Justice Waiting

Cathedral Cove (set of Narnia!)

Wow. I am so sorry! I can't believe a month has come and gone since my last update. The time has flown so quickly. There is so much to update on... I can't fit a whole month of life into one measly blog post- class, adventures, everything. Guess it's my own fault. The lecture phase of my DTS is now complete! In only 4 days I will move on to the outreach phase.... which means CAMBODIA.

The last month of classes was amazing. We had so many amazing speakers come to spend a week at a time with us- a New Zealander, a Samoan, an American, and a Brit. Each new speaker we had, I thought they couldn't possibly compete with the last, but each teacher was just so WONDERFUL! The last few weeks of lecture phase were so exciting- each one went by in the blink of an eye. And people say school is boring! Try coming to a discipleship training school.

Just the other day we had a short debriefing session to sum up and bring a close to this three month lecture phase. (I still can't believe it's been three months. What?!) We shared two things we were thankful for from our time here.
Two things I am most thankful for:

Family! This is everybody :)

1) The fantastic family I've gained in being here. I am so grateful for each individual person, staff and student. They are all so special to me. Over ten nations are represented among us, and each person was brought here by God for a specific purpose and reason. We are the greatest family- and it is one that has a special place in my heart. I will never forget these people.
2) The amazing way that God has encountered me here. God has been revealing Himself to me in a huge way daily, and He is more real to me now than ever. I wish I could adequately express my gratitude for this. We are children of such a loving Father- One who waits patiently on us to return to Him and then greets us with compassion. He's done just this with me. For a long time before coming here, I tried to do my own thing; relying on my own strength to get through every day. I ignored the most gracious being, who wanted all along to carry me instead. As soon as I came back to Him and sought to know Him, He enveloped me in love and kindness- it was something I can only explain as running into the arms of someone who has been waiting to hug you for a very, very long time.

As this phase of Discipleship Training School came to a close, there were a few tears, and I expect there to be many more as our teams head out on separate outreaches to Cambodia, the Philippines, Bali & Indonesia, and Vanuatu. The Compassion team heads to Vanuatu late tonight- they are the first to go and it's such a bittersweet goodbye, as I know each will be. We'll be praying for the five students and their leader Jared as they travel and spread the love and compassion of Jesus to this island nation.

Family. My fellow Justice DTS students and staff!
(From left to right: Mitch, Emma, Seth, Larissa, Austin
Brittany [staff], Andrew [staff], ME, Michael, Jada, Derek,
Melanie, and Dan!) 

My team, the Justice team, leaves for Cambodia on Thursday. I have 5 days left to get the rest of the needed items for outreach and pack my things! As far as money is concerned, the Lord has been SO good to me. He's provided so faithfully. I am still trusting Him for 700 dollars, but I have no doubt that it will come.

This last week will be spent in our individual teams preparing for outreach; getting ready for the amazing adventures that lay ahead. While in Cambodia, we'll be staying at the YWAM base in Phnom Penh and working with multiple different ministries in the city and surrounding areas. Among others, we will spend a little time with Agape International Missions- a ministry founded by Don Brewster that fights sex trafficking in Cambodia. (http://agapewebsite.org/) and Daughters of Cambodia- an organization that teaches girls and women skills for a better life after being rescued from sex trafficking and prostitution (daughtersofcambodia.org).

The two months that are ahead of me are exciting and unknown- but God is going to do amazing things. I know it. I am so excited to get to Cambodia. Praise the Lord for this amazing opportunity to share some of the love He gives me. :)

Thank you so much to any and everyone who reads my blog, keeps up with my Facebook, sends messages, or has supported me on this journey! I can't tell you how grateful I am for my family, friends, and loved ones who have been with me every step of this amazing adventure. This time has changed me and shaped me into who I will be the rest of my life. Thank you thank you thank you.

If you would like to support me in my outreach to Cambodia, please let me know! I am still in need of $700 for outreach fees. If you would like, you can make a donation here through Paypal on my blog. You can also go to www.mrmdts.org/online-payments/ and select Donate to a Student/Staff and then fill out the form with my name, yours, and how much you'd like to give! If you want to contact me personally, you can email or message me on Facebook up until October 4th. :)

Lots of Love from New Zealand,
Holly