I am so so so sorry it has taken me this long so far to get this blog post together.
I feel like since being home it has been go go go. I went on a Christian camp at Keswick and sadly re sprained my ankle! I have been battling with this and just trying to get better from it. I had just got a job working back at Asante but the physiotherapist has told me I can't work yet! I have just come back from my Church Sozo Ministires Youth camp after going and helping them this year. We had an amazing time of unity and fun in God's presence. I have been really blessed since being home but feeling like I need to start looking ahead and preparing to go back to the Philippines, either end of September or beginning of October.
So I wanted just to share with you some of the things I get up to on a day to day basis and why I am so passionate about staffing at Ywam Naga! I have spent about 3 months at the base and will be going back this time for a commitment of 2 years! (Although coming home for visits!) I am so excited to join them and to get stuck into the ministries already being run and to carry on going to my church over there.
One of our big outreaches and ministries we run at base is with the Azacena slum children and youth. We go there 5 days a week with a nutrient drink/shake we make and go house to house and give them! We also have them all over every Saturday where I help lead worship, pray with them all and often run the Youths Bible Study! We also give them a cooked meal every Saturday! This costs $80 per month and we get a donation of $20 per month. I would love to be able to give more to this ministry by providing more money towards their cooked meal! I would also love to be able to buy them more clean, non stained, non damaged clothes to wear.
At the base each week we do a lot together and have a lot of meetings. We meet about the Azucena program we run like I mentioned about every Friday. We also have each week a Bible Study, Worship time, Intercession, Prayer walks, Cleaning days, Devotions, Project meetings... and so much more! We all have jobs every day we have to complete at the base! One of my jobs which I have to do daily is clean out the drains and unblock them so water can flow through our base and we can get rid of the water!
Every Thursday evening we have what we call, "Family Night" where all the staff have a meal together and we invite some of the youth we are working with. This is a time we all come together and eat, have a time of worship, games and good fellowship. Each week is themed and has a big fun factor in it. We have had puzzle nights, paint a pot, English night, tie dye night! This all costs money to do and to decorate! This money comes from Amanda, (the only other white person at base) and me. We try and make it really special and fun.
I love the Church I attended and I'm really looking forward to getting more involved with! It takes up to 1 hour to get there and costs a bit of money to get there each time. We meet once a week in the evening for a time of worship, word and games. I often help lead this time and love getting stuck in. After the Sunday service I also help with the fellowship we have all afternoon. I help with worship, word and games once again and also help cook a lunch meal! I also love meeting up the the youth in town and in our free time. I love worshiping with them and encouraging them. I often take them out for a drink and pray with them also.
I love spending time with the missionaries children! I would like to give some of them singing lessons and teach them the guitar as they are all so gifted but don't have anyone encouraging or helping them. I love spending time with them and treating them to ice cream every now and then and buying them new clothes or taking them out for a drink!
I want to be able to spend more time with them and be more of a big sister to them. Amanda is the only other white person I know in the area. She is American. We share a room together. I am really blessed to have her there and to work with her. She has started a girls group meeting where girls in their youth can meet. She wanted to disciple them and to encourage them in their relationship with the Lord. I love going and helping her in what ever way I can!
Food is all provided for while I am at the base! We all help with different meals and cooking for everyone which is always fun. My food and housing every month is £80.00! This may seem reasonable compared to anywhere in England but with everything else it all adds up! Money is the biggest battle we have at Ywam Naga! A lot of the staff struggle to get funds for their housing money!!!!! I need money for Ministry things like when I want to treat someone to a drink and pray with them or if we buy snacks and food for events... Often I like to buy them new clothes and food! I also would love to give money towards others housing and food and their own personal needs! I will be sending an Email/Blog soon with a break down of all the money I need each month! I will then also explain how to give and ways of giving. I am leaving hopefully the end of September or beginning of October to start missionary work back at the Naga base in the Philippines! Thank you for your support and please be praying.
Pray for: My ankle and that I would be back to being able to stand up for more than an hour.
For finances to come in!
For me to have a peace about what to bring out with me.
For good health.
Hugs from
-Hatty