The last 3 months have been an adventure indeed! A bit hard to process which is partly why its taken me forever to write, otherwise its been just a bit busy! But to give a bit of a big picture context; I (Andrea) have been involved in a YWAM Leadership Development course (you may have heard me refer to it as LAPS - Leadership and Pioneering School) which is 9 months long. I've completed the first 6 months already including a 3 month lecture phase in Perth and then an 8 week outreach. I wasn't ever planning on doing this training, but I entered into it as an opportunity to grow in my leadership capability and to take on new challenges such as re-pioneering a ministry in YWAM Perth called Face58: 'Using visual arts to reach Communities'.
While on outreach in the Middle East, my eyes were opened up to some startling realities that will change the way I think for the rest of my life...
We started off in Dubai, which is in The United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a month where we were able to teach in churches and various groups about ways that God could use them in Dubai, specifically by reaching their sphere of influence or their workplace, etc. This is something we learned on our lecture phase and it was incredible to see a culture that is around 80% foreigners coming into the society for work alone, take on a new purpose. Many people from all around the world stay there for just a year or two to make money and leave. Because of this there is a high turn over of people and the churches often have brand new congregations, many of whom have become Christians in that short time. There is a huge need for discipleship and it was an honour to take part in the cry of the Pastors hearts to have their people grow stronger. It's hard to see a culture so wrapped around money, but though Dubai would be known as a city of much glamour and wealth, I believe God is up to something big through those committing to building it up as a society of much blessing. Please pray that the UAE would be open to the growth of wealth which is its people of all different nationalities.
We then went on to Jordan and Israel for another month. Because this is a Leadership School, part of understanding what it means to be a good leader is to learn from those who have influenced, impacted and inspired many before. I'd say, why not learn from the best, to go where Jesus went and get a small taste of the life He lived - this brought about some of the greatest revelations I've ever had. We went to a lot of the 'Holy Sights' or places that are mentioned in the Bible, where we read specific scriptures, prayed and sought God for steps of personal application. One of my favourites was at David's well, here I realised often I can be so focused on the plans rather than on the people I lead, but to raise up mighty men like David did in loyalty and courageousness is what I want.
While in these locations we also had great opportunities to observe and serve in a few situations that so desperately need reconciliation and redemption.
These were three of my best highlights from this outreach:
- Making friends with some of the Arab people who worked in the shops around where we stayed in Madaba, Jordan. Their hospitality was astounding! We were ALWAYS welcomed in for tea and conversation. We even got invited to an engagement party! Through our time with them, I saw how much Sven and I have a passion for people.. just to sit and be with them, to hear their stories, draw their portraits, laugh and sometimes cry, understand their culture and hopefully demonstrate a type of Christianity that would show God being with them, this is what I love about being a missionary.
- Partnering with a local Church in Jordan to help with Syrian Refugee's. Alarming numbers of Syrians are forced to leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, leaving their homes and often loved ones both dead or alive, to a land where they are not necessarily welcomed and will most likely have difficulties trying to find refuge or a place to call home. It's hard to write about, I hold back the tears thinking about the lives that have been impacted by such tragedy. At times it was too painful to hear their stories... for me, after just one time of visiting and giving packages of food, water and blankets, I felt like I could stay and spend the rest of my life helping these people to find hope and a meaning for life again.
- Staying in Bethlehem and understanding the Palestinian way of life. Before I write, I need to mention it was completely safe for us to be there in the West Bank. But this is a tricky one to write about because there are so many differing views about Israel that I have come to understand, even in just a small way. A war thats been going on for years, one where you can feel the sting as you walk the streets, seeing the devastation on both sides and now a wall that separates people carrying hatred and anger. What God showed me while being there is that He has an equal love for both sides, and I need to have the same. I cannot take on the offences or the pain of one side or the other, but I can trust for healing and wholeness for these people, just as He does.
Thank you to all those who have supported us on this journey, and to all those in Canada and America who we were able to meet up with during our four weeks there. We had such a good time with you, and are so happy to stay connected.
With a whole lot of love,
Andrea (and Sven)
While on outreach in the Middle East, my eyes were opened up to some startling realities that will change the way I think for the rest of my life...
We started off in Dubai, which is in The United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a month where we were able to teach in churches and various groups about ways that God could use them in Dubai, specifically by reaching their sphere of influence or their workplace, etc. This is something we learned on our lecture phase and it was incredible to see a culture that is around 80% foreigners coming into the society for work alone, take on a new purpose. Many people from all around the world stay there for just a year or two to make money and leave. Because of this there is a high turn over of people and the churches often have brand new congregations, many of whom have become Christians in that short time. There is a huge need for discipleship and it was an honour to take part in the cry of the Pastors hearts to have their people grow stronger. It's hard to see a culture so wrapped around money, but though Dubai would be known as a city of much glamour and wealth, I believe God is up to something big through those committing to building it up as a society of much blessing. Please pray that the UAE would be open to the growth of wealth which is its people of all different nationalities.
We then went on to Jordan and Israel for another month. Because this is a Leadership School, part of understanding what it means to be a good leader is to learn from those who have influenced, impacted and inspired many before. I'd say, why not learn from the best, to go where Jesus went and get a small taste of the life He lived - this brought about some of the greatest revelations I've ever had. We went to a lot of the 'Holy Sights' or places that are mentioned in the Bible, where we read specific scriptures, prayed and sought God for steps of personal application. One of my favourites was at David's well, here I realised often I can be so focused on the plans rather than on the people I lead, but to raise up mighty men like David did in loyalty and courageousness is what I want.
While in these locations we also had great opportunities to observe and serve in a few situations that so desperately need reconciliation and redemption.
These were three of my best highlights from this outreach:
- Making friends with some of the Arab people who worked in the shops around where we stayed in Madaba, Jordan. Their hospitality was astounding! We were ALWAYS welcomed in for tea and conversation. We even got invited to an engagement party! Through our time with them, I saw how much Sven and I have a passion for people.. just to sit and be with them, to hear their stories, draw their portraits, laugh and sometimes cry, understand their culture and hopefully demonstrate a type of Christianity that would show God being with them, this is what I love about being a missionary.
- Partnering with a local Church in Jordan to help with Syrian Refugee's. Alarming numbers of Syrians are forced to leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, leaving their homes and often loved ones both dead or alive, to a land where they are not necessarily welcomed and will most likely have difficulties trying to find refuge or a place to call home. It's hard to write about, I hold back the tears thinking about the lives that have been impacted by such tragedy. At times it was too painful to hear their stories... for me, after just one time of visiting and giving packages of food, water and blankets, I felt like I could stay and spend the rest of my life helping these people to find hope and a meaning for life again.
- Staying in Bethlehem and understanding the Palestinian way of life. Before I write, I need to mention it was completely safe for us to be there in the West Bank. But this is a tricky one to write about because there are so many differing views about Israel that I have come to understand, even in just a small way. A war thats been going on for years, one where you can feel the sting as you walk the streets, seeing the devastation on both sides and now a wall that separates people carrying hatred and anger. What God showed me while being there is that He has an equal love for both sides, and I need to have the same. I cannot take on the offences or the pain of one side or the other, but I can trust for healing and wholeness for these people, just as He does.
Thank you to all those who have supported us on this journey, and to all those in Canada and America who we were able to meet up with during our four weeks there. We had such a good time with you, and are so happy to stay connected.
With a whole lot of love,
Andrea (and Sven)