Read on here to find out what’s been happening in the Compassion Discipleship Training School and what I’ve been getting up to in Los Angeles with YWAM.
For a printable format of this newsletter, please download the .pdf file here by clicking on this link: YWAM Newsletter 1
It’s so great to hear from many of my supporters of the work that has been going on back home and I am thrilled to hear of your prayers for me and the team over here in California as we head into a new year with new excitements and new hurdles together.
I’ve been here for just over two weeks now and it has been incredible how much I’ve already learnt and experienced from being here.
We have safely arrived in Los Angeles at the YWAM base here where my address is:
Ben Grist CDTS
11141 Osborne Street
Lake View Terrace
Los Angeles
CA 91342
It has been great to get to know the rest of the people on my course so quickly and living in a Christian community like this has been one of my excitements even before arriving here. It has been incredible always having fellow Christian brothers and sisters around me sharing our lives together as we each grow in relationship with each other and with Jesus throughout the term.
Jesus has been showing me many things about myself and about the area I’m now living in that I have spent time praying about and seeking his guidance in.
We have spent much time allowing God to fill our entire bodies and minds as we gave up distractions that were holding us back from giving this time completely to him.
Local Outreach
God has also been showing me this in our times of creative intersession as a school and how he longs for change and people to stand up to this injustice and sin.
More details about what we’ve been getting up to in our local outreach will be included in the next few updates.
Classes
Though we’ve been doing plenty of practical learning, from on the spot evangelism, to the humbling job of gardening as a work duty, we’ve also been having inspiring academic input from speakers each week.
This week we also started our first lectures on the topic of the ‘Nature and Character of God’ lead by Peter Warren, a previous YWAM Los Angeles leader and current leader of YWAM Denver. The stories of experiences that he shared combined with his passion and understanding of the Bible explained well the topic in enough detail for everyone to take something out of it.
International Outreach
More details will follow when I know more, but please be praying for our team, and the team who will be going to Mexico and Costa Rica, for provision in our preparation for the outreach starting in April.
There has been a lot going on, but that hasn’t stopped us from having time to stop and relax as well as appreciate the area. As well as going to Griffith Observatory and Hollywood, over the weekend some of us went down to Venice Beach for the day and spent the afternoon at Santa Monica Pier which has featured on a number of films and shows.
Though we have only been here for two Sundays now, I have had the chance to attend a couple of different church services in the city. Though I am still seeking guidance on where to settle, it has been encouraging meeting many different people and joining with those from different Christian backgrounds.
On base, we also have Monday morning worship – which is incredible – along with community nights, morning intersession, weekly Bible studies and daily morning devotions with my school.
Prayer points
That the Holy spirit would continue breaking down walls in our lives and in our open hearts, that God would be transforming us day by day.
That we would find Sabbath amongst such an intense programme and lifestyle whilst living on the base and training for his good works.
That God would continue blessing our outreach in the city and preparation for outreach to Kenya and the Philippines.
There is so much more I could say, but for now I’d just like to reassure you all that things are going really well and the Holy Spirit is here!
For a printable format of this newsletter, please download the .pdf file here by clicking on this link: YWAM Newsletter 1
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