Outreach location

I know what country I am going to, but am not allowed to state the countries we are going to online. So, if you want to know where I am going, please write me at YWAM or email me and I would be happy to tell you all the details. Here is a little story about how the decision was made:

The leaders told us that our team would be split up into two different teams. We were told to pray and ask God for specific direction as to where He wanted us to go. I prayed and God gave me the Scripture about the fields are white unto harvest. Then I had a vision of a beautiful green field with grass knee high. I wrote that down and put ? (country). I thought maybe the field was rice fields, but didn’t have any specific answer of either place. I handed in my paper with the vision and Scripture written down. Later in the evening Ian and Michelle, our DTS leaders, asked me if I would pray about going to (the opposite country). I did a lot of praying and seeking God for specific direction other than what He already told me. I never did get anything.

The next day, Scarlet, another leader, talked to me. She asked if I had made a decision about where I was to go. I told her the vision and Scripture I got and also said that I was willing to go wherever they felt God wanted me to be. That is what I want -- His will in where I go. He knows the people that I would be with and the leader I would be with. He also knows exactly what we will be doing, who we will be ministering to, etc. Scarlet was excited for my answer. She said that all four of the leaders were praying about where each one of us should go, and had very clear discernment that I was to be going to ( ). She said that the vision I had just confirmed to them that I was to go to ( ).

We will be leaving beginning of April and will be returning at the end of June. We will be in the Himalayan mountains. I will be in the heart of the mountains and living with the people in their villages. We ladies will have to wear the women’s cultural dress, so will have to be purchasing clothes once we get into the airport. That will be an interesting experience for me! I am SO looking forward to it! I will keep you posted once I have more information about our trip!

Lecture and fun

Duda hall picured in the morning

Lecture Hall

Listening to lecture

Each week we have a different speaker for lectures. This week is David, the base director. We have been learning about who we are in Christ. What hinders our intimacy with Christ, and how to regain that intimacy. We have been learning the importance of Scripture memorization and meditation, hearing the voice of God, different names of God, and many other things. The lectures and worship have been truely awesome! I am SO blessed to be here. The lectures have been exactly what I have been wanting to learn more about. I am so excited to increase my knowledge about Jesus Christ and to become the women of God that He has always intended me to be.

Nick, Sophie, Jenni, myself, and Erin on the way to ice skate

Ice skating on a lake

Josiah, me, and Korine posing while skating

Friday we had the awesome opportunity to go ice skating on a lake at Sonrise Ranch that is close to the YWAM base. It was so much fun. The ice was smooth and there was a large area to skate. The stars were so bright and we saw many different shooting stars! It was a picture perfect scene! We had a great time skating and didn't get hurt! Praise God!

Washing dishes with my team

The 'Crew': Korine, me, Jenni, and Nick

I am off crew for the week, and was SO happy that it didn't snow the entire week. I have been sick with sinus infection, cough, and laryngitis, so I am happy I didn't have to shovel snow! I will be off crew for 2 weeks and then will be back on for a week. I am happy we have a larger group, so that we have a space off between being on crew. I had a great time while on crew and Linda, our crew leader, was a great leader. She has never given any team a present, but was very impressed with our team, and gave us a great gift of hand lotion. It was a perfect gift since we had our hands in bleach water all week.

Blogging

Each evening after dinner and any lectures, we are allowed to get on the internet. I look forward to this time. It gets pretty funny seeing everyone sitting in the halls or student center on their lap tops! The internet connection is very slow, so it takes a very long time to upload pictures. Jami has been uploading the pictures on here for me--thanks Jami!

Still time!

I just wanted to answer a few questions. Several have asked if they were still able to support me. Yes, yes, YES! YWAM is praying with me for my finances to come in--they highly believe in prayer and faith. I have to have the lecture phase paid by the middle of March as we leave for outreach the beginning of April. The $2,900 has to be paid in full or I do not go. So, if you were wanting to give, but thought the time was up, it isn’t. I hope this helps answer the question!

Thanks again for all your prayers, financial support, and letters of encouragement. It is so great to go to our mailbox and see a letter from someone I know and love! Thanks again! It has been a blessing. May God continue to use you and bless you for your generous support! This time so far has been truly amazing! God is always present and I have already learned SO much. I find myself thanking God many times a day that He would allow me to come and be a part of this wonderful opportunity of growth, blessing, experience, and faith! I am truly overwhelmed by this privilege He has given me!

The beginning

Good bye Indiana!

Hello Colorado!!

I made it to YWAM at Cimarron, Colorado! The base is just beautiful! We have lots of snow and it just sparkles in the sunlight! The moment we drove past the welcome sign, I could feel the power of God! These last 4 days have been very powerful. God’s presence is evident all around and I have found myself randomly crying with the awesomeness of His presence! Each staff member is truly filled with the Spirit of God and it is evident in their walk, talk, and how much they truly love and care for each one of us students. I am so blessed that God would want me to be here!

This is the building where I live. In the middle of the building is where we have our lectures.

This basket with snacks was waiting for me when I arrived.

The fist night we were all we were introduced to the mountains and snow by going snow tubing! The staff had made a wonderful ‘slide’ for us to down with the tubes! It was lined with tiki torches for light. It reminded me of a water slide with all the curves and twists! Talk about a blast!! They also had a bond fire for us to enjoy.

Snow tubing.

We have home cooked meals, fresh produce from their organic gardens, and fresh elk meat that the men hunt. Each lunch and dinner we have family style meals where we all sit around the dinner tables and pass the food around! If we are on Crew we are the host of the table.

Crew is where an assigned group of us has to do kitchen duties and also shovel snow at 6am if we had snow during the night. Kitchen duties are done after each meal. We wash and sanitize all the dishes, sweep and scrub the floor (on our hands and knees), wash all the cupboards down, take out the trash (into the bear proof trailer), and wipe down the countertops. I was lucky enough to be the first one of Crew, so it has been a lot of fun learning everything.

I addition to Crew, I also have been assigned to the kitchen for my work duties for each day of this week. I get to help prepare the food with the cook. Has been awesome to get to know each cook! We have work duties each day of the week for 2 hours. After this week, someone else will have kitchen duties and I will be doing other types of cleaning.

Snow on the roof

All morning we have lectures and special speakers come. It is great being back in a classroom setting. Has been a while since I’ve been in school. We have assignment for each week that need to be completed. We have to keep a journal that shows are personal goal and growth, prayers, what we learned from the week’s lectures, etc. We also have 4 books to read and give a report on each one. This counts toward the outreach phase. If they do not see any progression in our lives, and we do not complete our assignments, we may not be allowed to go on outreach. The lectures have been great so far, and I have lots to think on during the rest of the day. I am SO blessed to be here! Thanks for being obedient to God and being a part of making this happen for me! I know that I am in His complete will!

Snow drift behind me

Fun facts:

• 8,600 feet elevation
• 3-5 feet snow base
• Has the highest percentage of students that end up being missionaries
• Generate their own electricity
• Have their own spring-fed water system

Coal and wood storage sheds

Family Moments

I've been enjoying quality time with my family before heading to YWAM. It was nice just sitting in the living room with everyone around. I've been taking in all the moments as much as I can! Dad came home one evening from work, and told stories of his day at work...he reminded me so much of PapPap! It was quite the nostalgic feeling. Thanks Dad for warm memories! Tonight I enjoyed just hanging out with mom for a bit...not talking about anything in particular, but just being together!

Misery photo of Emily, me, and Jami

We took our first 'misery' picture while camping with Aunt Wilma and Uncle Ryan in Colorado. At different places or certain circumstances in our lives we make a point to get a 'misery' picture taken. Here is one such poise. This was the last time I got to see Emily and Jami before leaving. They left for PA and will not be back until after I am at YWAM.

Harassing David

He wasn't happy about getting his picture taken!

I'm sure going to miss David while I am gone! Little ones seem to grow up WAY too quickly when they are younger! I sure hope he doesn't forget me! Six months will seem like an eternity to him and me! Keep those pictures coming Nen!

Me and Em at Culver's

Preparation

These last two weeks I have been busy getting everything ready to leave. I had to completely crash my computer, find flights, get my immunizations, find travel medical insurance, buy items that I need to take, pack, etc. Everything I needed to get done before leaving seemed very overwhelming to me. I took a day to fast and pray -- just to get myself back on track! After a little quality time with God, I found that I had more time on my hands than I had previously thought!

Crashing my computer

Immunizations

I learned everything that I never wanted to know about traveling overseas...including all the diseases such as: Japanese encephalitis, rabies, cholera, malaria, traveler's diarrhea, TB, Dengue fever, bird flu, trematode infection, etc. -- just to name a few!! WOW!! That was quite overwhelming! The nurse explaining all the precautions was quite serious about all the diseases and sicknesses in Asia. I came home with an entire folder full of information! With all the immunizations I got, and all the great information received, I pray I do not end up with any of these strange Asian illnesses!

Packing

I am hoping that I will be able to fit everything into 2 small suitcases and a backpack! This includes a sleeping bag, pillow, winter gear, and everything else that I will need with me! Thank God for expandable suitcases -- a feature that will definitely come in handy for this trip!

Tax deduction update

For those of you who want to support me financially, here is some specific information that was not included in my support letter:

• If you want a tax deduction for giving, please make your check out and send to :YWAM, PO Box 158, Cimarron, CO 81220. On a separate piece of paper specify to: Lisa Rowzer for the DTS Outreach.
• If you are not looking for the tax deduction, you can write the check in my name and send it to my home address. You may also send the check made out to YWAM, but on a separate piece of paper specify to: Lisa Rowzer for her DTS. This would help cover the lecture phase (or if the lecture is already paid for, it will go toward the outreach phase)

The lecture phase of the DTS is NOT tax deductible, but the outreach phase is. You can send your money to YWAM at any time, but please specify for outreach if you want a tax deduction. Checks made out to me and sent to my home address are also welcomed.

Thank you again for your support. I hope this information is helpful!