This week has been pretty crazy and I haven't really had time to get on and update unfortunately, but I can now! The staff have a prayer conference this week in the mornings so instead of having classes in the morning, we have class in the afternoons and evenings. I've really enjoyed the afternoon and evening classes because it's easier for me to stay awake than the morning classes but it has taken away a lot of my time. 

Classes have been amazing this week! This week's topic is "Identity in Christ" so we've been learning about how as christians, we are Christ's spirit with a soul in a fleshly body. It has been very interesting and has really opened my eyes to a lot of new concepts. The verse for the week is 2 Corinthians 5:17 and how in Christ we are no longer caterpillars but we have become BUTTERFLIES! It has been a powerful week of freedom for me. She taught us that how in Greek, the word "all" means ALL, including past and future sins and that once we make that one time commitment, all our sins are forgiven and there is no need for guilt. Last night Jodie, our teacher, gave each of us a piece of paper with all the sins that are mentioned in the bible written on it and we went on a "date with Jesus". On that date, I went through the list and marked each sin that I had committed and let Jesus work in my heart and show me how He forgiven me for each of them. Then we went as a team and one by one nailed that paper on a cross and poured red paint over our piece of paper. Afterwards, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I felt free! Today is our last day of classes this week and I'm excited to see what more Jodie and Jesus have in store for me.

This weekend should be very exciting because the church that I go to here is sponsoring and holding a surf contest and so most of us here at YWAM are planning on helping. And even though I know NOTHING about surfing, I was asked to be one of the judges! I'm really excited about it and honestly, I'm a little nervous too. But even though I don't know how to judge a surf comp, it should be really fun!

During prayer this morning, a bunch of people prayed that healing would be released on my ankle and it's feeling a lot better but please keep that in your prayers. And also pray for the surf comp this weekend that it would be an effective platform for sharing the gospel to the surfers who come and participate.

Last night we went to "the zone" which was very interesting. The Zone is kinda like Mazatlan's red-light district where there is a lot of drugs, prostitutes and night clubs. It's not a very big area, just a neighborhood but it was amazing the amount of longing and hurt that was present there. We had the opportunity to talk to a few people, one of whom was a lady that came up to us and asked us if we wanted a party but once we started talking to her she broke down and started crying and is going to church with one of the groups this morning! It was really cool to see God work like that and touch her. We also prayed for a little church that was there and for a family that has always been a big help in that district. Shiloh, the staff that is in charge, told us that the atmosphere there has really improved since YWAM first started coming and is a lot less dark and depressing. It was encouraging to hear that and know that by me being there, I'm playing a part in that change and am helping usher in God's work in that area. Please just keep that area in your prayers and for Juan and Arrelio, two guys we met there and talked to and prayed for. 

As you all know, we had to decide on our outreach location by wednesday of this week and I hadn't received any word from God yet as to where He wanted me to go. I spent many hours seeking an answer and tried NUMEROUS ways to hear his voice and receive signs with no avail. Josh, the school leader, said I needed to let him know today where I was planning on going and I didn't know at class this morning, and then didn't know at lunch, and didn't decided finally until this afternoon. Because I hadn't received any clear word from him where he wanted me to leave to, I felt that I should stay here in Mexico. I know that it's his will for me to be here and I don't want to leave that will unless I'm certain I'm being called somewhere else. I'm a little bummed that I won't be going overseas but at the same time I'm really excited to see how God is going to continue to use me here in Mexico. Thank you all for your prayers and I'll make sure to keep everyone updated on who goes and what happens with it.

Today has been a really good day for me and God but it was still challenging for me and is continuing to push my faith. During class this morning Harmony, the speaker, had some very encouraging and powerful prophecies for my life and who I am in Christ. Through these words I really felt God speaking into my life and strengthened my desire to do great things for His kingdom in the future. Then later in class, students had the opportunity to have the other students prophecy over them and once again, the Lord shared some very encouraging and much needed words with me. One of them was about how I would be like Hezekiah and it was later confirmed during my quiet time when I turned to the story of Hezekiah twice, once in 2 Chronicles and once in Isaiah. It was a really cool way to confirm what God had spoken to me earlier. The challenging part came because today was the day that our outreach locations were due and I spent a lot of time with God and He didn't reveal to me where he wanted me to go. Josh told me that I can let him know tomorrow. So keep praying that I find out where He wants me to go on outreach. Thanks!

This morning we started lectures on hearing the voice of God and I am so excited for this week! Our speaker, Harmony (she's staff here) seems like an amazing woman of God and really in tune with his will and heart. Already she has spoken specifically to several students in class about God's heart for them and what they will be marked by in their faith. She said that one student will prophesy about nations and to leaders of nations, one of the guys will be an authority on intimacy with God and another will do the impossible through fasting. It was a really encouraging time and I am SO excited to see where this week will lead us as a school and me individually. She also made the comment that all the staff see something special in our school and believe that God has marked our school for great things. I'm excited to see how this will all play out and how I will fit into this special plan of His. And that was all in only the first class!

On thursday night our school leader announced our outreach options and we have the option of Mexico, Brazil, or China. We have to decide by Wednesday so this weekend and early next week I will be praying about where God wants me to go for my outreach. We split the team into the three locations so we won't be going as a whole team to one location. Please pray that I am open to God's guiding where he wants me to go and not where I want to go.

On Friday night some of us guys went camping on the beach! It was so much fun! We BBQ'd some meat for quesadillas for dinner and slept under the stars. It was such an amazing trip. The sunset was so beautiful as was the sunrise the next morning. We had a great time of bonding as guys as we fished, swam, and went nighttime skinny dipping. I really feel like we all got closer as a team and as brothers during this trip. And on top of that it was a great time of relaxation and enjoying God's creation.

This next week we're having lectures on hearing the voice of God which couldn't come at a better time since we have to decide out outreach choices this week. I've been praying about it so far and haven't had any direction yet so I'm excited to see how God is going to speak to me.

This morning we had a video conference with YWAM bases from all over the Americas and listened to the YWAM president give a short encouraging message. It was cool to be connected like that to all the other bases from different areas in the States and the Pacific and Mexico. Then we had class again and Brent talked about the prodigal son and how God will always seek us out and welcome us back because he loves us so much. Then after lunch I met with Stephen (one of the staff) for my one on one and we talked about how things are going so far for me and how I'm getting along with my roommates. And right now I'm going to a "Treasure Island" themed engagement party for Isaac Vargas and his fiance Arey. Everyone is dressing up and the patio is all decorated, it should be fun!!!

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve left a new post, I guess that just means that I’ve got a lot more stuff that I can now post! And sorry for the long length, I promise it’s all interesting!

Sunday I went to a “surfer church”. It was a very casual church where we sat on couches and drank coffee, things that I’m not used to in a church setting. The service was good but unfortunately I couldn’t understand most of the sermon because it was in Spanish but I was able to catch the jist of it so it wasn’t too bad. Later that afternoon I was finally able to get some needed necessities, like a towel, pillow, blanket and shampoo of my own. Nothing too exciting but they made me happy. Haha You know I’m living the simple life when a towel makes me happy (at least it was orange!). Then after that exciting trip, we watched the Little Rascals which was surprisingly a lot of fun. I forgot how good that movie is!

Monday we had another amazing worship session in the morning and then it was the first official day for classes. However, the Holy Spirit had different plans for us and we didn’t get much class time in. At first we were going around the circle sharing about our families and what brought us to the DTS but as we shared, our speaker, who is the base director, would as us questions that the Holy Spirit laid on his heart. This led to some intense sharing times and as a result we didn’t get to this weeks subject, which is the father heart of God, till that nights class. That night Brent talked about how God’s love for us as a father and how he desires to help us unload all the hurts and worries that we carry around everyday. He is a really good speaker and uses excellent illustrations to communicate his message.

Yesterday we had intercession in the morning, which once again, was a new and amazing experience. Until Carnaval, we are praying for certain themes that God has laid on hearts of the staff and this last week was “Doors”. My team was specifically praying the door of selfishness would be broken down and replaced with a spirit of generosity. We felt like God was telling us to pray outside and once we were outside, he led us to a number of locations which we prayed over. We prayed for a couple churches that they would join YWAM’s vision for Carnaval and prayed against a tarot card-reading house. I have never really depended so much for direction from the Holy Spirit which was really cool! Then we had another Spirit led time of sharing with the team and lots of people shared about people they need to forgive which led to more healing and intense sharing. God had been doing a lot of work in our team already!!

Well I'm done with my first official week here in Mazatlan. At first it was hard but now I love it here! The people are amazing and the city is beautiful. So far so good.

Today we had a beach day and the whole base took the vans to a really nice beach just outside of the city. We played some games and swam (in water that is warmer than Monterey's) which was very nice. And then this evening I went to Isaac Vargas' house tonight and watched a movie and I was the only one who didn't speak spanish. Let's just say it was a good cultural experience. haha I listened to a lot of spanish and learned that mexicans talk a lot and make quite a few comments about the movie. I'm used to people being quiet during movies so it was an ethnic experience. Mr. Pacheco, if you're reading this, you should be proud. You taught me well about respecting different cultures. 

Yesterday we learned about the carnaval that is here in Mazatlan in February and I'm so excited! The carnaval is the third largest in the world, after the one in rio and mardi gras. It has close to a million people walk through it and is a huge outreach opportunity. The YWAM base sets up a coffee shop and hair salon and also does street ministry and lots and LOTS of prayer. We started praying over it yesterday and it's forty days from tomorrow. I really feel like God is going to use me and all of us for big things. I can't wait for it to come. It starts February 17th so please keep that in your prayers.

This morning we had an amazing time of intercession prayer, something that we will be doing every tuesday morning. We split into small groups and then listened to what God would have us pray for and then we prayed for those things in our groups. This afternoon we are going to continue with orientation and they are going to tell us all about our duties on base. And thank you to everyone who helped with my finances! In our meeting last night I learned that I have plenty for the DTS and that I have more coming form El Paso for the Outreach. Please pray for my health, I feel like I'm getting sick and my nose has been stuffed and running since last night. Thank you!

Well I'm here in Mazatlan now and just got my internet working tonight.

Things have been good so far, kinda rough with the base here but i'm getting used to them. We don't have hot water here on base till next week and the toilet in our bathroom doesn't flush all the way. Besides those minor details things are really good! I love the people here and we're already all so close that it's made being away from home a lot easier, still hard but easier.

The people here are so cool and i love the international feeling that we have here. Here are some short descriptions of some of the team members.

Remey~ we call him frenchy because he's from...well france! and he wears a fanny pack and is really cool and a lot of fun and funny! and he was an extra in Australia and Band of Brothers!! And he has a wallet with a marijuana leaf on it because his mom got in Canada and thought it was a maple leaf. Everything he does is hilarious.
Keaton~ he just graduated from high school in texas and was ranked #2 in the world a few years ago in disc golf!
Tim~ he's 24 and flies helicopters in canada and says "eh" all the time.
There are 4 girls from the netherlands and their english is really funny! they keep getting things wrong
Amy~she is from england and has the cooles accent!
there are also a lot fo people here with australian accents too. they're not on my team but they're here on base.

It's been great getting to know them all and I can't wait to see how God uses us as a team and how our relationships with everyone. 

We started orientation today and will continue for the rest of this week and start classes next week. I'm excited to start classes and can't wait to see what they're going to be like.

Please keep praying for my ankle (i sprained it last week before leaving) and that it wouldn't be too hard being away from home. and that relationships here keep developing. Thank you so much for your prayers so far and I'll try and update more often.

Well the first leg of my trip down to Mazatlan is over. I am sitting in the Phoenix airport waiting for my flight to board. All my good-bye's have been said and it's finally starting to hit me how long six months really is and that I'm really doing this. I'm so excited to see what God has in store for me but at the same time I'm going to miss the people of home, not home itself exactly, just the people. haha