God bless our DTS students!

There are four schools running at the YWAM University of the Nations (missions campus) where we are living.  The first school, the foundation and entrance gate for all the other missions schools to follow, is the Discipleship Training School (DTS). 
Osi and I have a great love for the DTS because it is 6 months that can truly change your life.  We have seen hundreds Tongan young people take the DTS and their lives were transformed...so were are really excited that the campus leaders have invited us to run our own DTS someday.
While 'Osi felt he should take this time to prepare in knowledge and experience, he is taking the Bible School for the Nations course which is 3 months of intense Bible study and memorization and 3 months of outreach.  Where his team will go to Eua (a small Tongan island)  on a mission trip, and also to China for 7 weeks to share the gospel there.
So we are excited for what we are learning now - and at the same time we are wildly excited for the DTS.  The current DTS students have just finished their first month of the school, and they are just the sweetest bunch of kids.  They are working hard from 5a.m. until 8p.m. studying and learning in the lecture hall, and doing special programs in town, plus work duties around the base....but they always find time to stop and play with our kids or sit around on our porch at night to drink coffee and tell us what they are learning.
We just love these guys.
Please pray for them, that God will continue giving them energy and good health throughout this rigorous course.  Please pray for provision, that all of their school fees will be paid.  Also pray for open ears and open hearts to hear and receive all God is speaking to them.  Some of these students will go home in 5 months to bring their new knowledge and experience of God's love and plan to their village....and some will continue training here and go out into the world, like the hundreds of Tongans we have sent before.
Tongans make the BEST missionaries.

Home Sweet New Home!

There were 3 families who moved out of the missions campus this month, and it was very difficult for us to say goodbye.  We really loved them and their children.
But at the same time their house vacancy allowed us the option to "move up" to a cabin with running water and a bathroom!  Yay!
So here we are sitting in front of our new home.

Finger painting!

Allan and Isaac love to paint.  These were a gift from friends, but normally we make our own.  Here's a recipe you can try with YOUR children or grandchildren!
Mix 1 cup flour and 2 Tablespoons salt, whisk together with 1 and half cups cold water until smooth. 
Then bring it to a boil, and stir for a minute or two until it thickens.  Allow the mixture to cool then pour into separate little dishes, add food coloring to each dish to make different colors.  
Have fun and get messy!

Beach trip!

Osi's Bible School class took a trip to the beach, so we all got to go!

Kiko and Annie's wedding

Last Saturday we celebrated the wedding of Annie and Kiko here on our YWAM Tonga campus.  As usual the whole base, (and probably all of Kiko’s village =)  got together to decorate the chapel...and prepare food, feast and dance....it was such a blast and we are very excited for the new couple.  (unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of the wedding party, I was too busy trying to keep up with these rambunctious little boys =)

 (Oh and I was delegated to host Annies bridal shower which was super fun, even though we used a ridiculous amount of toilet paper making our model bride dresses =)   shhhh don’t tell the mission director.  We will recycle it all, promise =)

 

Monday night is ladies night!

Every Monday evening the Mom’s of the mission get together and boy do we have fun.  We take turns leading the discussion and sometimes play games.  We do alot of sharing, laughing, crying, and praying....I just love these ladies so much.

Let my people go!

Lately I have also been teaching the stories of Moses to my preschool class.  They have been SO adorable acting out each lesson after I teach it.  They have played baby Moses in the basket riding down the river, and Miriam, and the princess....then adult Moses and burning bushes....
Today we made little puppets of Moses and Pharaoh and it was hilarious to see them change their voices and make Moses demand “Let my people go!” 

Then Pharaoh replied in a less manly voice “No! I don’t know you!  I don’t know your God, and I won’t let your people go!”

Then some of the more aggressive little boys made all their puppets get into fistfights and.....yeah, the paper didn’t last very long.  But I think they got the main idea  =)

That's a good look for you honey!

Ósi’s Bible School for the Nations class is studying Moses and the Exodus right now (they are reading through the whole Bible in 3 months and trying to memorize as much as possible. So they can recite it in story form).  This day Ósi was teaching the class what he learned from Moses’ time in the desert.  It was so hilariously funny, everyone gave him an “Ä” for acting.

Isaac the Entemologist

Our 3 year old is fascinated by bugs, and he has so many fun and interesting ones to study here in Tonga.  Some of our favorites have been praying mantis, butterfly's, juicy green catterpillars the size of Osi's thumbs =) and walking sticks...It is so much fun exploring our new home!