It Came! It Finally Came!

Toy Story reference for those of you who don't know.

Anyways.,....

So Kendall, how was Iceland!!? 

Well seeing as there aren't enough words for how incredible Iceland was/is and that there are LOADS of other things to update you guys on, I might have to reserve some of juicy details for a later post. 

On the whole, it was one of the most soul-inspiring, organic, open environments I've ever been in. The people, the nature, even the presence of God had an intensity I've never experienced before. There was a certain energy, freedom and rawness that is reflected in the natural splendor of the place, that attaches to the soul in such a fierce way. Ive never felt so energized, and so convicted of living life through closed doors. Of tramping through human interaction without the slightest regard for what is transpiring. I kept catching myself, saying slow down. Respect, honor, savor the mere joy of sharing self, life and love with others. Sit back and soak in the wildness and intimacy of the Creator. Honestly I could rave on and on. 

For more details on the outreach aspect, see later, imaginary post....to exist in the very near future. :) Let me just say, it is absolutely incredible what The Lord does through those open to His direction. 

Fast forward a few weeks, and LOTS have been going on here in Harehills. The lecture/placement phase is QUICKLY speeding to a close and I can hardly believe than within a few short weeks we will be headed to Rome for our long-term outreach. A massively exciting addendum to Rome will be the subsequent one week we will spend volunteering with YWAM Edinburgh at the World renowned Fringe Festival. I am wildly ecstatic....!!!! More on that later.

Placements and volunteer positions officially wrapped up at the end of May, but many of us have found ourselves quite reluctant leave these organizations we have so enjoyed being a part of. Consequently, I will continue cleaning up puke at night clubs and jumping around like a crazy person with 200 kids until it conflicts with outreach prep schedules. Didn't see that one coming.

At the end of May our team collaborated to put together an art exhibition, with a focus on celebrating Harehills. We were fortunate enough to be invited by a lovely gallery to feature our work over a three week period. We really wanted to put the spotlight on Harehills and showcase what a gem it really is, despite the general distaste it leaves in people's mouths. We wanted others to see how much we've come to appreciate the beauty that is here, the diversity and the love God has for this place. 

Among the submissions were poetry, photography, free hand henna, watercolor/pencil and watercolor on 140 press. I submitted a 10 minute mini-doc called 'Outside and In' featuring my fellow intern Sulamith's experience coming into Harehills from Switzerland. It's interesting living in a place, and then going to document it. You observe and notice so many things you've grown accustomed to and take for granted.  The whole thing was shot, edited and recorded over 4 days (which meant all night editing parties!) Having to work with pretty low quality camera and no actual recording equipment was something of a challenge, but a great experience ;) I will post a link to it soon :)

The best part of the exhibition was that people from all over Leeds were in agreement that they had never (ever) seen Harehills portrayed in this kind of light before. People don't look at the diversity of this area and naturally think..."beauty." Sometimes it takes a small group of outsiders who really appreciate the wealth of something in order for it to be realized by the actual inhabitants. 

The other best part was getting to speak with an older Harehills native who just happened to be intrigued with Detroit documentaries and comparing the two cities and their struggles. I just love when Detroit randomly pops up :) 

So Rome is looming ahead quite soon. We have one more week of lecture before flying out. I have exactly  £451 left to raise before Friday!! My flight and travel costs were annonymously provided for last week which was a huge answer to prayer, so please keep praying and standing with me in trust for the rest! 

We will be staying with two couples, the first of which we will help run a kids art camp throughout the day. The second couple works with sex trafficking and prostitutes in the downtown area of Rome and we are excited to see what The Lord has in store working with them.  

My project this week was to set up a prayer room in our office to pray for finances to come in for the team (please also be praying for the rest of the team, especially Paul as he is yet to receive his flight funds and tickets have already been booked). Also, if anyone is feeling led to donate to someone else on the team, please let me know! 

Now I know this is already something of a novel (thanks for still reading :p) but I wanted to just mention that as the DTS is winding down the thought of coming home (!!) looms cheerfully in the distance. I'm so excited to see family and friends and also....*mysterious music plays* continue praying about a few opportunities The Lord has brought about for after the DTS. I'd LOVE it if you all joined me in what God has for me in le future! 

Love to you all!!

Kendall 

An Icelandic Welcome!

Well, after about 15+ hours of travel, lots of support and loads of prayer, here we are in Iceland! It is, in a word, majestic. We are so excited to bring what the Lord is doing in Leeds to Reykjavik and see what it looks like in this context! This will be a quicker note just to keep you all up to date, but I wanted let everyone know as we all find out what the Lord has for us here. Because this is YWAM Leeds' first trip to Reykjavik, there were and still are quite a few unknowns about what outreach will look like here. 

This is where being a part of a pioneering DTS is exciting, adventurous dare I say. We believe there is something specific God has for us here, but in being the first delegation from a new school forging first time relationships with the very small YWAM team here, it is hard to know exactly what our position, strategy, or lasting impact will be. It is honestly a bit nerve wrecking knowing that God wants to do something big here, but not quite knowing just what all that will entail. Whether its forging relationships for the future teams that will come or establishing ministry outlets, uncovering new areas to pray into for the Icelandic people or learning/documenting how God reveals Himself and communicates in this land. We have to trust that He will direct us where He wants us. 

So please be praying for inspiration and wisdom. There is a shockingly explosive vibrancy of creativity here. Art, music, poetry, the city is bursting with it and we would absolutely love to be a part of it. So pray that we have avenues of connection with local artists as well as inspiration and skill to create originally and authentically. As we all know, art is the ship of expression and the whole team has felt an expectation that we will tap into a new arena of creativity somehow, so please pray for willingness and opportunity. 

A major means of ministry here is simple conversation. The atmosphere is extremely open and friendly and there is quite the readiness to meet and talk with new faces. Pray for open doors and depth. 

One of our team's major desires is to be a huge encouragement and support for the long term team in Reykjavik. They are going through several changes so we want to be as big a help to them as possible as they evaluate where God is leading them as a team and as a presence in Reykjavik. Something as simple (though not minuscule) as praying over them and hearing God's voice for them is an incredible support and to have an outside group come and serve in that way is quite special. It's not hard to feel a bit isolated on a huge northern island far from an established missions base.

So the next few days will be a lot of prayer walking around the city, exploration, getting a feel for what the city's needs are and asking God to show us what He has for us here. Very VERY excited to see what He has in store. 

Kind of awe-inspiring really that God even uses us humans in His sovereign plans that He could accomplish on His own. I am so humbled and grateful that I get to be a part of something so spectacular. You know, changing the world and everything :) 

Thanks so much for bearing with me and supporting me and the YWAM Leeds team in so many ways! Love you all and expect another post soon! 

Cheers from Iceland!

*Our first day of breathless beauty

Reykjavik