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