September 2010 Archives

So, what's next for me? I've decided to stay in Kona for 3 months staffing the Foundations in IT (FIT) school part time and photogenX part time. This isn't what I expected to be doing now - I should be 4 days away from flying home, instead I've taken a step of faith and I'm staying. This hasn't been an easy decision and I miss everyone from home dearly.

During DTS we had teaching on hearing and obeying the voice of God and I've felt God pushing me towards staffing at this school. I've had people say it's a good idea for me to do it, I've had US immigration give me a 6 month admission time, rather than my expected 1 month. I've been given 6 months more leave from Catalyst IT, my current employer. The FIT team prayed and all got a 'yes' to me joining and I've had an offer of monetary support from a fellow YWAMer.

I've had a wonderful time the past 6 months and I feel like I've changed a lot inside myself and in how I view the world we're in. It was a real eye opener to spend 2 1/2 months in the Philippines and experience the people and the culture, all that after 3 months study in Kona, spending time in the Bible, learning about God and really drawing closer to him over the time. It's only recently that I've gone from 'doing the Christian thing' to really praying and asking God for direction.

I have a real passion for computers in missions - there's so much they can be used for from education (both how to use them and using them for online tuition) to improving communication to using the Internet to reach a bigger customer base. On outreach I made a website for a YWAM base we stayed at - it will allow them to advertise themselves better and sell products the former prostitutes that stay there make and that's just something I made quickly.

I'll also be working with photogenX as part time staff. photogenX have a focus on using photography to document injustice and use that awareness to stop it. I will be working on their website and communications strategy with a graphics designer and the organisation leaders respectively so we can prepare photogenX for the future and have them better using the tools we have today so more people see what we do and how they can help.

So, I've rebooked my flight for the 27th December (arriving in NZ on the 29th). For the next few days I'll have to say goodbye to almost all of the friends I've made during DTS as they fly home. Thankfully Sarah Medlicott is staying to staff a DTS so I have one person from our outreach team to keep me company.

There is an optional outreach after the course finishes, but I don't feel called to do that. My passion is to train others to go out and use their new skills to impact the area they go to.