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.

I miss. I love.

 A mural in the beach town of Brighton.

Now that I've been at Holmsted for 3 weeks (already?!), I've begun to miss some things, but I've also begun to fall in love with some things:

Our football (soccer) field.

I think most of all, I miss my dogs. I miss good salads and a variety of fresh fruit. I miss yogurt, granola, and fruit for breakfast.

I love playing volleyball barefoot (in the mud). I love walking on the 17 acres of land while admiring God's creation. I love reading my Bible and journaling while sitting in the windowsill of my second story room. I love looking at the sky, especially when there aren't many clouds (so many stars and beautiful sunsets).

I miss laying on hot cement in the sun. I miss walking outside to find bearable temperatures.

Sitting and watching double-decker
buses almost run over people.

I love dressing in layers. I love wearing winter clothes. I love mittens and socks.

I miss having space and a place for all of my stuff.  I miss my laundry basket. I miss sheets on my bed. I miss walking barefoot indoors. I miss carpet.

I love cleaning my room with my roommates on Sundays. I love vacuuming the floors, walls, and ceilings of our pet spiders and other insects.

I miss my family. I miss my friends.

I love the relationships and friendships that I'm building. I love living in community and I love having 7 roommates.

I love scaring unsuspecting people. I love playing games. I love free time. I love the weekends.

I can go home satisfied now that I
have found a red phone booth.

I love different accents. I love being myself (burps and all).

I love noise. I love the quiet. I love the sound of nature. 

I love worship, I love intercession, I love lectures. 

And I love what God is doing, both with me and with my DTS as a whole.

I love and I miss. But I mostly love.

Firsts.

Hanging out in the window from my room.

Eleven days ago I embarked on a new journey of firsts. I said my first goodbyes to my parents for a long period of time. I had my first flight over the Atlantic Ocean, my first steps on European land, my first  stamp on my passport. Most of all, I had my first big step towards adulthood, towards independence. This was my first time leaving all I knew for something so foreign and so unknown to me, completely by myself. And I absolutely love it. Of course I miss everybody back home, but there are so many new and exciting things going on here at Holmsted that I barely have time to think about it.

I arrived in London on a typical English day: overcast and rainy. And as I stepped off the plane in my flip flops and t-shirt I was overwhelmed with excitement to finally have made it to this new and foreign land. After lots of sweat and walking back and forth with 2 checked and 2 carry-on bags, an hour long bus ride, and a half hour car ride on the wrong side of the road, I made it to my new home for the next 6 months! As I had a tour of Holmsted Manor the only words I could say were, "Oh my gosh . . . oh my gosh . . . oh my gosh!" I don't think I've ever been in such a beautiful home hidden with so much history on the walls, on the doors, in the bathrooms, in the 17 acres of land. I still can't believe God has chosen to take me to such a beautiful environment. I can't get enough of it. I've spent hours in one room specifically: The Leather Room. On its walls is Italian leather wallpaper. It has been said that Holmsted is one of only 3 buildings in England with it, worth about 10,000 pounds! It is pure beauty.

The Leather Room

Our days are full from the beginning to the end. We have breakfast, a time of worship or intercession, lecture, lunch, work duties (I cook dinner in the kitchen!), dinner (or tea, in England), and usually a planned activity either in the afternoon or at night. We have worship 3 days a week, one with the whole base (which I LOVE), and 2 days of intercession (again, one with the whole base). We have small groups, one-to-ones, and a local outreach on Friday nights. The days end up being really long, but very fulfilling.

When I do have free time, I usually spend it with other people in my DTS. There have been lots of conversations, lots of games (especially a super intense version of Uno), a couple nights of playing Sardines, and even a DANCE PARTY! It already feels like I've known these people for months, some people even years. For this, I'm really excited to deepen our relationships together as we go through this stage of life together. 

Overall, this first week has been AMAZING. The staff is awesome. The view is breathtaking. The house is cold, but it gives such a warm and fuzzy feeling. I love these people and I love having so many different cultures and languages together, living in one community. God's presence is so evident in this place. We can all see that He is moving, that He wants to do big things with the people here, and with our DTS. And He's already working in my life, shaping me and molding me, breaking me, and making me more like Him. 

A Bit of History

As I'm soon leaving for England to do my DTS, I thought it would be a good idea to set up a blog to update everyone back home on the goings on in my life. And what better way to start it off than with a bit of background info as to how I came to this point in my life:

Over the past years I've known of, to me, an abnormally high amount of young people leaving the comforts of everything they knew in their Camarillo bubble to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with the international, interdenominational, Christian organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I always thought to myself, "What a great opportunity for them! But that's not for me. At least not right now." You see, I had a plan. Two years of community college and then transfer to a university to study... what? I don't know. Something.

During my second year at Ventura College, however, the Lord started to reveal His plan for me. Having decided I would major in food science and nutrition, I applied to transfer to two universities: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and University of Hawai'i, Manoa. But at that same time the Lord planted the idea of YWAM into my mind. I researched more about it, looked into some bases in Hawai'i and some other sunny settings, but I did nothing about it. I told myself that if Cal Poly and UHM didn't accept me that God wanted me to do a DTS, and I would obediently go. I had a trick up my sleeve, though--I did well in school and I was sure that I would get in to at least one, if not both, schools.

Over the months of waiting to hear about acceptance, God was growing my desire for missions. Perhaps I could use my nutrition knowledge to spread the love of God. I resolved to seriously look into doing a DTS after graduating. To me, there was no point in doing it anytime before. I couldn't imagine myself as a college dropout. And what could I do without a college degree? My pride kept me from clearly hearing God's call.

I was first accepted into Cal Poly in early February. Ecstatic, I anxiously waited to hear from Hawai'i. In the meantime, I weighed the pros and cons of each school. It soon became late March and I still had no word. The following week I was going on a weeklong trip with the high schoolers (as I'm a leader) to YWAM Las Vegas to take part in Mission Adventures, and for whatever reason, I felt like I needed to accept Cal Poly's offer without hearing from UHM. (Later, I realized I did this in my last subconscious effort to ignore God's calling for my life!)

Evangelizing on the Strip in Las Vegas

Throughout that week in Vegas, however, God transformed my heart. And knocked me hard on the head. He multiplied my love for the lost more than I'd ever had before. He gave me more desire than ever before to be completely used by God, to wholly surrender my life for His cause, to be His hands and feet. Most of all, God humbled me. He revealed to me how I had been so proud of getting an education, how I thought getting a bachelor's degree was the only way of success in this world. In this world. I was following the ways of the world. I thought I was in the will of God, but I was blinded and followed my own plans. I forgot to listen. I forgot to submit. That week I was pulled back into following God's will and submitting to his plan. My first action: giving up transferring in the fall and doing a DTS.

I went home knowing I would have to humble myself even more. I told Cal Poly I wouldn't be attending their university in the fall. The week after my return, I received my acceptance letter from UHM. That was God's little way of laughing at me, saying, "Ha! I've got you now!" And I just laughed along in agreement.

Holmsted Manor, England

So here I am. Six months later and 12 days away from going to England for my DTS! (Don't let the picture fool you, it's definitely not a hot and sunny destination like Hawai'i.) And I am so excited to be stretched, taught, and used by my glorious Creator. Also, to perfect the English accent. :)