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// NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL \\
Wow! It has been a full month since the my last update! Much has happened! I am reminded of the phrase that our leader, Andy Byrd, gave during staff training over two months ago. "This school is not business as usual. The rest of our lives isn't business as usual!"
Man, that was one of the most truest statements about this season of life I am in! Daily life here in Kona is the farthest thing from normal. I am honored that I get to go to class everyday and hear from world-renown speakers. I am honored that we spend time in the prayer room interceeding, contending, worshipping, and allowing Holy Spirit to encounter us for hours each week. I am honored that I get to live in a community of my radical, passionate best friends from all around the world that spur me on to grow closer to Jesus. I am honored to be under the authority and mentorship of the best leaders in the whole wide world. I don't know if I all the words in the whole world could express my thankfulness that I get to live this life with Jesus by my side.
Since my last update, we've had WILD times of extravegent worship and spectacular lectures. I'll give you a short summary of each week and what I learned!
Week 3/Freedom Week: Brian Brennt
My oh my! This week was one for the books. Brian Brennt is an absolute legend in the Fire and Fragrance. He has written many manuals, like the Freedom manual and Salvation Ecnounter, that we use in the DTS to train our students on how to get free from all that holds us back like fear and shame and then most importantly, how to multiply those teachings to other believers! Brian is one of the most impactful speakers because he truly practices what he preaches. We had an incredible morning halfway through the week where our entire school whole-heartedly surrendered their whole life to Jesus - not just in the big decisions but in the little ones!
Week 4/Family Week: Darlene Cunningham and David Hamilton
What a privilege to hear from some of the main leaders of YWAM this week! Darlene Cunningham is the co-founder with her husband, Loren, of YWAM so it was truly incredible to hear her speak on some of the histroy of YWAM as well as some of the core foundational beliefs and why we believe them. She is so sweet and loves Jesus so much! David Hamilton is part of the international leadership teams and shared some incredible testimonies that stirred our faith! It was also incredible because all of the DTS's on campus gathered in a big basketball court/stage called the Ohana court to hear from these two speakers!
Week 5/Holy Spirit Week: Amy Ward
WOW! This week truly changed the students lives...and mine as well! Holy Spirit week is such an important week because the Holy Spirit is probably the least talked about unfortunately in most churches. Amy has been doing full time ministry for nearly 20 years and her heart is truly to take the somewhat mystery of who the Holy Spirit is and really dig into the word of God to discover that! We were marked as we spent just time allowing the Holy Spirit to come and move in our hearts! Here is a link to all her notes that she taught from!
amyward.org/holy-spirit-notes.html
Week 6/Missions: Micah
Micah is a long term missionary in the Middle East and the horn of Africa. He has a wild and zealous heart for Jesus and is also probably the funniest person I've ever met! He shared many, many testimonies about being a missionary in the Middle East that blew my mind! He moved there when he was only 20 years old and is now 25. We really had amazing times with fully saying yes to God - whereever He may send us! One of the most marking times in class was when we were just worshipping the Lord and then we asked God to speak to us to put a certain nation or ministry that we were called to long term. I was brought to tears, along with nearly half the tent, as Jesus moved on students and staffs heart on specific locations. One by one, over 80 people stood up and spoke it out on the microphone what the Lord called them to long term! It was absolutely beautiful!!!
Week 7(a)/Biblical Worldview: Ravi Zacharias's ministry team; Andy Bannister and Alycia Wood
This week was unforgettable...and also the closest I've felt to being in real school since I've been here! Haha! Andy and Alycia taught on apologetics which is the study of why we as followers of Chirst believe in what we believe. It was truly remarkable to gain SO much valuable information as they taught - my pen could hardly keep up with what my ears were hearing as I was taking notes! We had them for only three days but it was incredible to learn so much more about the Bible. What a blessing to hear them answer frequently asked questions about our faith that we more than likely will get while on outreach, and the rest of our lives!
Week 7(b)/Identity: Kris Vallotton
Holy smokes! Kris blew my MIND!!! He is one of the lead pastors at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. He spoke on identity and it was probably one of my most favorite speakers we've had yet! He really expanded how we view ourselves with so much revelation from the Bible! I actually didn't take any notes this week because I was just trying to let all the revelation and knowledge he was dropping just be recieved in my heart and my mind! Thank the Lord that they record all our lectures and have them available to the public!! I plan on relistening to all of these at least 5 more times! If you are interested in listening to the podcasts, click the link below!
fireandfragrance.com/podcasts
Week 8/Fear of the Lord: Shannon Casteel
WOW! I didn't think my mind could be blown any more after the past few weeks! Turns out I was wrong for such a good reason. My heart was transformed with everything Shannon said. It was such a blessing to hear from Shannon. She is suc a treasured friend of mine. Shannon and her husband, Blake, started the Leaderhship Track that I was just a part of during this summer quater. She carries such an annoiting with every word that she speak! Everything she shares about comes with her friendship with the Lord and her intense commitment to live with no comprimise in her life! Fear of the Lord is sometimes confusing or atheorial to some people, but Shannon was able to explain that to 'fear' means to 'see' so fearing the Lord is to truly see Him! Wow! After she explained that, it made so much sense. She challenged us to read every verse about fear of the Lord in the Bible. I didn't read every verse but I read a good majority of verses and I found out that those verses have the most promises attached to fear of the Lord more than anything else! It is so important and vital in our lives!