About 20 minutes ago after we had some tests one of the staff, Carol was asked to come up to the front, and on her way up, I yelled "Carol, are you going to tell us our outreach location?" And she looked back at me and was like, "Yes". Everybody went crazy, but she told us that WE ARE GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA!!! Man, I am so pumped about it! Africa has totally been everywhere since we got here, so to be going there is going to be awesome!
Specifically, we are going to Capetown and Jeffreys bay.
I gotta go work here in a sec, but HECK YEAH!
I'm pumped.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So, Africa and Evolution
Howdy guys. Hope everyone is doing as good as I am! My "official" parents finally got back from support raising, and they are really awesome. Their names are Jessie and Kristen, they are married. (Jessie is the guy). And, like I said, they are really cool. Other than that, life is going really well. We are being taught by Walden Owen this week. He is covering Evolution, dinosaurs, the age of the earth, cavemen, and a plethora of other stuff. It's totally blowing my socks off. I actually missed most of lunch because I was asking him so many questions. A lot of what he is saying is really complicated, and I love it. I don't feel like I have been intellectually challenged for like 6 months, so having to think logically about a lot of concepts is pretty sweet. I love the people down here, and I'm getting to know some pretty well. And it is beautful down here.
So, Africa. Do you have any idea what some of the injustices are in that continent right now? Do you know how many Muslims there are, particually in North Africa? I didn't at all. Through a series of things, God has put this country, but particularly the children on my heart. The first week of class we learned about intercession, and it was amazing. Guess what we interceded for on the last day of class (where we applied all we learned). Africa, muslims, and the children in Africa. Two days later at the church I go to here, they were going to do a service about Exodus, but instead, they had a few people from Africa in town. One was a man who had been through a lot during the wars that have taken place there, the other two were orphan children who had been rescued from their circumstances. They all went on to share about Africa and how children don't have any reason or time to dream of becoming something because they are too worried about if they will get to eat tomorrow. It was like God put a face for what was on my heart. I believe God will use the kids in Africa to begin a huge movement for His name, and that many unreached people and muslims will come to know Him through children. I mean, they are the generation that will be leading Africa in about 10 years. Africa seems to keep popping up everywhere down here, and it has such huge problems that I can't help but not think about it often. Here are a few things I learned about some things going on in Africa:
That's a big part of why Africa is on my heart. There is not education available to many to dispel these sick myths and to stop the spread of AIDS. This place needs help. I've never been so Idignant in my life. My heart breaks for the loss of innocence and all the atrocities that are being commited daily. I hate it, and I want to make a difference, because I know I can. A school, an orphanage, education for as many as possible. Anything that can help. They need help, but they also need Christ, because so many are living without any hope. Waking up knowing death and hunger and war and nothing else. They need hope. They need help.
Love you guys,
-Nate
So, Africa. Do you have any idea what some of the injustices are in that continent right now? Do you know how many Muslims there are, particually in North Africa? I didn't at all. Through a series of things, God has put this country, but particularly the children on my heart. The first week of class we learned about intercession, and it was amazing. Guess what we interceded for on the last day of class (where we applied all we learned). Africa, muslims, and the children in Africa. Two days later at the church I go to here, they were going to do a service about Exodus, but instead, they had a few people from Africa in town. One was a man who had been through a lot during the wars that have taken place there, the other two were orphan children who had been rescued from their circumstances. They all went on to share about Africa and how children don't have any reason or time to dream of becoming something because they are too worried about if they will get to eat tomorrow. It was like God put a face for what was on my heart. I believe God will use the kids in Africa to begin a huge movement for His name, and that many unreached people and muslims will come to know Him through children. I mean, they are the generation that will be leading Africa in about 10 years. Africa seems to keep popping up everywhere down here, and it has such huge problems that I can't help but not think about it often. Here are a few things I learned about some things going on in Africa:
- Children soilders are forced into service every day across Africa, and are expected to number around 300,000. If they do not join they have limbs cut off or are killed.
- Over 6500 people die per day from Aids in Africa, many of them parents of soon-to-be orphans.
- The number of orphans in africa is well above a million.
- Only 3 percent of children in Africa will get proper education.
- AIDS can be prevented from spreading from mother to child, yet many women don't know this and pass it on to their children every day.
- It is not uncommon for women to be raped multiple times in Africa throughout her life.
- There is a myth in Africa, a widespread myth, that if a man with AIDS has sex with a virgin, he will be cleansed of it and she will get it.
- This myth ties in with a belief that the younger the girl, the more potent the cure.
- This leads men to rape girls below the age of 2, many of whom are 5 to 9 months. (example-a report of 6 men raping a 9 month old girl is not unheard of).
- An average of 5 children are raped every hour of every day.
That's a big part of why Africa is on my heart. There is not education available to many to dispel these sick myths and to stop the spread of AIDS. This place needs help. I've never been so Idignant in my life. My heart breaks for the loss of innocence and all the atrocities that are being commited daily. I hate it, and I want to make a difference, because I know I can. A school, an orphanage, education for as many as possible. Anything that can help. They need help, but they also need Christ, because so many are living without any hope. Waking up knowing death and hunger and war and nothing else. They need hope. They need help.
Love you guys,
-Nate
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wowza, it's already been 3 weeks.
Here's some pictures. Bear with me, it's my first attempt.
This is where we usually have class:
Here is some of my housemates being goofy:
Here are some people chilling at our house:
This is where we usually have class:
Here is some of my housemates being goofy:
Here are some people chilling at our house:
Anyway, yep, what the title says. Time seems to be flying here.
It's awesome to see everything God is doing here in this school, and to just be learning everything I am is sweet. The director of our base, Michael Berg, is teaching us this week about the father heart of God, forgiveness, and dealing with stuff from our past (The topic is called Biblical Restoration, but that isn't exactly the clearest title). Something awesome that I learned last week, and something that has been a huge breakthrough for me is learning how to hear God's voice and learning about intercession. But the greatest thing about being down here so far is this-that we not only learn about Godly principles, about God and how to live like Christ, we actually put everything into practice. We are consistently challenged and expected to carry out and live what we've learned, and it is changing my life.
Something awesome that we've been doing as well here is called a 24 hour prayer. Right now the Islamic tradition of Ramadan is going on. The purpose of this time is to draw closer to Allah they believe in. Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and they refrain from a large list of things including: lying, stealing, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, gossip, obscene and irreligious sights and sounds, sexual activities during fasting hours. In particular, there is a night that is called the night of power, which was last night (Tuesday) during which Muslims believe and pray for God to reveal himself to them through dreams and visions. They believe this night to contain special purpose. So, here is what we did at our school:
We signed up for 1 hour slots (both students and staff) and each person or each small group of people commit to pray for that one hour. There is a room that many people go to in a shed-type building (with A/C) and only do not if they have no way of getting there (for example-no car and they are signed up for 3 am). We go there and use what we've learned about intercession and have been praying 24 hours a day continuously for a week now I think. It's incredible and I love it. I will never think of Muslims in the same way. The intensity of what is on God's heart and what he gives us here is awesome. I love going and praying even though it's exhausting at times, because I know that it changes the world. That's pretty bold to say I suppose, but it does, not just for me, but for everyone that is praying there. Yay God!
God has also put the children of Africa on my heart. That is a huge story in itself that I will not unpack right now because it would make this post way too long. I want to go there and love on them though-for a lot of reasons.
I myself am doing awesome, a little tired these past few days, but I will catch up on a little sleep soon enough. I am growing closer to everyone down here too, and it's awesome. Everyone has seemed a little more edgy and tired though, possibly because of the lack of sleep (for the 24 hour prayer, students usually pray during the nights-not every night though-because we cannot miss classroom time for prayer).
So please pray for the unity and closeness of the students as well as the relationships here to continue to deepen if you would, because that is a big need right now. Also, if you'd like to, please pray that we all remain healthy and are able to take care of our bodies here. It's a pretty busy life some days.
I'm gonna go write some postcards.
Love you guys.
It's awesome to see everything God is doing here in this school, and to just be learning everything I am is sweet. The director of our base, Michael Berg, is teaching us this week about the father heart of God, forgiveness, and dealing with stuff from our past (The topic is called Biblical Restoration, but that isn't exactly the clearest title). Something awesome that I learned last week, and something that has been a huge breakthrough for me is learning how to hear God's voice and learning about intercession. But the greatest thing about being down here so far is this-that we not only learn about Godly principles, about God and how to live like Christ, we actually put everything into practice. We are consistently challenged and expected to carry out and live what we've learned, and it is changing my life.
Something awesome that we've been doing as well here is called a 24 hour prayer. Right now the Islamic tradition of Ramadan is going on. The purpose of this time is to draw closer to Allah they believe in. Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and they refrain from a large list of things including: lying, stealing, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, gossip, obscene and irreligious sights and sounds, sexual activities during fasting hours. In particular, there is a night that is called the night of power, which was last night (Tuesday) during which Muslims believe and pray for God to reveal himself to them through dreams and visions. They believe this night to contain special purpose. So, here is what we did at our school:
We signed up for 1 hour slots (both students and staff) and each person or each small group of people commit to pray for that one hour. There is a room that many people go to in a shed-type building (with A/C) and only do not if they have no way of getting there (for example-no car and they are signed up for 3 am). We go there and use what we've learned about intercession and have been praying 24 hours a day continuously for a week now I think. It's incredible and I love it. I will never think of Muslims in the same way. The intensity of what is on God's heart and what he gives us here is awesome. I love going and praying even though it's exhausting at times, because I know that it changes the world. That's pretty bold to say I suppose, but it does, not just for me, but for everyone that is praying there. Yay God!
God has also put the children of Africa on my heart. That is a huge story in itself that I will not unpack right now because it would make this post way too long. I want to go there and love on them though-for a lot of reasons.
I myself am doing awesome, a little tired these past few days, but I will catch up on a little sleep soon enough. I am growing closer to everyone down here too, and it's awesome. Everyone has seemed a little more edgy and tired though, possibly because of the lack of sleep (for the 24 hour prayer, students usually pray during the nights-not every night though-because we cannot miss classroom time for prayer).
So please pray for the unity and closeness of the students as well as the relationships here to continue to deepen if you would, because that is a big need right now. Also, if you'd like to, please pray that we all remain healthy and are able to take care of our bodies here. It's a pretty busy life some days.
I'm gonna go write some postcards.
Love you guys.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
I'm here, and it's awesome.
Wow, so Florida. It's awesome, crazy, wonderful, deep, fun, hard, tiring, inspiring, and energizing. All the people that I am down here with are awesome too. It's incredible to see how God got us here. For all of us, it's almost always the same story-we really weren't sure if we wanted to or not, not even sure if we could come because of finances. But God was calling us. He got every one of us here. From Latvia, Jamaica, Finland, and all across the U.S. I know for sure that this is exactly where I am meant to be right now, and that God has a purpose for me and for everyone here through this DTS. There is nothing like knowing that you are in God's will. Nothing like it on earth. I am so pumped about everything we are doing here to. We have intense worship and intercession, small groups, and we do work for YWAM and all their stuff here-called community responsibilities (I am on the jack of all traits crew, and we are doing drywall, mudding, taping, and sanding right now. But today is my day off.) Joe and I are the main two right now working on the maintenance crew. My housemates, all 6 of them, are awesome, and I'll be putting up pictures up here as soon as John (another housemate) gets back over to the library I am at after his CR with his computer. The girls that live on our street (Jon Jon) are awesome too! In total there are 11 guys and 24 girls. They are like a family already.
We also have a guest teacher right now teaching on hearing the voice of God and on intercession. It is crazy intense. It's been three days and I am already learning so many awesome things and hearing tons of INCREDIBLE stories. God is so awesome!
We have had a few fun nights all ready and my house has been established as the place to be. Jake and Joe from the Chicago area drove down an Excursion that fits about 10 comfortable, but that fits 15 or so when needed. It gets 10.6 miles to the gallon. There's a random fact for you. The rooms are tight, but comfortable, and it's fun because I like all the people I live with. I'll be putting up a lot of pictures on Facebook, as well as a few here in a little while.
I have been crazy busy, what with all this learning and writing and getting settled and getting to know everyone. Plus these lame library folk weren't given us cards so we couldn't get Internet access until I put on a little bit of the ol' charm. Then we got are Internet. So I will write to some of you soon, but you can feel free to write me at:
Nate Phillips
September 2007 DTS
P.O. Box 620487
Orlando, FL 32862-0487
Or call me and leave a message. I have time some nights to talk.
Man, I love being here. It makes me come alive.
We also have a guest teacher right now teaching on hearing the voice of God and on intercession. It is crazy intense. It's been three days and I am already learning so many awesome things and hearing tons of INCREDIBLE stories. God is so awesome!
We have had a few fun nights all ready and my house has been established as the place to be. Jake and Joe from the Chicago area drove down an Excursion that fits about 10 comfortable, but that fits 15 or so when needed. It gets 10.6 miles to the gallon. There's a random fact for you. The rooms are tight, but comfortable, and it's fun because I like all the people I live with. I'll be putting up a lot of pictures on Facebook, as well as a few here in a little while.
I have been crazy busy, what with all this learning and writing and getting settled and getting to know everyone. Plus these lame library folk weren't given us cards so we couldn't get Internet access until I put on a little bit of the ol' charm. Then we got are Internet. So I will write to some of you soon, but you can feel free to write me at:
Nate Phillips
September 2007 DTS
P.O. Box 620487
Orlando, FL 32862-0487
Or call me and leave a message. I have time some nights to talk.
Man, I love being here. It makes me come alive.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Florida!
I am finally able to get access to the Internet! There was a lot of problems thus far with getting a library card, but we finally were able to. Florida has been amazing. God is working crazy strong down here, and I already feel like I have a family whom I am close with. I've been pretty busy, but I need way more time than the 15 min. I have before Community responsibilities (I'm on the maintenance crew and we are doing more drywall today). I should be able to tomorrow, so I am excited. Every second here is just awesome, and I love it. I will write more soon!
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