Freedom is a state of mind

Last week we had freedom week and it has been the best week so far here at ywam dp :) One of the biggest things I learnt was that we have all been given freedom through Jesus' death on the cross but being truly free is choosing to walk in that freedom. It's an active choice, it's a state of mind. For so long I found my identity in the things I experienced, I let my past define me and I contained myself within the limits I thought I had. But God calls us to define ourselves in his love, to find our value in the fact that we are his children and to believe that we are truly limitless. Last week felt like a week of counseling for me, only it was the best form of counseling anyone could ever have. I finally faced up to the hurt and rejection in my childhood and I chose to let it go. For the first time I fully experienced God's love in a tangible way and it was AWESOME. They say that dts is a school of the heart and last week completely changed mine, for I stepped out of bondage and into God's arms, into my freedom.

He put the stars in the sky

Throughout my time here God has been revealing himself in amazing ways and last week was just another one of those times. For our 'casita night' we decided to watch a film on the dock and camp out under the stars. Little did we know that God had an awesome show planned for us as it was a meteor shower that night. I must have seen up to 20 shooting stars and meteors that night and on top of that a family of eagle rays came and swam around the dock. They are without a doubt some of my favorite creatures in the sea, so majestic. God had his full glory on show that night that's for sure!

Eagle ray!!

One of the best movie theaters I've ever been to 

Slightly apprehensive about crabs so made sure the sleeping bags were done up tight

The after an interesting nights sleep (with our minds full of the possibility of waking up to crabs and raccoons) we were treated with the most amazing crimson sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. It's a hard life here in Belize!

'Don't let what you do define who you are, let who you are define what you do...'

The quote above came from Jim Ramos, our speaker last week, who taught a lot about leadership and leading from the inside out. He was a great speaker and really challenged me to look at my values and see whether my daily life and priorities match up those values, or whether I have things out of alignment. I lead such a busy life back home, that it was so good to be able to take time and just think about the things we do every day and how important these things really are. It was also awesome to be able to spend Easter out here, really reflecting on what that truly means. I must say Belize is the only place where I have ever been to an Easter service (or any church service really) in a movie theatre!

The comfiest church I have ever been to

Outreach

This week I found out that I am going to the Bocas del Torro Archipelago in Panama to do my outreach at the end of June!

Map showing where we will be going

I will be camping on the islands for 2 months and trekking into the jungle to reach remote villages and the indigenous people that live there. We will be conducting research for YWAM ships who eventually want to set up a base there. This means we will be seeing what is there, what the needs of the villages are and how we can meet those needs, and also sharing the message of our faith on the way.  So basically we are pioneering for future missions organisations. Apparently it will be very remote as although there is a bit of tourism on some parts of the islands, the villages in the centre of the jungles are virtually untouched and we may be among some of the only white people they have ever seen. Our team is very small just four of us, three students and one leader which will make this very challenging but all the more rewarding. I am very excited for whats ahead and how God will use us in this amazing place.

Two weeks in...

This whole trip to Belize has been such a step of faith but I am so glad I made it. Today I have been in Belize for two weeks doing my discipleship training school with ywam and already so much has changed. God has completely changed my heart and I am seeing the world in a whole new light. Week one was mainly focusing on orientation and team building and then lectures started on week 2. So far we have mainly looked at the foundation values of the Christian faith but in ways totally new to me and I can honestly say it is changing my life. It is awesome how God has been working in bringing the team together and hearing everybody's testimonies and stories has been both inspiring and heartbreaking but above all it has brought us all closer together.

The ywam base is on the island of Ambergris Caye, just to the east of Belize and it is stunning. We have white sands and beach on one side and a lagoon filled with crocodiles on the other.

The ywam base

It is definitely a place where you can see the power of God's creation. I have also had the been able to go diving twice so far which has been pretty awesome. The first time I saw eagle rays, turtles, nurse sharks, moray eels, sting rays and even a sea horse! I'm excited to be able to explore the water more and will hopefully have a chance to dive the blue hole while I am here. Last night was also pretty incredible we got to see the lunar eclipse, I tried to take a picture of the orangy/red moon but it is nothing compared to seeing the real thing. 

Belizean Lunar Eclipse

I really feel like God has brought me to this school with a purpose and I am excited to see what he does throughout the dts. It already feels like home.