Wednesday, 20 May 2015

little taste of heaven

My outreach, instead of of Peru, is Cup from Above in Aspley. Local, if you count an hour bus ride as local. That's if you don't miss your stop. I frequently do, so I always start out very early. CFA is in a very sketchy part of Brissy, and is geared towards getting homeless people off the street and giving them good life skills. In the last few days, I have re-covered chairs, built custom plant pots, made and hung curtains made from burlap coffee bags, taught a homeless gentleman coming off a drug high how to sew,and not made a single coffee, among other things. I'm really enjoying everything except the transit and the tiredness that follows. And the fact I feel like I always need a weapon. But the rest is great! Tomorrow, i'm going in to the doctors to find out what's up with the ultrasound for my kidneys. I really hope all the stones are gone. Please pray for my health and finances, if either one of them don't change soon, I may have to head home early. Thank you all so much. You are all very dear to my heart!

Sunday, 10 May 2015

My organs are stoners

More specifically, my kidneys. I go along my life, taking care of all the hospitality of the cafe, making sure life behind the scenes runs smoothly and we all have clean aprons, but slowly, my body gets sick. my moods are moodier, my pains are a pain in the back, and I go to the doctors, after weeks of putting it off. Yes, they say. An infection and kidney stones.
    Moving along, that complicated finances, spending 200$ I needed for school already, as well as adding insurance claims and exhaustion to my already busy life. I passed one in the middle of a prayer meeting, taking up all the time we were supposed to be praying about other things, and ended up passed out on the floor. Ow. and it's not over. I still have stones, and I need an ultrasound, but I'm not sure I have the finances for it. So please, don't just pray, donate too.
      I need 1300$ for base fees, and more than that for my ticket home. This also means I'm not going to Peru. It's really sad and frustrating to me that my own health and finances have held me back from doing the work God has called me to. I try to be in a good mood, and I truly love what I'm doing here, with all the personal relationships with Christ I am in, and the people I am ministering to, but it's hard to stay optimistic when I'm in pain and scarcely afford the treatments. And yet, God has set me here for a reason, and I'm going to do it, even if it means a lot of naps in between.
     Instead of going to Peru and helping the backpacking evangelism there, I'll be staying in Australia working at a church affiliated coffee shop, where if an emergency arises, I can get healthcare. I really wish the money had come in, and that my health was better, but I want to give my full self to wherever God has in mind. I also have a possibility to help take care of the children of post-partum depression diagnosed moms, and that's exciting, I love kids and I miss the ones at my old church a lot. (shout out to you beautiful kiddos!)
  This week specifically, I'm running an art auction as a fundraiser for the cafe itself, and its crew. We are all long term missionaries, and we've all been in the field for at least a year, most of us much longer. But it's very hard for long term missionaries to provide for themselves, because we have dedicated our lives to God and other people instead of jobs. and being a missionary isn't a job you can just take time off of. its a constant pouring out to others. even when you're home, you're still working, and constantly feel pulled to other people, other places. I guess its similar to being a single mom.
    I constantly miss my family, and my boyfriend, but I know I'll miss this place too, when I'm gone. I savour it while I can. when I'm in Evansburg, I'll savour that, when I find a new place,(I always do) I'll love that one too. It's very true when I say my home is not on earth. Thank you all for constantly praying, those of you who donate, giant thanks and many tears of gratitude to you. You may literally be a life saver. Please keep in contact, Email me at kynya@goywam.com or kynyalee@gmail.com, friend me on facebook, follow The Meeting Place Cafe,
 and donate to me at  https://secure.goywam.com/home/donations/donate-to-a-staff-member/
I would love to hear from you. I'm not just saying that. sometimes living life with so many people is lonely. I love you guys.

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Love where you are at.

So, the guy speaking today said something that really stuck out to me today, and he said "love where you're at in the present or else you'll never be happy with the future." And so I got thinking. I'm not content where I am. I want to go to Peru, I want to finish the course, I want to see my family, and i constantly look to the future or the past.  I decided I need to focus on what I love right now, and what I'm learning. Today, I went for coffee with the TMPC crew, and we laughed and told stories. I talked to Kassia, and encouraged each other. Right now, I have the chance to get to know my wonderful boyfriend from far away, without the little annoyances that might pop up later. Its cool outside, so I get to wear sweaters, which I love. I'm seeing God provide, Slowly, but surely. I'm living in Australia, discovering new things and skills, and I have time to reflect on God. This is all happening now. and I love it. I'm going to remember what I love about this moment, but mostly what i love about God. He doesn't just give up. That's a really good thing, because I am hard headed.
Right now, I need 5000$. Well, I know i am a hard worker, and God pays a fair wage. I'm so glad I have the support of my friends and family, and I want to make the investment into me worth it, because God's work is always worth it.

Monday, 6 April 2015

Love changes everything, and whats up with Peru?

Where are you going on outreach? What are you doing with your life for the next three months? You mean you're not doing it as a vacation?
These questions will be answered, and they will be answered now!
As we, the TMPC crew prepare and work in the chaos of Porchlight sessions, we receive strange messages. Some, in the form of a text, many in the form of a letter, and throughout the night, actual letters. Put together, these letters came to spell one word-P E R U. Our outreach location. We, as weary as we were from the night, danced and cheered, and began to plan. Jake, Kalli and I will be going to help train and work with our sister cafe in Cuzco, near the mountains. This is part of the practical side of the internship, teaching the guys in Peru what we've learnt about managing a cafe, as well as being part of sharing Jesus Christ where we can. I'm very excited, and I fully believe the money I need to go as well as go home will come in, even though it's scary for me not to be in control of it. God is a generous God, and my friends and family take care of me.
The entire YWAM base also just finished a stint running one of Australia's largest christian music festivals, Easterfest. Yeah, moshing with Tasman Jude or seeing my friends perform on a huge stage was cool, but watching someones leg grow out after I prayed, or someone coming to realize Jesus loved him even though he's a drug addict and believes he doesn't deserve it, that's the beautiful part. the unfortunate parts were the rain. rain that made ants shelter their eggs in my bag, rain that made shoes so wet and tents so wet I currently have a cold. Yet, rain brought people to shelter in the Chai tent and allowed them to have a Chai, a conversation, and hopefully a bit closer to God's love. Because love changes everything, even through the rain.
    I've been told a few people are hoping for a tax deductible receipt, and unfortunately if you've already given, I don't think I can do much other than say to email accounts@goywam.com and ask, but if you would like to donate, you can go to https://secure.goywam.com/home/donations/donate-to-a-staff-member/ and ask for a receipt. Thank you all so much! if you'd like to get in touch, find me on Facebook or email kynya@goywam.com. I love talking to you guys! It makes me miss home just a little less.

Thursday, 19 March 2015

the ill finished video

Making a video, even a minute long one is hard work. especially if you are out of practice and unprepared. However, I am uploading my attempt, because i did a three person job by myself in a small amount of time. a better one is coming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL4pzDseYcA
In other news, God is beginning a breakthrough season! finances, dreams and healing has been so cool to see around here, and God speaks through everything. I love you all and miss you! contact me at kynya@goywam.com or donate here at  https://secure.goywam.com/home/donations/donate-to-a-staff-member/

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

media queen?

       A month in to the internship already, and I have done accounting, finances, fundraising and movie making. And again on my month of media, I will be moviemaking. BOOYEAH. This month is a huge fundraising push for both the cafe, Kalli and I. In order to get the new Espresso machine we desperately need, we need about 4000$. In order for me to go on outreach/get home, I need about 4000$, and in order for Kalli to do the same, she needs around 7000$. the plight of many missionaries is that their full time job is unpaid. Hence the fundraising. However, God works in mysterious ways. Also through the internet. Next time I update, I might just post a video!
    In other news. the last few weeks have been challenging, saying goodbye to some of my closest friends, who have become somewhat family,(or whom I am dating, but that's only one person :P) It's always hard to say goodbye, but I know someday I will see them again, be it Australia, USA or Heaven.
 I've taken over the Media area of the cafe, which means I am on the search for local talent, beautiful TMPC coffee pictures and stories from our regulars. I'm going to try and do a 'humans of New York ' feel.I love this job because connecting is one of the best things a cafe can do. We have a lot of great people around this place.
In Bible study, my sister told me to read Exodus and look at promises. I realised while reading Moses' story, God put to rest the doubts of God's loyalty and Character, he reassured the outcome, the miracles, the people he was working for, and yet, moses still struggled. Not because of the task, not because of God, but because of him. Moses wasnt sure he had the capability to lead, the words to speak, or the power to move a nation. And yet, God did a thing, and all of Isreal was set free. It's not you, It's God's work through you. it isn't possible for you to stand in God's way. He'll pick you up and carry you to your destination instead, it might just be a bit more challenging. For you, not God. God did what he promised, and more.

Contact me
Kynya@goywam.com

Donate:
https://secure.goywam.com/home/donations/donate-to-a-staff-member/

check out the cafe:
https://www.facebook.com/YWAMMeetingPlace?ref=br_tf

check out our base:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/YWAM-Brisbane/217491788306172?ref=br_tf

Monday, 16 February 2015

faith call

My weekly blog has turned to a monthly blog. because busy :)
The last few weeks have been full of learning. I am currently in charge of the finances in TMPC, our cafe. its a lot o ordering, inventory and math. I don't really care for math, but I see the worth in learning this, so its been good.  I've also had the opportunity to have a lot of fun. I led "family time" which is basically a breakfast bible study, and Benj' is back so I'm going out and doing crazy things like going on my very first Ferris wheel ever, or to a crazy museum display. He treats me really well, for those wondering. God has been teaching me a lot about faith lately. Just remembering he always takes care of his own :) In the middle of a staff meeting someone had back pain, so they were prayed for and their leg grew an inch and popped into place. boom, just like that. Not even a big deal for God! It really encourages me, because I'm still in need for the finances to finish the internship and to go home. If you guys want to help with that the link is https://secure.goywam.com/ and donate to staff. (remember my name.) If you ever want to talk, connect or anything, send me a message at kynya@goywam.com. I really miss home somedays, so I would love to hear from you :) no, really. make contact! ET phones home, so home can call him back. love you all!