Bhutan

     I have a question for you. Have you heard of the country of Bhutan? I hadn't. Bhutan is a small country located just south of China. I have never been there, but it is an absolutely beautiful country. Totally gorgeous. But it is also very limited to tourists. They want to keep their country pure, so in order to visit the country, you have to pay a hefty fee. You can only enter Bhutan on their airline. The country is ruled by King Jigme Wangchuck, who is married to his lovely wife, a former commoner, named Jetsun. King Jigme's father had five or six wives, but King Jigme said that Jetsun is his one and only. However, they have been married for several years and have yet to have a child. Pressure is on him to marry again. Since the kingdom is predominately Buddhist, it is completely acceptable.
     The people of Bhutan adore their king. He is their father. Really, should they come to know the Lord, understanding the Father-heart of God would be so easy for them, because that is already how they see their earthly king.
     Bhutan is also the nation that we here at YWAM Madison have been praying for for twenty years. Each Tuesday and Thursday, at the DTS, we split into small groups and intercede -stand in the gap- for the country of Bhutan.
     Intercession. When I first came here, I didn't really know what intercession was. But it is really so simple! Intercession is prayer- prayer where you wait on God to tell you what to pray into. So we sit together and ask God what He would like us to pray for Bhutan. We are in Spiritual Warfare week here at the DTS, so today we were just talking about the power of prayer. Prayer is powerful, guys.
     And I would like to encourage you all to pray for this small, easily forgotten and overlooked country. This is something that we got in intercession this morning, as well as last week -that we need to raise awareness for this country. Tell people about it. I had never heard of it before last summer. I'm sure many people have never really heard of Bhutan.
     Here are some of the other prayer points that we have received from God over the past month or so of praying for this country.
     -The queen WILL have a baby
     -Pray that they love their King the same way that they love their king.
     -It may look hopeless, but God is the ultimate authority and power. Do not give up hope!
     -Unity for the Christians who are there
     -Supporting them in prayer. Radical prayer.
     So I encourage you to take time out of your day. Pray for this small, unknown country. Stand in the gap for them. Plead for them. Speak on behalf of them.
     I love intercession :)
     Blessings,
          Katie

                                                  Here are some pictures of Bhutan

The king and queen of Bhutan

The Bhutan flag

The Love Story

     "God wrote, 'I love you' -he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote his message everywhere! Because God created everything in his world to reflect him like a mirror- to show us what he is like, to help us know him, to make our hearts sing... ....And God put it into words, too, and wrote it in a book called 'The Bible.'" (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 12).
     Last Saturday, I stopped by the Family Christian Bookstore and bought something that I have wanted for awhile. It is an incredible book. I absolutely love it. I read it every morning during my quiet time, and I am always amazed by the time I finish reading. Even though I have read all the stories before, this book helps me see them in a different light.
     You see, I bought the Jesus Storybook Bible. Yes, the age on the back of the book is 4+. But guys... this Bible is amazing! I run a preschool and I do use it there, but I did not buy it for the kids. I bought it for myself.
     This Bible is written in a way that shows how the Bible is truly a love story. It continuously goes back to God and His love for us. For His desire for relationship with us. It shows hope and it shows who God truly is- a good, good Father.
     Just the introduction thrills me "Now some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do... Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes... No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne -everything- to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!" (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 14,15,17).
     Isn't that an incredible description of what the Bible is?! Because it's true. It is a story of God seeking after His lost treasure. That's what we are to Him, you know. Precious treasures. How cool is that?!
     When God created Adam and Eve, this is how The Jesus Storybook Bible describes it: "And when God saw them, he was like a new dad. 'You look like me,' he said. 'You're the most beautiful thing I've ever made!' God loved them with all of his heart. And they were lovely because he loved them... God loved his children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them." (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 26,27).
     God loves us. This was a major thing that I learned last year during DTS. That God loves me. I mean, I knew that. I have been taught that my whole life. But it really wasn't something I believed fully. It was head knowledge, not heart knowledge. Over the past year, God has really shown me that He really does love me so so much. He has helped me transition from knowing that with my head to knowing that with my heart. And it still amazes me, every day! I am God's beloved, precious daughter! Its so incredibly amazing, so wonderful, so indescribably awesome!
     So if you want to go back to the roots of what the Bible is, and who God is, try reading this child's Bible. Because it truly reminds me in every story about God's love for us.
     It was the best $17.92 I have ever spent!
     Blessings,
          Katie

It Matters

     This just made me happy, so I am going to share it with you all.

     The Facebook status of the mom of one of my preschoolers: "From the backseat Silas asks if I know what omnipresent means... Later he asked if I knew what a Pine-don was... he meant PYTHON. Preschool knowledge is bubblin' out!"

     What I do makes a difference!

     Blessings,

          Katie

You Are Welcome Here

     I can't believe that five weeks of preschool have passed. That's crazy sauce! How did that even happen?! Wasn't I just spending time painting the room and praying and praying and praying that God would provide everything I needed?! Wasn't it just the other day that I picked up the furniture and set up the room in preparation for the start of preschool?
     Yesterday was a good day. I arrived at my classroom about an hour early, as usual. I sat Micah down to eat his lunch (I bring him with me, and bring him home after), and I got everything ready for class. Then I sat down on the carpet and began to do a kid puzzle. And I was singing the song "Holy Spirit" by Francesca Battistelli, without really realizing it.
     "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God is what my heart longs for. To be overcome by your presence, Lord!"
     Once I realized what I was singing, I began to sing it as a prayer over the classroom. I always try to pray before the kids come (and during, of course!) and I thought that this song was a very good prayer to have!
     I know that God is always with me throughout the preschool -and life, obviously. But yesterday's class just felt like it had God's hand all over it. After the children arrived -I only have four of my usual children, since one was sick, one was visiting grandparents, and one just wasn't there, but the nine year old brother of one child joined us for the second day in a row- we sat down for circle (or, as the kids always say, "No, it's not circle, it's OVAL!" because we don't sit in a perfect circle. I love them!). I talked to them about the big O words -Omniscient, Omnipresent, etc. I asked them if they could guess what each meant, knowing they wouldn't know, and then explained what it meant and how God was like that. One moment that cracked me up was when I asked what they thought omnipresent means, and Micah was like "It means that Santa is going to come and bring us presents!"
     After this, I read the Bible story of the plagues. After, I grabbed a cup of water and put it in the middle of the carpet. "Who can change this into blood?" I asked. One child raised his hand. "Okay, Silas! Turn it into blood!" I said. He looked at me, "I... I don't know how."
     I did this with a few other things, telling them to make frogs appear, and grasshoppers, etc. They thought it was hilarious, but they also realized how they cannot do it, but God can.
     It was a good day :) Plus I got cuddles from Franz, so that just was the icing on the cake!

     Preschool, though, is not the only thing I do here in Madison! Here are a couple pictures from my last couple of weeks here!

Sunset out at the TC, where I live

Our first Love Feast of the DTS! Each school, we have three 'Love Feasts'. Basically we dress up and eat together. We have a Thanksgiving Love Feast, a Christmas one, and then this one- a Passover Love Feast. We staff served dinner and dessert to the students, and then after dinner, we had different people sing and recite poetry focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice.

     So yeah, that's just a small glimpse into my life right now! Its busy but fun and I love every moment of it! 

     I did dream the other night that I was home and it was quite lovely being back. I can't wait to see you all when I come home for a visit!

     Blessings,

          Katie

Thanksgiving is Here (even if Americans don't think so)!

     Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Here I am, my second thanksgiving away from home. I'm sad to be missing the holiday with y'all! I miss you guys :)
     But even though I am in America, where they weirdly have Thanksgiving at the end of November (I know, what even is that?!), I can still be thankful! So here is just a few of the things that I am thankful for!
    I am thankful for my YWAM family here in Madison. The people here -the ones I knew before coming back to staff and the ones I have met since then- are absolutely amazing. We have a great community here, and I am blessed to be a part of it. I know that some of the friends I have made here will be lifelong friends, and I am so thankful that God has called me to this place, even if it is only for a short season.
     I am thankful for my family back home- don't think that I have forgotten about you! I love and miss you all! I really have been blessed by my family. You are supportive of my work, because you know that even though I am far away, I am doing what God has called me to do.
     I am thankful for my friends. I really have some terrific friends and I am so glad that I know you! I really love my friends, both here in Madison and back home :)
     I am thankful for my preschoolers. They are a great bunch. I love them. They are so cute and while it is my job to minister to them, they also minister to me (without even realizing it). I'm so glad that I listened to God and accepted the challenge of starting this preschool!
     I am thankful for God's provision. I have so much. I have a bed to sleep in, inside. I have more than enough food. I have so much, and I truly have been blessed.
     I am thankful for my car. Without my car, I wouldn't be able to live out at the TC. I wouldn't be able to do so much of what I do here, and so having my car is a huge blessing!
     I am thankful for creativity. This is something that I've really been thinking about a lot lately. So many people here are artistic, and it is awesome to see them reflect God through this -cause God is creative, and He made us like Him! I think that creativity is something God has placed in all of us, because I believe it is close to His heart. Even those of us who are not very artistic (cough, me!) can be creative and it blesses and delights God when we do! I tend to be creative through colouring, cross stitch, and writing, but that's just me :)
     I am thankful for Canada. Living away from Canada, as a Canadian, I really learn to appreciate my country. We have Timmies and beautiful landscapes, and we have people who use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit (trust me, that is something that is a continual challenge!). Canada has Swedish berries and fuzzy peaches and real Smarties. We have All Dressed chips and Frnech Vanilla cream that doesn't taste like sour milk. Canada has a lot that America does not have, and I miss it! In all seriousness, I love Canada.
     I am thankful for babies. Need I say more???!
     Most of all, I am thankful for God and my relationship with Him. He is so committed to me. He loves me so much. He is my God, my Father, my best friend. I can talk to Him about anything. I can ask Him hard questions and He won't be offended. Nothing I do or don't do can ever affect His love for me. He is the God of the universe, yet He wants a relationship with me. I have grown so much in my relationship with Him in this past year, and I am so thankful for that. And I'm thankful that I won't stay in this place, either, but that I will continue to grow in relationship with God, and that He will continue to take me deeper and deeper in intimacy with Him.
     God is amazing, guys! Relationship with Him is the absolute best! He isn't some distant God, He is right here with us! You can talk to Him and He talks back! The creator of the universe, the King of Kings, speaks to us and seeks relationship with us and delights in us. Its truly amazing. You should check out this video we watched in class today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgzXXKjaPZA).
     So yeah, that is just a few things that I am thankful... I could go on and on, but I know you all have lives to live apart from reading this blog :)
     I love you all! And I'm thankful for each and every one of you, even if I don't know you that well. Thank you for caring about what I am doing, and for supporting me through prayer :)
     Blessings,
          Katie

Champion Young People

     I don't know how much you know about YWAM. Before last year, when I joined this organization, I didn't know much. I had heard the name, and that was about it. I had no idea what a DTS was, even though I had signed up to do one. Trust me, it was NOTHING like what I expected!
     Youth With a Mission is a global organization started in the 1960s by Loren Cunningham. He had a vision of young people coming over the land like waves. The organization started small, but it multiplied and now has over 18,000 full time workers all over the world. One of the cool things about YWAM is that no one gets paid. No one. Not a single YWAM worker has a salary -unless you call what God provides their salary! All workers raise support from people they know. God provides the funds necessary not only for everyday living, but also for travel and outreaches across the world! Because no one gets paid, it helps keep everyone on equal level. Take YWAM Madison, for example. We were started by a couple named Warren and Gayle Keapproth. But they don't have a special position above everyone else. They have been found doing things that we all do -cleaning toilets. Just the other day, Warren drove the school bus full of DTS students- he was the bus driver.
     YWAM as an organization has what we call the foundational values. These are just things that we value and strive to honour. This includes 'value the individual', 'exhibit servant leadership', 'be visionary', and 'Make God known'. There are a total of eighteen foundational values. One that really is close to my heart as I am pioneering this preschool is 'Champion young people'.
     The first step of YWAM is to take a DTS, or Discipleship Training School. In order to join staff, you must do a DTS. It doesn't matter how old you are, or what your experiences are, you must do a DTS to staff with YWAM. This is one very big way that we as an organization champion young people. It is a time to learn about God and to grow in relationship with Him. And that is what you need to do before you can go and tell others about Him! How can you tell people about someone you don't know very well. So whether it is through a DTS or just growing in relationship with Him in other ways, it is so important to know who God is personally before you try to teach others about Him.
     But what if we can start younger? DTS is for people who had graduated high school, who are at least eighteen years old. But what about those who aren't old enough for DTS yet? Like our four and five year old children?
     That is where this preschool comes in. For two hours a day, three days a week, I have the honour of ministering to these young children. I get to partner with God in championing them! Six of the seven kids in the preschool are YWAM kids, so they know who God is. But hearing and learning about Him from someone other than their parents is really good. And then there is the child who is not from the YWAM community. He will get to know God in a whole new way!
     So in this, in investing in our children, we are really living out the foundational value of "champion young people". And this is not the only way. I am the teacher of preschool. On Tuesdays and Fridays, I am alone teaching the seven kids -apart from about twenty minutes on Tuesdays when a YWAMer named Lucy comes and does music with us. But on Thursdays, I have a helper. Her name is Judah.
     Judah is eleven years old. Her little sister is in the preschool. Back in the summer, before I ever got to Madison, Greg Ruhland (the guy who's passion it was to start a preschool here, and my main backing for it) was talking about the preschool at staff meeting. He was letting people know that it was actually going to happen, that I was going to come and start it. Well, Judah was at that meeting. Afterwards, she told her father "Dad, I want to help. I feel like God wants me to help with this preschool."
     And so she is. She is a great girl, and she is a help! Yet at the same time, she is also learning and growing.
     One of the boys in my class has two older sisters. They are eight and six. Very sweet girls. I went to their house for dinner one day before preschool began, and they really latched onto me. So when they hear Justin talking about preschool and how much he loves it, they want to go. Their mom told me that if I ever need help, they would love to come and be my "special helpers". However, they are very young, especially six year old Bri. She is just a year older than some of my kids. So even though I would love to give them an opportunity to hang out for a day, I didn't think it was possible.
     And then I found out that this past Thursday, I would only have five children at preschool -two would be away. So I felt that God's heart was for me to invite Abi and Bri to join us. And they did! We had lots of fun!
     The preschool is for four and five year old children, but I really feel that God's heart for it is to champion young people of all ages. So I know that whenever possible, if I have an older child who would like to help out or come for a day, I won't say no. I want this preschool to be open to all children, even though practically speaking I can only have the seven that are enrolled.
     I have such an amazing job, guys. Each day I wake up in a building full of young adults who are eager to learn more about God, to worship Him and grow in relationship with Him. And I get to do that with them! But at the same time, I get to go and spend time with the children and teach them about God! I get to minister to the young children and help God to champion them! It is such an awesome life that I live!
     Blessings,
          Katie

Judah reading to a couple of the children