Training, Training, Training

Well, these last four weeks has been all about training. The first was Uniquip which I told about in the last post. The second and third week consisted of the staff internship training that was for all new DTS staff. We learned a TON of valuable stuff including spiritual disciplines, time management skills, having the fear of the Lord in realizing the great responsibility we will have discipling students, and so much more.

Activities included a 5 hour speaking fast, creating a collage of what the Lord is calling us to commit to, and a couple of trips to the beach to promote bonding. :)

It was an amazing time and God really met me right where I was at and began providing new friendships which has been so awesome.

This last week has been a corporate training week for all schools that will be beginning this quarter, such as English as a Second Language School, DTS, and Introduction to Biblical Counseling School. It was so awesome to get connected to people from other departments on campus. Some valuable knowledge that I have taken away from this week is YWAM's Core Values, having discussions about why we do what we do, why we have the guildelines that we have, how to handle difficult situations with students, and really the value in listening to understand where people from all walks of life, including culture and upbringing, are coming from. It really has been a valuable time of training.

A side note that was really a blessing during this time is my friends Candace and Tim Marinello were here in Kona on their honeymoon and gave me a call to see if I'd like to hang out. We were able to go to church together on Sunday, check out the lava on the Hilo side of the island, and they were able to join me on a Thursday for our campus' Thursday Night Meeting. It was so much fun and I am so excited for them and their new life together.

Now we are in the last 2 weeks before students arrive. Things are going to start getting really busy these next weeks, but I am so excited! For my school I am officially in charge of intercession times, and I will unofficially be helping out with graphics design stuff, and readily available to help anyone who needs it.

If you could be praying for our students that would be amazing! The last two weeks before coming can be quite stressful and they will also be scrambling to get their finances taken care of as well. Pray for God's protection on them and their families these two weeks and also that God would supernaturally provide the finances they need to get here.

Thanks you guys for taking the time to read this, I am truly greatful for you and appreciate all of your prayers and support.

Love,
Janet

Settling In...

Aloha everyone! Here is my first blog from Hawaii. This week has been one of adjustment, reunions, and insight. When I arrived here last Sunday I quickly discovered that where I was going to stay was off campus about three quarters of a mile away from campus. However, because I arrived on Sunday, and because Monday was Memorial Day, I was not going to be able to get a key until Tuesday. All was well though because a friend of mine said I could stay on her couch on-campus until I could go to the housing office to see if I could get a room on-campus anyways. Well, as the week went on, it wasn't until Friday that I was able to get my room key and get a ride for my two 60lb bags to my room off-campus. Let me just say that it was so wonderful to wake up on Saturday morning in my new bed knowing that I was all unpacked and settled in. Definitely a relief.

Hale Ola is where I live

This week the new staff were invited to attend a seminar called UNIQuip. It consisted of corporate gatherings of worship, prayer, and listening to God in the mornings; and then the rest of the day there were a number of modules that we could choose from in order to become further trained in specific areas of our choosing to help with our ministries. I chose the "Discipling the Sexually Broken" module. The purpose of this module was to train people to become the bridge between secrecy and shame to coming into the body of Christ. I learned that sexuality is the divinely inspired longing to connect with others. I also quickly realized that to some degree or another we are all sexually broken, but having a relationship with Jesus can heal our hearts and bring us to more wholeness. Some great quotes I have in my notes include, "Our past does not predicate our future;" and "Lack of intimacy with God causes us to look to be satisfied by people." It was an amazing time of growth and learning for all of us in the class.

I'm officially staff!

As for adjusting to the YWAM lifestyle, I think I'm getting back into it. It amazes me how quickly we can forget things. When I went to the first morning of UNIQuip I was overwhelmed by the spiritual atmosphere. Back home, it's just not like here. So, it has taken some getting used to. I've been struggling with pressing into my relationship with God. I sometimes wish it would just come so naturally, but recently it has been something I have to be really intentional about and choose into. When I have, God has really spoken and it is amazing; He is so amazing, and He loves us so much. It still is a struggle though, so if you could pray for me in that area, that would be awesome.

Reunions!

That about sums it up. Reunions with some friends from my DTS have been great and I'm really excited for the staff internship to start on Monday. Please pray that God would use this training to speak to us about our future as staff and ignite a passion for the ministry He is calling us to. God Bless you all!

Love,
Janet