John-Paul's Kiwi Adventure Blog

The last two weeks have been very good indeed.

In fact they’ve been so full of goodness that I’ve got a huge backlog of great things I’d like to share on the blog. But before I begin posting photos and video, I felt like it’s high time I added some textual meat to this blog.

I left Ohio on February 13th and I’ve been away from home for seven weeks now. It’s so difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m really spending half a year outside of the US. It excites me that if I can handle a half year, I should be fine if God calls me to spend a longer season abroad later in life.

At YWAM, our DTS program is nearing the halfway point in the lecture phase. I’m pleased to say that all your prayers paid off and I felt a clear calling to the Vanuatu/Northland outreach team and recently I found that I made it! - We’ve got a fantastic team! I’m so excited for outreach, but I don’t want to focus on it so much that I miss what God has for me in the remaining in lecture phase.

Speaking of that, the last two weeks of “Hearing God’s Voice” and “The Father Heart of God” have been truly legendary (or “ledge” as Josh might say). I’ve received “heaps” of encouraging and inspiring words regarding who I am in Christ, how God sees me, and the plans He has for my life. Some have come directly from God and some have come through other people. 

Probably the most exciting was an further interpretation of my identity as a messenger of grace. During the “Father Heart” week, the guest speaker, Frank (a large Maori/Samoan man who gives amazing hugs) was given the words of Genesis 49:21 for me, saying that God had a strong anointing on me and that he had blessed my words to bring healing and strength.

“Naphtali is a doe (set free), He gives beautiful words.”

Genesis 49:21 NASB

In my continued healing I am blessed to be a blessing. 

This resurrection weekend has been quite refreshing. I was blessed that an older man at Paparoa church chose me to carry the cross first as we carried it down into the town for a Good Friday service. I loved the way he chose me as one of the “strong young men.” It meant a lot. Then after the service I spend the day with the Leaf family and their four young kids. They have a gorgeous sheep and cattle farm that’s been in the family for five generations. We toured the farm on their “ute” (utility truck), had mutton pizza, played with toys, and enjoyed a game of Settlers of Catan with the parents. It was a really refreshing day! 

For Easter Sunday today I spoke in our middle school Sunday School group about the Father Heart of God. It went so well! I’m loving getting to know the kids better and building relationships with them. They are so fantastic!

This coming week is training in evangelism for two days, then working in a day camp that local churches are running for kids during the school holiday. I’m signed up to help with the drama and dam-building sessions. I’m psyched for both! Prayers are deeply appreciated for sensitivity to the Spirit, a humble servant-leader attitude, and a teachable spirit. I’m confident that it will be an incredible week!

I encourage you to read the book “The Father Heart of God” by Floyd McClung. It was my book study last month and I got so much out of it! - I’ll probably reflect on it soon. Until then, dwell on the fact that God is your “father” in the truest sense of the term, that He takes incredible delight in you, and that the words of truth He speaks over you are the most defining thing about you. 

After all, it’s all about whose son you are…

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 

2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV