Onto Cambodia in 4 days!

I had a revelation a few weeks back, a deeper understanding of who God is and who we are, that I would love to share with you.

God, You are good. You made the sun, the mountains, the trees and said it is good. You made us and said you are good. We are good. Sin is bad. We will never stop being who God created us to be, which is good, even if we sin. Even if we do bad things, we are not bad. We are good. We are not our sin.

I am going to Cambodia in 4 days! Three of us from Freedom Project; Evelien, Sandra, and I will be going to the capital Phnom Penh for 3 weeks to serve in kids and youth ministry as well as going to the red light district. Our hope is to see lives impacted, for us to be God's hands and feet and do everything we do with a purpose and intentionality. We'd love prayer for continued and growing unity, for hearts of the people we will minister to to be opened to God's love, and for the spiritual strongholds on the nation of Cambodia to be broken. We would love your continued prayers and support as we go to Cambodia. We hope to film and take many pictures while we're there that will tell a story of hope and life in amongst the sadness and hopelessness that plagues many of these people's lives. I still need some funds for the trip, and if you feel called to support me financially or want more information on what I'm doing, feel free to go to my GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/gmz85bz8.

We as Freedom Project had a stall at Margaret Street markets twice in September, where we sold some jewellery, artwork, and postcards. My favourite parts of the markets were talking with people wanting to know more about Destiny Rescue and their work in rescuing children out of the sex trade. I also love listening to the music from our fellow staff and students as they are busking to support Freedom Project. I live with so many talented musicians!

We also had a night at Campfire Sessions where all of the Freedom Project team shared our heart, our songs, and had a stall with jewellery, artwork, and brochures with more information about what we do.  It was the first time I played a whole set on stage. I really enjoyed playing some originals and covers and I love how we set an atmosphere of calm and peace whenever we play.

The first three pictures are the team I am going to Cambodia with.

Me playing an original "Your Glorious Light" about God's
light and glory covering the whole earth

Evelien playing an original about girls trapped in the
sex industry called "Stripped"

Sandra singing an original
"Peace in the Storm"

Here are a couple more pictures of what I did before going home for a visit.

movie night with July 2016 DTS student girls

Family fun day. I was dressed up as Iron man and the
others are some YWAM staff and students.

my friend Kate and her band playing before the parade

a dance group at the Carnival of Flowers
parade in Toowoomba

I went home to Winnipeg from September 20th to October 15th. I loved spending time with friends and family and I cherish every moment I spent with you all. My Dad's side of the family came down for the day on October 1st for Christmas. We went all out; put up the tree, decorated, and I spent the week before busily making Christmas presents for each of them.  I spent Thanksgiving with my cousins and Auntie & Uncle who live closest to me. I loved hearing what's been going on with them over the past few months and playing Settler's of Catan. It was a great time with family. I love you guys!!!

"the stockings were hung on the chimney with care"

angel ornaments I made to sell at the
Margaret Street Markets

our Charlie Brown Christmas tree

During my time at home, I also went to wedding just outside of Calgary. I knew the couple from my first 6 months of staffing here at YWAM Toowoomba as we staffed together. They are such a lovely, caring, and hilarious couple and their wedding was just as fun as they are. I loved meeting up with friends I hadn't seen in a while and getting to meet new ones. I spent some time with some relatives, my Great Uncle Ben and Auntie Betty. They were so hospitable and fun to be with. Thanks for opening up your home to me and showing me all your pictures! Your company made the whole trip so enjoyable!

the wedding ceremony

in front of the Big Rock, Okotoks'
natural wonder. What a windy day

father daughter dance to
"Butterfly Kisses"

Anna & Regan's first dance

Here are some pictures from my journey back to Australia.

a self playing piano at the LAX airport. SO COOL!

the elevator front at LAX

on the bus to Toowoomba

I came back to Australia on Monday and jumped right back into work, time with staff here on base and taking in the gorgeous views of the countryside. I'm excited to be back and to go to Cambodia next week. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I would love to hear from you. Please shoot me an email or Facebook message or comment below. Love you all and God bless!

"You were born for this!"

I was reading through the book "The Dream Giver" this past week, contemplating the story of a guy named Ordinary who leaves the land of Familiar to pursue his dream. I couldn't help but smile while reading the entire book, in wonder that God is our Dream Giver. I stopped and asked myself the question, "What is my big dream?" "What can I do right now to launch me toward my dream?" While in a meeting with Freedom Project, I said out loud my vision behind my dream. I have a pretty big dream, one that seems impossible, but nothing is impossible with God. On of my good friends said, "But it's not impossible, you just have to start."

My vision is to call out identity in people, especially young girls, to show them and let them see for themselves who they are. I started years ago with being a leader at various girl programs. Now I'm taking steps towards my dream by being a leader in Bella and serving in Freedom Project. For me, every girl rescued from the sex trade is a girl who will come to realise their identity in Christ; that they are loved and have a purpose. Thank you everyone who's been praying. You are loved and have a purpose. Everyone has a dream and the Dream Giver's heart is for everyone of His children to pursue their dreams, to say your dream alone and hear your heart say, "You were born for this!"

Thank you so much for praying for the students on their school. I'd love to share a cool testimony from one of the students their week. The topic of this last week's lectures was on Biblical Worldview,or seeing the world from the eyes of the truth of God. One of the students was reading a quote from John Eldredge that was in their workbook about how each new stage of creation is better than the one before. This student read the quote and was in awe because God loves humans who over the years have spilled the blood of other humans. Not only does He love them, but He loves them the most. This student came to realise that "God's love is way more immeasurable than any worldly standard of love." Jesus died for the chance of knowing them.

This last weekend, I was a leader on the Bella camp. We spent the weekend learning about relationships, boys, and hashing out a little talked about issue for young girls, pornography. The weekend started out with a Welcome to Womanhood ceremony, which was for all the girls 13 years old and up. Us leaders had the opportunity of writing out blessings for each girl separately, calling out their identity in Christ and that they have beauty, value, and a purpose for their life. For many of the girls, Bella is one of the only places where they have people who encourage them and tell them that they have a purpose for their life, who love them for who they are, and who God says that they are.

Aussie Bush Dance

Talent Show - skit

Talent Show - song "Broken Vessels"

Talent Show - monologue

My favourite part of the weekend took place on Saturday night. We were talking about shame and how we can be free from shame when we step into the light of God's glory and grace. At the end of the session we asked if any of the girls would like to step into God's light, and so many of the girls stood up! I got to pray for some of the girls, and a story from one of the girls stuck out. She wanted me to pray for her and her home situation which wasn't the best. After I prayed for her, she told me something amazing. That night while we were listening to a song, "Come to Me", she sat down and closed her eyes. When she closed her eyes, she had a picture of her sitting on a bench and Jesus was sitting beside her. He told her that He was with her wherever she went, that He was her peace, and that she had purpose for her life. She said that she believed that there was a God but didn't really believe in Him personally. She said that even if this was the only time in her life where God showed up like that, it wouldn't matter because He was real and loved her.

at Bella camp

For me, that's what serving the Lord is all about. Seeing transformed lives, setting up the stage for God to work and calling out their identity. We love because He first loved us.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

I've been able to go out and love on people in surrounding towns in the past couple of weeks. This last week, some of us staff got to help serve the Salvation Amy in Gatton. They put on a BBQ each month for backpackers. We played some music, chatted to some people, served barbecue and dessert, and gave away blankets and essential items. I loved blessing and encouraging others, especially the volunteers who make the night happen every month. We even got to see a woman's ankle get healed. Yay, God! Thanks to all you wonderful people who've been praying for boldness and love for the people that the students and staff here at YWAM Toowoomba are evangelising and talking to. Your prayers are a blessing and I would love to encourage you to keep being bold in your prayers. Prayers work!

BBQ in Gatton

In December of this year, we will be having new directors, Michael & Paige. They are from England and United States, so there visa situation is a bit tricky. Over the past couple of months, we've been praying for their visas to come through and this week, we got some good news. They finished their visa application and sent it in to the consulate in the United States. Their visa has been received as a valid visa application and has started processing. We as a staff team are continuing to pray for their visa every day and would love your prayers as well. It would be great to pray for favour, that the application will fall into the right hands and that it will be processed quickly.

Last bit of news for everyone, you can check out what we are doing with Freedom Project, who we are and what are heart is, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/freedomproject7/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_freedomproject/). I also wrote a couple of articles on the YWAM Toowoomba page if you'd like more information on what I'm doing with Freedom Project. (http://www.ywamtoowoomba.com/2016/freedom-project-a-new-initiative-of-ywam-toowoomba/) (http://www.ywamtoowoomba.com/2016/freedom-project-at-margaret-street-markets/)

Freedom Project Team

Thanks for your prayers and support. If you wish to support me financially, please contact my parents to ask for my bank details or go to my GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/gmz85bz8

7 months at YWAM Toowoomba

I can't believe I've been on staff here at YWAM Toowoomba in Australia for over 7 months! I have some news for all you friends and family back home in Winnipeg. I'm coming home for a visit from September 20-October 15th. I would love to hang out with you and have you catch me up on all of your adventures with God; crazy and seemingly mundane; over the last 7 months.

Many things have happened since I last wrote. After my holidays in Townsville and Pittsworth, we had two and a half weeks of staff training and preparation for the new school, the July 2016 Music and Worship Discipleship Training School.

It was really nice to spend some time with just the staff for a few weeks and have sessions on topics such as stewardship, communication, conflict resolution, and unity.  It was also our first weeks working as a team as the Freedom Project, coming up with ideas and contacting churches and markets to fundraise and get the word out on the issue of human trafficking in South East Asia.

The new school came on July 21 and 22nd. There are 13 students, from Canada, USA, and New Zealand. They are so sweet and kind, always willing to serve and take the time to get to know people. I love hanging out with them at meal times, during the Tuesday night lectures on worship and songwriting, and on evenings and weekends when there is a bit of free time.

Last Saturday night we had our first open mic of the school. It was so hilarious! In one of the Tuesday night lectures, the students were challenged to write a song about the strange verse in the Bible that says, "The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"" Psalm 29:9 ESV  And, guess what, the 4 male students decided to give it a go and performed their song at open mic. It was so funny! It was strange because I was laughing the whole song and yet even in that crazy song, I could praise the Lord for His greatness and power.

Another thing I did with the students was climb Table Top Mountain. This morning, the 13 students and 6 of us staff climbed Table Top, most of them for the first time. For me it was the third time. I was still last climbing up, but this time it didn't matter so much. I have learned so much about God's providence, relying on God for strength, and praying through the tough times instead of giving up. And it's always worth it. The view is amazing!

In the last few weeks, we as Freedom Project have talked at a church and had a market stall at Margaret Street Markets. At the church, we received warm welcomes and a high level of support from the congregation.  We spent about 10 minutes talking about the work of Destiny Rescue and had a display table set up after the service with hand made jewellery from the rescued girls in Thailand, as well as artwork and postcards made by one of our directors, Kerri.

 Then at the markets, which was last Sunday morning from 8am-1pm, we had a 3x3 meter stall, complete with a donated tent and busking by some of the YWAM Toowoomba staff. I sang along with most all of the songs they sang, spoke with the people who came into our stall, and enjoyed the day and the company. Before the day started, I prayed and said, "Lord, I give this day to you. It's not about how much money we raise or how many people like the music, it's about giving You glory, and being a voice for the voiceless. It's about bringing the lost sons and daughters back home, all for Your glory." It's amazing what can happen when you give your days to the Lord.

Next weekend, I'm helping out at my third Bella camp. I'm really excited to spend some quality time with the girls, especially those in my small group that I lead every other Wednesday night. I will be in charge of the music and worship for the weekend, which will be new for me, but I'm praying for the right songs that the girls can relate to and understand more about God and their identity in Christ.

at Bella Chicks last night "All around the World" theme

Some things you can be praying for are:
-for the students as they go into their next weeks of lectures
-for boldness and love for the people that the students are talking to and evangelising to
-for the girls age 11-17 in all the Bella programs, especially with the Bella camp this next weekend
-for the visas to come through for some of our staff so that they can continue to work for God's kingdom in Toowoomba, Australia.
-for peace and unity for the students and staff on base
-for the Cambodia outreach from October 25-November 12th coming up with the Freedom Project team members (including myself and 2 others)

I've been reading Ecclesiastes a lot recently and I thought I'd end with a passage from this book.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." Eccles. 3:11-13

 Whatever you are doing right now; working, cleaning your house, going to the beach, do for the glory of God, and choose to do it in joy.

Thanks for your prayers and support. If you wish to support me financially, please contact my parents to ask for my bank details or go to my GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/gmz85bz8

From Townsville to Pittsworth, your Glory reigns

Hello all! I hope everyone of you has had a great last few weeks.
Since my last blog entry, I said goodbye to a few of my fellow staff members who completed their time staffing at YWAM Toowoomba and are moving on to getting married, finding jobs, going to school etc.

Then on June 20th, I started my journey to Townsville which is North up the Eastern coast of Australia. I left the base at 5am and hopped on a Greyhound bus to Brisbane and then a 2 hour plane ride to get to Townsville. It was a great week to relax and take in the sighs of Townsville. It was also a lot warmer than Toowoomba is right now. It felt like the warm days of summer in Winnipeg, so I felt right at home. Only the ocean, palm trees, and other surroundings and people gave it away that I wasn't in Winnipeg anymore.

I spent a lot of time walking around and exploring. The first couple of days I just wanted to see where everything was to make sure I didn't get lost. I didn't really plan what I wanted to do before I left, so I asked around at the YWAM base I was staying at to see what I should do for the week. On Wednesday morning I climbed up Castle Hill and saw a tremendous 360 degree view of the area.

Castle Hill

view from the top of Castle Hill

On Thursday I went to Billabong Sanctuary which was so cool. I pet and fed many Australian animals as well as held a python and took a selfie with a koala. I was in my element. When I was there, I met this nice man whose daughter referred the place to him as he wasn't from Townsville. We basically adopted each other for the day. I loved exploring this city alone but it was a good change having someone to talk to that day.

koala selfie!

just me and a python

wombat

Dingo

Turtle only found in Australia (I fed them fish skins)

cassowary (I fed him grapes)

Baby kangaroos

On Thursday at supper time, somehow our dinner conversation switched to who can talk in tongues. A few women said they could and I said I did as well. One lady said she was going to the prayer room after supper and pray in tongues if I wanted to join. I was tired from the full day at the Billabong Sanctuary and didn't want to go at first, but then God said I should so I did. I'm really glad I did go because it was one of the best times of my trip. We started with worship and then started praying. At one point I just started laughing and couldn't stop. It was so freeing and took so much off of me. Thank you Jesus! Then the 3 of us that were left decided to pray for each other. They both encouraged me to be open with what God was telling me to pray for them about and so I did. I got a few words and pictures for them and they got some for me as well. One of the ladies, who is a staff at the YWAM Townsville base and is Tongan, told me her testimony about why when she prays she says "Dad" as well as God and all of His other names. Her Dad passed away a few years ago and as she was grieving for him, God said that she could call Him Dad. It's so precious hearing her said, thank you Dad, you're so great Dad. God said that we need to enter His kingdom as a little child and I think that's exactly what she's doing. Isn't our Heavenly Father the best?!

On Friday I went on a ferry to Magnetic island, went on the Forts walk and snorkelled the Great Barrier reef. I just had to pay $10 to rent the snorkelling gear and then take the self guided trails. Planning this trip, I really wanted to snorkel along the Great Barrier reef but everywhere I looked online said I had to pay hundreds of dollars so I didn't think I would be able to do it. But I felt like I should go to Townsville anyway. It turns out God knew all along and my dream became a reality.

one of the bays I snorkelled

my first koala sighting in the wild

On Saturday I spent the day with some people living at YWAM Townsville, had brunch, went swimming by the ocean, and just hung out. It was great getting to meet new people from different walks of life that all somehow made it to be at a YWAM base in Australia.

On Sunday I flew back to Toowoomba and on Monday June 27th in the morning I went to Pittsworth to help out at a kids camp called Kids Games. I was with the youngest kids, who they call "preppies". They were 5 and 6 year olds and they were really energetic, loved to colour and play games, and were so fun to be around. We had crafts, games, a Bible story, small group time, and songs that we sung like Pharaoh, Pharaoh every morning until 12:30pm. The lady who was in charge of the camp graciously took me in to her home for the week. She has two daughters who are around my age and it was really lovely being in their home for the week and learning about each others cultures. They asked me a lot about how it's like in Canada compared to Australia and I in turn asked them about Australian culture. They have many different names for things. For example sprinkles, you know the ones you put on cup cakes, are called "hundreds and thousands". It was so fun cooking dinners with them, playing piano and singing worship songs with them, and just getting to know them better. It was also a great time to get in the Word and have some time to rest and seek God more.

I'm really excited for this next season at YWAM Toowoomba. This next week we are starting staff orientation and getting ready for the next DTS. I will be speaking about Administration stuff as well as fire safety this week to the staff.
Some things you can be praying for me are:
-for continued unity in our staff team during staff orientation
-to continue to rely on God's strength and guidance into what this next season will look like
-for students who are coming in a few weeks to get everything they need to do done and for them to feel God's peace and rest as they prepare to come to YWAM Toowoomba

Here's a passage that I read this morning that really encouraged me and I hope encourages you as well.

"Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O Lord is the greatness, The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty: For all that is in Heaven and in earth is Yours:
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might: in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Thank you for your prayers and support. If you wish to support me financially, please contact my parents to ask for my bank details or go to my GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/gmz85bz8