Devotional Video- God is Trustworthy

This is a short clip that I created during my Discipleship Training School in Australia. 
It talks about one characteristic of God. God is Trustworthy! 


Here is the link: Do You Trust Me?


-Abby

Just for Fun!

I just wanted to share a fun link that one of the staff members at the Townsville base has posted about a unique aspect of Australia. I hope you enjoy this quick, little post! I know I can relate to what she shares!


Thanks again, Adriel Booker for allowing me to share this! :)
Click, Clink, Five (Unedited) By: Adriel Booker

LOOK UP!

Today, I was inspired and reminded once again of a lesson that I've been learning quite some time. 

It would be safe to say that I have spent a good portion of my life worrying about things, and being consumed with problems and situations going on. I am guilty of being a worry wart, and someone who well....for lack of better words, has pity parties and dwells on the negative instead of the positive. Have you ever related to that? 

During the lecture phase of Discipleship Training School, one of my leaders, Selena Hotere from New Zealand, would share often about how we should not be dictated by our circumstances. Even though circumstances may be constantly changing (sometimes within our own control, and sometimes beyond our control), the fact of the matter remains that God's character never changes. God is who he says he is, and his promises are true. 

In retrospect, there are a lot of times when I have let circumstances overtake my perspective on who God is. I began to look back on all of the times where I simply didn't BELIEVE God to be who he says he is, and what the Bible tells of God's character. 

Through this, I realized that my negativity went beyond just being in a bad mood, having a bad attitude, or being down on myself. I realized that I was shortchanging God for who HE is! 

How many times do we go through life worrying, doubting, not trusting God? How many times have I been so caught in the problems of life, that I was missing out on a much bigger picture? 

During one week of lectures, we camped in the Aussie bush, in a place called Hidden Valley. (And no, sadly, there was no Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing). 

Big awning was for lectures and meals, campfire (front), toilets and showers (right), and our tents were further to the right than you can see in this picture.




Our speaker that week was Mark Parker, also from New Zealand, and he led us on the topic of Lordship. To sum up just one portion of that week, I began to realize how deeply I had rooted myself in focusing on problems, instead of God. He stood right next to me, and challenged me to look up as high as I could. He is an energetic man, and proclaimed, "Look up!" He proceeded to remind me that God sees me and knows me and is with me! I don't have to focus on my problems. I need only to focus on him...

Here is a little clip that reminds me of how I should live my life and perspective that I want to find and continue to have. (Click on this link... Never focus on the problem. Look at me! )

You see, when I began to focus on God, the point of view shifted from being self-focused, and more focused on a grander scheme of things...Ways that I can serve and love others around me. I began to see God for who he is, regardless of circumstance. It was another step into freedom that I never really knew until that day. I was no longer consumed with pity or self-sorrow, but I saw God in a new light, and I became excited about ways that I can bless and serve others. Not out of duty, but out of the joy and delight that I found in living for and believing in a God who IS who he says he is! 

Which brings me to the words of a hymn that I think explain it pretty clearly...

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."

Those words continue to linger and bounce around in my mind..."LOOK UP! LOOK UP!! LOOK UP!!!!" 

 "Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25) And also, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12: 1-3) 

I don't know where you stand in your belief or thoughts on God, but I know without a doubt, that there is a man who died a miserable death on the cross for me. I know that God is the one that I will always look to for hope, and that I have never felt more alive than when I look past my problems, and deeper into the face of  a God who created my very life. 

He is who he says he is. And he continues to beckon me..."Look up! Look up! Never focus on the problem! Look at me!" 

"And the things of earth shall grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace..."

Where is your gaze fixed today?

A song of encouragement: Turn Your Eyes

Shake it Out

It's been a few months now since I completed my Discipleship Training School with YWAM in Australia. 
Over the course of those 6 months, I experienced so many breakthroughs and opportunities for growth (whether as an individual, as a group, or seen in other individuals and groups), and I have found it hard to put into words for quite some time now! 


The next few postings that I put on my blog will be in reference to the things that I learned during that time. I am doing this for two reasons: 1) To help myself process and solidify the things that impacted me during that time, and 2) To help others learn and understand a bigger picture about the journey that I have been on in my own faith journey over the last few months. Thanks for coming along the journey with me. :)




------Shake it Out------


So many of us go through life carrying around the weight of all the junk of life, often times unaware of how much it truly is holding us back and weighing us down. We feel the burdens and bitterness of things from the past, ways that people have hurt us, bad choices that continue to haunt and hold on to us. Sometimes, we even get to the point when we don't know what it feels like any more to walk without the weight of those burdens upon us everyday. It becomes the norm. We become oblivious. We walk around from day to day with chains wrapped around our ankles...dragging them from place to place, and situation to situation. Life begins to feel mediocre...boring...sometimes, we even begin to feel useless and complacent...Or at least this is how I felt at one point in my life...


During the second week of lectures in my DTS, we had Ken Mulligan, the leader of our base, who came in to teach and lead discussions about what we called "Clear Conscience."


To try to summarize as simply and clearly as possible, this week came down to the focus of dealing with our past...past sins, regrets, things that we have shamefully hidden from others, even avoided to admit to God (even though God already knows what we have been through and done). We were encouraged to deal with and admit these things before other believers, and before God. The point of doing this was not to embarass us, or to make us feel bad about ourselves, but to allow God deeper into our hearts and to help us find more freedom and truth in who we were created to be...and to walk in that fullness.


When we carry around all of this junk from day to day, it can be crippling, and keep us from seeing greater needs around us. We can become very self-focused and lose track of our true identity. It not only holds us back, but will hold others back around us as well. And Jesus died on the cross so we can have freedom! Not just for eternity in Heaven, but from day to day and moment by moment on this earth too!


So for me, some of the things that I confessed and prayed about that week were about a few of my sins that I have struggled with...


I have been one to walk around with discontentment in my heart...always wanting more, never having enough, always wanting what others have, struggling to truly be happy for others...feeling sorry for myself, feeling worthless, feeling shame for poor choices I've made at points in my life, and the list goes on. 


I thought I would feel extremely embarassed after sharing, but the opposite happened! My heart felt lighter. I prayed to God about my ungratefulness and discontentment...I admitted that I felt sorry for myself, instead of seeing all that I have been blessed with in life. I prayed for a grateful heart, to find contentment in Him, and I prayed for God to pull out a deep root of bitterness that I have carried for far too long in my life. 


Here are a few lyrics in a song that maybe helps explain the way one feels when we carry around shame, guilt, ungratefulness, discontentment...any kind of sin, really...


"Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn


And I've been fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around
All of his questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn


Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa


And I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn"


I really do believe that God has plans for my life, but Satan has plans as well. Satan likes to steal kill, and destroy...divide and subtract. Jesus came so that we can have life and have it to the full! God wants to add and multiply in our lives. It's a wrestling match really. They both want us to follow their plans. And I choose God's plan for my life. I choose to have hope and freedom from all of the things that kept me trapped in a pit of despair, self-pity, ungratefulness. 


To explain the freedom I have begun to walk in from those areas of my life is pretty difficult to put into words. But I will tell you that now I feel lighter in my heart, able to receive and enjoy the blessings God has for me. I am able to see who God truly made me to be. I no longer have to believe lies that Satan has thrown at me, trying to make me feel inadequate. I am a daughter of the King, a child of God, one who chooses freedom!


So now, picture with me if you will, a person sitting in a prison cell. The chains are gone from around the person's ankle. Anything that previously restricted that person has now been lifted off. Yet, the person sits in the cell, unaware of what to do with this new freedom. 


This was Clear Conscience week for me. I began to trade in some of the junk for new freedom. I had open spaces that started to form in my heart...room for God to fill my heart even more. It was a challenge to let go of those things, because some of us can get quite comfortable in our "junk" of life. But I'll tell you what...if you want to really do some Spring cleaning, start with your heart. 


My challenge and encouragement to you is to take some time to ask God what it is that you might need to let go of in your heart. You might say that you are happy for someone, or say that you don't have anything undealt with. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light anything that is holding you back from getting closer to God. 


It is one thing to say something, but it is another to truly live and believe what we say. Are the things you say and believe flowing out truthfully from your heart? If not, ask God to help you to truly mean what you say. 


The freedom that I feel is for everyone, but it's a choice for each individual. Are you tired of carrying around some of the junk? Are you tired of believing lies about who God created you to be? 


God is waiting...his love is constant and unchanging. He already knows every last thing about us...all you have to do is talk with him and listen to him about it. Ask him to renew your mind and heart. He loves you so much...and he wants each of us to truly be free! 


Are you ready to shake it out?
Are you ready to not only have the chains removed?Are you ready to walk out of that prison cell, and into a free and beautiful place that God has for you? 


His plans are there. They are good! He is good.
Are you ready for more?

Aotearoa- (The land of the long, white cloud)

Kia Ora! (Hello, in Maori)


Our team arrived in Auckland, New Zealand a few days ago. We began our journey by staying with Selena's (one of our outreach leaders) family in West Auckland. After a bus ride, a long layover at the airport, and a 4 hour flight to New Zealand, we were ready to eat and sleep. We spent the first day settling into the city and adjusting to the time change, while visiting with Selena's family. We watched the Rugby World Cup on the first night, and the All Blacks won the game! When we went to our tents for the night, I could hear people honking horns and cheering. 
Due to the World Cup, we ended up staying an extra day in Auckland, because we had trouble booking our entire group's bus tickets. We took a day to go around the city, and we also got to go to the celebration parade. It was nice to be able to adjust to the 3 hour time difference, and we also were able to share our songs and dances with Selena's family as a blessing and thank you for their hospitality. 
One of my favorite things about our time at the Hotere house was visiting with Selena's Nana. She is the head of the house, and she's got a fun personality. She would always say, "You're family here now, so that means that you can feed yourself...or else you'll starve." This statement was funny, because they fed us so well! A popular meal here is called Boil Up. It is exactly what you might think. Boiled meat, dumplings, cabbage or watercress, potatoes, and served with rice, bread, etc.


After our time with the Hotere's, we took our bus for an 8 hour ride from Auckland to Wanganui (Won-gah-noo-ee). Upon arrival, we were greeted by people from the church. We are staying in a giant, camper truck behind the main house, and the guys in our group are in a building next door to that. 
The weather is very chilly and damp. We've had some rain for the last few days, but it is beautiful here!! It looks similar to Ireland, but is even more green possibly than Ireland! The air smells fresh and clean, and there is cattle, sheep, goats everywhere! 
A really neat experience that we had was being a part of a Powhiri (Poh-fee-ree), which is a welcome ceremony that is done in the Maori culture. It began with a Maori lady calling out to us in a song/greeting. Selena replied with her own call. We then entered into an area in the yard with the Maori sitting on one side. We sat across from them, with the men in front and the women in the back. In Maori culture, the women are behind the men, because it's a sign of protection. After we took turns speaking and bringing greetings to each other, a song/songs are shared in exchange. To conclude the ceremony, everybody does a Hongi (Hohng-ee), which is the touching of noses and taking a breath in. This symbolizes breathing in each others' life. 
Afterwards, we spent time just visiting and getting to know each other, followed by a huge meal. The pastor and his family are relatives of one of our school leaders back at base. They are a Fijian family, and it's been fun getting to know them and their children. 


Today, our team did a Religious Education class at Wanganui East Primary School. We taught the story of Moses and the Israelites escaping Egypt, and as we told the story, the students had to act it out. At the end of the class, the young boys wanted to do their school Haka (War Dance) for us. It was really awesome to have them share their unique Haka with us. It's so humbling to have them share the dance with us, because it's such a huge part of their culture and who they are. It reminds me of how big our God is, and all of the different ways that his character is expressed through culture. 


For the rest of today, we will be going to another Religious Education class at another school here in town, followed by a sausage sizzle from 5-10PM, free to the community. We plan on sharing our testimonies, songs, and dances. A majority of those who come to the events are youth, and the church we are working with here have been serving the youth and praying for God's direction in serving them. I'm looking forward to seeing how God wants to move. 


Please pray for our team in the following areas:
-Continued unity
-Good health (The weather here is so opposite of Australia, so I'm praying that no one gets colds, allergies) 
-For clarity in knowing God's agenda and being obedient to his leading through the spirit.
-Boldness 


Thanks so much to all of you for supporting what I am a part of. For those of you who have been praying, helping financially, sending encouraging notes...it keeps me going. Thank you! I can't express how grateful I am to be called here and serving God in this way and during this season. I continue to remember something a pastor shared with us. "My God is REAL! I don't deserve to serve the Lord at all...It is only by HIS GRACE that I am able to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus. It is only by his love that me, a saved sinner, can share about Jesus." 


Thanks for journeying with me. I love you all. 
Abby

Youth Street Live

Yesterday, I was a part of a program that YWAM Townsville runs, called Youth Street Live. It's a program that DTS Students help out with every Saturday. We have the program here on base, and our group helps from 4:45-10:00PM. 


The teenagers that come to our program are called "Crew", (so if I mention a "Crew", then I am referring to a teenager that is a part of Youth Street Live.) 


I have started some friendships with a few of the crew. They are pretty great! Here's a picture of some of the girls that I hang with every week. Their names are Maddy, Becca (Bec), and Georgia. 

On most Saturdays, we begin by having a meal with the crew. Announcements, birthday celebrations, and welcoming new crew happens during the meal (Fun fact: Dinner is called Din Dins.) 


After meal time, the crew have time to participate in different activities, such as: playing soccer, football, skating in the skate park, playing music/singing, playing silly games, enjoying food and drinks in the cafe, and simply just spending time chatting and spending time together.


After this time, all of the crew and staff (myself and other DTS Students and Youth Street Leaders) all head into the base auditorium, and we begin our program called 180 Hour. 

180 Hour can vary slightly from week to week. It is usually a combination of a time for worship and prayer, followed by a speaker each week. Yesterday, two DTS students shared with the crew about God's love, and also that in our weaknesses, God meets us there. There is usually a song or video clip that goes with the lesson, followed by some group discussion nd participation. 
Through the lesson, our group got into a discussion of what it means to hear God's voice, or to know how God is speaking. Sometimes, when we don't hear God's voice, or know what he is saying, it might cause one to question God's love. 


The really wonderful thing is that God's character never changes. Even in times where one might not clearly hear his voice, or know all of the answers, there is comfort in knowing that God's love is always the same and that God love stands in the midst of any circumstance. 


Once 180 Hour finishes up, the Crew have a bit more free time. There is usually a rush at the Cafe right after 180 Hour, so this is the time of night where I help out in serving out Ice Cream Sundaes, Spiders (Which are equivalent to a Float), Shakes, Frappes, Mochas, Soda, French Fries (Or as they say, "Hot Chips"), Mini Pizzas, and Nachos. 

There is also a Bible Study time after 180 Hour, for the Crew that want to go a bit deeper into discussions, or to come with any questions. There are staff on base that have taken the Biblical Core Course (BCC), (which is a secondary school that YWAM offers in various locations,) and some of those staff help to head that up. 


Youth Street Live has been a really great ministry to be a part of here at YWAM. It's great to stay plugged into the lives of teens and to see how God is moving in their lives. It's actually really neat, because one of the original Crew members is now on Staff here at the base. There is another staff member on base that also used to be a Crew at Youth Street. They both have said that coming to Youth Street really gave them a place to grow closer to God and to build great friendships. Now, a few years later, it's really neat to see them walking into the callings God has on their lives. 


The other neat thing about Youth Street is that some of the older Crew have an opportunity to step into student leadership roles. This gives them a place to be discipled in leadership, and to have a positive influence on other fellow teens. There are some really wonderful student leaders that work alongside Youth Street and they really have great potential as young leaders!


Altogether, I'm so thankful for the friendships that are forming with the crew, and I'm excited to see how much God will continue to move in their lives. If you ever think of the Youth Street Program, say a prayer for the Crew and that they continue to encounter God's love for them! 




Here's one more fun picture with the Crew! Enjoy, and have a blessed day!
Abby

Where in the world is Abby Walker going?

Well folks...the word is officially in!


Last night, our Pacific DTS group received the official announcement of where we will be going for our short and long outreaches. Are you ready?! Here we go...


For our first outreach, taking place in 5 weeks, our group will be going up into the indigenous communities in the Mount Isa region, which is a town here in Australia. Some of our leaders have begun to build relationships with people in this community, and we will be continuing to build that. 

Our long outreach will be taking place in... (DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!)


NEW ZEALAND!!!
 Yea!!!! So...We will flying into Auckland, New Zealand, and then driving south to do outreach to a town called Wanganui (Won-gah-noo-ee). This town has a large community of islanders, those being from the Fijian (Fee-Jee-an) and Maori (Mow-ree) communities.


The most exciting part about this outreach is that 4 of the people in our group are either from NZ, or have already begun to build relationships and even have family in these island communities. Selena, a staff leader, is from New Zealand and a part of the Maori tribe. Eunice has some family in NZ. Andrew, a fellow student, is also from New Zealand, and has family and connections back home. Mena, one of our other staff leaders, is Fijian, and has also built some solid relationships with the people in these communities.


One thing that I'm learning about the island cultures is that family is of highest importance and value to them. "Wha nau" (Faw-no) is the Maori word for "family", and since we have people in our school that are part of the families we will be reaching out to, we will automatically be welcomed into their families. To hear the hearts of our staff and how long they have been praying for direction about outreach, it's nothing short of exciting and overwhelming, as this is also a pioneer DTS (The first outreach and DTS with this focus.) 

I find it soooo incredibly hard to put into words how my heart has just been overflowing with joy and peace that I have in being here right now, and in all that God is doing in my life, plus being a part of all he desires to see changed in this world. Even though there is so much joy and peace, my heart feels so burdened for the needs of the islanders, as I learn more about the brokenness and attack of their cultures that has taken place over the years. There is so much restoration that God wants to see in their lives and in their nations. From what the leaders have shared, it's my understanding that there is deep sadness, loss of hope, and even a level of shame for the culture that they are a part of. 


It is our hope, as a school, that we can be catalysts of change for them. That they can see that not only islanders have come together to come share about the hope of Jesus, but that also there are people from Australia, the USA, and Korea, that came all of this way, just so we can speak of God's love for them and that God has amazing purposes for them. I have no doubt in my mind that God has each student and staff in this school for a reason. I'm so grateful that God is allowing us to partner with him in helping bring about tangible change in the world. 


There is so much more that I want to share, but again, like I said, it's so hard to put into words how my heart is overjoyed but also burdened for seeing change. 


For all of you back home in the US, I'm thinking of you and praying for you. Please remember us in prayer as we prepare for the mission that God has before us. 


I still have quite a need for financial support, so I ask you to consider how you might be able to partner with me in this journey. To make a donation, you can do so by clicking on this link:
Donate Online

Enamorado, 
Abbs