My life has been a stress case getting everything done and prepared to be here. Now I am here and I have a full week to settle in. It's amazing. This time around I definitely shed more tears than I ever have but thats normal. Every time I had ever left for some place I always had a ticket back home or would be coming home within 3 to 4 months even if it was for a few days, this time I'm not sure when I will be back home to visit, it will probably be no earlier than a year. Truly every few mins (the past two days) I have had to remind myself that God has called me here and I am in the place I need to be, because its easy to go back to my comfortable home in San Diego. But my life is the Lord's and I trust Him with it fully.
On a different note, I got to see my some of my teammates after I had arrived (that is after I took a nap :) It was so great to see them, and their kids. I got to feed and rock a 4 month old twin to sleep and my heart was so happy. Not being able to hold my little 6 week old nephew, Ethan, for a while is hard but I love how the Lord brought two babies and a toddler and a little girl Lucy's age into my life to help with missing my nieces and nephews.
The weather here is beautiful. It's been raining on and off (for those of you who don't know I LOVE rain) and when its not its got bursts of sunlight. It's been a lot colder than San Diego, between 45 and 50 degrees. Good thing I've got my sweaters and gloves stored away in a suitcase at The Lighthouse building which I half forgot half left there when I came back to my home after visiting last night. One, I am hoping to move over there in a couple weeks and since I don't have a car I will have to travel by bus with my luggage and leaving it is just one more thing I don't have to bring, and two, I rode my bike back which has been stored at The Lighthouse after I left in April. My friend just gave it to me, it was such a blessing! Riding back was great, its so much easier and faster getting around than just walking and cheaper than taking the bus! Now lets hope I can manage riding it around with a bunch of other fast, experienced bikers!
Also I am finally adding emails from the list I got at my Meet & Greet at Foothills, if you didn't receive an email from me please email me with yours so that I know to add you at KatyBeStill@Gmail.com it really is nice to stay in touch while I'm away. Knowing I have people back home supporting me in what I do and praying for me makes a HUGE difference.
A few things to pray for:
-I am applying for my visa shortly and being that the price TRIPLED in Euros in the last few months I need the last chunk and to be accepted!
-That my heart would be right and that I would dive into the Word even more here
-Also because this being a Missionary is quite new to me that I would know what to do and how to do it Biblically.
Thank you guys for loving and supporting me through everything!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Its Official i leave December 1st
i felt the Lord say to wait until Tuesday to buy my ticket back to Amsterdam, i then remembered that statistically the cheapest time to buy a plane ticket is Tuesday afternoon, and sure enough the price had dropped nearly $225! The Lord is so good to me, everything is coming together.
Today i went through about 3/4 of my clothes, i want to get rid of as much stuff as i can. it's a lot harder than i expected because i keep thinking "maybe one day i will need this" but have to remind myself that simpler is better, especially for a missionary. i keep getting more and more excited to go back, i am so anxious to see what the Lord does with this journey.
Today i went through about 3/4 of my clothes, i want to get rid of as much stuff as i can. it's a lot harder than i expected because i keep thinking "maybe one day i will need this" but have to remind myself that simpler is better, especially for a missionary. i keep getting more and more excited to go back, i am so anxious to see what the Lord does with this journey.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Amazing Grace
What a beautiful movie Amazing Grace is. I get so inspired and courageous every time I watch it. Since I was a young girl I’ve prayed to make a difference in this world - to really stand up for what I believe and what is right and just. I still have that dream. And to be honest if anyone were to listen to my thoughts they would think I was a crazy person. Every other day is "I can do this" then followed with a "no I cant - I’m insane" But I have decided to walk ahead, even when I am blinded. I know many think I am foolish, or will think that about me as I continue in living a life for the Lord. I wish I could say that it doesn’t affect me, but I, being such an arrogant fool, still care of what others think of me. How idiotic! But, as I watched Amazing Grace I noticed how William was encouraged to do this mighty work by his friends. We all need people in our life encouraging us and lifting us up. When our friends have a dream, even if it’s beyond our comprehension, remind them that they can do it! In a world of criticism and degradation we need all the affirmation we can get. I don’t know how on earth I will do what I have been called to do but I know God knows how, and with Him I CAN accomplish the work He has set before me.
I also am very excited to say that Not For Sale has an Academy in San Francisco. One of the courses is called “Aftercare 2.0: Entrepreneurs Creating Business Opportunities Where None Exist” it is as if this class was made for Katy Randall. The dates work out perfectly to, so I’m pretty dang sure I will be attending the school after I’m finished at Woodward and before I fly back to Amsterdam.
And lastly we have finished the Human Trafficking Seminar. So much I’ve learned in the past 6 weeks. Now it’s time to move forward and use that information!
PRAYER POINTS
1. That I can retain all that I have learned these last 6 weeks.
2. For more doors and opportunities to be opened to me in networking for the work I’m officially beginning to brainstorm this month.
3. For opportunities to speak when I go home of awareness in human trafficking, not just what’s going on in the world but what so many young girls are susceptible to (and that includes many girls here in San Diego, I personally feel the Youth Venture girls especially).
4. Clear direction with every choice I make.
5. My health (I’ve been sick the last few days)
Thank you to all who are praying for me, it’s so clear that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish the things I’m doing here if it weren’t for prayer.
I also am very excited to say that Not For Sale has an Academy in San Francisco. One of the courses is called “Aftercare 2.0: Entrepreneurs Creating Business Opportunities Where None Exist” it is as if this class was made for Katy Randall. The dates work out perfectly to, so I’m pretty dang sure I will be attending the school after I’m finished at Woodward and before I fly back to Amsterdam.
And lastly we have finished the Human Trafficking Seminar. So much I’ve learned in the past 6 weeks. Now it’s time to move forward and use that information!
PRAYER POINTS
1. That I can retain all that I have learned these last 6 weeks.
2. For more doors and opportunities to be opened to me in networking for the work I’m officially beginning to brainstorm this month.
3. For opportunities to speak when I go home of awareness in human trafficking, not just what’s going on in the world but what so many young girls are susceptible to (and that includes many girls here in San Diego, I personally feel the Youth Venture girls especially).
4. Clear direction with every choice I make.
5. My health (I’ve been sick the last few days)
Thank you to all who are praying for me, it’s so clear that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish the things I’m doing here if it weren’t for prayer.
Monday, March 21, 2011
This is war
My entire life I’ve heard Ephesians 6, especially verse 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." But I do not think I've actually lived in a world where my perspective is based on spirit and not flesh, not until now that is. Since my encounter with the 3 black men on Friday night I have one, had dreams every night since then that I’ve been trafficked, and two, countless black men have been walking down the street (in daylight) and when I pass by them there is something evil in their eyes and they shout out things at me or creepily get close and whisper something. Not every man obviously but definitely enough to note. Normally I'd just think oh dumb guys but I am seeing things through a new perspective now. As I told the director of the Lighthouse, Melissa, about my encounter she told me a similar story she had several months back when for a whole week she faced the same obstacles with guys here. But she said how she was faced with a spirit of intimidation and fear, much like I’m feeling now. Wouldn't it make sense that just as much as God wants me here in Amsterdam, Satan wants me out? If I’m not aware of this I could easily get scared and run, even leave this city, but knowing that Satan wants me out of here so badly reminds me that I need to stand up and fight with my spiritual armor. I will not be intimidated and I will not leave. Because Christ has victory over death and I shall not be afraid. However, this is a message I MUST remind myself; I am constantly at war and it will never end, not until I die or Christ comes back. This war is real, very real, and I mustn’t take the situation lightly.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Do not Fear for I am with you
Last night something happened that may have seemed like nothing to some people but I knew it was something big. I was in danger yet the Lord fought for me.
I was walking the 15 min walk from De Poort (my home) to the Shelter (a Christian youth hostel where Brooke, my friend, works) at a little before 10pm. Amsterdam is a very safe city to walk in, full of many, many people and police; I walk at night almost every day. This particular night I was heading down the main street and then as I went to turn left to the smaller street I noticed a black man (statistically it is the African men here who are the loverboys and what nots of the women behind the windows and in brothels) coming the opposite way turned right then slowed down (while texting on his phone) so that I could be in front of him. No big deal really except that my heart started to beat very fast and the Lord said so loudly "PRAY!" So I prayed quickly then turned my ipod back on but the Lord said again even louder "PRAY!" I realized right then that I was not in a good place. I was so nervous I couldn't even pray; this is when my gift of tongues came in handy and just prayed like that, constantly, as I walked. As I rounded the next corner I glance behind me and he is about 20 feet back and I start to pick up my pace (this section isn't very popular but its only a short street then it gets into restaurants and more people). Its also a one way street going the opposite way in which I walked. A car starts driving toward me and this is where I began to panic, I knew in my spirit that it was going to stop next to me. Sure enough it did. Two other black guys in the car, the passenger (closest to me) gets out and as he walks toward me I so quickly turn to the right and go around the front of the car to the drivers side and keep walking (still praying mind you) the passenger starts to also walk in front of the car towards me but I pick up my pace as fast as I can without running and don't look back until I got to the end of the street where it's more populated. I don't see the car or the guy who was behind me.
I continued to walk fast and pray until I got to the Shelter and made Brooke just hold me in her arms. I tried to just think I was crazy but 1. Why did the Lord give me such an awareness of what was going on and what was about to happen? 2. Why did He urge me so boldly to pray? 3. Why did this guy behind me make a full change of direction to follow me? (the corner we rounded was going right, so he started to walk back towards the direction in which he came) 4. Why did they all disappear after I walked past them? and 5. Why did my fellow seminar student wake up at the exact same time with the overwhelming feeling that she needed to pray for the safety of someone within the Shine seminar, not realizing who, she just prayed for all our safety, where ever we were at.
Either way it was a bittersweet moment in my life. I learned that the Lord will fight for me and protect me when no one else is around, and give me the discernment for what is actually taking place but now I am a little fearful of walking the city which I know I will have to just get over. Thank you God for taking care of your children. I know I can place my life in Your hands.
I was walking the 15 min walk from De Poort (my home) to the Shelter (a Christian youth hostel where Brooke, my friend, works) at a little before 10pm. Amsterdam is a very safe city to walk in, full of many, many people and police; I walk at night almost every day. This particular night I was heading down the main street and then as I went to turn left to the smaller street I noticed a black man (statistically it is the African men here who are the loverboys and what nots of the women behind the windows and in brothels) coming the opposite way turned right then slowed down (while texting on his phone) so that I could be in front of him. No big deal really except that my heart started to beat very fast and the Lord said so loudly "PRAY!" So I prayed quickly then turned my ipod back on but the Lord said again even louder "PRAY!" I realized right then that I was not in a good place. I was so nervous I couldn't even pray; this is when my gift of tongues came in handy and just prayed like that, constantly, as I walked. As I rounded the next corner I glance behind me and he is about 20 feet back and I start to pick up my pace (this section isn't very popular but its only a short street then it gets into restaurants and more people). Its also a one way street going the opposite way in which I walked. A car starts driving toward me and this is where I began to panic, I knew in my spirit that it was going to stop next to me. Sure enough it did. Two other black guys in the car, the passenger (closest to me) gets out and as he walks toward me I so quickly turn to the right and go around the front of the car to the drivers side and keep walking (still praying mind you) the passenger starts to also walk in front of the car towards me but I pick up my pace as fast as I can without running and don't look back until I got to the end of the street where it's more populated. I don't see the car or the guy who was behind me.
I continued to walk fast and pray until I got to the Shelter and made Brooke just hold me in her arms. I tried to just think I was crazy but 1. Why did the Lord give me such an awareness of what was going on and what was about to happen? 2. Why did He urge me so boldly to pray? 3. Why did this guy behind me make a full change of direction to follow me? (the corner we rounded was going right, so he started to walk back towards the direction in which he came) 4. Why did they all disappear after I walked past them? and 5. Why did my fellow seminar student wake up at the exact same time with the overwhelming feeling that she needed to pray for the safety of someone within the Shine seminar, not realizing who, she just prayed for all our safety, where ever we were at.
Either way it was a bittersweet moment in my life. I learned that the Lord will fight for me and protect me when no one else is around, and give me the discernment for what is actually taking place but now I am a little fearful of walking the city which I know I will have to just get over. Thank you God for taking care of your children. I know I can place my life in Your hands.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Children on the Streets
So we are entering our 3rd week of the seminar. it's soo busy, really good, but super busy. Today we had a couple who have been living in Brazil for 27 years speak. Their main focus is street children.. their stories were unreal... so hard to believe yet all true. So many kids Gwen's (my 10 year old neice) age on the street, being raped, part of gangs, with boyfriends twice their age, afraid of being killed, throats being slit in the middle of the night (yes this is true), hooked on drugs, abortions in the streets at the age of 11... soo sad. i couldnt stop crying. Tears kept streamig down my face. I couldn't control them.. thats someone's daughter or neice or sister or cousin out there. To think of something so outrageous happening to my beloved nieces make me cringe.
Tomorrow we are going to Den Haag to work with an organization who work with prostitutes. I am bringing my scissors to do their hair, so excited for this.
Tomorrow we are going to Den Haag to work with an organization who work with prostitutes. I am bringing my scissors to do their hair, so excited for this.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Abolitionist
There is so much I want to say all the time but finding the time to blog is so hard these days! This Shine seminar is the best thing that has happened to me. It's so incredible looking back on the last few years of my life and seeing how it all pointed to the work I’m doing now (and I know what is happening now is pointing and preparing me for the work God has for me in the future).
Week 1 of the seminar we talked about Prophetic Justice, the speaker had an amazing gift of prophesy and spoke some amazing things to me... (She knew nothing about me)
-She said that this vision the Lord has given me (to see women be transformed in the red light district (really all over the world but for me starting here in Amsterdam) is truly from Him and that He will provide the funds and the people to see this through.
-I need to continue speaking about this vision and telling others about it, for people WANT to hear and be involved.
-I have a gift of leadership - yes I am a woman and I am called to be a leader.
-It feels like I have burned my bridges to get here leaving my life back home but I have in fact come here to soar as a bird in freedom.
-God calls me an "explosion" but in a good way, not a destructive way.
-I will be used as an initiator in an apostolic ministry
-Now I must pray, pray, pray!!
The next day she sought me out after she was finished speaking and said she had a few more things she wanted to say/reiterate...
-I have an apostolic teaching gift and will be used to lead/train in an apostolic mobilization in regards to justice.
-I will speak out to multitudes, speaking in many places such as Bible Colleges and Universities (speaking on what exactly I’m not too sure, I’m obviously thinking something with justice)
-I will not reside in Amsterdam forever but come back to the states and go out from there (which the Lord had already told me)
-My Scriptural/Biblical background will be my basis
-I must keep speaking out on these things for people will listen (this has motivated me the most, when I feel like I am doing nothing or just feel like quitting I think back to this and remind myself that God WANTS to use me and will infact use me to make a difference if I am willing.)
-I will write books (something I’ve dreamed of doing since a child)
Some things I left out and some things I wrote not really wanting to share on here but feeling like I must. I'm not sure what to think about some of these words spoken but I can say this; everything she said to me I have had on my heart in some way, shape or form and never really spoke to most people about. It was so much confirmation. Because I mean when you have personal, intimate time with Jesus and He speaks some deep, huge thing to you, you don't really go out and say it to everyone. I held onto them seeing what would happen and when she said some of these things I just leaped inside. My life is not my own and I have fully given it to God to do as He pleases and I do believe, since I am willing, He will use me in mighty ways. It is all through HIM and nothing I can do by my own strength.
Prayer Requests
-The teeth on the upper left hand of my mouth have been extremely affected by the cold, I've always had problems with them but the last few weeks the pain has been unbearable.
-That I would not lose this passion for justice and sharing God's grace with all.
Week 1 of the seminar we talked about Prophetic Justice, the speaker had an amazing gift of prophesy and spoke some amazing things to me... (She knew nothing about me)
-She said that this vision the Lord has given me (to see women be transformed in the red light district (really all over the world but for me starting here in Amsterdam) is truly from Him and that He will provide the funds and the people to see this through.
-I need to continue speaking about this vision and telling others about it, for people WANT to hear and be involved.
-I have a gift of leadership - yes I am a woman and I am called to be a leader.
-It feels like I have burned my bridges to get here leaving my life back home but I have in fact come here to soar as a bird in freedom.
-God calls me an "explosion" but in a good way, not a destructive way.
-I will be used as an initiator in an apostolic ministry
-Now I must pray, pray, pray!!
The next day she sought me out after she was finished speaking and said she had a few more things she wanted to say/reiterate...
-I have an apostolic teaching gift and will be used to lead/train in an apostolic mobilization in regards to justice.
-I will speak out to multitudes, speaking in many places such as Bible Colleges and Universities (speaking on what exactly I’m not too sure, I’m obviously thinking something with justice)
-I will not reside in Amsterdam forever but come back to the states and go out from there (which the Lord had already told me)
-My Scriptural/Biblical background will be my basis
-I must keep speaking out on these things for people will listen (this has motivated me the most, when I feel like I am doing nothing or just feel like quitting I think back to this and remind myself that God WANTS to use me and will infact use me to make a difference if I am willing.)
-I will write books (something I’ve dreamed of doing since a child)
Some things I left out and some things I wrote not really wanting to share on here but feeling like I must. I'm not sure what to think about some of these words spoken but I can say this; everything she said to me I have had on my heart in some way, shape or form and never really spoke to most people about. It was so much confirmation. Because I mean when you have personal, intimate time with Jesus and He speaks some deep, huge thing to you, you don't really go out and say it to everyone. I held onto them seeing what would happen and when she said some of these things I just leaped inside. My life is not my own and I have fully given it to God to do as He pleases and I do believe, since I am willing, He will use me in mighty ways. It is all through HIM and nothing I can do by my own strength.
Prayer Requests
-The teeth on the upper left hand of my mouth have been extremely affected by the cold, I've always had problems with them but the last few weeks the pain has been unbearable.
-That I would not lose this passion for justice and sharing God's grace with all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)