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
