Our cross country road trip was such a great experience for
the whole family. We trekked nearly 5,000 miles over three weeks and survived
with a one year old and a three year old! Actually the kids were amazing….I
think they were better behaved than I was, especially when I was cursing my
phone and its GPS’ homicidal tendencies. It tried to strand us in Harlem during
rush hour while we drove through NYC on our first day of driving. (Sure Harlem
has cleaned itself up a lot…but still) The kids were fantastic, sleeping in
strange hotels and houses and 8-10 hour driving days. Dada was fueled by energy
drinks, coffee and cheddar cheese combos. So, so many combos.
We visited with lots of precious friends from our ministry
in YWAM throughout the years…some I haven’t seen since my DTS 9 years ago! We
also visited family on the West coast. I think Jubilee’s fondest memories of
the summer were all of her days swimming with Great Grandma in her pool in
California. J
My personal goal was to visit both IHOP and Bethel, which I achieved even if
only for short visits. What God is doing in Kansas City with the growth of YWAM
and influence of IHOP is really exciting. It’s funny that the Kansas City
Starbucks now has Google Fiber internet….the fastest in the country…because
being in the Prayer Room feels like hiving a fiber line connection with the Heavenly
Father. Nerdiest possible analogy, I know.
Arriving in Salem was smooth and on schedule. For reals I’m
a master planner*pats self on back*. Driving across the country gives a man a
confidence boost if nothing else. I’m also losing hair, proof of my
maturity…might be connected to the excess of combos and energy drinks, too. We’re
joining a busy campus of around 50 staff from all over the World. This quarter
there were four schools running simultaneously. The Fall Discipleship Training
School(DTS), the Korean DTS, the Introduction to Leadership School and the
Outward Apologetics Seminar. The campus also operates Salem Ropes, a huge
outdoor ropes course and rock climbing wall that hosts thousands of visitors
from the community each year.
We have 11 students in our DTS, 8 single women, one single
guy(nice odds!) and a family with three kids, and all from South Korea. Last
month we went through three significant weeks of healing and restoration. Plumb
line, Spiritual Growth and the Father Heart of God were the themes. It was a
time of deep ministry and inner healing, public confession of sin and
proclamations of forgiveness, and re-rooting our identities in Christ.
Bora is the go-to translator this quarter. She translates
the lectures for our DTS as well as the corporate prayer and intercession
meetings and corporate worship. I have been part time with worship ministry,
transportation, and watching the babies while Bora translates. It’s been extra
special to bond with Jinha these past two months.
We’re still technically shopping around for a church, we’ve
checked out a few different ones. We’ve gone to an Acts 29 affiliated church several
times, going to check a couple more out in the weeks/months to come. We are
asking the Spirit to lead us not only to a church that doesn’t necessarily ace
our scorecard of theological finer points and requirements, but a community of
believers where our gifting might be in great need. Please be praying for us as
we continue to network in and around Salem.
We got to spend this past weekend with some new friends in the
coastal town Yachats, OR. It was an unbelievable spot, right on the ocean and
totally free to people in ministry. It was so relaxing for the family and
Jubilee and Jinha got to play with kiddos their age.
With Jubilee turning four she has also turned into a little independent
lady(read ‘toddler from hell’) This is normal, but mixed with the stress of the
big transitional move she’s reverting in many ways and isn’t sleeping in her
own bed any more these past couple months. We’re exhausted, but empathizing. I
can’t imagine moving around as much as she does at this age, neither Bora or I
experienced it, I’m officially raising an MK now. Please pray for Bora and I,
that the Lord gives us wisdom to respond lovingly in the way necessary, to
choose the right battles, and for energy! Please pray for little Jubilee’s
heart…she just said goodbye last week to her three little friends who left for
outreach and won’t be coming back. Thankfully she has some friends her age that
aren’t moving any day soon.
Thanks for tracking with our family. We're so grateful to have the prayers of our friends and family all over the World covering us. Your prayer is invaluable and crucial to our family.
Lot's of Love,
-The Willsons
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