Hello Everyone-
well here I ma at the last week of my 12 week long lecture phase. I'm loooking back over the last three months in amazement. I can't believe that it has been hree months since I was standing in the airport hugging my family goodbye and stumbling through security with tears running down my face. Haha I was a mess. I remember the first day I saw this base and how I was wondering who and what was inside. I remember the first few hours I spent in my dorm room laying on my bed crying for hours wishing I could be home with my family and friends. I remember the opening night meeting staff and fellow students. I'm now remembreing all the weeks of lectures where I've cried, danced, laughed, debated (aka argued with the speakers), and learned-learned-learned! God has taught me so much! I just want to share some hte big lessons I know that I'm learning and have learned over the last three months. Some of these lessons I know are very 'basic' but until you learn them for yourself and your own situation they don't really become alive... so yah :)

1. Love is giving not receiving. In any kind of relationship if you love the other person your desrie should be to give not to get. Condepedence upon others leads to failed relationships nad conflict as well as a lack of God in the whole situation.
2. Laying down your rights means to surrender all the things you once thought you 'deserved' (even a warm shower! haha). It means saying God is more important than my nation, future spouce, family, education, or career. It says I'm a vessel use me no matter the cost. It means saying he's my "Lord" and a "Lord" is over all and all hings belong to him in the first place. We're not "laying down our rights" we're "letting go" of what we thought was ours which really was rightfully his.
3. God is a God of forgiveness. God hates sin and thus we should hate it as well. When we hurt others and don't forgive others we aren't hurtin anyone more than God. Forgiving others just because of them isn't a big enough motivation... lets be honest people suck. But if we're forgiving and treating others rihgt because of God... that's a motivator.
4. Healing is a process but I can't let that process turn into an excuse not to heal or move on. The more you hold on the less GOd can use you. I don't want to be the reason God can't use me.
5. When you carry other people and other people's burdens you slap God in the face and say, "I don't trust you enough with other peple, things, or situation." If we odn't rust him enough with others that we love how in the world can we trust him with our own lives and future?
6. God speaks in more than one way. You're God is as big as the box you put him in... so don't put him in a box. Pretty basic right? I've heard that since 6th grade. Why is it so hard to apply? I didn't know God could heal people through m. I didn't know that miracles could happen like that!? He created me. He can do a lot more than that.
7. Growing pains hurt but it's worth it in the end. It's worth seeing god more intimately. It's worth seeing people in a new light. It's worth seeing the change and peace in your own life.
8. Reading the word is not boring! The Bible is God's word! We say, "I believe in God" and "I ove God" yet we don't care what he has to say?
9. Testimony is power. God has worked in my life and I want to share what HE has done. I want my testimony to glorify him.
10. Humility results in unity. Humility means vulnerability, meekness (power under control), and slefless respect for others and God.
11. Change is not a bad thing. It often brings healing, exposes weaknesses, and releases creativiy and flexibility.

God has tuaght me so much more than that but yah those are just some of the things I'm learning. I know that some of them may sound vague, family, or cliche but I'm learning them in my own personal life. It's hard but it's good. Please pray that He'll continue to guide me and teach me and all that good stuff. :)

This will probably be my last blog update for the next few weeks. I on't know what kind of internet access I'm going to have in Thailand (if any) and South Africa. I love you all and do miss you guys very much. I'm praying for you guys constantly and hoping that God is growing you as much as He's growing me. He is good guys! he is sooo good. He fills you when nothing else can. He provides in amazing ways! In a little over three weeks he provided almost $40,000 AUD!!! He provided us with amazing airline tickets that we got a week before we leave (tomorrow!) He provided ministries and people who are supporting us and providing for us. I'm so grateful and my faith has been built so much!

Prayer Requests:

-safe travel to and from Thailand, South Africa, and Dubai (lay over in the Middle East for 24 hrs.)
-Unity amonst our team and the teams that we'll be working with on outreach (Bangkok YWAM base staff and students, the church in South Africa we'll be staying with...)
-Open hearts in the prostitutes we'll be ministering to in Thailand and S.A.
-That our team will show the love of Christ to the kids in all our locations and that they'll see Christ in us and through us and that He will be glorified in waht we do.
-Continual financial provision for those who don't have thier outreach fees.
-That the Buddhist and Islamic strong hols in Thialand won't hold people back from hearing the good news!
-Oepn hearts in the Africans in the detention centers, orphanages, slums, streets, and old folk's homes that we'll be working in.
-safety

Thank you everyone! You're in my thoughts and prayers! I'll write as soon as I can.


God Bless,
-Shanna