WHAT A RESTART for the NEW YEAR

WHAT A RESTART!

May the GOD OF HOPE fill you with ALL JOY and PEACE as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Romans 15:13 NIV

This month has been a crazy month indeed! I went to serve at a YWAM, Youth with a Mission, camp called EMF (escola de missões de ferias), which means Vacation Missions School. This school lasts for 2 weeks. If you are familiar with what a DTS (Discipleship Training School), then an EMF is like a DTS but only 2 weeks. The first week, students learn about God and themselves. They deepen their relationship with God through lectures, worship, prayer, devotional time, and fellowship with each other. And we also give time for each team to prepare cool activities to use for our outreach phase. The second week is the outreach phase. We partner up with churches that are willing to host us, and we do ministry with the church.

The experience was incredible. I had to be there 4 days before the camp started as all the staff were there and we all helped prepare the place and everything. I was able to meet a lot of Godly people and become friends with them. Many of them did speak English, so I had help whenever I needed it. The thing that I learned most from this camp is HOPE. I think Living almost 2 years at Hope Mountain taught me lots about grace and abiding in Jesus, but it is easy to get discouraged by what happens around us with church, the boys, and the girls ministries. But in this EMF, God showed me that He is still moving in this generation even though I don’t see it with the lives that I have encountered for almost 2 years. Every life that was at EMF was on fire for Jesus. Some were already on fire for Him from the beginning, but most of them were all on fire by the end of the camp. It was so encouraging for me to see God preparing a new group of warriors and I’m just blessed to be able to participate and see this. I will never forget what this EMF was like. My relationship with the other staff was amazing and my relationship with the students were all amazing as well. My 2 years with Hope Mountain did make me into a more mature woman and I’ve noticed I see many things differently now than before. The biggest change is seeing the teenagers at the camp differently. I see them as teenagers, not as me when I was a teenager. I don’t use my standards to see these young souls anymore like I used to. I am a very judgmental person but by the grace of God, I’ve become a little more compassionate. I’ve noticed that before I would put expectations on the teenagers and think that they should know certain things and have responsibility. But in reality, they still need a leader who would guide them and teach them. So it’s not their fault when they don’t meet our expectations, it’s our fault for not being clear or actually discipling them and guiding them. I’ve noticed I’ve learned this from being at Hope Mountain and living with Aunt Corenne. She taught me so much that I didn’t know until this EMF. And I guess this happens a lot with me when I am at a different place and I look back and notice I’ve learned a lot in the previous place. But anyways, there were times when I felt like I was useless because of the language barrier, but in reality, that was again, a huge lie from the devil trying to get me down. My Portuguese was good just that many things weren’t communicated because most people already knew how EMF works but for me, it was my first time. God gave me the same challenges to see if I’ll react maturely or immaturely. He put me through the test to see what my reactions would be when things are out of my control and constantly out of my control, basically like walking blindly for 20 days. And I was doing well until the outreach phase where it got to me. I was tired physically and spiritually, and I couldn’t stand firmly on God’s truth anymore. I didn’t believe God’s calling in my life to be a missionary anymore. And I’m sure the devil had a fun time knocking me down over and over again. But God provided people who loved me to show me the truth. So, God is gracious indeed. I received prayer from the whole church who loved me. I honestly think that God put me on this special outreach team to show me how much He loves me, to show me what leadership is, and to encourage me as He knows what lays ahead of me. And this church was so excited to receive me, a person from Taiwan, a missionary, and they just loved me from the bottom of their hearts. I believe it was all God, nothing that I am or I did made this happen. I’m really grateful for all the love I’ve received in this camp and for God using me once again as an intercessor, exhorter, leader, and supporter. All these memories I will keep in my heart. Every day was an amazing day for me. Praise the LORD!!!

As I head into a new season in my life this year, I trust in God fully in what His plans are for me. I’ll abide in Him and allow His joy, hope and peace fill me up by His love and grace. I’ll keep you all updated!!!

God bless!!!

These are photos from EMF!!! The 1st week!

This is my outreach team. We had 11 students and 5 staff. One of staff isn't in the photo.

God put us together for sure. There are no words to describe how this team functioned so much as a family. So much Godly and family like love flowing in our team. The students looked after the staff as we also look after them. They are the sweetest of the sweetest. Each person in this photo is an enormous blessing in my life. ❤️❤️❤️

This is my roommates from the first week. It was the 15th birthday of one of the girls. Turning 15 is the biggest celebration for Brazilians. Her birthday present from her family is to come to EMF. We made sure we made it special for her. Every girl in this photo has a special place in my heart as well.

Through the lives of all of these people, staff and students. I've learned what it looks like live a life connected to the Holy Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit. I saw JESUS in every person I encountered. It was amazing. I couldn't stop thanking God for this special opportunity to see the Kingdom of God in this place and to see the body of Christ working as ONE. I can't put into words how grateful and touched I am to be able to meet these wonderful Godly family.

This is my team learning and practicing the plays for outreach.

The staff was amazing. There were more than 60 of us but somehow the Holy Spirit guided each one of us and it worked! Each of us was so specially made in God's image crowned with His glory and righteousness.

The sky was just amazing. For the first 4 days of staff training, I was able to go out for a morning jog and those were very precious time for me with the Lord including my quiet time.

These are photos from EMF!!! The 1st week!

Our team was on our way to our outreach location!

Beautiful scenery and cute people!

When we arrived, the students did a play and a short message!

The students were nervous but ready to serve God!

We shared God's love on the streets one day.

There was a mission hangout night where they asked me to share about my experiences and I did. It was amazing!!! Everything was God-led. The Holy Spirit just spoke through me. Because it wasn't very formal, I asked everyone to introduce themselves and also their favorite food. And I said my favorite food was boba. And GUESS WHAT!!!!!????? The church made boba as a snack after the service!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know that at all when I said my favorite food was boba. That's what I mean when I said this church loves me and the hospitality is amazing because they really took care of me... 🥺❤️

I can go on and on about this experience. We served at a homeless ministry where they provide clothes, showers, food and more for the homeless. The homeless would come and exchange their old clothes for new ones, they would have a snack and dinner, and we would have a church service with them. Then half of us would go out to the streets giving out 200 lunch boxes. I was in the kitchen most of the time helping out with the food and drinks. I worked with a professional chef who's been a chef for 25 years. Every single person working in this ministry were amazing Godly men and women who were warriors, strong, courageous, affirmative, but also full of love. They didn't give us a feeling like they were above anyone. They were simply just serving God. They've set such a good example for me that I want to be like them. On the streets, I was in the car most of the time sorting out the lunchboxes and drinks. But when I was given the chance, I prayed for 2 homeless ladies. One of them was super sweet and I reminded her every time she looks up at the starts, she will be reminded how much God loves her. The other one was more complicated, in pain, and her heart was hardened. But we need what we can and we trust in God's plans and timing. It was really cool to see the staff of this homeless ministry work. They knew many of these homeless people. They weren't just giving out lunchboxes to them. They built relationships with these homeless people. Many of them had their lives transformed. I would visit again this year if it's in God's will. I will never forget this experience.

We went on the streets doing door to door. We met an old lady and prayed for her right knee to be healed and God healed her!!! She received Jesus into her heart. She will be on my heart as well as I pray that the church can reach out to her more.