Month: July 2019

Just Step Forward!

Posted on by rinouye

Maybe you heard the familiar phrase God doesn’t call the equipped, God equips the called. Or at least I think that’s the way it goes. Anyway, I am here to testify that if God is leading you to do something and you step forward He will provide and equip you along the way. So, what am I talking about? My recent time spent in Pennsylvania, for Global Awakenings Summer Intensive. God knows that I like adventure and for something to be familiar.(Sounds like a contradiction but it’s not, hang with me.)

I have only spoken in Pennsylvania one time, but I collected a friend and prayer partner from the church where I had the engagement. We’ve been in touch for about five years. So one day while seated on the couch in my upstairs loft, I clicked on Instagram to find out more about this summer intensive. Much to my surprise and delight, it was held in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The only place in Pennsylvania I have ever spoken. I actually laughed out loud. Oh my goodness that is where my friend Lisa lives! She and I have been trying to figure out how to spend more time together. So I texted her and a mutual friend to see if they would be available if I were to come visit. Both of them cleared their calendars and said they would be available for the three weeks in June. One of the BIG needs I would have was immediately taken care of. Where would I stay?  I could stay with them. So here are some of the obvious steps and ways it worked out:

  • apply and get accepted, 
  • pay the application fee
  • pay the tuition
  • find housing, 
  • secure a car, 
  • book flights, 
  • find someone to pick me up at the airport, 
  • find someone to return me to the airport for the flight home, 
  • meet with my two sister-in-laws,

Another interesting point is that I have a friend who is taking classes online through the same organization, Global Awakening. I however, am so relational that I wanted to be in person in the class, on campus. This was the perfect fit for me. God knows who I am, someone who likes adventure with a mix of familiar.

So, next time I think about stepping forward I will rely on the verse from Proverbs: “the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.” Boy, oh boy! I saw how God ordered my steps so clearly. Every need I had was met every question I had was answered and the desires of my heart were met exceedingly and abundantly far beyond all I could’ve asked or imagined.

Here are a few pictures of my greeting committee to pick me up at the airport.  My dear friends Lisa and Tabitha. 

My host family on Father’s Day
I did get to have some time spent in Gettysburg with my sister-in-law.
Some of my classmates that I met from around the world while I was attending GSI 2019 as we were about minister on the streets.

I sure hope I will always remember the ways in which God clearly provided and equipped me. I think God does equip the called and provides abundantly for them. So…Just step forward! 

Yes, I cried a bit.

Posted on by rinouye

As I left my house early in the morning to get to the airport on time I realized I was crying a bit. I was headed to Pennsylvania for a three week summer intensive with Global Awakening. Like a child who goes off to the university and leaves home knowing they will never be the same when they return, I too knew I was about to experience something beautiful and life- changing.

I’m still processing my time away. I think too often we just hit the ground running and never look back or let things sink in…at least that can easily happen to me. I hoped writing this post would provide reflection for me and gratitude to God for all He has done. These photos give a cursory glance of my time at GSI.

Some of my outreach group “Team John” members hitting the streets, we quickly became friends and were unified.
God even knows to have me stand by, this gem, in line on orientation day.
My heart was so full and blessed to meet exceptional “younger ones” on fire for God and desiring the MORE of Him.

We put our learning into practice.

The goodness of God was met with BOLDNESS to cross over “the chicken-line” and minister on the streets. WOW! We saw God come through in big ways.
“Oh, how HE loves us so!”
Hard to explain the joy of the LORD to observers…But it makes the passage in the Bible from the book of Acts, where people thought the disciples were drunk more real.
The variety and excellence of the speakers and teachers we were exposed to over the three weeks was impressive. I felt like I was drinking from a fire hydrant.
Outreach days was a chance to see the fire of God touch people.
Oh, such fun…we got to bless ONE man, then TWO, then the WHOLE fire department!
God is a better door opener than you can imagine. His Spirit leads the way!
Largest class of Global Summer Intensive Students. (150 students GSI 2019)
I’m usually on the other side of the desks…It’s been so long since I was in class and submitting assignments, but I did it!

I watched God provide for me in unbelievable, specific ways! It is all a story for another blog post. On the final day, I headed to “my” car, which was an amazing provision of the Lord via dear friends, I cried a bit. Why? Well, I’m still processing.

I cried partly because I was sad to leave the waters I had been swimming in. It was the perfect temperature for me. I was aware that I was leaving my new friends, also my tears were of gratitude and joy because I was leaving a TRIBE of amazing world-changers who had been encountering the same things I had.

We’d all received so much from the Holy Spirit in His kindness, and through His touch. I also cried because I knew I wouldn’t see many of them again and my heart needed to release them and my tears. So yes, I cried a bit..

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