I'm going to North Africa

Hello all! Just a quick update. We are in the middle of week 7 of the Discipleship Training School (DTS), which is the foundational school within Youth With A Mission (YWAM), so far we have had our orientation week where I got to teach on worship, relationships week, hearing the voice of God, the mark of a disciple, knowing God, and spiritual warfare. It's amazing how much the Lord teaches through me listening in class, but then where I think I learn the most is within the one on one times I get with 5 amazing girls that I am investing my time, money, heart and tears into. They have been stretched and are soo open to receiving deeper revelation of who God is, and what it means to serve such an amazing Creator.

A couple weeks ago we (Ansley - the girl I am co-leading with--and I ) got to announce where we are going for our 2 month long outreach to our team of 11. Do you want to know?? Of course you do...well at this point we are going to Tunisia and Cyprus, but all depends on the money we fundraise as a team. Each student was given a personal goal of raising $7500 in the 5 months. So far with a month and a half completed the students have raised the total of their tuition portion which was $78,000   and we are currently at $85,000. So every penny donated to the school from here on out goes towards the outreach portion. Us as staff were given the goal of raising at least our plane tickets so we can lead our team overseas. I have $100 towards the possible $2000 that my plane ticket would cost.

Now to be very vulnerable... I am in need of your help. I need monthly support. Due to not receiving monthly support for a couple months my bills have really gotten behind. It's hard to think about my debt  and I am fully aware that it was due to mistakes and poor decisions from my past, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is exactly where God wants me. God has called me to leading worship, disciple, and do missions and that is exactly what I am getting to do here. Today as I was in new testament reading, we were reading through 1, 2 Corinthians and in 2 Corinthians 11 it speaks of Paul's sufferings and I saw many cases where he was in complete lack. It got me thinking about my financial state and where I am at. I realized that I am not nearly as thankful as I should be for everything that I have. I have so much!!! So here is a list of everything I am thankful for:
1. I am thankful that I am accepted by God, who I don't even deserve to still have life from.
2. I am thankful that I have food, and a roof over my head, which has heater.
3. I am thankful for the friends and family I have.
4. I am thankful for the little acts of kindness, and compliments people are constantly giving.
5. I am thankful that I am getting to be a tool in the Heavenly Kingdom.
6. I am thankful my past doesn't define me.
7. I am thankful for going $300 in support in the last 3 months.
8. I am thankful that I am able to learn and love more about God.
9. I am thankful that I am getting to be apart of the growing process of 31 students, and that I get to watch them fall deeper in love with God.
10. I am thankful that I have soo many things to be thankful for that I couldn't write them all out...

I have no reasons to complain, or fear. Things may appear to be difficult, but all I can do is rejoice in the fact that I am a vessel that God wants to use, and he is constantly giving me a greater reality of how much I love getting to serve him. I hope that in this season I continue to Love God more, and learn how to love others in a greater way.

Please continue praying, and if you would like the give to the ministry I get to be apart of please send checks payable to YWAM Jacksonville with #49250 in the memo ( that notates which account it needs to be deposited to) and mail it to 117 1st Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

Thanks for your time and your prayers!

Week one has come and gone.

YWAM Jax Beach Winter 2013 DTS: Staff and Students

It's gone already??

Well week one is finished. Funny how when you are in the middle of it how slowly it goes, yet in the grand view of things in a blink of an eye it's gone. I DTS. This last a very full week of details. We also had many chances to start getting to know the students and even getting to already hear real battles that they have overcome and are continuously fighting to overcome.  I also successfully made it through the week without injuring myself, referring back to the first week of the Fall DTS. I am so blessed and honored to be apart of what God is going to do through the above team and you can be apart of it too (I'll tell you how shortly). 

This week it has been awesome to see these students putting 100% into everything they do from work duties, to stepping up when challenged to share their testimonies, and even getting their out of class assignments done early. It has also been even more amazing to see that their hearts are truly engaged to grow as close to the Lord as they can, and are willing give everything they've got. I truly am honored to get to walk with them in this process. As for myself it has been a little strange because I have been dealing with insecurities, and stepping out of my comfort zones in areas that I in no way shape or form feel like I am capable to succeeding within, yet everything I've done I have completed and feel like God taught me through. I am definitely in a season of being stretched and in fact he's already been preparing my heart for that, by sharing with me in one quiet time that I am going to learn what it means to make Him Lord of All my life. So, I am excited for this journey personally, and the fact that I have close to other forty journeymen that I am going to get to travel with.

What's the goal??

We are all setting out as a full team of YWAM Jacksonville Beach to raise close to $250,000 in the next 5 months within this tuition free Discipleship Training School. Each student that was accepted was give the personal goal of raising $7,500 to pay for the expenses within a DTS. Yet, if they've done everything they can to raise the money we as  team would be raising so al funds raised goes to the benefit of the team as a whole. 

Yesterday, we were separated into 3 small teams which will be our outreach teams so we have smaller numbers to race towards. My team (that I will be leading into the 10/40 window to take the Good News) has a wonderful mix of people and contains 13 young adults. My team needs to raise a total of $82,500 to be funded fully (that's just the students). Ansley and I, as their leaders, have to raise enough for our individual monthly expenses, and raise the money for at least our plane tickets/visas so I will estimate that we need to raise probably close to $10,000 between the 2 of us. Calculating all the numbers my team needs to raise $92,500. Seems like a large sum, and in many cases that is a large sum, but we know that we are all where God wants us and are committed to working together to raise the funds necessary to complete the task the Lord has set before us. Note: any prayers you can lift up would be greatly appreciated and if you would like to partner us in the ministry through YWAM Jax Beach please feel free to give by clicking the above link. If you have any other questions just email me at mistylwallace85@gmail.com.

Prayer points??

-That we would raise the funds necessary to pay for all expenses of the school, and to raise over the amount to get the base out of debt.

-That our hearts would be open for the growth that the Lord wants to extend to us.

-That we as staff will acquire all the tools necessary to be there for the students in every way possible. 

-That we will be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with.

-That lives will be changed.

-Personally, that I gain the partnerships necessary to continue in the ministry that the Lord has called me to through YWAM Jacksonville. 

New year, new students, new journey

Happy 2013!

Can you believe we are already almost half way through January? I feel like so much has already happened in these short couple weeks, so let me give you a brief update of the end of 2012 into what coming for this year.

Me pictured in Urbana Daily praying for a
student to be directed and given clarity.

December I got the chance to travel home and spend Christmas with my family, which was go go go but good to have gotten that chance because I know I am not always going to get those opportunities. The day after Christmas I left and drove to St. Louis, MO to represent YWAM International at the Urbana 2012 conference where 16,000 college students who are all interested in missions came together to worship God, gain some amazing teachings, and check out all the options available to them for the desire to do missions here in the U.S. and around the world. It was amazing but I am not going to say we were kind of shocked due to our booth, though we had a large space, lacking when it came to the visual appearance of materials in comparison to the other booths around us. That's where comparison is definitely not a thing of the Lord. All we, 14 YWAMers from around the world, could do was pray and to seek God's heart for our booth and pray that He would bring the right students to us. Well it wound up being that we had the perfect set up, not meaning to but it kind of was like a trap because the students would walk in the middle of the booth thinking it was the ally to the next aisle which would of course allow us to talk to them. I was so blessed to listen, pray, and minister to the students. It was so cool to see a theme as the students came by the booth. I felt that Lord was showing me the second generation koreans, cambodians, vietnamese, etc. were all telling me while at the conference they felt like God told them to go back to their home lands and do ministry there which was the last place they wanted to go but so beautiful to see God restoring and redeeming possible hurts of past generations through this current generation. Another cool thing was to work with YWAMers from all over and it be like family eventhough we'd never met before the day we all arrived.  I learned so much and was blessed by each other them and pray that our paths cross again someday.

Back row standing from the left: me, Justin Henry, Wikus and Christine Vorster, Mark Fisher, John Henry, Ryan Dutra, Craig, and Kevin Tsui. Kneeling the front: Zack Stevens, Ryan Unger, Katrina Stevens, Gabby Hurt, and Greg Ruhland.

One amazing thing that happened while I was in St. Louis was that on the 29 of December my niece Emilee Anne Wallace was born. So January 1 once the conference was over, I drove straight to my brother and sister-in-laws house in Springfield, TN to hold and love on her before I had to leave the next morning to come back to Florida.

Miss Emilee Anne and Me

They day came to come back to Florida on January 2. So Michael and Sarah Young and their boys Nathan and Eli and I loaded up and started our journey back. We were all reunited that evening with the staff that will be working together for the next 5 months with the Discipleship Training School that starts on January 13. We had staff training, and worked up to the the moment students started arriving. They will continue to arrive today and tomorrow and then we'll kick off at 5:30 P.M. tomorrow what is going to be an amazing adventure. For the next 5 months the staff and myself are going to be fully available to the students here who are longing to dive deeper into a relationship with God. We will have three months of lecture including teachings as simple as relationships and get into deeper subjects like Father heart of God, and Making Jesus Lord of all in our lives. It is definitely going to be a journey, but we are soo excited to partner with God and these students in it. After the lecture phase I am going to get to lead an outreach of a team of the students I have been working closely with and take the passion for the Lord to the nations. I know this season is going to be a lot of work, and the Lord has already told me in my personal walk it is going to be a hard but amazing season. 

So here's to 2013!

Overcoming the uncomfortable

As many of you know for the past 2 months I have been recovering from a sprained ankle. Let's just say that it has been an incredibly difficult/painful journey and still consistently reminds me that it is still not healed. Eventhough it has been the most inconvenient obstacle to deal with in many ways that injury has brought more revelation than I could have ever imagined. On top of the ankle injury, I am also just getting over being sick for almost three weeks which included an inner and outer ear infection and major sinus/cold issues. My body, emotions, and spirit has been put through the ringer since I become staff at YWAM Jacksonville Beach. Not to mention I am still not even at 15% of the budget needed for monthly support.

I say all these things to preface me saying that God is incredibly faithful, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am exactly where God wants me in every way. I feel like I have learned more in these last 2 months about the nature and character of God than I have in my whole life, and everyday I learn even more. I have battled in my heart at times on what people would say in regards to the trails I have been facing, like "she keeps getting ill, she must be in sin, or not where God wants her," or something like "I thought you said God would provide everything, why do you not have consistent support raised." I find it easy at times to jump to the thought "oh, I'm suffering I must not be doing what God wants me to do," than to just praise Him and hold on to everything he has shown you that you are called to in spite of the difficulties.

Just recently God has shown me that following Him, in more cases than not, means you will be uncomfortable through most of the journey. I have learned unity, humility, when to rest, when to endure, and soo much more though these experiences. Those things are incredible, but the greatest thing I have learned in the process is my complete reliance on Jesus to get me through everyday! I know physically, mentally, and spiritually I do not have the strength to accomplish any of the tasks set before me without God. Through this revelation it has overflowed on to all things in my life. I am not fearful of my financial situation because I know God is faithful and has provided exactly what I have needed to the penny up to this point. I am not going to sit in pity of my pains because if I rest in Him and even read the tell tell signs my body is speaking I will be fully available when the times arise for me to be of service to God's leading. I feel like everyday through the testimony of His goodness in my life, and areas I am receiving healing God has made me more equipped for the tasks he has set before from mentoring some of the students in the Discipleship Training School, to being inclined to the leading of the Holy Spirit to highlight people when I'm just out and about that He wants to encourage through me just being willing to pray or buy a meal for. My life is no longer on-duty christian, off-duty christian. I am just a lover of Jesus and know that His heart is to have relationship with His creation, and I want to partner with Him to restore what has been lost.

Me praying for Lance's healing

I want to end this with a brief testimony of a chance that I got to pray for a gentlemen named Lance on the beach. It was this past Sunday and one of the students and I went to the beach to pray into the Father's heart for worship on Monday. Eventhough the sun was out it was kind of cold because of the sea breeze so we decided to lay down, to try to dodge the wind hitting us directly, and listened to worship. Then randomly I lifted my head of to look down the coast and saw a guy limping onto the beach with a brace on his leg. Instantly I felt like I wanted to go pray for him for healing, but was like in my head "oh course I do, he has a brace, this is just me thinking this, and I really want to just chill out." Well, I could shake the feeling and came to the conclusion after praying and waiting on the Lord to get up from my comfortable position on the sand in the warm sun to gimp my way over to him (because sand is REALLY difficult to walk in, and quite painful when you have an ankle injury), but I still didn't know how to enter into conversation with him. So I noticed they were taking pictures, and I said to God "ok, I know I can ask them if I can take a picture for them," and as soon as I said that, one of the guys looked over at me and said "Hey, can you take a picture for us??" I just laughed because God confirmed in me that was I doing exactly what I was supposed no matter how uncomfortable I was at first. So I took the pictures, and proceeded to explain what lead up to me coming to them, and then asked if I could pray for healing on Lance's behalf. So I prayed, and no from what I know he didn't get physically healed. They stated that they hoped he would be healed physical and that the prayer worked. I was then able to share the testimony of my ankle, that I have had probably 60 people pray over my ankle, and I haven't received physically healing, but in the process of it just taking it's time to heal my heart has received more healing that I could have ever imagined. I explained the Father's love to them. After finishing the conversation I went and sat back down with the amazing revelation that physically healing is always a heart healing first.

I know this is a long winded entry, but just felt all these things on my heart to share. Through all things you go through keep your eyes focused on God, I know he will show you what is happening even if you do not full understand.

"My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights."

(Proverbs 3:1-12 ESV)

Tender TN Christmas

I can't believe this year is almost over, but before this year ends I want to update you about what is happening now and into this next year. 

I have been mentoring 5 girls who have been in the Discipleship Training School for going on 8 weeks. I have seen some amazing breakthrough and them stepping out in ways that are such blessings to witness and be apart of. A few weeks ago I even got the chance to help lead worship at a conference up in Ohio, which was a childhood dream come true. Helping with this school has definitely been stretching physically, mentally, and spiritually, but has been one of the most wonderful times of my life. There is something about following God and walking in my calling and diving deeper into it. 

As we are winding down from this school we as staff are going to get to go home for Christmas, where I will also get the chance to drive up to St. Louis, MO to represent the base at the Urbana Conference. I never thought I would get to go home and kind of expected that I would be here in FL for Christmas. Thankfully Sarah and Michael Young also are from my home town, so I am going to hitch a ride up with them, and most likely back down after they take a trip further north to Michigan, but as we all know there are expenses in traveling. We have figured that it will take $300 in gas just to get to TN and back. As we live off of monthly support I am asking that you pray about sending one time gifts so that we will all get to spend Christmas with our families. I also ask that you pray about giving so that while I am at the conference I will have a budget to eat on. This trip will be the last time we will all get to travel to see our families for at least 6 months because we are all going to be full time staff of the next school that starts in January. At this point we have 24 confirmed students and will max out at 30. We all will be mentoring again, planning all their weekly ministries times, arranging and planning the extended outreach at the end of the school, then leading the outreaches. After just being part time with the current school I know how school is going to be challenging but also very exciting. I ask that you be in prayer for Sarah and Michael as they are leading this school and that you pray that the Lord sends the staff needed to assist in the school. 

If you feel that you would like to give towards us getting home for Christmas and me getting up to St.Louis please contact me at mistylwallace85@gmail.com.

October 2012 Update

BEAUTIFUL FEET

Soo much has changed just since my last newsletter. In fact pretty much the moment I sent it out my timeline completely shifted. As many of you know I was originally planning on waiting until January to quit my job with Sherwin Williams, but after some prayer and fasting I strongly felt like I was supposed to quit as soon as I was living on the base because the work that I would be doing would be full time work. So I gave a 3 week notice to my boss and before I knew it, it was September 7^th . (note: I quit with the full knowledge that I would have to completely rely on God to provide my every need, which is where we should always be.)

It was the first week of being officially in full-time missions again, and I knew when I quit my job that I was going to journey up to Tennessee for a little more than a week to hopefully get to meet with friends and family to start building my support team. I was soo nervous for this trip as finances were in the forefront of my mind. When in a quiet time one morning I felt like God spoke “give me room.” Of course I assumed that was in regards to my finances, but found out quickly it was in every facet of my life. I drove to TN in faith that I would be able to even get back to Florida because I knew driving up I was supposed to leave my car with my sister so she’d have a way to pursue whatever it is she needs to do. Well, God provided the exact finances I needed to fly back to Jacksonville, pay my rent and other bills at the beginning of the month. I have a deeper understanding why Jesus prayed “give us this day our daily bread.”

Since I’ve been back in Florida I have jumped in feet first. The students of the discipleship training school started arriving the day after me and I have started mentoring 5 amazingly wonderful girls. All of which grown in ways that they never even thought was possible in just a short two and a half weeks. Another amazing thing that happened since being back was I got to lead a homeless man to the Lord that I had met the first week I was down here in Florida in April. It’s not every day we get to see the fruits of seeds that we helped plant. My desire is to be available for God to use, no matter how that looks. Truthfully, I have soo many stories already just since returning and I am so excited to partner with God in what he’s doing here in Jax Beach.

A few prayer requests: I had to go to the hospital because I severely sprained my ankle. I have been on crutches for almost 2 weeks, and it’s been a slow process to get full flexibility of my ankle back, but we all know a hospital visit also means hospital bills since I do not have health insurance.

Lastly my previous newsletter I sent out was just the beginning of my support raising journey. I am not even at a tenth of what I need. So to be fully vulnerable I am asking you to pray in regards to how you could financially partner with me.

In His Grip!!

Below picture is the Fall 2012 DTS and Staff

Who's your Rodney?

I am writing this wish soo much excitement in my spirit! Let me share a 4 month journey and what I got to experience tonight by the grace of Jesus. Let me back up first. And I'm pretty sure a blog a few months back touches on the very beginning of this story.

On a Monday, 4 months ago, I had only been in Jacksonville Beach for 2 months. (trying to find how to tell this story) I was at the YWAM Base with Sarah and Michael Young for dinner and sadly it was a meal that I couldn't eat. So I decided to go to a caribbean restaurant called Blue Water because they normally would have half price appetizers. It was a really rainy day and on my way to the restaurant there were a lot of homeless people sitting under the balcony of the music venue Free Bird to keep dry. I just kind of kept walking and didn't glance at them, but when I arrived at the restaurant sadly they weren't open. So as I was walking back one of the guys (Rodney) yelled out to me "Hey can you help me?" I was completely closed off at first, but still willing to listen to what he was gonna ask for, yet expecting it to be for money. Then all he asked for was pain reliever because his legs had really bad cellulitis. I responded with, "of course, but I don't have any on me, let me go get you some." I returned to the base and Apps McNorton was there and he had some I could take to him, but I asked Apps to come with me because just to be safe. We gave him the pain reliever and were just really willing to listen to all that he wanted to share. We also made friends with a gentleman named Cherokee who we also got to know (I'm still going to be interceding on his behalf). After some time of listening and sharing God was finally opening a door to present the gospel, then we were interrupted by 4 cops pulling up to make the leave the area. It was horrible, Apps and I knew we could just walk away, so we had to witness the cruelty of those cops, literally treating these people, who are already in a place of hopelessness, worse than animals. After they all left my heart was soo broken for them. I realized that we need to take time to invest in those that are the unapproachables (yes I made up that word). Until today I had only saw Rodney one time since that day. Which brings me to this amazing day!

While sitting in the dining hall of our base talking with a student, by the name of Danny, and Rodney walked by. He saw me, then walked in a door, let me point out, that is normally locked. He pointed at us and said "you are good people." He walked in and sat down and started chatting, after I mentioned I hadn't seen him in the area for a while. I started bringing back the conversations we had had in our prior meeting. He mentioned that he was just "forced" to leave an area again, and all he wanted to do was listen to the music. So I asked him if we could sing him a song. So he was very open to it. (little did I know there was another student, Gigi, sitting behind me who had just stepped out the night before and spoke life into Rodney). On to the story... we sang a song, and Danny just basically sang out a prayer over him, and I back up with some harmonies. When we stopped Rodney looked at me and said your voice hits my heart, can you sing me another song. So that's what we did, and again in the process I just sang out prayer over him, praying for God to reveal His heart to him. When I opened my eyes, Rodney was in tears. It was the last thing I expected. God was moving in his heart and at the moment he had no idea. Gigi then asked him if he had kids. Rodney said no at first, then pretty quickly said he wanted to be honest that he had 2 daughtes. Gigi then shared with him that she saw and image of him and his wife and 2 daughters on the beach and His family was restored. Which opened the door to share more of God's love with him. After some time (there are a lot of details i'm going to leave out) he asked for one more song, and he made sure to point out again that he wanted me to sing (which is really humbling). So I sang, and just was praying that the words would strike his heart. And I saw it! The moment had come, between Danny, Gigi, and I speaking the words that the Lord lead us to say, Rodney surrendered fully to God. It was soo beautiful!!!! In his utter brokenness HE CRIED OUT!! It was so true.

What would have happened if I 4 months ago had just ignored Rodney's cry for help? What would have happened if Apps and I hadn't really taken time out to listen to Rodney? What would have happened if Danny, Gigi and I hadn't been sitting in that cafe? What I'm trying to get at it that everything in our lives has a direct effect on the eternity of those around us. When I first got here I don't know if I would have had the confidence to even speak to Rodney, but through God bringing redemption into my life, I was able to be there in the moment someone else needed help. And tonight I got to witness God bring fullness to a broken man by the name of Rodney. So my question to you, who's your Rodney? Are you willing to fill the need that he has?

Please continue interceding on behalf of Rodney! He is supposed to come back to the base next Monday for our community night. Pray that we continue to get opportunities to disciple and pour into him. Pray that Rodney finds a job, receives healing physically and from his addictions, and that God does redeem his family. Thank you for taking time to read about my new brother in Christ's story. Blessing to you and your Rodney!