Worship: Forever

Sometimes, I find compound interest interesting. I believe that these weeks have been building on themselves like compound interest. Or even like a house. A foundation is poured out and hardens. Then the frame is put up, and then the walls eat the frame while you also get all the other "invisible" aspects (like plumbing and electricity) put into place. It's like that. We had the foundation laid: Who God is, and the framework of Who Jesus is. Now the walls have been eating up the framework, as the Holy Spirit becomes the focus. Now, hearing the voice of God is like the invisible inner aspects trucked away beyond sight into the very walls. That was the focus of this last week: Hearing the Voice of God and Intimacy with Him.

But first, we celebrated Hero's Day! Hero's Day is (as far as I'm concerned) the Jamaican version of Labor day. Everyone sleeps in and goes to the beach. And they are supposed to remember various Heroes who brought them out of slavery. It was also Angelisa's birthday! (She is one of the students) We went to pizza hut. I do not think you realize the extent of how much I missed pizza. Pizza, out of all food from home, is what I have missed with great distress.... okay, I missed pizza a lot. So it was beyond delightful to have pizza. And we also had the day off of classes and work duty. So the rest was nice. I approve of rest and pizza. 

The teachers this week were from the Jamaica House Of Prayer (more commonly know as JaHOP). They helped me to understand that to become a voice for God, you need to hear His voice. Otherwise you are just an echo. Need I explain the power of a voice against an echo? I do not believe so. Honestly, without the intimacy of hearing God's voice, being a Christian is difficult. God clarifies His Logos (the Bible) to us via His Rhema (spoken words). But let's not get into the greek right now. I got some clarity on what God's voice really is and how to be open to reconize it. Hearing God's voice is stellar. Hands down. It is rather intense to think we can have intimacy with the very God Who created us.

They speakers also talked about end times. They talked about how Christ is preparing His bride to be spotless. They also talked about how the church must become unified as part of Christ's return. They even talked about an "Enoch generation" rising up. (Enoch is a Biblical character who never died. God simply took him up to heaven. So an Enoch generation is a generation who will not taste death because God will return and death will become eradicated for Christians... but enough theology and end times awesomeness... back to me) All this to say that the teaching stirred up many dreams in my heart. I'm excited to be a part of the Bride of Christ becoming spotless and zealous for His return.

We also studied the book Song of Solomon. It was cool to see it as a love story between Christ and me. It's honestly awe inspiring to think God is passionately pursuing me. He loves me with an extravagant love. He loved me to the point of dying for me. And these are not just words on the internet, they are beginning to form a melody within my heart. God is love. God is enough. He is worth it all.

Also, God has been using the book Simple Obsession to shake me up. It is written by Jamie Zumwalt. It is about making God our simple obsession. Jamie is a part of Heart of God Ministries and equipping Christians in the States to become missionaries. So the book was very missions oriented. God just used that book to show me just how real spiritual ignorance is. There is idol worship where, to appease their "god," men and women sacrifice people to demons. This is a reality in the world today. And I just cannot stand idly by as this continues. This ought not be. I believe God is giving me a passion for those who have NEVER had any exposure to Christ or His love. So many people simply need to love of Christ. And they have never considered that there is any other God than the demon they are worshiping.

"Missions exists because worship doesn't" - John Piper

We bring the gospel to those who do not know Christ so that they may worship Him. I believe God has given me a passion for worship and missions just so that I could have the full picture. I want idol worship to change. I want God to use me to make that change.

I'm not sure how that will happen. But I belive it is where I get the privilage of serving God. Soli Deo Gloria!

Speaking of worship, evangelism was unique this week. We went down into town and brought the guitar and simply worshiped in the midst of people bustling about. The after some worship some of us stayed back while others went about and just talked to the people there. It was cool to just worship in public. Some people just stared, some pretended not to notice, and one danced and clapped from across the street. I'm not sure if he even heard the words we were singing. He just liked the beat. But it was a very good time of worship and evangelism.

Last night (Friday) we had a night of worship which we called 'Facedown.' Some of us in the DTS lead worship for about 45 minutes. Then others lead worship. A noticeable amount of people came to simply worship God. It was a glorious time to simple enjoy God's presence and lead others in worship. In light of that, we had a lot of worship this week. It was a good week!

I ask that you continue to pray for me. Pray that I am able to get rest. I have been extremely tired lately and that has been hard. Also just pray that I am open to what God speaks to my heart while I am here. I need to allow Him to work His change in me. Amen.

In Christ,

Timothy David

Letters and Angels

This last week, the subject we learned about was the Father Heart of God. It was actually a nice change of pace. These last three weeks we would sit in the classroom and get lectures. It was getting really hard for me. I knew a majority of the information that was being taught. Also, I was homeschooled, so that means that sitting down and learning for weeks on end is something I've never actually done. So my homeschooler self was starting to go somewhat stir crazy. Thankfully, this week that changed.

The style of the speaker this week was much more envolving. His name is Michael. Michael purposed to ask us questions, and there were times where we just sat around and told each other about the effect our fathers had on our lives. The speaker actually wanted to get to know each of the students. And we knew that because he learned about us and remembered simple things, like where we were from. I got to have some one-on-one time with Michael. We talked about his testimony and how God continues to show Michael his calling. One of the things from this week that opened up my eyes was just how much we assume our heavenly Father is like our earthly father. Because our parents are broken, and our parents shape so much of our worldview, they even shape how we relate to God. I had to relearn how to relate to God in some ways. I now have a better understanding of Who God is as Father.

I would say that I like the homework here at YWAM. This week our only homework assignments were to: study Genesis 6:2 (Which reads: "the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose") and to write a letter to God and get His response. 

Let's talk about Genesis 6:2. So this passage is highly debated in the Christian community. It is all about the identity of the "sons of God." Were they angels? Were they men? If they were angels, what does that mean today? If they were men, why was God's judgement so severe on the earth to cause a global flood?

Honestly, we can't know for sure. But if you have to know... I see more evidence to support the idea that the sons of God in Genesis 6:2 were angels. But it was a time where we really learned how to study our Bible and dive into wrestling with truth and opinions. I actually loved every minute of it.

Now about the other homework: letters to and from God. Interesting enough, Hearing God's Voice is one of YWAM's fundamental values. So it is actually expected for all the students to hear and recognize God's voice by the end of the DTS. Anyway, so I wrote God a letter with a lot of questions about where He is taking me. He told me (of course He responded! He's not gonna leave me hanging.) that I am called to missions. God even explained to me why He wants the nations to know Him. They need hope, and God is the only hope that is real. He also told me that He loves me. It was really encouraging and I have a few less questions about my calling now. I'm going to continue to write down what God says to me. It is really amazing to be able to hear the very voice of God.

I was able to skype some various friends over the course of this last week: Daniel, John, and Caleb to name a few. It was really good to catch up with them. It's good to hear God moving back home.

I continue to grow. I learned a lot this past week. But I'm also learning a lot just living in community here. God keeps moving and "showing up" powerfully. I am really loving my time here. I'm loving learning about another culture and what YWAM really is.

I would love prayer though! If you can pray that I truly use this time at YWAM to focus on God and not worry about my calling, that would mean so much to me. 

Also, I'm sorry this update is a day late. I'll keep trying to update on Saturdays.

In Christ,

Timothy David

Stone's Hope: More Than A Stone's Throw Away

Last Sunday we packed into a bus and bounced on the road for around three hours to get from YWAM Montego Bay to YWAM Stone's Hope. Stone's Hope is in the Jamaican countryside in the parish Mandeville. The weather was much cooler there and I actually had to wear my hoodie at nights. It actually got that cold. It was the first time in Jamaica that I have been cold. (disregarding every shower I have taken. They only have cold water here. No hot showers for you my friend.) I was very pleased for a cooler take on Jamaican weather. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what it looked like.

 This pic (bellow) is of the school that they have at the base. It's an elementary school.

But what made this last week so amazing, was the fact that there were two other DTSes there as well. There was a Crossroads DTS doing their lecture phase there, and a Leadership DTS from Belize who is in Jamaica to do their outreach. The Crossroads DTS has six students and the Belize DTS has ten students and their two leaders as well. My DTS got along really well with the Belize DTS. I really connected with two of them specifically. There was a girl named Rachel, and once we realized that we were both homeschoolers we talked for a few hours. About theater, dance, and books... just the usual homeschooler stuff. I got to teach Rachel some swing dance and she enjoyed it. Also, there was a guy named Alex and we have the EXACT same birthday (same year, day, and we were born about two hours apart). Alex and I have very similar taste in music and we got to talk about some deep theology and suchness. It was really cool to get to know Rachel and Alex. The other people in the other DTSes were really cool, but I connected the most to Rachel and Alex.

The week's lectures were focused on the Holy Spirit. Honestly, these weeks of lectures have been feeling more and more like review. But I was talking to Sheldon and he reminded me that the lectures aren't all that DTS offers. So I'm deciding to learn humility and that, even though I feel like I know everything, to listen and see what I learn anyway. And that even if I don't get anything from the lectures, that I will still grow, learn, and to keep asking God why He brought me here.

A moment worth remembering from this last week: I was sitting on the wall playing my harmonica and some of the kids from the school came over to me. They acted like they had never seen a harmonica before. One of the kids asked if he could see it. I held it it out to him so he could see it, but he wanted to hold it and I knew that if I gave it to him that he would play it. I decided to give it to him. Then a bunch of other little Jamaicans came over and wanted to play my harmonica. I actually had my backpack with my other harmonicas. So I pulled out my other harmonicas and there were like four Jamaican kids playing harmonicas around me for like five minutes. I gave them a little lesson and they had a lot of fun.

Also, I believe that I mentioned in my last blog post about the fact that my fellow Jamaican students still needed funds for the lecture phase of the DTS. Amazingly, Friday, it was announced that all of the debt that the Jamaican students owed was completely paid for. Someone anonymously covered all of the debt of all of the Jamaican students. Now all that we need is to cover our outreach fees and we will be ready to go. God is so good. 

Thursday (our fasting day), I was asked to speak by Sara and Sheldon about why we fast and my experience with fasting. I shared the scriptures Luke 5:33-35 and Matthew 6:16-18. Then I talked about last Saturday and how God showed up when I fasted sleep. Also I reminded everyone that times of fasting can be wasted. We need to use the times of fasting to focus on pursuing God--even in the face of little energy or hunger. God gave me grace and it was actually easy to speak in front of everyone. Generally, I have a fear of public speaking. Whenever I get up to talk in front of a group of people, I have a fear and it is usually a challenge. However, this time God gave me grace and I was able to overcome that fear and just be myself and share what God had done in my life.

I must admit, after our amazing week in Stone's Hope, it is nice to be back home (Montego Bay). It truly feels like home here. I swear, when I do finally come back to the states I'm going to be homesick for my home back in Mobay, Jamaica. The amazing thing about God calling you out to the unknown is that when you get there, He is waiting for you. Honestly, I'm starting to realize that I can belong anywhere. Because wherever I go God is there, and where God is, that is where I belong.

Also, glorious news:

I am Fully Funded for outreach!!!

Praise God!

Thank you again for all your prayers. It is getting easier for me to focus and I know that your prayers and helping me to be using this time as God wants me to use it. I would like to ask that you pray that my DTS just gains a complete unity. We still have times where we are ununified and that needs to change. 

Thank you!

In Christ,

Timothy David

Fasting and Prayer: Just The Highlights

Jamaica continues to be an amazing adventure!

This week the teaching was focused on: the Person, of Jesus Christ and His Cross. The guy who taught (his name is Gary) taught with such zeal that it was really impactful. Sure, I've heard almost everything Gary said, but the fact that he delivered the truth with zeal made the truth come alive. It was also good to see the message of the life of Christ and then all that the cross accomplished. Not to even mention the resurrection. It was just packed full of deep theology and I loved it all.

Outreach went well on Tuesday. We came together and shared our strengths and talents so that we can know what we are comfortable with preforming in front of others. Then we spent some time in prayer and worship as well. Then as we went out we bathed the areas where we were going to minister in prayer and praise. We were able to stop and pray for (and with) some in the community. There was this one man who came down from his house to talk to us and he just shared his heart. It reminded me of when I have ministered to the homeless back in the states with my best friend (Daniel). Usually, when we would go out to minister, there was at least one homeless person who would minister to us. It made the ministry a real blessing to everyone involved. But the guy who we talked to in the community here in Jamaica was like that. We talked to him and he shared his love for the community, his testimony, and he prayed with us. It was a real blessing.

Thursday we got the joy of fasting. We spent much time worshiping. It was a time where we got to focus on God's presence and just enjoy Him. Like I have said before, there is a culture of worship here. And I love it. It is something I want to live in everyday.

This past week I have gotten to know the staff and students better. Just general interaction has been growing and there are even times where we feel like brothers and sisters. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better and better.

Now we get to the good stuff: Saturday morning from 12am to 6am. We did an “all night” of prayer. At first I was tired, but as the night progressed I wasn't tired anymore. As the night progressed sins were confessed, and bonds were built as we broke down and opened up. We are starting to decide to always be truthful with each other and to truly have each others' back. I honestly couldn't get enough. After everyone left I went back to the prayer room to just continue to bask in God's presence. One of the staff came in after everyone else had left and when she saw me she was like: “you're still here? You're so...” and I said “I believe you mean 'in love.'” I hope that I learn how to constantly treasure God's presence and live in it all the time. It is the most amazing thing I shall ever experience. I'm looking forward to an eternity filled with it.

Regarding prayer: please pray that I can focus. I miss my family and Karissa. At times it is hard to stop thinking about them. Also pray for my fellow YWAMers. My fellow Jamaican students still need funds for the first part of the school. Not to mention outreach. Pray that God proves faithful and provides. Pray also for unity between the students and the staff. The enemy has come against us many times attacking our unity, so just pray that we watch for that and that God helps us to guard our unity.

Thank you for your prayers!

I cannot wait to see how God continues to move!

In Christ,

Timothy David