Hey everyone!
I wanted to update you on how things are going down here at YWAM!
This week has been a great week! Monday we led some worship songs and our friend Gift performed a Thai dance for about 50 seniors at the Edwinola Assisted Living Facility in Dade City. It was awesome and the audience did NOT want us to leave after a little over an hour of performing. In addition, I just about finished all the instrumental tracks for my album! I am now getting ready to concentrate on vocals and cover art! I'm really excited about it!
This upcoming week we are getting ready for a Halloween outreach in our neighborhood on Wednesday night. Kids from all over the are come to our neighborhood for trick-or-treating. We are gonna pass out candy and tracks, do the thriller dance and have some major fun. We are praying for opportunities to minister the gospel of Christ in the lives of these kids and their families!
We will be leaving for a YWAM conference a week from today! Please be praying for safe travels and for continued direction in the vision we have to Know God and Make Him Known through music and performing arts!
What blessing this weekend I had to be able to get a free trip down to Tampa and spend the day and night with my good friend! Thanks Barna for all of your hospitality and generosity!
Prayer Points:
*Please being praying over Halloween this Wednesday night as we will be handing out candy and tracks to the kids, doing some performances and trying minister to the local families! Be praying for God's spirit to move on the hearts and lives of these families ;)
*Prayer for our week long trip to Alabama and the performances that following weekend.
*Continued guidance and wisdom in the production of the worship album "Throne Room", that it would be God's handiwork and not my own. Pray that the Lord will bring opportunities for promotion and performing to further the work He has called me to.
*Prayer for January, that the plans we are carrying out now are lined up with God's plans; that they would pave the way for the arrival of our cast in January.
*Continued financial support, for not just me, but for all of the staff and oncoming cast members involved in YWAM Tampa!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!
I will keep you all updated on the upcoming events and ministry!
Thank you all for your love and support!
-Aaron Gray
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Trust in the Midst of Frustration
What a week of breakthrough!
This past Wednesday a whole lot happened that just really encouraged me. I received just enough money to fix my computer and take care of the bills for October. I discovered I shed 8 pounds since I've been at DTS (healthily, mind you. I have been eating, as some people have questioned! LOL!) I had a friend tell me he wants to do a promotional video (professional quality) for me and the ministry in December. Last, but certainly not least!, the Apple store e-mailed and said my computer was ready for pick-up! Awesome day!
Then................yesterday happened.......................................................
I drove down early to Tampa (about an hour drive) so I could deposit my check at the bank. I know it takes awhile for the check to go through, so I brought my check book with me to the Apple store so I could write one when I pick-up my computer. However, they run checks just like a debit or credit card. So, I decided to wait around awhile, hoping that I had deposited my check early enough for it go through maybe by 2:00-4:00p.m. At least that is what has happened before with my bank. Apparently, rules have changed and they don't put any money through until mid-night.
So, plan B: Several people offered to give their credit card over the phone to Apple so I could get my computer. Praise the Lord and thank you to those people who offered! Except, for the fact that when I went back to Apple, they said they don't allow payment over the phone: they have to have the form of payment in hand. UGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It's now 5:00p.m. I texted a couple prayer brothers and called my parents, just really discouraged and not understanding why I couldn't get my computer yet.
I had so many people willing and offering to help. Why was this not working out? Had I done something wrong? Had I not planned this out well enough? How had I not considered all of the outcomes and options? What was happening? Life happened- that's all.
On the way home, a fellow YWAMmer and I were talking about how often the Lord changes our plans, yet works it out for the better. We don't always understand, and so often, days seem like wasted spaces of time, even though we think we have done everything we can to be productive.
I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 which says that "God knows the plans He has for us. They are plans for good and not for evil; plans to prosper us, to give us a future and hope."
I was also reminded that "Man plans his way, but it is the LORD who directs His steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Life is full of twists and turns. The enemy of our soul is going to do whatever He can to steal, kill and destroy the plans that God speaks about in Jeremiah 29:11! But, in the midst of all of this, I cannot back down from trusting in the Savior. He is good, kind and faithful. His love lasts forever! We must be strong and courageous, my brothers and sisters. God has called us to something far more greater than what we are living now. It is supernatural in the middle of the mundane. We are not called to be productive if we are not producing spiritual fruit: we are called to be intimate with Christ! (John 15)
Thank you so much to everyone who has sowed both prayer and financial seed in the Kingdom by partnering with me! Prayerfully, I will be getting my computer on Sunday afternoon after church! God is moving and His glory will be proclaimed through our partnership together. I cannot thank you enough. Be blessed and take heart whatever you are going through! For He has truly overcome the world! (John 16:33)
-Aaron
Prayer Points:
*Sunday, I am hoping to be able to officially have my computer back as we will be stopping by the Apple Store after attending church in St. Petersburg. Please pray that everything goes well and I can have my computer back. :)
*Monday, October 22nd our friend Gift will be performing a Thai Dance at an assisted living facility in Dade City. I will be leading couple worship songs also. Pray for the salvation of those that have not received Christ as Lord and Savior.
*Continued patience and strength as I continue to do what I can to get this worship album recorded and produced.
*Halloween night we will be passing out candy and tracks to the "trick-or-treaters" throughout the neighborhood. Believing the seeds of the Kingdom will be sown into the hearts, lives and families of the young ones.
*We will be traveling to Alabama for an upcoming YWAM conference in early November. Praying for safe travels, provision and for whatever God has for us during that time.
This past Wednesday a whole lot happened that just really encouraged me. I received just enough money to fix my computer and take care of the bills for October. I discovered I shed 8 pounds since I've been at DTS (healthily, mind you. I have been eating, as some people have questioned! LOL!) I had a friend tell me he wants to do a promotional video (professional quality) for me and the ministry in December. Last, but certainly not least!, the Apple store e-mailed and said my computer was ready for pick-up! Awesome day!
Then................yesterday happened.......................................................
I drove down early to Tampa (about an hour drive) so I could deposit my check at the bank. I know it takes awhile for the check to go through, so I brought my check book with me to the Apple store so I could write one when I pick-up my computer. However, they run checks just like a debit or credit card. So, I decided to wait around awhile, hoping that I had deposited my check early enough for it go through maybe by 2:00-4:00p.m. At least that is what has happened before with my bank. Apparently, rules have changed and they don't put any money through until mid-night.
So, plan B: Several people offered to give their credit card over the phone to Apple so I could get my computer. Praise the Lord and thank you to those people who offered! Except, for the fact that when I went back to Apple, they said they don't allow payment over the phone: they have to have the form of payment in hand. UGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It's now 5:00p.m. I texted a couple prayer brothers and called my parents, just really discouraged and not understanding why I couldn't get my computer yet.
I had so many people willing and offering to help. Why was this not working out? Had I done something wrong? Had I not planned this out well enough? How had I not considered all of the outcomes and options? What was happening? Life happened- that's all.
On the way home, a fellow YWAMmer and I were talking about how often the Lord changes our plans, yet works it out for the better. We don't always understand, and so often, days seem like wasted spaces of time, even though we think we have done everything we can to be productive.
I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 which says that "God knows the plans He has for us. They are plans for good and not for evil; plans to prosper us, to give us a future and hope."
I was also reminded that "Man plans his way, but it is the LORD who directs His steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Life is full of twists and turns. The enemy of our soul is going to do whatever He can to steal, kill and destroy the plans that God speaks about in Jeremiah 29:11! But, in the midst of all of this, I cannot back down from trusting in the Savior. He is good, kind and faithful. His love lasts forever! We must be strong and courageous, my brothers and sisters. God has called us to something far more greater than what we are living now. It is supernatural in the middle of the mundane. We are not called to be productive if we are not producing spiritual fruit: we are called to be intimate with Christ! (John 15)
Thank you so much to everyone who has sowed both prayer and financial seed in the Kingdom by partnering with me! Prayerfully, I will be getting my computer on Sunday afternoon after church! God is moving and His glory will be proclaimed through our partnership together. I cannot thank you enough. Be blessed and take heart whatever you are going through! For He has truly overcome the world! (John 16:33)
-Aaron
Prayer Points:
*Sunday, I am hoping to be able to officially have my computer back as we will be stopping by the Apple Store after attending church in St. Petersburg. Please pray that everything goes well and I can have my computer back. :)
*Monday, October 22nd our friend Gift will be performing a Thai Dance at an assisted living facility in Dade City. I will be leading couple worship songs also. Pray for the salvation of those that have not received Christ as Lord and Savior.
*Continued patience and strength as I continue to do what I can to get this worship album recorded and produced.
*Halloween night we will be passing out candy and tracks to the "trick-or-treaters" throughout the neighborhood. Believing the seeds of the Kingdom will be sown into the hearts, lives and families of the young ones.
*We will be traveling to Alabama for an upcoming YWAM conference in early November. Praying for safe travels, provision and for whatever God has for us during that time.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Confession
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Last week was rough, I'm not gonna lie. Found out a lot of things that I did not feel like dealing with. I felt stuck, between a rock and hard place, like maybe I had even been misguided as to the Lord's will for me during this time.
The hardest part about this is that I was feeling guilty about have these thoughts and feelings and I didn't want to tell anybody about it. Yet, it was affecting my work and my relationships. This past Wednesday, I finally confessed and was really honest about how I was doing and where I was spiritually. Several people prayed over me throughout the day, and began getting encouragement from other people. That night through the next day, my time with the Lord changed. Hope and faith began to be strengthened inside me. I was full of new vision and the next two days were some of the most productive days I've had since I've been back at YWAM.
I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to not let the enemy keep you isolated in your doubt, fear, guilt, shame, and unbelief. Confess your faults to those brothers and sisters in the faith that you can trust, look up to and hold dear to you. Whenever we confess to others how we are doing, something breaks off of us in the spirit (and others as well) and there is a healing and freedom that takes place.
This is why Satan comes so strongly against the united. If he can break the trust between the brethren, he knows that we won't confess sins to each other and he can keep us trapped in the very thing that hinders us from the promise that God has for us in Christ. He knows that this will also ruin the testimony we have, which is how we overcome and triumph over the accuser. (Revelation 12:11)
Stand unified and humble, church! Confess to one another and realize that "we suffer no temptation except which is common to man." (1 Corinthians 10:13) We are all in this together.
Be encouraged! "In this world, you will have trouble, BUT! Take heart! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" (John 16:33)
Last week was rough, I'm not gonna lie. Found out a lot of things that I did not feel like dealing with. I felt stuck, between a rock and hard place, like maybe I had even been misguided as to the Lord's will for me during this time.
The hardest part about this is that I was feeling guilty about have these thoughts and feelings and I didn't want to tell anybody about it. Yet, it was affecting my work and my relationships. This past Wednesday, I finally confessed and was really honest about how I was doing and where I was spiritually. Several people prayed over me throughout the day, and began getting encouragement from other people. That night through the next day, my time with the Lord changed. Hope and faith began to be strengthened inside me. I was full of new vision and the next two days were some of the most productive days I've had since I've been back at YWAM.
I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to not let the enemy keep you isolated in your doubt, fear, guilt, shame, and unbelief. Confess your faults to those brothers and sisters in the faith that you can trust, look up to and hold dear to you. Whenever we confess to others how we are doing, something breaks off of us in the spirit (and others as well) and there is a healing and freedom that takes place.
This is why Satan comes so strongly against the united. If he can break the trust between the brethren, he knows that we won't confess sins to each other and he can keep us trapped in the very thing that hinders us from the promise that God has for us in Christ. He knows that this will also ruin the testimony we have, which is how we overcome and triumph over the accuser. (Revelation 12:11)
Stand unified and humble, church! Confess to one another and realize that "we suffer no temptation except which is common to man." (1 Corinthians 10:13) We are all in this together.
Be encouraged! "In this world, you will have trouble, BUT! Take heart! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" (John 16:33)
Friday, October 5, 2012
First Week Back
Dear friends, family and ministry partners!
I safely arrived back at YWAM Tampa this past Tuesday, October 2nd 2012. Boy, have things been crazy! I was able to settle into my room Wednesday morning. That afternoon we had a staff meeting in which we clarified our focus for the next week.
My primary focus right now is to GET THE ALBUM FINISHED!!! Alright! Ready! Set............
Oops! I forgot! My computer screen won't work! After a long trip down to Tampa to see the Apple specialists, they diagnosed the problem as a burned out video card. Estimated cost to fix is $310 and 5-7 days of repair. I don't have that money on hand because of living costs and payment for a YWAM conference coming up at the beginning of November. So I went to another place I had found just down the street for a second opinion. Unfortunately, they had the same diagnosis. The gentlemen did say, however, that I could try to hook up the computer to an external screen to see if that will work. However, even if this method does work, I will still not have a computer screen out of the office or on the road. So Either way, I will eventually need to get this computer screen fixed. Please be praying in these funds, or be praying for a cheaper solution. All the music I have been working on for this album is on this computer! So, we need to get this situation resolved quickly, so I can finish the instrumentals, record the vocals, mix, master and work on cover art. I am also having to barrow other people's computers for blog updates, making appointments, etc.
However, this past experience is only confirmation that I am right in the center of God's will. We can't expect things to go easy or smoothly when we are in the Lord's will. We have an enemy who wants to distract us and get us off track! So we must always choose to rejoice in our trials and tribulations, knowing that these things make us worthy of the calling of Christ on our lives! (James 1:2-4) Praise the Lord! I'm right where He wants me and the enemy is stankin' mad! So, two of my goals are already complete!
Some of you have been asking me about where to send checks, care packages, etc. I think you will find the following information helpful:
Personal care packages, letters, etc. can be mailed to:
Aaron Gray
31407 Satin Leaf Run
Brooksville, FL 34602
If you would like to partner financially, You can write a check to YWAM TAMPA and send it to the above address.
*NOTE: Please make checks payable to YWAM TAMPA and not to me personally. This way you will receive a tax deduction. Please make sure that you DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE CHECK ITSELF, INCLUDING THE MEMO BLANK AT THE BOTTOM! You can designate the check to me by ATTACHING A STICKY NOTE to the check stating 'TO MISSIONARY AARON GRAY".
Thank you to everyone who is partnering with me in both prayer and finances! I could NOT be doing this without you! I cannot wait to share with you all what God is going to be doing in the next few months. Thank you, thank you, thank you once again!
-In His love forever,
-Aaron Gray
I safely arrived back at YWAM Tampa this past Tuesday, October 2nd 2012. Boy, have things been crazy! I was able to settle into my room Wednesday morning. That afternoon we had a staff meeting in which we clarified our focus for the next week.
My primary focus right now is to GET THE ALBUM FINISHED!!! Alright! Ready! Set............
Oops! I forgot! My computer screen won't work! After a long trip down to Tampa to see the Apple specialists, they diagnosed the problem as a burned out video card. Estimated cost to fix is $310 and 5-7 days of repair. I don't have that money on hand because of living costs and payment for a YWAM conference coming up at the beginning of November. So I went to another place I had found just down the street for a second opinion. Unfortunately, they had the same diagnosis. The gentlemen did say, however, that I could try to hook up the computer to an external screen to see if that will work. However, even if this method does work, I will still not have a computer screen out of the office or on the road. So Either way, I will eventually need to get this computer screen fixed. Please be praying in these funds, or be praying for a cheaper solution. All the music I have been working on for this album is on this computer! So, we need to get this situation resolved quickly, so I can finish the instrumentals, record the vocals, mix, master and work on cover art. I am also having to barrow other people's computers for blog updates, making appointments, etc.
However, this past experience is only confirmation that I am right in the center of God's will. We can't expect things to go easy or smoothly when we are in the Lord's will. We have an enemy who wants to distract us and get us off track! So we must always choose to rejoice in our trials and tribulations, knowing that these things make us worthy of the calling of Christ on our lives! (James 1:2-4) Praise the Lord! I'm right where He wants me and the enemy is stankin' mad! So, two of my goals are already complete!
Some of you have been asking me about where to send checks, care packages, etc. I think you will find the following information helpful:
Personal care packages, letters, etc. can be mailed to:
Aaron Gray
31407 Satin Leaf Run
Brooksville, FL 34602
If you would like to partner financially, You can write a check to YWAM TAMPA and send it to the above address.
*NOTE: Please make checks payable to YWAM TAMPA and not to me personally. This way you will receive a tax deduction. Please make sure that you DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE CHECK ITSELF, INCLUDING THE MEMO BLANK AT THE BOTTOM! You can designate the check to me by ATTACHING A STICKY NOTE to the check stating 'TO MISSIONARY AARON GRAY".
Thank you to everyone who is partnering with me in both prayer and finances! I could NOT be doing this without you! I cannot wait to share with you all what God is going to be doing in the next few months. Thank you, thank you, thank you once again!
-In His love forever,
-Aaron Gray
Sunday, September 16, 2012
I am so Sorry!
So, it was brought to my attention that my link to donate was faulty! I accidentally put in the wrong link on my YouCaring site. So, if you have tried to donate in the past and got really confused, that is my fault.
I am SO SORRY!!!
Today I was able to back and fix it and it worked! So if you feel led to contribute, or have tried in the past and it did not work, it is officially up and running properly!
Thank you so much for your support! Love you guys!
-Aaron
I am SO SORRY!!!
Today I was able to back and fix it and it worked! So if you feel led to contribute, or have tried in the past and it did not work, it is officially up and running properly!
Thank you so much for your support! Love you guys!
-Aaron
Friday, September 14, 2012
Two Weeks and Counting!
So, I'm leaving for YWAM in a little more than two weeks! I'm so excited, yet there is a lot to do. I have a few prayer requests that I would love for my fellow prayer warriors to stand in with me.
I have learned that if I mix my own tracks and just have it mastered, it will cost $100 per song. This cost is in addition to flights, monthly staff fees, etc. Please be praying and rejoicing over the provision
The CD is now 13 tracks long. I have most of the instrumentals all finished up except for 3 tracks. When I go to YWAM I will record the vocals and finish mixing and fine tuning the tracks exactly to how I want them. Please pray for endurance, patience and strength as I finish this project. I'm really excited about it and to be able to take it on the road with me.
Please also be praying for the other staff who will be coming to YWAM Tampa and the Sanborn family who run it. I'm sure there are a lot of obstacles that will be revealing themselves to everyone as the enemy does NOT want this outreach to happen.
Thank you all so much for your prayer and financial support! I pray the Lord continues to bless you and keep you as we continue to partner together to advance His Kingdom!
-Aaron
I have learned that if I mix my own tracks and just have it mastered, it will cost $100 per song. This cost is in addition to flights, monthly staff fees, etc. Please be praying and rejoicing over the provision
The CD is now 13 tracks long. I have most of the instrumentals all finished up except for 3 tracks. When I go to YWAM I will record the vocals and finish mixing and fine tuning the tracks exactly to how I want them. Please pray for endurance, patience and strength as I finish this project. I'm really excited about it and to be able to take it on the road with me.
Please also be praying for the other staff who will be coming to YWAM Tampa and the Sanborn family who run it. I'm sure there are a lot of obstacles that will be revealing themselves to everyone as the enemy does NOT want this outreach to happen.
Thank you all so much for your prayer and financial support! I pray the Lord continues to bless you and keep you as we continue to partner together to advance His Kingdom!
-Aaron
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Anything worthwhile....
....is never easy. I am learning this. Writing, composing, recording, and keeping the vision alive all at the same time have proven to be harder than I originally expected.
I am currently in my third week of recording, while staying active in my church, helping my family with just basic little things, taking random job opportunities and getting ready for my return to YWAM.
May I just say, things as far as circumstances have been great! But, I have been getting attacked in my thoughts more and more. "You're not good enough to do this." "You don't know enough." You aren't talented enough." "You don't have the skill." All of these thoughts keep poking me in the back of my mind. And yet, I am committed to making this CD project, to the best of my ability.
You'd think I would look at trying to make a worship album through a church, or through a studio. Or maybe even trying to look at getting a record label. Try playing a street corner or put some music out through a local pub or bar to try to get some attention. There are a lot of options. Yet, in my spending time with the Lord, I keep getting the hint that I'm not supposed to pursue those things. I keep feeling like He's telling me to press into Him, and the music from His throne will surge through me.
I'm not trying to be arrogant at all when I say that the Lord is telling me, NO! CHALLENGING me to believe that the music He wants to play and sing through me doesn't need a studio, a label, a financial organization to back it before it goes somewhere. And to be honest, I don't really want all that stuff. My heart is to see people worship. My desire is to see the Lord's creation reconnecting with Him, through whatever gifts and talents He has given me to use.
You'd think there would be peace in this thought. And there is. Yet, my mind rages on in battle, telling me lies that I thought I had cast down before. I thought I had taken these thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ. Isn't "I have commissioned You, so DO IT! I will provide for your lack," good enough of a hope and motivation to press on? It is, if I choose to dwell on it.
Whatever opportunities arise I will test them to see if they are in the Lord's will, or just a distraction from the enemy. One thing is for sure, I am in a battle of thought for confidence, motivation and faith that God is overwhelmingly more than enough for me. I am challenged to use what I have to the best of my ability. Whatever I don't have, God Almighty has more than enough to make up for it.
Therefore, "I press on toward for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," just as Paul said in Philippians 3:14.
Nothing excellent comes easy. And I am for sure not striving for "Good Enough".
I am currently in my third week of recording, while staying active in my church, helping my family with just basic little things, taking random job opportunities and getting ready for my return to YWAM.
May I just say, things as far as circumstances have been great! But, I have been getting attacked in my thoughts more and more. "You're not good enough to do this." "You don't know enough." You aren't talented enough." "You don't have the skill." All of these thoughts keep poking me in the back of my mind. And yet, I am committed to making this CD project, to the best of my ability.
You'd think I would look at trying to make a worship album through a church, or through a studio. Or maybe even trying to look at getting a record label. Try playing a street corner or put some music out through a local pub or bar to try to get some attention. There are a lot of options. Yet, in my spending time with the Lord, I keep getting the hint that I'm not supposed to pursue those things. I keep feeling like He's telling me to press into Him, and the music from His throne will surge through me.
I'm not trying to be arrogant at all when I say that the Lord is telling me, NO! CHALLENGING me to believe that the music He wants to play and sing through me doesn't need a studio, a label, a financial organization to back it before it goes somewhere. And to be honest, I don't really want all that stuff. My heart is to see people worship. My desire is to see the Lord's creation reconnecting with Him, through whatever gifts and talents He has given me to use.
You'd think there would be peace in this thought. And there is. Yet, my mind rages on in battle, telling me lies that I thought I had cast down before. I thought I had taken these thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ. Isn't "I have commissioned You, so DO IT! I will provide for your lack," good enough of a hope and motivation to press on? It is, if I choose to dwell on it.
Whatever opportunities arise I will test them to see if they are in the Lord's will, or just a distraction from the enemy. One thing is for sure, I am in a battle of thought for confidence, motivation and faith that God is overwhelmingly more than enough for me. I am challenged to use what I have to the best of my ability. Whatever I don't have, God Almighty has more than enough to make up for it.
Therefore, "I press on toward for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," just as Paul said in Philippians 3:14.
Nothing excellent comes easy. And I am for sure not striving for "Good Enough".
Friday, August 24, 2012
NEW THINGS COMIN'!
Hey all!
I have not posted here in awhile, but I wanted to update you on what I have been up to since I got back from YWAM Tampa!
This past summer I was employed by the YMCA working with local kids at the YMCA Summer Camp. It was awesome and I love both the kids and adults that I worked with!
I have been very busy getting involved with my home church Anastasia Baptist in Saint Augustine Beach, Florida. They have been very good to me, welcoming me back and giving me opportunities to share my experiences in YWAM, Malaysia and Thailand, while letting me sell a sample CD that I've been able to put together called "In Process".
Well, now there are new things on the horizon and they are BIG! For one, it's official-I'm going back to YWAM! September through December we'll be working on music and the team's play "Judah Ben-Hur" and January we'll be heading on the road for a domestic tour. Then in February- March we'll be overseas in Singapore and Malaysia.
Summer Camp ended Friday September 17th and Saturday I began recording for the album I will be taking with me to YWAM called "Throne Room". I'm very excited about this, but I could use a lot of prayer! Please pray for endurance and patience as I believe this CD will bring new, fresh revelation into praise and worship. My prayer is that people will be awakened in their soul's and minds toward the spiritual realm and what happens when we worship God in "Spirit and in Truth" just as He called us to do. Please be praying for financial provision as I will need it for both producing the album, room and board for YWAM, travel expenses and basic necessities.
Please also be praying for spiritual strength and protection as I record this album. I have been getting hit hard with discouragement, fear, doubt, old temptations and even older attitudes. As my father is about to drop a medication in a few weeks, this also increases the spiritual attack on our family. Satan does NOT want us to keep living in celebration of what God has done and is doing.
Thank you all so much for all of your support! If you would like an "In Process" CD for $5.00, just let me know and I will see about getting one to you!
Thanks again everyone for your prayers and financial support! More updates to come soon!!!
In His Name for His Kingdom,
-Aaron
I have not posted here in awhile, but I wanted to update you on what I have been up to since I got back from YWAM Tampa!
This past summer I was employed by the YMCA working with local kids at the YMCA Summer Camp. It was awesome and I love both the kids and adults that I worked with!
I have been very busy getting involved with my home church Anastasia Baptist in Saint Augustine Beach, Florida. They have been very good to me, welcoming me back and giving me opportunities to share my experiences in YWAM, Malaysia and Thailand, while letting me sell a sample CD that I've been able to put together called "In Process".
Well, now there are new things on the horizon and they are BIG! For one, it's official-I'm going back to YWAM! September through December we'll be working on music and the team's play "Judah Ben-Hur" and January we'll be heading on the road for a domestic tour. Then in February- March we'll be overseas in Singapore and Malaysia.
Summer Camp ended Friday September 17th and Saturday I began recording for the album I will be taking with me to YWAM called "Throne Room". I'm very excited about this, but I could use a lot of prayer! Please pray for endurance and patience as I believe this CD will bring new, fresh revelation into praise and worship. My prayer is that people will be awakened in their soul's and minds toward the spiritual realm and what happens when we worship God in "Spirit and in Truth" just as He called us to do. Please be praying for financial provision as I will need it for both producing the album, room and board for YWAM, travel expenses and basic necessities.
Please also be praying for spiritual strength and protection as I record this album. I have been getting hit hard with discouragement, fear, doubt, old temptations and even older attitudes. As my father is about to drop a medication in a few weeks, this also increases the spiritual attack on our family. Satan does NOT want us to keep living in celebration of what God has done and is doing.
Thank you all so much for all of your support! If you would like an "In Process" CD for $5.00, just let me know and I will see about getting one to you!
Thanks again everyone for your prayers and financial support! More updates to come soon!!!
In His Name for His Kingdom,
-Aaron
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thank You!
Dear Friends, Family, and Ministry
Partners,
THANK
YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for your prayer and financial support in my YWAM
training and outreaches to Malaysia and Thailand!
Through
your support, our team saw over 120 people accept Christ and almost 300 Burmese
(Myanmar) refugee children were able to hear the creation story and God’s love
in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia.
Not only this, but we were able to do spiritual warfare and help newly
established churches become better equipped to share the Gospel and lead their
congregations in worship and hear the voice of God in the villages of central
Thailand!
Many
seeds were planted with the Gospel of Christ, including street break-dancers,
skateboarders and dance competitors in central and northern Thailand. We were also able to work at an
orphanage, helping children and young adults understand the love of God through
music, song, dance and drama.
It
is an experience I will never forget!
And, there are more opportunities presenting themselves for future
ministry with YWAM-TAMPA, including album recording and national and
international touring, all presenting the Gospel of Christ and leading worship
around the country and throughout the world.
Thank
you again for partnering with me in advancing the Kingdom of God in Southeast
Asia. As a thank you, I have
enclosed a copy of some of the music that I have been working on (some of which
was able to used in Malaysia and Thailand. I assure you, there is much more to come and God is only
beginning to tell the story!
In the Love of
Christ,
-Aaron
’Shackles
Dance’ in Malaysia. (Almost 100 people came to Jesus this weekend.)
Ung-Tai
(left) received Jesus after Justin (right) and I shared with him about God’s
love.
*More updates on:
Facebook.com/Awaron1515
FB Group-Aaron
Gray @ YWAM
Climbtoworship.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Prison Ministry and building the Church.
Hello all from Phitsanulok, Thailand!
Below is a view from the window at which I sit:
I must apologize as I was mistaken in my last update. It is actually tomorrow we are heading for Ban Nay for 5 days- NOT last weekend! Haha.
This past weekend we taught at an English Camp up in a national park on Saturday and Sunday. A group of 6 believers in the area met together to pray, worship, hear our testimonies and learn basic English skills. It was a great time of learning each others cultures and being refreshed in the Lord. The landscape was beautiful!
But the people are even more so! On Monday we were able to pray for a worship leader and His wife at their restaurant that recently opened. What a great time of intercession, worship, prayer and encouragement.
But, yesterday we had one of the greatest ministry opportunities this whole outreach. We performed our "Chains" drama, preached the gospel and I was able to share my Father's testimony and how it has impacted my life. About 81 juveniles were able to hear the gospel of Christ for the very first time- all through drama, music, dance, preaching and testimony.
This Saturday-Wednesday we will be in another village to teach English and teach on hearing the voice of God. Most of the people there will be Christians.
Please be praying as we have had some spiritual warfare. Last week a team member fell ill with some food poisoning for a couple days. Last night we found out another team member had a folding door fall on her foot as she was doing laundry. We are waiting to hear how she is doing today. The team, as a whole, is staying strong and in good spirits.
Please continue to pray for financial needs and provisions as some of us are still praying in funds for outreach. I know I still I need at least $1500 excluding spending money for soap, laundry, and food for the long journey home. But, God is faithful and He has shown Himself that way through all of you by your continued prayer and financial support! Thank you all again for helping advance God's Kingdom. Praying blessing on each and every one of you!
Love in Christ,
-Aaron
Below is a view from the window at which I sit:
I must apologize as I was mistaken in my last update. It is actually tomorrow we are heading for Ban Nay for 5 days- NOT last weekend! Haha.
This past weekend we taught at an English Camp up in a national park on Saturday and Sunday. A group of 6 believers in the area met together to pray, worship, hear our testimonies and learn basic English skills. It was a great time of learning each others cultures and being refreshed in the Lord. The landscape was beautiful!
But the people are even more so! On Monday we were able to pray for a worship leader and His wife at their restaurant that recently opened. What a great time of intercession, worship, prayer and encouragement.
But, yesterday we had one of the greatest ministry opportunities this whole outreach. We performed our "Chains" drama, preached the gospel and I was able to share my Father's testimony and how it has impacted my life. About 81 juveniles were able to hear the gospel of Christ for the very first time- all through drama, music, dance, preaching and testimony.
This Saturday-Wednesday we will be in another village to teach English and teach on hearing the voice of God. Most of the people there will be Christians.
Please be praying as we have had some spiritual warfare. Last week a team member fell ill with some food poisoning for a couple days. Last night we found out another team member had a folding door fall on her foot as she was doing laundry. We are waiting to hear how she is doing today. The team, as a whole, is staying strong and in good spirits.
Please continue to pray for financial needs and provisions as some of us are still praying in funds for outreach. I know I still I need at least $1500 excluding spending money for soap, laundry, and food for the long journey home. But, God is faithful and He has shown Himself that way through all of you by your continued prayer and financial support! Thank you all again for helping advance God's Kingdom. Praying blessing on each and every one of you!
Love in Christ,
-Aaron
Friday, May 4, 2012
Phitsanulok, Thailand
Hey all!
I found some time to update you all a little more about what God is doing in Thailand, but the unfortunately, the videos are not uploading correctly. I'm so disappointed because there are some great moments captured here on outreach!
We have been in Phitsanulok, Thailand since Monday and we have already been seeing some seeds planted. On the train into Phitsanulok, we met a girl named Kat. She spoke very good English and toward the end of the train ride admitted to having been very sad because of the news that her friends had passed away in a car accident that very day. We were able to pray for her and later we were able to share Jesus with her. We have been facebooking her and sharing Jesus with her and trying to encourage her. She has not given her life to the Lord yet, but we are hoping to connect her with some local Christians that we have been working with.
Tuesday, we had an orientation and prepared to to spend a day and night in a village about two hours away. That night we were introduced to some local breakdancers, one of which is Thailand's national champion. His name is Heartbeat, or so that is what everyone calls him. He is very open and interested in what we have to say. We will be doing some of our performances tonight (Friday) in the same location.
Wednesday we headed up to the village, where a new church of about 10 people has been started. There, we were able to meet the staff and pray over their brand new church building. They are hoping to reach the surrounding villages with the gospel of Jesus.
That night we went to another village where a smaller group of Christians live. We were highly entertained by the Thai boxing they enjoy doing. A couple of students and I were able to lead worship with two of the locals. Gong, the worship leader for the small church, is an awesome guitar player and really has a heart for God. We were able to pray for him and his small team, encouraging them that their worship leading and singing has eternal effects on their village and those surrounding it. They were really excited, especially with the fact that they were able to do music with "professionals."
Thursday morning, we prayed for a beautiful house and property that our contact has been wanting to purchase for a future YWAM facility. It overlooks a river that flows into the 14 surrounding provinces of the area (over 14million unreached souls). Our prayer is that in two years we will see a fully functional YWAM base running a Performing Arts DTS just like the school we are attending. That afternoon, we continued to fellowship with the village church by going to a waterfall, going for a swim and eating lunch. They are such a great group of disciples and we are so excited to hear what God is going to do through them.
Last night we went out to a local park where a lot of skateboarder hang out. A few team members were able to speak to them about Jesus, while another group met up with some dancers who were practicing for a competition in Bangkok at the end of May. One of the dancers and her sister wanted to take a picture with us. As we were getting ready to tell them about Jesus, it started to rain and we split ways. However, this is not the last time we will be in this area. We are praying we will be able to have more conversation with them at another point in time.
It has been a very exciting time here in Thailand. Please keep praying for more opportunities for speak to people about Jesus. We are also in some spiritual warfare, as the spirit of slander has tried to make several attacks on our team. But, praise the Lord, we have caught it and faced it head on and seen victory.
Tomorrow we will be heading out to Ban Nay school to teach english, life skills and share the gospel of Christ with the school children over there. We will be there through Wednesday and then heading back to Phitsanulok for a few more days.
Please continue to pray for provision and guidance as our team still has a few outstanding students fees we must pay (including myself).
Thank you all for your support in prayer and finances. I could not be doing this without each and every on of you!
May God bless you richly in your giving and petitions. Always advancing the Kingdom!
-In the love of our Lord Jesus Chris,
-Aaron Gray
I found some time to update you all a little more about what God is doing in Thailand, but the unfortunately, the videos are not uploading correctly. I'm so disappointed because there are some great moments captured here on outreach!
We have been in Phitsanulok, Thailand since Monday and we have already been seeing some seeds planted. On the train into Phitsanulok, we met a girl named Kat. She spoke very good English and toward the end of the train ride admitted to having been very sad because of the news that her friends had passed away in a car accident that very day. We were able to pray for her and later we were able to share Jesus with her. We have been facebooking her and sharing Jesus with her and trying to encourage her. She has not given her life to the Lord yet, but we are hoping to connect her with some local Christians that we have been working with.
Tuesday, we had an orientation and prepared to to spend a day and night in a village about two hours away. That night we were introduced to some local breakdancers, one of which is Thailand's national champion. His name is Heartbeat, or so that is what everyone calls him. He is very open and interested in what we have to say. We will be doing some of our performances tonight (Friday) in the same location.
Wednesday we headed up to the village, where a new church of about 10 people has been started. There, we were able to meet the staff and pray over their brand new church building. They are hoping to reach the surrounding villages with the gospel of Jesus.
That night we went to another village where a smaller group of Christians live. We were highly entertained by the Thai boxing they enjoy doing. A couple of students and I were able to lead worship with two of the locals. Gong, the worship leader for the small church, is an awesome guitar player and really has a heart for God. We were able to pray for him and his small team, encouraging them that their worship leading and singing has eternal effects on their village and those surrounding it. They were really excited, especially with the fact that they were able to do music with "professionals."
Thursday morning, we prayed for a beautiful house and property that our contact has been wanting to purchase for a future YWAM facility. It overlooks a river that flows into the 14 surrounding provinces of the area (over 14million unreached souls). Our prayer is that in two years we will see a fully functional YWAM base running a Performing Arts DTS just like the school we are attending. That afternoon, we continued to fellowship with the village church by going to a waterfall, going for a swim and eating lunch. They are such a great group of disciples and we are so excited to hear what God is going to do through them.
Last night we went out to a local park where a lot of skateboarder hang out. A few team members were able to speak to them about Jesus, while another group met up with some dancers who were practicing for a competition in Bangkok at the end of May. One of the dancers and her sister wanted to take a picture with us. As we were getting ready to tell them about Jesus, it started to rain and we split ways. However, this is not the last time we will be in this area. We are praying we will be able to have more conversation with them at another point in time.
It has been a very exciting time here in Thailand. Please keep praying for more opportunities for speak to people about Jesus. We are also in some spiritual warfare, as the spirit of slander has tried to make several attacks on our team. But, praise the Lord, we have caught it and faced it head on and seen victory.
Tomorrow we will be heading out to Ban Nay school to teach english, life skills and share the gospel of Christ with the school children over there. We will be there through Wednesday and then heading back to Phitsanulok for a few more days.
Please continue to pray for provision and guidance as our team still has a few outstanding students fees we must pay (including myself).
Thank you all for your support in prayer and finances. I could not be doing this without each and every on of you!
May God bless you richly in your giving and petitions. Always advancing the Kingdom!
-In the love of our Lord Jesus Chris,
-Aaron Gray
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Update from Bangkok, Thailand
Dear friends, family and supporters!
First off I want to say I am so sorry for not updating sooner. WE have seen the Lord moving in so many ways and it has been hard to find the time to really sit down and update what the Lord has been doing here. I haven't been able to catch up with my own family for about three weeks!
We saw amazing ministry in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia. The first weekend we saw 100 people come to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We were able to minister to about 300 elementary age Myanmar refugee children and thirteen refugees ages 16-20, one of which we were able to lead to Christ.
In Penang, we saw 2 middle school children and 6-8 high schoolers receive Jesus through our performances. We also crossed paths wtih the World Race through AIM and were able to have an amazing night of prayer, worship and intercession. There have been many opportunities to prepare, encourage and equip God's church in Malaysia.
Please be praying for those who we have ministered to in Malaysia that God would be faithful to water and grow the seeds planted there. Many of the youths have great promise to be warriors and ground takers for the Kingdom and they really see it in them to continue to seek Christ and His Kingdom first.
Now, we are in Bangkok, Thailand and the spiritual warfare is very heavy here. We are pressing through with many headaches and weak bodies as we have been prayer walking through the streets. One night we visited a night market next to a brothel in the red light district and without the proper prayer and spiritual prep beforehand, I do not think we would have been able to stay very long. But, praise the Lord, we were able to sing through the streets, proclaiming the goodness of God and the demonic presence began to decrease the longer were there.
There people here in Bangkok are very joyful and happy on the outside, but you can see the spiritual oppression through their smiling faces on the inside. Please be praying that we can remain strong as a team.
The Lord revealed to one of our directors a strategy that the enemy uses as she was studying Ezra (Which is the same book that several of the students, including myself, have been going through, as well). We have passed two tests that the enemy will try to put us through as a team. The first test was deception. Through many of the churches in Malaysia we encountered people saying one thing, then doing another. The second test was discouragement. Many people on our team started getting lies into their head about rejection and began to feel ill equipped to carry on in their roles within the team. The third test we must be ready to face is slander. We have encountered this test before in our lecture phase, and experienced victory. However, we believe that it will happen again. We putting on the armor of God and believing the best about each other. Please be in prayer as each attack seems to get worse than the one before.
WE are so excited to see what God is going to be doing through us in Thailand! We are going to be leaving Monday morning for central Thailand where we will be based for the last three weeks of outreach. Please be praying for safety and that we will remain culturally aware and relevant. Being westerners, sometimes we can get a little LOUD for the asian culture.
Thank you all for your support! One last thing we need to be praying for is that some of our outreach ground fees are not in. Overall the school has about $5,000 left to bring in. I have about $2,000 of that left. We are all believing God that provision will be made. Any support that you can give to help would be greatly appreciated. I will try to upload some videos so that you can see some of the amazing land of Malaysia and Thailand. Thank you all again! I am praying the Lord will bless you richly as you continue to pray and support God's mission here in southeast Asia!
First off I want to say I am so sorry for not updating sooner. WE have seen the Lord moving in so many ways and it has been hard to find the time to really sit down and update what the Lord has been doing here. I haven't been able to catch up with my own family for about three weeks!
We saw amazing ministry in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia. The first weekend we saw 100 people come to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We were able to minister to about 300 elementary age Myanmar refugee children and thirteen refugees ages 16-20, one of which we were able to lead to Christ.
In Penang, we saw 2 middle school children and 6-8 high schoolers receive Jesus through our performances. We also crossed paths wtih the World Race through AIM and were able to have an amazing night of prayer, worship and intercession. There have been many opportunities to prepare, encourage and equip God's church in Malaysia.
Please be praying for those who we have ministered to in Malaysia that God would be faithful to water and grow the seeds planted there. Many of the youths have great promise to be warriors and ground takers for the Kingdom and they really see it in them to continue to seek Christ and His Kingdom first.
Now, we are in Bangkok, Thailand and the spiritual warfare is very heavy here. We are pressing through with many headaches and weak bodies as we have been prayer walking through the streets. One night we visited a night market next to a brothel in the red light district and without the proper prayer and spiritual prep beforehand, I do not think we would have been able to stay very long. But, praise the Lord, we were able to sing through the streets, proclaiming the goodness of God and the demonic presence began to decrease the longer were there.
There people here in Bangkok are very joyful and happy on the outside, but you can see the spiritual oppression through their smiling faces on the inside. Please be praying that we can remain strong as a team.
The Lord revealed to one of our directors a strategy that the enemy uses as she was studying Ezra (Which is the same book that several of the students, including myself, have been going through, as well). We have passed two tests that the enemy will try to put us through as a team. The first test was deception. Through many of the churches in Malaysia we encountered people saying one thing, then doing another. The second test was discouragement. Many people on our team started getting lies into their head about rejection and began to feel ill equipped to carry on in their roles within the team. The third test we must be ready to face is slander. We have encountered this test before in our lecture phase, and experienced victory. However, we believe that it will happen again. We putting on the armor of God and believing the best about each other. Please be in prayer as each attack seems to get worse than the one before.
WE are so excited to see what God is going to be doing through us in Thailand! We are going to be leaving Monday morning for central Thailand where we will be based for the last three weeks of outreach. Please be praying for safety and that we will remain culturally aware and relevant. Being westerners, sometimes we can get a little LOUD for the asian culture.
Thank you all for your support! One last thing we need to be praying for is that some of our outreach ground fees are not in. Overall the school has about $5,000 left to bring in. I have about $2,000 of that left. We are all believing God that provision will be made. Any support that you can give to help would be greatly appreciated. I will try to upload some videos so that you can see some of the amazing land of Malaysia and Thailand. Thank you all again! I am praying the Lord will bless you richly as you continue to pray and support God's mission here in southeast Asia!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
"Behold, He does a new thing!"
Thank you, Lord!
Thank you to those of you who have supported me financially! Your support means to much to me and I am truly greatful. Please keep praying in the funds as I still have a long way to go before I can leave for Malaysia and Thailand. But, He is so faithful and slowly, but steadily is providing the financing for me to go. Thanks to those of you who have decided to take part in this adventure! I am so very humbled and honored!
The Lord is so good! Today we received an invitation to do an hour long service at a presbyterian church in Brooksville on March 18th. Today, my classmate from Chile and I were asked to put a program together for this service. Wtihin two hours, we and a dear classmate from Holland had the basci script written out. It's a brand new musical/drama concept that uses common worship songs to tell a story. This way, the congregation is inspired by drama while participating in worship through music. We are so excited about this new concept. Please be praying as we only have a week and half to pull this together. We belive this is an idea from the Lord and there are many things He has brought together to make this work. Please also be praying that Lord will have His way in all aspects of the service.
Thanks again to everyone who is supporting me at YWAM Tampa through both prayer and fincances! God is doing amazing things here and I can't wait to share more and more with you all!
In His LOVE,
-Aaron
Thank you to those of you who have supported me financially! Your support means to much to me and I am truly greatful. Please keep praying in the funds as I still have a long way to go before I can leave for Malaysia and Thailand. But, He is so faithful and slowly, but steadily is providing the financing for me to go. Thanks to those of you who have decided to take part in this adventure! I am so very humbled and honored!
The Lord is so good! Today we received an invitation to do an hour long service at a presbyterian church in Brooksville on March 18th. Today, my classmate from Chile and I were asked to put a program together for this service. Wtihin two hours, we and a dear classmate from Holland had the basci script written out. It's a brand new musical/drama concept that uses common worship songs to tell a story. This way, the congregation is inspired by drama while participating in worship through music. We are so excited about this new concept. Please be praying as we only have a week and half to pull this together. We belive this is an idea from the Lord and there are many things He has brought together to make this work. Please also be praying that Lord will have His way in all aspects of the service.
Thanks again to everyone who is supporting me at YWAM Tampa through both prayer and fincances! God is doing amazing things here and I can't wait to share more and more with you all!
In His LOVE,
-Aaron
Monday, March 5, 2012
Weekend Outreach
This past weekend has been awesome!
Our DTS was able to do some outreach at a church in North Tampa this past Sunday. We performed several of our skits we were working on and were able to lead worship using some of the songs we have been practicing, including on of my originals "Glory in My Eyes" (Thank you Chris Aussem for helping me write that. In addition, we able to pray with many, many people afterwards. This included a 14 year old boy who did not even want to come to church that day, yet his mother made him. He ended up accepting the Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior.
We also were able to pray for a woman who was a Christian but had not stepped foot in church for over 30 years because she felt that she was a hypocrite. We were able to speak the identity of Christ over her so she could know that as she spends time with Jesus and falls more and more in love with Him, He enable her to make the changes in her life that make her feel like a hypocrite. She left with a new sense of who she is because she began to see herself as Christ saw her.
These are only a few of the people that we as a DTS were able to pray over. I'm so excited to continue using our performing arts skills to touch the lives of so many people who are looking for answers and can be introduced to the love of Jesus.
Today (Monday, March 5th.) we will be leading worship for YWAM Orlando. Please be praying for us as we are so excited to be sharing what we have been doing with the YWAM base there.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and financial support! Keep praying in the funds as I have a long way to go before I am able to go to Malaysia and Thailand!
Our DTS was able to do some outreach at a church in North Tampa this past Sunday. We performed several of our skits we were working on and were able to lead worship using some of the songs we have been practicing, including on of my originals "Glory in My Eyes" (Thank you Chris Aussem for helping me write that. In addition, we able to pray with many, many people afterwards. This included a 14 year old boy who did not even want to come to church that day, yet his mother made him. He ended up accepting the Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior.
We also were able to pray for a woman who was a Christian but had not stepped foot in church for over 30 years because she felt that she was a hypocrite. We were able to speak the identity of Christ over her so she could know that as she spends time with Jesus and falls more and more in love with Him, He enable her to make the changes in her life that make her feel like a hypocrite. She left with a new sense of who she is because she began to see herself as Christ saw her.
These are only a few of the people that we as a DTS were able to pray over. I'm so excited to continue using our performing arts skills to touch the lives of so many people who are looking for answers and can be introduced to the love of Jesus.
Today (Monday, March 5th.) we will be leading worship for YWAM Orlando. Please be praying for us as we are so excited to be sharing what we have been doing with the YWAM base there.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and financial support! Keep praying in the funds as I have a long way to go before I am able to go to Malaysia and Thailand!
A King without a Kingdom? Or a Kingdom without a King?
The week on the Kingdom of God was epic. I mean literally-EPIC! Here's what I mean...
All growing up and even adults now in Christian Culture (which needs Jesus as much as any other culture, if you ask me), have been taught "Get saved or you are going to hell." You must "Get saved from your sins." Ok, yeah. I'll get saved, then I'll go back and party, go too far with my girlfriend, or whatever else I was doing before.
"Oh, no!" comes along the church. "Now, that you are saved, you have given your life away!" You have to do all of these rules, regulations and rituals to "stay on the right path." Jesus loves you so much he died for you so you can have these lists to follow to get to heaven. But, if you mess it up, you will have to go down and get saved again. (This analogy is a little extreme on what some people actually say, but the mentality, on some level is still there.)
So, people get saved...then they go to church. Church for most of them happens once per week. They repent of their weekly sins, get sanctified, sing to God, pray to God, greet each other with a "holy hug in the Name of the Lord," then leave to overeat with extended family that they really can't even stand to be around. (Again, a little extreme. But, you can catch the point I'm trying to make.)
Monday comes around and we're right back into our daily routine, usually not even thinking about anything that happened on Sunday(usually because nothing DID happen on Sunday- at least nothing of great importance or significance).
Is this the "Christian Life" we are all trying to "scare" or convert people into? I hope not. I'm not buying that that is best way to live. After all, Jesus said, "He came that we might have and enjoy life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows." (John 10:10)
The Kingdom of God is the subject most talked about by Jesus in the four gospels. The Kingdom is NOT the church (as in the building or a certain body of believers that gather at a particular time at a particular place). That kind of church is a part of the Kingdom. Yet, so are all the other elements of society- Education, Science, Technology, Business, Art, Media, Sports, Government, Family, etc. The Kingdom is God's people (the global church). As we fall more and more in love with Him on a daily basis, we tell others the good news. The good news NOT that they get to go to heaven, but that they are invited to be a part of a Kingdom and live with the King Himself!
Our King loves His children and wants every single person to come eat with Him at His table, fellowship in His hall, dance with Him on the dance floor, sing with Him in His theater, and to honor hug Him in His throne room.
This King also invites us to fight for his Kingdom. He wants to "Knight" us into His courts and share with us the honor of fighting alongside Him for His glory.
We have an enemy, and he is alive and well. Satan and his demons are out to destroy the Kingdom. They are seeking to take down and destroy as many of God's people as possible. They are even trying to build strongholds in the minds of so many people of the church, and have succeeded.
I say all of this in hopes of us realizing that God has called us to be involved in an incredible story, of romance, battle, honor and glory! We love all of the great epic tales because it stirs something up inside of us. From The Lion King, to the Matrix, to the Lord of the Rings, to Star Wars, to Braveheart, to Indiana Jones, etc. All of these stories have adventure, romance, excitement, a sense of good vs. evil and we all cheer in the end because in some way, the world is how it should be.
The stories are a reflection of what is real! We are in a battle, a part of a kingdom, in a romance with the King Himself who rules in love, mercy, grace and justice! And He calls us to guide us in our own adventure! The Christian life is anything but boring. It is hard, tiresome, dirty, painful and sometimes just plain aggravating. But, we are not called to sit in church on Sundays to fall asleep, and Monday to live like we are zombies going through the daily routine.
He came that we may have life! Live, Bride of Christ! Live for the glory of God. Fall more and more in love with the King everyday and know that you are part of a Kingdom that will never fade away, and it will stand in righteousness, honor and glory for all eternity. Rise up and fight for the Kingdom, church. It is worth fighting for!
All growing up and even adults now in Christian Culture (which needs Jesus as much as any other culture, if you ask me), have been taught "Get saved or you are going to hell." You must "Get saved from your sins." Ok, yeah. I'll get saved, then I'll go back and party, go too far with my girlfriend, or whatever else I was doing before.
"Oh, no!" comes along the church. "Now, that you are saved, you have given your life away!" You have to do all of these rules, regulations and rituals to "stay on the right path." Jesus loves you so much he died for you so you can have these lists to follow to get to heaven. But, if you mess it up, you will have to go down and get saved again. (This analogy is a little extreme on what some people actually say, but the mentality, on some level is still there.)
So, people get saved...then they go to church. Church for most of them happens once per week. They repent of their weekly sins, get sanctified, sing to God, pray to God, greet each other with a "holy hug in the Name of the Lord," then leave to overeat with extended family that they really can't even stand to be around. (Again, a little extreme. But, you can catch the point I'm trying to make.)
Monday comes around and we're right back into our daily routine, usually not even thinking about anything that happened on Sunday(usually because nothing DID happen on Sunday- at least nothing of great importance or significance).
Is this the "Christian Life" we are all trying to "scare" or convert people into? I hope not. I'm not buying that that is best way to live. After all, Jesus said, "He came that we might have and enjoy life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows." (John 10:10)
The Kingdom of God is the subject most talked about by Jesus in the four gospels. The Kingdom is NOT the church (as in the building or a certain body of believers that gather at a particular time at a particular place). That kind of church is a part of the Kingdom. Yet, so are all the other elements of society- Education, Science, Technology, Business, Art, Media, Sports, Government, Family, etc. The Kingdom is God's people (the global church). As we fall more and more in love with Him on a daily basis, we tell others the good news. The good news NOT that they get to go to heaven, but that they are invited to be a part of a Kingdom and live with the King Himself!
Our King loves His children and wants every single person to come eat with Him at His table, fellowship in His hall, dance with Him on the dance floor, sing with Him in His theater, and to honor hug Him in His throne room.
This King also invites us to fight for his Kingdom. He wants to "Knight" us into His courts and share with us the honor of fighting alongside Him for His glory.
We have an enemy, and he is alive and well. Satan and his demons are out to destroy the Kingdom. They are seeking to take down and destroy as many of God's people as possible. They are even trying to build strongholds in the minds of so many people of the church, and have succeeded.
I say all of this in hopes of us realizing that God has called us to be involved in an incredible story, of romance, battle, honor and glory! We love all of the great epic tales because it stirs something up inside of us. From The Lion King, to the Matrix, to the Lord of the Rings, to Star Wars, to Braveheart, to Indiana Jones, etc. All of these stories have adventure, romance, excitement, a sense of good vs. evil and we all cheer in the end because in some way, the world is how it should be.
The stories are a reflection of what is real! We are in a battle, a part of a kingdom, in a romance with the King Himself who rules in love, mercy, grace and justice! And He calls us to guide us in our own adventure! The Christian life is anything but boring. It is hard, tiresome, dirty, painful and sometimes just plain aggravating. But, we are not called to sit in church on Sundays to fall asleep, and Monday to live like we are zombies going through the daily routine.
He came that we may have life! Live, Bride of Christ! Live for the glory of God. Fall more and more in love with the King everyday and know that you are part of a Kingdom that will never fade away, and it will stand in righteousness, honor and glory for all eternity. Rise up and fight for the Kingdom, church. It is worth fighting for!
So, are you doing what all the other Christians are doing? Are you part of a Kingdom without a King? Or are you serving God just to get something out of it without blessing Him in return? Are you making Him a King without a Kingdom? Either way, I hope not! I serve a King who rules over the greatest Kingdom the world has ever known! Will you accept the invitation to join the Kingdom and serve Him?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Whoa! We're halfway there, and definitely living on many, many prayers!
Hey friends and family!
It has been a beautiful 6 weeks here at YWAM Tampa and God has been amazing!
We started hearing about the adventures of the Sanborns and their ministries with YWAM in Southeast Asia. The miracles and stories are unbelievable. There are too many to tell. But, I will say they are true and God has been faithful to them every step of the way. I have realized that spiritual warfare is REAL and NOT to be taken with a half-attitude or lightly. Yet, God makes it so simple. Simply to be impressed with Him and not with anything else that tries to get in the way of His glory. We went more in depth with this the second week.
The third week, we talked about our dreams and they vision we believe God has given us. We talked about how we were each individually, intricately and uniquely made. God has designed every person for a specific purpose that he wants to fulfill in them. We discussed different personality types and how we each function as an individual and how we can function together with others who are like us, and different, in a group and on a team.
The fourth week was heavy- talking about the crucifixion, sin and the cross. We discussed the depravity of man and how God was not able to receive us back into relationship with Him without making a sacrifice. What an incredible week! To realize how much God loves us to send His only Son to die that kind of death, and to suffer that kind of torture is painful, and is a process. But, in the end, it is worth it to see the love that He has for every person, and how important His glory is to Himself.
Week five we talked about Biblical counseling and helping people work through their struggles and problems, yet with a Biblical answer and an actual cure-Jesus. This week was great! It was so practical, not in just talking about how to help others, but it was revelational in discovering how God made us in His image and what we were all made for-love. It brought to light how situations can damage someone and the healing process that takes place in someones life- and how to walk them through that process.
However, this past week has probably been the MOST impactful. We were led into the father-heart of God and the restoration work He wants to do in us, as His people. I was reminded how much God really loves us and He wants us to rise up out of our hurt, pain, offenses and unforgiveness. This was transformational, as we gathered around each other and prayed that forgiveness would be released into situations dating back to our elementary school years. Afterward, right before dinner we took sheets of paper with situations and people that we had bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness toward and through it in a bond fire, representing our freedom from the sin we were committing against ourselves and God. It was powerful, and there is a sense of healing and soul cleanliness throughout the school.
The next 6 weeks will be focused on outreach and ministering together to let others in the similar processes we have been through. It's so exciting.
We have a program already assembled that the staff have put together for us. We will be learning and practicing the bits and pieces of it over the next several weeks in preparation for outreach.
This brings me to an extremely important prayer request(which I know God will answer in His own time and way.) Outreach fee due date has moved up to March First. I did not realize that fees would be due so soon. Please be praying to bring this money in and about what you can be giving. I know so many of you have given so much already, and for that I am grateful. I know that God wants me to go and that He will provide the finances. He has already been so faithful. I know it will be in His way and in His timing.
As a praise, the Lord has rearranged some things and my car has been paid off and I officially own it! Praise the Lord and thank you mom and dad for listening to the Lord on that and helping with that. God is so good! He always provides.
For those of you waiting for that CD I promised, please believe me-it is coming! I have had to remaster some of the tracks on my own and there is some re-recording that I need to do, as well as finish some tracks before I send it out. It most likely will not be ready to send until I get back from DTS and I have access to all of my recording equipment in St. Augustine! It is coming though. I have NOT forgotten, and have actually found some time to work a little bit on it, despite my busy schedule.
God is so good, everyone! He is amazing and I am falling more and more in love with Him everyday as I see His goodness and glory in more and more situations. I can't wait to tell you all more and more about what God is doing. But, right now, I need to rest. It has been a mind-blowing and extremely emotional day for many of us. But I wanted to leave you with a few pictures. But, don't worry, there is plenty more to come! Enjoy and be blessed, my friend and family!
EGGS FOR BREAKFAST
MY ROOMMATES JEREMY(WORKING IN THE RAFTERS) AND CAMERON(SITTING ON THE CHAIR) WITH SEAN SANBORN (YWAM TRAINING DIRECTOR AND ELDEST SON OF ART AND ELLEN SANBORN)
MY INTRODUCTION TO PUFFCORN WITH ALMOND BARK
STUDENTS: DARCIE(MY PERSONALITY TWIN) AND HER ROOMMATE EMMA(MY PLANNING TWIN)
THE LIVING ROOM IN THE 'THAI HOUSE': WHERE COMMUNITY HAPPENS
Be blessed my friends and family,
In His love always,
-Aaron
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Three weeks in...
WOW! Three weeks in to DTS and so much has happened so far! I am so sorry I have not been able to keep up with this blog as often as I thought! There is so much going on and very little time to make personal calls and such. But here we go on the recap....
Saturday, January 7th, 2012 I left Saint Augustine on the Greyhound heading for Orlando, where I wasw met by two staff members, Roger and Marion, who completed their DTS last year and were worship leaders. We headed to the airport where we picked up a very good new friend of mine, Nicolas, from France. After about an hour and a half drive, we arrived at our house where we met my other two roommates and the rest of the guys: Jeremy, from Calgary, Canada, and Cameron from Oregon, USA. We also met our house mom, Helen, her son, Blake (who is a 20 year old trapped inside a 14 year old's body, well, sometimes...) and Helen's dad, Jim, whom we affectionately call Grampa.
It's a great house and we all love each other and really try to go out of each other's way to help each other feel at home.
But, It seems that it's the way the entire school works! All the staff and students are full of grace for each other. We all have our quirks and differences, but we all understand where we come from. We have one French student, two Canadians, two Brazilians, one Dutch, and a student from chile. From the USA we have Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, Ohio, and Hawaii/California/Virginia/Florida (Take a guess on who that one is). There are 13 students in all- nine girls and four guys.
The staff are incredible! Art and Ellen Sanborn are the directors. Art suffered an injury to his spinal chord back in 1999 and was made a quadriplegic because of it. It's great to see him up and moving around, laying hands on people. Yup, God healed him. He's completely mobile. He wrote a book about it called "Walking Miracle" which the class just finished reading. It's absolutely amazing!
His wife, Ellen is a vocalist, writer and off broadway actress, not so much of a big deal. She only opened for Ella Fitzgerald, wrote a few off-broadway musicals, mentored Paul Baloche and worked with Darlene Zschech. Yeah, you're right. It's absolutely incredible.
Their sons, David and Sean, are also on staff, and they are just as awesome! David received raving reviews for his one man, off-broadway show, "King David," which he co-wrote with his mother. Unfortunately he has fibromyalgia (a degenerative muscle disease which my dad also has). This limits his mobility and ability to perform. However, he is still bringing tons of joy and laughs to the group with all of his impersonations. They are amazing! Yet, he brings great wisdom, as well.
Sean is the "Indiana Jones" of the group. He is all about spiritual warfare. He actually takes joy in hunting demons and torturing them. He likes to trap them and then sings worship songs when they can't go anywhere. You might think it's weird. But I think it's pretty awesome. I'm pretty sure he's role model and inspiration...well David too. And Art. And Ellen. Ok, they all are my role model's/ inspiration. But anyway, now that we have dubbed Sean the "Indiana Jones" of DTS 2012, every time he walks in the room, we all have the Indiana Jones theme songs running through our minds. Sometimes I get my iPhone out and play it for a real laugh.
His wife, Anne, is helping with administration. She's from Australia and is such a hoot. She says that Australians only like you if they pick on you. We have grown to really appreciate each other if you know what I mean.
MeeGee is a Malaysian Chinese and is so much fun! She, also helps with administration. We have a good time being the only two asian ethnicities in the group.
Cynthia is our intercessory leader. A few months ago she got run over by her car in the drive-way and pretty much died. She felt the Lord literally "breathe" life back into her and now she only has a minor spinal injury. She walks around in a shell to help keep her back straight. But, she is no joke. She has a direct communication line to God and is a powerful intercessor and communicator. She's totally a spiritual ninja turtle. We are learning from here every day.
Lisa is an awesome designer and plans all of our meals. She has designed many sets and stages, but also has a real talent for cooking. Her heat is for design, though. And it shows in both her food and her stage sets.
Her husband, Kevin, taught Biblical Studies in YWAM Kona for five years and is also an actor and writer.
So, as you can see, I am in a very good place to help advance my dream of doing worldwide music ministry. The staff here are incredibly talented and very qualified. But, more importantly, they have a deep relationship with God and understand what Christ is really doing in the church and around the world. But, I will have to tell you about what God is doing in my next post. It's off to meet with the class again.
And, if any of you still would like to support me financially for my outreach phase, you can click on the link above. I would be so grateful to you! I need $4,000 for outreach. And February bills are also approaching. Thanks for your prayers and support!
In Christ's love,
Aaron
It's a great house and we all love each other and really try to go out of each other's way to help each other feel at home.
But, It seems that it's the way the entire school works! All the staff and students are full of grace for each other. We all have our quirks and differences, but we all understand where we come from. We have one French student, two Canadians, two Brazilians, one Dutch, and a student from chile. From the USA we have Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, Ohio, and Hawaii/California/Virginia/Florida (Take a guess on who that one is). There are 13 students in all- nine girls and four guys.
The staff are incredible! Art and Ellen Sanborn are the directors. Art suffered an injury to his spinal chord back in 1999 and was made a quadriplegic because of it. It's great to see him up and moving around, laying hands on people. Yup, God healed him. He's completely mobile. He wrote a book about it called "Walking Miracle" which the class just finished reading. It's absolutely amazing!
His wife, Ellen is a vocalist, writer and off broadway actress, not so much of a big deal. She only opened for Ella Fitzgerald, wrote a few off-broadway musicals, mentored Paul Baloche and worked with Darlene Zschech. Yeah, you're right. It's absolutely incredible.
Their sons, David and Sean, are also on staff, and they are just as awesome! David received raving reviews for his one man, off-broadway show, "King David," which he co-wrote with his mother. Unfortunately he has fibromyalgia (a degenerative muscle disease which my dad also has). This limits his mobility and ability to perform. However, he is still bringing tons of joy and laughs to the group with all of his impersonations. They are amazing! Yet, he brings great wisdom, as well.
Sean is the "Indiana Jones" of the group. He is all about spiritual warfare. He actually takes joy in hunting demons and torturing them. He likes to trap them and then sings worship songs when they can't go anywhere. You might think it's weird. But I think it's pretty awesome. I'm pretty sure he's role model and inspiration...well David too. And Art. And Ellen. Ok, they all are my role model's/ inspiration. But anyway, now that we have dubbed Sean the "Indiana Jones" of DTS 2012, every time he walks in the room, we all have the Indiana Jones theme songs running through our minds. Sometimes I get my iPhone out and play it for a real laugh.
His wife, Anne, is helping with administration. She's from Australia and is such a hoot. She says that Australians only like you if they pick on you. We have grown to really appreciate each other if you know what I mean.
MeeGee is a Malaysian Chinese and is so much fun! She, also helps with administration. We have a good time being the only two asian ethnicities in the group.
Cynthia is our intercessory leader. A few months ago she got run over by her car in the drive-way and pretty much died. She felt the Lord literally "breathe" life back into her and now she only has a minor spinal injury. She walks around in a shell to help keep her back straight. But, she is no joke. She has a direct communication line to God and is a powerful intercessor and communicator. She's totally a spiritual ninja turtle. We are learning from here every day.
Lisa is an awesome designer and plans all of our meals. She has designed many sets and stages, but also has a real talent for cooking. Her heat is for design, though. And it shows in both her food and her stage sets.
Her husband, Kevin, taught Biblical Studies in YWAM Kona for five years and is also an actor and writer.
So, as you can see, I am in a very good place to help advance my dream of doing worldwide music ministry. The staff here are incredibly talented and very qualified. But, more importantly, they have a deep relationship with God and understand what Christ is really doing in the church and around the world. But, I will have to tell you about what God is doing in my next post. It's off to meet with the class again.
And, if any of you still would like to support me financially for my outreach phase, you can click on the link above. I would be so grateful to you! I need $4,000 for outreach. And February bills are also approaching. Thanks for your prayers and support!
In Christ's love,
Aaron
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Holy Moly!
Well, today is the BIG DAY!
I am leaving for YWAM Tampa today at 2:30p.m. The bus will take me to Orlando where I will meet up with one of the team members. We will then head to the airport to pick up one of my roommates from FRANCE! WHOA! CRAZINESS!
So, I was almost packed....but now that I'm thinking about it, I don't think I'm close. It's extremely difficult for a guy who usually packs one bag for every day he's on vacation to fit 5 months of life into one bag and a half. It's very trying for me. I might not make it. (Just kidding of course.)
Today, those of us who are coming in today will just settle in the rooms and hang out. Tomorrow we have a dinner after the rest of the students arrive, where we will meet the rest of the team and fellowship with each other. There are 9 girls and 4 guys. The guys will all be staying in one room together. I'm an only child....this will be quite interesting.
Classes will begin on Monday and will continue through March. I'm so excited to learn and I'm hoping to receive a bit more clarity on the vision the Lord wants for the music He's put inside me.
I'm hoping to do some recording there, as well. They have a few keyboards and guitars, as well as some recording equipment.
I cannot express to you all how grateful I am to everyone who has supported me so far! I now can pay for the first 3 months of my school in full with enough to take care of bills and living costs for January. Now, we are looking at paying for February-May, paying the $2,500 for the rest of tuition, and paying for airfare to Malaysia and Thailand. Overall we are looking at roughly another $5,000. Please be praying in this amount of funds and if you do feel compelled to give you can click the link at the top of the page or SIMPLY CLICK HERE!!
Also, for those of you who will donate, or have already done so, I have been putting together a CD that I'm hoping to send out to everyone when I'm done. So, if you do give, please send me your mailing address so I can get that to you when I get back.
Thanks to all of you again for your prayers and support in this adventure. I can't wait to share with you all the God will be doing in me over the course of these next 5 months.
Be blessed with grace and peace multiplied to you,
-Aaron
I am leaving for YWAM Tampa today at 2:30p.m. The bus will take me to Orlando where I will meet up with one of the team members. We will then head to the airport to pick up one of my roommates from FRANCE! WHOA! CRAZINESS!
So, I was almost packed....but now that I'm thinking about it, I don't think I'm close. It's extremely difficult for a guy who usually packs one bag for every day he's on vacation to fit 5 months of life into one bag and a half. It's very trying for me. I might not make it. (Just kidding of course.)
Today, those of us who are coming in today will just settle in the rooms and hang out. Tomorrow we have a dinner after the rest of the students arrive, where we will meet the rest of the team and fellowship with each other. There are 9 girls and 4 guys. The guys will all be staying in one room together. I'm an only child....this will be quite interesting.
Classes will begin on Monday and will continue through March. I'm so excited to learn and I'm hoping to receive a bit more clarity on the vision the Lord wants for the music He's put inside me.
I'm hoping to do some recording there, as well. They have a few keyboards and guitars, as well as some recording equipment.
I cannot express to you all how grateful I am to everyone who has supported me so far! I now can pay for the first 3 months of my school in full with enough to take care of bills and living costs for January. Now, we are looking at paying for February-May, paying the $2,500 for the rest of tuition, and paying for airfare to Malaysia and Thailand. Overall we are looking at roughly another $5,000. Please be praying in this amount of funds and if you do feel compelled to give you can click the link at the top of the page or SIMPLY CLICK HERE!!
Also, for those of you who will donate, or have already done so, I have been putting together a CD that I'm hoping to send out to everyone when I'm done. So, if you do give, please send me your mailing address so I can get that to you when I get back.
Thanks to all of you again for your prayers and support in this adventure. I can't wait to share with you all the God will be doing in me over the course of these next 5 months.
Be blessed with grace and peace multiplied to you,
-Aaron
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy Christmas! Merry New Year!
Between moving my things back to St. Augustine to get ready for YWAM, Christmas, birthdays, New Years, recording new songs, weddings and family hospital visits, I have found very little time to blog since Thanksgiving. For that I am so sorry to those of you following me. I just found out that I will have about 2 hours of internet time per week. I'm hoping to update this blog as well as my Youcaring.com site and facebook pages during that time. So, you can expect weekly updates. The next blog post is probably going to come from Webster, FL at the YWAM base. My bus leaves at 2:30p.m. Saturday January 7th from Saint Augustine. After a little over 2 hours I will arrive in Orlando where the YWAM will pick me up with another student getting in from the airport. We'll then drive to Webster and settle in the rooms.
But let me catch everyone up on what has been going on for a little over the past month:
Life has been crazy busy. Dad has had a kidney stone since the Friday before Christmas and it still has not passed. We have made two E.R. visits in the past week and he is still in a lot of pain. Please be praying for him as this Holiday season has been quite painful in the physical sense for him.
My fantastic roommate and one of best friends, Caleb Randall, married the love of his live, Lauren, on January 1, 2012. What a great way to start off the New Year! It was a great wedding, filled with laughter and celebration as the two joined together as husband and wife. Congratulations Caleb and Lauren!
I am currently in St. Augustine trying to help my parents with whatever I can before I leave. Thank you so much to all of you who have pledged donations to me. I now have enough finances to officially start the lecture phase of school, along with just enough to pay bills for January! HOWEVER, ANY SUPPORT IS STILL ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED! I now have to concentrate on being able to pay bills for February-May($200 per month), raise the money for Outreach Phase ($2500) and pay for airfare ($1500-$1800). There is also the transition back to that states once DTS is over to consider. So, as you can see, there are still a lot of finances to raise and things to consider as school starts.
Working at Best Buy, I was able to to purchase some recording equipment with money my parents gave me for Christmas and have been working on a CD that I will send out to those of you who have donated or will be contributing in the future as a "thank you" for your support. It's not a lot but I'm hoping you will be blessed by it. Be sure to email me your home address if you are contributing financially to me so I can send you one. It's a glimpse into the next steps of my music ministry.
Thank you all again for both your prayer and financial support. I could not have gotten this far without each and every one of you praying and supporting me in all of this. I can't wait to share with you all the things that God is teaching me.
In Christ's Abundant Love,
-Aaron
But let me catch everyone up on what has been going on for a little over the past month:
Life has been crazy busy. Dad has had a kidney stone since the Friday before Christmas and it still has not passed. We have made two E.R. visits in the past week and he is still in a lot of pain. Please be praying for him as this Holiday season has been quite painful in the physical sense for him.
My fantastic roommate and one of best friends, Caleb Randall, married the love of his live, Lauren, on January 1, 2012. What a great way to start off the New Year! It was a great wedding, filled with laughter and celebration as the two joined together as husband and wife. Congratulations Caleb and Lauren!
I am currently in St. Augustine trying to help my parents with whatever I can before I leave. Thank you so much to all of you who have pledged donations to me. I now have enough finances to officially start the lecture phase of school, along with just enough to pay bills for January! HOWEVER, ANY SUPPORT IS STILL ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED! I now have to concentrate on being able to pay bills for February-May($200 per month), raise the money for Outreach Phase ($2500) and pay for airfare ($1500-$1800). There is also the transition back to that states once DTS is over to consider. So, as you can see, there are still a lot of finances to raise and things to consider as school starts.
Working at Best Buy, I was able to to purchase some recording equipment with money my parents gave me for Christmas and have been working on a CD that I will send out to those of you who have donated or will be contributing in the future as a "thank you" for your support. It's not a lot but I'm hoping you will be blessed by it. Be sure to email me your home address if you are contributing financially to me so I can send you one. It's a glimpse into the next steps of my music ministry.
Thank you all again for both your prayer and financial support. I could not have gotten this far without each and every one of you praying and supporting me in all of this. I can't wait to share with you all the things that God is teaching me.
In Christ's Abundant Love,
-Aaron
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