The past few weeks have been challenging and amazing at the same time! It's been a busy few weeks and I've only just got chance to sit down properly and blog! I'm right now very much excited, because tomorrow my mum is coming to visit and it will be the first time I've seen her in 10 weeks! It doesn't seem that long at all, but it will be amazing to spend time with her before I go away to Africa. Which, by the way, is 2 weeks tomorrow!! Again, time is flying by! I feel like I haven't given it loads of thought, mainly because we're so busy here, but also because I know if I do, I'll miss what God is going to do in the last few weeks of lectures. Too often, I live in the future, always looking ahead and not just being in the present. I read a blog post yesterday about living for the moment & love what it said.. 'And now, as tomorrows come so much faster than they did then, I see things differently. I see that I missed too many todays because I was worrying about too many tomorrows. Opportunities to love, to forgive, to be healed, lay unused at my feet because I was looking for what God had in His hand.' If you want to read the whole blog, it is:
http://outofedenministries.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/live-today/
The week of the 25th-1st, we had a French speaker, Etienne Atger, who spoke to us about Spiritual Warfare & the Kingdom. Some of you might be wondering what is 'spiritual warfare'? If so, I'll try and explain briefly! In my understanding, spiritual warfare is the battle between the Kingdom of God & the Kingdom of Darkness (Satan). In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, 'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.' This means that there is a battle going on around us, that many of us are unaware of. We're told though, not to fear, because we're not fighting for victory, we're living in the victory of Jesus. This is such a vast topic and I don't think I'll be able to explain it or do it justice, I have however, found an article on this topic. Which, if you're interested, you should read. Its answering, 'what is spiritual warfare?', 'how do we recognise it?' & 'how can we win?'
http://outofedenministries.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/live-today/
The week of the 25th-1st, we had a French speaker, Etienne Atger, who spoke to us about Spiritual Warfare & the Kingdom. Some of you might be wondering what is 'spiritual warfare'? If so, I'll try and explain briefly! In my understanding, spiritual warfare is the battle between the Kingdom of God & the Kingdom of Darkness (Satan). In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, 'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.' This means that there is a battle going on around us, that many of us are unaware of. We're told though, not to fear, because we're not fighting for victory, we're living in the victory of Jesus. This is such a vast topic and I don't think I'll be able to explain it or do it justice, I have however, found an article on this topic. Which, if you're interested, you should read. Its answering, 'what is spiritual warfare?', 'how do we recognise it?' & 'how can we win?'
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/27282-spiritual-warfare-is-real
That week, we also went to visit a campus in Lausanne, called Pepperdine, which is a branch of a university in California. We went & had a time of worship & a few of the DTS students shared their testimonies. It was nice to meet some new people, even if there were a few awkward introductions! Side note- here in Switzerland, it's normal when boys greet girls & girls greet girls, to kiss on the cheeks 3 times. The amount of times I've been caught of guard or just totally ignored someone by accident is crazy & at times very embarrassing!
On the Thursday of that week we had our very own Swiss night, here in Burtigny. We ate Swiss food & had a quiz to see how much we knew about the nation. Who knew that.. Per capita, American's eat 12 pounds of chocolate annually & the Swiss eat 21 pounds per capita?! Yes that's right, I'm at home here!
We spent last week staying in a church at Geneva. We left the base on Saturday & spent the day with the church youth group doing some evangelism on the streets of Geneva. Brilliant opportunity to practice my french! That evening we led the youth group and some of us gave testimonies, including myself. I shared a bit about how God had been working in my life over the past few months. It's pretty scary sharing & being vulnerable with people, but I just prayed that God would use my story to help/encourage/challenge the people there. The rest of the week we;
That week, we also went to visit a campus in Lausanne, called Pepperdine, which is a branch of a university in California. We went & had a time of worship & a few of the DTS students shared their testimonies. It was nice to meet some new people, even if there were a few awkward introductions! Side note- here in Switzerland, it's normal when boys greet girls & girls greet girls, to kiss on the cheeks 3 times. The amount of times I've been caught of guard or just totally ignored someone by accident is crazy & at times very embarrassing!
On the Thursday of that week we had our very own Swiss night, here in Burtigny. We ate Swiss food & had a quiz to see how much we knew about the nation. Who knew that.. Per capita, American's eat 12 pounds of chocolate annually & the Swiss eat 21 pounds per capita?! Yes that's right, I'm at home here!
We spent last week staying in a church at Geneva. We left the base on Saturday & spent the day with the church youth group doing some evangelism on the streets of Geneva. Brilliant opportunity to practice my french! That evening we led the youth group and some of us gave testimonies, including myself. I shared a bit about how God had been working in my life over the past few months. It's pretty scary sharing & being vulnerable with people, but I just prayed that God would use my story to help/encourage/challenge the people there. The rest of the week we;
- Served the Church
- Visited World Vision
- Explored Geneva
- Prayed for Geneva
- Spent a lot of time in McDonalds & local Patisseries!
Here's some pictures I took when exploring:
 |
| We spent a good portion of the week eating McFlurry's! After coming from Burtigny, a place in the middle of no-where, McDonalds was a luxury! |
 |
| Jenna, Aubrey & I |
It was a great week & we definitely got to know each other a lot better. I realised though, how much I'm going to miss the team going to Europe!! But trying not to dwell & just enjoying our last few weeks as one team.
Last Friday night a group of us went back to Chaux-de-fonds, to the church, to host an african worship evening. I'd been asked to play the piano. So, even though we were learning the songs right up to when we started the service, it was a great evening, full of joy & celebration.
This week we were able to meet the DTS which started in September, as they got back from their outreach on Monday. We've been able to hear the stories & I've definitely been getting a lot more excited after seeing the photos etc!
I recently finished reading a book for my book report, Undaunted by Christine Caine, the co-founder of The A21 Campaign- anti-human-trafficing organisation. She speaks about how God rescued her from a life where she was unwanted, unnamed & unqualified. It's an amazing book, full of stories of God's goodness & power, it has challenged me & I'd recommend anyone to read it.
This week we've had a woman called Heather preparing us for outreach. She's been giving us teaching on unreached people groups & understanding of cross-cultural ministry. It's been an amazing, eye-opening week so far!
No comments:
Post a Comment