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| Rice fields in Southeast Asia. |
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| Little girl in India washing dishes near where I was living. |
India was the next stop. India was more different than the previous three countries which due to geographic proximity had more similarities in their cultures. While in India we had more exposure to different types of ministry: we tutored children, lead bible studies, encouraged local YWAM leaders, visited girls’ schools, performed dramas, and helped with medical visits to nearby villages. In each country I fell in love with the people and struggled with leaving!
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| India– the taxi’s made me think of “Roger Rabbit” |
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| Little boys playing during a rural village medical treatment in India. |
After serving in these countries our entire school (of 25) met together in Israel. We visited holy sites, and werecommissioned on the Mt. of Olives during our graduation.
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| Dome of the Rock and Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel |
After the discipleship Training school, God brought another opportunity before me: to attend a Strategic School of Missions (SOSM) with YWAM in Turkey. This was an opportunity to learn more about God and Missions and ON the field! After much prayer I felt like God was saying, “yes.” From September until December I was attending school in Turkey learning principles from highly respected missionaries with years of experiencing who were living in different countries in the field.
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| I am on the far left– this is the SOSM photo of all students and staff! An amazing group of people! |
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| This contraption heats up a sweet milk drink. Istanbul, Turkey. |
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| Turkish Church |
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| My Turkish pottery friend at work in his studio. |
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| Reconstructed ruins of the library located in Ephesus, Turkey. |
i had the privilege of hearing From Believers with Muslim Backgrounds sharing their coming to faith stories and what helped/hurt them while they were being discipled. people with business expertise shared with us about running Businesses as Mission programs. Someone with experience pioneering new works shared valuable principles with us to apply to new situations. While others Taught about community development, mobilization, worship—I’ve learned principles that I can apply to any and all situations I experience for the rest of my life! While attending this school I learned so much about contextualization, and how to communicate love and respect in ways that other cultures will understand.
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| Turkish artwork for sale in local shop.
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So what is next? The second component of this school is an internship, and I will be returning to Turkey in February of 2012 to serve. My team consists of two other women: a Kiwi (from New Zealand) and a Canadian. We will be engaging in language study, forming relationships with Turks, and being mentored by a long term mission team focusing on Church Planting who is already living there.
I am standing on three foundational scriptures that are fueling me. Fulfilling the Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…And the second is like it: ‘Love your negihbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37,38); Walking out the Great Commission: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18,19). and the goal: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).
The vision is to share the Gospel in a way that is contextually Relevant. I want to help grow and encourage indigenous Believers to find and develop what it means to be a local Believer–NOT importing a western version of Church that they need to conform to. Justice is an issue close to my heart. In the city where I will be there is trafficking/prostitution that happens. (Actually, I believe that it happens in all places, including our back yard). I would LOVE to do artwork with these women. I have a background in art and hope to share both God and art with these women. I am praying God would open doors and relationships to help make this happen here. While in Thailand, I discovered that I enjoy teaching English and would love to connect with an English club. I have a lot of ideas, and trust God to open opportunities as I meet local people and engage with workers that are already there. I have prayerfully made a commitment to be in Turkey for the next six months and am EXCITED to see what God will do, and experience what God has invited me to be a part of.
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| Our team serving in Turkey– Elysa, myself, and Amy |
Jumping Bean Carla!! Haha I loved your latest post. It's so amazing to see you continuing full speed on this journey we started on DTS. Turkey…man I miss that place! I'm sure you see why we loved that place so much! I'm so glad that you have a strong community there to do this with. I know it can be lonely and difficult without one. Just yesterday I got home from Oxford. My ATW ticket is finished! This time, the return home seemed much more final since I didn't have that fabulous ATW ticket anymore. But it's awesome to see that our dear Carla is still out there..just doin it! Man, I admire your faith. For me, I don't know if I've been making these decisions on my own or if He is really guiding me. But I guess from previous experience we know that even when we think it's our own idea, God is still in control. Anyways, it's so great to hear from you and thank you for keeping the updates coming! And the verse from Deuteronomy you shared has been such a strong promise for me too since graduation. He actually gave me that verse when we were in the car on the way to Sharm El Sheik. Hahaha, remember that ride? Well, take care Carla, and let's set up a Skype date soon, ok? Love you, bye!