, thinking maybe someone would be there. No one really was, so I picked up a book and started reading. About 3-4 minutes later, a young man (probably early-20's) walks into the aisle and asks me if I was the one that prayed for that guy earlier. I said yes, smiling. :) (God...what are you doing? Hehe). He said, that he didn't know much about miracles or if that guy received a miracle, but that while I was praying he had felt something he'd never felt before. I smiled widely and said that it was the Holy Spirit he was feeling. That God is super real and loves to heal people! I asked if he was a Christian, and he said yes. We talked about the Holy Spirit for a little bit, and then I asked if I could pray for him have the Holy Spirit come fill him up in a new way. He said, yes...so I did! And, the Holy Spirit filled him! I asked what he was feeling, and he said he was feeling joy, calm and peace. I said...ya, that's the Holy Spirit. Then, I prayed, asking God if there was anything He wanted to say to encourage this young man. I was able to share with him a couple things. Specifically, I felt the Lord highlight a part of the Bible where it talks about armor that God gives us as believers to battle with the spiritual realm (demons, etc.). The two pieces of armor that God highlighted specifically were the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) and the shield of faith. I told him this, and he smiled as it resonated with him. He told me he had just been reading that particular passage. Ephesians 6:10-18. Amazing!!

Lessen of the week: God is real, Jesus reigns over death/sickness, and the Holy Spirit heals!!! My life is awesome!! I love working for God! Also, this week, God was reminding me that my calling, gifts, and skills from Him are always meant to be a BLESSING, not a burden. :)

There is so much more that God has done this week, but I know this blog is already quite long. Praying that this encourages all of you!

Much love!

Megan

Learning to rest...

2011-10-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

I am learning to rest. It's a biblical principle - and command - but so often I forget just how important it is to live it out. By the end of last week, all of the school staff here were getting pretty worn out. Our schedule is a bit more packed than anyone intended.

I want to brag on our school leaders a bit. :) I am so blessed to have the leadership in my life that I do. They came to us - the staff - on Monday evening and told us that they were going to revise the schedule!! So, we now have an extra night off during the week. Plus, a couple of activities were combined giving us a bit more free time. Yay!!! It has helped my week so much, and has given me the opportunity to get a few things checked off of my "to-do" list. Yay! Oh ya...and then they took us all out to the Cheesecake Factory! Mmmm...the Chicken Madeira was AMAZING! I highly recommend it. :)

On another note, I have become a bit more involved in my local community this quarter. My church has a few "life groups" (basically small group settings) during the week. I'm involved with one on Wednesday nights that has been focusing on a study in freedom. And, my friend and I (from the base) have gone to the Friday night Young Adults life group a couple of times. In fact, I'm getting ready to head there in a couple of hours! I'm finding it so helpful to be getting involved with friends outside of Youth With A Mission. It's been fun to get to know new people in the community and a bit more about island culture. I love Hawaii!

In honor of being intentional with my rest, I will be taking my second full rest Saturday this weekend! :) (With the exception of maybe heading to the bank to make a deposit). I did this last weekend, and it helped so much with the beginning of my week! So, I'm planning on it again!

Oh...and a couple of great praise reports! I received a couple of unexpected financial donations this week that will help pay for my November staff fees! Yay!! So, thank you to those of you who gave. It is so appreciated and incredibly helpful! And, thank you so much to my regular supporters - both in finances and prayer. I am so blessed to have you all in my life!

Blessings!

Megan

He continues to heal!

2011-10-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Here are some highlights that have occurred since the last time I wrote:

- I turned 28 years old!!!!! And, I must say, it feels quite different to now be - officially - in my late 20's! (I know…many of you are probably laughing at me right now, but it's exciting for me!)

- Our DTS took a week-long trip to the Big Island to join 7 other DTS's for a corporate week of learning from Youth With A Mission's founders and other great leaders. It was a week of being encouraged by our leaders to dream big! God's plans for our lives are usually greater, more fun, and completely outside of our realm of understanding. He has options for us we didn't even know existed!

- This past week was quite a busy one for our DTS. Lectures were amazing (we were learning about Kingdom Sexuality: God's perspective). Worship, prayer times, and processing times were all wonderful. But, we also began to realize just how busy our schedule is. Our school directors being the incredible leaders that they are, decided to change our schedule a bit. We now have a bit more free time! So…what am I adding to my free time? Exercise! I have desperately been needing to be more active. So, I'm doing it! Just got done working out, in fact. :)

I believe those are the highlights of the past couple of weeks. There will be more specifics to come on this coming weekend's blog. But, I wanted to be sure to catch everyone up!

Oh ya! And, God continues to bring healing and freedom to the DTS students. Last week, during a time of worship, I felt that the Lord was wanting to bring healing to people who were experiencing headaches. No one had told me that they were having headaches. But, the Lord was showing me that some people were (God loves to speak and heal!). So, I asked for those that needed healing to come to the side of the room and we'd pray. I knew (again from the Lord revealing it) that someone was experiencing pain behind their left eye. Sure enough, I asked the first girl if the pain was behind her left eye. She looked at me surprised and said, "yes!" We prayed and God healed!!!! :) A few others also received healing that night from headaches and other physical pain. So incredible! God certainly loves to bring healing!

All for now!

~Megan

Week two...

2011-10-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

I set out for a walk through Manoa Valley this morning around 9:15...didn't get back until noon! I ended up going all the way up to Manoa Falls. It was so beautiful! A few too many mosquitos, though, so I didn't linger too long.

This has been another incredible week. Maria Daughtery was teaching our students about hearing God's voice in lectures this week. It's always fun to see students growing more and more confident in their ability to hear their loving Father speak to them.

This week, God has been impressing on my heart the power that is in confession from our mouths! Not just confession of sin, but confession of God's truth and promises over our lives. In my own life, I'm learning the importance (and freedom) in declaring the truth of what He says about me instead of believing and adhering to the lies that come from the enemy, other people, and even myself. I'm learning to listen to God's truth about me (especially through Scripture), speak it out verbally, and walk it out in my life. I'm noticing this impact how I use the gifts and talents He has given me, especially in the way of worship. I've been singing out a lot more lately...singing the songs I feel Him putting on my heart.

Student testimony: One of the things I have learned is that when God is doing powerful things in our lives, the enemy hates it and does everything he can to kill, steal and destroy that work (John 10:10). We had a short 10-minute break from lecture on Wednesday morning, and as I was heading back into the Tin Cathedral (where we learn, worship, etc.) I noticed one of the girls laying on her bed, with a couple of other students praying for her. As I asked her what was going on, she began describing how she was feeling physically. I knew she had been fine earlier, so immediately sensed that this was probably the work of the enemy, trying to distract her from getting all God had for her during lecture. She was experiencing heat in her body, racing heart, nausea, and fuzzy head. She agreed that she felt it was the enemy. So, as I began praying for her, I felt the Lord directing me to have her declare (from her mouth) the authority Jesus has given her and tell the enemy (ie: demons) to leave her alone. After this, I had her declare Scripture about her authority, identity in Christ, and power over the enemy aloud. As she began to speak these truths out, her voice got more clear, loud, and authoritative. After about 3 minutes of this, and asked her how she was doing. She said good! That she felt she could sit up again. She got up and we headed back into the Tin to soak up more of what God had for the day!

Demons attempt distract from the freedom and power that God is bringing in peoples' lives. After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert for 40 days of fasting before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan himself came to tempt Jesus. Jesus' response was to fight back with Scripture. It is the first weapon I see Jesus use against the enemy. It must be a primary weapon we use! (Ephesians 6:10-18 show other weapons we use, including Scripture.)

Outreach News: Our outreach teams were formed yesterday!!!!! I can officially saying that I am co-leading a team of 6 students (5 gals and a guy) to a couple of countries in southeast asia! :) Because of safety concerns I can't publish the names of the countries, but feel free to call me if you would like to know! ;) We will be leaving the first week of December and will return the end of February. I love my co-leader, Jimmy Yim, and our wonderful students! So blessed. :)

Coming Up: I will be celebrating my 28th birthday in Kona this week, as the Kona DTS's, Kauai DTS, and Honolulu DTS join together for one great, crowded week of learning, worshiping, eating, and living life together. We'll be hearing from Loren and Darlene Cunningham (founders of YWAM) and David Hamilton. All are speakers I was encouraged and blessed to hear from during the School of the Circuit Riders I was part of over the summer. So, I am looking forward to our students being blessed by their great wisdom and contagious love & passion for Jesus.

~Megan

Week One...

2011-10-01T01:03:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a quarter of FUN! It's a something that God has been speaking to me...even before I got back to Honolulu. And, I am definitely already having fun. The students are so great to be around. Their hearts are so beautiful!

This week, we have been learning (in lectures) from Art Collins about identifying the marks of a disciple of Jesus. All of the students and staff are still getting used to one another. We had a delicious Mexican style meal tonight as a school, followed by fun games and laughter. Such a great group!

One of the other things that I know will be different for me this quarter is getting more involved in my local community. I started going to a small group through my church last January quarter, and have continued this. I really love the people I have met through my Church. The small group I am in right now is studying freedom in the Lord. Love it! Even as God continues to free my heart from more and more of the things that hold me back from Him, I learn that I always have room for more freedom. I really am having so much fun with God this quarter! He is becoming my best friend. :)

It has been a great start to the school this week, and I am expectant of the greatness of next week already; simply because God is great!

Much love...and have a great weekend!

~Megan

God is so good!

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Where do I start?! Students began arriving Tuesday of this past week. The normal scene happens here...awkward! Haha. It's always a little rough the first couple of days as students (and staff) are trying to learn everyone's names, and students begin to adjust to their new home.

We kicked off the school with Aloha Day (welcoming day) on Thursday. Festivities included worship, games, and a delicious BBQ down at the beach. We ended the evening with another time of worship and ministry. Here's where it gets really good! As the worship time came to an end, one of the staff felt that the Lord was saying He was wanting to bring physical healing! So...those that needed healing came forward. One girl had jammed her arm back in May and has had extremely limited mobility ever since. Scans had shown that she was going to need surgery. Immediately after prayer (and HEALING!) she had FULL mobility of her arm; full range of motion with no popping! Amazing!!! But, that's not all. Another girl received prayer for her Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance). As the weekend continued on, she began eating wheat products that would have made her extremely sick before. Now...completely healed!!

Friday afternoon we loaded up the vans and headed out camping for the weekend on the beach! It was much needed to get away from the base, computers, and other distractions so we could begin to get to know one another better. We spent the weekend learning more about the students, why they chose to come to this school, and what they're hoping to get out of it.

I'm completely blown away by God's greatness, faithfulness and goodness. He just loves us so intensely. He loves to bring healing! Jesus is just soooo good!

I am blessed to be here, serving in this capacity. It's not always an easy job, but times like these remind me of why I am here and encourage me to continue persevering in the rough times.

Much, much more to come...

~Megan

Back in Honolulu!

2011-09-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Honolulu! I am so excited about life right now. I arrived back this past Sunday, and got right into staff training on Monday morning. It has been a week of worship, prayer, and preparation for the upcoming arrival of students next week.

I have been so blessed by the community of people I live in. They are so loving, funny, and determined for the Lord.

We have about 20 students coming next week, and I couldn't be more excited!!! After staffing for a year, I can honestly say this is the most excited I've been for students to arrive. Yay!

There truly isn't much more to report for the week. It has been busy, but productive. Oh...and on a sad note...my guitar was broken en route from Seatac to Honolulu International Airport. So, I am in the middle of a claims process with TSA. All prayers and welcome!! My initial interaction with the kind TSA lady on the phone was a positive one, so I am hopeful for compensation of some sort. But, I am so sad at the brokenness of my guitar. It was a gift from a student (and is a little more than 40 years old). It was in near perfect condition and sounded amazing. I'm hoping for a skilled guitar surgeon to come along and heal my guitar!!!

All for now! It is my plan to blog every Friday to keep update with ya'll, as that was a request from a few of you! Thank you for tracking with me!! It's so encouraging to know people are reading. God is so good! And, I can't wait to inform you all of the fun things I will get to do with Him this quarter.

~Megan

Oh How He Loves Us...

2011-08-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love!

He's incredible.

He's thoughtful, honest, pure, holy, joyful, creative, and playful.

He only speaks words of life.

He never tears me down, hurts me, or plays cruel games with me.

He doesn't constantly take from me, but is consistently

desiring to give me

good good

gifts...

Gifts of His time, His patience, His love, His mercy, His beauty.

He's given everything for me.

Even when He calls me out

and challenges me to love more and care more for those around me,

He is still there reminding me that

I'm good enough and

I do not need to earn His love.

He never puts me down. He never leaves me lonely.

He is constantly with me, encouraging me.

He is inviting me to partner with Him. He doesn't demand, but continues to invite.

He loves me with a love that never disappoints

and longs for me to pour that love out on others.

He especially asks me to pour out His love on the

poor and needy...

to embrace them as He desires to embrace them.

To hold the little ones that have no mother or father to hold them.

He is inviting me to love.

To fall in love with him more and more.

And, to love those around me.

He is inviting me to love.

I've fallen in love!

His name is

Jesus.

He takes my breathe away...

Circuit Riders!

2011-07-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

My life is getting rocked right now! My perspective of Jesus is being made more and more accurate. My view of His sacrifice for ALL people and His great, extravagant, costly love is being made more real.

After arriving back to Honolulu from outreach in June, I helped prepare students for their returns home, began working on base in the yard maintenancew, and preparing for the a school in Kona called Circuit Riders. It was an opportunity that came up mid-spring, and the Lord spoke clearly for me to GO! Because it is the first Circuit Riders school that has been run, most people have remained fairly unsure as to what it would look like. Because of this, I wasn't quite sure how to describe it to all of you. After arriving last Thursday and beginning classes on Monday, I now can offer a clearer picture.

We are getting our fires for the Lord stoked! During lectures, I find myself sitting in one of about 300 chairs of young people (anywhere from 17-63 years of age) completely and passionately in love with their Creator and desiring that ALL people in every nation of the world realize just how much this same God desperately loves them! I am surrounded by people who are not just believing Jesus died for them...but are LIVING their lives abundantly for the Lord because they know He died for FREEDOM!!!! We have the option of complete, full, freedom-filled life in Him.

So, for the next 5 weeks (until August 13th) I will be throwing myself into all God is offering me in this season. We have about 3 hours of lecture M-F. Tons of worship times, prayer times, and personal application in smaller groups. On Thursdays I get to be a part of a smaller group that will be going door-to-door to visit local homes, asking how we can serve them and pray for them. I am so excited!

It is a season of refreshing! This school is a reminder and a calling to come back to the simplicity of our first love in Jesus. It is the simplicity of the Gospel. It is based on (and comes with the spiritual inheritance, I pray) of the original Circuit Riders, beginning with John Wesley's commissioning of Francis Asbury to America. To learn more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_rider_(religious). This was a group of radical men who had a passion to see the most remote homes in America learn of the good news of Jesus Christ. By the time he died, Francis Asbury had ridden 270,000 miles on horseback. He rode in the harshest of weather, ridden with disease, sometimes tied to his horse so he would not fall off. This was a man who believed Jesus to be who He said He was, and lived his life as such!

If you would like more information, please let me know. Give me a call! :) Let's chat.

God is sooooo good! I'm learning so much and getting more and more stoked to grab onto all God has for me and for all of us. Love you all!

Blessings,

Megan

Back from Indoppines outreach 2011!

2011-06-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Our team just arrived back in Honolulu yesterday morning. After about 10 weeks spent in both Indonesia and the Philippines, it was wonderful to be back home. I first want to say that I have truly missed everyone so much!

With the hopes of keeping this blog "readable" in terms of length, let me focus on some of the highlights of what the Lord did in my hearts, the hearts of my students, and in the Indonesians and Filipinos we met along the way.

God has been teaching me more of what it looks like to care more about pleasing Him than I do about pleasing other people. This is not always easy for me. But, after weeks spent in the jungles of Borneo, Indonesia, I had to begin to learn how to rest and take breaks from ministry. Without these breaks I would have burnt myself - and the team - out. God has also been teaching me how to receive blessings from Him. We had 3 wonderful guy students on our team who loved to bless us by helping us with our bags, letting us eat first, and keeping watch to make sure we were safe and out of harm's way. The girls on our team have also been a blessing in many ways. This team cared for each other so well, and I have had to learn to receive blessings from others.

I've also seen God do miraculous things in my students' lives. One of our students was completely healed - after we prayed for him - of his snake phobia (not just a fear...but a literal phobia). He even found a snake during one of our stays in a village in Indonesia, and was able to hold it while posing for a picture! Granted it was nearly dead, but he never would have been able to do that before. The students have also grown closer and closer to the Lord. They've seen His faithfulness in their lives and in the lives of the people we met in these countries. They have operated in love towards each other and have served, very lovingly, the ministries we worked with.

Though we didn't always see the miraculous healings we were hoping - and praying - for, we got incredibly good feedback from our ministry contacts. While in the villages, we visited homes (usually people who were members of the village church), listened as they talked about their lives and requested prayer. We would pray for them, but rarely did tangible evidence of God's answered prayers happen in the moment. Later, however, one of our Indonesian contacts pulled Liz - my co-leader - and I aside to encourage us. He said that these people we had visited were already talking about how the white people (whom they usually just see on T.V.) were now in their homes, listening to their stories and praying for them. They told our contact that they really felt we cared for them. It was exactly the encouragement we needed to hear!

God has been teaching me so much more about physical and emotional healing. He is teaching me that He cares, first and foremost, for our hearts. Yes, God loves to heal our physical ailments, but sometimes He chooses to first address the heart. This is the area He longs to touch in our lives. This is the area that is most vulnerable and so often attacked by the enemy, and distracted by the world. He has created us to share our hearts with Him. Our hearts are created to love Him. And, though many of the people we met claimed to be Christians, they most often were not actually following Christ and living lives dedicated to God. So, with many of them, their hearts really hadn't been given to the Lord yet. As I said, I'm still learning about healing. But, He is expanding my view to see that healing is not just in the physical. Paul encouraged us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 that we are to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

As I continue to process, I will surely write more of the things God begins to stir in my heart. Hopefully this post has made sense. There is one last thought to leave you all with. When I first came to staff the Discipleship Training School here in Honolulu, it was because I wanted to learn what it meant to truly disciple someone as Jesus disciples. Though I am still completely in process, I can honestly say that I have begun to learn how to disciple. For those that have allowed me into the vulnerable places of their hearts, I have walked with them, rejoiced in their triumphs and had my heart break when they are struggling. I am not perfect, but He is teaching me everyday. And, I am having so much fun doing it!

More to come, I am sure...

~Megan

God Provides!!!

2011-03-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and family,

Thank you so much to those of you who have provided to me financially, and also to those who have been faithfully praying! I have seen all of my financial outreach needs met! Hurray!!!

On top of that, yesterday we saw the final thousands drop and the announcement that our last two students would be going on outreach (one of which is on my team). Thank you Jesus! We would have felt the absence had he not been able to go. It is absolutely faith-building to have seen God provide around $40,000 in the last few weeks for students and staff. God is so faithful! Some donations have been from family and friends, while others have been completely anonymous and unexpected. It's incredible to witness the generosity of people.

With that, we continue to prepare for outreach. As a team, we have spent the last few days preparing ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually for our departure to Indonesia on Wednesday. I cannot believe how quickly it's come. One of my favorite moments in preparation came as our team was dropped off on Hotel Street (high homeless population) on Thursday night and given the mission to complete two open airs. An open air is basically a loud church service in the middle of the street, directed toward those who don't know Jesus. We usually start with an attention-getter, such as a dance. Then, a skit or drama displaying some aspect of God. We performed a drama that hammers the point that Jesus has died to take the burdens that we carry on a regular basis. His desire is to carry them for us. Very powerful drama and message. We also had a time of worshiping God, as well. The reason this was my favorite moment of outreach prep was that a man - who had felt very burdened - walked by as we were worshiping and said he could feel the difference. He asked one of my male students for prayer, and my student ended up leading this man to the Lord! This man accepted Christ - even though he had been raised in a Christian environment. Such an incredible moment!!!! This is only the beginning of the incredible things I know that God will do through our team in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Today is a rest day for me, so I am currently nursing my cold and attempting to think as little as possible about outreach preparation in order to give my mind a rest. :)

My main purpose for writing today is truly to say thank you! Your sacrifices have blessed me tremendously, and I really do appreciate it. :)

Blessings!

Megan

Life with Jesus this week...

2011-03-12T00:17:00.000-08:00

It's worth it. It's all worth it. Following Jesus is all-inclusive. "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:17). It is my privilege to share in it all.

This week has come with both sufferings and glory. I've begun to feel the reality that we are leaving for Indonesia in less than three weeks. God has brought me so much freedom in the past months to not stress as much in the things I cannot control anyway. But, I am still learning. So, sometimes it is a fight for me to trust God fully. To trust that He has my back. To simply listen to His word for me and only pick up the things He is asking me to pick up. To do less or more would be disobedience. So, in my obedience to only do what He has asked of me, I trust that He will take care of the rest.

And, He is providing! I still needed a bit more money for my staff fees this month, and a couple from my church family here in Hawaii sent a financial gift to me that will cover the rest of what I need. So cool! The Lord reminds me this week that He is my provider in ALL things. I am never in want when I am relying fully on my Creator.

I have found a lot of peace the past few weeks in Psalm 23. I pray that same peace for you...

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You annoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD forever."

~Megan

It's a new day...

2011-03-05T12:35:00.001-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been incredible. Our lectures have focused on Intimacy & Intercession, and then this last week on the Holy Spirit. Amazing!

If there was one thing I could point out as having been a major focus the past few weeks, it is that God's highest calling for us as His children is to know/receive His love for us! Secondly, to love all of those around us. It is not always easy. Loving those that hate us, slander us, abuse us. He helps us to know and learn physical and emotional boundaries with these people. However, we are still called to love them. I don't pretend to know exactly what this looks like every time. I think that every time and with each person, how we are asked to love them looks different. This way, we are forced to rely on the Lord's love! It all comes back to His greatest commandment for us. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27).

Like I said, it has been an incredible week! I'm moved by the Lord's love for me. I'm receiving it in new ways, and learning to love Him back. And, I'm learning more and more to love others out of the love I receive from Him.

Things with our team are great. :) Liz (my co-leader) and I absolutely love them all. We are growing more into a family every week. God is giving me His heart for them, and it's so fun! We are getting mentally, spiritually and physically prepared for outreach. We leave at the end of this month! I can't believe it's already less than 4 weeks away. We've been blessed to meet with our Philippines contact (who was living on the YWAM base for a couple of months at the beginning of this year). And, we met with one of the staff who went on outreach to Indonesia a couple of years ago. She was able to give us a great idea of the ministry we will be doing in villages. It will be quite different from what we are all used to. No electricity. Bathing, cleaning dishes, and washing clothes usually in the same water. YES! I'm so looking forward to getting back to the basics/necessities of life. I'm looking forward to how it will free up time to spend with people and in relationship.

Prayer needs:

- That our visas for Indonesia would go through quickly and smoothly.

- That we would continue to grow closer to each other, as a family, in unity.

- That Liz and I would continue to grow closer and closer, in unity with what God is doing in our team and as we move into outreach mode.

- That our hearts would grow greater for both Indonesia and the Philippines. So, that when we arrive, we are ready to jump in and love all those around us. :)

- That all of our/my money would come in. I think I am needing around $2,000 for plane tickets. If you feel led to give financially, I would love for you to partner with me in all God is doing and will do on this outreach! Directions for giving financially are on the home page of my blog. Please let me know if you have any questions. :)

Lots of love!

~Megan

Thank you so much for listening & caring!

God HEALS!!!

2011-02-19T12:32:00.001-08:00

This week, I have something absolutely wonderful to share with all of you that I pray greatly encourages you!

One of the students on my team ruptured his eardrum at the very beginning of the school in January. He had been told by the doctor that he would need surgery to prevent permanent hearing loss in that ear. However, due to a severe lack of funds, he continued to put off the surgery. Well, last Friday (the 11th), he went back to the doctor to get his ear checked, and the doctor insisted on immediate surgery - within the next couple of days. So, with another appointment scheduled, he informed everyone of his need for provision. He also received prayer for healing, because we fully believe that God loves to heal!! :)

Tuesday the 15th was his next scheduled appointment to see his doctor and get a date set up for the surgery. From the student's account, the doctor came in, looked in his ear, looked at the chart, and, completely stunned, announced that there was absolutely nothing wrong with either of his ears!!!!! The doctor looked at my student and asked if he believed in miracles. My student boldly answered, "yes I do. I serve a powerful God."

I say this to encourage all of us, even those who already believe God can heal. So often we don't see it happening in the western Church. We most often hear of miraculous healings occurring in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. But, this week, God proved yet again his great ability to heal and his compassionate desire to do so for His children. Surgery could have healed my student, as well. But, for whatever reason, the Lord chose a miraculous healing that would stun even the doctor!

Thank you Jesus!!!! Thank you God that you love to heal us! Thank you that you care more for us than we do for ourselves. :)

~Megan

Outreach!!!!

2011-02-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

I am so very proud to announce that I will be co-leading a team - with my friend Liz - to Indonesia and the Philippines this coming spring! We presented the 3 country options to all 27 students about 2 weeks ago, asked them to pray for about 25 minutes, and then write their chosen country on a piece of paper. Thus, our team of 8 students was developed!

What I love is that God chose to reveal the outreach location to 5 different students prior to the countries being revealed. Of our 3 male students, all of them felt called by the Lord to go to the Philippines. One of them knew a few months ago that God was drawing his heart toward the Philippines. Another one of the guys - that Friday morning - said that God spoke to his mind the country of the Philippines...but that he wasn't sure why. Haha! So cool! And, the final guy on our team was told (in a group setting with all of the school present) by another student that he thought God was speaking the country "Philippines" to him. So...all of our male students feel the Lord directing them toward the Philippines...and all before the option was even made known to them by the staff. :)

One of the girls on our team said that God spoke Indonesia to her during her time spent with God that morning. And, one of our staff confirmed that she had seen "Indonesia" written on her notebook paper before the option was even given! One of our other female students has felt called to the Philippines for quite some time. :)

I'm explaining all of this because I love the way God lets us in on secrets!! Just because we - the staff - hadn't told them didn't mean that God was going to wait. I love it!!

So, come the end of March, Liz and I will be leading this team of 8 incredible students to Indonesia (for about 7 weeks) and the Philippines (for about 3 weeks). I couldn't be more excited. Yet, I know that the Lord will only continue to give me more and more of a heart for these countries and for the students He has put in our care. I feel so privileged to be partnering with what God is doing in these lives!!

More to come...

~Megan

A new school...a new season

2011-01-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

I want to know how to love deeper! I want to have a new revelation of God's love for me, and I want to learn more and more how to have His heart for others.

I love this new group of students. They are so honest and hungry for the Lord! It encourages me and spurs me on. It causes me to not want to be afraid of anything the Lord could be asking of me.

It's a new season here on Oahu. It's winter, and though I doubt I will get any sympathy from anyone on the mainland, it can be quite blustery at times. That being said, I still am absolutely in love with Hawaii! I feel alive here. I feel like it is my home and I'm so grateful that God has invited me to be a part of the work He is doing here; loving islanders, students, and peers. It's an incredible privilege.

Things aren't always easy. God continues to teach me that, even as I learn to disciple others, I am still being discipled by my wonderful God and the mentors and friends He has placed in my life. I am blessed by them all. :) God also continues His faithful provision in my life in numerous ways. He is caring for all of my needs because that's what He promises in His word. (Philippians 4:19). So, even in my lack, I know God's promise is that He is caring for every need I have. So I will continue to walk in this truth, "seek[ing] first His kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

I think that is all for now. There is so much more I want to share...but I need to wait a little bit longer. :)

Loves!

~Megan

2010-11-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that we are already moving into week seven here on the base. I've been struggling to write this blog. The struggle isn't in not having anything to say, but in trying to figure out how to communicate all of the incredible things God has been doing.

Where do I start? I never knew it was possible for God to work on so many areas of my life at the same time. He has been speaking so much! This past week, God taught me more on what it means to hear His voice. Not only to hear His voice, but to believe Him and that His word is good and He is faithful to follow through on every promise He makes.

My heart is literally so full. Most recently, God has been showing me that, though I've always claimed to be a "planner", this is not where my identity comes from. My value does not come in this administrative gift. And, God has been holding back this gift for a season, allowing me to fail over and over so that I can enter into freedom, operating in the refined gift. I'm so excited! I'm learning I don't need to live by my to-do list. That, in fact, it has been my to-do list that has hindered me from living for the moment, appreciating each day for all God has.

I am not defined by the gifts God has given me. My value is not based on how well I can plan things, my ability to sing praises to Him, or even in my obedience to follow Him. My value simply comes from the fact that my Father created me and loves me. This is my most recent revelation from Him. He is using it to usher me into brand new freedom. I am finally learning to receive God's love and His identity for me.

There is so much more, but this is it for now. God is so faithful!!!

~Megan

God is moving!!!

2010-10-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

We're in the middle of week 2 of lecture phase for the students, and God is moving in powerful ways! It has been our prayer that these students would experience God from day 1, and this is exactly what is happening. This is not the norm by any means, and we've seen students dig into what God is doing in their lives. It's incredible!

For me, it's definitely been a transition from life on the base as a student to staff. It has been challenging, but so good. God has been speaking to me about being a nurturing, comforting, caring mother for girls here who haven't had this. As I'm walking through this I'm learning that all of the comfort I have to offer is truly from the Lord. "...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). I am walking this very verse out right now.

I guess I just wanted to give you all more of an insider perspective on the specifics of what is happening right now on base. Like I said, God is moving! With that, we've been getting some serious attack from the enemy who does not want these students (or anyone else on base) to be moved by the Lord. But, we continue to press in and take the authority that we know we have in Jesus.

Thank you all for your prayers! I will keep you posted. :)

Blessings!

~Megan

Students are here!!!

2010-09-22T21:14:00.001-07:00

Hi friends,

I have quite the plan change to explain. I will not be going on outreach this coming December, but instead will support staff this school. Most likely, I will end up leading the January school outreach. A couple of the male staff stepped up into outreach staff positions, which is definitely ideal. I have total peace about this switch and am looking forward to getting acquainted with staffing and digging roots down deep with the families on base and with the surrounding Honolulu community. I already met a nice man in the valley (probably in his 80's) while I was on a jog who talked to me about gardening. :) Such a great neighborhood!

The students have been arriving this week and all of them will be here by this evening's end. We have our welcoming day tomorrow (Aloha Day) when we will get to know everyone a bit better, head to the beach and have a BBQ. We have 29 students; 15 girls and 14 guys. The nearly 50/50 ratio hasn't happened in quite a long while at the Honolulu base. Typically the number of girls far outweighs the guys. They are all wonderful and we are so excited to see what God is going to do.

I just wanted to give a little update to keep everyone in the loop. Hope all is well!!!

~Megan

Staffing Begins!

2010-08-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hello wonderful friends and family,

I arrived home in Honolulu, HI on Saturday! It is so good to see familiar faces and catch up with friends. This week we began leadership seminar. For the next couple of weeks, everyone one on base (base staff, DTS staff, leaders) will all be spending time together, training, serving the community, and drawing closer to the Lord as we prepare for what's to come this year.

DTS staffing was definitely not my original plan, but as I spent time praying about where the Lord would have me go, my heart grew more and more for this program. I am so excited for the students to arrive and begin their experience.

What's more, my plan was to support staff for the September school. Essentially, DTS staff is made up of outreach staff - staff that will take the students on their outreaches - and support staff - staff that will come alongside each team of staff and students as they prepare for outreach. The plan was to support staff the September school. However, as I'm noticing more and more in my relationship with God, there are always fun surprises!

So, I am officially outreach staff! It's a new development, and I completely feel the Lord's leading in this. Over the next couple of weeks I will be praying about where God is wanting me to lead a team. All of the outreach staff will be praying individually. In a couple of weeks we will all sit down and pray together and reveal where we feel called to go. From there, staff will be paired up and teams will begin to develop.

I am a mixture of emotions right now. But, more than anything, I am just so aware of how faithful God is. He continues to speak to me about taking this one day at a time; trusting that He will supply me with everything that I need for this season.

The students will be arriving by September 23rd! We will spend the first few months in training (lectures, worship, evangelism, community outreach, etc.), then off to another country mid-December through February! I will let you all know as soon as I can what country I will be leading a team to.

More to come soon...

~Megan

Back In Washington

2010-06-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Never did I imagine that the past five months would be as incredible as they have been. I have been blown away by the incredible things the Lord has done. So many thanks to all of you have been faithfully praying for me and my team. It was needed and felt.

We finished up our time in Baguio - which was incredibly fun, challenging, and fruitful - toward the end of May. We then headed to Olongapo where we lived with - and helped disciple - women who have recently come out of prostitution. They were so kind, welcoming, and fun to get to know. The things they are learning about who God is and who He has created them to be is remarkable. At night, we visited bars and became friends with women who are still living a life of prostitution. What I didn't expect was how completely sweet they are. We would talk to the girls about how long they've been in the bars, if they like it (most often, not so much), and about their families. We would play billiards with them and dance the cha-cha slide. We were also able to hang out with them outside of the bars. We invited them to a lunch/games/Bible study day at the YWAM base where they were able to meet some of the disciples (girls who have come out of prostitution). We also invited them to a beach day where one of the girls decided to leave her life of prostitution, join the discipleship program, and begin a new life for her and her children. So exciting! Praise God!!!

Overall, we saw God do incredible things in the Philippines. The Filipino people are incredibly generous, welcoming, and family-oriented.

Our team met up with the rest of our school (those who had gone to Bangladesh) in Honolulu toward the beginning of June and have been catching up, telling stories, and saying goodbye.

I arrived in Seattle late last night (June 15th), and am spending the day processing some of the things the Lord has been doing. One of the things that has helped me so much in this whirlwind of a process is being aware of the many wonderful friends and family I have praying for me and supporting me. So, thank you for being you! I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Feel free to continue to pray for me as I prayerfully consider what the Lord is calling me to do this summer and into the fall.

Blessings!
~Megan

Baguio City!

2010-04-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hi friends!

Well, we are about two-and-a-half weeks into our outreach experience. It has been INCREDIBLE! We arrived in Manila on Wednesday, April 7th (I believe) and spent about a week-and-a-half working with the Balut YWAM base. They are located in the slums of Manila and do a lot of their ministry with the Smokey Mountain kids and families. We with feeding ministries and taught Bible studies. At the new dump site (where families are living) we were able to bathe little kids and feed them. Such a blessing! One of the little babies I washed was probably under a year old (not walking yet). He was so happy! I just kept talking to him as I bathed him, and he kept touching my face and mouth with his cute little fingers. My leaders keep telling me I can't bring any babies home... ;)

I definitely created some friendships with the staff at the base and will miss them. They are incredible. A couple of the staff grew up on Smokey Mountain (it is literally a garbage dump). Years ago, the government was able to get financial aid from other nations to build permanent housing on the site so its residents wouldn't be living in the garbage anymore. They are better off than they used to be...but conditions are still not that great. And, now there are people living in the new dump site down the road. It's hard to see, but such a blessing to be a part of the work the Lord is doing there.

We left Manila and arrived in Baguio city (in the mountains) last Sunday. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here. It's about 10 degrees cooler here than in Manila, which is such a relief. We don't sweat through our clothes here! And, the view is amazing! I love it here in Baguio. If you get a chance, try looking up pictures. It is just so beautiful. I believe we are about 5,000 feet above sea level right now and the city is built on hills. Not great for the motion sickness when traveling in jeepneys...but I'll survive.

We have been so unbelievably blessed with a two-floor, four-bedroom, three-bath house to stay in. We are in charge of planning, buying, and preparing our own meals for our little family of six...and it is so fun! On top of that, the doors the Lord has been opening for us are great! Philippines government elections are going on right now. The election is May 10th, so we are experiencing the height of campaigning. God got us into the government offices last week and we were privileged to meet - and pray for - the mayor. He is running for congress and hoping to make even greater changes in law there. We were also able to pray for another man in government, as well. Then, a couple of nights ago, we joined an intercession team and prayed at the city gate. We were also invited up into the police tower to pray. Such a great opportunity!

The next two weeks will be quite busy for us. We are teaching DTW (discipleship training weeks) at two different churches. Some of the students we will be teaching do not yet have a relationship with the Lord...so prayer is greatly needed! Our team is running the teachings, worship and small groups.

Prayer Needs:

Be praying for the DTW's - that the things the Lord wants to convey to His children would come across loud and clear and that we would have discernment and open ears as we teach

Prayer for health - 5 of the 6 of us were sick in Manila. Colds seem to be passing. But, Hakon has now acquired motion sickness for the first time in his life. Overall health prayer would be helpful as we continue to adjust to a new location, altitude, and food.

Unity in our team - continued prayer that we would grow as a close-knit family during this time.

Thank you all for partnering with me during this time. God is doing incredible things here in the Philippines and I am blessed to be a part of it. I am sure there is more I could say, but I cannot think of anything else right now (and I am running out on my hour of Internet in the cafe). ;)

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20)

~Megan

To the Philippines!

2010-03-28T21:01:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday. I'm currently sitting in the base staff girl's living room getting the last of my computer "to do" list completed. We're turning in our computers and cell phones tonight in preparation for outreach (though we get them back briefly for the weekend to take care of last minute details). Friday marked our official last day of lecture phase. This week, we are focusing on preparing ourselves and our teams for living the next two months in other countries. Half of our team will be leaving for Bangladesh on Saturday morning. Then, my team will head out on Monday, April 5th. I can't believe we leave in just 8 days!

I struggle, yet again, to find words to describe what I am experiencing. The Lord has been so good to me! This has been such a season of learning to rest in Him. I am so unbelievably grateful. Now, I have an opportunity to love Filipinos! God has really been teaching me that my obedience to Him - and everything I do for Him - needs to come from a place of my love for Him. If all I am doing is acting in simple obedience to His word, it will be void of the passionate love He has for His people. If nothing else, I want to leave the Philippines knowing that every person I came in contact with experienced the full love of Jesus.

I realize that I haven't given a good idea as to what my team will be doing. We will arrive in Manila (the capital) on April 7th...just in time for the 50th Anniversary Jubilee for YWAM. We will be volunteering during the Jubilee. The rest of our time in Manila (about 2 weeks) will be spent doing slum ministry; working with children.

From Manila we will head to Baguio for 4 weeks. Here, we have been asked to teach three, week-long DTW (Discipleship Training Week) schools. The lectures I will be working on will be "The Father Heart of God" and "Hearing God's Voice." Every member of our team - there are six of us - will be in charge of at least one lecture topic and will be teaching every week. Each lecture is about an hour and half.

Next, we will head to Olongapo for the last two weeks, working with a discipleship ministry that offers women who are in prostitution a way out. We will be living in the same house with these women - some of whom have children - discipling them and living life with them during the day. In the evenings, we will go into the local bars and meet women who are still living a life of prostitution. We will have a lot of freedom in this setting to even introduce ourselves to these women, get to know them, and have the opportunity to invite them to lunch later in the week. Our goal will be to show the love of Jesus to these girls, showing them that not everyone is just looking to get something from them. Hopefully, they will have the chance to see that there is a way out of the life they are living.

As you can tell, the ministry opportunities we have in each city vary drastically, thus our prayer needs are quite widespread. Here are things you can all be praying for:

- There are huge strongholds of disunity and miscommunication in the Philippines (among
other things). Please be praying for protection for our team. Be praying for great unity and
clear communication within our little family of six. Be praying that we grow more and more
into a family, learning to love each other well. All so that we can display the love of God
well.

- That our hearts would break for the children and families living in the slums of Manila. That
we would be motivated to love through action.

- Teaching is a big responsibility. Please be praying for us as we are working on our lectures
this week before we head out. Be praying that the things God wants these students in
Baguio to learn would be conveyed clearly. They speak English, which is a huge benefit to
us, but pray that we would speak clearly and slowly so they can understand fully.

- As we are in Olongapo, it is incredibly important we are working together and loving each
other as a family. Some of these women have never seen how a loving family operates, and
we want to display that well. Also, protection for our two men (Curtis and Hakon) as we
minister the women in the bars. Other DTS teams have gone before us, so we know it is
possible and that the men have had great success in showing these women what it is to be
treated respectfully. But, we still need prayer!

- Overall...that we - like Jesus - would do only as we see the Father doing. Personally, that I
would be more concerned about God's reputation than my own; risking in whatever ways
He is asking me to, and that it would all come from my overwhelming love for Him.

Thank you so much for your willingness to partner with me during this time. I am confident that the Lord is going to do incredible things, as long as we continue to ask Him daily where He would have us go, what He would have us do, and who He would have us love. I am looking forward to sharing incredible report of the things He will do! I love you all and am so grateful for you.

Until my arrival back to Honolulu on June 8th... God bless you!

~Megan

Growth

2010-02-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

God has been doing so much in my life the past few weeks and I've found it difficult to get it into writing without overwhelming all of you who are so faithfully reading this blog. So, I will try to do my best. :)

Since I last wrote, one of the girls planning on going to Bangladesh, has now - through much prayer - switched to the Philippines team! So, we now have four girls and two guys (including our leaders). I am so excited! We've begun meeting as a team on Monday afternoons (team building), Wednesday lunch for prayer, and Friday afternoon just the girls. It's been so nice to have more time to get to know these incredible men and women I'll be spending intense time with for a little over two months. More on Philippines ministries to come...

As for my heart, mind, soul...well, God has been moving in GREAT ways! We have been learning about the character & nature of God, hearing His voice, spiritual discipline/evangelism, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual warfare/freedom. The last couple of weeks, especially, have been trying. Here are the things God has been speaking to me about:

- This is to be a time of rest for me; learning what true rest in Him looks like, and intentionally integrating that into my daily life
- I have a desire for greater passion in Him that motivates me to action for His Kingdom. I'm finding that this is going to come more and more as I fall deeper in love with my Jesus.
- He has been bringing up other gifts that He's given me, and is calling me to integrate these into my everyday life, as well. (ie: intercession, prophetic worship...) He's giving me more opportunities for creative outlet (dancing, painting, writing). It has been so fun!

These are just a few of the things God has been doing in me. There is so much more...but I am still processing all of this. For those of you you have been supporting me - whether financially or through prayer - I want you to know how incredibly grateful I am! I am so appreciative for this season in my life right now. I desire to gain 100% of whatever God has for me. I'm learning more about the importance of stepping out, risking my own reputation for the benefit of God's reputation being known! God has also been speaking truth into lies I have believed. Here is what I have grasped:

- The sin in my life has never and will never define who I am. God defines who I am. In that knowledge, I can step out in risk, knowing that my mistakes will only be used to teach me, strengthen me, and grow me. Mistakes are helpful in building my character, but are NOT what defines my character.
- God will never leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:5). There is NOTHING I can do to cause Him to leave me. So, in that truth, I can be completely myself before Him. I can bare it all!
- He is always with me. So, in all things, I can turn to Him for comfort.

Thank you, Lord, for everything you are doing in and through me during this time. I pray that this is only the beginning of this new part of our relationship. I pray that everything you desire to stick with me from this time sticks. Cause this experience to be the catalyst that catapults me into all the riches you have for me in this life - including every persecution, trial, and time of suffering - for I "know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope" (Romans 5:3,4).

~Megan

I Know Where I'm Going.... ;)

2010-01-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

It seems like it's been such a long while that I've been wondering where God will call me to go during DTS outreach this coming April. As most of you know, I had my definite idea of where I was hoping to go. However, when I arrived in Honolulu, I began to realize that, regardless of whether or not that happened during this DTS, I knew I would eventually make it there. So, I've been able to simply be excited about where God is planning to send me.

Yesterday, I desired God to give me an idea of even one country that would be an option. Throughout the day, I began to have the slightest inkling that the Philippines would be one of the options given us to choose from. So, about 10 minutes before finding out our options, I felt prompted by God to make a list of three countries that, should one be given as an option, I would choose. The Philippines was the third on that list. I have never had a desire to visit the Philippines, nor did I have any idea about the culture, climate, religious affiliation, or even whereabouts of this country. So, you can imagine my surprise when the two options written on that whiteboard were Bangladesh and...PHILIPPINES! I laughed, and then confidently wrote "Philippines" on my little piece of paper, handed it off to my DTS staff, and began to thank God for His unbelievably clear direction in this decision.

God knows me so well. This is the type of decision that would typically cause hours of toil and prayer, greatly desiring to make the right decision. Of all the decisions I've made - including the one to even come on this DTS - it is rare that I have a clear direction given by God. In the past couple of years, many big decisions have been God allowing me to choose where I would like to go. But, not this time! This time, there is a clear calling to a specific location. On top of which, I had three staff - after the fact - tell me that, through prayer, they knew I would choose the Philippines. So great!

There were only three students feeling led to go to the Philippines. The other seven will be heading to Bangladesh. We will have two DTS staff with us. Another very incredible God move: the only guy going to the Philippines is Hakon (from Norway). Get this! When he bought his ticket to Honolulu, he didn't need to get a visa as long as he could prove - via airline ticket - that he would be leaving America within 90 days. Because he had no idea where to buy the outreach ticket for, he randomly chose the Philippines, planning on changing the destination later. Thus, when this was one of the outreach options, it was incredibly clear to him where he was to go. God is soooo good!!!!

So, over the next few months, I'll be learning more and more about this foreign country I know nothing about. Just thought you all should know!!! :)

~Megan

Week One

2010-01-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

Where to begin? Well, I just experienced my first rain in Hawaii since I've been here. I love it! I struggle to find words - unrelated to weather - to describe what I'm feeling and going through right now.

God is so good. That I can say for certain. I am so unbelievably grateful to be here with greatly minimized distractions, able to focus on what the Lord is saying. He has been saying a lot. Here is where I will start...

Typically, upon arrival, DTS students are settled in, celebrate a fun Aloha Day at the beach, and then, the following day, are introduced to the curriculum, calendar, and base/house rules. But, not our team. Instead, we went on a camping trip. Given a minimal packing list - with such items as deodorant and toothbrush absent - we began to mentally prepare for our departure the following morning.

All I can say is, thank you God for this experience. Timing is everything, and this camping trip is exactly what I needed. We were taken to Kualoa Ranch (www.kualoa.com), and allowed to camp two nights in exchange for some small labor projects. It is an incredible privilege to be able to do this. Kualoa Ranch is not open for public camping. It is only by special relationship with YWAM Honolulu that we were able to do this.

During our trip, we were able to go on an eight-mile hike around the mountain, sleep on a tarp from a beautiful vantage point of the valley, and grow closer as a team. Having been stripped of so many comforts (cell phone, watches, knowledge of the time, what was being planned, when we would be coming home, toothbrush, deodorant, changes of clothes, etc) we were forced to rely solely on the strength of the Lord and encouragement from each other. What a blessing!

One of the things I felt God speaking to me during this time is simply the riches we get to enjoy as His children. Here we were, camping in a beautiful valley, rich with history and experiencing something that most people will never get the opportunity to experience. This is our inheritance in the Lord. The extraordinary! He offers the invitation to ALL but it is only those who accept His invitation for relationship with Him that are welcomed into the experience of the extraordinary.

In just a short week, I have been unbelievably challenged. I am blessed with a dedicated and mature team of DTS staff who are dedicated to our spiritual and emotional growth during the next five months. I am being stretched and know that it will only continue in deeper ways.

The people are wonderful and diverse. We are a small team; just ten of us. Young adults coming from Canada, Australia, Catalina Island, Kentucky, Chicago, Norway, and Seattle. There is a Korean DTS team here, as well. Their program is entirely separate from ours, but we get together for all-base worship on Monday mornings. And, let me just say that being a part of worshiping the Lord in different languages is so beautiful.

There is so much more I could say, but I am still processing. Please continue to pray for me as we are studying the character and nature of God this week during lectures. Pray that I gain everything from this experience that He is desiring me to grasp.

I love you friends!

~Megan

Here I Go!

2010-01-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've been planning for DTS for the past several months, and now I leave in six days. Though I have had to accomplish a lot in order to be prepared to leave next week, God has been teaching me more and more about the importance in living one day at a time. That's all He gives us; one day. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Just one day to listen, obey, and follow after Him. To enjoy everything that is around us. The people He puts in our lives and the circumstances, be it good or tough. For as much of a planner as I am, I've been finding so much freedom in living one day at a time.

So, I'm spending as much time as I can with the people I love. All the while, I am beginning to anticipate all of the wonderful friendships I will make. I'm nervous, but incredibly excited. I'm slightly scared, but looking forward to the boldness and confidence I know I will increasingly gain during this experience. I may be unsure of my circumstances right now, but I am ever confident of His presence. He is with me. This I know. He is with me. For better or worse.

I have a feeling this experience is going to change so much of how I live my life and view the rest of the time He has given me in this world. And, for that I am incredibly grateful. I am ready to be put in difficult circumstances, trials, and for Him to shape me more and more into the woman He intends me to be.

I will miss you all! Please keep in touch and let me know what is happening in your lives.

~Megan

It's Officially Official!

2009-11-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

Today, for the very first time in my life, I purchased my own airline tickets! I've flown numerous times, and even by myself, but have never had the need to buy my own tickets. Well, today - with the help of my dad on the other end of the phone - I clicked the "purchase now" button and breathed a huge sigh of relief, mixed with "I really hope I didn't pick the wrong dates, wrong time, or wrong seats!" After scanning my itinerary one last time, printing a copy for my records and signing off, I realized that I am officially leaving in just about two months.

I know I'll only be gone for five months. For everyone else, it will feel as though the time as flown by and you won't believe I'm already home. For me, however, I have a feeling it will be much different. I'm just not sure how different or even what I should expect.

Not much else to say, other than that the reality of my trip is sinking in more and more. I'm experiencing excitement, anticipation, a little bit of fear, and the realization that I need to start spending some serious, quality time with my daddy and friends before I leave. I have a feeling I'm going to blink and the next two months are going to be gone.

~Megan

A Time of Preparation

2009-10-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I never thought I'd have a blog. I never thought I'd have a reason to need one. I definitely never thought I'd be sitting here, at a computer, writing about my fast-approaching DTS experience.

For the past few years, I've watched friends go out into the world to experience life-changing DTS experiences. I've been the listening ear as they recounted stories, new relationships, and miracles they had witnessed. I've sat back, completely content to be the onlooker. "Thank you, God, that you are not calling me to foreign missions," I'd think to myself as my friends came and went.

There is a reason why seasoned Christians will advise that you should never tell God what you don't ever want to do. I've watched friends of mine fall prey to this same folly. Let me just say that God is a good God. He doesn't force us into situations we don't want to be in. He simply points us in the best direction, and invites us to join Him. Many times, the road we'd least like to travel down, is the very road that will challenge us and shape us into the people He has destined us to be; the person He already views us as. This, though it probably won't be easy, truly is the best road. Some choose to set out, while others will turn the other direction.

I'm not sure I'll ever quite understand what led me to the decision of a YWAM DTS. All I know is that, in the middle of relearning the passions and desires God has given me, somehow my heart changed. He began to give me a new passion I had never known. I began to long for the abnormal; the unfamiliar. This little corner of the world that I have always lovingly called "home" now seemed small. I still love this area and the people here that have become my family, but I want more. I want to meet new believers that I otherwise would never know. I want to be uncomfortable, stretched to my limits, and learn more and more what it means to rely solely on God for his comfort, provision, and love. I want to use every ounce of gifting He has given me for His glory. I want to fall in love with other nations and love His people as Christ has loved me. Alone, I am completely incapable, but with the power of God's Spirit walking with me, I know I can do this.

Undoubtedly, I will come back changed. I'm not going to be the same person that I am now, and for that I am incredibly grateful. God has placed an opportunity before me that I never thought I would choose. Now, it is the only thing I want to choose. I long to be more and more the woman He is making me to be; yielded in every way for His glory and purposes. By your strength alone, God.

~Megan