The Little Things

I've heard a number of times from 2 time Olympian (and on his way to 3!) Meb Keflezighi that it is all about the little things that makes him a world champion at the age of 41. I've reflected on this and realize it truly is the little things that keep you healthy in order to compete at an elite level. Whether it is icing, stretching, strength training, foam rolling, or eating at specific times, all of these are essential to keep up with the training.

One of my little things has to do with keeping my feet in top shape. As you can imagine, my feet take quite the beating with 50, 60, 70, 80+ miles racking up each week. During races it goes to a whole other level.  I remember coming home to my parents house last summer after the San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon and letting my brother exact his Paramedic expertise on my feet by placing lidocaine soaked strips over 3 inch long blisters on the balls of my feet before patching them up so I could even walk around.  I sat at the finish line that day for 30 minutes with giant ice bags under my toes just to cool my feet off.

What I've learned over the last year is that there are little things that I can do every day to avoid the excruciating pain I experienced that last June, and it doesn't cost much.  My secret: Vaseline and a foot pumice stone.

Yep, I use Vaseline like a child is given unrestricted access to Nutella.  Morning and night, before and after every training run and race, I'm constantly greasing up my feet to keep them soft so blisters don't develop.  Along with that, every time I'm in the shower, I'm scrubbing down my feet to keep from any build up of callouses that would eventually result in really deep blisters on my feet on race day and long runs (what happened in June).

It is amazing how such a little thing of applying Vasaline and using a foot pumice stone can eliminate so much pain from your life.  It is so simple that early on in my discovery of its effectiveness, I slacked in my disciplined usage doubting if it was really necessary all of the time.  Well, every time I don't stick to the routine, the blisterous pain returns.  So now I use it religiously.

It is funny how in life there are so many little things that can make our lives less painful, that we know about and have even experienced their benefits, but still slack in disciplining ourselves to stick to it for our own well being.  Yes, there is grace, heaps of it, so we can always start over.  But let's do something good for ourselves and choose with discipline those little (and best) things.

Take Care,
Janet

P.S. I'd love to hear one of your "little things" that help you to experience an abundant life.  Share it in a comment below.

Support Janet's Running Career

As many of you know, I have a dream to qualify for the Olympic Trials!  You've been following me on social media these last 2 years and seen the incredible transformation that has taken place in my life and the resurrection of my passion for running.  I hope you have been inspired along the way!

Up until now I have been creating training plans all on my own, which has been an incredible learning experience in becoming an elite athlete.  However, I am now at a point in my running career that the next step in taking my running to another level is to invest in a coach to help me strategize and train at the elite level so I can make it to the Olympic Trials.  In order to do this, I need some help from friends and family.

With every race and accomplishment I am grateful for all of the encouragement and support I've received.  It means so much to me to have hundreds of people cheering me on both at the finish line and in the digital world.  As I continue to train towards my dream, know that I know I can't do it without you.

To get the kind of coaching I need, it will cost me $250/month.  This works out to be 50 people donating $5/month, 25 people donating $10/month, 10 people donating $25/month, or one generous donor at $250/month.  Would you consider helping me to take my running to the next level?

If so, fill out the PayPal link below.  Any amount helps!

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Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  With your support, I will be sure to keep you updated on all of my running endeavors.  You're truly helping to make my dreams come true!

Sincerely,
Janet

Help Me Get to Jordan!

Hi Friends!

I want to tell you about an incredible adventure I'm going on this summer and ask for your support in making a dream come true!

Ever since high school I have had a fascination with the Arab world. I'll give a shout out to my best high school friend Manal for being a part of this dream being planted in my heart. She is from Lebanon and in her home she spoke Arabic growing up. Whenever I went over to her house, I loved hearing them speak and also observe the unique cultural differences they had from mine. The hookah was always out, goat skins were on the floor, Arab soap operas were on TV, generosity and hospitality were their profession, and her mom often taught little kids Arabic in the garage. I always enjoyed spending time with her family.

When I started getting involved with restorative justice, community development, and reconciliation work, I quickly became attentive to my heart for the Middle East. I have never been to the Middle East, but I’ve always dreamt of spending time serving throughout the Arab world and Middle East. News articles about Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco and many more consistently catch my attention. A significant motivation in completing my Masters in International Relations and Conflict Resolution was rooted in my interest in the Middle East.  I've had many friends who have spent time throughout the Arab world and I am always fascinated by the beautiful images and stories they bring home with them. It is nothing like the news portrays. I also have a grace and hope in my heart to see peace and reconciliation touch the hearts, communities, and nations in the Middle East. I know that God is absolutely in love with every man, woman, and child that lives in this area of the world and I feel He has placed a piece of His heart into mine for these people, their culture, and their language.

Well, this dream of mine to go to the Middle East is coming true this summer and I need your help to get there!  I have the opportunity to travel to Amman, Jordan to help host a gathering for many surrounding Arab nations, sharing the good news of God’s love demonstrated through Jesus to visitors from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and beyond.  Our team will also provide hands-on outreach to the poorest of the poor from war-torn Syria, as we visit refugee camps where more than 2 million people have been displaced by the ongoing civil war in that nation.  There we will feed the poor, pray for the sick, and host daily relief outreaches.  I am so excited to be the floodgate of God’s love to these people and to experience the beauty and treasures of their culture and hospitality.

Will you help me get there?  I fly out early June to spend 6 days on the ground in Jordan.  The ground costs are $1800 and my flight will cost close to $1500, totaling $3300.  If 33 people give $100 I’m good to go, and I’ve already received my first $100 bill!  Let me know if you have any questions about the trip and I’d love to connect with you and catch up on life.  I’m so thankful for you!

The best way to send support is through Paypal, click the "Donate" button on the left of your screen, or send it to coachmold@yahoo.com.  Of course, I’ll always receive cash or checks as well.

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support!

Expressing God's Heart in Politics

Imagine a world without fear and lack.  Where governments make decisions based on love and abundance rather than fear and lack of resources.  Where people in communities embrace that they are their brother's keeper and they don't have to fear that there will not be enough to go around.  Imagine a world where perceptions do not dictate government actions, but wisdom and compassion guide their every decision.  What if all relationships, between individuals, communities, states, and governments, were defined by compassion, honor, and believing the best in one another?   Recklessly idealistic, I know, but I truly believe this is God's heart for humanity.
The dream that has been on my heart lately is to create a blog that expresses God's heart in politics and to explore the possibility of the world described above.  Christians have a pretty bad reputation of being dishonoring when it comes to addressing alternative political views.  I would like to create a space where people can come to learn and discuss political issues from a perspective that honors God and one another.  I want a place where those who have encountered the lavish love of God can explore how to engage with a world that has not fully realized that the Kingdom of Heaven is in its midst. 

Ultimately I will begin with the following premises:

About God:

1. God is all-powerful, lacks nothing, and is for the good of all mankind.
2. God loves every person on the planet infinitely and unconditionally, and is in a good mood.
3. Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for humanity.  His death and resurrection declares all of mankind "not guilty"; it is now the choice of each person whether they want to be in relationship with God or not for all of eternity.
4. God is in the business of convincing the world that He loves them; not coercively, but romantically.  It is this love that is the heartbeat of the Kingdom of Heaven.

About Christians:

1. The "job" of those who believe in and accept His love is to enjoy, demonstrate, and share that love with those who don't know about it yet.

About Government:

1. The United States of America and ultimately the World is a pluralistic society with persons of many opinions, beliefs, and moral codes.
2. The intended purpose of the US government is:

   “The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.”
   - Thomas Jefferson

For the purposes of the site, the premises are not to be argued with. They are the starting point for the rest of the conversation. There are many other websites that discuss the legitimacy of these premises, but this site is something different.  I hope to present issues in such a way that it communicates what I am for rather than what I am against.  I'm hoping people will post comments and feedback, however, they will be filtered to keep the conversation constructive and focused.  I look forward to seeing people respond to one another in such a way that engages the heart and mind. 

In some ways I feel completely inadequate in facilitating this sort of discussion, but God keeps reminding me that what I bring to the conversation is His heart.  He has told me that I will learn a lot.  I don't have all of the answers, but He does.  As we engage with the issues facing this world that are in contrast to His Kingdom (His love), He will provide us with the wisdom in how to move forward.

I'm excited to see where this goes.  It is just the beginning of a new journey and I have no idea where it will take me.  Check out the site at: http://HeavenAndPolitics.blogspot.com.

Thanks for reading.

Janet

Create a Network of Justice Workers

Number five on my dream list is to create a network of justice workers.

People that know me today would be surprised to know that it wasn't until I was 23 that I really cared about what was going on in the world. It all began in my Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). When deciding on what focus to take, I was torn between the Impact Pacific DTS or the Compassion DTS. The Impact Pacific School would be sending teams to the many small tropical islands in the Pacific, like Fiji and Samoa; nothing like ministering to people on the beach in the middle of the tropics. The Compassion DTS was a school focused on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and would be sending teams to Africa. My decision to choose the Compassion DTS was completely based on what I felt the Lord leading rather than on a desire in my heart to exercise compassion. I remember through the school asking God to show me what compassion was and to fill my heart with it. It was so foreign to me at the time. I would see other students react to injustice with grief or anger, but I was somewhat numb to it. I was so disconnected at that time from the realities of injustice around the world.

One day, one of our school leaders showed us a video documenting an American woman's story of how she ended up homeless and eventually had to give her daughter away to a family that had the financial means to take care of her. When the film ended I sat stuck in my chair with the relentless feeling that something like this should not happen. I never really witnessed an injustice that could have totally been prevented. It was as though the Lord showed it to me and asked me, "So what are you going to do about it?" I didn't really know the answer. I waited for the right opportunity and approached my school leader and asked him. His response was that now that I was aware of the injustice I needed to ask the Lord what my responsibility is to respond. I walked down the stairs that night pondering what was happening in my heart and how I should respond.

My eyes had been opened to injustice in the world and I began discussing with the Lord the emotions that were filling my heart as I was exposed more and more to the brokenness that filled so many lives. I kept asking Him to fill my heart with compassion, to soften my heart so that I could see people the way that He sees people. Over the course of two months, my heart was set aflame and I knew that I could not rest until I saw justice fill the earth.

After my time in Rwanda, I had made the decision to staff a Justice focused DTS. The Lord resoundingly kept saying "Justice, Justice, Justice" like a gong ringing in my spirit and I knew I needed to move forward so that I might respond to His calling. Throughout the Justice DTS I was exposed to more and more justice issues around the world; human trafficking, blood diamonds, war, homelessness, child abuse, and infanticide to name a few.

Much of our response to injustice often involves punishment of perpetrators. I would say, more often than not, punishment is what comes to mind when people think of executing justice. By the end of the lecture phase of this school, however, the Lord had completely redefined my definition of justice. He showed me that His justice is all about restoring relationships. When someone does something to violate another person, it is the Lord's heart that both the victim and the perpetrator be restored and reconciled. This is ultimately why Jesus came and died on the cross; He took the punishment of our sins so that we could be restored and reconciled in our relationship with Him and with others. That is the ultimate goal of God's justice, and with this revelation I was sent out to lead a team of students to Belfast, Northern Ireland and Jos, Nigeria. Talk about huge opportunities to apply what the Lord was teaching me.

A few months after the Justice DTS finished, I had the opportunity to go to South Africa for a leadership training course. During my time there, Xenophobia riots broke out and I was able to help at a refugee camp for foreign Africans that were being violently run out of the townships they were living in because people were jealous and looking for a scapegoat for their poverty. My time in South Africa was also a time in which I began my masters in international relations. I knew I wanted to get involved in changing foreign policy so restorative justice would become a goal of U.S. international engagement.

One of the instructors for the leadership training course led us through an exercise that helped us explore our "destiny by design", by examining our dreams, past experiences, interests, personalities, gifts, passions, and network of people that the Lord had orchestrated in our lives. By the end of the course, I realized I have a passion to see people's dreams come true and to network individuals in such a way that those dreams can be fulfilled.

Fast forward 2 years to January 2010. When I heard about the earthquake in Haiti, it was as though the Lord had dropped a bomb on my heart to intercede(pray) for the people in this country. I remember walking around my house telling my roommates that we should all just drop everything and go. After a night or two of staying up all night, I found myself on the third night praying that God would have mercy on Haiti, over and over. I stopped for a moment to listen to the Lord and He said to me, "How much is one life worth?" As I pondered this question, thoughts of how there are so many of us who want to go to Haiti to help, but don’t have the money or the time. It struck me when God asked the question again, that even just one life would be worth going down to Haiti for a week where I would have to take the next year to pay it off on my credit card. One life would be worth not showering for a week. One life would be worth missing school for a week. One life would be worth missing a little sleep. One life would be worth taking the criticism of people saying this was crazy. One life would still be worth it. So I asked the Lord if I could go, and He said, "Go." The next day I had purchased my ticket and the following day I was on a plane to the Dominican Republic. I spent ten days in Haiti and I haven't been the same since.

In my times of intercession for Haiti, the Lord also planted another seed; it was to create a network of justice workers entitled One Life Worth. It is an exhaustive network focused on building relationships to see justice fill the earth in every sphere, every nation, and every community. My heart for justice and my desire to network people so their dreams come true, had collided. I know that one day the One Life Worth Justice Network will be a reality and the Lord's heart for restorative justice will fill the earth as people with His heart work together to see this world transformed.

So far, I have begun this journey by creating a website and a Facebook group to begin connecting others. The vision for this organization is grand and it can only be fulfilled with the Lord's help and provision. I'm excited to see where the Lord takes it and the impact it will have in bringing Heaven to Earth.

You can check out the website HERE. Thanks for taking the time to read!

In Christ,
Janet

Own A Sailboat

The next dream on my list is to own a sailboat.

I have loved being in the ocean my entire life. Growing up in San Diego and going to the beach weekly as a child deposited in me a deep respect and awe for the ocean. I remember at my dad's end of week work picnics at the beach I would go out into the surf, with no board what-so-ever, and try and ride the waves while dodging or being dodged by surfers. In high school when I needed time to think I would go to a small beach covered in rocks and watch the sun set behind the silhouette of the surf. During the summer between my junior and senior year I went through a program to become a certified beach lifeguard, and what a thrill it was to jump off the Mission Bay Pier!

I left for college at 17 and moved to San Luis Obispo. While the water temperature was noticeably colder, I was still within a few miles of the ocean where I could retreat for a run or find peace reading a book. When I moved to Redding, my biggest hesitation was that the closest distance to the ocean was four hours away. I was comforted by the fact that the city is surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers; adequate substitutes for the ocean when all three are present.

When I was 21, I had the opportunity to go with a group of young adults to Hawaii and help to build and establish adventure programs for a retreat camp. Basically we harvested coconuts, dug toilet latrines, set up heavy duty tents, and then went on adventures all over the island. One of these adventures included sailing on a sailboat down the Big Island coastline. In return for the owner's generosity, we cleaned the barnacles off of his boat. I can't remember if I had been on a sailboat up to that point. I remember hearing stories my dad told me about a catamaran he had when he was younger, but I don't recollect ever being on a boat with sails. I didn't really know what to expect. I had been in tiny aluminum boats and large fishing boats growing up, but those don't compare to sailing.

The day we went on our excursion, we drove down the coastal highway and pulled off the road in an unmarked location. There was a small bay about 200 yards from the road with no buildings in sight. The water was crystal clear and the sky was cloudless; a perfect summer day on the Big Island. About 100 feet from shore sat a little sailboat anchored in the bay. Our group made our way out of the back of the truck we were riding in and across the lava rock lining the shore. We adorned our snorkel gear and jumped in. There were all kinds of colorful fish swimming beneath us as we made our way over to the boat. The captain lowered a ladder for us to climb aboard. The boat itself was not very big, it held about seven of us at one time. We sprawled ourselves out over the boat and prepared for the ride.

It's hard to describe the emotions I felt as we sailed across the ocean. I was gazing at the endless blue sky, the sun was shining down and the wind was blowing over me in a perfect collaboration to moderate my body temperature, and a slight mist covered the surface of my skin each time the boat sailed over a swell. With ease, I was able to find peace in an instant and lean into in the presence of God. It was a drunken feeling encountering the fullness of goodness, peace and joy, and to top it all off, I was able to share the experience with some of my favorite people. We sailed in serene silence as we drank in the depth of His lavish love for us.

It was this experience that produced a longing in my heart to sail ever since, and why I dream to have a sailboat of my own. In the mean time, I'm perfectly content to go along with friends on their sailboats until my dream is fulfilled. Call me any time friends, call me any time...

With Love,
Janet

The little Hawaiian sailboat that planted a seed

Learn Arabic Fluently & Go to the Middle East

The next two dreams on my list are to learn Arabic fluently and go to the Middle East.

Ever since high school I have had a fascination with the Arab world. I'll give a shout out to my good friend Manal for being a part of this dream being planted in my heart. She is from Lebanon and in her home she spoke Arabic growing up. Whenever I went over to her house, I loved hearing them speak and also observe the unique cultural differences they had from mine. The hookah was always out, goat skins were on the floor, Arab soap operas were on TV, generosity and hospitality were their profession, and her mom often taught little kids Arabic in the garage. I always enjoyed spending time with her family.

When I started getting involved with restorative justice, community development, and reconciliation work, I quickly became attentive to how these skills could be useful in the Middle East. I have never been to the Middle East, but I know with certainty that I will spend extended periods of time throughout the Arab world and Middle East. News articles about Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco and many more consistently catch my attention. I've had many friends who have spent short periods of time throughout the Middle East and I am always fascinated by the beautiful images and stories they bring home with them. It is nothing like the news portrays. I also have a grace and hope in my heart to see peace and reconciliation touch the hearts, communities, and nations in the Middle East. I know that the Lord is absolutely in love with every man, woman, and child that lives in this area of the world and I feel He has placed a piece of His heart into mine for these people, their culture, and their language.

That said, I also found in my travels that people are honored when you, as a visitor, come and can speak their language. As I finish my Masters degree in International Relations with a focus on Conflict resolution, I have begun studying Arabic so as to honor the very people I hope to be working with one day to find peace and hope in every area of their society. I can already tell that I have quite the challenge ahead of me, but the more you invest in something, the more valuable it becomes when you receive it. I can't wait for the days that I find myself traveling and working throughout the Middle East speaking their language and sharing life with those that Jesus loves so dearly.

Hope Always,
Janet

Zip-Line Through The Redwoods

In no particular order, I will begin with the first dream on my list:

Zip-lining through the Redwoods.

About a year ago, I was at church during a worship time and the Lord began speaking to me through a vision. He and I were in an orchard/forest walking around and exploring the various kinds of trees that were planted there. He was telling me that each tree represented the dreams He had for me in my life. There were trees with all kinds of different fruit and flowers, and a variety of scents filled the air. It was exciting to explore all that the Lord had in store for me. He seemed particularly excited to show me a specific tree and grabbed my hand and we began running through the forest. After a short time, we came to the base of an enormous Redwood tree.

The diameter of the tree's base had to be at least 15 feet and it was so tall that I could not see the top of it. The Lord said to me with a huge smile, "Let's climb it," and a rush of anticipation and excitement filled my being. He started to climb and quickly I was right behind him working our way up the tree with nearly no effort at all. At different points the Lord and I raced to the next branch and laughed away like little children as we climbed higher and higher up this giant Redwood tree.

I almost forgot that we were in a forest of my dreams as the whole experience of climbing up this tree with the Lord captivated my heart. Here was the Lord, the Perfect Father, my Best Friend, the Love of my life, joyously sharing this experience with me that would further define the infinite affection we have towards one another. If this was all we had done, I would be satisfied, but He had more to show me.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. -Ephesians 3:20 MSG

Near the canopy, the branches began to thin out and the Lord brought us to a place where we could sit comfortably and look out over the view. It was magnificent. It felt like we were miles high and yet there was no end to the forest. There were other tall trees of various heights, but none like the one we were on, and there were a number of trees of all different colors, like how the trees change color in the fall. As we gazed over this forest, my forest of dreams, I was in awe of the mystery of His great love for me that He would create such a place as beautiful as this with me in mind. He truly is good and great.

After what seemed like hours confined to only moments, the Lord said He had one more thing to show me. I turned around and noticed we had been sitting on a platform. On the other side of the tree a cable was firmly attached that strung across the forest, all the way down to the forest floor, I could barely see the end of it. The Lord said, "I have this in store for you too." I knew exactly what to do. I strapped myself in and attached myself to the cable, and the Lord did the same. On the count of three we stepped off the platform, and what felt like flying, we took off over the canopy of trees with my heart full and hope renewed. I knew at that moment someday the Lord would work out an opportunity for this to happen in the physical world along with the fulfillment of all of the other dreams He has planted in that forest. This is where my dream to zip-line through the Redwoods was rooted in my heart.

Not long after this vision did I discover that there is a zip-line course in the Redwoods in Santa Cruiz, CA. I have yet to find the time, funds, and people to go with to see this dream become a reality, but I know in it's right time it will be fulfilled.

Thanks for reading,
Janet

A New Year

Considering it has been almost a year since my last post, I thought it might be a great idea to start blogging again. Yes, just like adding a workout routine to my new years resolution list, blogging is yet another I hope to follow through on.

A year ago I was blogging about my time in Haiti in response to the earthquake, this year I am going to start on a little lighter note. I've decided to start compiling a dream list. Up to this point, I have forty dreams on this list and I wanted to share them with whoever decides to read this blog. My hope in sharing these dreams is to open up a little about who I am and what I love, explore how these dreams took root in my heart, give myself an opportunity to discover how I might see these dreams fulfilled, provide an opportunity for others to help me see these dreams fulfilled, and also give others permission to dream. You're never too young, old, washed up, or messed up to stop dreaming. A quote by Dutch Sheets characterizes the heart of why I'm writing this next series of blogs, "Hope is hearing the melody of the future and faith is dancing to it."

Here's to me dancing to the melody of my dreams fulfilled!

Janet

Out of the depths of His heart, my dreams arise...
Created by Janet, 2011

A Heavy and Rejoicing Heart

Today my day ends with a heavy and rejoicing heart. We saw around 500 patients today and it was probably the most emotional. We received a 14 month old baby who was unconcious and barely breathing. Her grandmother brought her in. All of the doctors from a children's hospital in the USA got right to work. The baby was extremely dehydrated and hypoglycemic. It took about 10 attempts all over the baby's body to find a vein to put an IV in. She was so dehydrated it made it almost impossible to find one, at one point she began seizing. Myself and another woman just began praying, singing and declaring life into this baby. Finally the IV went in and they pumped fluids and sugar into her body. Right away her breathing eased and she opened her eyes and began looking around. We sent her off in an ambulance to another hospital with supplies that will help her to recover.

We also saw a woman today who we thought we might have to amputate her finger. After consultation with her and her cousin she consented to it being removed if it was necessary. In surgery the doctor found that the wound was actually doing very well and that if she was in the States she could easily get a skin graft and recover well. But being in Haiti, it is unclear what her aftercare and follow-up would be and ultimately she would lose the finger anyway. It was a tough call to make, but the decision made was to send her to a hospital ship off-shore to see if she could get the care she needs. When the woman woke up she was surprised to see her finger still there. She began to tell us how thankful she and all of the people are that we are there. They can tell that we really care about them. The head police chief of the entire city actually came to us and asked us if we would replicate what we have there to all of the police stations in the city because he sees that we really care about the people and he wants that for the entire city. What an amazing testimony of God's heart flowing through us for these people.



Two nights ago, in the tent city next to us, refugees began worshiping and singing praise songs for hours. Around 11pm about 50 people started walking through the street singing a song in Kreyol(the local language). Some doctors were on the roof watching and listening when a woman they had never seen before and haven't seen since came up the stairs and translated what they were saying. "Satan you will not defeat us, you will not defeat us this way." The resillience of the Hatian people is absolutely amazing. We have translators come to help is everyday with a huge smile on their face while at the same time they had lost their home and family members in the earthquake. At the end of each day we make sure to send them home with food, water, and clothing. I heard the UN is starting a program to hire 100,000 Haitians to help clear the rubble from the city. We already saw people begin to work and even stoplights were functioning today. Haiti is moving forward and looking to the Lord on High for their hope and future.



Today was my last day at the clinic. Tomorrow I'll be driving back over to the Dominican Republic, and Saturday morning I fly out. Im still looking for a ride from San Francisco to Redding, otherwise I'll be paying $200 to rent a car for 4hrs. Let me know if you or someone you know could help me out.



Keep on praying. This weekend a whole new batch of doctors are arriving. A few of the doctors with us have been passing some kind of virus around and are taken out for a day while on an IV. Pray for strength, health, and peace for everyone here; doctors, Hatians, everyone.



Thanks for praying and taking the time to read.

Bless you,
Janet

Location:Port au Prince, Haiti

A Wild Day

Today was an interesting and busy day. We saw about 600 patients. We started off the morning with the police carrying in a man who was shot in the butt and the bullet went all the way through. The bullet missed his femur and no major arteries were hit. Then American soldiers showed up to say hi with a horde of Hatians following. NBC showed up to film and interview us, CNN came yesterday, you can look for me on the news. Our volunteers that are helping us translate and regulate people traffic started asking for medicines for themselves and sneaking medicine to people, we nipped that quickly. It was ineresting to say the least.




Post-Op



Surgical Ward
We are still seeing patients that were yet to get medical treatment since the earthquake. One 19 year old girl came in with a broken foot, we had to send her to the hospital because it had already began healing in the wrong place. We are also seeing a lot of people with skin allergies because the water they are using to wash themselves is dirty gutter/basin water. We don't have any skin cream for it. We've been administering a lot of anti-parasite medication. Im finding that many children and teenagers are coming in with stomach pain, not sleeping at night, and have no appetite. After asking the regular questions I've found that these symptoms are from post traumatic stress. There is no medicine we have for that, so I've been praying with most of them. Jesus is the ultimate comforter who will be with them even in the night.






This evening I am staying at an orphanage. I was able to play with some of the orphans with developmental disabilities. A little boy named Samuel with a really, really big head(literally) introduced me to all of his friends and taught me some French and how to properly pronounce names. They are well taken care of. They have also been running a clinic and a team from Bethel church (where I go to school) were there working. It is such a small world to meet people you know from other parts of the world in a place like Haiti. It has been amazing to see how unified the doctors and aid workers are in just helping the people of Haiti.

Keep praying for supplies and people to get to where it is most needed. Also keep praying for the people of Haiti as PTSD starts to set in.





Thanks for all your prayers!
Love,
Janet

Location:Port au Prince, Haiti

Beauty In Their Faces

This place looks like a war zone. I think I have some kind of idea of what it must have looked like to be in New York City right after 9/11.

On the drive into the city we drove past two dead men. One of the guys with us said that it was probably a fight that broke out and the men were shot. It was sobering to see. I haven't seen any other dead, they have done well to clear bodies from the city so people don't get sick.



These last few days have been intense. Yesterday and today, the medical clinic I've been working with has seen around a thousand patients. Complaints range from a cough and itchy eyes from the dust in the air to full-on amputations. We have a setup consisting of an ER station where minor wounds and illnesses are taken care of, deep wounds and more serious sicknesses we take inside the police headquarters building to clean and treat, we have a pediatrics station in the building along with a surgical ward and post op room. It is pretty amazing what has been put together. We've had many teams of doctors and nurses coming through. God has been so faithful in providing people, medical supplies, food, and water. The doctors coming through who have been to actual hospitals in the city said the supplies we have are better than the hospitals.



Each morning I've had the opportunity to go onto the roof of the police headquarters and worship and pray over the city. The capitol building you see on the news that has been destroyed is across the street from us. This country is actually quite beautiful, this whole island is. We drove from the DR to Haiti and I was amazed by the beauty of the towering mountains, limestone cliffs, and papaya and banana tree groves. It was absolutely gorgeous.


Today I connected with some of the people dircting the flow of people coming in with YWAM Haiti. Hopefully I can help them out in creating a system that people can get plugged into to help supply medical clinics, mobile clinics, refugee cams, and hosting teams coming through. Right now a few people are doing a ton of work and they really need help to carry the weight of running all of the relief efforts. These people are amazing, but Im noticing each new day they start off a little more tired. There is so much need administratively at this point, we need people to come for a more long term commitment (3-6 months or longer) to help out with facilitating relief teams, and supply distribution. Keep praying for those who have already been here doing the work of many.

Bless you for taking the time to read. Im personnally doing great. Im used to roughing it eventhough I have about 50 mosquito bites (don't worry Im taking malaria medicine). Love you and thanks for your support.



If you would like to give to help cover my costs, click the Paypal link on the left. Anything I receive above my personal costs will go towards YWAM Haiti relief efforts. Thanks for everything!

Janet

Location:Port au Prince, Haiti

On My Way to Haiti

Well I'm here and I'm ready. It's 5:50am and I'm about to hop on a YWAM bus over to Haiti. My flights here were as smooth as can be and I was even given a bag full of leftover crackers and cheese from the stewardess to take to the staff here at the Ywam DR base. I arrived last night at 11pm and was able to see my good friends John Gillespie and Jeremy Bardwell as they fly home this morning. They were on the first bus in from Ywam DR after the earthquake hit. It was great to catch up and also to hear what is happening in Haiti. Before heading to sleep for a few hours they prayed for me to have heaven's perspective. I'll be working in Port au Prince with teams from Ywam Tyler Texas and Ywam Relief. I've got my duffle bag full of medical bandages and granola bars and I'm excited for what's ahead. My heart is to give and serve with everything I have. Jesus loves these people and I am priveleged to be His hands and feet in the midst of this devestation. Pray for safe travels, wisdom, faith, and heaven's perspective!

Love,
Janet

Haiti Burning on My Heart

This last week, my heart has been set aflame for Haiti. Since the 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti last Tuesday, there has been a growing hunger to do something. I am getting to a point where I can no longer just read the reports and see the pictures of the people suffering in Haiti and not do something. I was praying to God to have mercy on Haiti. I even got to a point where I told God that if He wanted to teleport me to Haiti in my sleep so I could help people, I’d be willing. Last night I was up at midnight praying till 4am, and my heart was racing to do something. I felt like God asked me the question, “How much is one life worth?” As I pondered this question, thoughts of how there are so many of us who want to go to Haiti to help, but don’t have the money or the time. It struck me when God asked the question again, that even just one life would be worth going down to Haiti for a week where I would have to take the next year to pay it off on my credit card. One life would be worth not showering for a week. One life would be worth missing school for a week. One life would be worth missing a little sleep. One life would be worth taking the criticism of people saying this was crazy. It would still be worth it. One life is worth it all. One life is worth my own. So I’m going.

Right now I'm working on getting contacts who are already on the ground there. I would fly out Friday night (the 22nd) and return the following Saturday (the 30th). I'll land in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and hop on a bus over to Port au Prince, Haiti. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help; distribute food and water, medical attention, move bodies, hug somebody, pray for people. I'm sure my EMT skills will come in handy and also some of the water purification tips I learned in YWAM. I'm going to take some medical supplies down and also power bars or something to distribute. All I have to give is myself for these people. The video above I hope inspires you to do something, either give or go.

If you'd like to give, on the left is the Paypal link that you can give into. Thanks for all your prayers, gifts and encouragement!

Janet

Holiday Reunions

I have been so blessed this holiday season. I had the opportunity to go down to San Diego both for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and for the Christmas break I was also able to tromp around Northern California visiting friends in Sacramento and the Bay area. It is always amazing to me, when reunited with good friends, how refreshing it is to reconnect as if it hadn’t been very long at all since we last met up. I was able to spend the day with a friend from Hawaii, who I have not seen for 3 1/2 months; my best friend from high school, who I have not seen for about 3 years; my Bible study leader and friend from Cal Poly, who I haven’t seen for about 5 years; my outreach team leader to Rwanda, who I haven’t seen for a year; and another good friend from high school, who I haven’t see for a year as well. I’ll be meeting up with one other really good friend from Hawaii on New Years too. There is nothing like summing up what has been happening in your life for the last 1-2-3—5 years. It helps to put things into perspective, because a lot of times you don’t ever sit down by yourself to actually think about how you’ve grown, what you’ve experienced, and where you’ve come from and where you’re going. It is such a fruitful thing to do, while at the same time you get you hear from your friend as they do the same and you can rejoice together in how you’ve each grown so much, come so far, and anticipate what’s ahead.

It is such a blessing to have so many amazing quality people in my life. Down in San Diego, this season, it was great to connect with the family I have and hear about what is happening in their lives. As an amazing feature this year, we had 4 generations represented at the holiday gatherings as my cousin had a baby girl earlier this year. It was such a joy to play with baby Allie as she is the happiest baby I know, and to see her parents doing such a great job even with lack of sleep some days. Having conversations with my Uncle Kurt about how to create skydiving formations at 12,000 feet, my Aunt Laurie about her pioneering new business in creating nametag costumes, my Uncle John about how to cook a delicious swordfish, my grandma about the goodness of God and the hope we have in Him, are just a glimpse of the good times spent with my family this year. In addition, my parent’s remodel is almost complete, and spending the days preceding Christmas Eve preparing/cleaning the house, we enjoyed the beauty of just how good it all looks. We even managed to get all of the Christmas decorations up within the one hour before the party (including the Christmas tree!). My sister and I had a lot of quality time together, which I’m so thankful for, as we drove to and from San Diego and San Francisco. We realized that gas right after the Grapevine is always 30 cents more than any other place in the Central Valley, and that Pea Soup Anderson’s is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner on the way.

I’m back in San Francisco for another week or so, helping my sister move closer to work and also doing all that I can to get all of my homework done for class next Tuesday. I’ve really enjoyed my time with all of these wonderful people in my life this season. It is probably the best gift I could ask for (however, my new laptop is a close second). I love everything that is happening in my life and for all that is ahead. I’m heading into the New Year with expanding optimism and can’t wait to see the blessings in store.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Janet Mulvey

Campus Awakening - Healings, Signs, & Wonders

Hello from Redding, CA! I am here attending the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. Things are really taking off this year and literally almost every day is filled with stories and testimonies of the miracles that God is doing in the hearts and bodies of His people. Just recently I heard this incredible testimony of a woman healed of a brain tumor! She was given one month to live when she decided to come to Bethel's Healing Room on Saturday morning. As worship music was playing she was looking at a painting one of our students painted that said HOPE on it. In an instant she heard a pop and a dark liquid began flowing out of her ear. She went to the doctor the following week and the doctor said she was cancer free; the tumor was completely gone! God completely healed her!

Recently I was on a ministry trip with our Campus Awakening ministry and we were in teams at UC Berkley looking for people God wanted to specifically touch with His love through a word of encouragement and/or with healing. One of the teams came across a homeless man who was limping with incredible pain. They asked him what was wrong and he said that he had a tumor in his foot and the doctors said that the only way to treat the tumor was to amputate his foot. The man didn't want that to happen so he had been living with intense pain for a while. The team asked him if they could pray for his foot because they know that God loves this man and doesn't want to see him living with pain. They put their hands on his foot and prayed, when they removed their hand, they watched as the tumor shrank right before their eyes and the man said that all of the pain completely disappeared! Not only that, the man was so touched by God that he wanted to know who this God was that loved him so much, and the team was able to lead the man to Jesus! Praise God!

It is such a privilege to be part of what God is doing in the Earth!

Our heart and passion at Bethel International is to raise up a generation of world changers that will be known simply for their reckless abandonment to see that Jesus is Lord in all the nations. As we are building relationships with various regions around the world one of the main goals that we have is to make the nations look like geniuses. Our strategy is go to and raise up influencers in their own nations so they begin to run with the inheritance that God has given them to transform their nation. All of our Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry trips are partnered with Bethel International's vision for transforming nations.

Campus Awakening is the university arm of Jesus Culture, Bethel's national youth and young adults ministry. The primary vision of Campus Awakening is to see revival come to college campuses across the United States and to see every university student have a relationship with Jesus and live a transformed Kingdom lifestyle. Campus Awakening also has a greater vision to see campuses transformed and Kingdom-minded students sent into the seven mind molders of society to see Heaven come to Earth.

During March 5-16, we will fly to at least three US cities (Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco and maybe more!) to ignite revival fires on university campuses across the nation. This missions trip will include two Campus Awakening conferences where we will help to train and equip university students and campus ministry leaders in supernatural evangelism, campus transformation and contending prayer. We will minister in churches, on college campuses and at Bethel Atlanta. Help us to ignite revival fires on campuses and transform this nation!

Financial Gifts
Partner with me in traveling with Campus Awakening
In order to go on this trip, I need $1,450. Would you like to join with me in seeing Heaven touch Earth? Financial gifts may be made online at ibssm.org. This gift is tax-deductible and you will receive a statement at the end of the year for your tax records. If you wish your gift to be anonymous, please check the anonymous box. This will allow you to receive an end of year statement, but will not allow me to see your name. This gift is non-refundable, and if for any reason a team member or team does not go, the money will support another mission trip sponsored by Bethel Church. (If online payment is not an option, donations can be mailed to Bethel Church Attn: Bethel International 933 College View Dr. Redding, CA 96003.)

Thank you so much for being a part of my life! I’ve included a prayer card with some ideas of how you can pray for my team and I. I would also love to get an update about what is going on in your life and how I can pray for you. When I return from ­­­­­my trip on March 16^th, I look forward to telling you all the amazing things that you helped make happen!

Even though miles separate us, it’s really important to me to keep in touch with you! Feel free to send me an email at coachmold@gmail.com if you have a prayer request, great praise God story, or just to say “hi”. Let’s keep taking new ground in this journey of faith!

I pray that the life changing power of Jesus invades your life and sends encouragement your way today. I’ll keep you updated on what God is doing in my life and would love to hear what’s going on in yours as well.

God Bless!
Janet Mulvey

YWAM Update

Dear Friends & Family, Hello there! I hope this newsletter finds you well and the grace and favor of God rests on you. It has been a while since I last sent out an update and I wanted to share with you what has been going on in my life the last 6 months and what's ahead. The Lord has been moving a ton here in Kona, so get ready to hear how your prayers and support have been making an impact in this community and beyond!

Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) Starting in January, I took on the position as a Quarter Point Person for all of our DTS's going on during January Quarter and April Quarter. My position includes liasing between campus departments and the DTS's, administrative and financial tracking with the schools, and also pastoral care and training with our DTS Staff. In January, we saw over 150 students go through our DTS with 5 focuses; Justice, Fire and Fragrance, Extreme Places, All Nations All Generations, and French World. We ended up sending teams to 18 different locations around the world, from Kauaii, to Afghanistan, to China. In the last month all of these teams arrived back to Kona safely with radical testimonies of God moving in their lives and the people they were ministering to on the field. It is amazing to hear how much God is on the move around the world. In April we saw over 110 students go through our DTS with 3 focuses; PhotogenX, Performing Arts, and Go Asia. Within the last week we have sent teams to 10 different locations around the world, from Panama, to Jordan, to South Africa, to China. Already we have been able to see these students amazing gifts in creativity as PhotogenX presented a photography expo in downtown Kona of pictures of people in the community, and as Performing Arts students presented their production to the campus on our Thursday Night Ohana Gathering of the story of the Prodigal Son called Coming Home. Yo Quiero Taco Bell In January of last year, I felt a nudge from the Lord to get a job in the community in order to stay connected to the needs of people here in Kona and also to supplement my income a little. Having come and gone and come back again multiple times for when I lead teams overseas, I am again working at Taco Bell. I have to say that it is actually an awesome opportunity for me. Living in the YWAM community, it can be easy to lose sight of what a lot of people are struggling with in the community. I work alongside single moms, drug addicts and alcoholics, people with health problems, and people ultimately searching for love that only the Lord can provide. I am in constant need of God's love for my co-workers and so aware of how He is the only one great enough to help them overcome. He is our hope. Also, working at Taco Bell, I am challenged in different ways that expose my character and I can see how much I need the Lord to give me His heart for people and to walk in His ways. I am constantly challenged to be patient and be sensitive to the Lord and how He wants to show His love to people. It is funny how many times on a shift people will comment on how great a job I do in taking orders in drive-thru, when on the inside I might be getting frustrated with how long it is taking for orders to be made. I've had YWAMers come through not knowing it was me and comment to one another that the person taking the orders must know the Lord, then they find out it's me. It is my hope that through my actions and words that my co-workers and customers would see that God loves them infinitely, lavishly, and completely. It is only by Him that anything good can come from me. Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) So you may be asking at this point, what's next for you Janet? I have recently completed my 2 year commitment to YWAM Kona and have been seeking the Lord for what is next since last October. Since before I can remember I have had an appetite to do the impossible. I think we all do, that is why society has an infatuation with superheroes. In the Bible, Jesus performed miracles as a testimony He came from the Father. The testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish - the very works that I do - testify about me that the Father has sent me (John 5:36). One of the major functions of miracles and supernatural living is to offer immediate, irrefutable proof of what God wants to happen on earth. It demonstrates who God is by showing what His reality looks like. The apostle Paul put it this way, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). With this in mind, I feel like the Lord is leading me to take a 9 month 'School of Supernatural Ministry' in Redding, CA at a church called Bethel starting September 15th, 2009. Here is a description of the school from their website: BSSM is a Holy Spirit driven ministry school where students of all ages come to learn how to live in the Kingdom of God and extend it's borders through a supernatural lifestyle. It is important to note that although many young people come to BSSM, the school is multi-generational with participants ranging from the ages of 18 to 80. One of Bethel's core values is honor, which manifests through joining the generations and teaching every age group to value and serve one another. The school emphasizes hands on training and experience along with academic understanding. This creates a do and teach culture where all of the students are expected to take risks to stretch their faith and grow in their understanding of God. BSSM believes that each verse of the Bible is an invitation into an experience with the Lord, therefore the students are challenged to live the Bible. This produces a class environment that often feels very much like a laboratory where disciples practice the things they are being taught while instructors coach the process and all this takes places in a setting of passionate worship. As the year progresses and the students begin to gain confidence and experience within the safety of the classroom, they are sent on outreaches into the community. These exploits include ministry to neighborhoods, after-school programs, and street & service evangelism. When the students take their supernatural ministry into the community, it gets pretty wild and exciting! They return to class to share testimonies, give thanks and debrief, always cheering each other on as they share. Boldness, passion and risk are center stage in Bethel's school. These values define our atmosphere and are manifest in worship, ministry and in relationships with each other.

This has been a glimpse of what has been going on in my life the last 6 months and a picture of what's ahead. In addition to what I've shared I've also been working on my Masters in International Relations with a focus on Conflict Resolution, attended a Conflict Mediation Seminar in Fresno, went to a Youth Revival Conference in Redding, and getting amazing revelation of humility, leadership, and best of all, God's love. This summer I will continue to work at Taco Bell and also be working on DTS applications for the September Quarter (we already have 500 applications started online!). I appreciate so much all of your continued prayers and support. I am so thankful for you and pray that God would bless you as you continue through your day. Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, and I would also love to hear from you what has been going on in your life. Sincerely, Janet Mulvey University of the Nations Youth With A Mission Kona, Hawaii

Personal Update

Belfast, Northern Ireland Team Video

As I sit here in my room after hearing one of our organization’s leaders share about God’s heart for the Muslim world, I am just in awe of what God has been doing in our midst here in Kona, Hawaii.

In my life personally, I am so stirred to see God's Kingdom come to this earth. Jesus told us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven." He wouldn't tell us to pray this if is wasn't possible. I've observed in these last seven weeks God's Kingdom invade the lives of our students in our school. I've been so challenged by many of them that are crying out to God asking Him if there is anything else in the way that is keeping them from receiving the fullness of what God has for them. Oh if I could thirst for all that God has for me like that! I've really been challenged and have been seeking that out.

I remember in my own DTS I did the same thing, however, since being on staff it has been so easy to get caught up in all the tasks that need to get done. It is about a 60 hour work week with being on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is truly the most exhausting and fulfilling job I've ever had. I really want to come to a place in my relationship with God where I am open to Him speaking into the areas of my life that are "in the way" of me receiving all that He has. He is ready and waiting to pour out His blessings on my life, but I know there are things that I have put in the way that hinder my capacity to receive. I love Him so much, and He has done so much for me, He is so worthy to give my life to because He saved it.

I feel like I am called to greatness. Something so much greater than myself that only God could do. I think we all desire this. Our world is infatuated with superheroes. I think it's because God put in our hearts a life filled with something so much more that this natural earth. I want the supernatural to become natural in my life. I think this is what the Bible means when it says that we are citizens of another world(heaven) and we are aliens to this world(the natural). I'm challenged to step out more in praying for people. I've often walked in fear of failure or that what I'm praying for might not happen. I'm afraid I might disrespect people by asking them if I can pray for them. But my friend challenged me the other day and said that if by stepping out and praying for someone and they are actually healed or see and actual miracle, they could care less about whether it was respectful or not. They are healed! But if I don't even try because I'm afraid I'll fail (which it doesn't depend on me anyways) then there is no chance that that miracle can happen, because I didn't take the opportunity.

I'm excited for the life that God has for me. He has created me in His image, fearfully and wonderfully made. I'm ready to walk out in the fullness of all that God created me to be. I'm tired of being ripped off of my destiny because I'm afraid I might be rejected or fail. I am accepted and have victory in Christ. I am secure in Him! There is nothing to lose, but gain a deeper relationship with the living God of all creation who loves us so dearly. I'm walking out, stepping forward and taking hold of my destiny. I may not know all the steps to take, but I know that my Father in heaven is good and great, more than capable to make all His plans for my life be complete. He will show me the way, even if it is step by step at times. He is so good.

Where are you at in this whole process? How do you feel you are doing in living out the destiny and the full identity in Christ that He has granted you? Is fear something that is holding you back? I'd like to pray for you if that is the case. Just email me and let me know. I can even call you if you want. I know that God has for every single person on this earth a destiny and call into a deep intimate relationship with Him. Let us let go of the fears that keep us from taking hold of it.

Much love to you.
Blessings,
Janet

A Whirlwind of a Month

Hello Friends!

Since the last post, a lot has happened, so this blog is divided up into multiple sections chronologically.

Xenophobia
The last you heard from me was a prayer request for the township and the foreigners that were being forced to leave their homes and businesses. I have great news to report. On the Monday morning, after the weekend you received the prayer request email, on the front page, the news papers were quoted as saying “….Masiphumelele leads South Africa and restores our southern peninsula dignity.” Here is a brief outline of events of that weekend:

Thursday night: relatively minor trouble in Masi following evacuation of foreigners by police - mostly young drunken ‘tsotsis’ taking advantage of the situation and looting.
Friday: Yandiswa Mazwane, community leader, mobilizes all other leaders for peace rally with help of the ‘Ubuntu Coalition’ (eMzantsi Carnival, Art of Living, other NGOs). Leaders address packed community hall at 6pm, vociferous support expressed for foreigners (”we want them in 2010, why not now?”), wonderful prayer and singing, and candlelit vigil. Tangible sense of calm restored on leaving at 7pm. NO TROUBLE AT ALL IN MASI ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
Saturday: community leaders hold two follow up meetings, first to allow their community to voice any concerns. Quite apparent this is not evidence of xenophobia but rather persistent economic stress (NB no force was used against foreigners in Masiphumelele [Masi]). 2nd meeting of all community structures made a plan to restore righteous order…
Saturday night: A joint community and police effort to recover all stolen property by going door to door. Street committees re-empowered. Masi pride restored.
Sun morning: People still spontaneously bringing stuff back; all taken to Ocean View police station for safekeeping.
Sun afternoon: Premier arrives to congratulate Masi community leaders. Deputation take memo to Soetwater(refugee camp) to read to refugees to invite them back home. More than 70 people welcomed back to Masi with a Kentucky Fried Chicken supper in the late evening.
PLEASE NOTE this was a community initiated and community driven
effort. Masi leaders should be praised for doing on Friday what Mbeki (South African president) had not had the courage to do - stand up and say, “This is not acceptable here. We condemn it, and we will act immediately to make amends.”

Praise God! It is amazing what prayer can do and we each have the opportunity to partner with God in seeing Him work in the hearts of people and their communities. Just a year before this time, Masi was the township in South Africa who initiated the violence against foreigners; this year, they lead the way in bringing reconciliation.

Outreach

Our team had an amazing two weeks doing ministry in the valley we were living in. Some continued to come alongside and disciple the women who we built the house for and had dinner with them each night. Others created an after school program for children at the local library and taught them Biblical principles and demonstrated to them how much God loves them and has a plan for them. Some of the guys on our team spent time with a local basketball team doing Bible study, going on a hike, and of course playing basketball with them. A few others and myself had the amazing opportunity to teach the Destiny by Design material to the teachers at a local primary school. It was amazing to see the passion and vision those teachers had for their community. When we finished our time with them, they wanted to continue meeting and having a teacher’s Christian fellowship where they can pray for one another, encourage one another and study the Bible together. By the end of the outreach, our hearts for this place had grown for the different people we met and the great plans that God has for them in bringing God’s Kingdom to their community.

House of Hope – Namadi		Library Kids
Destiny By Design – Primary School		Destiny By Design – Baptist Church Youth
Children in Massi
		South African Penguins

San Diego

After a week of debriefing the outreach in South Africa, I headed on the long trek back to the USA. After 30+ hours of traveling, I arrived at the train station in San Diego where I met up with my parents. For a week I was able to visit with my parents and rest from the long travels. We were able to go see the Indiana Jones movie, go to the Natural History Museum, go kayak fishing, and even go to Disney’s California Adventures. I had such a great time and even was able to go to lunch with my grandma.

Kayak Fishing

Back in Kona

I arrived in Kona, Hawaii on Sunday June 8^th. Since then up until now, preparations and training have been taking place for the July Quarter Discipleship Training School, which starts on July 3^rd. I can’t express enough in words how excited I am about this next school. After taking the Making Disciple Makers School in South Africa, this next DTS that I am staffing is going to be an awesome opportunity to apply the things that I have learned.

Plaza of the Nations University of the Nations Kaulua-Kona, Hawaii

As of today, we have 59 students accepted from 14 different nations! The nations represented are Canada, China, Ghana, Kosovo, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Vanuatu, and Yugoslavia. How amazing is that?! We are so excited for them to come. We know that God has incredible plans in store for all of us.

Prayer Requests

A vital part of the ministry here is your prayers. You are as much a part of this ministry as I am. The victories that I experience are your victories; the struggles and challenges are yours as well. I am so grateful for your willingness to stand with me, and together we can work to see God’s plans accomplished.

Please be praying for our students. Pray that God would be preparing their hearts, that the rest of their finances would come in (for the total length of the school, lecture and outreach, they will need approximately $9,000-$10,000), and for Visas and traveling, that everything would go smoothly and doors would be opened. I’ve included below a list of the names and the country of origin of each student. Continue to pray for them as God brings it to your mind. We come into this school with great anticipation and expectation from God to speak deeply into the lives of every person associated with this school, even to you. Thank you for your prayers.

July Quarter DTS Students

1	Shiona	Nickel	17	Canada
2	Chui Shan	Chung	29	China
3	Ernest	Baffoe	22	Ghana
4	Daniel	Ofori-Boafo	33	Ghana
5	Altin	Ademi	22	Kosovo
6	Arben	Hoti	20	Kosovo
7	Arberesha	Zhuja	20	Kosovo
8	Thang	Tuang	26	Myanmar
9	William	Trayes	23	New Zealand
10	Daniel	Aalien	19	Norway
11	Jarle	Tollaksen	19	Norway
12	Fidele	Kanamugire	32	Rwanda
13	Francine	Uwera	27	Rwanda
14	Buvanaswari	Padhman	31	Singapore
15	Se Kyung	Choi	20	South Korea
16	Yejin	Hwang	23	South Korea
17	Taeli	In	22	South Korea
18	Jeongwon	Jang	21	South Korea
19	Yejin	Kim	18	South Korea
20	Healeen	Kim	23	South Korea
21	Moon Hwa	Kim	54	South Korea
22	Jee Hye	Lee	18	South Korea
23	Hyun Suk	Lee	48	South Korea
24	Chang Jun	Lee	61	South Korea
25	Seung Han	Yoo	26	South Korea
26	Melanie	Meury	26	Switzerland
27	Zipporah	Peter	23	Switzerland
28	Tiara	Agustin	18	USA
29	Jae Yun	Cha	38	USA
30	Timothy	Cho	21	USA
31	Young	Cho	26	USA
32	Samuel	Choi	19	USA
33	Daniel	Choi	18	USA
34	Paul	Chu	18	USA
35	Meehan	Dellar	22	USA
36	Alisha	Dykstra	24	USA
37	Nicole	Ellens	26	USA
38	Timothy	Feddes	20	USA
39	Paige	Foelker	18	USA
40	Caroline	Fraley	20	USA
41	Katherine	Hobin	21	USA
42	Kaelyn	Hughes	23	USA
43	Stacy	Im	21	USA
44	Nina	Kang	18	USA
45	Kevin	Kim	33	USA
46	Julie	Lapides	27	USA
47	Nahyun	Lim	18	USA
48	Jesse	O'Neill	18	USA
49	Karen	Park	22	USA
50	Marguerite	Schmid	46	USA
51	Valerie	Swiney	19	USA
52	Jeremiah	Troyer	27	USA
53	Rikki	Vick	17	USA
54	Nina	Villarin	27	USA
55	Tiffany	White	19	USA
56	Patricia	Yu	42	USA
57	Aaron	Zepeda	19	USA
58	Dimitry	Kuautoga	21	Vanuatu
59	Adhurim	Xhemajili	24	Yugoslavia