so I know there has been a complete lack of updates. the thing is, the internet has been dodgy at best. so I'm just going to say that there won't be any updates until I'm back in Australia towards the end of March. if I can get in an update I will, but it's just not very likely. I promise a big, long one whenever outreach is over. as for right now, I'm in Nepal completely hemmed in by beautiful mountains, when the pollution isn't too heavy to block them. Kathmandu rocks my life. I can't wait to tell everyone all about it. there'a good chance we will be heading to Mount Everest as well. adventures are sure to follow.
I love everyone and am praying for you all!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
tarima kasi...
I'm here! Jakarta! rainy, humid, chaotic Jakarta. This will be a very short post...the internet here is no bueno, so I will give you a better update later when I have more time. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm still alive, and falling in love with this city more and more each day. Pray for our team...you will hear more from me as soon as I can swing it. I'm trying to get a cell phone tomorrow since they are so ridiculously cheap. You will be able to call me with a phone card or skype for very very cheap as well. so yay! communication! I will give everyone the number as soon as I get it set up. Love you all!
Friday, December 28, 2007
love: the ultimate catalyst
well, I leave for Jakarta and Nepal in less than two days and I'm filled with this overwhelming desire to squeeze everything I can out of every minute that I have there. It is going to be unbearably hot and humid and rainy, not to mention the fact that we have to wear long sleeves and pants to protect us from mosquitoes. I know the tendency will be to give in to my emotions regarding the circumstances, but I just don't want to. God has promised so much if we will just press in, push through. I want to squeeze everything that He has for me out of this time.
I was just thinking the other day about what amazing friends I have. I have friends that are changing the world because they choose to go out of their comfort zone and stay there for the sake of others. Love motivates people to do crazy things. I have a friend who is romping through the most dangerous parts of Africa right now to bring tangible, practical aid to people who literally have no hope. He spent his Christmas eve night riding in an open air truck through Rwanda, picking up a pregnant woman in labor and rushing her to the hospital. How crazy is that? It's not comfortable, for sure, but it brings more joy than I'm sure he could ever imagine sitting at home watching TV. My friend Joey spent his entire summer in Uganda fighting for the rights of the forgotten. Loving people deeply, experiencing something completely outside of himself. My friend Chelsea spent a few weeks in Zambia this summer loving the ultimate of the unloved. Children who never had a childhood, AIDS orphans, rape victims. I love that I serve a God who is infinitely more broken-hearted about these people than we ever will be. I love that He entrusts us with the task of reconciliation. My friend, Zach will spend the next six years serving in China. Building up the church there, and telling people for the first time, "You're not a hopeless case. There's a God who loves you deeply, He wants to heal your wounds and give you a life that you couldn't imagine even in your wildest dreams." That's amazing. I'm realizing more and more the heart of God for this broken world. I'm realizing more and more the desperateness of the situation. The things that I worry about, my momentary concerns are secondary. God is looking for people who will say, "Yes I've been hurt, yes, it sucked, but God has healed me, I'm going to get over it. I'm not going to let my past dictate my future. I choose to see the rest of the world around me and I choose to do something about it."
So as I get ready to leave for outreach, I'm preparing myself mentally to push through despite all odds. The more uncomfortable, the better. When I'm trekking through the Himalayas and I don't think I can make another step, I will choose the see the faces of the people in the next village, and I will keep moving. I do not want to come back the same. I want to rock these cities, these villages, with the authority and the victory that Christ won for me when he died on the cross. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and people will be REDEEMED, reconciled, their lives reversed.
I was just thinking the other day about what amazing friends I have. I have friends that are changing the world because they choose to go out of their comfort zone and stay there for the sake of others. Love motivates people to do crazy things. I have a friend who is romping through the most dangerous parts of Africa right now to bring tangible, practical aid to people who literally have no hope. He spent his Christmas eve night riding in an open air truck through Rwanda, picking up a pregnant woman in labor and rushing her to the hospital. How crazy is that? It's not comfortable, for sure, but it brings more joy than I'm sure he could ever imagine sitting at home watching TV. My friend Joey spent his entire summer in Uganda fighting for the rights of the forgotten. Loving people deeply, experiencing something completely outside of himself. My friend Chelsea spent a few weeks in Zambia this summer loving the ultimate of the unloved. Children who never had a childhood, AIDS orphans, rape victims. I love that I serve a God who is infinitely more broken-hearted about these people than we ever will be. I love that He entrusts us with the task of reconciliation. My friend, Zach will spend the next six years serving in China. Building up the church there, and telling people for the first time, "You're not a hopeless case. There's a God who loves you deeply, He wants to heal your wounds and give you a life that you couldn't imagine even in your wildest dreams." That's amazing. I'm realizing more and more the heart of God for this broken world. I'm realizing more and more the desperateness of the situation. The things that I worry about, my momentary concerns are secondary. God is looking for people who will say, "Yes I've been hurt, yes, it sucked, but God has healed me, I'm going to get over it. I'm not going to let my past dictate my future. I choose to see the rest of the world around me and I choose to do something about it."
So as I get ready to leave for outreach, I'm preparing myself mentally to push through despite all odds. The more uncomfortable, the better. When I'm trekking through the Himalayas and I don't think I can make another step, I will choose the see the faces of the people in the next village, and I will keep moving. I do not want to come back the same. I want to rock these cities, these villages, with the authority and the victory that Christ won for me when he died on the cross. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and people will be REDEEMED, reconciled, their lives reversed.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
recap 2007
sorry guys for the absence of new updates. I'm not sure if it's even possible to convey the busyness of life here on base. but, all that aside, I thought I'd give a quick recap of 2007. it has been pretty monumental.
2007 did not start off well. I was completely lost in every aspect of the word. I had no direction, I was spiritually hungry, and I was totally disconnected from God, even to the point of wondering if He existed. I couldn't understand why none of my plans for myself were working out. eventually I had an emotional melt-down. even as I was bawling my eyes out, I was journaling my thoughts on my life. they were not nice ones. I was angry with God because I felt deserted and I couldn't hear Him. the next morning I emailed a close friend of mine and attached the whole journal entry to see what he thought about my situation. He wrote me back and said he has prayed about my email and got a specific word from the Lord for me. basically God was telling me, "the reason none of your plans are working out, the reason you can't hear me, the reason you have no direction is because I love you too much to let you settle for a life that you're not called to. you were made for missions. you were made to go to the nations."
fast-forward three months and I am applying for the DTS here in Perth. there is no way to describe the feeling of being in the center of God's will. it's like a huge weight has been lifted off my back. I can move forward. I have no idea what the next step is, but the doors are open and God will tell me where to move.
here's a revelation I got earlier this week: basically, it's really easy to stay inside your own little bubble of "me". constantly worrying about the things you need to get done, the things you need to change in your life, etc. And not all of this stuff is necessarily bad, but I was challenged to look at the bigger picture. I feel like I am a character in some grand story. and my adventure is that for the rest of my life I get to plumb the depths of a limitless God. He is mysterious and HUGE and I will never know all of Him, but I get the spend the rest of my life, in every experience, getting to know a little more of His character. kinda brings you out of yourself for a little bit. The God that made the stars and the universe and Mount Everest and humpback whales, I know Him! it's just bizarre.
anyways...I have no idea what the next step for me is. but I am seriously looking forward to 2008. I will start off the year by spending 3 months in Indonesia and Nepal, trekking through the Himalaya's with a Sherpa, to tiny villages. what more could you ask for?
2007 did not start off well. I was completely lost in every aspect of the word. I had no direction, I was spiritually hungry, and I was totally disconnected from God, even to the point of wondering if He existed. I couldn't understand why none of my plans for myself were working out. eventually I had an emotional melt-down. even as I was bawling my eyes out, I was journaling my thoughts on my life. they were not nice ones. I was angry with God because I felt deserted and I couldn't hear Him. the next morning I emailed a close friend of mine and attached the whole journal entry to see what he thought about my situation. He wrote me back and said he has prayed about my email and got a specific word from the Lord for me. basically God was telling me, "the reason none of your plans are working out, the reason you can't hear me, the reason you have no direction is because I love you too much to let you settle for a life that you're not called to. you were made for missions. you were made to go to the nations."
fast-forward three months and I am applying for the DTS here in Perth. there is no way to describe the feeling of being in the center of God's will. it's like a huge weight has been lifted off my back. I can move forward. I have no idea what the next step is, but the doors are open and God will tell me where to move.
here's a revelation I got earlier this week: basically, it's really easy to stay inside your own little bubble of "me". constantly worrying about the things you need to get done, the things you need to change in your life, etc. And not all of this stuff is necessarily bad, but I was challenged to look at the bigger picture. I feel like I am a character in some grand story. and my adventure is that for the rest of my life I get to plumb the depths of a limitless God. He is mysterious and HUGE and I will never know all of Him, but I get the spend the rest of my life, in every experience, getting to know a little more of His character. kinda brings you out of yourself for a little bit. The God that made the stars and the universe and Mount Everest and humpback whales, I know Him! it's just bizarre.
anyways...I have no idea what the next step for me is. but I am seriously looking forward to 2008. I will start off the year by spending 3 months in Indonesia and Nepal, trekking through the Himalaya's with a Sherpa, to tiny villages. what more could you ask for?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
it's time to fight!!
Hello Everyone!
I am writing to give a quick update on everything related to the outreach trip I will be leaving for in three weeks:
As most of you know, I was still in need of break-through in the area of finances. Specifically, I was lacking about $2600. The Lord has really showed up in the last few weeks and I got down to about $1500 that I still needed. Today, we had a meeting as a school and were given some news that was a little discouraging. Turns out, it is easier to get into Afghanistan than into the Central African Republic (where my team is heading). The good news is, we have secured tickets that will fly us into Chad, where we will disembark and head for the CAR by van. The bad news is, the tickets were extremely expensive. Our flight actually leaves from Jakarta, Indonesia (where we will be for the first month of outreach) and flies all the way to Paris (only slightly out of the way...haha), and then finally to Chad. Because of the price increase, I am back up to lacking about $2200. When our leaders gave us the news, they said they wanted to be wise and sensitive to the Lord possibly shutting the door on our trip to the CAR, but they wanted to pray about it with us. We went into a time of fervant prayer to hear whether or not we were to procede on with the orginal plan. All of us heard very clearly from the Lord, that the CAR is still our inheritance, and if we want it, we are going to have to fight for it. Satan does not want us to go. There has never been a YWAM team to go there besides the two YWAM contacts who are there now. This is a pioneering work in an area that Satan has made his home in. Our team is going to break down any walls it takes to get there. Whether that be finances, plane tickets, visas, etc.
The circumstances seem to be piling up against our team, in that we need to have all our money in by the end of this week. But the Bible says,
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
The cool thing is, as soon as we found out the news, I was actually more encouraged than before. The situation is so absurd and the odds are so against us, that it is going to HAVE to be the Lord who moves. Would you join with me in prayer or even fasting, if the Lord leads, to see all the walls barring us from the CAR crumbled to the ground? I need YOU, my family to stand with me and fight for those who are waiting, who are inwardly groaning to hear the Good News of redemption for the first time. Would you also pray about giving financially to see my need met by the end of the week? Again, I cannot do it without you, my family, my brothers and sisters. I know a lot of you have already given, which I am eternally greatful for, but if what I am writing stirs your heart again, seek God out and ask Him if He wants you to invest again.
It's going to happen guys! The Lord has spoken, He has promised an inheritance and I am going fight until I get there.
P.S. if you DO feel lead to give financially, the easiest and fastest way is to do it is online. go to:
https://www.ywamperth.org.au/007/payonline.asp
-in the "payment type" box, click "other"
-put my name in the "recipient" box
-and put "October DTS" in the school/ministry box
this will go straight into my account
Friday, November 30, 2007
you serious, Clark?
Well, today is December 1st, and I woke up to find myself extremely homesick. I feel like I got through Thanksgiving pretty well, but Christmas is going to be rough. I didn't realize how many family traditions I would be missing. About this time, I should be starting the process of watching every Christmas movie ever made with my brother and sister. If I was home right now, I would be planning Winter Fun Vol. 5. I would be baking a lot. I would be decorating the tree with my mom out at the ranch. It would be chilly outside instead of 100 degrees. sigh...what I would give to be sitting in the living room with Steph and Andrew watching Muppet Christmas Carol.
Here's some questions for those of you who still read this thing:
1. what is your favorite Christmas movie?
2. what is your favorite Christmas tradition?
3. describe your favorite ornament
4. how much do you miss me?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
wanna hear a cool story?
Since I have been here, there have been numerous times where God has done some stinking crazy stuff just to bring more glory to His name, and draw more people to Himself. I thought for this week's update, I would share one of those stories with you. As some of you may know, one of my good friends from home, who is on staff with YWAM in China, is visiting here in Perth for a week. He told me this story and it blew my mind.
Every Thursday night we have evangelism, where our whole, 300 person base goes out into the city to minister. Zack (my friend) and his partner had candy canes that they were supposed to hand out that night. Before they went out, they prayed over what to write on the little note cards that went with the candy. Zack, felt that he should write, "Jesus loves you and it's time to step into a relationship with Him." on one of the note cards. When Zack and his partner got to the city they began walking around asking the Lord who they were to talk to. They passed a group of teenagers and kept walking but Zack felt like the Lord was leading them to talk to the teens. He told his partner, but when they turned around the group was already gone. They started looking around the area for the group of teenagers, but after half an hour they were nowhere to be found. Zack assumed they had left the mall and asked the Lord, "Was that you really you asking us to speak to them? Should we keep looking?" God answered back loud and clear, "Keep looking. This is how I search for you. I keep looking until I find you." The Lord also gave him the name "Travis" and told him that the candy cane he had written the note on was for him. Zack was confused about what the name meant and asked his partner to pray and see if the Lord gave her the same name. She prayed but recieved no name. Zack said,"OK, Lord, I think this is you but you're going to have to show me." So they kept walking until they spotted a group of teens hanging out near the food court. Zack wasn't even sure if it was them anymore, but figured he might as well go for it. So they walked up to the group and asked if anyone wanted a candy cane. Most of the kids were too cool to accept a candy cane from a stranger, but one boy timidly said, "I'll have one" and grabbed a candy cane out of Zack's hand. Immediately Zack realized, shoot! that one was for Travis. So he looked around the group and said, "There isn't anyone here by the name of Travis is there?". The kid who had grabbed the candy cane looked at Zack, confused and was like, "Yea, my name is Travis." haha! Zack looked at him dumbstruck, and said, "Oh man! We have been looking for you for the past 45 minutes. The Lord gave me your name and told me to look for you."...and he explained the whole story and got to share with him about a God who seeks people out and wants to be intimate with them. What an amazing testimony of how God pursues us. I love it.
Every Thursday night we have evangelism, where our whole, 300 person base goes out into the city to minister. Zack (my friend) and his partner had candy canes that they were supposed to hand out that night. Before they went out, they prayed over what to write on the little note cards that went with the candy. Zack, felt that he should write, "Jesus loves you and it's time to step into a relationship with Him." on one of the note cards. When Zack and his partner got to the city they began walking around asking the Lord who they were to talk to. They passed a group of teenagers and kept walking but Zack felt like the Lord was leading them to talk to the teens. He told his partner, but when they turned around the group was already gone. They started looking around the area for the group of teenagers, but after half an hour they were nowhere to be found. Zack assumed they had left the mall and asked the Lord, "Was that you really you asking us to speak to them? Should we keep looking?" God answered back loud and clear, "Keep looking. This is how I search for you. I keep looking until I find you." The Lord also gave him the name "Travis" and told him that the candy cane he had written the note on was for him. Zack was confused about what the name meant and asked his partner to pray and see if the Lord gave her the same name. She prayed but recieved no name. Zack said,"OK, Lord, I think this is you but you're going to have to show me." So they kept walking until they spotted a group of teens hanging out near the food court. Zack wasn't even sure if it was them anymore, but figured he might as well go for it. So they walked up to the group and asked if anyone wanted a candy cane. Most of the kids were too cool to accept a candy cane from a stranger, but one boy timidly said, "I'll have one" and grabbed a candy cane out of Zack's hand. Immediately Zack realized, shoot! that one was for Travis. So he looked around the group and said, "There isn't anyone here by the name of Travis is there?". The kid who had grabbed the candy cane looked at Zack, confused and was like, "Yea, my name is Travis." haha! Zack looked at him dumbstruck, and said, "Oh man! We have been looking for you for the past 45 minutes. The Lord gave me your name and told me to look for you."...and he explained the whole story and got to share with him about a God who seeks people out and wants to be intimate with them. What an amazing testimony of how God pursues us. I love it.
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