Hey friends and family!
I arrived safely in South Africa last Saturday and oh you should've felt what I felt in my heart when seeing the country from above. So beautiful!
A thousand beats of joy in my heart for sure.
Walking through the airport got me all excited about what's ahead. I felt kind of nervous too. Its a strange feeling going to a place that has played a significant and intimate role in your walk with Jesus, knowing that you're not there for the same reason you were last time. Knowing that most of the people will not be the same. Knowing that the ministry you're serving in is not one with the greatest amount of people. For me thats fine because it challenges me even more to connect with people outside of that. My goal is to find a church to commit to while I'm here. During DTS I was pretty sure of the place I was going to on Sundays, but now I feel like God might have something different in mind. We'll see, but you're welcome to pray with me on that.
Its been great seeing the new DTS students adapting to this new environment and experience and I truly pray that these schools would impact their relationships with Jesus in amazing ways, leaving them and everyone here in awe haha! Now that's a good prayer to pray I think.
There are also a few other schools going on while I'm here and I know those will be wonderful as well. Obviously I'm getting to know some of these people as well haha, so there's no worry about being lonely for sure. I'm curious about the stories I'll hear. And the ones I'll capture too.
I went to the Media Department quarters on Monday and talked to one of the volunteers there (the head of the department is still in The Netherlands with his family until later this month). She told me what they've been doing and what they want to keep doing and we talked a bit about what I would be doing (photography for sure).
We also talked about the possibility of me doing some writing assignments, but we'll see what happens with that. I start off with taking photos though.
I'll be taking pictures during different events and sessions going on at base. So that anyone going through our social media channels could have a glimpse into what life and the different schools look like in case they themselves decide to take part in one of them. We definitely want to see more people coming in "to know God and make Him known". I'm being introduced to some new programmes that the department is using to create content with good quality and srategy, so that's going to be interesting and maybe even give me some ideas as to what to do back at home at my home church with the Creative- team there. I absolutely love a quote I just read from an orientation pack sent to me:
"The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship." - Martin Luther
So good right?!
I've only been here for 3 full days, but I already have been reminded of some things God placed on my heart during DTS and its exciting to see them pop up again!
I most definitely have a special place in my heart for this country and especially the Muizenberg area. I would love to lead an outreach from Finland and work together with this base. I would really love to staff a school here too. That desire has most definitely become stronger. Descipleshiping in itself is just really sticking to me. Don't know when this might happen or if it even will happen, since I am still planning to start studying next fall. But all the studies I'm interested in doing would all kind of lead towards this direction anyway. I also have a special place in my heart for The Netherlands, so we'll really have to see what God has planned for me. People ask me what I want to do in the future and I usually answer with this:
"I want to work in an international environment with youth, equipping them with the tools they need. Discipling is important, sharing what God has done in your life is important. (I love love looooove testimonies!!) I want to encourage them to use their gifts, to have fun, to live out of grace pursuing to live a life that glorifies God instead of asking themselves constantly "how far can I go until I've gone too far?" I want to dance with them, to capture beautiful moments and stories with my camera and to bless people with this gift too." (So usually my answer is something like that.)
I would love it if you joined me in prayer about my next step. I listened to a podcast from Rick Warren today and he said some really good stuff about trusting God. I'll gather some of the things he said into one quote here for you:
"If you didn't have needs, you wouldn't learn how to trust God. He allows needs in your life so you can learn to trust him. He knows your needs.
You need to give God 1st place in every area of your life. Any area of your life where God isn't number 1, you'll have worry there." - Rick Warren
But now that I shared that, lets get back to this current season.
Its so so good to be back. I can't wait to dive in even deeper at the Media Department. I can't wait to see what I get to do with my camera as God leads the way. I want to grow, to be challenged, to learn new things and to give what I can to serve. I can't wait to see friends as they come and go. I spent a special 4-ish days with my beautiful friend Iris whom I was on outreach with during my DTS and it was so refreshing and encouraging! What a woman! She carries beautiful stories, wise words and so much more. She's currently living in Uganda. Maybe even for the rest of her life. God knows.
I love getting excited with people about what God is doing in their lives and where He's leading them! What an adventure hey.
Safety is always something good to pray for. I need to walk alone for different reasons on the streets here to get from my apartment to base and to "the Rock" where the Media Department is located. Can't do it in evenings, because its way too dangerous then. There are always risks during the day too, even though I do aim to use the main roads. Just gotta be careful with my valuables. And be smart. Another area to trust God in. For a local this might seem like an obvious thing or something I shouldn't worry about too much, but coming from one of the safest if not safest countries in the world to here...its quite a leap really.
I want to thank everyone for the beautiful and encouraging birthday messages I received on Sunday.
Also to everyone supporting me in prayer; I am SO thankful! I definitely couldn't have come here if I didn't have the support I have from all of you. I have most definitely been showered with people that know the power in prayer. Thankyou thankyou thankyou!
Also, if you'd like to support what the YWAM base is doing here, feel free to donate:
https://ywammuizenberg.org/donate/
All donations are celebrated!
More updates coming, hopefully at least once or twice each month!
-Katarina
I arrived safely in South Africa last Saturday and oh you should've felt what I felt in my heart when seeing the country from above. So beautiful!
A thousand beats of joy in my heart for sure.
Walking through the airport got me all excited about what's ahead. I felt kind of nervous too. Its a strange feeling going to a place that has played a significant and intimate role in your walk with Jesus, knowing that you're not there for the same reason you were last time. Knowing that most of the people will not be the same. Knowing that the ministry you're serving in is not one with the greatest amount of people. For me thats fine because it challenges me even more to connect with people outside of that. My goal is to find a church to commit to while I'm here. During DTS I was pretty sure of the place I was going to on Sundays, but now I feel like God might have something different in mind. We'll see, but you're welcome to pray with me on that.
Its been great seeing the new DTS students adapting to this new environment and experience and I truly pray that these schools would impact their relationships with Jesus in amazing ways, leaving them and everyone here in awe haha! Now that's a good prayer to pray I think.
There are also a few other schools going on while I'm here and I know those will be wonderful as well. Obviously I'm getting to know some of these people as well haha, so there's no worry about being lonely for sure. I'm curious about the stories I'll hear. And the ones I'll capture too.
I went to the Media Department quarters on Monday and talked to one of the volunteers there (the head of the department is still in The Netherlands with his family until later this month). She told me what they've been doing and what they want to keep doing and we talked a bit about what I would be doing (photography for sure).
We also talked about the possibility of me doing some writing assignments, but we'll see what happens with that. I start off with taking photos though.
I'll be taking pictures during different events and sessions going on at base. So that anyone going through our social media channels could have a glimpse into what life and the different schools look like in case they themselves decide to take part in one of them. We definitely want to see more people coming in "to know God and make Him known". I'm being introduced to some new programmes that the department is using to create content with good quality and srategy, so that's going to be interesting and maybe even give me some ideas as to what to do back at home at my home church with the Creative- team there. I absolutely love a quote I just read from an orientation pack sent to me:
"The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship." - Martin Luther
So good right?!
I've only been here for 3 full days, but I already have been reminded of some things God placed on my heart during DTS and its exciting to see them pop up again!
I most definitely have a special place in my heart for this country and especially the Muizenberg area. I would love to lead an outreach from Finland and work together with this base. I would really love to staff a school here too. That desire has most definitely become stronger. Descipleshiping in itself is just really sticking to me. Don't know when this might happen or if it even will happen, since I am still planning to start studying next fall. But all the studies I'm interested in doing would all kind of lead towards this direction anyway. I also have a special place in my heart for The Netherlands, so we'll really have to see what God has planned for me. People ask me what I want to do in the future and I usually answer with this:
"I want to work in an international environment with youth, equipping them with the tools they need. Discipling is important, sharing what God has done in your life is important. (I love love looooove testimonies!!) I want to encourage them to use their gifts, to have fun, to live out of grace pursuing to live a life that glorifies God instead of asking themselves constantly "how far can I go until I've gone too far?" I want to dance with them, to capture beautiful moments and stories with my camera and to bless people with this gift too." (So usually my answer is something like that.)
I would love it if you joined me in prayer about my next step. I listened to a podcast from Rick Warren today and he said some really good stuff about trusting God. I'll gather some of the things he said into one quote here for you:
"If you didn't have needs, you wouldn't learn how to trust God. He allows needs in your life so you can learn to trust him. He knows your needs.
You need to give God 1st place in every area of your life. Any area of your life where God isn't number 1, you'll have worry there." - Rick Warren
But now that I shared that, lets get back to this current season.
Its so so good to be back. I can't wait to dive in even deeper at the Media Department. I can't wait to see what I get to do with my camera as God leads the way. I want to grow, to be challenged, to learn new things and to give what I can to serve. I can't wait to see friends as they come and go. I spent a special 4-ish days with my beautiful friend Iris whom I was on outreach with during my DTS and it was so refreshing and encouraging! What a woman! She carries beautiful stories, wise words and so much more. She's currently living in Uganda. Maybe even for the rest of her life. God knows.
I love getting excited with people about what God is doing in their lives and where He's leading them! What an adventure hey.
Safety is always something good to pray for. I need to walk alone for different reasons on the streets here to get from my apartment to base and to "the Rock" where the Media Department is located. Can't do it in evenings, because its way too dangerous then. There are always risks during the day too, even though I do aim to use the main roads. Just gotta be careful with my valuables. And be smart. Another area to trust God in. For a local this might seem like an obvious thing or something I shouldn't worry about too much, but coming from one of the safest if not safest countries in the world to here...its quite a leap really.
I want to thank everyone for the beautiful and encouraging birthday messages I received on Sunday.
Also to everyone supporting me in prayer; I am SO thankful! I definitely couldn't have come here if I didn't have the support I have from all of you. I have most definitely been showered with people that know the power in prayer. Thankyou thankyou thankyou!
Also, if you'd like to support what the YWAM base is doing here, feel free to donate:
https://ywammuizenberg.org/donate/
All donations are celebrated!
More updates coming, hopefully at least once or twice each month!
-Katarina
