Posted on February 1, 2017.
I just finished my third week here at YWAM Denver. Wow. I was talking with one of my friends here earlier about how long, but how short it’s been. It’s been completely different than what I expected, even though I didn’t walk in with many expectations. I love Colorado, and the mountains, and even the snow (even though it snows way too much). I love my classes and my classmates and my roommates and my small group and my small group leader. The first night was hard, but the next 18 days have been great. This is where I’m supposed to be.
My classes are so in depth and I have already learned so much about God and His character and what He has called me to. I don’t think I’ve ever been someplace that is just so immersed in Jesus and His love. I love it; it terrifies and excites me and makes me want more.
Every Wednesday, there is an optional trip into Downtown Denver for evangelism called Kingdom Night. I went for the first time the other day and LOVED it. Not kidding. We split into groups of three and just walked around the city, talking to and praying for people that we felt God calling us to. But it just broke my heart to see all the hopelessness and sadness and spiritual blindness in the city. One man, Caleb, told us that he had read both the Quran and the Bible and could find no difference between them or in any other major religion, so he had settled on Nordic paganism, and refused prayer. Another homeless man named Curty believes that God doesn’t care about or hear him. He also refused prayer because in the name of God, Christians had screamed at him, telling him he was going to hell, when he refused prayer. Knowing that this behavior is not consistent with the character of God, we walked down the street and then stopped to pray for Curty. Then we met Chris, an older homeless man with the sweetest toothless grin. He immediately let us pray for him, and as soon as we finished, his grin got even wider and he told us how much he needed that and how much better he felt. I prayed that entire night that God would never let me be blind enough to act against His character in His name. God used that night to break my heart for what breaks His, and I want to ask that you would pray for Caleb, Curty, Chris, and the city of Denver.
My outreach phase will be spent in Greece and the Middle East working with refugees. This has been a crisis that my heart has been breaking for and my passion is to help those who are hurting. My teammates and I are so excited for what the Lord is going to do and to experience these cultures and people groups. Please be praying for us as we have already begun preparing for our time spent overseas.
Epithumia is the Greek word for desire, eagerness for, or passionate longing. I just want more of Jesus. I long to be more like Him, to know more of Him, to have more time in His presence. I am passionate about His Word and His people. My experiences and community just make my appetite grow even more. It’s not even a feeling I can explain. I just want a heart of worship and a position of total dependency and a reckless abandon. I want His refreshment and a new spirit and the new names that He has given me. I want a faith in Him like Abraham’s or Paul’s. I want to be transformed. I just want all of Him.
This is my “theme” verse for this season of my life:
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” -Isaiah 55:1