End of week two in Scotland

 This week has been quite eventful.

   The organization I work with had there 50th anniversary! The founders of YWAM (youth with a mission) came to Harpenden, England this week to meet with as many people as possible in celebration. Loren and Darleen Cunningham are two genuinely amazing people who are kicking strong and championing young people for Jesus. The focus was directed to this being a year of Jubilee. In worship time there was much emphasis placed on the "flame" going forth. The call to Go into all people groups in all nations. Especially the people groups who have not been reached with the Gospel. There is over 3,500 bases around the world where YWAM has established themselves and so Loren and Dar are trying to hit as many as possible in this year of celebration. The event was awesome... I ran into an old friend from the South Africa base and was lucky to share her couch for the three days. There were over 1000 people and as you can imagine a little tight courters. For the most part everything went on without a hitch but the 12hr car ride is not something I would like to repeat in the near future. And I am truly grateful to be back in my own bed.

   Once we got back to Seamill we had a day of rest on Wednesday and then straight back into lectures. Lectures consisted of a focus on how to support raise before going out into the field long term. In other words how to stay connected to those who are partnering with you when you are in remote parts of the world that might not have My good old friend "Email"... :) anyway I will use it while I have it! Today's lectures were more focused on how to communicate vision to your church and family as well as the crazy stuff... like... if you are in a hostile area how to protect yourself.... ex. if kidnapper goes to grab you become one with the floor :). This is something that is very real but at some point you have to laugh about it. Its good to know if you know what I mean.

  Anyway on a lighter note... my roommate is great... her name is Karen and she is from the Netherlands. We get on extremely well... and I think she agrees... she tells me that shes the only European that likes Americans so I should think myself lucky. She's a real crazy one. Karen has a calling to Afghanistan so I think the training this week will be of great use to her.

   I hope to have more stories of what I am learning and what work I am involved in ministry wise this next week. So till then may God richly bless you my Beloved.

Lauren-Jean


 

In Scotland

So here we are! Thank you to the few who have checked into my poorly updated Blog. To be fare I have just arrived less than a week ago. I am so very glad to be here. The people at this base are truly amazing and I feel privileged to rub shoulders with them.
  I arrived in one piece with all of my bags which was a blessing in its self... My beautiful friend Rachel was there for me as I departed the plane to welcome me into her country with open arms. I am so grateful to consider Rachel's family my surrogate family while I'm here in Scotland. They have made me feel quite at home. Her family is involved with many different ministry's here is Scotland and one in particular I can not wait to get involved in. The ministry is called Light and Life. I will give you more info as soon as I can about what I will be doing with this group.
 I do feel as if I have hit the ground running... lectures started Monday, and what seems to me to be a little backwards we had orientation yesterday. Last night the staff welcomed us into the Scotland family by praying over each of us individually. I am extremely excited and to be honest I feel lost for words.... I hold much hope for the future here in Seamill, Scotland and I can not wait to share with each and everyone of you what God is doing In and Through me.

 Please stand with me in prayer... The first 3 months here in Scotland I will be in lectures and with spare time on the weekends be doing ministry. I need as much strength as possible as I still feel a little jet-laged and under the weather. There is a cold sweeping through the base and as I am living in a community I am likely to get whatever it is going around.
 I would be grateful if you would please stand with me in prayer with regards to fiances. This always seems to be a walk of faith for me. I am trusting God for 800usd a month for the first three months and 500usd a month for each month following for the rest of the year. The first three months are more expensive because of the cost of school fees. If you do feel led to contribute financially and partner with me in my ministry there are a couple ways to do so. In my previous post on this blog I gave my church details. By sending a check to South Shores Church they will make sure that I receive the finances in Full. This way you will also receive a tax write off. If it would be best for you to just deposit fiances into my personal account that can be arranged. I just ask that you would email me personally so that I may give you that information. If nether one of those works there is a way to give straight to my school here in Scotland. But most of all I would appreciate your prayers.

Thank you so very much for your love and support an ocean away!

In Him,
your Lauren-Jean

Tax write off!

If you are looking to support the work God is doing & would like a tax deduction Please make out donations to:

South Shores Church
32712 Crown Valley Parkway
Dana Point, CA 92629 United States
...
& in memo box please place this information.
YWAM Lauren Elsberry

Thank you so very much and may the Lord richly bless all that you do and give!

I will have an update by Friday with regards to what is happening here in Scotland, on my blog ljelsberry@blogspot.com "into the mission field."

Visa?

I am praying that the Lord will make a way that my visa will come in wed., and that I will be able to make the 4pm flight out of LAX!

There is a conference that I believe I am suppose to be at on Thursday and the only way for me to make it... would be to leave wed on the last flight out at 4pm. This will get to Scotland by 1:30pm Thursday. I need a miracle and I thank God that He is a miracle worker!

Please stand with me in prayer!

-Lauren