Posted in Australia by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/31/2010
Hello to all my supporters and readers!
This is just a quick update. My team is going to a remote aboriginal community in australia- Wujal Wujal.
This month is going to be difficult as we face many elements both natural and spiritual that are going to try and get in the way of what God wants to do there. I don't mean to alarm anyone, I know I walk with a God who is powerful and wants to protect us- but I also know we'll be facing a lot of situations that are going to demand wisdom and smart choices.
Specifically
- Prayer for wisdom in choices for our team
- Pray for the people to be open to participating as we try and stimulate a dead community
- Pray for locals to rise up as sustainers of the Lord's work for after we leave them
- Pray for relationships to be built with natives
- Pray that we are able to encourage the missionaries and people that work with the wujal wujal community
- Pray for revival! We want the Spirit to stir their hearts and make this community a welcome dwelling place of God- a community of worship
This community has many issues, but I know that God wants to move among these people and love them- and He has chosen team 91 to do it for Him this month.
Just as a quick update. I am about $4,000 dollars away from being fully funded for the rest of the year! If you could pray about giving- you can donate right through this blog, up at the left hand corner with the tab, "financially support this trip."
Thank you! Consider making Wujal Wujal your prayer focus this month!
Internet will be very limited. We will literally be in the middle of nowhere. I will update as much as I can!
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/28/2010
I thought about an elaborate blog to write about the Maori
nation- a native New Zealand people group that captured my heart with the
concept of being a warrior for God.
Instead I'm just going to show you their photos and keep my
words limited.
Having been in the process of reviving their culture for the
past ten years, the Maori people are rising up to capture New Zealand for the
kingdom of God. I spoke with a man named Matt who has been redeemed from a gang
life that landed him in prison. Now he stands humbly; ready to fight for Jesus
Christ. He told me of his passion to see revival in the young and old that
sweeps over New Zealand like a tidal wave.
If respect and honor define them, then passion and
dedication describe their Christian walk. One of my greatest joys this month
came from watching them worship- which was so different than the western way of
worship I am use to participating in. They sing praise with warrior-like vigor,
and they talk about the work of the Lord as if there is nothing that brings
them greater happiness.
Watch out for the Maori people- God is raising them up.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/27/2010
"I
thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in
my every prayer for you all..."
-Paul the Apostle
(Philippians 1:3-4)
I love the way Paul addresses
church bodies and individuals in his letters. There is no doubt that he cared
for others and dearly loved his brothers and sisters in Christ.
During this month's ministry we
worked in tandem with three other teams: Ignitus, Glo, and Arete. My attitude
toward working with so many others during my time in New Zealand was initially
terrible. I felt overwhelmed enough trying to bond with my own team members,
never mind meeting and investing in other teams.
I am so fortunate that God is
the one orchestrating things and that the AIM staff prayerfully considers each
placement of the teams. I have been spoiled, and feel incredibly blessed by the
men and women I have had the privilege to serve alongside with this month.
Today we said goodbye to two of
the teams as they head off for Australia. While I am excited to send them off,
knowing they will pour themselves out to whomever they serve next, I selfishly
want to hold on to them a little longer.
After living together for three
weeks, it feels like a routine was beginning to develop and friendships were
starting to get wonderfully comfortable. Now things are getting shaken up and
change is happening quickly, leaving me no time to rest in the comfortable. The
ironic part is that I joined the World Race in part because I wanted to chase
after a discomfort that left me dependent on the Lord. It's a novel idea, but
living it out is much harder than talking about the ideal. I trust the Lord; He
will be faithful in the uncomfortable and use it to grow me in greater ways
than I can understand- He's got it like that.
Some of the women that I've met
this month have blown me away with their hearts for serving and knowing the
Father intimately. To those ladies I am thankful, more than you know- and I
can't wait to watch you grow. I'd encourage readers to look them up and check
in on their blogs- they're worth it, I promise.
Annie
Rose: Annie Rose is one of
those people who humbly radiates joy in all she does. She is vulnerable before
the Lord in way that I hope to be.
Alisa: Alisa and I
bonded over some financial responsibility stress. She's got some passion and
desire that is just going to explode during this race and God is going to use
her in powerful ways.
Michelle: Michelle's testimony brought tears to my
eyes. If ever there was a poster child for a compassionate heart- it's her.
Monica: Monica is beautiful inside and out- I'm
fairly certain she doesn't even see her own potential in the gifts God has
given her. She has a quiet compassion that I believe is only going to get
bolder this year.
To those women- thank you for sharing your
stories and your lives with me. I am thanking God and remembering you in my
prayers with joy.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/24/2010
The Largest Map In The
World
As I walked barefoot across the map, I was overwhelmed with
praise as I thought about the love of our Father who, as the children's song
says, has "the whole world in his hands." Tracing hundreds of footsteps that
have gone before me, I pondered the commitments that had been made to share the
gospel in certain areas, and the tears that had been poured out for nations who
are in desperate need of the truth.
The map represents every country and is broken up into omega
zones. Omega zones have to do with population; so even though China is one
country, it contains 857 omega zones- that's a ton of people.
Also included on the map is a list of unreached, unengaged
people groups.
I observed people from all nations, knees bent on the map,
crying out for their generation to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Young students pulled out their Bibles, reading and praying over countries they
felt God was calling them to. During worship some people even danced across the map with
joy overflowing for the work that God was already doing in the world.
Psalm 67 came to mind:
"God be gracious to us and bless us,
cause His face to shine upon us-
That your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations."
The work
left to be done on earth to share the gospel seemed impossible when I was
standing on the map alone, but as I joined hundreds in a prayer walk across it-
I realized the power of intercession as a global body of believers.
We win this
fight. Christ ALREADY conquered sin and death, and we are his inheritance. Not
only that, but we are partakers in the inheritance! This world is ours- and by
God's grace we will see many more come to worship Him. There is a lot of work to be done
though- and it starts in your neighborhood, in your town, and in your
community.
I feel like
God has been asking me, "Who are you fighting for?" My challenge to anyone who
reads this blog is to pray about a people group, nation, or country and commit
to being a prayer warrior for them. God wants to use you to reach nations.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/21/2010
(above is Danley at the kids worship)
As some team members and I were waiting for our security
detail at the conference to end, we sat sharing stories and discussing the
things God was teaching us. Time had passed slowly, not much traffic was coming
through the gate at the end of the night.
A woman approached us who had been attending the conference
and asked if we were with YWAM. After explaining that we were working with them
but were from a different organization, she then asked, "but you are people of
faith, right?" Nodding our heads in affirmation she then began to cry; "can I
ask you to please pray."
Standing up and gathering around her, she told us she had
been in the conference and had to leave because her grandson was being a
terror. Through tears she explained to us that she was practically raising
Danley, and that six months ago he went from being a sweet boy to a rude, foul,
and nasty young man. He had been throwing a fit and punching her during the
conference and it was so disrupting she finally had to leave.
It was obvious from her emotions that she was at her wits
end. She was visibly hurt and disturbed by the fact that her seven-year-old
grandson, whom she loved, had taken such a bitter turn for the worse in his
attitude and actions.
Compassion fell on my teammates and I as we heard this sweet
woman share her pain. Putting our arms around her, we took turns praying right
there at the security gate. As we began to pray Danley, who had been off in the
background, started yelling for her to hurry up so they could leave. I turned
my attention from the prayers in the circle to Danley, and extending my hand
toward him I asked God to silence his mouth so that his grandmother could have
this undisturbed time of encouragement and prayer. He didn't say a word after that.
God is powerful.
We took turns hugging her and promising to keep she and
Danley in our prayers- and that's a promise I intend to keep. I'm asking my
blogging community that, if even just for a moment, you would lift up Tricie
and her grandson. It's obvious that healing needs to happen in that family and
that there is some anger issues going on with Danley. My teammate Carl prayed
that Danley would recognize God as his King- if you could do that now, just
praying for God to be the Lord of Danley's life.
What excites me about this story is that Tricie was a
complete stranger to us, but in that moment we were able to rise up and be a
family for her- a safe place in the body of Christ for her to cry and to be
heard. In a moment when she was too weary to keep going on, we were there to
lift her up, and to love her without hesitation.
Even though our service was suppose to be about security and
parking cars, God brought Tricie our way so that she could be encouraged.
God is
broadening my view of the church by showing me what it means to be available
for one another. I know I am guilty of not stopping to pray with others within
my community back home. Instead, I engage in conversations that fuel
bitterness, or affirm selfishness within someone, rather than turning to the Father
and lifting up praise and request to the One who can bring about true change in
people's lives.
I realize small stories like this don't grip our hearts like
holding orphans or feeding the homeless, but there is something exciting about
being connected with people from around the world and seeing the corporate
church as this huge family where we are willing to go to bat for one another.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/14/2010
So before I
came on this trip, I made a little pact with myself that I would live out this year
with no regrets. Meaning that I would try any food and participate in any
activity, even if it went against what I would normally do.
Today Team 91,
along with the three other teams we're working with this month, got to take a
mini day trip to a waterfall after we were done painting at ChangePoint.
It was my first
waterfall, and not only that but I went jumping off the cliff right next to it.
How many other times in my life will I get to say I went cliff jumping in New
Zealand? Probably none.
God has been
speaking to me about boldness. Living with no regrets this year needs to apply
to the things the Lord is asking of me and not just the exciting adventurous
stuff.
So pray for
team 91 and that God would work in ways that create situations and
opportunities for us to truly step out in faith- because when that happens, if
we're obedient, He grows us, and He gets the glory- I call that a win win
situation.
(Proof I jumped...
Katie, Mike, Carl, and Lindsey jumped as well- although it took Lindsey a
little longer... nothin' but love Linds!)
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/14/2010
The parable in
Luke 18 of the widow and the just Judge begs the question, why does God want
prayer?
Luke 18:7-8
reads, "now, will not God bring about
justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over
them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However,
when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
Let me tell you
where you can find faith on earth- Tauranga.
The ChangePoint
Church that we are working with this week is partnered with the Taraunga house
of prayer, and every morning my team has the privilege of sitting in on their
four hour prayer meetings. Talented musicians, who love the Lord, lead the
entire four hour prayer ministry- creating new songs each day that come from
the prayers of the people present. Scripture is read while music plays, new
choruses are created, and there is an open forum for intercession on behalf of
New Zealand and the youth of New Zealand. One day, a native cried out to the
Lord on behalf of the States- that was humbling.
If I have ever
encountered a body of believers that truly knew God moved through the power of
their prayers, it's here. If ever my heart had been challenged about the
justice, healing, and deliverance that can manifest through corporate unceasing
prayer- it has been here.
As the phrase
shows up in the Luke 18 passage, the Taraunga house of prayer is working
towards a "day and night" prayer ministry. The goal is to have constant praise
resounding and intercession being made at all hours of the day and night. They
are fervent in this endeavor and I believe it'll happen.
If we want to
cultivate the power of the Holy Spirit and see the presence of God working in
the nations- it's only going to be accomplished with prayer as the fuel. Right
now the prayer focus has been on the event coming in just a few days- Call2All.
I'll have more information about this ministry in the next blog- but just know
that New Zealand is getting ready and taking seriously the mandates of
Scripture. I believe, truly, that out of New Zealand we are going to see the
birth of something from the event that is going to cause a ripple effect around the world.
Are you ready?
My question is, how are we modeling the widow found in Luke 18, and what do we
think about God as just judge? My challenge and conviction has come from the
question, when the son of man returns will he find that I've been faithful on
earth? That goes beyond just making a statement the I believe in
Jesus Christ- true faith exudes action. If I can wrap my mind around the fact
that God is moved by my prayers... even just a little bit... then I should be
driven to my knees.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/8/2010
The past five days have
been a time of preparation before being sent out as separate teams into the
country of New Zealand.
My team, along with three
others, will be heading to the city of Tauranga and tenting on the campus of
Faith Bible College for the remainder of the month. The plan so far is to help
facilitate and prep for the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Jubilee, celebrating 50
years of ministry as an organization. It's going to be a time of people coming
together for fellowship, reflecting on past ministry, planning and vision
casting for the future mission of YWAM in the New Zealand/Pacific area,
worship, and above all prayer.
After that conference,
we'll be involved in assisting at another one- "A Call to All". I'll be able to
give more details later, but the focus is on rising up the current generation
to see and understand God's work in and through their lives and how to be apart
of His mission on Earth. Also there will be opportunity for us this month to
work with a local IHOP (International House Of Prayer) prayer room. I'm truly
excited about that.
Honestly, I'm not exactly
sure what this month is going to look like specifically. It's going to be a lot
of meeting people and serving the need they have in that moment.
Pray for the country of New
Zealand, a people who are apathetic to the gospel. Pray that team 91 and the
others we're working with can be a fiery example of love and truth, one that
cannot be ignored and points directly to Jesus.
Posted in New Zealand by Kathryn Gironimi on 1/4/2010
"Jesus give me your heart let there be a
death in me, I'm making room for all that you are, give me your heart. Jesus
give me your heart, break me down, build me up, let the walls keep falling
apart, give me your heart..."
-Leeland "Weak Man"
I woke up this morning in New Zealand.
My life, for the past year, has been focused on the "getting"
here.
Now I'm here.
I've talked a big talk to friends and supporters about
dreams and desires of how I want to see God move and be willing to let him move
through me. I've explained how this all really started with a simple prayer
that I was challenged to pray; "Lord break my heart for what breaks yours."
I believe the past year has been a realization of that
prayer. My heart is honestly broken. Now, just as the focus has shifted from
the "getting" here to the "being" here, my prayer has also changed direction:
"Jesus give me your heart." Being broken only truly has meaning when we're
moved into action because of it. I couldn't tell you what having the heart of
Christ looks like in all situations or how it's going to play out this year,
but my hope is that my life starts to truly reflect Jesus and his
ministry.I want God to be pleased
with me, just as he was pleased with his Son.
Please pray for New Zealand. Our team hasn't gone out to
begin ministry yet, but it's a country much like the U.S. as it has been
entrenched with humanism and materialism. We've been told evangelism is tough
here because people have heard the gospel and their hearts are just hard to it
now. Pray for our team for wisdom in reflecting true community and relationship
with Christ, and also for the opportunity to plant seeds and understand what
God wants from us this month in this place.
Just as a quick shout out to Susan in the office at Groton Heights-
you were right about the sun here- it burns you real quick.
Posted in Pre-Race by Kathryn Gironimi on 12/21/2009
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a
man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells
all that he has and buys that field."
-Jesus
At
night, I often fall asleep to some sort of media. It used to be criminal minds
on television, because that show is so intriguing, and I sort of maybe have a
crush on the guy who plays Derek Morgan.
Unfortunately that show gave me
nightmares. Not to mention that every time I pass a van that has no windows,
and is painted in all white- I think there is a bomb in it.
Most
of the time I watch a movie or get on hulu.com and watch a million episodes of
some gem of a show that was underrated.
Then,
as I drift off to sleep I throw some Mark Driscoll or Francis Chan because I
like having the noise and I love their preaching.
I
asked God a couple of weeks ago to really impress upon my heart the need for
prayer. I asked for the Holy Spirit to weigh on my conscience when time being
wasted would wisely be used in communication with my Father.
And
He did. And I didn't like it.
In
fact, if I'm honest- I ignored it.
I
think I fill up my nights with stuff like movies and podcasts because I don't
want to face the Lord- just me and Him. I'd rather distract my mind then let
God reveal to me the truths about my soul and ask me to change.
One
night I actually listened to the tugging on my heart where God was asking me to
pay attention to Him. He brought me to Matthew 13:44, "The kingdom of heaven is
like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that
field." I am still trying to wrap my mind around this verse.
So
I sold a ton of stuff. I don't know that the direct application of this
particular parable of Jesus is to literally sell everything you have, but I've
been short on cash and God was asking me about what I valued. So I went a
little nuts- sold all my dvds and a bunch of other miscellaneous things.
The
point isn't what I was getting rid of though. The point was in what I valued. I
want to be like the man who treasured the kingdom so much that his joy was
rooted in it.
This
is partly what I'm hoping to chase after this year on the world race. My friend
Dave (world race January 2009) told me he would be willing to pray bold and
dangerous prayers for me this year. I'm asking for those of you who read this
blog to do the same- because sometimes I'm not willing to pray them for myself.
At the heart of this journey, though, I want to find out a little more about
true joy. I want to know what it means to value God's heart, which is His
kingdom, more than anything.