Pictures

Hi everybody! I wanted to show you all some long overdue pictures. Africa is in only 9 days, and I'm feeling a lot better about it now than I was a couple days ago. I was in a total panic the other day, and was really dreading the trip. God's put some incredible people on my team though and I am doing much better now. I think other than one or two little things I have everything I need to leave now. This past weeks classes have been on Relationships. One thing that really stood out to me that our speaker said was " Two halves don't make a whole in a relationship, you need to be a whole first." I thought that that was pretty interesting. This coming week we only have three days of classes and then 2 days of outreach prep stuff. I think that somebody who's been to that aread quite a bit will be coming and talking to us about the culture and things like that. I'm really excited about that. I think that we'll also be working on some dramas and stuff during those two days. That's all I really have to say, I hope you enjoy the pictures! Please remember to pray for me and my team!
Love you! Lauren

16 More Days!!

Hi all, I just wanted to give you all a little update. God really is the greatest thing ever! A member of our team (Matt R.) only had 800 dollars of his tution fee on monday and the staff said that if he didn't come up with the remaning 2200 by friday he would have to go home, but God is such a great provider and he managed to get the money by friday! Yay! I'm so glad he didn't have to leave, it just wouldn't be right if someone from our team wasn't able to stay. So Matt's staying but he still doesn't have his outreach money ($ 3,400) I would really really appreciate it if you could pray for this situation. We can't let Matt go home!! We are counting down till Africa, only 16 sleeps guys! I'll admit it, I'm kinda freaking out here. I dont' really feel prepared but I know that it's not in my hands, it's in God's. Our team dynamics are really great though and I couldn't have asked for a better 'family' to be with during this time. For the past two weeks our speakers have been talking about following your dreams and stuff like that. There messages really challenged me and I realized that it's only me who's standing in the way of accomplishing them. After these past two weeks I feel very empowered in my faith!
i love you and miss you all like crazy!
Lauren :)

San Fran/Modesto

Hi guys! I'm in Modesto at the moment. We just got back from having a BBQ for the homeless people in the community. It was a really great experience. My favorite memory was when we were praying at the end and this little girl, Antoinette, prayed and thanked God that there was people who came and played with her today. It was such a sweet and sincere prayer. Up until we left for the BBQ we were busy planiting a community garden on the church property. The vegetables they get from it will go out to the people on the streets to help feed them. It's such a great idea I think! San Francisco was pretty crazy. The base we stayed at is right in the heart of the ghetto. There's a ton of honmeless people that sleep on the street right in front of the building. The smells were sometimes overwhelming! One of the nights we were there a couple of us joined the prostitute ministry. We had a prayer walk and handed out hot chocolate to the prostitutes there. One of the first people we met was this homeless man who was asking for money to buy a small coffee. We didn't have any money so we gave him some of our hot chocolate. It was so sad because he only had one shoe. God really overtook for me and completley eliminated all fear I had going into this. My heart really breaks for these people and it hurts me to know all the stigmas that are attached to being homeless. The people i met are some of the nicest and politest people I have ever met. It was incredible!

Update

Hello hello! I just wanted to give you all a little update of my time in California. This past weeks classes have truly been amazing. We learned about what it really lookes like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. My favorite part of this week was when we got to take an hour and go by ourselves and ask God what cross He was asking us to pick up and carry. The next day we met and prayed for one another regarding that issue. It was so great to be able to corprately pray for each other. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will be traveling to San Francisco to join up with the YWAM base there. We will be taking classes with the DTS group that is there for a week and will be joining them for some ministry opportunities. The ministry I will be working with is the prostitute ministry. I would really appreciate prayer for myself during that time as it will most likely be very challenging. From San Francisco we will be going to the YWAM base in Modesto and spending the weekend there. I think we will be doing mostly homeless ministry type things there. I'm really looking forward it! I found out on friday that we are for sure going to be leaving for Africa on April 3rd and returing to California on May31st. Our flights will be from San Louis Obispo to Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to Zurich, Switerland, and finally to Nairobi, Kenya. It will be a very packed day of traveling! I'm getting so excited about going now, it's starting to actually sink in that I'M GOING TO AFRICA!!!! Everyday I start to feel God's presence more and more, this really is an amazing time. I've started to seek God's plan for me after DTS, it's confusing but very exciting. It's such an amazing feeling to give your plans over to God. I know that my future is completly secure as long as I'm trusting in Him. Continue to keep me in your prayers, I love you all!