OUTREACH ASSIGNED!

WEEK 1 Top 10

1. The frenzy of single student hands raised to volunteer for sunscreen application on Ironman athletes.
2. Bridger confidently praying for a Korean woman to be healed of diabetes and thyroid disease.
3. Coconut ice-cream pie with Macadamia nut crust
4. Permission to paint the room!
5. Generous letter to our school- over $30,000
6. Margrete’s Inspiration
7. Rental car found
8. Surrendering insecurities
9. Bond servant teaching
10. OUTREACH DESTINATION

We are going to ST. Croix!

After the leadership gave options with descriptions of ministry focus for each location, we were asked to choose our top 3 destinations. Our list included countries that were serving Syrian refugees that allowed Crossfit into the camps for training. Those choices however did not accept families but St. Croix YWAM base (where is that?!) invites families to serve together. We may be working in project housing with families in children’s camps, Crossfit, arts, and worship! We didn’t see this coming, but of course, it sounds like a custom fit.

This week has been a wild ride so far. 

Matt is volunteering as security at the Ironman race in downtown Kona since 4 am this morning. It was quite entertaining to see the frenzy of all the single students wanting to volunteer as sunscreen applicators for the athletes. YWAM Kona helps every year with the race. I had no idea it was possible to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles in one day- some do it in around 8 hours! You can view live here now.

This Monday began with several words of knowledge for healing: knee trouble, shoulder injuries, insomnia, whiplash from an accident 3 years ago… One girl got up and shared that she wasn’t going to stand up for healing until she kept hearing every specific injury she had from a car wreck 3 years ago that she almost died from. She had recovered from broken legs but still had knee pain, shoulder issues, neck pain, and she was diagnosed with PTSD because of the accident and insomnia was a result. SHE WAS HEALED by our great father who sees and knows. She reported the best night of sleep in 3 years and pain completely gone and she has joined in the Crossfit workouts! She is so filled with faith that her testimony will bring many to the Lord.

Coach Blake Respect the Corners Video link 

Outrageous Generosity

On Thursday the leadership read our school an anonymous letter that was left in the Fire & Fragrance mail box. The writer had been learning about radical generosity and felt the Lord asking them to give $2500. each to 8 students listed by name for their outreach fees. Then they gave a leader $2500. for a reliable car, $2500. to a "guy named Dereck Olson" who wasn't even part of our class but on a leadership track that 'randomly' decided to show up in our tent that morning! Then the giver announced through the letter that $5120. would be given to the fitness DTS, Respect the Corners!  That was over $30,000. After that letter, I watched these students give generously to one another as the lord lead. It was outrageous and contagious. The whole campus is riding the wave of generosity.

Grateful Resolve

Then there’s Margrete Stensby, one of the director’s of the K-12 Foundation School (and Zane’s teacher). From Norway, Magrete and her husband Thor have been directing here for over 15 years with a no-nonsense approach and a guiding resolve for missions. While walking with Margrete after a class, she shared that she has been battling cancer for the 3rd time. She is on medicine that is only prolonging her life and she has decided “When I die, heaven is a great reward but until then, there is so much to do well every day. What better place to spend my last days, than here in Kona, loving these kids?” It is clear she isn’t slowing down because of her diagnosis and one of the simple things she does to keep her attitude right is to thank God for 10 things every morning before she gets out of bed.

I have started this each morning and I find its hard to stop at 10. This morning, I am reminded of everyone of you praying for us and supporting our journey. I am so thankful for each one of you and how beautiful it is to be a part of the body of Christ.