In life, one has many experiences that both shape and challenge natural self. No year is different to the next from this point of view. I find that for my life, I am facing head on many aspects that are not pleasing to God, others or even to myself. Pride is an issue that we all face and it is my mission to root this out from my life. I realise that when you ask God to grow to new levels in life, one can see clearer the things that displease God. I saw a picture during worship of my heart surrounded by walls. I knew that these walls were rooted in pride – mistrust comes from being too proud to admit or show that you are not coping with life. I believe that we are called to live lives that are accountable to the people that we choose to walk along side and that is why it is so important to use wisdom in choosing a band of brothers. At GTS (Gateways Training School), we choose to walk along side a band of people who are all seeking after the same thing – to hasten his soon return. A community of people living in a place where first things truly come first – to love the Lord with all of my heart, soul and strength. Only from this place, from a place where we allow God to first move in our lives rooting out the impurities that we can minister to others.
Some people out there, I’m sure are wondering what it is that I am actually doing during these 5 months of my life. I wanted to answer some of those questions here in this blog entry. Our moto is Blessed are the flexible, for the shall bend and shall not break! With this in mind we have a schedule, however if God breaks in and decides to mess our plans a little, or a lot, then we don’t mind!
Monday-Friday we begin each day with 30mins of reading our Bibles then we pray in the spirit for 15 mins or so to stir our spirit for worship. After this all the staff and community join us and we worship with songs and exortations and prayer for a couple of hours. Usually after this there is a break. After this, the second year students (which is what I am), have classes with various teachers until lunch. Wk 1 Matthew Rudolph, wk 2 Asher Intrader, wk 3 Norm Fredrick, wk 4 Michael and Aimee Hennen, wk 5 Jeff Collins. After lunch the session are different every day.
Monday we do a research for the Ringing the Med project. The project we are working on is compiling information, for prayer, on all the countries that touch the Mediterranean Sea. The country that I am currently working on is Gibraltar. After the session, we all take a turn at cleaning and clearing all the areas that we use – there are no paid cleaners so this is a practical way of keeping all our areas clean and tidy! I clean the office on a Monday.
Tuesday we have either equipping classes or living room sessions. The equipping sessions are different every week talking about dreams, prophecy. Living room sessions are where we are invited in the homes of the senior leadership couples and talk on a pre-established topic. After this, I clean my bedroom and bathroom.
Wednesday we have small group. My small group leader is Rachel Potter with Chelsea, Sietske and I. After this, I watch Coby (although this has not happened yet!)
Thursday we have a bible study session and we are working our way through the book of Romans. Very good stuff! Each week we memorise a verse for a chapter, do an outline and answer questions. Before the end of the school, our whole class needs to memorise chapter 11 and 12. After class I clean the worship room!
Friday is different from every other day. After worship, we have a student led service 2/3 of the students bring a word. This is an awesome time where God truly comes and works through each student regardless of ability. After this the second years have life skills sessions about finances, blogging, newsletter writing. I slice the meat and cheese for the weekend for my service time!
Friday is finished with a Shabbat meal – Freshly baked Challah – a sweet bread which is amazing. We spend time reflecting on the goodness of God and speak blessings over our family. Sometimes it is held at a local resturant, other times in our dining room and other times we split up and spend time in a family home. Every week is special and every week is different.
Up and coming events:
Sunday 1st March 2009 we are having a worship gathering in Limassol – we are praying for revival to fall in the hall and move all over the Island!
Sunday 8th March 2009 we are flying to Israel for 4 weeks – we will be serving in communities that desperately need help. Our purpose is to serve and bless the body of believers in Israel and reach out to the many who need to hear the Good News of Jesus. As a class we are expectant of miracles and lives to be radically transformed as we pour out all that we have received. Please pray for our health and for a deeper revelation of the fathers heart for Israel both for me and all of my class mates: Chelsea, Marie, Tabitha, Sietske and Tony.
Testimony: Since coming to the Cyprus Jan 2008, I have urged all of my prayer supporters to pray for rain. As Cyprus is a very dry land and constantly need a huge supply of water. Please continue to pray as there is lots of rain still needed, however I am so excited because for the month of February, it has rained almost every day! What a blessing on the land. My hearts cry is that God would also rain his spiritual rain down on the Island in greater quantities.
BrawPhoties 