This Crazy, Good Life

Once again, I apologize for the long time between updates. Days are very full and busy around here, but they've been so great. Each day definitely brings something new! Last week, our school did a media fast meaning that we gave up music, movies, laptops, books, magazines...all those kinds of things for the week. It was really cool to see relationships get closer during this time when a lot of the typical distractions were taken away.

Since my last update, we have had two other lectures: New Hearts and Bible Overview. The former dealt with things in the past that had led to unhealthy thought patterns, lies we believed about ourselves and others, and wrong worldviews. There was a lot of forgiveness and freedom that came from that week through all the students, including myself. It was a topic that really opened my eyes to how circumstances and things people say to us can impact us so greatly even if we don't realize it at the time. Bible Overview week was also eye-opening and greatly impacting. The week focused a lot on the Old Testament and how so much of what happened (Covenants, prophesies, etc.) pointed to Jesus and the life He would live. The Bible and its truth came alive to me and it's been AMAZING!

In other news: On Saturday, YWAM Maui put on the first ever "Manny's Moustache Marathon". Most of the guys had grown out their facial hair for the month of October ("Overgrown October"); they shaved, leaving behind their moustaches. So, we ran seven miles, from Haiku to Paia. It was pretty crazy, but a lot of fun. Oh...and I got third place :) It's crazy because I am not much of a runner, nor was I expecting to place. My goal was simply to get through the whole thing! Anyway, still kind of a nice way to end a long race.

About five weeks from now, I'll be heading out to begin the outreach portion of this whole adventure. I'm definitely excited, but it also doesn't really seem like it's actually happening. Because of how busy it always is, I feel like I haven't even had the time to let reality sink in that I'll be going. I wish I could share so much more about outreach, but, again, I'll just have more to share when it's all over! On a related note, God has really been faithful with providing the finances, but I still need the second half of my outreach portion (~$2,000.00). I know it's out there and I know He's making a way. Please be praying that it will come in and that I will remain faithful to Him just as He is faithful to us.

I'll try to update again soon and maybe just have a post with a ton of pictures since there have been a number of requests for those. Keep checking in and thanks for all your prayers! Be blessed!