What's next for Hannah?

Ask me that same question (What's next for Hannah) three months ago and my response would have been, I have no idea.. 

As some of you may know I was wanting to go back to Hawaii in September to do what is called a 'Leadership Track' which initially is leadership training for three months, to then go on to staff next years January DTS (discipleship training school) which is what I did January this year. I loved every moment of my experience with my DTS and loved the idea of going back to disciple the new students coming in and go on a journey with them with discovering who they are in Christ and falling more in love with Jesus, then to lead a outreach team overseas would have topped it all off! All things in which I am passionate about- Jesus, discipleship, people, & travel - so for me this seemed perfect for the next season in life.. 

BUT

there always seems to be a but with plans that I make

God did indeed intervene in these plans that I had made and changed the direction in which I was planning on going. While I was on my outreach in Costa Rica I had a series of dreams of the Lord calling me home. First of all when thinking about what to do next, home wasn't even an option for me. And if we're being completely honest it wasn't even part of the list of options I had after the incredible experience overseas. But it started to become more and more clear to me that home was where I was meant to be in this next season. Why? I still had no idea. But I had vowed to radically obey God no matter what the cost.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

-Philippians three v eight

Besides, by following the Lord I know my life will be better than I could have ever imagined.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-John ten v ten

So home it was for me. But the location of 'home' changed while I was away. My parents moved while I was overseas so moving back home was a completely new experience in itself. I now live a minimum of one hours drive from any of my friends, in a small town where not a whole lot happens. The incredible thing about it though is I live right on the beach. And for those of you who know me, will know how much I love to be by the water. But still, what am I doing? Why has God called me back to this new home? How long for? These are the questions that would frequently run through my head, it still seemed very logical for me to go back to Hawaii. But God doesn't always run on so called logic. And indeed He kept me waiting patiently praying and spending time in His presence until He revealed why I'm home. Although I didn't hear an audible voice, I do have peace about being home.

without explaining the how, what, when and whys..

I am now studying Freelance Journalism through correspondence, and am also a leader at the new children's ministry my church has started. I have been looking and applying for jobs, but that is looking harder than I thought. I was wanting to save and go back overseas in December but I have recently had to lay that down before the Lord and believe it will all happen in His timing. He knows the desires of my heart so trusting in the Lord with them is all I can do at this stage.

But this children's ministry I do have to tell..

It is run on a Thursday afternoon, after the children have finished school and runs for about two hours. Ages from 5-12. Majority of the children that are coming come from unsaved homes, some of them hadn't even heard the name of Jesus or stood inside a church. We do different activities with them and incorporate a story from the Bible or a teaching on Jesus in with it all. We have just gone past our third week running this programme and there are around 25 children coming! The unsaved children also have started coming along to church on a Sunday and love it. Through this, the children's parents are asking questions and some have started coming to church also. Revival is coming through the children! We must never undermine the influence a child can have on the kingdom. We are already seeing changes in these children's lives, the fact they now hug me when they see me is actually really huge in itself. I'm really excited to be part of this, and see revival come to my nation! 

Watch out New Zealand, We're next!

This being said I know this is part of the reason the Lord has called me home, at this stage I'm still not sure how long that looks like. As travelling is still a desire I have. And don't get me wrong, everyday I miss my incredible friends I had made overseas and would give anything to be with them again as it seemed to be the first time in my life I had real friends who understood everything about me. Everyday I have to remind myself that I am in the will of God for my life and I must obey Him in everything I do. So for now I am focused on what the Lord is doing here and being part of the revival that is coming. Our church has had prophetic words about revival coming, and that our church is the embassy of heaven, plus many more exciting things. Watch this space!

For now I will leave you with a few photos from the time I have had at home so far. 

I got to spend time with my incredibly handsome brother on my stopover in Australia on my way home.

I had the privilege of hearing my brother in-law, Ps Logan Craig preach at their church

And the privilege to spend time with  my big sister that I hadn't seen in nine months.

Some say we look like twins.. We don't see it.

Apparently Wellington (City where my sister lives) is known to be windy.. Photo with my friend Julia.

re-united with my girls, from left, Taegan, me, Bethany & Julia

Quality friendship right here.

Visiting Wellington. Again.

For three nights I got to babysit my step sisters children, this including taking these two to the theme park.

Continually in awe and extremely thankful that this is my backyard

Hanging out in the backyard with my step-dad.

Consider it a blessing everyday that this is even a choice of exercise for me

So when friends visit, we paddle. Rain or Shine.

This is New Zealand.

Spending Jesus time in my backyard.

Until next time

God Bless

Ubicación del número tres // Location Number Three.

Location- San Jose

Temperature- High of twenty three degrees low of eighteen degrees. 

Humidity- Around fifty percent humidity. 

Duration- Three weeks
Ministry- Working with children in a local ghetto.

We can now say goodbye to ridiculous heat and hello to what we would call 'Normal Weather'. 
For the last three weeks of Outreach we committed out time to a local ghetto called Sinai, which was only a ten minute walk and a thirteen minute bus ride away from the YWAM base we were staying at. 
Our time there consisted of..
-Playing football with the kids
-Showing the Jesus film
-Making jewellery 
-Sharing Bible stories
-Arts & Crafts
-Making paper aeroplanes then having competitions
-Comforting the lonely
-Bringing Joy to the sorrowful 
-Sharing our love with them
-Giving regular hugs and encouragement

Sharing the love of Christ to children who don't feel loved in their own homes.
Telling them how important and special they are in Gods eyes.
Giving them a sense of Hope and a future.

We committed our time to help with the local christian church in this ghetto every week day, only to actually find the night before we were to arrive there was a drug deal gone wrong in the house next to the church and there was a shooting resulting in a murder. But we were still standing strong knowing this is where the Lord was wanting us to spend out last three weeks. 
It did not take us all very long to fall in love with the children that came everyday, being able to join in their pure joy and excitement despite the circumstances. We had roughly fifty children that came altogether, girls and boys varying in ages. This quickly became one of the hardest places to leave and say goodbye to all the children, and even the church family. Hearing the children say I love you or trying to learn some words in English, hearing them ask when are you coming back to see us?! did not make saying goodbye any easier. For me being naturally an emotional person hearing all that hit me hard. You could say my heart broke for those children and they all definitely hold a special place in my heart.
One day I would love to go back and visit not just Costa Rica itself, but the people, the ministries we worked with and if there would be any chance, to see all the children again.
So here are just a few photos for you to enjoy..

Local homes

 Little boy showing off his sick moves

TJ leading worship at the YWAM base

Walking down into the ghetto 'Sinai' 

 Preparing some of the crafts. + some of the children

Arts + Crafts 

Making Jewellery  

Three of the worlds most precious boys

Now there was one particular boy who stole my heart. 

On the first day at the church I was standing outside with Ruben (One of the males on my team). Walking past was a Nanny holding a little boy aged twos hand. As they walked past the little boy looked at me, quickly let go of Nannys hand and ran straight towards me. Naturally I went to meet him thinking.. Oh cute little boy. He ran straight into my arms giving me a big hug and a kiss. Please note I had never seen this boy ever before. He just kept looking at me laughing and smiling before his Nanny came to pick him up and go home. That only led to him crying and yelling out "Cha Cha" Ruben then explained to me that he would be trying to say Muchacha which is girl in Spanish. He managed to get away from his Nanny again and quickly ran back into my arms, so we explained to the Nanny that we would be here everyday for three weeks and we would love them to come and join us. Also formally being introduced to the gorgeous little boy named Samuel. Sounds like Sam-well in Spanish.  So off they went hoping to see them again the next day.

Two days later was the next time we saw them while we were waiting at the bus stop, they were across the road from us. As soon as I saw them I ran across the road, and once again Samuel ran straight into my arms, followed by a big hug and a kiss. There too we met his big brother Gabriel. Samuel was so excited he kept running around but quickly running back to grab tight of my legs! The Nanny explained that he was too scared to go away in case I left him as he turned away.

Nevertheless our bus soon came so we had to say goodbye for that day. Everyday they would arrive the greeting always remained the same, being embraced by a big hug and kiss from my precious little man. Every time I was with him he couldn't be away from me, even if I just walked into the next room he would be quickly running behind me. I think it's easy to say I had never experienced a child loving me so much and loving them back so much in return, one of the most special feelings in the world! I knew saying goodbye to Samuel was going to be one of the hardest things to do. And it was.. I may or may not have shed a few tears. Knowing that there is a little boy who lives in a small ghetto in Costa Rica, who I had actually never had a conversation with/not actually being able to understand a word coming out my mouth, a little boy who I genuinely had so much love for holds a piece of my heart and I may not actually see him again.

Myself holding Samuel and his big brother Gabriel.

One of the many precious cuddles shared with Samuel

Playing Broooom Brooooom as Samuel loved to do

 So much love for this little man

And then it was to say goodbye to the family and friends we had met and all hold a very special place in our hearts, and venture off to finish with de-brief. You can only guess Gabby and I were shedding more than a few tears saying goodbye to these amazing people. 

My heart had been captured

My heart has been broken

My heart has been mended

 My heart has been ravished and consumed

My prayer to God was..

Heal my heart and make it clean

open up my eyes to the things unseen

show me how to love like you have loved me

break my heart for what breaks yours.

My prayer was answered.