Photos from Friends

Most of these were taken by John Dickinson

Sunrise

Tramping in the mountains

My friend Ben getting baptized

Me and my friend John having fun outside the super market

The fountains in Christchurch

The pyro guys in Christchurch

Artsy Fartsy

Here's a few photos that I have taken over the course of the school.

Legs Growing???

So one of the most incredible things happened on Friday at lectures. We had this German speaker from Australia come named Boris. He had amazing stories of how God has spoken to him so cleary since he's really committed his life to Christ. He shared a story about how he led a team to Indonesia and his group prayed for so many people there and they were healed. Not just people with headaches and sickness, but people in wheel chairs walked and mute kids began to speak. So I was thinking to myself, "self, I would like to see God heal someone." On Friday morning I really felt this strong sense to pray for my small group girl Julie, the one who has had stomach aches her whole life. She stayed in bed that morning, but I went at break and got her to come for the second half of lectures. During that time Boris asked us to split up into pairs to see if any of us had different lengths for legs. He shared a story about how one day someone prayed for him that his legs would be even and God grew one of his legs. Now a lot of his back problems are fixed because he walks correctly. So to make a long story a little shorter...Julie has had hip and back problems her whole life as well, and one of her legs was about 2 centimeters shorter than the other. With her legs out in front in a position where she couldn't move them, we all watched in wonder as we prayed. Boris simply prayed "Holy spirit we ask you to come with your healing power and make her whole in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth, Amen." Right there in front of our very own eyes her leg grew until the soles of her shoes were perfectly even. She freaked out a bit because she could feel it growing. We were all totally amazed. All of our faith, especially Julie's has been increased. We also prayed for a girl named Lara and the same thing happened to her. Then later on that night I heard that some girls got together at the house and prayed for a few more girls and all their legs grew until they were even. INCREDIBLE!!!! I am expecting big things from God on outreach. I want to see more healings and I want God to use me. All I can say is WOW! God is good!

More Friends

Hey, so I'm so bumbed because I would have heaps more photos, but alas something occured and I accidently deleted all my photos from last week which included all these sweet ones from our baptism, evangelism in Christchurch, and the trip I took down to Wanaka. I'm going to try and get some from friends here, but it might take while. Enjoy these for now!

My next door neighbors new lamb....she's so cute

HOLY COW! I'm goin to India in one week! Get it? holy cow...there are holy cows in India hehehe.

Surfing at New Brighton Beach with my small group girls

Lake Takepo with Mt. Cook in the background

Mel and Me

Friends

Me (I'm dressed in 80's), Nate, Bryce, and Rita

Staff

Tyler, Ryan, Ben, Dave, Reto, Seth, Laura, Joel, Ben, Me, Katy, and Rita

Overlooking the harbor in Christchurch

Carley and Carmen baking at the church we served last week.

The crew that served the Linwood Ave Union Church

Simon, Carmen, Carley, Me, and Toby

A Few Thoughts

Love--This amazing couple named Jay and Erin came two weeks ago to speak about relationships. One thing Erin said that really stood out was that the difference between Jay and the other men she dated was that "loving Jay is synonymous with loving God, and being loved by Jay is the same as being loved by God." It's not that her husband replaces God, but they are so connected with each other because of their total abandoned love for God. Jay said the same thing. In all his other relationships he always kept his relationship with God separate, but when he met Erin they were beautifully intertwined. They have an amazing love story and I was very encouraged by how God was so involved in their entire relationship and how in the end it was all worth their patients. She is going to have a baby in day now. How exciting.

Serving--We had church serving week last week. Me and 4 other students went to Christchurch and served the Linwood Ave Union Church. We stayed with some sweet Grandparents from the church who fed us well and provided huge warm beds. We spent our time going door to door and asking people to do a community survey. It was stretching for some of the students who aren't comfortable talking with strangers. It was stretching for me to keep them motivated. It was a really traditional church, but it was cool to share a week with a part of the Body of Christ that is so different from our experience here at the base. I should put up so pictures soon.

Life and Death--I have also been thinking a lot about how we only have one life to live and that life is now. We are so finite and nothing is certain. I want to live each day like it might be my last and yet plan for the future. This week I have had my capacity for dreams and visions expanded and I'm so excited to know God more and learn more about His purpose for me. We have an awesome speaker named Mark Parker and he is teaching on Lordship. He is challenging and inspiring me to want even more. In the lyrics of United, "There must more than this..."