Our Team!

Glimpses of our ministry in Asia

Building Friendships

Volunteering at Ophanages

Christmas Parties

Where to start? Whew. So much has happened in the last couple of months since my two co-leaders and I lead a team of fifteen students to Ch!n@. The past week has been emotionally up and down from an overwhelming thankfulness of all that God did in and through our team in Asia, to saying goodbye to our "kids" after they graduated from their DTS. After walking through life with them so closely the last six months, it is not the easiest to say goodbye. Yet, I am extremely thankful for all that God has done within their lives and what He is calling each of them to do.

From the start, our abnormally large team has had quite the adventure! During lecture phase, God told us that it wasn't an accident we were such a big team, and that through us He was going to do big things in Asia. :) How exciting is that?? It is such an honor join God with what He is doing in the nations! It is one of my favorite things.

You may be wondering what we did there. Our main ministry was friendship evangelism with university students, where we would split up into small groups and make friends with the students, looking for opportunities to share our faith and love for Jesus. We were able to build many friendships, and share the gospel with many people through our big team! Something I loved about this area of ministry we focused on, was the way God went before us and continued to bring us person after person at just the right timing in their life because of their hunger for truth. He has perfect timing :) As a team, we loved coming home in the evenings and sharing with each other the stories of what God did daily-it was awesome!

Other areas of ministry we focused on were: connecting with churches already there, and helping them with their outreach opportunies such as Bible studies and English Corners; along with creating and running several weeks of "VBS" for some of the kids that were near us (this is a rare opportunity); and volunteering at orphanages on the weekend.

Since we were there during Christmas time, we helped with a lot of Christmas parties and were able to share the gospel many times with skits and friendships made there. One example of how God worked through us was at our first Christmas party. We were asked shortly before to perform a skit...so we scrambled to get ideas together asking Him to shine through us. We ended up acting out the birth of Jesus and used random scarves as sheep ears and shepherd head wraps, and singing several Christmas songs. To us, it didn't seem to be anything special-but later we found out twenty people accepted Jesus as their savior! So exciting! And that is just one story of God doing amazing things.

As a team, we were reminded again and again it wasn't through our planning, ideas, words, actions, ability, or wisdom that won people to Jesus... we are not anything special! But God taught us that when we are willing, He can work powerfully through ordinary people to bring Him glory. Many times it was the moments we least expected people to be interested in the gospel that God showed us His power. Because of this, we continued to learn how important intercession and prayer is in life! God moves to the sound of our voice... We started to see the power of this along with worship in a much deeper level while is Asia. Which has helped grow our faith in our personal lives as well. I know for me, I don't want to start my day without His spirit empowering me-I don't want walk in my own strength in what He is calling me to do! I was shown again and again how dependant I am on Him, and the difference prayer and God's presence makes in every area of my daily life.

I am so proud of my team! And wish you could hear all the stories of what God did and how He grew/changed each person on our team. Yes, we faced challenges. Yes, we had bumps as a team like any outreach does...but God proved Himself faithful again and again and we came back excited and thankful :) He is moving in the nations, and I am so thankful I got to see a piece of it while in Asia.

Now you may be wondering what I am doing next? :) :) As my commitment is coming to an end at YWAM Maui, I feel the Lord is leading me to serve at YWAM Kona for a season. (Another island in Hawaii). I am not sure for how long, nor do I know all the plans He has for me there, but I will finish my time at YWAM Maui in April and fly to this sister YWAM He is directing me to. This decision has come through a lot of time, prayer, and seeking of confirmation. It takes a lot of trust in moving from one place to another when all I have is His direction and my small faith, but I am growing more and more excited! And I know that I can trust in the goodness of my Father that He has proven to me over and over again-that He has good plans for me, and will take care of all my needs. And from the continual revelation of His love for me, I can't help but live my life for Him...wherever He takes me, I will follow.

Thanks for reading! I will post my new address soon that will change starting in April. :)

Also, thankYOU for your support with prayer and finances in my life! Know that you helped send out my team to Asia-you helped change lives :) I will keep you updated with my needs in the future as I continue with YWAM. I appreciate you, and want you know that you are an answer to prayer for what God calls me to do.

~Violett