Fig Tree

I never know how to start my blog entry. I could spend hours debating what to write as an introduction in my mind, get mad at myself, but never come to a conclusion. I hate it! But I want to share what has been going on these last few days. We have been introduced to a new speaker; I don’t know how to spell his name but I know you pronounce it like “egg-bird” with more of a dutch under tongue, like in your throat. I would spell it out for you, but that in itself would be a challenge. He is the father of one of our staff members and has been in YWAM for a lifetime, in charge of YWAM Asia. He has a warm inviting smile with crinkles around his eyes and passion in his heart. The topic is simple, to know more of God’s character. How can we be a part of YWAM’s slogan (to know God and make Him known) if we do not know God’s character? How can we fall in love with God if we do not know Him? How can we serve Him if we do not know where His heart and desires are? God reveals Himself to us but it is our job to pray that God gives us more revelation of who He is. This is what I wrote down in my “goal journal.” Later that afternoon in bible study we talked about John 1, when Jesus calls to Nathanael under the fig tree and I asked, why a fig tree? What is so important about a fig tree? The question went unanswered; however, this morning I thought for some reason to read Matthew 25:13, but realized when I got there that really I was supposed to read Matthew 24:32-35. Lo and behold it was about a fig tree! Then in intercession someone felt the need to read a section in the bible, and on the previous page was a story about a fig tree! It was in Matthew 21:18-22. I thought “well God must be trying to tell me something.” So I challenge you to read about fig trees and discover what God is trying to tell you.

Tuesdays lectures were about making God our deepest pleasure and how only He can literally fill the deepest desire’s of our heart. It is something we often fill with human relationships, and eventually sin. The further we try to fill our desires the further God becomes from us. Tuesday afternoon a group of americans/canadians went to the visa office to get our visa’s so we can travel, and it was such a weird experience for me! It sort of hit me, I’m actually in Germany, like I’m here. I’m not in Texas...its raining and cold, I’m in Germany! Then I closed my eyes and opened them again, but I was still in Germany! Its taken three weeks but it has finally sunk in. But a funny story; apparently gas in Poland is cheap, so on our way back we “stopped in Poland!”  So in one day I realized I’m in Germany, but also took a pit stop in Poland. Mind blowing! After our stop in Poland it was time for outreach and our mission was to ask God for an image then go out and “treasure hunt” for that item/person/house and see what God wants us to do. So I got my image-a yellow house with a bronze door handle. So all excited I set out on my mission and get down the street when I look around and realize, every other house is a yellow house! I said to myself “oh man, God what is going on?” I kept walking and felt like I was supposed to simply pray for each yellow house I came across, and that is just what I did! There were three houses I felt lead to leave a track at, so I did that too. It was cool to listen to God and see what He wanted me to do. That night we had worship and it was, once again, amazing. God so wants to make Himself known when His people sing out to Him! Afterwards I tried to update my blog but my mind was running wild with excitement so Rosemary and I went for a walk/stargazing, and talked about what is going on in our life, it was an awesome time of fellowship.

This morning in intercession I walked into the tent to discover a gigantic map covering the entire floor! We were asked to remove our shoes and stand around the outside. Then the guy talked a little about YWAM’S vision and asked us all to stand on a place and just pray for that city/country. When that was done they played music and we danced for the Lord, literally! It was beyond anything I’ve experienced before, but it was a joyful time of praise. The next prayer time was spent lifting up the nations YWAM Herrnhut has missionaries in (Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Germany, India, and a few more) and that was cool! I choose Czech because I know more about their culture and I’ve experienced it before. The next prayer time we were supposed to ask God where to stand and pray and I thought for sure I’m supposed to pray for Egypt-after all that’s where I want to go! But I found myself standing over Ocean City, Maryland praying that there would be more churches than clubs, a wave of strength and courage for the churches already there and a change of heart in the people there. Then I thought oh I’ll pray for San Antonio, but once again found myself standing over Acuna, Mexico crying out for the children I met who live in the streets who may or may not still be alive. I prayed God would touch them with His gentle hands. I prayed justice would be done with the drug cartels taking over and I prayed God would bless those who are faithful to Him there, it is such a dark place. So in all, it was an intense growing experience for me.