Arts Gathering 2013

So we are almost 3 weeks into the internship already! We had our first "outreach" last weekend, organizing and running the 3rd Arts Gathering here in London. It is a time to connect with artists around the world and partner in other people's missions and visions. We met a couple from Canada who are really into photography, fashion, and visual arts who want to start up something in their hometown of Hamilton. We had a young woman from the Rostrevor base in Northern Ireland who is looking to start a creative arts dts or something like it in her base. Another man was from YWAM Cyprus, who works with the prophetic arts and runs a prayer house with the base. We also had a guy from Holland, an old friend and discipler of Julie's, who runs a christian arts school. It is a one year program that challenges students in their artistic area, while also bringing bible teachings and discipleship into the curriculum. It was so amazing for us to see that these people have such a passion for what they do and for sharing God through the arts. We are really excited to be able to partner with them in prayer, and in possible outreaches and teaching opportunities.
The weekend was full of worshipping God, teachings on how to work in and lead a ministry, and times of fellowship. Chris gave a few teachings that I'm sure he gave last year, but did not really make sense to me. This year, they really clicked and I could connect the dots, and see how he was speaking from experience and authority. There were too many things I could take away from all of it. Rosanna as well gave a teaching about the arts and government, but not in a way I was expecting. She shared how the two should go hand in hand, but don't. The government has the spiritual role of pastoral covering, and artists move in the prophetic. But the spirit of Jezebel has corrupted this relationship, by stealing the authority from our governments and killing the voice of the prophets. It was quite a strong word, and she continued by reminding us that we are not called to make people feel comfortable, but to share the weighty message of the cross and wake people up. We ended the weekend with a barbeque and prayer together, and the guests left over the next 2 days.
Last night, we bought our outreach tickets!!! In july we will be going to Paris for an evangelistic event that the YWAM base hosts every year, with permits to perform at Trocadero. We will be prepping different dramas and dances and poi to present to the people, and messages of Jesus to speak to the crowds. In August we will go to Edinburgh to be a part of the Fringe Festival, with a show called Obsession, based on the baptism by water and fire. At the end of the month, we have my favorite part of the whole year, Bones. I cannot wait for the carnival time. There is something so powerful in the way God moves in that time. We have almost 80 people already signed up to come!
As always, thankyou so much for your love and prayers.
Oh! did I mention my family is coming this week?!?!?!?! I am so blessed and so excited to show them my place and what I do and how I live. God is amazing.
Love you guys!