Hey everyone! Time has just been flying by and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. Well in less than 3 weeks I'm leaving with my DTS to go to Mexico City and begin my outreach! Things have changed though and it looks like I'm being called to lead worship for my outreach team during the 2 months in the mission field. So that is pretty cool =) Also, I want to thank everyone as well as my AMAZING family for the support I have received while being here. If anyone else would like to send letters, care packages, or have felt led to donate monetarily, here is my mailing address.
YWAM San Diego/ Baja
Nick Johnson Fall ENS DTS
100 W 35th St. Ste. C
National City, CA 91950
I'm so blessed and excited about this upcoming chapter of my DTS and my time here in Mexico. I can't wait to serve God and others in a mission field so different culturally, spiritually, and physically than my own. Spending Christmas here with my new family will be a pretty amazing time as well.
Thanks again for following me and for all the support from back home!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
outreach time
Hey everyone! Well it's been a while since my last post, and a lot of things have gone on since then. Everyday im falling more and more in love with this place and more and more in love with God. We've been through 2 weeks of lectures with some amazing speakers so far. The first week was on the father heart of God with Jack Cody as the speaker. That was a pretty awesome week. One thing I really want to share from that week with everyone is Hebrews 1:3. It goes a little somethin like this: "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." This really came alive to me and started a transformation in my heart. Its been really easy throughout my life to read the Bible and hear stories about Jesus and to put a face and a personality on him. Right down to the wavy brown hair and peace sign that he really likes to do in stained glass windows. But God has been a real mystery to me. I had always known that God and Jesus were one and the same, but it never made too much sense to me. But when Jack shared that with us it finally clicked! Its been so much easier to understand who God is and how he works now that my older views of him have been made complete. I knew in my heart that he was a loving God, but at the same time was so scared of who he was and of the punishment he could bring upon me if I wasn't living just right. Even though he is still someone who needs to be feared, the confusion and misconceptions about him have gone away, and it feels awesome.
Week two we talked about the injustices going on in the world, primarily focusing on human trafficking. That was pretty intense. During that week we went to the red light district of downtown Ensenada and had a prayer walk, as well as discussed things we could do to help out besides prayer and intercession. Amanda was the speaker, and one day during class we took an hour break to think of something to do to spread the word about a certain injustice going on in the world. Some people wrote blogs, some made posters, and 2 songs were written. Me and my friend Paul wrote a song about child soldiers. It was weird to think that something like a song, blog, or poster that you make in one hour could potentially find the right people in the world and change millions of lives. That was something I really gained from that week. Whenever you feel burdened to fight against some injustice going on in the world and want to help, one hour of your time could change someones life forever. So that's something you can think about next time you ever want to help out but aren't sure what kind of power you have or if you could even do anything at all. We have more power and influence than we think and above all, we as believers have a direct line to the man who is in charge of everything. His heart always breaks for those without a voice and he will always respond to someone who comes to him with faith and full expectation that God heard him and will answer his prayers.
So...tonight we had to decide which outreach destination we would go to in December. The choices were Mexico City and Pechuca or Haiti and Dominican Republic. At first I was really leaning towards the Haiti outreach. But Tym, the leader of the DTS, surprised us all when he said we had to pray between 2 colors. Silver and Gold. I was like....dang. So at that moment it really didn't matter how I felt about either outreach. Because whatever color was put on my heart was where I needed to go. After a while of praying and reading my Bible I found Proverbs 2:3-5. Which says "and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." I was like YES silver means Haiti! But after everyone had written their color on a piece of paper and gave it to Tym, he wrote all our names on the board, some under gold and some under silver. Needless to say I was pretty shocked and confused when I found out that silver was the Mexico city outreach! ........one of my roommates is snoring so loud right now....i can't beleive he isnt waking himself up with that snoring. Oh how I love community living =) But anyways, I'm going to Mexico City and Pechuca for my outreach phase. Its not at all where I thought I would be going and not exactly where I wanted to go. But tonight I told God that I wanted not my will, but his to be done during this time of my life. As if he hadn't already decided it would be that way =) So yeah! My life was kind of turned upside down today. I'll be heading to a different outreach, away from the new friends I've made and in an unfamiliar place in a different country on the other side of the continent. I couldn't be happier. God is teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight, and is everyday changing my heart and showing me who he is and what his heart is like.
Thanks for reading and I'll update again soon!
Week two we talked about the injustices going on in the world, primarily focusing on human trafficking. That was pretty intense. During that week we went to the red light district of downtown Ensenada and had a prayer walk, as well as discussed things we could do to help out besides prayer and intercession. Amanda was the speaker, and one day during class we took an hour break to think of something to do to spread the word about a certain injustice going on in the world. Some people wrote blogs, some made posters, and 2 songs were written. Me and my friend Paul wrote a song about child soldiers. It was weird to think that something like a song, blog, or poster that you make in one hour could potentially find the right people in the world and change millions of lives. That was something I really gained from that week. Whenever you feel burdened to fight against some injustice going on in the world and want to help, one hour of your time could change someones life forever. So that's something you can think about next time you ever want to help out but aren't sure what kind of power you have or if you could even do anything at all. We have more power and influence than we think and above all, we as believers have a direct line to the man who is in charge of everything. His heart always breaks for those without a voice and he will always respond to someone who comes to him with faith and full expectation that God heard him and will answer his prayers.
So...tonight we had to decide which outreach destination we would go to in December. The choices were Mexico City and Pechuca or Haiti and Dominican Republic. At first I was really leaning towards the Haiti outreach. But Tym, the leader of the DTS, surprised us all when he said we had to pray between 2 colors. Silver and Gold. I was like....dang. So at that moment it really didn't matter how I felt about either outreach. Because whatever color was put on my heart was where I needed to go. After a while of praying and reading my Bible I found Proverbs 2:3-5. Which says "and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." I was like YES silver means Haiti! But after everyone had written their color on a piece of paper and gave it to Tym, he wrote all our names on the board, some under gold and some under silver. Needless to say I was pretty shocked and confused when I found out that silver was the Mexico city outreach! ........one of my roommates is snoring so loud right now....i can't beleive he isnt waking himself up with that snoring. Oh how I love community living =) But anyways, I'm going to Mexico City and Pechuca for my outreach phase. Its not at all where I thought I would be going and not exactly where I wanted to go. But tonight I told God that I wanted not my will, but his to be done during this time of my life. As if he hadn't already decided it would be that way =) So yeah! My life was kind of turned upside down today. I'll be heading to a different outreach, away from the new friends I've made and in an unfamiliar place in a different country on the other side of the continent. I couldn't be happier. God is teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight, and is everyday changing my heart and showing me who he is and what his heart is like.
Thanks for reading and I'll update again soon!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
I'm Here!
First of all, I'm sorry for how long it took for me to post this next blog. We've just been really busy all day every day and its taken me several days just to type this haha.
So last Saturday I finally made it here to the YWAM base in Ensenada, Mexico! So far I've met all of the staff running this DTS, moved into my apartment, made a lot of friends, and am just loving it down here. We started our classes Monday, and we've just been going over some basic orientation and guidelines for this base and the school we're all going through. The director of our DTS also talked to us about YWAM and its core beliefs and values. Their primary focus is to know God, share God, and learn to hear is voice. There are many focuses for this organization, but those are the values that got YWAM to where it is today.
Over the past 2 days we've been talking a lot about prayer and hearing God's voice. Something I've never been really good at doing. Our speaker today challenged us to set specific times to get away from everything and be with God to just talk and listen to him. Like I said, that's something I've always struggled to do. But she explained how when you get in the habit of meeting God and spending time with him at a specific time period every day, hearing his voice becomes second nature. My mom is the perfect example of this since she always wakes up way early to spend time with God. She's told me over the years about scripture in the Bible she was led to during these quiet times and about things she heard God tell her that she was able to put to use in her daily life. So I guess its about time I stop finding reasons and excuses for why I haven't been disciplined enough to spend time listening to God every day and start doing it. I know that once I get into the habit of it, these quiet times in the morning, night, or free time during the day will become times I really look forward to and get a lot out of.
Tonight we had our first worship night. It only lasted a little over an hour but it was amazing! It was more than the "basic" worship I was used to which was consisted of singing to God the whole time. There were people sharing with everyone things that God had put upon their hearts, prayer and worship in different languages, almost everyone on their face in surrender, people coming in from outside the worship hall saying that the presence of God was overwhelming in and around the building, and a lot of freaked out people who weren't used to any of that at all. The most amazing thing was to look around and see people of different races, nations, and backgrounds all worshiping and crying out to the same God. It was just awesome to be a part of that and some awesome healing took place in a lot of people's hearts tonight. Some of my friends who were also a little worried about how the rest of the DTS was going to be like left that time of worship hungry for more and with the assurance from God that this is exactly where he wants us all to be right now. Its a pretty amazing feeling.
So last Saturday I finally made it here to the YWAM base in Ensenada, Mexico! So far I've met all of the staff running this DTS, moved into my apartment, made a lot of friends, and am just loving it down here. We started our classes Monday, and we've just been going over some basic orientation and guidelines for this base and the school we're all going through. The director of our DTS also talked to us about YWAM and its core beliefs and values. Their primary focus is to know God, share God, and learn to hear is voice. There are many focuses for this organization, but those are the values that got YWAM to where it is today.
Over the past 2 days we've been talking a lot about prayer and hearing God's voice. Something I've never been really good at doing. Our speaker today challenged us to set specific times to get away from everything and be with God to just talk and listen to him. Like I said, that's something I've always struggled to do. But she explained how when you get in the habit of meeting God and spending time with him at a specific time period every day, hearing his voice becomes second nature. My mom is the perfect example of this since she always wakes up way early to spend time with God. She's told me over the years about scripture in the Bible she was led to during these quiet times and about things she heard God tell her that she was able to put to use in her daily life. So I guess its about time I stop finding reasons and excuses for why I haven't been disciplined enough to spend time listening to God every day and start doing it. I know that once I get into the habit of it, these quiet times in the morning, night, or free time during the day will become times I really look forward to and get a lot out of.
Tonight we had our first worship night. It only lasted a little over an hour but it was amazing! It was more than the "basic" worship I was used to which was consisted of singing to God the whole time. There were people sharing with everyone things that God had put upon their hearts, prayer and worship in different languages, almost everyone on their face in surrender, people coming in from outside the worship hall saying that the presence of God was overwhelming in and around the building, and a lot of freaked out people who weren't used to any of that at all. The most amazing thing was to look around and see people of different races, nations, and backgrounds all worshiping and crying out to the same God. It was just awesome to be a part of that and some awesome healing took place in a lot of people's hearts tonight. Some of my friends who were also a little worried about how the rest of the DTS was going to be like left that time of worship hungry for more and with the assurance from God that this is exactly where he wants us all to be right now. Its a pretty amazing feeling.
Friday, September 24, 2010
San Diego
So I've spent the past 3 days with my dad in San Diego. Here we surfed mission beach, toured a retired aircraft carrier, went down to do some shopping in Tijuana, and explored a lot of the downtown area and gaslamp district. Also, tonight I decided to try my hand a street performing. I went out on the corner of 5th and Broadway with my guitar, harmonica, and a tin cup. I was only out there for about 30 minutes but I made $2.73 and danced with an awesome stranger =) Today I also learned that almost all Mexican candy is coated in a spicy powder and tastes like all the contents from the bottom of a hamster cage blended together. Haha I'll be sure to put up pictures and videos of the trip soon. It's been an amazing trip and I can't imagine a better way to have spent the rest of my time here.
For dinner today we met with an old friend, Sheril Brasher, to catch up and talk about the DTS I'm starting tomorrow. 4 years ago, Sheril went through a DTS in the same location as mine. Now she's a full time YWAM staff member working in San Diego. It's been really awesome to see how much her life has been changing after the DTS four years ago and how much she learned to trust in God in all aspects of her life. I'm so ready to finally go to Ensenada tomorrow and start this new chapter in my life. There are so many emotions that accompany the excitement and the time spent waiting since my acceptance into the school has been an emotional roller coaster. But I know that God has his hands on this upcoming school and this will be a life changing experience.
For dinner today we met with an old friend, Sheril Brasher, to catch up and talk about the DTS I'm starting tomorrow. 4 years ago, Sheril went through a DTS in the same location as mine. Now she's a full time YWAM staff member working in San Diego. It's been really awesome to see how much her life has been changing after the DTS four years ago and how much she learned to trust in God in all aspects of her life. I'm so ready to finally go to Ensenada tomorrow and start this new chapter in my life. There are so many emotions that accompany the excitement and the time spent waiting since my acceptance into the school has been an emotional roller coaster. But I know that God has his hands on this upcoming school and this will be a life changing experience.
Monday, September 20, 2010
THANK YOU A2!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday at church I was commissioned by Pastor Chris and my A2 church family into the mission field and my journey into Ensenada. I want to thank everyone for their prayer, support, and encouragement I received during and after the service. I'm more pumped about going now than I ever have been!
Another thing I want to thank the body of A2 for is the financial support I received to help cover the cost of my outreach phase of my training. I was overwhelmed by how much love I felt from everyone and I can't really express how thankful I am to have been blessed so much by the people of A2.
Well...I'm really going to miss everyone, and its going to be hard being away from my church family on Sundays and Wednesdays. But I know that soon I will be worshiping and serving God with a whole new family from different states and countries. So I guess I'll end this by thanking everyone again for all of your support and prayer. I am very grateful and feel truly blessed to have you guys in my life!
Another thing I want to thank the body of A2 for is the financial support I received to help cover the cost of my outreach phase of my training. I was overwhelmed by how much love I felt from everyone and I can't really express how thankful I am to have been blessed so much by the people of A2.
Well...I'm really going to miss everyone, and its going to be hard being away from my church family on Sundays and Wednesdays. But I know that soon I will be worshiping and serving God with a whole new family from different states and countries. So I guess I'll end this by thanking everyone again for all of your support and prayer. I am very grateful and feel truly blessed to have you guys in my life!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Well im not there yet...
Well contrary to the title of this blog spot, I am not in Mexico yet. But I only have 3 days left in Birmingham! I've been spending a lot of time with friends and family that I won't be able to see for a while and getting gear and clothes together that I will have with me for the next 6 months. Basically just trying to make the most of the rest of my time here.
So I have been asked by a lot of people within the past few months why I want to go to go through YWAM in Mexico. To be honest, its been really hard to answer that question. Its best summed up by stories and experiences rather than personal thoughts or reasons. About 2 years ago I had the chance to go to the same YWAM base I will be heading to soon. There i went through a work camp and built a house for a small family, worked at an orphanage, and met many amazing people. The whole time I was also learning more and more about who God was and I got a glimpse of how fulfilling it was to live a humble life serving him in a distant mission field. The sense of purpose and significance I received from just that one week of service completely changed my life and left me wanting more. Also the people I met down there were in situations very similar to mine. A lot of the young adults in YWAM were not too sure what direction they wanted to go in life, but were serving God, growing closer to him, and trusting he would open some doors in their life and give them some direction. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to come to know God in a very real and dynamic way and get to know his plans and calling for my life.
Needless to say, living on the beach in a beautiful country away from many of the distractions and troubles we're faced with here will also be pretty awesome. As the day to leave draws nearer I just feel more ready and anxious about leaving. But I can't think of a better and more exciting way to start the next chapter of my life than the 6 months going through YWAM. I'll keep everyone updated on whats happening down there and thanks for reading!!!!
So I have been asked by a lot of people within the past few months why I want to go to go through YWAM in Mexico. To be honest, its been really hard to answer that question. Its best summed up by stories and experiences rather than personal thoughts or reasons. About 2 years ago I had the chance to go to the same YWAM base I will be heading to soon. There i went through a work camp and built a house for a small family, worked at an orphanage, and met many amazing people. The whole time I was also learning more and more about who God was and I got a glimpse of how fulfilling it was to live a humble life serving him in a distant mission field. The sense of purpose and significance I received from just that one week of service completely changed my life and left me wanting more. Also the people I met down there were in situations very similar to mine. A lot of the young adults in YWAM were not too sure what direction they wanted to go in life, but were serving God, growing closer to him, and trusting he would open some doors in their life and give them some direction. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to come to know God in a very real and dynamic way and get to know his plans and calling for my life.
Needless to say, living on the beach in a beautiful country away from many of the distractions and troubles we're faced with here will also be pretty awesome. As the day to leave draws nearer I just feel more ready and anxious about leaving. But I can't think of a better and more exciting way to start the next chapter of my life than the 6 months going through YWAM. I'll keep everyone updated on whats happening down there and thanks for reading!!!!
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