Address in Cambodia- Arriving Jan. 2010!

Laura Yemen

c/o Dr. Ouk Vithiea MD

93 Pothingng Stra, Prek Mhatep Suay Por

Battambang, Cambodia

To Bali We Go!

It's been a week of lasts- and one of the best DTS's I've been apart of. God has been so faithful in restoring this lecture phase to me and now He's allowed me another chance at leading a team! The School leaders have desided to title me Outreach leader along side with our fabulous Cambodian resource staff, Seang Lee!

It's going to be wonderful and I look forward to the challenge and am confident in my abilities and God's grace! Rob and Jenny Blakely are still coming with their family, and will be taking more of a pastoral role for the next 3 months. Rob will have rest and Seang and I will be stepping up to the plate. Our team is amazing and I'm really excited to see how we will operate in the developing nations of Bali and Cambodia. It's a great postion to be in with a co-leader beside you AND mentors on the perifery. I'm going to miss you all over Christmas- and to give you a heads up, I won't be taking my computer or be able to make requent contact because of our more remote locations. I will send contact details after Christmas from Battambang Cambodia! We leave tomorrow at 3am Monday morning. Thankyou for all your prayers and hopefully my next blog will be from Cambodia next week!

The Road Trip!

Dear Family and Friends it’s been a post card perfect two weeks for me. I said good-bye to my parents Just last night on Sunday, they’ve been visiting since Tuesday Nov. 24. They’re off to the Cook Islands to get a 5$ drivers licenses to rent mopeds and soak up the sun as much as they can until they come back to the white, apocalyptic tundra of the north.

It was wonderful to have them meet all my friends from the North base in Oakridge to the South base in Oxford. (We had a few stops in between to pick up on some kiwi culture). They ended up for 4 days in Christchurch and had a lovely time. I spent the last weekend with them and was fully loved on with quality time, hugs, gifts, cards and words of affirmation. My love tank is FULL! My birthday was wonderful, (It was pirate themed party!) and I enjoyed all my gifts and cards and resipies and cookies! (Thank you for the baking Jackie and Marion!) It was a wonderful few weeks and I felt very much the kindness and care from Canada! The timing was perfect because of the holidays. Bali will be the place of Christmas and New years, but I got the canadian christmas when my parents were here. In Cambodia I won't have very much access to internet so my blogs may slow down I bit over then next few months, but more in that down the line.

loves from sunny New Zealand

Laura

Northward Bound!

We just came from an intense week on the topic of Lordship with Mark Parker. It was really good to see him again, he was the speaker who drove me from Oakridge to Auckland airport, and was a strong reason that I'm back here in New Zealand. We had some great break through for the students, but with our school and with the Father Heart. (The DTS for 30+) We had one of our students go to the Father Heart lectures, and had some healing so that was a HUGE step for her. There isn't much else to tell, but that we have been going full tilt with Outreach prep, weekend activities and snow boarders that keep coming and going and coming again, and then leaving maybe. Needless to say, I'm STOKED for my trip up with my parents this week, I'm leaving come 4 am tomorrow, then back Sunday, away to Kia koira this following monday.

I'm really going to miss Christmas this year with everyone, I spent the last one in New Zealand, but this next one will be in Bali. It'll be nice to have some time with family, because the next few months will be full on in Cambodia. It's a spiritually oppressive place, and so is Bali. The long term missionaries say that they can really tell those who have been praying actively against the strongholds in those nations. I've made a commitment to the Base to kick start the landscaping project here at Oxford. It seem to be (although a lot of hard work) some kind of golden pear from heaven. I get a hands on crash course on landscape architecture from one of the top designers in New Zealand! Woop Woop! One thing at a time and in it's season. I must apologize for being so far out of touch with everyone. If you have a moment, please drop and e-mail and just tell me about your lives, I probablly won't respond, but I really want to know what is happening!
Loves Laura

The Ultimate Weekend Warrior

This week started for my team and I on friday afternoon with the arrival of the snowboarder teams from all over the world- China, turkey, Chile. We also had 5 birthdays from thurday to this monday. I planned 4 of them. I'm a bit done. But each one was more epic than the next! It started with a Kidnapping birthday on thurs morning with electric coloured cupcakes. Then a hippie birthday picnic with Hummus and pitas complete with blowing fabric and a Jimbay. Then On saturday night we had a tight and bright party for Nicki, my roomie and staff on the backpackers. We made giant skillet cookies and had a huge cookie and ice cream eating contest which turned into a food fight and volleyball until dark. Sunday night we had a pajama party with all the tables on the ground with pillows and mosi nets all around, and rice pudding for another birthday from the snowboarders. All the while my team were cooking, cleaning and maintaining the base for 130 people. Needless to say, I'm taking more time off this week to recover from the weekend- it was so worth it! Huge break through for one of my weekend warriors he's a about 50ish, and he said he hadn't had so much fun in he didn't know how long- he had lost most of his family to death, and he finally was laughing and joking with all of us! Incredible stuff to be apart of- just by parting all weekend long!

We have 5 weeks until bali, and 13 days until my parents come. God has begun to give me a heart for the Khmer people, which is awesome, it is so natural, I don't have to force myself to love. God gives you that love for others! We're having awesome intercession times and great small groups, the earthcare students are so wonderful- such a joy to be around! Despite all the business though, there's still a large amount of worship, fellowship and time to build a three bin compost (that I'm pretty proud of too!)
loves
Laura

Ounatai (Oct. 27-31) Character and Nature of God week...

It's a combined blog this week from last week and this one I'm afraid. Last week the earthcare school spend our time on the wild waters of the west coast- we stayed in a canvas tent where the lagoon meets the river, which meets the Tasman sea! It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen- it was ocean to the west and snow caped peaks to the East, every sun rise and sun set was magnifacent! Each of us did a solo overnight, I stayed in the Jungle! We had crazy NZ bush men teaching us survival techniques and more about soil and water irrossion, It was unbelievable. I drew sketches and made spears and learned to weave flax. We had HUGE bonfires and spirit led worship, we slep under the stars- and on one occasion, the rain! It was almost a full moon and the beach lit up so clear that there were shadows cast in the middle of the night! It is a magical place.

Needless to say, we were all exhasted from that week, so I've spend most of this one catching up from Ounatai. It's the character and nature of God week with Hank Overem, and I think I had him on my dts- it all gets strangly familiar after a time. I'm trying to focus in lectures, but really with all the student journals to mark and my little push to graduate with the snowboarders school. Things are moving quickly with outreach fast on our heals, but that's fine- better too many options than hardly any! the weather is getting warmer, and I'm anxiously awaiting my parental unit's arrival come 3 weeks from this last monday! Lots to plan much to look forward to!
loves
laura

Lilacs and Snowcaps

Hey all! This week as been phenomenal with Jono turner teaching on the father heart this week, and I think I'm getting more out of it then the students. (As usual) I also have a bit of a leader now, and we had a one on one that was really awesome. I was able to tell her about Oakridge without crying!! It was great and I'm it's getting easier to share about it. I also had a great small group with our earth care girls that was super amazing- the girls were so honest with themselves and with all of us.

It's getting harder to get to bed- there are too many things that are happening, too many hang outs and reasons to stick around and away from my bed. :s I really don't like missing stuff- but I'm a bit of a walking zombie I'm afraid, and less sleep makes laura cranky and sick. :( I think I'm about to hit a cross roads, We're spending a week in the bush on monday- so maybe I'll just crash. Conflict. Conflict. Not much new, just lots of awesome stuff that snowballs into a wicked as time!
love
laura

There baAAAack...

We spend our first week of lectures on the Father Heart of God! Two schools, the cross roads and the earthcare worshiped God for about 3 hrs a day- it was unbelievable! For our second to last day we were suppose to spend over night in a hut, but the weather didn't look like it was going to co operate, so we spend the afternoon in ps. 104 and worshiped the Father in nature! Minus the storms of sand flies, it was a fantastic time! I got to summit a peak that looks over all of the Canterbury region, and then RAN back to the car with one of the student it was flipp'n awesome! I loved my time there!

This DTS is absolutely amazing! I don't want to get my hopes too high, because I know the schools' are in a honey moon stage, but I'm still just enjoying every minute of this time. I know that I'm going to miss it! It's a real step back in responsibility, and It's humbling but so restful! I'm just doing my best in the areas of responsibilities that I've been given, and enjoying the ride- so much team work, love and real friendships, it is wonderful to be apart of! I'm gutted to miss thanksgiving- we didn't do anything for it at all, but that's okay, they are having birthday celebrations about 3 times a week, so that keeps the kitchen pretty busy!

I'm learning heaps about the Father heart of God, and I just wanted to share this scripture with you guys:

Hosea 6 1-3
Come, let us return to the LORD! He has torn us in pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time, he will restore us so we can live in his presence. Oh that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him! Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.

pr. 16:9 we can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Love,
Laura

Snow at Sea Level...

A very warm thanksgiving greeting to all in Canada- or where ever I've met you. It's just about to go sub zero in Oxford- not to keen at all, but I'll get over it. The students arrived last weekend, and it's been so great to have them here. Our earthcare team is cracker jack to be sure; we're only missing one student who arrives this weekend, she's from Germany but studied all over; including CND! I love living with these girls, they are wonderful, all 19 of them! I love my room mates! It's been so fantastic to have God restore so much to me. I knew I wasn't right when I didn't want to talk to anyone, or go anywhere and put an effort into much of any of my passions. Now though, so many things are getting restored to me- but I'm not striving this time. I get to just be, and love and learn with God's strength and knowledge. I enjoy so much of the quality that goes on in this base, from the top down. Hard work, well prepared, supportive and willing to draw a line to raise the bar in excellence and biblical living. It's inspiring to me and so uplifting.

I'm in Christchurch this weekend, and I'm getting re-certified in first aid kiwi style. It's the perfect outlet to take time out- and I'm not missing ANYTHING. The weekends are going to be packed. ( I know, I helped plan the backpacking trips!) and our curriculum is so fantastic!! Every day just seems to be getting better and better. I feel like I can be around people and not be completely drained. I'm learning so much about boundaries and just asserting myself- and also being more reliable. :) Love you fam, I hope to call, or maybe skype.
laura

The Students Arrive!

We're slowly having students trickle in this week- but the bulk make they're way come friday and saturday. I just got my Kiwi license, so I'm stoked to have it done, I get it in the mail come next week hopefully! We have a total of twenty girls living in this 5 room house- 3 showers and three toilets. Yep.

The Blakelys (earthcare dts leaders) and I are finishing up student manuals, welcome cards and all the fun details. It's been a bit of a whirl wind week, but I am finding space- which is so valuable right now. There isn't too much to write. It's funny how productivity is relative. Maybe it's more priorities really. If keeping good relations is the key, then we're doing REALLY well. If its tangible workload output, it's a bit lower. I'm very happy though to keep it relationally based. Efficiency can be over rated. ;) If you're reading this and want to support me in prayer, it would be for health (I'm getting the stuffy head thing) and a genuine enthusiasm for this DTS program. It's everything that I'd hope this program would offer, but I'm still weary and a bit skeptical at times. God's restoring so much, but there's a ways to go. Loves to you all!

Laura

Week three..

Hanmer was a lovely gett-a-way for us staff. We spent heaps of time in intercessary prayer for the direction of the base and the schools. It has been so refreshing and I appriecate seeking God for the small and big things. I've finally settled in my room with the three other backbacker staff. It's been fabulous, I'm still with everybody, but can be a bit more independent. Us girls have moved our double beds together as one gaint queen sized bunk bed. I share a douve with a Kiwi!

My room mates are:
Kerian (NZ)
Natalie (USA) but lived everywhere, Germany, Thailand...
Nicki USA (OR)

We've been winding down staff training which has been a 9-5er every day, which can be a bit draining. We did personality and spiritual gifts tests yesterday and I loved getting the insights on people. It's been a wonderful month of close, but unforced community! I don't think I'd have the energy for the fast track right now anyways. God is slowly bringing back the joy in YWAM community, and I don't feel like I need to "get space". I've been reserved here, but I know it's not the time to hold back. It's a second chance really, and I'm so thankful God gave me the 2 yr time frame, otherwise I couldn't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't gone back to deal with this. I can see how toxic Oak Ridge was, and even in our staff training things are jumping off the pg in warning to what was happening. I feel so much stronger and sure of myself this time around. A shout out to Marion and Jackie, who read my blog every week together! I'm stoked this is a routine activity! It's inspired me to be faithful to write weekly on time!

My parents are coming to visit on the 24th of Nov. If ANYONE else feels inspired to come on down, I'd highly recommend it! Thank you sisters for your cards of support- I've started a new journal, and they've all made the first pg! I appriecate mail so much!
Loves from the South side,
Laura

To Hanmer we go!

It's staff retreat for 3 days up Hanmer in Cantebury NZ! I've got new addresses, phone #'s and house! The staff training has been wonderful- and thourough! It's great to have the vision of 3 schools (earthcare/ backpackers/ cross roads father's heart) dts's all run together in unity. My personal aim is to "walk through the cool of the day" with Jesus through every step of this DTS. Everyday I have chances for healing and restoration and "renewing" my heart!

It sounds a bit mellow-dramatic but I was having a hard time laughing and giving hugs and enjoying being around people- but this place is so open and friendly and the staff have totally embraced me- even though almost all of them have been together either as staff/ students or outreach. I'm a solo staffer with the DTS leaders (Rob and Jenny Blakely) who are living about a block from the base. So it's really nice that I'll be in a house sharing a room with one of the other backpacker staff- to be around kids my own age.

Kids may be a relitave term here too- all the staff are about 20-30, and the cross roads are 60+. It's a great mix and I'm stoked to see how such a diverse collection of students will learn and challenge eachother!

It's been a shock of a week, as everything has happened so quickly that it takes a minute to catch my breath and God's purpose for the next year, because it all changed in a flash. I miss the Blythen family (the ones who took me in) and Justin and Lisa (Oakridge staff) but things are moving so quick it makes it easier.

Loves!
Laura

Arrival In OxfordI

I made it into Oxford with out a hitch on Monday after a lovely drive into Auckland with Justin and Lisa. I was so hard to say good-bye to them and the Blythen family too. It was hard to leave, and I am starting all over again- one year later almost to the day! I can't believe the difference a year makes actually! One thing that I wish I had was the same wide eyed enthusiasm that I had coming to Oak Ridge. First impressions have been wonderful though- I feel like I already have met the whole base in one go! Everything looks and sounds wonderful and organized- well thought out and visionary! It's warm today it looks and feels like the Kootanys! its little Invermere really. It's been a fairly strange time being away from family and not going to the first funeral that has happened to my nuclear scope. Phone calls and answering machines and call back times would be the sum of the last week between home and Oxford. But I got to do everything that I had wanted to do up north! I was very spoiled by the Blythens and Justin and Lisa! I got to go cray fishing, goat hunting and possum shooting all in about 2 days! I finished making possum skin boots and now I can just be here and move on to the next season of this time in NZ

loves and prayers

Laura

Waiting

It's been raining and sunshine all week long. It's very beautiful, and there are so many lambs out and about on the farm- Grant brought one in because it's been abandoned so I got to feed it! Not as cute as it sounds because the lamb was still covered in placenta- it's not as romantic this farm life, because evertyhing is covered in something, dust, ticks, poo, mud...

I've still been waiting on the base in Oxford, I'm feeling a bit more at peace with even just being in New Zealand, just waiting. It's been wonderful over all at this Blythen home, I've really got the Kiwi experience. I've seen a mixed field hockey game, and a silver ferns tournament, day trips to Whangerei, horses, lambs and so many cups of TEA!!! Glenda Blythen just got a new latte machine and I'm in heaven, it's so easy, and half the family are trying out different drinks (i'm converting them!) NZ is a bit behind in the coffee scene. It's more an unwillingness to the American "individual custom way" than anything, I think.

Two of my very good friends are back Justin and Lisa. They've bought a car and are fixing up there house, and in there spare time they come up to visit the Blythens or take me somewhere, it's so wonderful. Lisa's trying to get me on the ship tour, an option that I'm tempted by- it's very exciting, but I still have hope that Oxford is where I'm suppose to be. There are 3 schools running at one time- the back packers, the Earth Care, and cross roads (for 35+ and married couples) it's very exciting. I would be staffing either the earth care or back packers, but we'll see what happens. I'm happy that faith is actions right now- because I have so many doubts in my mind but my actions keep moving me towards what I believe to be the next step.

Thanks for you support and prayers again- miss you all and think about you so much!

Home Coming...

Hey Everyone!

It’s been a really awesome transition from Oak Ridge, saying good-bye to the students and move up to a family up the road. The youngest girl just got a horse, se we spend after school times to brush, saddle and ride “flint Lock” an all brown through bred cross. (15 hands high). It’s a lovely spirited horse. This is one week to the day that I’ve arrived in New Zealand, and it feels like a new start for me, I feel totally released from my base. I’m meeting up with the base director later in the week to catch up. I have someone interested in buying my bike and I furiously working on my application. Your prayers have really meant so much to me- I’ve found it fairly hard to pray these last few weeks. I still need to actively forgive, and move forward into the next thing.

Loves

Laura Yemen

Scuba in the Great Barrier Reef!

Hey everyone! Well, it's my last night in Cairns, and it's fabulous end to my travels for this semester! Kels and I took an old wooden sailing ship out to the reef with about 20 other people on an excusion! I signed up for an uncertified dive and went down for 30 min! A day was not enough to spend- you would need a life time to be sure! I saw schools of fish jump out of the water, a sting ray and coral that was colours that i didn't think were possible! Check that off my life's to do list! We've spend the day in the sunshine, chatting with our roomates and eating the most delicious food! (mango sorbet! best ever on the water!) I fly tommorrow at three, stay overnight at the brisbane airport, fly to NZ on friday the 19th, pick up my bags on a 4 hr lay over, jump the plane at 7:30pm to sanfrancisco, have a 5 hr lay over and finally land in Vancouver at 10:30 fri the 19! I love heading east! I look forward to seeing you all and sharing adventures and happenings over the yr! loves and see you all soon!

From Snow to surf!

Hey everyone! Well, I got back from Christ Church and headed up again to Oakridge on a long but lovely bus ride home. (I was driving the worst petrol stickshift of my life!) We did make it out snowboarding in an absolutely amazing series of events! I can't wait to tell the full story! So now I can say I've ridden in CND (which is still the best!), America, Austria and New Zealand! I made some SWEET AS connections as well! More on that later...

We kicked into high gear back on base with Mark Parker speaking on the Lordship of Christ, and that was phenomenal. Our last lecture went til 1:30 in the morning! I packed all day on Saturday and stayed the night at the Blythen family's place! It was so lovely and a perfect send off the next day, I went to church and then caught a ride back with Mark Parker. He wisely suggested to crash at the Auckland king's kids base instead of sleeping at the airport, and I could store my stuff here for free until I get back to Aus. He was super kind to me, and so are the people at this base. They are Americans from a school and they're doing a short term mission here in NZ. They totally have taken me as one of their own in only 2 hrs. I went to the equivalent of a hill songs church, and had amazing fellowship and a delicious and free latte with dessert! My journey has begun on such a high note, and I'm really excited to keep asking the Father for favor on this trip. It's a big stretch for me, but I'm game for the challenge. :) I was quite sand to leave my little log cabin, my swing and my beautiful flat mates, but it'll only be a fast 8 weeks before we reunite again! My next update will be (hopefully) in Aus!

Loves!

Snow in the SOUTH!!!

Good sunday morning to everybody! It's the 31st of May and it's dumping snow on the Oxford base just outside of ChristChurch!!I'm down here for a staff conference, but we (myself and 3 other staff) came early to check out the city, which is absolutly beautiful- then we were driven 1 hr to Oxford! The staff conference is slowly winding down but we're winding up for the chance to ski Mt. Hutt, which is the main hill in the area- it opened yesterday with a 100 cm base (huge!) and now it's snowing ON THE GROUND here in Oxford- which means it's dumping there! I'm so pumped to go riding- there are some major kinks such as money and transport, but myslef and my friend are committed to make this work!! We leave on Tuesday to go back to the north island and finish the final week of lecture- then i'm off to AUS!!! It's all very exciting- but there is a lot to do until then. We'll see how it all goes!

Southern Comfort

Hi everyone! This week was nuts- we had a woman that had the anointing of the spirit- people were receiving spiritual gifts, Joy, sorrow, healing- it was out of control. I've never seen anything like it- I went down (slain in the spirit) and received the gift of intercession. It went on all week like this! After though, we all needed a earth check; several of the students and local youths went paint balling on Saturday and on monday in about 10 degrees a few students and I went off a rope swing into ICE water in Whangerie Falls! It was a blast! I'm super excited to fly south tomorrow to ChristChurch on the lower island! (I would LOVE to snowboard, however it is out of this girls' price range- so I'm waiting on a winter miracle! We are in our final days of school- and I'm glad to say that my part is winding down. I am ready to bounce for a little while! 

Loves, Laura

Stevo and Sunshine!

My old base director came to teach on Evangelism this week. It turned into fear of the Lord and Father-heart. Tonnes of ministry and teaching- everyone loved Him and it was really cool to catch up with him again! We had a baptism in the ocean at my church in Ararua this sunday and on monday I helped out at the farmer's place shifting stock on a quad with a german girl in a cowboy hat! We had a BLAST!!! This family has been so kind to me and I really appreciate all that they do- the mom is always asking me over for tea and the weekend- she says I need to come "home" on Sunday and monday! It feels so cool to be in this community- because I really is a full on tight group. Also they are all related somehow. ;) It feels like a second summer here and the land is so beautiful. Outreach is a mere 3 weeks away- and there is so much that needs to be done. I'm fairly stoked to be heading over to Aus to meet up with Kelsey Crebo up in Cairns! That's a very brief and causal take on this week. Hope the spring is coming around nicely- I heard it snowed again!

loves

laura

Ice on the windshield, sun on the sky diver!

Well, I did a 10 000 foot jump on Monday morning, 10am! Best experience of my life so far! I would most certainly do it again! Seven of us, (including katie Redding) another staff and my self dropped at about 200 km, and it was way to much fun! On Sunday after church 11 of us went to Waipu beach and surfed and swam in the most perfect sets of pacific rollers ever! It been an incredible week. 

In the last week we had a speaker talk about the Holy Spirit, and there was an out pouring of Joy, I laughed away every fear for 4 hours and was drunk in the spirit- Like nothing I've ever encountered. The days are shorter and cold, but our house has a fabulous wood burning stove, and it's so cozy. I'm experiencing the 2nd true Autumn of my life and it's incredible! So I love you all in Hawaii, have a wonderful holiday!

(but no worries about me, I'm having a pretty awesome time!)

Loves

Laura

Oh you know, it's Just my life...

Monday morning our school swam with the DOLPHINS! We went on a snorkeling adventure where we took an hour ferry out to a group of Maori islands called the poor knight's Islands. It was unbelievable- they hadn't seen anything like it for at least three years! There were about 15 in this pod, and because it was mating season it was like SEA WORLD! They jumped 10 ft out of the water, spun around, came all around us, swam up to our masks, some people got to touch them! The crew on the boat jumped out to swim with them. We also went into the biggest sea cave in the world and had a whole tour of the islands. I got to kayak and snorkel into some smaller sea caves- just about died of fear :s it was a stretch for me for sure. Next we have a speaker on the holy spirit, but before he even started we were anointed by our "elders" for healing and I got healed! Not only that, but I started to laugh, the whole room started to laugh and continued to laugh for 4 hrs! God just healed me in so many ways on Tuesday! The staff has been going through a series of counseling sessions and there's a light at the end of this Oakridge tunnel. The staff are going down at the end of May to the Oxford base down in Christ church! Its been an exciting few days and I'm exhausted, but very stoked to see things come together.

loves!

laura  

Week Six

We have had a wonderful recovery from a kid's camp this last week by jumping down to Auckland for a shop till you drop kinda time! We have two polished speakers (married) with us for the next few weeks- Oak Ridge had them last school and now they are with us . As staff we were taken through a counseling secession to work out what has happened (or not happened) over these 8 weeks. Time goes super fast and I'm planning my trip home this week- there are many seat sales so I hope to tag some of them before this week comes to an end! I can't help but have my thoughts drift home to family friends and summer. It's getting harder to stay in the present, since I'm not going on outreach- and that's the big topic going around seeing as everyone is now settling in their teams and getting ready for another adventure!   

Fiejos, Friends, Fall

We're just coming to the end of our fifth week of Lectures at Oak Ridge, and things are faster paced, but things have slowed for me. I'm enjoying the changing leaves, my wonderful little wooden house with a back porch and a tire swing that faces east to the rising sun. Two more people left the base yesterday- a mission builder and a Student turned staff named Christine. She was the only girl that i've known since september and now they are all gone. Easter was an adorable outdoor good friday service and a very local Easter Sunday service. 

The school is moving along fairly well, we are reaching half way of the lecture phase- there are some screws that are coming loose and ideals being challenged, all in good timing and in love- I find this is the way that we become unraveled to be raised again in freedom from what we thought this life was or should be. Fatigue is also a culprit in this as we have three full on days of kids camp for easter break and then a child's youth group this coming Saturday- 4 full days of screaming kids!

Fiejos and care packages seem to make the week that much better- love you!

laura

If you Look up burnout in the dictionary- you'll find my picture...

Well, it finally happened- I sort of cracked. The base sent me away to a little cabin on the ocean. No phone, TV, radio or people. It was truly what I required and God really came through for me. :) People gave me money and took me out for lunch and just loved on me.

This weekend we were up at Piha again and went repelling again- and it was all just as fun this time as it was last time. We're all getting used to eachother now; there are still things that have to be worked out, but all in good time- and some in God's time. This next week we have the Pacific director coming up to teach on relationships and the Fatherheart of God again! I'm super stoked that it's a double hit! Every school has it's own flavour, and having the turnaround so quick it feels more like an instatution than a school. That's my own adjusting that is needed. Thanks for the post card Tracy! I got it today! Sorry I didn't call Mom and Dad, I got home late on Monday so I'll try to call this week in the evening.

I spent maybe 6 hrs skim boarding on the best water of my whole life!!!! I'm very sore but it's a happy pain!

Love,
Laura

What am I doing again?

Much has happened since my last post. Before I dropped Justin and Lisa (the other outreach leaders) off at the airport we took a 4 day trip to Coromandel on the East coast, where we picked apples, surfed, camped, hiked, laughed, tanned and explored. It was probablly one of the best few days of my life. Then I came back into Oakridge and realised I had not taken enough time off. Fortunatly I had a rush visit from Deanne madden and Bo Haugrud from Calgary, and it was definatly needed! Then we were off on a 3 day conference of the NZ Base staff in Matamata. ( Where Hobbinton was located in Lord of the Rings) Very beautiful town. We left that town on Friday at 5, then had the DTS arrive the next day. It's been full on since then, and I must say- it's all God now, because I have nothing left in my own strength. It is hard to accept that I do not have the reserve or motivation for this school. God has so much to teach me. This is worth it, but it isn't easy- I'm so thankful that I have been given the outreach off. I was working it back, and I haven't had more than 4 holiday days off in a row since 2006 in the summer, I think that this coming summner will prove to be a much needed regenerative time. Thankyou so much Mom and Sarah for the care package, and shan for your letter and to everyone else for the skyping and the e-mails. They are my life line it a normal existance. ( so dramatic i know) lol But it is so very much appreciated!
Love Laura

There's no place like home!

Hi everyone from sunny and not so hot New Zealand. It is the perfect temperature here, the students graduate tomorrow, there are 4 BLS students starting this next monday and I now live in a log cabin in my own room with a rap a round porch that overlooks the base and has a fridge, stove sink bathroom and grapes growing on the fence!!!! I'm in HEAVEN! I'm also heading off on Saturday to Coromandel with the other base staff and then dropping them off in Auckland on the 3rd of March. Things are moving rapid fast, This week has flown by so quickly- there are now about 16 or so students arriving in 2 weeks time- there is very much to be done, but that's all good, I'll be talking to the base director soon about everything, I'm now assisting staffing the next DTS, which is huge for me and I'm very excited, this outreach was tough, but they are always hard, and NOTHING compares to the other outreach group! So it's all good now. God is faithful. Thankyou all for your e-mails and skype, I hope to come into more time in the following week to come, so I'll be able to write and call. All my love,
laura

Time Out

Week 7: February 10-16, 2009

Tuesday started off nice and slow, until Chad gave the base a scare and we rushed him to a clinic. We still made it to the basketball courts for only a few hours. Mary, Courtney and Rebekah all got ill as well. The rest of the team carried on the focus groups- we had three separate ones running because We got into Southern Christian Academy and ran a wonderful group there.  We also had an opportunity to hang out with the SCA kids at their rugby games on Saturday as well as go to the Yigo fiesta. Sunday three of the team went to help lead worship at Touch Point and the rest went to Zion.  

 This is a nice way of saying this week was HELL. Everybody got sick, or into a sick/ passive/ check out mentality. One of our team members got really sick though, and scared me really badly. He threw up so much that he had what the doctors think was a panic attack and his muscles seized up really badly. Fever, chills- the works. It was not pleasant for anyone- but he is a real trooper. Things are winding down here, the next blog I'll be posting will be from NZ. We have a 12 hour lay over in Seoul, South Korea. I'm very excited to go and explore that city of 10.5 million in 10 hrs! It was featured in this month's National Geographic, and I'll be there within the week! That's never been a possibility before!

Team dynamics and shepherding haven't been my strengths on this team. Every suggestion that was sent to me mid outreach I had already done, so I have done everything in my power to make things happen for this team to the very best of my ability. I have seen huge gaps in my leadership- but God is big enough to restore any damage that my inexperience has caused, and I feel that over all I have been able to do more for the team than just live my faith and hope they'll get the hint. Another thing that I've learned is that I should never build up outreach beyond the students' capacities. Evangelism is so exciting, but if they've never been pushed on lecture phase, what made me think that they would be able to dive in on outreach is beyond me. I was terrified to go and talk to people, let alone tell them about Jesus! It's still hard, and I think until I really get a better understanding of Christ's love for others and for me, I will hesitate. But God's way is truth and logic is not foolish to the ones that He has called- and He calls everyone. I gave a short (and messy) testimony this week at a bbl college and it was on this passage, that has really impacted me and I've taken it to heart.

1 Cor. 2:2-4

Dear brothers and sisters, [fn] when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. [fn]

For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you.

That's tonnes for now. All my love, and a very happy Valentine's day!

Laura

Week 4: January 27- February 2, 2009

 

We ended the week by taking the Zion Church service- it was amazing: great worship, great break through for some Oasis clients, and after we all ate and celebrated pastor Ron’s birthday! Then we went to Enaronhon for Sunday night BBQ and met a girl named Crystal and Lamia.  We Hit up the Basket ball courts for some soul patrol and danced twice with the Hula dance troop. St. Pauls’ north and centre ran the first sessions of their focus groups and as well we all did a car wash and made 200$. We also went to Tabitha’s 19^th birthday and helped decorated and make food for her party. During our Saturday night fire spinning session the boys prayed over the Latte stones at Latte park. Wednesday night we took over the kids service and the rest of our group sat in on the Truth project- and apologetics video series made by focus on the family.

Renewal

Hi everyone! This week has taken it's tole on me. It's a learning experience for sure!!! Prayer in my side has been scarce; time and scheduling has sucked much of the joy out of Outreach. Miscommunication and miss understandings make this all the more challenging, however renewal has come and I thank all of you who bared the frenzy of my panic. :) I have so much to learn, patience, understanding and spiritual endurance, not to mention HUMILITY. Sometimes I get very tired of not knowing what's going on and taking responsibility for it each time something gets changed. My focus has been hard to nail down and I feel very much out of touch with our vision. I'm hoping to regroup, delegate and move forward as one unified force. It's funny, I feel like the majority of my adult life will be spent finding out what I don't know. :) I wouldn't trade this for the world. all my love,

laura

Week 4: Jan. 20-27

The Focus Groups have finally taken form this week! We have set up approximately 3 in both the centre and north schools. After 2 meetings there has been a clear understanding of what is needed!  This is a renewal week and it is fairly exciting to see what is going down. We have had to come around together and redirect our focus and our pace. After our meetings on Thursday we went to the beach and did evangelism and worship. Friday the girls danced hula again and the boys went to the b-ball courts. The weekend we were taken to caves that were lit by candles and was filled with fresh crystal clear water. Then we went to the Sonic flood concert. Sunday we put on a BBQ and had people come from both the Zion and Touch Point Churches. 

It's BREAK FREE week!

Hey friends and fam, this outreach has been quite stretching in so many ways, but for right now things are moving right along! Here is a report of what was happening last week:

Week 2: January 4, 2009- January 11, 2009

The week began talking to pastor Rob of the Zion, and from there history to be made!!! We are now working on an anti drinking campaign for Guam. We are working with a rehabilitation group called Oasis, which aids and assists women with addictive and abusive histories, and empowers them through Christ to move forward in their lives. God provided a free van, food, and space to work and worship. It’s a central location here at Zion, and many opportunities are opening up almost hourly!. We have made a website, e-mail and facebook groups dedicated to YWAM Guam as a tool to inform and connect with Guam’s youth. We are also working on Zion’s web site to update it and facilitate staff to continue the work. We also did street evangelism on Wed night at the Chimmoro village. Thursday the team worshiped with the Oasis women and facilitated a class with them. Friday we helped with the First Church of God youth group and on Saturday we met or neighbors; we facilitated a combined youth group called the safe house at Zion. Sunday we helped out at two churches leading worship and taking Sunday school for special needs children.

It was tough this last week, there wasn't much for the students to do, there was a lot of down time in the middle of nowhere, Guam. They didn't feel like they were making much of an impact- plus they were not properly trained in the concept and practical application of street evangelism. (Partially the base's error in not stressing it enough) But as staff, we didn't push it as much as it should have been stressed. Anyways, I'm taking the students a few at a time and working on changing their ideas of what that needs to look like- it's a huge "fear of man" issue that is being challenged. :) I love you all and hope to hear about YOUR lives too- it makes me feel more connected to home, so thanks to those who are writing!

All my love,

laura Yemen

laura.ywam@gmail.com (new f-book address too-if you join the ywam guam group you can see pictures!

Hafa Adia!

Hey everyone! Well We made it! It's been a crazy as few days-8 to be exact. We have been off to a slower start- There is a bit of a crunch on the YWAM Guam base. Here's my weekly report

We arrived in Guam on Tuesday Dec. 30 at 2:30 in the morning after we had been flying for 17 hrs. We were blessed by a surprise breakfast as we waited for our contact Judy to arrive. (Who was four hours late) Thank heavens because getting through customs with two Canadians and a South Korean was especially hard. (but we were blessed by an awesome customs agent who made sure that we got through!) We slept for most of the first and second day. We went to see fire works for new years. New Years day we went to a beach and did beach evangelism (volleyballJ). Friday we went around most of the Island and landed in an ocean oasis! Back at the base some of the boys invited the local kids back to play Frisbee on base. Saturday we did a 11 hr car wash and raised over 700$ For the base! (there previous record was 400$)

 

Rom. 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his Purpose for them.  

This week is good, but I don't know what's happening until only minutes before. So... yes. It's not stressful yet- I'm very thankful Mary, the DTS leader is also here with us as support. Guam is very beautiful- it would fantastic for scuba and snorkeling! There are many opportunities here and God is leading me by the hand the whole way. All my love,

laura