Adapting to YWAM Life

Bright and early, Monday the 9th of July, we started our first lecture week. Our first speaker, Michael Bingham, YWAM Toowoomba's Base Director, spoke to us about the Character and Nature of God. I went into this week expecting to know everything, and not really get anything out of it. Michael's lectures took the head knowledge I already had on who God is, and opened me up to seeing God from a whole new perspective.

Week 2, Hearing the Voice of God, with Sherri Lind, from YWAM Southlands Tasmania. I am still so blown away by everything I learnt during this week. I have been asking for years, "How do I hear God's voice?" only to be told something along the lines of, you will hear a still, small voice, or feel inner peace. Which makes absolutely no sense to anyone who hasn't experienced either of these before. Sherri explained that a majority of the time God speaks to us through a flow of thoughts, this blew my mind. After a few intercession/prayer times, and listening activities in class I have grown in confidence in hearing Gods voice. Discussions with staff and other students have lead me to see God was already speaking through me without me even realizing. When I speak to people, or pray for people, they later tell me that God has been telling them the same things. "I've loved learning how to actually listen to God, knowing that He is always speaking and putting it into practice in everyday life."

Both lecturers talked about learning to ask God the right questions, then actually taking the time to listen for the answer. God has created us for relationship, which means a two way conversation, not just us bringing Him our list, and leaving. Sometimes we think God isn't speaking because He isn't answering our specific questions, instead He just wants to tell us that "He is passionately in love with you, and likes you A LOT!"

Friday afternoons so far have been exploration days, the first week we spent the afternoon in Victor Harbor, and climbing rocks on Granite Island. Friday week 2 was spent exploring Rundle Mall, and the Adelaide Botanical Gardens.

We have been church hopping to the different churches that our leaders attend, so far we have gone to Elizabeth Church of Christ, Playford Uniting Church, and Hope Central Elizabeth.

I am becoming more in love with our God, as I spend time learning about Him, and intentionally listening to Him. I am also loving my YWAM family, and the part that each of them play in this community, unfortunately last night we had to say goodbye to one of the staff, Philipp, as he had finished his 5 month commitment, and flew back to Germany. Although good-byes are sad, it is good to know that the God we serve is always with us, and is the same God no matter where we go, and He has a plan for each of us.

Please be praying:

>as we find out more about, and prepare for outreach to the Philippines.

>as I spend time discovering more about God, I will be open to learning what God is teaching, and ready to apply my newfound knowledge (Hebrew meaning of understanding- that it would be visible in the way you live.) (This weeks lectures, The Father Heart of God.)

Thank-you all for your continued prayer and support, blessings to you all, Hannah.