Where's Rayelle: 3rd Entry from Kona, Hawaii

WOW... It is Saturday and I'm in my room alone reflecting on the first week of class.  I wish I could show you the inside of my heart and mind as there is so much refreshment that has come in me and I'm already changed in a really good way.  I am so glad to be here, to have this opportunity, and to learn more about the great God we serve and the love of Jesus.

My verse today I've been enjoying is from Psalms 89:1-2.  Check it out! :)

This week we are starting to get into the schedule of things that will go on for the next 3 months.  We have class each day, some wonderful prayer times, and work duty!  Our classes each week are led my different leaders here on campus and those who come in from around the world to share with us.  I am so honored to be a part of an amazing group and family (ohana).  And my work duty is putting up in the morning, and taking down at night with 3 other people the 70 flags representing those here as students, teachers, and more.  It is a lot of flags, but an amazing time for prayer and to learn the flag designs of many countries I didn't know! :)

Our classes this week have been penetrating my heart to a depth I've never felt.  We have taken on the topic of God's love in a new way and we've discussed and practiced intercessory prayer.  If you've not heard of Joy Dawson she is an amazing woman of God who has written on practical ways to dig deep into intercessory prayer that have helped me a ton this week!  I've known a lot of things (by the way, intercessory prayer is praying on behalf of others) about this kind of prayer but with the classes help, there has been a new freedom in my prayers and some biblical definition given to things I've not totally understood before.  And the prayers people have prayed for me... it is radical the God we serve and the way He speaks through others to answer questions we were just asking Him ourselves.  PLEASE check out the link below if you want to hear our talks, they record them.  They will be amazing food for your souls.

http://www.manningsinmissions.com/Mannings_In_Missions/Podcast/Podcast.html

I'm so thankful to be here, I may say that a lot, but I really am!  My roommates are just terrific!  They have amazing hearts of servants.  And we talk about such life giving things, even through cultural differences and we laugh... a lot!  And my class is so wonderful.  It is amazing to see how God is working in a group from 9 nations... 36 or so students, over 10 teachers and bringing us together in unity as we learn, care for each other, and grow.  My heart just beams as I reflect on it!  If you can't tell I just have JOY oozing out of me :).

Oh yeah, and Hawaii is beautiful!  The palm trees, rainbows :), oceans, wildlife (by the way there are no snakes here!  yeah!), and the air... so great. 

If you could be praying for me here are a couple items that I'd like you to intercede for...
1. We were given 4 choices to pray about to go on for outreach at the end of June... the choices are... 1. LA/NY, 2. Brazil, 3. Phillipines, 4. Kenya.  Please ask God to speak to me clearly this weekend on this topic
2. Guidance on my house as it is still for sale in Pella
3. That my heart would stay open to his teaching and growing
4. I went swimming in the ocean last night and kicked a rock and broke my left foot middle toe.  So praying for quick healing and that it won't hinder things here.

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement!  And if you have skype... about 8-10pm Central time is a good time for me if it works for you. :)  Please send me your prayer requests also and know that God loves you so much He is willing to sacrifice anything for you, in fact He did with His Son just so that He could share LOVE with you. :)