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.
5 comments:
I wonder if I should make these not quite so long...let me know what you think.
It is great to read about your time in Florida! It sounds so awesome. As for the length, well, you have so much to say- and we want to know about it! BUT I DID postpone reading it until later (now) - when I had (have) more time. Which MIGHT mean that some folks might wait till they have more time - and then never get around to reading it!! Oh, I hope not ---- it is really good stuff!
I didn't think it was too long. And yeah for Africa.
I like the longer posts, it makes me think the writer put more effort into it so what they have to say is important to them, and therefore important to me, depending on who it is.
I am interested in hearing about your new passion for Africa.
And get some sleep soon!
Hey Nate, great to talk to you tonight. I loved reading your blog. You should have told me about it sooner! If your daddyo didn't know about it there must be others on your list too - send the link out to everyone! I'm so glad you are enjoying it and going deeper. Love you much.
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