Didn't You Go to India and South Korea?

Yes, yes I did...but I've just been too long in getting back to you! Here's the update...

India

After a night of much enjoyed sleep, I stepped out of the entrance to the hostel into the muddy streets of Manali in Northern India. My friend Rosie and I had come to visit the India Outreach team, and one of the team leaders, Isabel, was taking us on a small tour of the “city” that had been their home for almost three weeks.

It had been dark when we arrived the night before, so I hadn’t seen much. What overtook me first was the incredible beauty of the mountains – that isn’t something I had expected in India. The lush, towering peeks struck such a sense of awe in me – amazing.

But as I turned my eyes to the streets, my heart grew heavier. This “city” of Manali is inhabited with tourists – with about 80% of those tourists being Israeli – but there was little in the way to recommend it. The streets were muddy, the shops somewhat few, the local homes very poor, and cows roamed the streets with more freedom than people did.

After our walk, Isabel brought me back and I asked her about what drew people here. She took me to my room, and pointed to the grassy looking area right in front of my door – marijuana plants. She explained that so many tourists come here looking for cheap drugs, cheap sex and meaning to life. The first two are readily available, and the last one – well, while the eastern religion of India is readily available, the purpose people are looking for often eludes them. And that is why this team was there – to be a light in a place that was so heavy with darkness, and to show that real meaning can’t be found in emptying yourself, but in being filled with the life of Jesus.

That was one small glimpse of my time with our DTS India Outreach team. Though the travel to them was grueling (36 hours each way), it was well worth it to be able to connect with this group and see all that they had been led into.

As I already mentioned, the team was living in a place where tourists came to seek after “recreational” activities and eastern religion. Just in the way the team chose to live – boys and girls living in separate rooms, not engaging with drugs and singing joyful worship songs – set them a part from many other who came there. They had developed friendships with the people in the hostel, shop owners and tourists in the cafes, and had the opportunity to share time and again about why their lives were different.

And the day before I left, we had the opportunity to go into a Christian Children’s home/school. This place is home to about 90 children, and gave education to many more in the local area. Five of us climbed onto the school bus with the kids one morning and headed off to school – what a sight we must have been among those little, black-haired children!

This facility blessed me as I met teachers and workers who were giving of their lives. As they shared the hope of Jesus with each child, and sought to give them an excellent education, they were building hope for this nation, and in this area, where hopelessness often reigns.

It was sad to leave the team, and although the trip home was also grueling (another 36 hour journey), it was such a privilege to see the students and staff giving of their hearts in this nation.

South Korea
My mind was reeling and my fingers flying as I took notes at the YWAM Global Leadership Team meetings on Jeju Island, South Korea. Every year, the Global Leadership body of YWAM, numbering around 55 people from all over the world, gather to pray together, to hear global reports, and to plan for the future of this Mission.

I was just there as a note taker, commissioned through relationship to help the main administrator of these meetings by taking detailed minutes of their all day sessions. I have been doing this already for another international body in YWAM, and now was the time to put my flying fingers into service for this leadership group.

And what an amazing time it was. I was blown away again by the breadth and scope of what Youth with a Mission is. From the obedience of one couple, Loren and Darlene Cunningham (see Loren to the right), to a vision they received from God, had grown a Missions agency that is a little over 16,000 members strong. We are running Discipleship Training Schools in over 150 nations and in over 50 languages, and are involved in numerous global issues – literacy, fighting poverty, orphans, business, human trafficking, the United Nations…and the list continues. My little role in Herrnhut, Germany was feeling very small at that moment.

Though the above things were impressed on my mind and spirit, what engaged my heart in a deeper way was watching the leaders of our Mission took more than one time to pray for a young woman who had contracted a serious form of malaria as she served in Africa. This woman was in a coma, and the leaders of the Jeju Base as well as her family and friends were carrying a heavy load during this time. And so, as members of our global family were hurting, the leaders set aside their time schedule and lifted her and the others up in prayer.

And I saw again that no matter how astounding the work we do in this world is, it’s the time we take for the individuals that truly leaves a mark on the soul. May God give you and I the strength to give the time that changes lives.

Again, so many stories, so little time! But, being able to serve at these meetings, though very busy at times, was a privilege for me. I felt exposed not only to the bigger picture of YWAM, but to a deeper understanding of how one person’s life can make such a dramatic difference in the future of nations. I met a lot of unsung heroes at these meetings – people who had gone into remote villages in Africa and India, into uncharted sectors of business and industry, people who had been kidnapped for their faith - and all with a desire to see God’s love spread to a hurting world. It was a humbling as well as energizing time for me, and I hope that I can bring even a small piece of what I learned back to the Base in Herrnhut. (Check out some of my YWAM friends to the right - the man in the front with me is from New Zealand, the red-haired woman from Canada, the one woman from Kenya and the other from Holland)

And so, I think that’s it for now! As always, how can I express my deep thanks to you? Thank you for walking alongside me in prayer and support – these last months have been challenging physically, financially (but, by the way, all the finances came in for all the trips – wahoo!) and spiritually, and you help bring joy to my step. Thank you for reaching out to the lives around you.

Drop a note if you have the time – until we type again –

Cory

Warning...wild baboons on the loose...

It’s about 5:30am, and I’m finally finished with what seemed like an eternal flight from Germany to Cape Town, South Africa. Two friends were there to greet me, and they promptly ushered me into the car for our journey to where I was staying.

And that’s when the contrasts began. As we were nearing a stoplight, my friend slowed, but wouldn’t come to a complete stop. “You don’t want to come to a full stop at a light, if you can help it,” she said. “because if you do, there’s a chance you could be carjacked. We’ve had that happen here – people taken from their cars at stoplights and harmed.” That was an eye-opening statement for me, one of many to come about this vibrant, beautiful, city on the cusp of change…

First impressions of Cape Town: WOW! The jagged peaks jut out over the ocean, and the view is breathtaking. After having been in land-locked Germany for some time, the mountains and oceans (the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet here) were a welcome sights indeed. My friends and I spent an afternoon at a national park, where we came to the southernmost point of Africa (see pictures), and along the way, ran into a troupe of baboons (these critters actually go through neighborhoods upending garbage and going into unlocked doors in search of food) and ostriches. Yes, ostriches by the ocean! Who knew? We saw pictures of penguins that are in the area, but alas, no sightings. Sad day.

And then, after the initial enjoyment of nature’s beauty, other impressions begin to edge their way into my consciousness. Black South Africans walk the streets, and some come up into the neighborhoods, scrounging for food in the trash cans. Poverty is a big issue, and it’s a very apparent one – I was staying in a nice home on the hill, but just 10 minutes away was the “township” of Masiphumelele, which is full of very small shacks that house too many people and don’t have running water or consistent electricity. The shacks leak when it rains (and it rains a lot in winter) and are susceptible to fire because of the cooking methods and the unsafe, hijacked electricity. Unemployment is high in the township, and hope can be low.

But in the middle of a situation that man would say is without hope, hope lives. A small group of YWAMmers, along with other ministries, are reaching out in an effort to bring transformation to this community of about 20,000. Transformation, while a nice word, takes time, a lot of unified effort and what one person said, “long obedience in the same direction." When I arrived, the YWAMmers were just finishing up the rebuilding of a shack for a woman and her 4 children. Another man was taking time to teach basic computer skills to help men and women upgrade their abilities so that more jobs would be open for them.

And then there was another endeavor that really excited me. I have always enjoyed business, and I see that business can have a dramatically positive social change if it’s walked out with God-inspired principles. African Hope Crafts (www.africanhopecrafts.org) is a Christian founded business that has the goal to provide jobs for men and women suffering with HIV/AIDs. The employees create beautiful jewelry which is sold through a small store front in Cape Town as well as through those who’ve chose to become distributors. The sale of one set of jewelry – necklace, earrings, and bracelet – gives the funds for one day’s wages for one person. As the distributors increase – and anyone can become one – the revenue increases, more people are employed and a community is changed. Now that’s exciting!

So, all-in-all, my meetings were successful, spending time with good friends was encouraging, and my time in South Africa was impacting. Even though I've shared these observations about the township, please know that Cape Town was much more than what I communicated. Iit's a city coming alive with possibility - with businesses, schools and ministries - but is also one dealing with issues many of our cities are dealing with. As you continue to see Africa in the news, I hope this note comes to mind and you are urged towards prayer and action.

And as you think about what I’ve shared here, be on the lookout for a wild troupe of baboons in your own neighborhood…

Know that you’re appreciated - until we type again,

Cory

P.S.: Next stop, India Outreach team visit, with 10 hours of flying and 16 hours of bus travel…more to come….

The fun April DTS Crew....

Just the other day, we gathered as a DTS to take a School photo - 18 students and 7 staff from six different nations. Man, trying to get one photo where everyone looks good is nearly impossible, especially when we're all cracking jokes. :)

Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing our faces. Until we meet again!

A lovely weekend away...

It's hard to believe, but I'm over halfway through this April DTS...but more on that later.

So, in the middle of the school, I took the opportunity to finally go and visit the hometown of my good friend, Ingrid - who also happens to be one of my roommates. Toni got to come along as well, which made it all the more enjoyable. It can be difficult to get away in the middle of a DTS, but I'm so glad I did.

Germany really is a beautiful country, and having the opportunity to see a bit of the countryside and to also see where one of your friends grew up is a special treat. It was so wonderful to be in her parent's home, and though they weren't able to be there while we were there, we had a lovely time nonetheless. I remarked to both Toni and Ingrid how great it was to be in a single-family home - much of my time is spent in apartments, and being in someone's stand-alone home was quite nice.

We weren't there long, but we had the chance to relax and see a bit of Kulmbach. On the day we headed back to Herrnhut, we stopped and sawy Plassenburg Castle - there are many castles across Germany (including the one I'm working in in Herrnhut), but each is different. This one was built in 1135, and at one point, had been occupied for a brief time by Napolean. What a piece of history.

Well, that's a all for now. Hope all is well with you, and drop a note when you can. See you at the next Castle!

A table for 900, please...

Ping, ping, ping...wham, wham, wham…bang, bang, bang...The sounds of a city arising from nothing carry through the open window of the classroom. It’s May, and the Discipleship Training School is heading into its 4th week. The eighteen students we get to work with this time around – 10 guys from five nations and 8 girls from Germany – are fun work with, but continually challenge me all the same. Just goes to show that I don’t need 68 students to feel challenged to grow – one is enough! (The picture: A glimpse of the classroom - say cheese!)

But as we look out the windows of the Water Castle towards our field, we see a tent city arising. For in just a few days, 800 or so YWAMmers (with about 100 coming from our Base here in Herrnhut) from all across Europe will be descending on the “city” of Herrnhut. Since the normal size of the “city” is about 2,300, our presence alone will almost double the size of the immediate area – how fun!

And why, you might be asking, are 900 YWAMmers convening in Herrnhut? For the first time in quite a while, YWAM Europe has been called together for a few days to connect, be refreshed, and to seek out what the future holds. Even though this Festival of the Nations is quite a lot of work (I’m certain the coordinators will need 3 months off afterwards), I am looking forward to seeing already known friends, and friends yet to be made, from all parts of the continent.

Now if I could just figure out a way to keep them from all showing up for dinner at once…

So, that’s a small glimpse of the world on this side of the water. The Discipleship Training School itself has been going very well, and the pace has been very different this time around since I have a school of 18 rather than 68. Whew! But, I’m still learning a lot, still being stretched in my understanding of God and also articulating who He is in all areas of life. God is intensely day-to-day, and He sees no separation in life between what is spiritual and what is practical, but walking Him out in everyday life proves to be the greatest challenge of all. (The picture: Daniel and Seokhwan, hard at work)

And the Festival of the Nations is just around the corner! As I already mentioned, I’m really looking forward to this time, and I look forward to seeing the fruit of months and months of hard work by the coordination team. We even have the privilege of having Loren Cunningham, the Founder of YWAM, speak to all of us during this time. I know it will be a time of inspiration, and I hope, the birth of new things across Europe. I’m excited to see what happens. (The pictures: From this one tent...to these and with many more to come!)

I myself am doing pretty well – feeling a little homesick at times (I won’t be coming home until the end of the year, and I miss shallow things like flavored creamer and flavored coffee - sigh), but still I know I’m where I should be, and I’m truly loving it. But, should you want to come for a visit, please do – it would be great to see you.

So, off I go for now. Thank you, as always, for coming with me. This is not a life I walk alone – your encouragement and support are so necessary. Thank you for all you give!

Until we type again,

A welcome visit from home...

Though their time was brief, I had the wonderful opportunity to welcome some friends from my home church on their short visit in Herrnhut. A group of five men (two pastors, one of the Missions leaders, and two other great guys) came through Herrnhut to visit Toni, Tom and Jen and myself on their way to Romania. (Picture: Kelly, Toni, me and George)

It was wonderful to have them here, and they brought a lot of fun and refreshment. And, as a special treat, one of my very good friends got to come along and see what it is we're doing here. What fun it was to have a close friend (I just wish his wife and kids could have come, too - maybe next time, Heidi!) be able to see what it is I do, and to have him be able to put faces to names. It was a little strange to realize, though, that we were all in Germany together instead of in Seattle! (Picture: Toni, Kelly and me!)

So, just know, that if you want to come and visit, too, you're welcome!

Let's skip ahead...

In a perfect world, I would have the information about my trip to Morocco and the end of this last DTS up here already...hmmmm. I'm still working on how to automatically transfer the stories in my head to the Blog. I'll let you know how that goes.

But, until then, I thought I'd do a quick post to stay hello and bring you up on what's happening here. Toni and I are in the midst of staff training for the upcoming April DTS. It's been great to work with this small group (with some being former students from this most recent graduating DTS) and I look forward to seeing how they will be challenged during this time. I know I will learn a lot from them!

Right now, we have 18 students for this school - 9 guys and 9 girls. We're so glad about having the even numbers! In that group are represented at least 5 nations: Germany, the US, England, Nigeria, and the Philippines. One thing we do need prayer for, however, is the woman from the Philippines. Because of the strict laws here in Germany regarding foreigners, she's been having trouble getting her visa. We really want her here with us!

So, that's it for now. This picture shows our student board for this school, and represents the new journey that lies ahead for all of us involved. Let the adventure begin!

My time in Israel...

I know, I know - it's been way too long since you heard I was going to Israel and this actual report about it. Where does the time go, anyway?

So as a part of the DTS I was just working with, I was able to go and visit several of our Outreach teams as they were on the field. The heart of these visits is to encourage the team and to walk alongside them as they do ministry in that country.

And how great it was to see the Israel group! Two of the team leaders greeted me warmly on my first visit to this nation, and soon whisked me off to see the rest of the team.

And from that point on, I was able to work with them as they partnered with different ministries. We worked in the red light district of the city (sitting and talking with the women who worked in that area certainly opened my eyes), worked in a soup kitchen, and in a clothing distribution center - it was a busy time!

Then, much to my surprise, the team organized a prayer walk through the city of Jerusalem. I hadn't thought I would be able to go, but one of the team members did great research and we were able to pray at many of the major sites of this amazingly diverse city. To see so many of the places the Bible talks about made the words leap off the page, and taking time to pray at the place where they think that the Lord's Prayer was given was moving. As we prayed over the city, I realized again how many prayers have been prayed out over this land. There were moments when I felt chills as I realized all that had happened in this land. We saw the road where they think the Cross stood, overlooking the passersby. And then we saw this - the empty tomb! How awesome that it's empty!

We ended our time at the Wailing Wall, and as I gazed on the men and women of the Jewish faith touching this ancient edifice and saying their prayers, I was struck by such a deep feeling of history. This wall was here when Solomon lived, was here when Jesus walked this city. Amazing.

So, the time went well, and though I had a few interesting moments getting out of the country, I made it on to the next leg of the journey...but that's for another entry. :)

And so it begins...

Welcome to my new blog!

At the urging of good friends (thanks, Rob and Leah), I've now decided to try my hand at this Blog thing. I'm hoping it's not too hard (seems like its ok so far) and my hope is that we'll all be able to stay in touch a little more this way. Even though I like to send out newsletters, sometimes it's hard to keep up with all that's happening, and I'm hoping this will help cut the time between the what happens and me telling you about it!

So, here's to new beginnings - drop by often and leave a note when you can.