Praise Report!

I just want to take a minute and tell everyone what happened before the weekend!

...So, wednesday night comes... Landon and I are calling people and sending e-mails trying to raise support so that we can at least stay until December to finish out our lecture phase of our DTS. So far, the teachings we have been getting and the counseling we have received from the staff here has really prepared our hearts for serving the nations and loving each other more. As a newly married couple, I have found that this place is probably one of the best places to receive marital counseling and to grow more and more in Lord together as a couple. To sum it all up- we just weren't ready to go home. Without all our tuition in they were going to have to put us on a plane over the weekend back home to Nashville, but we just knew God had called us here for this time and that somehow- someway we were going to get all of our tuition in on time.

Thursday morning comes and we feel confident. We needed to raise over $3,500 and with only a few precious hours left to do so... then, our leader came up to us before class and asked our permission to put the amount we owed on a white board for the class to see... And we said "yes, that would be ok." Before our leader brought out the white board he gave our class a quick testimony of the father heart of God, and how to give is to be like Jesus and its making way for Him to work through us- It was a really great message. Then he asked us all to pray about how the Lord would have us give to one another and he brought the white board out with not only our name and amount on it but three other people's names and amounts as well. Landon and I started praying, I felt like the Lord wanted us to give so I asked him  "what and whom?" then Landon leans over to me and told answered my question. We only had $40 cash on us and we felt like we should give that to a fellow classmate. After only a minute or two of our names being on the board, Landon walks back to sit next to me, and the next thing I know I look up to see how much we owe and to my astonishment! Our names are GONE! They weren't on the board ANYMORE!

All I could do was cry! Someone- everyone, had given to our debt and it was paid for! Landon and I were so amazed! All we could do was cry and praise God! This was such a huge sign for us that God REALLY did call us here for this season and is going to provide for our every need in our every time of troubles! He is so faithful to me and is such a good Dad.

The next day Landon and I walked into class so happy and abounding with joy in the Lord. Then, one of the staff members says that they needed to talk to us... we were a little unsure at first... What could have gone wrong? Then, she whips out the finance report and looks up at us. Then she says, "not only was your tuition completely paid for, you only have $7,264 left to raise for your entire outreach. People over gave and you already have one of your plane tickets to go to China paid for!" Landon and I started to cry again! This was just SO GOD!!! And He was telling us that not only does He want us to stay on for this lecture phase, but He also wants us to complete our DTS and GO to China. He is SO GOOD!

I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has given or is giving to our mission trip. We really couldn't be more grateful! God is so good! He has given us the desire of our hearts- to be parents! And is calling us out into the nations to bring His greatest news~ The King is alive and He loves the people of this world- no matter who you are:)


A Warrior for the King,

Bekah and Landon McCall

Westward Bound

Dear Friends,

It has been a wild 3-5 weeks for me and Landon. Packing up and moving our family across the pacific ocean because of a word we heard from the Lord has not been easy... but I don't remember God promising me or Landon that it would be when He asked us to do it. I also haven't heard the version of the story of when God spoke to Abraham and said, "Hey Abraham, move your family on foot across a desert to a destination I will show you years from now, oh and hey! Don't worry- It'll be easy." He asked us, we heard, we listened, and obeyed. I think that is all He requires of us isn't it? To be listening for Him and to obey Him when we do hear Him. I have been so encouraged by everyone, telling me how faithfully I have been following the Lord in what He has asked me to do... But the truth is- I am deathly afraid. ALL my hope is in Him and His quest to lead my life. He tells me to have faith and to lay all my burdens down but I sometimes find myself not letting go of my burdens because I want to have responsibility and a say about what happens in my life.

God comes to me in these moments and reminds me... You gave me your life when you were 5 years old- and I have always come through for you, I have never forsaken you, and have never stopped providing for everything you could every possibly need. Now, I have brought you to this place right now... its ok to cry, its ok to be unsure of your surroundings, because I've got you! I know the way home.. Dad loves you!

Landon and I keep asking ourselves: "What could be the reason God moved us here?" and we have found so many good reason to be grateful for our circumstances. God has surrounded us with loving, God fearing, generous, faith-filled people here. He is growing our hearts and expanding our walls of security. He is humbling us to the floor and is taking back all that the enemy has stolen. He is giving us the greatest gift.


As I wrote about in our last blog update- my security has always been found in provision and knowing where everything I need is going to come from. Well, my earthly security has been taken away to make way for the Lord- the King of all provision! Amen?!


Landon and I need to raise $10,000 for our mission trip to East Asia and we need to get at the very least $5,000 in by this weekend so we can reserve our plane tickets. We know this is a huge sum of money but God has ALL the money in the world and Landon and I are building our faith! We do believe God has something for us in East Asia- something He very much wants to have happen, so will you partner with us? Lets build His Kingdom in a land that He very much loves!

If you feel led to this link would be the fastest way to give:) Thank you!

https://apply.uofn.edu/OnlineAppDocs/OnlinePayment.cfm  

Signed,
A Warrior for the King

Bekah and Landon McCall

Day One Kona Part II

Landon and I had 37 hours of travel time to get here to the beautiful Kona. Our flight left Nashville Thursday afternoon at around 1:45 and then we had a 2 hour layover in Dallas to catch our flight to Seattle. Landon and I couldn't get seats together on the flight from Dallas to Seattle so we when we got on the plane Landon asked the person assigned to sit next to me if they could switch seats and he graciously agreed. I sat next to the window and began to zone out from everything- while Landon on the other hand began talking to the man sitting in the seat next to us. His name was Oscar, was a fisherman who works 8 months out of the year and travels during his free time, and he has been married 20 years to the same woman. When he heard about what we were doing he told Landon about how he and his wife love to help out young people financially to get them through whatever adventure they are taking on. He exchanged numbers and E-mails with Landon and asked him to call him with any information on how to support us. He also handed us $80 on the plane and blessed us on our journey. I felt the Lord so calmingly and strong in that moment- all I could think was, "He has us. He knows what to do- He knows who we are- He knows we are ready to follow him and through that He blesses us and will give us the desires of our hearts!" I am so in love with Jesus in this moment- just remembering what He did for us on that plane and for what He is doing even now to show us His gracious and loving power over me and Landon-- He is so good! I want to cry just thinking about How good He has been to me and Landon this past week...

After we got off the plane my mom's long time friend, Ronalee who works for the Salvation Army with her husband and two sons in Seattle, graciously picked us up from the airport at 10 PM and took us to her home and gave us a bed to sleep on through our 11 hour layover. The next morning she made us coffee and told us all about Seattle, told us a few stories she had from growing up with my mom, and then blessed us as we caught our 9:00 flight to LA. Sadly, our next and final flight to Kona out of LA was delayed 5 hours. The plane that we were supposed to take at 1:00 had a water problem so we had to wait until a plane coming from NY could take us on our way.

Finally! We landed in Kona at 8 PM (1 AM Tennessee time) and was happily greeted by staff from our DTS to take us back to base. All of our bags made it safe and sound (praise the Lord!). As some of you may have heard- there was a bit of over booking on housing last week... Landon and I prayed and they did end up finding housing for us. Not only did we get a room- we are living in new construction dorms that were only just finished a few weeks ago. They have never been lived in and are beautiful- a complete gift from God.

Landon and I are still pretty jet lagged but we are also so very excited to be here and are anxious to understand what God is doing and why He called us here for this season. We both feel the Lord's hand so steadily on us. He has confirmed to us over and over again that this is in fact where He wants us and we both feel so blessed. I was so afraid when I heard from the Lord to move here- to leave everything and do this again with Landon, but I am confident- especially after being back on base- that this is good, that this is His perfect plan for our family, and that He will provide and take care of us. We didn't know how it was all going to work at first- but we did know and believe with all our hearts that if or when the Lord decided to tell us a step of His plan- He will make a way. And He is- even now, as I write this to you my friend, I believe it.

$2,000 out of $7000 left to raise for our Lecture Phase!


Here are some pictures from our journey!

Layover in SEATTLE!!!

Layover in LA!

Finally made it to YWAM!!!

Our Dorm Room from JESUS!!!

Our Campus! 

Love from Bekah and Landon! 

Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

Last Year, July 7^th 2011, I set out into the world to find more of the Lord, to see the unsaved saved, to love the unloved, grow in Friendships, discover overwhelming joys and deep hurts, become immersed in a dedicated family, and discover myself in ways I have never understood how.

My time spent in Kona last year changed my entire outlook on life, family, friends, but more so- God. I knew who God was but I had never understood Him- He, who is Great Mercy, Grace, Friend, Father, Lover, Healer, Joy, Peace, and Giver. I learned how to love people and seek Mercy- I have never experienced a time more dedicated to seeking God above all things and by this concept I in turn learned how to Love, how to forgive people close and far, and even how to forgive myself. I didn’t know I had deep hurts like I did until I spent those 3 months in Kona, YWAM… Discovering, Healing, and acting out in faith helped EMENSLEY to prepare me for a country that is so DEEPLY in need of it all…

Israel. A country hated not only by the countries surrounding it- but by all the countries in the whole world. Devastation and grief has turned the hearts of the Israeli people cold. They are immune to the warm touch of Love and Grace. In fear they rush about their day wondering what bad thing is coming after them next, what will be taken away from them next, etc… So they hoard what they have- afraid of making friendships or loving too much because the pain will be just bearable enough if they didn’t invest too much of themselves into someone or something that is fleeting quickly.

Family- the second greatest gift God has giving to us- the first gift given to Adam in the garden when God gave Eve to him as a wife. A concept taken for granted which then can sometimes become tainted and distained for the mess it can become. Family is merely the definition of “a houseful” in Israel. There is no love, no grace, and no patience for the children- not one kind word of encouragement spoken.
After seeing and feeling the discomfort of hate and fear lurking around every corner- destroying the hearts and minds of every soul God created with His own kind, loving, and adoring hands… everything I had known and found so profoundly in Kona slowly started to seam distant, faint, and unfamiliar. Prayer was my only weapon; I used it every single day. Some nights I would wake up to the sound of my own prayer uttering on my lips and hot tears forming in my eyes out of anger towards the wrath of the enemy hovering over that beautiful and Holy Country.

After three months of Loving God, Love people, and bringing the good news to the unloved like I had set out to do I returned to that beautiful Island of Kona. She was there waiting for me- applauding me in my strength, congratulating me on my success, and thanking me for my determination; so proud of me. I felt the Lord welcome me and pick me up and twirl me around as stepped onto the runway of that small airport of the island- I was home.

As I returned to Nashville, TN a week later I felt the Lord promise me that I would return to my second home of Kona, and that I was called to the community and family oriented campus of YWAM. I held on to that promise as the small plane touched ground in Nashville and promised the Lord that I would follow him all around the World and back if He asked me to and that I was willing to wait as long as I had to in order for His promises to be fulfilled. Little did I know- He was already fulfilling a promise as that plane touched ground in Nashville. The promise of a loving, God fearing, family oriented, kind, funny, and beautiful husband. 7 days later I saw him for the first time, but no trumpets were sounding or fireworks exploding at first sight- I was too concerned with following the Lords call- too much in fact that I was not going to be distracted by a cute, funny, and Godly guy. 4 months later the Lord softened my heart and opened the doors of my heart and led me to fall in love with him. A month later we were engaged. The only thing to do next was get married- we prayed day and night for a week… praying for God to tell us when, how, and where we should get married. We came together after praying about it separately and we both heard August… which only meant a three month engagement.
Many friends and family members were concerned with our time crunch- encouraging us that more time would make for a more beautiful and paid for wedding. At one point we both found ourselves so seduced by the perks of waiting a couple more months that we moved our wedding date. Not 6 hours later that day my fiancé, Landon, called me convicted by the Lord for moving our wedding date. I was convicted as well- so we quickly moved the date back to August, excited for the plans God had for us… the wedding was not only 100% paid for- it was beautiful!

Security. The word I have often heard referred to as the number one need of women… I have found this to be true. I love to feel safe, loved and nurtured- but I only feel those things when I am secure in what I am doing, who I am with, and my present surroundings. My husband, my family, and my new home had it all- and it was all provided for through Landon’s and my full time job- which I was offered soon after returning home from Kona. I found my security in it because it was fun, I loved the people I was surrounded by every day, and it paid for everything I needed and a little extra for what I wanted. But the Lord is not a compromising God- and me settling and finding security in what I had was only the open door to compromising my life and the Lord’s plans away. The Lord was not only going to keep His promises to me… but hold me to mine- ‘to follow Him wherever He led me.’

Because the Lord is a gracious and loving God- I was let go from my job last week. The Lord let me know firmly that he was calling me out again, He embracing me and thanking me for serving my coworkers and bosses the way I did for the time I had and let me know that He was pleased with me. I felt peace walking out of my boss’s office last Wednesday… because I knew that the Lord was ready and waiting to get me and take me where He had planned next. Little did I know at that moment walking out of that office that Kona was merely less two weeks away… and I was going to be called out to love, serve, and learn once again.

Fear slowly started to consume my mind. I had to talk to Landon, I had to get our next move, we couldn't afford to keep living where we were on just his income. I didn't understand why all this was happening to us- what did I do wrong? On our drive home that afternoon Landon repeatedly kept affirming to me that we were going to be alright and that we just had to trust the Lord and what He was doing. I desperately ran to the computer to look for any opening as a receptionist... but I found my fingers direct me to the Kona, YWAM page instead. I started looking at all the DTS's and when they started. Landon and I had always talked about doing a DTS and all the good it would do for our relationship as a young married couple. As I was searching I found one in particular-- it was not only being lead by a couple I knew from my DTS last year, it was starting in two weeks. Landon and I thought, "hey, why not sign up- just for fun." It would cost $100 to submit the application so we didn't... An hour later we got a call... it was from Kona.

The Lord was moving... and I started to get even more afraid! How!? How were we accepted without even submitting the application?! I tried to form some kind of financial support to pay for it all up in my head... there was no solution... we couldn't go- we just couldn't! Jesus was there at that moment- He started to warm my heart and tell me that it was all going to be paid for. HOW?! I had just lost my job. Landon was overwhelmed with Joy, he kept saying, "Bekah! This is what we have been praying for every night! For God to close doors and open doors for us to do His will! He will provide, I feel it- I know the money is there." I was still unsure but I knew that this was our answered prayer.

Landon felt that he should put his car up for sale on craigs list that following Sunday... He got a call asking to see it only 3 hours later. God was moving... It was confirmation after confirmation after that.. We had both our families blessings as well as our church's blessing to go- to do this!

God wants us in Kona again. I don't know why- but I do believe that it has to be a pretty big reason. So we are heading out this Thursday. No money to pay for tuition... only the plane ticket. But God has us in this moment- I know He will provide- and I am excited to see God work through me and Landon these next 6 months.


A Warrior for the King,


Rebekah McCall



*If you the Lord calling you to support me and Landon or feel called to giving toward our mission trip please call me at 615-636-6079 or donate online by clicking the donate button.

Dusting Off Freedom

These past few weeks I have been thinking intensely about my return trip home; I have been going over in my head what little things I can remember from when I was last home and wondering what home will be like when I get there. Thinking back to how life was for me before I left, all I can really remember is what it felt like... I had a lot of stress built up inside of me... stress from trying desperately to impress certain people, the stress of High School, and the stress of just trying to be a good daughter (to both my parents, the church, and the Father)... It took a lot of pride shattering during these few months in YWAM for me to truly recognize the orphan spirit and religiosity I had welling up inside of me.

Right before I started writing this I was listening to some music I used to listen to all the time before I left home... and it all brings back so much pain... I can remember what I was thinking and feeling when I would listen to certain songs... Pain of rejection, pain of guilt, pain of unforgiveness and frustration.

Ok, I am making home sound really really bad... NOT MY INTENTION. Home is home- it IS one of the ONLY places I feel truly accepted, nurtured, cared for, and loved. Home is the best place on earth in my opinion. What I am describing to you in the last two paragraphs is NOT my family or friends... its merely what I had decided to live for. I had decided to be made perfect in my own strength in hopes of impressing God, parents, and friends... as a result I had stress, guilt, fear, and I felt really fake...

There is this one day in particular during my lecture phase that has really stuck with me... Ivan Roman asked our class one question... "Who are you?" Not, "Who do you know?" Or "What can you do?" ...I was dumbstruck... all I felt was fear entering in to that question because I honestly had no clue who I was. I felt like a shell.... I had an outside, but my insides where just made up of replica's of things I had seen work on other people and sermons from pastors.

I could tell myself all day long that I was ok and end up believing it by the time I went to bed... but if I had been honest with myself.. I really wasn't. So why couldn't I just deal with it? Why couldn't I just go to God and get the answers?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4efC8F98TNI

Well..... because I had forgotten the freedom I had in Him in order for me to do that. Its simple... the orphan spirit I had turned to prevented me from rejoicing in freedom. Just like Martha, I wanted to work to please God and the people around me. Just like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son, I was faithful to the Father and I stayed with Him, but that doesn't mean I took the time to just be His son. When you have freedom- you don't have guilt. When you have freedom- you have identity! You are simply His. I want to be Mary! Who sat at Jesus's feet in freedom! I want to be the prodigal son! Who returned to the Father covered in shame, but was instead greeted with pure love and freedom by the Father! Listening to the song I uploaded on my page made me remember this lesson in freedom. I have finally put off my old slave rags, the ones Jesus nailed to the cross, and have put on my glory robes! I can rejoice in failing! Because Jesus took care of it! I am FREE! I AM FREE! I AM FREE! Yes, I messed up yesterday when I got frustrated with my neighbor... but I don't have to wear the shame and guilt of it anymore! Jesus still welcomes me to sit at His feet and to dine on the fatted calf! Can I get an AMEN?!

Dust off that Freedom brothers and sisters! For He SO loves YOU!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

Video Update!

Our day in Bethlehem 

Hello friends! Its been too long... Quick update: Our team moved today! We had been staying in the Muslim Quarter at the Living Bread International Church housing place- which was such a blessing- $18 dollars a day and they fed us 3 meals a day 6 days a week. But, TODAY we moved into the Succat Hallel Prayer House housing apartments- one for the girls and one for the guys. Its $12 a day which is $3 under budget and such a jewel to find in Jerusalem. Its also in the Jewish Quarter which is cleaner and safer for us girls to walk around in by ourselves. So far our main outreach tactics have been relational and intercession- our main concern has been building relationships with people throughout our community as best we can and ministering to the heart of God. Once we have the Fathers heart for the day- it becomes so easy to love the people and hate the sin that holds them captive.

Our team has been so blessed so much by our Father! We grow closer together with every passing day. Believe it or not, there have been ZERO controversies between any of us. Not a single one. Our secret- have an unoffendable spirit and leaving no footstool for the devil to stand on. If one of us does something that the other doesn't like you can either assume they meant no harm and chose to keep a short account or address it one on one in love. It works! We laugh, tell each other secrets, and the best of all- we all have a huge crush on the same guy- Jesus:) I love the brothers and sisters my God gave to me to help me grow during my time in Jerusalem. Most of our conversations lately have been dedicated to finding out how we are going to incorporate ALL of our family rituals into Thanksgiving Day.

Just so you all know- merely being here has changed me forever, but more, God being here with me has made me new. He is showing me that He isn't mad or disappointed with me and that He welcomes me into the secret place as His Holy daughter. He beckons me with sweet secret names and dreams that only Him and I know. He has become my Lover, my Deliverer, my King, My Father, and my Best Friend. I nearly cried today during team time... I am at a loss... thinking back to how faithful He has been to me during this journey- He gave me EVERYTHING I needed, through friends like you, to come here! All I had to do was ask. Thank you for everything you all have done to get me here comfortably, thank you for prayers, thank you for caring, thank you for wanting to keep in touch with me during this journey.


I love and miss you all terribly.... please pray that I become more bold and confident in who I am in Jesus. I want only the fullness of what He has for me... and I cant have it unless I reach out and take it. Thank you!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

     Our new hood;)

 OLIVE PICKING!!! 

Looking Through Heaven's Eyes

The other day I got off the train and as I was walking home I saw three little Arab boys sitting against the fence that separates the street from the sidewalk. I heard really loud crying coming from one of them and as I got closer I saw it was coming from the smallest boy. He looked like he was around 6 years old and had snot and drool running down his face onto his school uniform. I wondered what was wrong? The older boys (around 7 and 8) weren't crying so I thought, "Hmmm, maybe their parents are running late picking them up from school and he's just sad that they forgot him." So I carried on, assuming everything was alright.

I presumed to walk up the hill but I felt like something was wrong... So, I craned my neck at them one last time to double check that the little boy was ok... But as I did, I saw the older boy get up, stand over the little boy crying, and pull a thick rubber whip from behind him and started whip-lashing the younger boy underneath his thigh as hard as he could. I was in SHOCK! I stopped, turned around, and assumed the adults walking by would see it and stop him, but they DIDN'T! They just walked on by acting as if they didn't see anything- they didn't CARE! Enraged at what I was seeing I started toward the boy striking the little one- staring straight into his eyes. He stopped when he saw I was approaching. My breath quickened and became heavy. With rage welling in my throat I intended rip the rubber whip from him and scream at him, "How could you do that?! Look at your brother!" ...but instead... The closer I got to him the more I felt Jesus. I was so mad! I asked Him, "Lord! What do I say, what do I do to stop this boy from ever harming another person again?!" He didn't answer. When I was finally close enough to do what I intended to do... I couldn't. All I could do was look into this boy's eyes. I wanted to pick the little boy up, hold him, and tell him that I would never let anyone ever hurt him again. I wanted turn the whip on the one who's eyes I was looking into... I looked up, teary from the amount of anger I had toward the boy and the adults who had walked by ignoring the cries of the one being tormented. My leader, Chris Chun, stood in front of me.. I could tell he had just seen what I had and all I could squeeze out was, "we have to do something." He looked at the boy with the whip and told him not to do that anymore. The boys could only speak Arabic... but I think they got the message. As we reluctantly turned to walk away I noticed people were looking at us as if we were strange for talking to the boy about what he had done... It made me so angry! And as we made our way back up the hill all I could think was... "what if he starts hitting him again after we turn the corner?" The realization hit me that I will never be able to prevent that little boy from ever being abused again for the rest of his life. This thought still torments me.

This place... all I know to do is be. Breathe. Take in as much Jesus as I can. Learn. Discover. Love- even when people don't deserve it. When I try to describe what Israel is like to people back home- I'm afraid people wont understand what I see. The loud, rude, and religious people... The dirty streets and dust clouds consuming the air... All I can see is family and community. All I can see is the Holy City of my King! Yes, that boy was doing a sick thing to his brother... but he is still SO LOVED by my God and still so pursued by the Lover of my soul. 

How am I doing? I feel like one of the most blessed people on the face of the earth. This group of people around me, this family, they make all the grey days worth while. They encourage me to chase after Jesus with all I have. They challenge me. They speak life into me. They tell me who I am in the Lord. I never knew prayer was such an amazing weapon! Intercession for this land is what empowers us to fight agains principalities and not flesh and blood. 

I am learning so much. Patience and peace holds me. I have never gone this long without any anxiety or frustration consuming me. The lies that I have believed over myself for years are all melting away... I don't even recognize who I was 4 months ago. I am so thankful for GOD! I am so thankful for all the people who have believed in me and have invested in me this past year. I love you all so so so much. Thank you for keep up with me and caring about me. God is SO GOOD! 

A Warrior for the King,

Bekah

No Turning Back

Being in YWAM has opened up a new thought process for me. I cant and wont go back to a normal teenage life. Traveling, trusting in the Lord for the financial support to accomplish His will, and making deep friendships and family with the community around me is so satisfying. Not to say that this life is everyone's calling or that it will be mine forever- but this is the path God has me on right now... and it is for this is reason that it is so satisfying- I am obeying Him. Im running after Him with all I've got and not turning back.

Israel... Sometimes I forget I'm here! That I'm doing this! The community that I have set up around me is just what I need. They love me and they know me. They speak life into me and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone. Even when I think I did a bad job they congratulate me and celebrate my stepping out! Its so the Love of Jesus that is knitting this group together. The Devil has no footstool. We address our problems and clear up confusion the second we recognize it. God holds us and it is so evident.

The house we are staying in is the sleeping quarters for an IHOP in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem in the New City. I am surprised that we haven't had a brick thrown through our window yet. The lady who leads the IHOP has had her house burned to the ground 3 times in the past 4 years. The Muslims don't like us converting their people.

I have an AMAZING testimony from the other day! Our group is in charge of praying for people who walk in off the streets or directing them to a chair and asking them about their day. This little boy, about 15, walks into the church about an hour after the call to prayer. He sat down and I felt the Lord lead me to pray for Him. So I walked over to him and asked him his name and asked if I could pray for him, but he didn't speak english. So, I hand motioned "prayer?" and he nodded yes. I prayed the Love of God over him and thanked Jesus for directing the boy into the House of Prayer. My leader, Chris Chun, walks over and we begin to hand signal questions like, "what made you come in here?" and he said it was the music. Later, I felt like God told me to feed him something, so I gave him a banana. He smiled, ate it, and just sat there for a good hour listening to the music. I was asked to come pray for someone up front and when I came back he was gone. I look over at my friend Kaylan who had been sitting with him and asked her where he went. She said he had left... I look at her hands and she was folding what looked like a rug... I hadn't noticed her having one before and asked her where she had gotten it. She unfolded it she said that the little boy had given it to her before he left. As I look at it, something clicks- it was his call to prayer rug! He had knelt on that thing, praying to Allah 3 times a day, ever since he was a little boy! And just one night spent listening to music he didn't understand and talking sign language with a couple of people had made him give that up?! I was so shocked! God works in the Spirit of man. Our God is not limited on how he works! AMEN?!?!

I am starting to wonder about my future... What will happen after I go home in December? What is God calling me to afterwards? I feel it has a lot to do with missions and travel. For right now, all I can do is trust in the Lord. Fast when He tells me to fast, pray when He tells me to pray, talk with Him like I do a friend, and Love Him with all that I've got in me.

Be encouraged friends, you are so Loved!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

Day Two in Jerusalem:

Today was a tour day for our group. 11 of us (one of our leaders, Chantal, is sick- please pray for her) walked down to the Wailing Wall, which is only a 10-minute walk from our hostel. The air shifts as you walk down to the square. Outside the gate there is chanting, dancing, and celebration… but as you walk through to the square there is a sense of expectancy and yearning. Women on the right and men on the left, the Wall is covered in tiny rolled pieces of paper and is wet with tears from faces pressed up against the stone. All I knew to do, in order to relieve the spirit attacking my thoughts and emotions, was to pray in the opposite spirit. I touched the wall, thanking God for sending Jesus- the Messiah- to the world and rescuing us from all evil- my heart felt relieved. I began to tremble and felt the Spirit had more for me to pray for. We gathered the girls from our team in the woman’s section and began to worship Jesus- telling Him who He is, thanking Him for all He has done, and loving Him with our mouths.

After the Wailing Wall we walked down to City of David. It was trashed and smelled like sewage. We turned out and walked over to the tomb of Zechariahs. The air felt old, cool, and pure. The Mt. of Olives was closed today so we walked down to Mary’s tomb. It was decorated in a manifest of Catholicism. It felt dark, empty, and sickly religious- it made me feel humorously nauseous. I thought it was funny that everything they called Holy looked like garage sale junk and people were worshiping it and giving money to it?! Poor Mary, I don’t think she ever intended to be worshiped before her son, GOD. Jesus is God! Not Mary. Without Jesus, Mary wouldn’t be saved. It made me ill.

We continued our journey down the Via Delarosa and back up through the Market.  There is a definite shift in the Spirit every single time you go from the Jewish quarter to the Arab quarter. The Jewish side is clean and sweet, while in the Arab quarter you are always on guard. It felt like Heaven as we walked back up to our Hostel. Jesus is so sweet. All He wants is for His people to notice it.

Pray that our hearts will stay open and sensitive to the Spirit and that we will stay strong and bold. The Lord is with us and He is risen!

A Warrior for the King,

Bekah 

Day Two in Israel

We arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday at around 4 in the afternoon. Two people from each team were pulled into a room and thoroughly questioned as to why they were here and what they plan to do. Our leader, Chris Chun, has a stamp in his passport from Oman, which landed him in the questioning room for over an hour. Finally we met up with our contacts and slept in a B&B our first night. The next morning we worshiped the Lord and prayed about what to do… We still don’t have housing. Due to the Holy Holidays everyone is flying into Jerusalem to be a part of the 3-week celebrations. Hostels are keeping us dry and warm until something opens up. 

Jerusalem is everything you could ever imagine about Israel. It is made up of stone, markets, and religious culture. I can safely say that I have never seen so many side burn ringlets in my life. Going out by myself for a night or morning stroll is not even considered an option here. The men either won’t talk to you (none the less look at you) or they will hit on you and ask you to come home with them as their wife. So far, it’s primarily the men in the market to watch out for. There are two girls for every guy on our team so they are trying their best to stick close to us girls and guard us. After a man in the market reached out at me saying he would give me 50% off on anything I wanted the leaders cracked down pretty hard on us girls never being alone. 

It is pretty sporadic right now as we try to decide where the best places to stay are as well as staying focused on our mission and trying to talk to people in a way that they will listen. However it’s all been pretty interesting! The vibe is very different compared to the US and everything is either in Hebrew or Arabic. The jet lag is wearing us down pretty hard right now, but it should be cleared up in a day or two. 

I extremely miss you all and cannot wait to post more about what God is doing! Be at peace! 

A Warrior for the King,

Bekah

Conversations with God.

I can see His beauty and perfection everywhere. Even now, sitting in the airport with my team in the midst of a 6 hour layover… we love one another. Its written on our faces. We don’t want harm on each other, we support, we provide, and comfort one another. We are just doing life, doing church, doing family…. As Chris Chun says, “this is doing family.” I feel so blessed and so renewed. When I am not in the midst of it all, I love to just watch them play with each other and watch their smiles. These people are so beautiful. I am so blessed to be on a team with them. They are goofy and always have something uplifting or interesting to say.

We just finished meeting up with Chris, Drew, and Isaac’s family. They all brought food for each of us… needless to say, we have a lot of extra food to take with us one the plane. Sitting here in the LA airport feels like such a tease. I am in the mainland, yet my family and friends are still on the other side of the country. Though, I think our layover in Newark will feel like an even greater tease. Anyone feel like driving up to meet us?! Haha:) 

I feel like I also need to say this: Be at peace- all concerned about the troubles in Israel. There has and always will be tension between the decendants of the sons of Abraham. This is why this team must walk in peace, boldness, and a love for both people groups. Be praying for us, there is power in words, not in fear or anxiety. Abba God has called us here for such a time as this, so He will not let us fall into harms way, and if we do then He has a greater plan than we could ever comprehend. We will be wise with our actions and our leaders always seem to have one ear in Heaven waiting for God to speak, so we should be safe. Also, please pray for housing. Hostels are available but not what we are looking for…

A Warrior for the King,

Bekah 

Provider, Giver, God!

Dear Friends,

            As many of you know, I have been studying in Kona, Hawaii for the past two and a half months in a Discipleship Training School with University of the Nations, YWAM. Within this time, I have really discovered the value of Love and have been digging deep and developing a hunger and a fire within my spirit to live a life of Love for God, a Love for people of all nations and cultures, and a Love for going into all the world proclaiming His Truth. I have been actively training to fight against the works of the devil in my life and the lives of people around me. I have been equipped with the Word of God and the power of my testimony! And I have been developing character traits that bring a fervent desire to serve people- all people- friends, family, neighbors, foreigners, and especially my enemies. Now, I feel God calling me to follow Him; for only in His presence will I find my rest. Spending time in fellowship and family on this base has changed my entire outlook on life and has given me a peace and a hope for my future. I believe I have a calling to be an evangelist for my King, no matter where I am in the world, but especially to the Jewish and Arab people in Israel. My heart yearns, even now, to lift up the chosen of God and to Love them to the Father. Their Messiah. Yeshua.

As the lecture phase of my DTS is coming to an end I can feel God calling after me and asking me to follow Him on outreach to Israel. Though my plane leaves in 9 days, I still need ALL pledges of financial support have to be turned into the office in TWO DAYS or I will not be allowed to go. I do not feel anxiety in my Spirit, but more, a deep urgency to follow my God and obey Him by reaching the people of Israel. I have been given a word from God to go! So I know He will provide, especially for such a time as this. For those who do not know, the month of October is a sacred time of the Lords feasts and celebrations that will be taking place while our team is in Jerusalem. The plan for our team is to spend almost three months living in Jerusalem and to travel in and out of Tel Aviv and Bethlehem; reaching both the Jewish and Arab people.

So, I am going to lay myself bare before you and just come out and ask for help and believe God will provide.

My need:

$1,500 by Thursday, September 15^th

TWO DAYS FROM TODAY

The best way for me to receive your gift in time before the deadline is for all checks or cash to be made out to my mom, Tammy Mezera. This way she can transfer all money to me electronically. If you would rather just inform me (615-636-6079) or my school ((808) 326-7228 or (808) 326-4400) of your donation and send by mail you can at this address:

Bekah Mezera

University of the Nations


75-5851 Kuakini Highway 


Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
 96740-2199 USA

A Warrior for the King,

Bekah Mezera

24 hours

The wooing, clever, forever steadfast heart of God. The romantic, savior, devoted husband heart of Jesus. And, the best friend, constant, and faithful heart of the Holy Spirit. Hearing the God Story has changed my entire outlook on the Trinity. What is the God Story? Its basically the Bible told in a time line story from God's perspective. Why hasn't the church told me ANY of this before?! That I'm not supposed to feel guilt- not if I'm saved! And why haven't they spent more time telling us that its not striving and works that save us? I have spent years trying to please God with my actions. Why haven't I been told before about how much of a romantic God I truly have? HE IS SO TRULY IN LOVE WITH ME!

There was one point during the week when our speaker, Adam Cox, got down on his knees to reenact what God must have been feeling in Malachi when He went silent for 400 years. I don't remember what exactly was happening- or why He was on his knees- because I was just so taken and overwhelmed at the image of GOD, on His knees, in ernest yearning for the hearts of His people to turn back on Him. How could I ever deny my love to a God who woos me? Did you know that God woos you! I wish I had known! Thank you God for sending me to this place! To YWAM!

After my new revelations of God I had to spend every free waking hour returning my love to Him. I began to write Him poetry- just confirming who He is, how beautiful He is, and how worthy He is! After I spent time doing that- God ALWAYS wanted to reciprocate to me who I am, how beautiful I am, and how worthy I am. What kind of a God is THIS! That He sees us worthy?! Thank you JESUS! for making us worthy!

In 24 hours I will need $2,000 dollars in order to go on missions. All I can say is- My God! Your will be done! You know what I need. You know what is GOOD! Your will be done and I will trust you every step of the way! You have said that I will go- so I trust you! Even if it gets down to the last minute before I step onto the plane- I will trust you to bring in all the money I need!

Thank you God! I LOVE YOU, MY TRUE AND EVERLASTING FRIEND!
May you too awaken your soul to the wooing heart of GOD!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

The More

I have discovered something about my relationship with God that is kind of simple, yet overlooked by many all the time. The truth is, the more you lean into God and yearn for the more of who He is (handing over your hopes, dreams, and rights in the process), the more He reveals Himself to you and tells you more about yourself. The more you focus on the splendor of His glory- the more filled up with His glory you become. So many people are hungry for more! They want to burn more! They want to know God more! They want to love Him more! ...Just look at Him:) Know Him like you know your friends, family members, or boyfriend/girlfriend. He wants us to know His likes, His dislikes- His pet peeves and what makes Him laugh or smile- what His favorite smell or song is. He also wants us to know that He is a gift giver- He loves to pleasure us freely!

I know He loves it when I speak out because He loves to hear what my voice sounds like. He loves it when I listen for His voice too. He loves how I dream and what I think about. He loves to dream and think with me. He loves it when I am careful to keep His secrets and He thinks its cute when I trip all over myself failing to please Him with my actions. He is precious to me. He knows how to please me more than any man could ever know how- those men didn't knit me perfectly together in my mother's womb nor designed my features/personality with beauty and excitement.

Letting go of strongholds in my life has been so freeing. I have been walking under His flooding mercy and devotion free of strongholds for a week now and His presence has been so evident in my life ever since! Though I still fight the urge to fall back into captivity of strongholds- I know I am equipped to fight against them. My life will never be the same. I am free to move in Him. I am free to rejoice in the storms of life- for HE is GOOD. I love YWAM, I love what God is doing in me and I rejoice in what He has done. But more- I LOVE my Best Friend, Lover, Father, and Dream Catcher- Jesus! The Holy Spirit leaps inside of me ALL THE TIME! For He knows He is free in me now! I have released Him from the cages of my mind and He can now shout unto the LORD! FOR HE IS HOLY AND WORTHY OF PRAISE!

My spiritual gifts have been emerging from the depths. The Holy Spirit is releasing a gift of prophesy, song, and confidence in who I am in God. I am confident in the Lord- for He is absolute truth! He is the only One I can rely on completely and without question. I cannot wait to bring a spirit of Love and Peace into the Holy Land!

WORTHY WORTHY WORTHY is the Lord God ALMIGHTY! He is good!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

My GOD, My JOY! My Delight!

Coming in close to the arms of God! It is such a relaxing, peaceful, gifted time. Its a never ending cycle of Repenting before the Lord with Joy in my heart!  Rebuking strongholds that bind me and casting them before the feet of Jesus! Then Accepting God's forgiveness and gifts and just Loving Him for giving me grace! I love the LORD MY GOD!!! He is my JOY and my DELIGHT! He is catching me up in His story and writing me into His pages. I have seen and heard my calling. After I laid down all my desires and rights to know who I am in the Lord- He gave it all back to me with new revelation and promise! I have entered into the secret place and I have heard the secrets of His heart! He is my closest friend, my Delight! His love weighs down on me, His beauty resinates in my eyes, I see Him working all around me. The weight of His love drains my every being- fear, doubt, hatred, passivity- I am awakening and the groan within my stomach is transforming into a roar for the nations to hear and respond! All my life is for His GLORY! All my thoughts, all my actions, all my desires!

Be free and find release in His HEART!!!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

Conviction

This week has been exhausting! But good all at the same time:) Our room got lice, so I spent a good amount of the week cleaning out the room while all 6 of us girls had to wash ALL of our clothes. It was a nightmare. I had to hike up and down the hill, back and forth, to and from the laundry room about 10 times. Then, Saturday and Sunday, I had work duty in the kitchen from 6-9:30 and 3-8. I didn't get any rest. And, not to mention, I had a book report due! So, Sunday night was just plain awful.

The whole time I have been here has just been so peaceful and full of love for the people around me. But, all this stuff, packed one on top of the other, has really stressed my limits. I got frustrated and angry. I didn't show it to anyone, but it was killing me on the inside. I woke up this morning, not fully recuperated from the week I had just been through, and just plain exhausted and stiff. Every monday morning the whole school meets in the Ohana Court for worship and I was just not feeling up for it. I made a commitment to be genuine the whole time I was here, so I didn't want to stand there, lift my hands in worship, and fake it. I felt God tell me to get my journal, go sit over against the wall, and just write Him a letter telling Him all that I am feeling. So I did. I told Him about my frustrations and my wants. I told Him about how tired I was, "like butter scraped over too much bread," and I just needed a week to recuperate from all that I have been taught in the previous weeks. I just needed time to meditate on Him.

After worship ended, the DTS students gathered into the classroom for our morning lecture (which usually starts at 8 and goes until 12, but we had morning worship so it started at 9 this morning). The speaker, Danny, started his sermon titled, "Sharing the Gospel." He was very enthusiastic, fun, and he was answering all the questions I have ever had concerning sharing Jesus with the world, so he kept me engaged:) Then, he stopped at 10:40, which is when we usually break for snack, but instead, Kat (one of our leaders) gets the microphone and says, "I just felt God was telling me that we just need to rest- we just need a week of recuperation and time to focus- so class will end and we will move to the prayer room where everyone can just pray, soak, and lay down in His presence. This will be all week, so everyone go spend time with the Lord."

......I couldn't believe it! God had asked me what I wanted and He gave it to me. I have the letter written down- in my journal- almost word for word of what Kat had told us. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who listen for the voice of God and follow after Him with everything that they know!

I had a "one on one" today with one of my leaders, her name is Chamille. It seems that every time we meet I am either delivered of something or see where I need to be delivered of something. I have always had doubt in the back of my mind... like, "do I really hear, God?" or "Is God even there?" "How do I know when He is speaking to me" "What if God isn't really around?" "What if all this stuff I am hearing is just made up in my head?" Fear and doubt have been a lovers in my life. Did you know that even things that we know are bad can be idols? Its because we let them rule over us. Did you know everything bad is not of the Lord? So, when I say "fear and doubt are always in my head," I am really saying that "I let things that are not of the Lord be a lover or idol in my life." Conviction overtook me today when Chamille was telling me what the Lord was telling her. She said, "Bekah, God is telling me that He wants to use you and He wants you to walk in the fullness of you gifts- its just you are letting doubt and fear stand in your way." We prayed against it and I cried like a baby!

God, convict me again and again! Let there be nothing of earth that stands in the way of you working in my life! You are worthy! You are worthy! You are worthy of all of me, God!
Blessed are the feet of those who walk in your ways, God!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah   

Provider!

Good news!!! Jesus is Alive!!! Jesus is King! and Jesus Loves us!!! AHHH! But really! I have good news! I have the $2,5000 that was due today for outreach! However, there is something else that came up in the meeting today. The outreach is going to cost $6,000 instead of $5,000 and the money will be due in 2 weeks. But thats ok! God has brought in $3,000 for my outreach in just a couple of weeks! He CAN do it AGAIN! He promised to provide- so He will!!! He wants us to go out into all the world proclaiming His name without fear, without shame, but boldly and with JOY! I am longing to do this! Im making plans that waste my life on Him because HE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!!! I think this ministry is supposed to be my profession and God holds my paycheck. He is just waiting to give me EVERYTHING I will ever need! I love Him so much! I trust Him so much!

God you are worthy of my praise! Even if you never do a good thing for me ever again! You would still be SO WORTHY! I love you and I know you hold all the money I need. Bring it forth Father!

A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

The Waves of Youth

The staff is making all the students read Loren Cunningham's book, "Is That Really You God?" Its actually a really fun read! I can't tell if I was shaking from the excitement of reading or the two cups of french pressed coffee I had only a half hour before. While I was reading I would take breaks to look up at the waves crashing on the rocks of Magic Sands Beach. Loren describes a vision he had in his twenties- a vision of young people traveling in waves all over the globe for the name of a Risen and Living King, Jesus. I then looked up the mountain leading to up to the volcano... It is always overcast there.. I don't know why? I thought about how amazing it was that Loren's vision came true.. and that I was in that wave. God knew, from the very beginning that I would become a part of this team- that I would give up home, family, friends, security in familiarity, and status to live for His name. I am in that wave!

The truth is, I can climb that volcano- for years if I chose- but, there will eventually be an end to that climb... and when you finally reach the end- its overcast at the top.... But the waves never end. They are too strong- they can knock you over- they shift you- they challenge you- but more, they are never still.

Our class has been challenged, by Loren himself, to give up anything we have set value on and to just hand it all over to God. Sometimes, God just wants to see if we would really give up our only son... He just wants to see how much we trust Him- even if it means giving Him a living sacrifice of what is most important to us. He wants to see if we really Love Him more than what we love here on earth.

Let me tell you, It was a lot harder than I thought it would be... To mean it when I say, "God, here! I trust you with my family- have them- I give them up to you.""God, I trust you with my desire to be married with a family of my own one day- you take it- its yours." "God, I trust you to bring in all the money I need to continue with this ministry... I know you have called me here, so I know you will take care of me financially." Giving up my rights, my desires, and my worries... Its nice! Its nice for my God too, He doesn't have to fight against any other gods in my head to claim my attention anymore. He can speak right to me.

You want to hear God's voice? Lay down your rights. Lay down the idols that are fighting for your attention. God had to do the same with Abraham... Isaac was becoming an idol to Abraham and God wasn't at the center of Abraham's head anymore. Whats funny, is that Isaac was a God given gift! He was good! Sacrifice your God given gifts and rights. He knows what is best done with them anyways!

I love you BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! May God's voice be heard in His people!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah

The Pottery Maker

Darlene Cunningham spoke to our class today. She spoke on gifts and our specific parts to play in the Kingdom of God.

Lets face it girls (and guys, but especially girls) we can identify with the act of comparison. When we see other girls walking around with all the cute guys, wearing all the cute clothes, with the cute hair, with the cute sense of humor, and so on and so forth... we become jealous, right? We decide that if we could just change to be like them (if not better) we will feel better about ourselves. I still struggle with that voice in my head saying, "if you just had that laugh," or "If your legs could be just as perfect as hers," or "if I could just have THAT talent" my life would be better and I would be so happy! I, as much as the other person, want to discover who I am in the Kingdom of God! I have just felt like my part is so small- like I don't have much to give- what makes me so much more special than the person next to me who can do all the things that I am not so good at?

Darlene shared with us a vision she had when she was asking all the same questions I have been asking.
Imagine you are a clay pot- and the Pottery Maker has stamped you with His own stamp of completion.... then, after being with all the other pots you come back to the Maker, wave your fist at Him and say "You made me WRONG! You didn't know what YOU were DOING when you made ME!" The Pottery Maker looks down at you sad... Because He knows He has made you for a specific purpose- He has stamped you with His thumbprint and hard craftsmanship... He sees you lovely and perfect, but you just can't see it because you are too busy desiring what He has created other people or pots to be.

I don't want to wave my fist at God telling Him He messed up when He made me! If He has then He is not a perfect God, so that would mean that everything I have ever believed about Him- all my life- and everything the Bible says He is has been a lie. I don't want to wave my fist at Him! It makes Him sad. I don't want to be the cause of making my God sad. I want Him happy and smiling over me with Joy and thanksgiving! I may not know everything about what I am designed to be, but I know following Him will lead me to the right place and it will keep me in the right direction. Its so AMAZING for me to think God smiled at the completion of my perfection 19 years and 9 months ago when he set me in my mothers stomach. I love Him so much for His perfection. I love Him so much for His Love and smiles over ME!

Be blessed my brothers and sisters! Be your best at what He has designed you to be! He will bless you in the process and smile over you in admiration of His own perfection in and over you!
A Warrior for the King,
Bekah