India, Here I Come!

This past week has been a week of many old things coming to an end and many new things coming to a beginning. For the past three months, I have been living an intense lifestyle of learning about God, myself, the Bible, and so much in between, and deepening my relationships with God and others surrounding me in this unique environment. It has been an amazing experience, but it is now time for me to move on from this phase of lectures and learning to the outreach phase of serving and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today the Iceland Team left to begin their outreach, followed by the India and Fiji Teams on Monday. It's an exciting and busy time, but it's also sad and difficult. It's sad to say goodbye, sad to end this special time together (although we'll reunite for a week after outreach), sad not being able to spend Christmas or New Years with each other or our family at home. It's difficult to pack one bag for two and a half months, difficult to deep clean the entire base, difficult to know I won't live in Room 46 again.

It's a bitter-sweet time in my life, but as much as it is bitter, it is oh so much more sweet. For one thing, I get to say goodbye to always being cold and say hello to warm Indian weather! I get to experience a completely different culture. I get to continue growing in my faith and I get to pour myself, my heart, and Jesus into the people of India. And I get to wear Indian clothing! It's such an exciting time in my life and sometimes I can't even believe the things that I'm doing, the places I'm going, and the people I'm meeting.

I have some prayer requests to ask of you to keep in mind whenever you think of me:

• For safe travels, both to and from India, as well as within the nation. We will be traveling from Mumbai to Goa on the west coast, and later to the Himalayas in the north of India.
• For the team--that we are united, have open communication, and unending grace and love for each other. 
• For divine appointments, open doors, and opportunities, along with discernment as to how to act on these, with the people we interact with in India.
• For the people that we will interact with, that their hearts, minds, and spirits will be prepared and in the right place to have meaningful interaction with them.
• For our health, that we can get over any colds or sicknesses we currently have and that our immune systems can be built up and strengthened against sickness in India.

To put faces to the India team, this entry's pictures are pictures of my team members and a bit of information about them. Please keep us in your prayers for the next 10 weeks as we'll be in India!

Michael Van Kesteren, Belgium (Staff)

Clotilde Helene Barberon, France (Staff)

Katrine Lund, Denmark (Staff)

Nathan Ghinn, England

David Hildreth, England

Selena Mckenzie, USA (Right)

Bethany Turner, USA

Sadie Ferl, USA

Lilian Elgert, Germany (Left)

Anna Lise Carolan, USA

Ashley Johnson, Wales

Tiffany Matsumura, USA

Ireland

In Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland in background.

Last week my DTS and I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Ireland. It was a long and tiring journey. While most of the DTS was able to take an hour flight, the seven Americans without passports had to drive about four and a half hours from the south of England to Liverpool. From there, we took an eight hour overnight ferry to the Northern Irish city of Belfast, where we met up with the rest of the group. This sounds simple enough, besides the fact that our first attempted departure at 3:30am Sunday failed to get us as far as 20 minutes away. After a fixed car, lots of prayer, more car trouble, and a ferry ride with both literal and figurative ups and downs, we made it across the Irish Sea early Monday morning. Thus, our 13 hour trip turned into what seemed like a 48 hour day.

Part of the base, An Cuan.

That trip, as well as the rest of the week (due to bad weather and snow), required lots of flexibility, turning to God, and good attitudes. In a way, it was the best possible outreach prep without even planning it. Throughout that whole process, though, I knew (as well as the others) that God was with us and teaching us, no matter how confused, tired, joyful, or grumpy we were. Overall it was a rough, tiring, funny, strenuous, peaceful, relaxing, beautiful, cold, hot, joy filled, and adventurous week, and probably my favorite week since I've been here!

We stayed at a YWAM base in the town of Rostrevor in Northern Ireland. The 5 month old base faces the Republic of Ireland, separated by a lock that leads to the Irish Sea. We arrived with snow on the ground, and snow continued to fall every day while we were there. We were surrounded by pure beauty, much like I am at Holmsted. We had lecture on theology (AWESOME) Monday through Wednesday and attempted field trips on Thursday and Friday. Here's a list of memorable things I did:

Had an epic snow ball fight.
Walked to an Irish pub, drank hot chocolate, and listened to live traditional Irish music.
Attempted to make, then helped supervise the making of a snowman.
Ate homemade bread.
Walked by the lock and on the shore during low tide.
Ate snow.
Spent an hour or two walking in the Republic of Ireland.
Visited Catholic and Anglican St. Patrick's Cathedrals.
Caught massive snowflakes on my tongue.
Sang Christmas songs.
Ate soup, soup, and more soup.
Stood in awe of the glory of God and His beauty.

In Ireland with Northern Ireland in background.

St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral

Catching snowflakes on my tongue.

God's glory.

Meanwhile, back at Holmsted, it snowed and snowed and snowed. It is now melting, but here are some pictures of my snow-covered home.

View from my window.

Our Christmas tree!!

Lastly, I want to remind you that I leave for India on December 20th. That's three Mondays from now! Please keep me, my team, and the school in your prayers, especially for finances and a location in India. Stay warm (as I'm trying to!) and God bless!

Give Thanks Always

Not only is this my first Thanksgiving apart from all of my family, but it's also the first Thanksgiving I've spent in a foreign country, in a country that can hardly relate (in a positive way) to this holiday. I don't think I've ever felt so much appreciation for Thanksgiving as I do now. Right now families all across the US are waking up, turning on the Macy's Day Parade or the football game, and being tortured with the aroma of turkey, boiling potatoes, stuffing, and pie. Americans are being surrounded with loved ones who have traveled from places near and far, all for the purpose of giving thanks, for being thankful for all the blessings God has poured over them.

Meanwhile, back in England, it's a normal day of routine. Wake up, breakfast, quiet time, lecture, lunch, work duties, dinner, outreach meeting, free time, bed. And as I'm sitting in my bed trying to stay warm, I can't help but be thankful for my American citizenship, for having one day every year where routine is broken and loved ones gather just to give thanks to God, for His goodness, provision, love, and everything else in between. I've taken advantage of Thanksgiving as an American in America, but now I'm an American in England, and there's a whole new significance to this day. And I hope I won't take it for granted any more.

I am thankful for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to be American. I'm thankful for my family and my friends. I'm thankful for my dogs. I'm thankful for the body of Christ, who support me and love me. I'm thankful for being in England. I'm thankful for my DTS leaders, staff, and peers. I'm thankful for new relationships. I'm thankful for long-lasting relationships. I'm thankful for the love, hope, joy, peace that my God gives. I'm thankful for God's glorious provision. I'm thankful that God is a God of love and relationship. I'm thankful for sunshine, the ocean, hot sand, forests, clouds, rain, and a few minutes of SNOW today! I'm thankful for a roof over my head. I'm thankful, so very thankful. And even though I'm not home with my family and we're not celebrating Thanksgiving here, it doesn't mean that I'm not celebrating it here in my heart (and also a bit outwardly)! My prayer is that if you are able to celebrate this wonderful American holiday of thanks, that you give thanks! And celebrate it to the fullest!

Although we aren't necessarily celebrating Thanksgiving today, we did have a Thanksgiving-themed Love Feast this past Sunday. We attempted to make it as American as possible. It didn't nearly compare to a true American Thanksgiving, but it was as good as we could get in England, and Thanksgiving in England in itself is something to be thankful for! We had a game of real American football (not soccer!), a delicious feast, a slide show of what everyone on base is thankful for, a "No Talent Talent Show," and a viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life." Not bad, right?! Here are some pictures of the day. Enjoy!

"Be Constant in Prayer"

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
-Proverbs 12:25

I think the appropriate theme for this week would be titled FAITH.

Fall leaves and frost on the grass.

Early in my DTS I found out that our school would have the opportunity to go to Ireland for the tenth week of our lecture phase (I just finished my seventh). There, we would be doing some service work at a new YWAM base while having our lecture on church history (an appropriate location for this topic). The staff prayed about it and felt that that was where God wanted us to be for that week. So we forked up 100 pounds and bought our tickets, and it was all fine and dandy!

This week, however, the India outreach team (that is, my team) sent our passports along with our Visa applications for India. It didn't take long for us to realize a problem for the five American students and two American school leaders who would make a pastoral visit to India for a week. The Visa process for the Americans takes 15 working days. Unfortunately, we only have room for 11 working days before we go to Ireland. If we don't get our passports back before then, there's no way we could fly to there, and only a slim chance of crossing the border without a passport via ferry.

These are just the facts of the matter. But the TRUTH is that God is bigger than any Visa process and that He is FAITHFUL. We believe that God has told us to be in Ireland for this week and we believe He will take us there. We, as a DTS, have already seen God do miracles with Americans and their Visas in the process of bringing them here. This is no different. I believe this is just another opportunity to glorify God.

When we were first told of this situation, as well as after a time of seeking God and praying, I felt no worry, no sense of despair, not the slightest flicker of doubt. The other Americans affected by this felt the same way. We all have a sense of peace and joy. When we talk about Ireland, we don't say "if we go," but "when we go."

My roommates during our slumber party.

I want you to know that we are also open to other opportunities that God has yet to reveal to us instead of Ireland, but we are also confident in what the Lord has told us. I believe that we should be constant in prayer, coming to the Lord in almost an annoying way. The India team is meeting daily for a time of prayer. And individually, we are constantly lifting up prayers to our God--the God who hears and loves to answer our prayers.

If you are willing, I would greatly appreciate you joining in with our prayers. We are leaving for Ireland on 25 November, and would thus need our passports by the week before.

I also have another request of you:
I still owe about 700 pounds for my outreach phase. And with the pound increasing in its value, it takes more and more American dollars to reach this amount as time goes on. I am fully confident that God will provide the remaining funds for me, but I am asking that you join me in prayer for the remaining funds to come in, and to come in quickly. Also, if you would like to support me again or for the first time, you could contact myself at tiffanymats@gmail.com, Tom or Bev Matsumura, or Camarillo Community Church.

I want you to know that I am so thankful to have so much support, both prayerful and financial, back at home. If you only get one thing out of this blog, I ask that it is to join with me in prayer for the American passports (including mine) and my finances. Thank you so much and may God bless you.

Here are some photos from last weekend in London:

In front of Buckingham Palace

I became a pro at using and navigating the Underground system.

Outside Hillsong London before church (they rent out a theatre).

INDIA!

That's right! I'm going to India for my outreach! I'll be spending the last half of December and all of January and February in the second most populated country in the world.

I'll just quickly tell why I chose to go to India instead of Fiji or Iceland:
Back in the spring, I asked God where He wanted me to do my DTS. Most prominently, He revealed England to me, which is obviously where I went. But in addition to England, God also told me India. (I had almost forgotten about this until I found out that India was an option for outreach.) Also, God had begun to put India on my heart about a month before I even thought about doing a DTS. And after God had told me to do my DTS in India, it really began to be heavy on my heart. Once I had decided on going to Holmsted Manor, India constantly popped up all around me and haunted me, and my heart for this country continued to grow. I just knew that God was going to take me there at some point in my life. So when I was given the options of Fiji, Iceland, and India, I knew exactly where I was supposed to go. I was prepared to say "no" to India, however, and I did wonder if this wasn't my time to go, but when I questioned that, God instantly said that I was crazy for thinking of going anywhere BUT India. And that is why I'll be spending Christmas, New Years, and Valentine's Day in a country so desperate for Jesus with people that were strangers to me just months before.

Here's a bit of information about India:

As I said before, India is the second most populous nation in the world, with about 1.2 billion people. It contains about 17.5% of the world's population in a land that takes up only 2.4% of the earth's land. As for religion, about 81% of the population are Hindu, 13% Muslim, and only about 2% Christian. Although it is greatly overshadowed by Hinduism and Islam, Christianity is the third largest religion.

India is commonly known for the Taj Mahal, Gandhi, curry, saris (which I get to wear!), and the infamous Bollywood. Here's a little sample of Bollywood called Pray 4 India by a famous Bollywood singer.

While I'm in India, I'm hoping to see a real Bollywood film, the Taj Mahal, and to ride an elephant. My team and I are also expecting God to show up in mighty ways and do some crazy things. Miracles are definitely not out of the question (they're actually expected!) and we expect to make an eternal difference in this nation that is so filled with darkness and fear. We are still in the very early stages of planning, so please pray for the staff who are leading: that they may find the right contacts and places for us to go, and also for cheap flights. I also ask that as we plan you pray for us as a team in preparation of our minds, bodies, and souls. As I learn more, I'll be sure to update and let you know!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! I really do appreciate it, and it's so comforting to know I have people back home and across the world lifting me up and thinking of me! God bless. :)

On the Move.

Some news about Holmsted Manor:

Soaking up the sun on an abnormally warm day.

If you were to compare the Holmsted Manor of today to the Holmsted Manor of a year ago, you wouldn't believe that it's the same YWAM base. Not even 13 months ago Holmsted took on new base leaders, Darrin and Amiee Haase. They came to a large, empty house with only 9 staff and a growing chance of having to sell YWAM's 3rd oldest base, having not been used to it's fullest potential. By the grace of God, He has walked with Darrin and Amiee and allowed them to turn Holmsted a complete 180 degrees away from it's downward slope into a new, rapidly growing and exciting chapter for the manor. NOTE: I am just an observer of this change that I am seeing and what I have heard. I mean no harm, hurt, or shame to the old base directors.

Within a year, the amount of staff has rocketed to about 30 people, and is continually growing! There are so many projects going on and new ones are constantly starting that it is difficult to keep track of them all.

• There is a local portuguese church plant and a church plant in the Middle East. 
• There is an outreach to public schools. More schools want us, but we don't have enough staff yet.
• A preschool on the base is in the making. We're beginning to renovate the garage right now! 
• A cafe in the Manor is going to be open to the public. A team from Washington recently came and helped renovate the room.
• King's Kids. About 30 kids are coming on Wednesday for a week to share the gospel.
• We have empty land that has not reached it's potential, but will in the future.

These are just some of the things that I can remember off the top of my mind. Holmsted is rapidly moving forward and hasn't even moved at it's greatest speed yet. The Manor is so full of life, with staff, DTS students, and visitors all the time. Right now we have a DTS from Panama helping us out with renovations and Kings Kids. It's exciting to be a part of Holmsted in this exciting chapter of growth and rebirth. This land is fertile and it is going to bear much fruit.

Eating ice cream and brownies with Julia at the local pub.

My life at Holmsted:


I am about to begin my fifth week of DTS! Time is flying by. My days are full. My head is filled with information. I'm learning lots about God, the Bible, and myself. I'm trying to process as much as I can. I'm taking steps of faith. I'm loving living in community.

During the week I pretty much stay on base. For this, I look forward to getting out on the weekends. This past Saturday some friends and I took a taxi, two trains, and worked my way around the London Underground to reach the city of Oxford. It was a nice trip out and there was so much to see. We were able to walk to every location. We saw lots of old buildings. We went to the pub and used the loo where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met up to discuss theology and their books. And we went to Christ Church, which inspired the Great Hall in Harry Potter and had a hall that was filmed in a few scenes. It also inspired some of Alice in Wonderland. Oxford really is a college town. The university is all over the city, with colleges placed on almost every corner. The history in this town is unbelievable. It was a perfect day trip!

St. Mary's Church

Last week we had exciting news: we learned our outreach locations! The options are Iceland, India, and Fiji! I know exactly where I'm going, but the teams aren't official yet, so it needs to be kept quiet until the teams are announced. I'll update when I know I can share that information. But let me tell you that I'm very excited for it! God's gonna do some good stuff on outreach! :)

We got kicked out of here for taking too many pictures.

A typical Oxford Street.

Where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis often met.