Here we are in November, getting closer to the holiday season! Our DTS students just came back from a 3 week outreach to Italy, in Rome and the area around Milan. I wasn't able to go because I am still waiting for my visa, but it was a great time for them. There was breakthrough with a place to stay that only could have come from God. A church in Rome decided to say yes to host the team, even though they knew that many other churches had said no, and they felt from God to welcome the team. So the International Arts Gathering was held there in Trastevere, Rome with loads of fellowship, new friends, worship, and crazy times of evangelism. Everyone talked about how the people were so open to receive and be ministered to, and how the times of worship were open and many passerbys came in to join. After that, they headed to an area outside of Milan called Casorate, where some friends of ours are opening a new YWAM base. The team was able to encourage and partner with the group there, with worship and intercession in the area, and some evangelism in the local square and shops and cafes around. The team have come back now, and its incredible to see the transformation in each of them. It was hard to be at home this time, because outreach is one of my favorite things, but God knew exactly why he had me here, and why each person was in what place.
The main thing God has been speaking in this season is about living the present, and walking in trust towards his promises. He is such a good God, a perfect father, and his promises are so good, but when we lack trust, we lose patience and try to take things in our own way or control. But this cannot bring fulfillment, because we have to work and strive for those things that we think we need. But when God fulfills his promises, he fulfills completely and by his grace. Learning to trust God in the time that he has me in, in the things that he has put in my hands now, today, and the people he has surrounded me with, is the only thing I need to look at. He is so good, and completely in control. Something I read from C.S. Lewis basically said that the past is too good at keeping us discouraged (if we have made many mistakes), and the future holds too much fear and false expectations. But the present is the closest thing we as humans can experience to eternity, of understanding how God sees time. And by living in the present, we are our most effective for the kingdom of God, because we take full advantage of every moment. Nothing is lost with God, all of our mistakes and experiences, He can use for His good for those who seek his face. The Psalms say that he is the lamp to my feet, and the light to my path. This means that in different seasons I will see differently, sometimes small steps for just each day, and sometimes a larger focus to keep me going through the circumstances that come. But above all, he is God, and his promises never fail.
We have one and a half more months with this DTS, and then it's Christmas time! Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our exhibition, and as the students begin to prepare to head home or continue on to the internship in January. Thank you all for the love and support, and if you ever wish for more information or would like to support in any way, shoot me an email at pericarlson228@gmail.com or Facebook message!
