Term Two: Busyness, Breakthrough and Beyond :)

A little over 3 weeks ago term 2 started, and before I could settle in, things were pretty crazy. These past couple weeks have been quite challenging, but also quite encouraging. I'm really thankful God kept me here for this term instead of going to ABS. Lectures this term have been amazing so far. Our first weeks of lectures were from Jerry Benjamin, a very knowledgable man who speaks 1000 words a minute. He taught on the 7 churches in Revelation. It was really interesting, and made the book of Revelation a lot less intimidating and confusing. The next week Satish John, the director of Himalayan Torchbearers in India spoke on servant leadership. He is one of the most amazing people I have met. His testimony is absolutely insane, and the stories he has are incredible. He is a really good example of a servant leader, and taught me a lot by the way he lives alone. He’s also really intelligent and got me really interested into studying the characters of the Old Testament with better detail. Last week Peter Thomas, our director, taught his third week on genesis. As always, it was pretty interesting and very practical. And finally, this week, Lew Meyer is teaching on world religions and cults. Its really helpful to be gaining a better understanding of other views and beliefs, and to better ground myself in what I do believe.

The assignments this term have had a lot more variety and it has been nice to be able to add the more personal aspect. I got to share a devotional during morning tea the first week back, which was both exciting and a little frightening. I spoke on giving God our best. We also had a bible study on Jude 20-25, readings, and an oral report due so far. Today I presented my 20 minute oral report on prophesy. It was really good to dig into the topic and learn more about it as it has been something I haven’t quite understood but have wanted to study for a while. Another assignment coming up is out study paper, which we get to choose the topic for. Next week our assignment is to make a gospel video which I am pretty excited for. And my only other assignment is a bible study to present to my family group. I’m learning a lot from all these assignments, as busy as it can get getting them done on time.

My weekly ministry doing youth group has been a real blessing, even though it’s on Friday nights, when I am most exhausted. The relationships I have been able to build are really special and I’m excited to be seeing God work in the youth’s lives. This Friday I will be sharing my testimony with the youth. I am kind of nervous, but thankful for the opportunity.

Last week was quite crazy and full of excitement. The staff family that lives here on campus just had a baby Friday morning, right here on campus. First Capernwray baby! J Adding to the excitement was breakthrough. We transformed the entire campus into a giant Indiana Jones themed game for Breakthrough, a youth event we have twice a year. Between the 2 nights we ran it, about 350 kids came! The whole place was completely decked out with 11 different places including things like an invisible bridge, catacombs, a jungle complete with a swinging bridge etc. I was in charge (along with one other girl) to turn our homestead lounge into a Coptic church in Libya that had been attacked and bombed..without actually setting the place on fire. Lol. It was a lot of fun, especially when the kids came, but also really challenging. Although many of the kids who come are churched, many are also not. We were told that many kids come from rough homes and will probably have gone home to their parents drunk. For many of them, breakthrough is one of their only outlets to learning about God in a fun and loving environment. It was important to keep that in mind as a team leader. God is reminding me that we don't need to see the results of the 'seeds we sow', but simply share His message and love, and leave the results to Him. On Friday night I led a group of 10 crazy and emotional preteen girls through the adventure game, in the rain. It was challenge to say the least, but we had a ton of fun. Saturday night i had a group of eight 17 year olds, most of whom i worked with on ministry week. They were the rebellious ones, even 'beat up' the 'bad guys' who were supposed to catch us. It was a gong show, but they all had a lot of fun. After the 2-hour adventure game, we gathered as a whole group and Hadassah, the brilliant creative genius mastermind behind breakthrough spoke about Voice of the Martyrs, and we took up and offering for the persecuted church. Lastly, Hadassah gave a short devotional. All in all it was great.

After the weekend we were all super exhausted, and quiet day on Monday came at the perfect time. It was really refreshing to get cozy and sleep, drink tea and read my bible for the entire day without talking to anyone. I have been really challenged by God to truly depend on Him to be all sufficient and fulfill the desires of my heart, and to truly trust in Him casting all my worries aside. Isaiah 26:3 and Philippians 4:6&7 have been verses that have become very real to me.

The days are getting shorter and the weather colder. On the bright side, autumn is fully here and the leaves are brilliantly gorgeous. But all that just gets me even more excited to be going to Fiji in only 18 days!! Unfortunately, this also means that Capernwray ends in just 5 short weeks. After that I have two weeks to travel, during which I will hopefully be going to Aussie. And then I’ll be coming home. Time really does fly by here. Preparations for Fiji are coming along good. Our team of 7 girls and 6 guys are meeting weekly to prepare, and hopefully soon we will be finding out what it is we will be doing there. Whatever the case, things change all the time, so we are prepared to do whatever is needed at the time. Funding for the trip is slowly coming along. The cost is about $1900, and I am almost a third of the way there. If you’re interested in supporting me, let me know and I can give you more details. You can also go straight to this link to donate: http://www.capernwray.org.nz/support/missions. Your prayer for the trip is very much appreciated also! 

Speaking of prayer, here are a few other prayer requests:

-The kids from breakthrough
-Health. Ive been feeling unwell for the majority of my time here, and would love to be better before going to Fiji
-Me sharing my testimony for the youth on Friday. Continued growth in the hearts of the youth. And for kids to show up again-the numbers have been low lately.
-Continued community building for the remaining 5 weeks of school left.

If you have any prayer requests, shoot me a message. :)
Also, if you feel like sending me mail, don'y be shy ;) My mailing address (in case you forgot :p) is

Monavale Bible School
P.O. Box 702
Cambridge 3450
NEW ZEALAND

Thanks heaps!! :D
Katelyn