My Arrival date in Oxford, New Zealand: Nov 19, 2007
School start date: Jan 14, 2008
My departure date to visit teams on outreach: April 11, 2008
Graduation Date at Mt of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel: June 26, 2008
School numbers: 11(4 guys, 7 girls) staff and 37 students (10 guys, 27 girls)
While in NZ.....
I spent Christmas with the current Backpacker DTS School. We spent a day at the beach playing in the fun-n-sun and BBQ-ing. As most of you know it is summer in the southern hemisphere during Christmas time. So that means no white Christmas for us. Since, this was my second year to spend Christmas away from home I found it a bit easier. Although, it is not something I want to get used to.
Lecture phase went well! We hosted some really great speakers again this year. These speakers came from all over: UK, US, and New Zealand. I was particularly pleased to have the founder of The Traveling Team ministry in the states come and speak for our Missions Week. This was a highlight for me because it’s one of the main points of the school and the teaching is excellent! Other lecture topics were: Character and Nature of God, Life of Jesus, Father Heart of God and Holy Spirit. These weeks were also filled with great teaching and times of ministry.
Also, we as a school had a corporate time of fasting and prayer for school unity. This also allowed us time to 'press in' individually and corporately and seek God's wisdom and provision for our outreach phase. God really did a work in many of the staff and student’s relationship with the Father during this time. “Coincidentally”, the fast came during Lordship week and Easter weekend! It was a perfect time for us to practice a bit of denying the flesh. Although, everyone felt it was what needed to happen it was initially difficult for some, but rewarding in the end. There was a definite spiritual breakthrough in our unity and like-mindedness as a school and an overall re-focusing on our purpose. God also provided more funds for outreach during this time.
I’m definitely being challenged as a School leader. I constantly pray for Godly wisdom, discernment and direction. A lot of what I do consist encouraging people and lending perspective in their current circumstances. Also, there is a lot of administration, logistics, discipleship, mentorship, and discernment of direction for the school. I am seriously dependent on God to lead me and to accomplish the many tasks that are required of me.
This year for our outreach phase I am visiting teams. We sent out 6 teams to all parts of the globe. My plan is to visit four of the teams through out Asia region. Then in June, I will meet up with all the teams for graduation in Israel. The purpose of the visits is to encourage the staff and students and bring an outside perspective to their team. I have enjoyed doing this!
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