AORE SURVIVOR DTS
Clarifying some teaching Burning our 'Barriers' to hearing God
For two weeks during this time I left the Island Breeze crew to teach on the island of Aore. I flew onto the island of Santo and took a motorboat to the next island Aore. The YWAM base is right on the water, with no roads and no electricity. I welcomed the well water bathing but preferred to avoid the rats under my bed! I experienced translation as my teaching was translated into French and Bislama. I spoke on 'Hearing the Voice of God' and truly saw the Holy Spirit go before me, preparing the students by speaking to them in their quiet times. One student from Vanuatu was a new Christian and on my second day of teaching started to cry during intercessions, saying he had heard God for the first time (The message? Not to worry about his family back in his village because God will watch over them while he is faithful to do his DTS).
A key barrier to hearing God that we addressed was unforgiveness. I know we only started the process of digging deep and I am thankful I was speaking on the second of twelve weeks of teaching. We also were challenged to explore new ways of worship, even making up new worship songs. There was a time of discussing our cultural differences and I also lead a team unity building time with the staff. God was also speaking to me during this time- showing me a symbol of His presence by showing a moth/butterfly during those times.
A funny story I shared with my class on the first day of teaching is that upon arriving on the island, the night time darkened everything and I searched through my bag for my torch (flashlight). I clearly remembered throwing it into my duffel bag and prayed that God would show me where to find it.I heard God nudge me to check my makeup bag. My thoughts? "That doesn't make sense, I remember throwing it in the duffel bag. Why would it be in there?" As I continued rummaging through my duffel bag I heard God clearly say " Here you are teaching on 'Hearing the voice of God' and yet you ignore me- why did you bother asking me?" I chuckled as I pulled out my make-up bag, only to find my torch! Ha! What a good reminder that hearing from God requires action. He can speak all He wants but He desires a relationship, where we respond to what He is saying.
The second week I was able to relax ( after squeezing nine teaching sessions into four days)...and spent some time on the beach and listened to the next speaker teach on the character of God. I enjoyed getting to know the staff and students from New Caledonia (French speaking), Vanuatu and China. I did get sick half way through that week but recovered quickly. However, by the time I returned to my rugby boys in Port Vila, I had lost weight and had stomach pain every time I ate. Once back in Brisbane I've been hoping to get back into a healthy eating habit but have been struggling to keep any food down. I am working with a local doctor and recently had some blood tests come back fine (Praise God!). Please continue to pray that God heals me and gives me strength. I love the island of Vanuatu and learning Bislama (like a pigeon English) and have prayed that God would allow me to return again next year. Teaching taught me some further passions and opened some new avenues of ministry.
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