Friday, December 23, 2011

Rainy Day Fun

Once upon a time there was a rain storm [with thunder] in Kona, Hawaii.
The thunder aspect was unusual for this big island in the Pacific.
So four friends decided to be adventurous and chase the eye.
They found an epic space with great light and decided to take photos.
The end.






It's A Girl!


In India, China and many other parts of the world today, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. The United Nations estimates as many as 200 million girls(1) are missing in the world today because of this so-called “gendercide”.

Girls who survive infancy are often subject to neglect, and many grow up to face extreme violence and even death at the hands of their own husbands or other family members.

The war against girls is rooted in centuries-old tradition and sustained by deeply ingrained cultural dynamics which, in combination with government policies, accelerate the elimination of girls.

Check it out HERE.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Happiest December Update


Check out my good looking glory team!
The Week Countdown
My team leaves for Africa this Friday! While I’m extremely excited, the incredible weight of leading a team of 7 people with one co-leader humbles me every day. I understand – more – what it means to fear the Lord.

I’m so excited that the Lord would put me in this place, at this time, to lead and disciple young people further into knowing Him and then taking them out to share His love with this nation.

As staff, it is our responsibility to plan our outreaches. This includes housing, food, transportation, ministries, etc. The details are coming together and after hundreds of emails [true story!] we have our first month “figured out”. We will partner with YWAM and Iris ministries, as well as run a youth camp.

During the second half of our time, there is a possibility of splitting up and a few from our group traveling north to build sanitation facilities and water catchment tanks through Justice Water. About 1.8 million people die every year due to preventable diarrheal diseases; most of them are children under the age of 5.  Please pray the details for this trip to work out. It would be an amazing opportunity to bless the YWAM base.

**Please note: Internet access will be limited, therefore I will not send many [if any] updates while away. BUT DON’T WORRY! I will journal and take photos and tell you my stories when I’m back in Hawaii! We will return to Kona, Hawaii on March 12 where we will debrief as a school. This is a beautiful time of sharing stories from all nine outreach locations.

Students leave March 16 and we as staff will debrief as a family. I am sure there will be many lessons learned as we share the good and difficult times. I have friends visiting me in Hawaii for a week before I staff the 2012 Let Justice Roll Down Seminar May 18-June 8. Speakers include: Shane Claiborne, Ched Myers, Elaine Enns, Tim Nafziger & Sylvia Morrison.

 We staff performed a flash mob dance for our students at our end of lecture phase Love Feast.
It was epic.

Finances
My goal in raising monthly support is to avoid last minute email alerts asking for thousands of dollars in a week. However, I am dependent on the Lord and others to help make this possible. A lifestyle of support is not easy, but it a foundational value YWAM believes in!

PRACTICE DEPENDENCE ON GOD FOR FINANCES
YWAM is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For individuals and YWAM corporately this comes primarily through His people. As God and others have been generous towards us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time and talents to God through the mission with no expectations of remuneration.

All that to say, ALL $2,970.38 of my funds came in! A BIG “thank you” to everyone that’s given financially!

If you would like to jump on board and partner with me monthly you can through http://thestorehousemovement.com/. (Please do not designate funds in my name on the Paypal site, but send an email to Kristin [kristin@thestorehousemovement.com] designating your gift for “Lindsay.”)

You can also send checks to: “The Storehouse” at PO Box 540782, Omaha, NE 68154-0782. Please do not write my name on the memo line of your check, simply include a note designating “Lindsay.”

If you would like to look at my monthly budget I emailed out before, please ask.

 Melodie is one of my students going with me to Africa.
She is from Texas and one of the funniest people I know.

Travel Schedule: We leave on the evening of December 23 and arrive in London, England on Christmas day. We have 24 hours in this great city and because of the generosity of a dear friend and her family, all nine of us will have a free place to stay, a home cooked meal, shower and beds one last time before we head on to South Sudan. We will continue our journey early on the 26th and land in  our African country on December 27th where we will take a 2 hour bus ride south to our accommodations.

 Esther is my amazing British co-leader.
She is a deeply God fearing woman.

Please Pray:
- Co-leading a team is challenging in many ways. Please pray for wisdom as we lead seven fiery lovers of Jesus in to this nation. Pray that we would lay the unknowns at the feet of Jesus and trust Him to lead and guide.
- Our living conditions will be rough. No electricity or running water + sleeping in tents and “out door” restrooms. Pray there’d be no complaining in the camp.
- Faith! I am learning –more – what it means to be faithful in the small. Pray for an increased portion of faith in my life for God to do the possible and the impossible.
- Health. Please pray no sickness or worms would have their way in our group in the Name of Jesus!
- Safety. Please pray our group would be safe everywhere we set our foot. Not just safe, but untouched and not noticed when need be.

It’s the holiday season, which means holiday shopping. If you are looking for a unique personal gift, consider my product store: 16x20 canvas photos, Act Here. Love Now. books, and bracelets.
If you are interested,
contact me!
• • •
 My team had a 2-hour team building session where we leaned about communication, trust, conflict, commitment, accountability and trust.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Unspoken Instant

This photo was taken back in 2009, when Elisa was a wee one and I had short hair.

I love kids.
And I have a few on the island that melt my heart.

One being Elisa.

Nothing says, "I Love You" like a 3-year-old girl running into your arms.
And cutting the circulation off around your neck.

"Spin me, Lindsay!"
"Again!"

On a day when tears flowed freely, God gave me the special gift of Elisa.

It's sweet moments like this, when God whispers into my ear, "I remember your heart dear one."


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Joural Entries - Encounters With the Living God

Friday, December 2, 2011
"Sitting/worshiping/looking at your face in the prayer room and I'm overwhelmed by your love for me. I'm brought to tears because you are so captured by me. You never need time away from me. In fact you are desperate for my affections. You long for me to notice you. You are persistent with your pursuit, yet gentle. I am so overcome with your presence. I want to rest here, in your courts."

Monday, December 5, 2011
"In your presence I find clarity. When my eyes are fixed on you, and my spirit engaged - literally everything else fades away. Sometimes I wonder why I leave this place. I want this place of us looking and locking eyes to go with me everywhere. If I know anything it is this: I am a presence junky and I want nothing more than being in your courts. I love you God. Like LOVE. Like more than I even understand or could explain."

Christmas Gift Ideas



 For those of you who are still Christmas shopping, still scratching your head for ideas, EMAIL ME. I still have about 25 copies of our acclaimed work, “Act Here. Love Now.” for sale and they can be yours in a snap.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

See You Later Alligator

Remember Naomi?
My Kiwi friend from back in the day.
I'm talking April of 2009.
I was her first American friend in YWAM.
We were roommates in DTS.
We travelled the world together.
For 2.5 years.
We've seen the best and worst in each other.
 She is leaving.
Again.
For the second time.
Dumb.
 She is like my little sister.
Annoying.
Loud.
But dearly loved.
 I've had some of my best YWAM times with this wee one.
Some of my greatest laughing sessions.
And some of my greatest crying sessions.
 She is a world changer.
Passionate.
Tender.
Crazy.
 She is beautiful.
Joy filled.
Lover of the creative.
And will be dearly missed.
But I don't think I'll cry like a little school girl this time.
Because if Naomi has taught me anything,
it's that this world is small.
And that an island on the very opposite side of the globe really isn't that far.
Indeed.

Love you fart face.