First week of lecture..

This past week was our first week of lecture. It was totally incredible! It's really awesome too because it is so easy to see that people's hearts are already beginning to change here. As for me, this past week has brought on distinct confirmation at 3 different times and ways that the Father wants me to go to him for answers and then wait for his perfect timing to reveal whatever it is he is wanting to reveal to me.

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3

There was a point where I got antsy and discouraged but after the second confirmation I was filled with an overwhelming peace and joy and just total understanding that God is with me, even when I'm waiting for him to speak to me.

MY LIFE VERSE
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD
Psalm 27:14

Little Updates I emailed

Aloha!!

It's Samantha! I just want to update you on the happenings here at Maui. We have an amazing group of 36 students, 8 outreach leaders, a school leader, 2 dts (discipleship training school) leaders, and 2 base leaders. We have 21 girls and 15 guy students. I share a room with 15 other girls. We have 8 triple bunks in one bedroom, where I sleep on the middle bunk, and the other girls room has 5 people sleeping in it. Most of the girls get along really good. I have made about 5 really close friends! We are currently in the first week of lecture phase. We have a new speaker each week. We have to attend lectures Monday - Friday and twice on Tuesday. We have been split up in 4 groups. Throughout the week, our groups have work duties and community outreach hours we have to complete. I work in the kitchen 3-4 times a week, and for my first kitchen duty I did a lot of cleaning and got to help prepare dinner! Yesterday was my first community outreach. My group, of about 18, was split up and did different things in the city of Paia and Haiku. A friend and I got assigned to go to Paia, where we went to a Buddhist lady's house named Karen who is a handicap. We washed a large van for her and helped her with some tedious tasks in her house that she wasn't able to complete herself.

So, I am going to a large city for my trip! Family and friends can feel you in on those details, because there is some specific information that goes along with it. I am very excited about it and it is totally where God called me to. I also found out that here at our base our outreach will last for 3 months. Outreach will cost a minimum of $3500, but because it's a costly city it will most likely be a total of $4000.

Please continue to pray for my spiritually growth, along with unity in our groups. Our base as a whole could definitely use unity. Also, I have been completely blessed with receiving a donation for outreach for $2000! This means I still need between $500- $1500. I would be so blessed for you to continue to pray for me in these areas.

Love & Blessings,
Samantha

The Beginning

It's finally been a week here, and it feels like I've been here for months. It's truly amazing though. I feel so blessed to be here, and to be surrounded by such amazing people all whom have made sacrifices to be here. God has been speaking to me so much in the last couple days about me making Him my number one. Before I left for my trip, I felt God touching my heart as 'husband'. He has been romancing me with all his beauty and on a daily basis since I've been here, I can hear him whispering "You are beautiful" to me. It was kind of funny, cos at first I would here him say that and I would start singing that song that goes like... Lord, you're beautiful, Your face is all I seek. Then, on Tuesday when I started singing it, I heard him say "No Samantha, you're beautiful". It was like OH!! But I just had such an overwhelming joy from the father speaking so tenderly to me. I can definitely feel that this is going to be a huge thing over the next 6 months. The father lavishing his love upon me.

On another note, I also see spiritual warfare arising. There's always little things that happen and big things, I suppose, that happen when you put a group of 80 people together who are seeking and serving. Please remember me in your prayers. For my whole team as well. There are so many obstacles we must overcome, and we will need the Lord by our side every step of the way. Thank you all!
Love and blessings,
Samantha

Exodus

Hello! So I'v been in Maui for about 1 week now and things are already so amazing! Saturday night was our opening night, we had a little get together with dessert and drinks and got introduced to everyone. At the end of the night, right before we left, there was an announcement that we were venturing on to something called "Exodus". Exodus was a wilderness 'adventure' where we ventured out for 3 days and 2 nights to a country like chunk of land right on the ocean. We got to bring the clothes on our back, a sleeping bag, a swim suit, and 4 pairs of under garments. No deodorant, no toothpaste or toothbrush, or hair brush. It started out with a scavenger hunt near our base and ended in a valley where we heard a speaker and had quiet time. From there we went to our campsite and set up camp and had our first Top Ramen meal. The next day we had oatmeal for breakfast, and we went on a hike in the most beautiful mountains. We all took turns giving our testimonies throughout the 3 days. By the end we were all stinky. So it worked out well the last day we played mud games, which were pretty much amazing! All in all, I had amazing quiet time on exodus! and by the end being completely disgusting when everyone else is also gross isn't bad at all.

My Mission

Hello! If you are reading this, you probably know I am doing a DTS (discipleship training school) for the next six months. I am so excited you want to journey with me and share in my experience as I head to Maui! In 1 week from today I will have just arrived in Hawaii and will begin my school experience.

I'm so excited to have this opportunity! In the past year God has completely changed who I am, and with that He has cultivated a seed that was planted in me from childhood for overseas missions. This is the first experience I will have overseas and I feel so blessed to have been given this experience! There is always room for growth spiritually and I am so ready to embrace everything God wants to do in my life to challenge me, and ultimately grow me in and through Him for the benefit of his kingdom.

As I prepare for my trip over the next week please continue to pray for me. Please pray for my trip to HI, my transition into the lecture phase, and my group as we begin to bond and grow in Christ together. There are so many things that God is doing already and I know there are more to come. I am still short financially for my outreach phase, but I know God will provide! If you would like to help me financially you can make a check payable to me, Samantha Ellis, and send it to my home.

I thank you all so much for your support, and I will continue to keep you updated as my venture begins!!

Blessings and love,
Samantha