I want to share a bit about Los Angeles and why I'm so excited to be moving to the city of Angels.
But first, a little retrospect.
I have worked with Youth With A Mission for nearly 10 years. I have lived in cities and I have lived in villages. I have lived with electricity and without. I have lived in houses without walls (Fale in Samoa) and I have lived in dorms without kitchens. I have traveled to and lived in 16 different nations with no salary. I rely on the Lord to provide my financial needs, and most often he does this through my awesome friends and family - people who see what I do as valuable and worth supporting. There have been years where this has meant trusting God for enough money to buy toothpaste and there have been years where I've had abundance and have been able take friends out for dinner.
But what keeps me going? Why am I still in YWAM after all these years?
It comes down to me truly believing that what I do makes a difference in this world. I admit I'm not perfect (surprise!) and neither is YWAM. But as I serve in my area of YWAM (Staffing in the SBS - School of Biblical Studies) I believe I am making a difference in my students' lives and I'm also playing a part of a much bigger production that is making a difference in the lives of many. YWAM is a big movement. Over 1000 operating locations in over 180 countries, with a (all volunteer) staff of over 18,000? It's a little crazy. But I am part of this crazy big movement. I have former students that I have mentored (we call it discipleship) who are now serving in Papua New Guinea in the area of primary health care. I have friends in Kona who are working to advance the Gospel through marine biology! We do everything from straight up Bible teaching and evangelism to meeting practical needs like sustainable clean water projects. I am still with YWAM because I have seen lives changed by this movement, my own life included.
So... why Los Angeles and why SBS?
It's my part to play. I believe the Bible has the power to transform individuals and societies. I believe Christians need to know what the Bible says in order to communicate the Gospel message to the world. And the School of Biblical Studies equips Christians to know the Bible. And while the SBS is run all over the world, I am excited to move back to Los Angeles and work with the Chronological SBS there because of relationships I have there. Let's face it. Working relationships can make or break a job, right? It's no different in Christian ministry. Even in the Bible there were a couple guys who didn't work well together and parted ways because of a disagreement over another colleague's involvement in their ministry. I'm not going to LA because I think it superior in beauty to Hawaii! I am going because I believe God is calling me to serve at YWAM LA... and because I believe the working relationships there will be more fitting for me, and therefore, I will be able to serve in a greater capacity. That's why I'm excited to be moving to Los Angeles! It's the people! And the order... I love studying and teaching the Bible in Chronological order. It just makes the story come alive! Oh, and LA is such a mix of cultures! And it is closer to home than Hawai'i! And... the list goes on... but the main thing is, God is totally behind this move. I feel such peace and excitement in going to LA. Even the thought of smog doesn't deter me!
There is a lot happening with YWAM Los Angeles, and I encourage you to check it out and see how you can get involved.
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