Africa 2011 Teaching Trip

Here is a look at the 6-week trip in Africa with my friends Dan Baumann and Chris Chun. God impacted each of us powerfully, and so many students were touched by the love of God. Thank you everybody for praying for the students, the nations and us. I hope the video is a blessing!

Last stop, Cape Town, South Africa

Hello from YWAM Muizenberg, just outside of Cape Town, South Africa.

As our 6-week journey in Africa comes to a close, we have finished with speaking in the DTS here in Muizenberg for a week. Again, I have seen the love of God impact hearts in a profound way. We have nearly 2 weeks here, and we have been able to spend a lot of time with the students outside of class. This group of about 30 has responded to the week by sharing their increased desire to walk with God, to go on outreach and to dream big for their lives.

Personally, I have been refreshed by the beauty of Cape Town. The journey is slowing down as we have a few days to relax before we head on our 28-hour journey back to the states. Though the winds can knock you over at certain times of the day, there is a definite peace over the YWAM base here. Yet in the midst of the few days to relax, along with my friends, we had the joy of diving with sharks yesterday! It is good to have friends in South Africa! Honestly, it was a life changing experience, and I hope to show a video of what I saw to everyone soon!

Overall, our time in Africa has been filled with the love and joy of the LORD. To see students impacted at the heart level by the love of God, to step out in teaching by the grace of God and walk out against fear, and to grow in friendship with Nigerians, Cameroonians, South Africans, and YWAMers from around the world has truly been joy to my heart. Thank you to everyone for your support and countless prayers. Your prayers are such a blessing to me and these nations, and I hope that the testimonies of God's faithfulness in Africa have been a blessing to you.

I am finishing up a video of our time in Africa and look forward to posting it this week! The picture is me and Chris on top of mount Muizenberg enjoying some Biltong, the local beef jerkey. May the love of God bless you today!

Cameroon encounters the love of Jesus

Bonjour from the Cameroonian international airport in Douala!

What an exciting week! Chris, Dan and I all shared on the love of God in DTS this week and spoke on Genesis in another school. We arrived in Cameroon after a 10 hour boat ride from Nigeria on Saturday night. After speaking in a church Sunday morning and night, we headed to YWAM in Cameroon.

As we arrived to the base, we all felt to share on the intimate love of God. There seemed to be a little bit of a heaviness at the beginning of the week, but we all continued to share our testimonies and the love of God. As the week went on, we felt that God's love was truly beginning to impact the students, and Thursday night made it clear. As Dan shared God's delight in His children and the beauty of running to Jesus every day, the students were beginning to be touched powerfully. We prayed at the close of the night, and joy sprang forth from their hearts. Some were shouting with joy to Jesus while others were embracing each other. As Chris led worship, one student named Herman could not contain the love God had revealed to him. He was shouting outside "Jesus!" without a concern of what people thought. Thank you Jesus! Another student said he woke up at 4am the next day and did the same thing! It didn't wake me up, but it was so powerful to see the students being changed by God's love. Praise Jesus I was able to come to Cameroon!

It's time to head to South Africa for the next few weeks. Bless you all!

Here is a look at the first DTS I ever taught to the right.

You're not Alone

The Africa adventure continued this week in Nigeria. After speaking in DTS with my friend Chris for a whole week, it was time to go to a DTS without my friends. Again, fear told me I would have a hrad time traveling in Nigeria and apeaking on my own, but the Lord is faithful.
Upon saying bye to Chris and Dan for a few days, the peace of God was with me that Sunday morning. I was still thinking hard about what to share and how I could "get through the week," but the Lord did not want me to try and just survive. I was reminded that Jesus came that we would have life and have it to the full. My spirit was challenged to either live life to the fullest while I spoke for 3 days, or I could try and survive. I wrestled with the Lord on what to share, but again the love of God became the topic. So I spoke on the love of God again as well as the book of Ephesians.
It went really well, and I can feel the Lord's Spirit leading as I speak. The challenge of speaking alone was answered by God's faithful Presence in my heart. I am now back with my friends Chris and Dan.
Tomorrow morning (at 3 am) we get on a ship for Cameroon. We will speak in DTS and on the nook of Genesis. Thank you for your prayers, and please keep praying! God is Immanuel!