This is going to be a rough five months.
This is going to be a radical five months.
I barely even knew what I was getting myself into when I applied for a DTS.
I can't even remember what I said in my last blog post, but here I am now.
Real lectures started this week, and our speaker for this week is Marty. He has been talking about some radical things, most of which I can't conjure up in my mind right now because of how emotionally and mentally exhausted I am writing this. But the last day and a half he's been talking about getting freedom through repentance and accepting God's forgiveness. Today we talked about shame we feel: either for sin in our life, or things people have done to us. And how shame has turned to sin in our lives, because it is hindering our relationship with God.
Our lectures go from around 9:30 in the morning until 12:30 when we eat lunch and then head back to the base for work duties. Marty usually doesn't get done on time, but today was ridiculous. At 12:30 (when we were really supposed to be done) he had us stand up and those who wanted to could go through the process of repentance. He then opened up the front for those who wanted to go and repent openly, and get things off of our chest and really receive forgiveness. By the time we got to "lunch" it was 5:45.
At first people trickled to the front...a few here and there. And then soon most of us were standing in line.
I stood there sobbing, feeling God's love and how much He loves all of His children! The things people laid down were heartbreaking and eye-opening, and I wish I could share them, but they are too personal and I honestly don't have the liberty to tell the online community about them :p
Things people said in response to these people just laying it right out there were so good! Here's one of my favorite:
"God will never love you less or more than He does right now. You don't EARN His love by what you do, and being perfect won't make Him love you more"
The van ride to the base at 5:45 was in silence, because we were all processing.
I'm still processing. Being able to be open, honest, raw, vulnerable, and real with this many people, and knowing they still love me is crazy. This community living is definitely growing on me.
God is a God who brings freedom and redemption and He loves us more than we comprehend, and I want to feel that love more and more every day. Every day!!
P.S. Saying hell in normal conversation in NZ is not culturally inappropriate! It's not a "swear" word! Therefore there were lots of pissed off proclamations to the devil to get the hell out of our lives and to stop having the impact that he has had. I'm liking it here.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Orientation
Today was orientation day!
It started off with waking up around 6 to get ready and go for breakfast at 6:30. Breakfast is sort of on our own: They have cereal, toast, fruits, and eggs that we can prepare on our own.
After breakfast we went to the lecture room to have an introduction and go over the guidelines here. The leader, Shane, has a gift for prophesy and he began to tell a few people what God has been telling him. It was intense and I was almost relieved that my name wasn't mentioned, but I have a feeling he will make it to everyone.
It was awesome to hear how much respect and protectiveness that Shane has for all of us young women. He made it clear to the young men here that they aren't to lay a hand on us! That is also something that has been relieving here. The guys are respectful and gentlemen-like. Shane gave us clear rules for relationships, and advised strongly against them because this is a time to spend focusing on God.
Next we got a thorough tour of the centre and we were told our duties and how we need to respect this place because of all the wonderful people who have given generously and sacrificially toward it. This place is very nice, I was not expecting this much!
This place is paradise. The food is delicious, with many fresh fruits and veggies from our wonderful cooks. I love all of the different accents! The Canadian's "eh", the Swiss's careful and delicate words, the Norwegian's difficult to understand but fun accent, but my favorite, the Kiwi accent! I don't think there are enough of them here for me to pick up an accent, but I love to listen to them talk. I haven't figured it out yet, but they either call some meals or some breaks "tea" (even if they don't drink tea during them!) and other little phrases are fun.
God is a God of blessings.
It started off with waking up around 6 to get ready and go for breakfast at 6:30. Breakfast is sort of on our own: They have cereal, toast, fruits, and eggs that we can prepare on our own.
After breakfast we went to the lecture room to have an introduction and go over the guidelines here. The leader, Shane, has a gift for prophesy and he began to tell a few people what God has been telling him. It was intense and I was almost relieved that my name wasn't mentioned, but I have a feeling he will make it to everyone.
It was awesome to hear how much respect and protectiveness that Shane has for all of us young women. He made it clear to the young men here that they aren't to lay a hand on us! That is also something that has been relieving here. The guys are respectful and gentlemen-like. Shane gave us clear rules for relationships, and advised strongly against them because this is a time to spend focusing on God.
Next we got a thorough tour of the centre and we were told our duties and how we need to respect this place because of all the wonderful people who have given generously and sacrificially toward it. This place is very nice, I was not expecting this much!
This place is paradise. The food is delicious, with many fresh fruits and veggies from our wonderful cooks. I love all of the different accents! The Canadian's "eh", the Swiss's careful and delicate words, the Norwegian's difficult to understand but fun accent, but my favorite, the Kiwi accent! I don't think there are enough of them here for me to pick up an accent, but I love to listen to them talk. I haven't figured it out yet, but they either call some meals or some breaks "tea" (even if they don't drink tea during them!) and other little phrases are fun.
God is a God of blessings.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Arrival!
I have arrived in Tauranga, New Zealand for my medical training through YWAM Marine Reach! Traveling was exhausting, as the time from leaving my home to reaching the base turned out to be over two days long! I stayed in my sister Serenity's house before I left, and then my flights took me from Minneapolis to Phoenix to Los Angeles (where I met two traveling companions) to Nadi, Fiji to Auckland, New Zealand.
There we waited for our bus and happened to meet two other students. We had to wait a while for another bus, and happened to meet two other students from there! The last bus to Tauranga was fun because we talked to a Kiwi on the bus about New Zealand and culture things. (NZ doesn't have guns! Not even the police! He told me that he would be afraid in the US to be shot. Already the culture differences are interesting to see)
We were picked up in the city of Tauranga and taken to our base (about 15 minutes out of Tauranga) and our first view of the base was as it was getting dark, but we could tell it was beautiful! There's a steep incline from the road to the base. I don't think there are any straight, flat roads here! Walking into the Center, there were already people there and it was overwhelming being that tired and seeing that many people! We found our room and it is so nice here. They had NZ candy and pop, a few notebooks, and a cute little note waiting for everyone on their bunks.
My first impression of the people here is that they are the nicest group of people I know. Kiwis are very friendly! The first morning my friend Amy and I went on a jog/walk (we intended to jog the whole thing but the hills really got us!) maybe a few miles away from where our base was. The farm land is indescribable! There are not as many sheep as I was expected (Maybe there are more in South Island?) but many cows. We waved at farmers as we went past, and they seemed happy to wave to strangers!
I've met so many people, and most of them more than once because I can't remember names. There are around 70 students and 20 staff here. It's pretty hard to tell between students and staff because many of the students are older than the staff. The staff is as young as 19 years old. Both staff and students are constantly introducing themselves and being so open and friendly! The lady I was in contact with during the whole preparation time is called Nesi and she's such a sweetie. Then again everyone is.
I was showing a new arrival to the waterfall this afternoon when I mentioned to her that everyone here is unbelievably nice. She laughed and answered "We all love Jesus!"
Our God is a God who blesses those who follow His call.
This time I'm here is a blessing. It will probably be the biggest challenge I've ever had, and I will struggle through finding who God wants me to be. I will probably mess up from time to time, but learn from it. This will be the best time of my life to this point.
There we waited for our bus and happened to meet two other students. We had to wait a while for another bus, and happened to meet two other students from there! The last bus to Tauranga was fun because we talked to a Kiwi on the bus about New Zealand and culture things. (NZ doesn't have guns! Not even the police! He told me that he would be afraid in the US to be shot. Already the culture differences are interesting to see)
We were picked up in the city of Tauranga and taken to our base (about 15 minutes out of Tauranga) and our first view of the base was as it was getting dark, but we could tell it was beautiful! There's a steep incline from the road to the base. I don't think there are any straight, flat roads here! Walking into the Center, there were already people there and it was overwhelming being that tired and seeing that many people! We found our room and it is so nice here. They had NZ candy and pop, a few notebooks, and a cute little note waiting for everyone on their bunks.
My first impression of the people here is that they are the nicest group of people I know. Kiwis are very friendly! The first morning my friend Amy and I went on a jog/walk (we intended to jog the whole thing but the hills really got us!) maybe a few miles away from where our base was. The farm land is indescribable! There are not as many sheep as I was expected (Maybe there are more in South Island?) but many cows. We waved at farmers as we went past, and they seemed happy to wave to strangers!
I've met so many people, and most of them more than once because I can't remember names. There are around 70 students and 20 staff here. It's pretty hard to tell between students and staff because many of the students are older than the staff. The staff is as young as 19 years old. Both staff and students are constantly introducing themselves and being so open and friendly! The lady I was in contact with during the whole preparation time is called Nesi and she's such a sweetie. Then again everyone is.
I was showing a new arrival to the waterfall this afternoon when I mentioned to her that everyone here is unbelievably nice. She laughed and answered "We all love Jesus!"
Our God is a God who blesses those who follow His call.
This time I'm here is a blessing. It will probably be the biggest challenge I've ever had, and I will struggle through finding who God wants me to be. I will probably mess up from time to time, but learn from it. This will be the best time of my life to this point.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
1 More Week!
In just one week I'll be on my journey to New Zealand. Actually, in exactly one week I will be at the airport in LA getting to know Mary and Victoria, my two traveling companions who are doing the YWAM DTS with me. (DTS= Discipleship Training School, aka the 12 week lecture phase) Preparing for this trip has been pretty stressful. I need to work ahead in school to get done with this semester almost two weeks before it's actually done, and there's so many loose ends to tie. But I'm working hard and trying to get things finished.
Last Sunday I lead a Sunday School class at New Journey church in Fosston. It went a lot better than I thought (I was very nervous!) I talked about the reasons I'm going on this trip, and shared the verses that have pointed me in this direction. I ended my reasons with this: To find joy amidst sorrow. I then shared James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. This has been my favorite Bible verse for several years.
I am getting really close to being fully funded! I have almost $8,000 of the $10,000 that I need. Keep praying that all of the money will come in. I need the rest before I leave for outreach.
In love, to all of my friends and family,
Mary Helen Berntson
Last Sunday I lead a Sunday School class at New Journey church in Fosston. It went a lot better than I thought (I was very nervous!) I talked about the reasons I'm going on this trip, and shared the verses that have pointed me in this direction. I ended my reasons with this: To find joy amidst sorrow. I then shared James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. This has been my favorite Bible verse for several years.
I am getting really close to being fully funded! I have almost $8,000 of the $10,000 that I need. Keep praying that all of the money will come in. I need the rest before I leave for outreach.
In love, to all of my friends and family,
Mary Helen Berntson
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