Tonight I feel very human

Do you hear it? His childrenare desperate. Desperately seeking His face. Desperate hands shaking. They hardly notice the meals they’ve missed; their eyes are focused heavenward. Can you feel it? A presence so heavy no demon can survive. Cries from the nations, for the nations arise from the very depths of every soul. Tingling begins at the toes and creeps up farther and farther until the can no longer stand. Yes, we are in the holy place. Do you know? These are the voices of a generation, and they WILL NOT be silenced. Chains cannot keep down their spirits, nor can pain keep them from praising. Do you see it? They are dancing for an invisible presence. Undignified but they hardly care. They would dance on the streets of Times Square if it would further His name. The annointing comes and they respond. They are transparent and impossible to insult; they hide nothing. Not ahsamed of their declaration they pick up their crosses daily and follow wherever He may go. “I will go,” is their response to any mission. Nothing is too hard. Their lives are not “safe”. Their desires are not ordinary. Fully submitted, their priorities do not resemble those of the world in the slightest. And this is not a one night stand. No emotional appeal. These are their lives. Will they conquer? They will. They are more than conquerers for their strength and sustenance is Christ. They are dead, yes. Dead to sin; dead to desire. But alive they are also. Alive in grace. Free to make a difference. Wholly and completely free.

tofu and jazz

Tonight some friends and I went to The Moon Café to listen to a jazz funk band. I wore my skinny jeans and my grandma’s blouse. Upon first glimpse of the café I fell in love. The chairs were every color, shape, and size. Behind the stage area was a wall covered in a multimedia collage. When I discovered they served veggie burgers I knew I had come home. I left there tonight feeling quite possibly over satisfied for quite possibly the first time since arriving in
Perth. Oats and brown sugar are great, don’t get me wrong, but I do love vegan food.

 

Plans for the rest of my trip are beginning to take form. It looks like I will be spending another nine weeks in
Perth working a good bit with Impact World Tour (www.impactworldtour.com.au). Next on the agenda is a plane ride to Hong Kong, followed by a train ride through China into
Mongolia. There my team will be spending six to eight weeks working with churches, visiting families, and sharing the gospel with anyone who cares to listen. Both of the leaders of the group are photographers so it should be a great trip.

 

Several students from last quarter have been coming in over the weekend. I feel a little out of place among the reunions between those who stayed on base and those who were out on outreach. Lots of introductions have been made, but I’m still lost in this sea of old friends of the base who are all strangers to me.

 

Working at Kaio was entertaining this afternoon. I used the grill to make hash browns and cinnamon apples. The playlist for the afternoon consisted of Snow Patrol, Death Cab for Cutie, U2, The Album Leaf, Jeff Buckley, Xavier Rudd, Jump! Little Children, and Royksopp. In the three hours I worked I made three cookies ‘n’ cream thick shakes and one chai tea. I also finished my weekly journal, wrote my book report, and had several deep conversations. Call it a successful afternoon; I would agree.

 

When I can find my journal I’ll post something I wrote earlier this week. For now I hope everyone is doing really well, and as I promise continually I will try to post with a greater frequency.

 

Blessings me friends

A Heart for His Children

My journal is over halfway full. Over sixty pages of thoughts, prayers, notes, and simple streams of conscience. Overwhelming amounts of insight, wisdom, and opportunities for growth have come pouring in over the last weeks. I just keep coming back to God thanking Him for putting me in such an amazing place. Several people I’ve known for a mere month feel like life-long friends. Several stories from the last week or so seem to embody life here, and so I thought I would share them with you.

Michelle is probably the person I am closest to on base. There was an instant God-sent connection between us and I am so thankful for her presence on base. Friday night I came into her room sometime after midnight. We sprawled on her bed and talked until we both apparently drifted off to sleep. Morning found us both still sleeping soundly on a ridiculously small top bunk.

Kaio, the coffee shop I work at in Perth, is surrounded by clubs, bars, brothels, and Chinese restaurants. On Saturday evening we had a big event with thick shake and food specials and live music. Even though I wasn’t on schedule to work I showed up that evening fully expecting to help out. At about 8 o’clock the place got pretty crowded and as predicted I jumped into the back to lend a hand. By about 11 o’clock some of the crowd had dwindled, but we still had plenty of people hanging out and talking. A girl, most likely in her late twenties, stumbled in the front door. Her top was skimpier than any bikini I’ve worn, her pants looked three sizes too tight, and it was a miracle she could walk considering the height of her heels. Grabbing my arm, she asked if we served soy hot chocolate. Luckily there was just enough soy milk to make her drink, and we had a short conversation while I prepared it for her. There was a sadness in her that broke my heart. It was difficult watching her leave; I wanted so badly to hold her back and try to convince her to stay safe in Kaio for the evening. Maybe I should have. Hopefully she will come back some time.

In class this week Richard Jones was speaking on the Father heart of God. I have heard many teachings on this subject, but I always love to hear more. A Place for the Heart, in North Carolina, emphasizes God’s Father heart. Listening to these teachings always makes me grateful for my amazing daddy. I don’t have so much of the baggage others have from fathers who never pointed them towards God. It is an incredible blessing. I still feel like I learned so much about the Father this week: how He looks at me, misconceptions and doubts I’ve directed towards Him in the past, and just how infinite His love is for His children.

There is a fresh fruit market in a suburb outside of Perth called Subiaco. It is easily accessed via the rapid transit line here and has become my favorite weekend excursion. I also discovered a used bookstore, record store, and sheet music store all on the same corner. Still deciding which one I am most excited about.

Friday morning was spent shaking a can to raise support for ARMS, which is a ministry of YWAM dedicated to helping families in crises in Perth. If awards were given out for the best can shakers I’m pretty sure I would have received one. The street corner I stood on that morning was filled with incredibly generous Australians.

We should know our options for outreach soon. How exciting! Still in disbelief of the fact I’ve been here for a month; God has given me an incredible (and large) family for the months ahead. I am missing everyone in the States a LOT though. Leave me a note, let me know how you’re doing. I would love to hear from everyone.

Blessings me friends, Lauren

43 Degrees

celsius. which would convert to really hot in farenheit (my years of science and math paying off right there).  Why doesn’t the base believe in air conditioning?

 Today had its ups and downs. We are studying intercession, worship, and hearing the voice of God this week. Clearly passionate about what she is teaching, Ruthie Byrne has been a captivating guest speaker.  She tells elaborate stories that make class run late, but honestly very few people mind.  Most of us would probably sit there all night.  Today was different.  We were talking about the connections between worship and intercession.  Prior to breaking for lunch we had a time of corporate worship and prayer.  People began praying for different people in the room, and then the focus rested on Ray.  Ray has cerebral palsey.  I think I just slaughtered that word.  Anyways, several people have had visions and dreams of Ray running, dancing, etc., however he still requires a cane and brace to walk.  They prayed for hours but no healing.  At least not any physically manifested.  I have never seen Ray’s spirits higher though.  Difficult for me to understand, but I guess it’s part of God wanting us to be healed and whole emotionally and spiritually even greater than physically. Maybe?

Tomorrow is Australia day.  There was an attempt to teach us the national anthem this morning.  Reccomended by all Aussies on base… “don’t wear anything clearly American.”  Hopefully I’ll be able to capture some of the fireworks with my camera.  I am still setting up a site for my photos, but Lord willing by the beginning of next week it will be up and running.  Once it is I will have many many photos for everyone to see.

I think I’m a little homesick.  Not really sure what that feels like.

May the Lord give you a greater revelation of Himself this week, and may You worship Him in all that you do.

Blessings me Friends

Days With Many Hours

We spent over twelve hours today in the classroom.  Meals were served just outside the doors in the dining hall, and then we dove right back in.  Last week we studied the nature and character of God.  Tonight marked the end of our studies on repentance and forgiveness.  Applying head knowledge is a big part of it entering your heart.  With that said, today was spent in prayer asking God to help us forgive those we have never forgiven and to repent and turn from any and all sin in our life.  Positioned in the middle of the room was a rugged wooden cross.  On this cross each student was given an opportunity to nail struggles, hurts, sins… basically anything.  It was an extremely freeing day for many.  The weight I saw lifted off of shoulders was intense, and the tears and then smiles on peoples’ faces were precious.

Once again my God challenged me to love people as He loves people and to see people as He sees people.  So often I judge people if only because I assume they are judging me as well.  No excuse.  I am not called to judge.  I am called to love.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.” -Psalm 91:1

I was talking to a friend about courage yesterday.  I want to have courage.  Not to fight battles or conquer physical lands.  I want the courage to speak truth into a person’s life.  I want the courage to pray for healing, and the faith to believe it will occur.  I want the courage to speak out, look up, hold on, and let go.

Gimpy Gimmy (as I so affectionately call Jimmy) was sitting on the couch outside of my room tonight.  My head was pounding, and I was going to get some painkillers so I could better focus.  Gimpy has this thing with painkillers; he almost always chooses to deal with the pain and trust God for the healing.  Something told me to let him pray for me tonight. Headache gone.  No painkillers taken.

I have been inhaling protein bars and organic peanut butter.  I love my family.  An amazing care package came in the mail yesterday with lots of healthy food, a tripod for my camera, and a stereo for my ipod.  Now if only my ipod would start working again.

 The lecture phase of my trip has been completely paid for; so now I just have to focus on raising the money for outreach phase.  It looks like the cost for that will be between $2-3,000.  God will provide, and for once I’m trusting His timing.

I need to find a better way to upload pictures.  When I do I will post some more.

Thanks for all the prayers. Blessings me friends.

The Beginning of a Journey

My world has been turned upside down (ok I guess I just flew to the upside down part of the world).  I had every intention of writing the second I got here, but the two weeks I have been gone feel more like two days.  For years I’ve dreamed of living in a community of incredible people, but I  just wasn’t sure if it was possible or practical.  Proudly, I now consider myself a member of a 200+ person family.  Our family spans several generations, twenty five nations, but all shares a common passion for making God’s name known in the world. Even now I’m fighting sleep, so I apologize for the briefness of this post.  Enjoy the pictures, please keep me in your prayers, and I will do my best to update more regularly.

 My postal address is:
Lauren Kish
PO Box 8501
Perth Busines Centre, Western Australia 6849

My Typical Day Looks Like:
0600am Morning Excercise
0800am Chores
830am Worship (as Base or School)
1000am Lecture
1230pm Lunch
0130pm Nap or Conversations
0330pm Work at Kaio (coffeeshop)
0530pm Dinner
0730pm Lecture/Small Group/or Study Night
1100pm Sleep

Links to Pictures:
view from a plane
Cottesloe
orange bus
day in the park

 the internet is running to slowly to upload any more photos. I promise I will have a better update by the end of this week.

blessings me friends, Lauren