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Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Fall 2017 Update
Saturday, June 17, 2017
It's the End of SOMD As We Know It (SOMD~WK 11)
This is my last blog that is required for this school. Don't worry, I plan to continue to update it, though maybe not as often. The end of this school is quickly approaching. I can't believe it, it feels like it just started. This school has done so much on helping me develop who I am so I can become the leader I was called to be. It has helped me understand that i need to be confident in who I am, in my identity in Christ so then I can share with others on how to step into their identity. I have learned that constant communication is key, with not only with those around me, but with Holy Spirit, Jesus and God. I am beyond thankful for this experience and it has become an important time in my time here at YWAM.
As we are wrapping up this school, we finished reading through Revelation this week, which means I have read through the entire Bible during these past 4 months. It has been an amazing experience, and although it wasn't always easy to read (we read each book straight through in one sitting) or to understand, it was stretching to get to see more of God's character, nature and love for us. I love how I can learn so much from reading his word and how God speaks through a book that was written before I was even a thought in the universe! I understand more of the context and history about who, what and why each book was written, and it makes me want to study His word even more!
This week's teaching was more story/experience lead. The YWAM San Diego/Baja director was our speaker. It was a more chill week, listening to Sean share more from his personal experience with YWAM (he's been on staff for 30ish years) and how being in communication with God is important and we need to be in constant willingness to serve to figure out what our calling may be.
Our outreach was very different this week. It looked very different than I thought it would but I loved it! Our time this week was spent building relationships at a local mosque. It's time for the Muslims to celebrate a time of fasting and prayer during a time they call Ramadan. They fast (no food or drink, including water) from sunrise to sundown and at sundown, they break their fast with feasting as a community. It was totally different then I thought the experience would be like. Everyone was so eager to share their faith, but not in a way that they were trying to convert us all to Islam. I think the experience was important because in order to build relationship, we need to understand a little about their culture. They have a strong understanding for Christainity as well as curiosity to hear from us what we believe. They understand what it's like to have their religion be misunderstood through media and they want to share the “truth” behind their beliefs. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have been there last night and I would jump at an chance to do it again.
After this school is over, I will be continuing my commitment as staff here at YWAM LA. I'll be serving the base as base staff (exact role TBD) as the base is a little slower in summer. If you'd like to hear more about what we do as a base, please feel free to contact me. I'd also just love to chat!
Keep up with my life!
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
FB Messenger
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Understand the Culture (SOMD~ Wk 10)
I'm thankful for this week's teaching about Culture from our speaker, Jeremy. is important. It's the center of who we are. It has shaped how our parents raised us and ultimately live out our lives. It is important to understand one another's culture as it can be a tool used to share the Gospel with others. It's crazy to me how much culture influences our faith and how it has changed dramatically. I think it is important to know the history behind our culture and how it has affected the church. I think that the Church believes it needs to be separate from the world, but I don't think that is right. I mean, Jesus was right in the middle of "sinners" during his time on earth. His heart was to bring relationship between him and others. To be in the world, not of it. I have a friends who want to impacted the "secular" world with the love of Christ. I think that's amazing. We are created to bring glory to God's name as well as share this glory with all the world. That starts with understanding the culture of those we are called to share with.
This week, the Compassion students returned from their outreach. These are the students that I had the privilege to staff in the Winter quarter. They had a week of debrief and it was so good to be with them and see how they have grown over their outreach. Today (Saturday) they graduated. I am so proud of them! They have grown so much in their understanding in who God is, who they are, and how to share Him with others. They are such world changers and I can not to see where God takes them next.
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| Compassion Discipleship Training School (CDTS) 2017 |
This week, the Compassion students returned from their outreach. These are the students that I had the privilege to staff in the Winter quarter. They had a week of debrief and it was so good to be with them and see how they have grown over their outreach. Today (Saturday) they graduated. I am so proud of them! They have grown so much in their understanding in who God is, who they are, and how to share Him with others. They are such world changers and I can not to see where God takes them next.
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| My lovely small group! (From the left: Kaylin, Me, Jael, Catherine, and Megan) |
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Leadership Goals (SOMD~ wk 9)
This week, we had Alberto from a local church, The Gathering LA, speak to us about leadership. It was really good to hear a teaching on this topic from someone outside of YWAM. I love that YWAM LA brings in others from outside our community, as it allows our community to grow beyond our "gates".
Alberto also had us break into groups to work on a project. Each team had a leader, who has a future ministry or business they plan to start in the future, and two others to help present it. I was with my friend Jack, and we worked with our friend Hannah and her vision to start a gluten-free bakery here in LA that employs women who are coming out of human trafficking, giving them the ability to learn life skills and be mentored in a loving, safe community. Alberto wanted us to write a mission statement, vision statement, and values for the business, as well as figuring out practical details on how it would raise support and recruit volunteers/employees. It was amazing to be able to listen to my friend and hear her heart behind a dream I have heard her talk about for a while now. We helped her put her ideas onto paper and helped her communicate her thoughts to be presented. I'm excited to see this dream become a reality in the near future. It was humbling to be apart of someone else's dream and how I could honor Hannah by helping her accomplish (however small my part was) her goal. We then presented it to the class, and heard from 8 others who have ministries and businesses they want to start to glorify the Kingdom.
On Fridays, we normally do local outreach. This week, we went to Venice Beach to do evangelism. Our goal is to be a light to those who don't know Jesus. I love how evangelism doesn't mean to shove Jesus or the gospel onto others, but to show him, even if we don't mention his name. It means building relationships with those around us. I love that this can be done in so many ways and that there's no formula on how to do this "correctly". I was with two of my friends, Taylor (Canada) and Molly (Denmark), who had never been to Venice, so we used that to our advantage. We explored the boardwalk, talking to whoever would respond back to us and ended having a few great conversations with people. One guy seemed really hunger to learn more about his purpose in life, but wasn't sure if believed in God. We encouraged him to ask his questions to God and wait for a response. He said he loved to journal, so Molly bought him a journal and encouraged him to use it. This was the best Venice experience I've ever had (I went a lot last summer with Mission Adventures, the high school program I staffed here at YWAM LA) and it wasn't because a bunch of people got saved, or I was able to be great. All that happened, was I had a chance to speak into someone and be honest about what I believe in. I didn't try to make anyone believe in what I believe in and I don't know what will become of this guy in the future. I am so thankful for times like this. It's all about being bold and listening to the Holy Spirit and anything can happen!
I can't believe we are finished week 9 already!
Let's chat!
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
instagram: mad_4_mangoes
snapchat: ichigogirl
FB Messager
Alberto also had us break into groups to work on a project. Each team had a leader, who has a future ministry or business they plan to start in the future, and two others to help present it. I was with my friend Jack, and we worked with our friend Hannah and her vision to start a gluten-free bakery here in LA that employs women who are coming out of human trafficking, giving them the ability to learn life skills and be mentored in a loving, safe community. Alberto wanted us to write a mission statement, vision statement, and values for the business, as well as figuring out practical details on how it would raise support and recruit volunteers/employees. It was amazing to be able to listen to my friend and hear her heart behind a dream I have heard her talk about for a while now. We helped her put her ideas onto paper and helped her communicate her thoughts to be presented. I'm excited to see this dream become a reality in the near future. It was humbling to be apart of someone else's dream and how I could honor Hannah by helping her accomplish (however small my part was) her goal. We then presented it to the class, and heard from 8 others who have ministries and businesses they want to start to glorify the Kingdom.
On Fridays, we normally do local outreach. This week, we went to Venice Beach to do evangelism. Our goal is to be a light to those who don't know Jesus. I love how evangelism doesn't mean to shove Jesus or the gospel onto others, but to show him, even if we don't mention his name. It means building relationships with those around us. I love that this can be done in so many ways and that there's no formula on how to do this "correctly". I was with two of my friends, Taylor (Canada) and Molly (Denmark), who had never been to Venice, so we used that to our advantage. We explored the boardwalk, talking to whoever would respond back to us and ended having a few great conversations with people. One guy seemed really hunger to learn more about his purpose in life, but wasn't sure if believed in God. We encouraged him to ask his questions to God and wait for a response. He said he loved to journal, so Molly bought him a journal and encouraged him to use it. This was the best Venice experience I've ever had (I went a lot last summer with Mission Adventures, the high school program I staffed here at YWAM LA) and it wasn't because a bunch of people got saved, or I was able to be great. All that happened, was I had a chance to speak into someone and be honest about what I believe in. I didn't try to make anyone believe in what I believe in and I don't know what will become of this guy in the future. I am so thankful for times like this. It's all about being bold and listening to the Holy Spirit and anything can happen!
I can't believe we are finished week 9 already!
Let's chat!
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
instagram: mad_4_mangoes
snapchat: ichigogirl
FB Messager
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Me, Myself and I (SOMD ~ Wk 8)
This week has been all about discovering more about ourselves. At the end of last week, we did four personality tests (Myers-Briggs, DISC, Strength Finders, and Motivational Gifts) and this week, Sheron, our speaker, expanded on the the different results of these tests.
I loved this week because I think it is important to be secure in my identity if I want to continue to do the Lord's work. If I have no clue who I am, then I have no business telling others who they are. I love these test because they aren't meant to put ourselves in a box, but they help me explain who I am in words I wouldn't have been able to myself. Its has helped me get to know my friends better, learning how different results of these tests complement each other. It has also has shown me that it is important to surround myself with those different me because we all have special giftings that come with our individuality. Learning to champion each others is important. God made us all unique and we should be proud to embrace who he made us.
Here are my results, in case you are curious! I've summarized the results in my own words based on how I feel it applies to me. 😀
Myers- Briggs:
Extrovert- means I am energized by being with others rather than alone
Sensing- I like to gather information based on the facts, aka my five senses
Feeling- I make decisions based on how I feeling
Perceiving- I am super flexible and don't really need a schedule to run my life
Spiritual Gifts:
Exhorter- I naturally like to encourage others
Serving- I naturally like to tangibly bless others
DISC:
Influencer- I value relationships and am open and accepting of others. It also mentioned a love for talking. I thought that was funny because it's true! 😂
Strength Finders: (I've wanted to do this test for so long, so I am so happy we had a chance to do this one this week!)
1) Adaptability- flexible; lives in the moment
2) Includer- a love for equality; accepting of everyone; not wanting anyone to feel left out
3) Positivity- encourager; sees the bright side of life
4) Developer- sees potential in others; challenges others to rise up in success
5) Input- collector of information
All my results involved my love for other people in one way or another. Sheron shared what each of our "worst nightmares" would be depending on our MB results and mine was "You are stuck in a room by yourself for the rest of eternity." Yup, that sounds like a nightmare to me!!!
I'd love to know more about your results on these tests, if you've done them before!
Let's chat!
Email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
FaceBook Messager
I loved this week because I think it is important to be secure in my identity if I want to continue to do the Lord's work. If I have no clue who I am, then I have no business telling others who they are. I love these test because they aren't meant to put ourselves in a box, but they help me explain who I am in words I wouldn't have been able to myself. Its has helped me get to know my friends better, learning how different results of these tests complement each other. It has also has shown me that it is important to surround myself with those different me because we all have special giftings that come with our individuality. Learning to champion each others is important. God made us all unique and we should be proud to embrace who he made us.
 |
| We presented our test results to our entire class to help us sum up what we have learned this week. All my results are below. |
Here are my results, in case you are curious! I've summarized the results in my own words based on how I feel it applies to me. 😀
Myers- Briggs:
Extrovert- means I am energized by being with others rather than alone
Sensing- I like to gather information based on the facts, aka my five senses
Feeling- I make decisions based on how I feeling
Perceiving- I am super flexible and don't really need a schedule to run my life
Spiritual Gifts:
Exhorter- I naturally like to encourage others
Serving- I naturally like to tangibly bless others
DISC:
Influencer- I value relationships and am open and accepting of others. It also mentioned a love for talking. I thought that was funny because it's true! 😂
Strength Finders: (I've wanted to do this test for so long, so I am so happy we had a chance to do this one this week!)
1) Adaptability- flexible; lives in the moment
2) Includer- a love for equality; accepting of everyone; not wanting anyone to feel left out
3) Positivity- encourager; sees the bright side of life
4) Developer- sees potential in others; challenges others to rise up in success
5) Input- collector of information
All my results involved my love for other people in one way or another. Sheron shared what each of our "worst nightmares" would be depending on our MB results and mine was "You are stuck in a room by yourself for the rest of eternity." Yup, that sounds like a nightmare to me!!!
I'd love to know more about your results on these tests, if you've done them before!
Let's chat!
Email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
FaceBook Messager
Friday, May 19, 2017
Becoming a Bible Detective (SOMD ~ WK 7)
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I have grown up with a very western worldview. Others have grown up with a traditional worldview. There's nothing wrong with this, it's just that we see and learn about God differently. This means as a missionary, I have to have an understanding of another's worldview in order to know how to share and teach about God. If someone came to me and told me about Jesus and had cold hard facts to back up what they are saying, I would probably believe them. I would still probably have questions but I would be able to begin to understand who Jesus is and who he can become to me. If they tried to do this in Asia, where they have a more traditional worldview, then history and truth would not be enough from them to believe. They value power and they would want to see proof of it in order to believe. A traditional worldview also has a totally different view on the spiritual world than what I grew up in. Heather broke this all down for us so we can learn to understand different cultures. Traditional worldview believes in spirits, ghosts, blessings, curses, magic, witchcraft on a totally different level then us in the west. I grew up with all these spiritual things being super glamorized in Hollywood. I don't live my life affected by these things, but those in the traditional worldview, live their lives based on how spirits will affect them. If we don't as least learn about these things, then we will not understand how to reach them with the Gospel. We all have a message to deliver, but do we know how to "package" it and deliver it to the appropriate person.
This week also showed me more of the Israelites worldview in the Old Testament, which we are still reading through (We are half way done! We will finish the Old Testament and start Matthew on Monday!). I loved when we were shown the original Hebrew and the original meaning of the passages we were reading. It's crazy how when a verse is translated into English, the whole meaning of the verse can be changed. I am really enjoying reading through the whole Bible. I am absorbing so much by reading whole books in one sitting. I am building a mental timeline and understanding the context in which it was written a little more each week.
I ALMOST FORGOT! I have a really exciting announcement!!! I am going on outreach to......
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| GREECE!!!! |
I am soooooo excited for this outreach. There is a huge Syrian refugee crisis in Greece right now and they are needing aid once they land in the country, and we get the opportunity to serve and tell them about who God is to us as Christians. There have been more Muslims coming to Christ then ever before. I love how YWAM takes time to teach and then gives a way to take what was learned and apply it. I am so excited to be apart of the story.
Please be praying for the other students in my school, as they make the decision on whether they will be joining this optional outreach and also for finances for those who feel called to go. My leaders will be announcing more details and the final team next week.
Thank you all so much for your support and prayers during my time here at YWAM LA. Love you all!
Keep in touch! I'd love to chat!
Email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
FB Messager
Want to send me snail mail?
Jordyne Castaneda
11141 Osborne St.
Sylmar, CA 91342
Saturday, May 13, 2017
SOMD~ WK 6
Thank you so much for the love everyone showed me after reading my blog from last week! I loved the feedback and knowing that I have such a wonderful group of people who support me! I'm glad that I shared what I was going through with you all. This week has been tremendously better!
This week was really good. We didn't have much free time this week, our schedule kept us going all day and into the night. On Monday, we break into groups and make timelines for each book of the Bible that we've read through the week prior. That's been fun to see everyone's creative side come out as we are supposed to design our timeline with illustrations of the people and events for the book.
We are reading the larger books as a school instead of in the small groups we normally read in, so on
Tuesday, we read Psalms! Yes, all 150 chapters in one sitting! It took us 3 1/2 hours to read it all, which is a lot faster than we though it would be! Our leader, Lisa made homemade soup to eat while we read, and it was a great time spent as a school.
This week Joseph Avakian was our speaker and he spoke on the importance of communication. He shared the importance of not only being in constant communication with Holy Spirit, but also with those around us. It's important to learn to value the individual, whether they are our friends/peers, those we work with or are at trying to share the Gospel with. Everyone was created uniquely and it's important to understand that just because someone is an introvert or an extrovert, doesn't mean they are exactly the same as other introverts or extroverts. We need to learn how to champion the individual. It is also important to understand the culture in which one comes from so we can learn how to champion them as well. Joseph is lively and animated in his style of teaching. He taught us in two different styles, one by giving us powerpoint presentations, thus giving the exact information he wished to share, and through stories, allowing us to pull information each of individually wished to grab onto. It was really good that he showed us the difference so the different types of learners could all feel like they were getting something from him.
Joseph also shared how he uses a talent to bring glory to God. He is a graphic designer through a company he started through YWAM in Berlin, Germany. He works in a professional setting, allowing God to speak in him and through in the business world. I love when people share their talents and gifts and how they use them to glorify God. It shows me that I can bring God glory, in whatever I do.
This week was really good. We didn't have much free time this week, our schedule kept us going all day and into the night. On Monday, we break into groups and make timelines for each book of the Bible that we've read through the week prior. That's been fun to see everyone's creative side come out as we are supposed to design our timeline with illustrations of the people and events for the book.
We are reading the larger books as a school instead of in the small groups we normally read in, so on
Tuesday, we read Psalms! Yes, all 150 chapters in one sitting! It took us 3 1/2 hours to read it all, which is a lot faster than we though it would be! Our leader, Lisa made homemade soup to eat while we read, and it was a great time spent as a school.
This week Joseph Avakian was our speaker and he spoke on the importance of communication. He shared the importance of not only being in constant communication with Holy Spirit, but also with those around us. It's important to learn to value the individual, whether they are our friends/peers, those we work with or are at trying to share the Gospel with. Everyone was created uniquely and it's important to understand that just because someone is an introvert or an extrovert, doesn't mean they are exactly the same as other introverts or extroverts. We need to learn how to champion the individual. It is also important to understand the culture in which one comes from so we can learn how to champion them as well. Joseph is lively and animated in his style of teaching. He taught us in two different styles, one by giving us powerpoint presentations, thus giving the exact information he wished to share, and through stories, allowing us to pull information each of individually wished to grab onto. It was really good that he showed us the difference so the different types of learners could all feel like they were getting something from him.
Joseph also shared how he uses a talent to bring glory to God. He is a graphic designer through a company he started through YWAM in Berlin, Germany. He works in a professional setting, allowing God to speak in him and through in the business world. I love when people share their talents and gifts and how they use them to glorify God. It shows me that I can bring God glory, in whatever I do.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Through the UPS and downs (SOMD~ Wk 5)
This blog post is going to be really raw and vulnerable. Please bear with me! This week has honestly been really hard for me. Sometimes we think that we make the decision to follow Jesus and then everything becomes a piece of cake from there. That's not it at all. Sometimes, following him means dealing with things that hurt, and as much as it hurts, it brings it into his light and out of darkness. When things start to have light shed on them, the enemy uses that as an opportunity to target our hurts and often make them feel exaggerated. John 10:10 says "The thief (or enemy/Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Last weekend was the first weekend that I've had free time on base for about 2 months. That hit me really hard. I live away from the other girls in my school, as I live in staff housing here on base, but I don't have a roommate right now. This gave the enemy a chance to try to speak isolation into my thoughts and I'm sad to say he succeeded. I didn't feel like anyone was purposely trying to push me out but I lost the will to try to seek out others. It's honestly a horrible feeling. I was feeling so out of place and didn't know who to go to for help. One of my friends asked to talk with me since it had been a while since we last connected. We had a really good honest conversation and that really helped. I had been texting with one of my friends, who's in Mexico leading an outreach team, and she asked me how SOMD was going. I was able to share with her and she was so honest and caring with me. I love that she took the time to pour into me, even though I'm sure she has other things she could deal with since she's leading a team right now. That helped speak some identity back into my life! Since then, I have started to be more intentional with hanging out with the other students in my free time, and that made a world of a difference. I love my school and I am so thankful for the chance to grow with them.
This week's speaker, John Bills, has been speaking to us about the importance of Godly decision making earlier this week and that has been really good. Then he switched topics and we started talking about how to deal with trauma and grief. At first I was fine, as we put some of the practical things we learned about decision making into practice by applying it to what we, as leaders, would do during a traumatic event. Then he started talking about how to deal with the grief that comes afterwards and I lost it. I cried for the loss of my uncle all over again, as if it happened yesterday instead of 8 years ago. John was talking about how to comfort someone, what to say, what not to say, and all the emotions from when my uncle died, came flooding back to me. I remember people always asking me if I was ok, and I honestly hated that question. I knew I wasn't "fine" but I didn't know how to share how I was really feeling. I don't know if I knew how I really felt during that time. I know now, that sometimes we don't really know how to comfort someone so when we ask things like "How are you?", it can be out of a place of just not knowing what else to say. It's crazy how grief really ever goes away, even though I've accepted my uncle not being here anymore.
John had us chose a hard time in our lives (traumatic or not) and draw it out to share with one person in our class. I haven't finished my drawing yet, but I see how drawing it out and sharing it with someone you trust, can really bring it into the light and help the grieving process. I remember my Mom saying when my uncle died, that grief is like waves in the ocean. We stand in the waves and can let them either roll over us or let them knock us down, but either way they will come towards us. Grief never really goes away, but I know that I have a God who is willing to stand with me as the waves come. Grief doesn't get easier, but I don't have to do it alone.
I knew I wanted to write this blog while it was on my heart to do so, but I wasn't expecting it to be so heavy. I wanted to share and be open about how I was feeling. Serving God isn't all rainbows and butterflies, and I am so thankful that I get to walk with through times that are tough. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being so supportive of me in my time here at YWAM LA. I still love every moment of it and I love every adventure, through the ups and the downs because I get to walk alongside such a loving God.
Feel free to stay in contact with me!
Facebook Messager: Jordyne Castaneda
mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Last weekend was the first weekend that I've had free time on base for about 2 months. That hit me really hard. I live away from the other girls in my school, as I live in staff housing here on base, but I don't have a roommate right now. This gave the enemy a chance to try to speak isolation into my thoughts and I'm sad to say he succeeded. I didn't feel like anyone was purposely trying to push me out but I lost the will to try to seek out others. It's honestly a horrible feeling. I was feeling so out of place and didn't know who to go to for help. One of my friends asked to talk with me since it had been a while since we last connected. We had a really good honest conversation and that really helped. I had been texting with one of my friends, who's in Mexico leading an outreach team, and she asked me how SOMD was going. I was able to share with her and she was so honest and caring with me. I love that she took the time to pour into me, even though I'm sure she has other things she could deal with since she's leading a team right now. That helped speak some identity back into my life! Since then, I have started to be more intentional with hanging out with the other students in my free time, and that made a world of a difference. I love my school and I am so thankful for the chance to grow with them.
This week's speaker, John Bills, has been speaking to us about the importance of Godly decision making earlier this week and that has been really good. Then he switched topics and we started talking about how to deal with trauma and grief. At first I was fine, as we put some of the practical things we learned about decision making into practice by applying it to what we, as leaders, would do during a traumatic event. Then he started talking about how to deal with the grief that comes afterwards and I lost it. I cried for the loss of my uncle all over again, as if it happened yesterday instead of 8 years ago. John was talking about how to comfort someone, what to say, what not to say, and all the emotions from when my uncle died, came flooding back to me. I remember people always asking me if I was ok, and I honestly hated that question. I knew I wasn't "fine" but I didn't know how to share how I was really feeling. I don't know if I knew how I really felt during that time. I know now, that sometimes we don't really know how to comfort someone so when we ask things like "How are you?", it can be out of a place of just not knowing what else to say. It's crazy how grief really ever goes away, even though I've accepted my uncle not being here anymore.
John had us chose a hard time in our lives (traumatic or not) and draw it out to share with one person in our class. I haven't finished my drawing yet, but I see how drawing it out and sharing it with someone you trust, can really bring it into the light and help the grieving process. I remember my Mom saying when my uncle died, that grief is like waves in the ocean. We stand in the waves and can let them either roll over us or let them knock us down, but either way they will come towards us. Grief never really goes away, but I know that I have a God who is willing to stand with me as the waves come. Grief doesn't get easier, but I don't have to do it alone.
I knew I wanted to write this blog while it was on my heart to do so, but I wasn't expecting it to be so heavy. I wanted to share and be open about how I was feeling. Serving God isn't all rainbows and butterflies, and I am so thankful that I get to walk with through times that are tough. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being so supportive of me in my time here at YWAM LA. I still love every moment of it and I love every adventure, through the ups and the downs because I get to walk alongside such a loving God.
Feel free to stay in contact with me!
Facebook Messager: Jordyne Castaneda
mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Saturday, April 29, 2017
God of the City (SOMD~ Wk 4)
I can't believe that a month of this school has already gone by!
Camping was an amazing experience for our school. No phones, in the "wilderness", and sleeping in tents made for a stretching opportunity to grow closer as a family (school 🙂). I was a little nervous to be camping but ended loving every minute of it. We hiked up Pedro Blanca (White Rock) in Ojai, California, as well as swam in the river and slept under the stars. It was challenging, yet relaxing and over all a time to get to know each other. We learned about different ways to pray by ourselves as well as read Judges and 1 Samuel as a school together. So thankful for my SOMD family.
This week's lecture was beyond words. Brad Stanley has a heart to share about Urbanization and how it effects how we fulfill the Great Commission in the world today. It's crazy to think that my generation is the most urbanized as well as the most technologically advanced generation. About 54% of our planet is urbanized (as of 2014) right now, so that means we are able to reach more people than ever before. Urbanization is the moving of people into physical proximity and allowing cultures and diversity exist in unity with each other. This is bringing more unreached, isolated people groups into cities, making it easier to share the gospel to them. Most people from these people groups are forced to move to cities because of natural disasters like famine and drought causing about 80 million people to move every year (about 1.5 million a week!). These developing cities are growing faster than they can provide for, causing urban slums to grow rapidly as well! About 1 in 7 people in the world, live in an urban slum. I've seen these slums in Cambodia, and they are in a desperate need hope. God is bringing these people out of isolation and needs people to meet them in the cities to share his glory.
This is only a glimpse of what this week held in lecture, and it has been a rollercoaster of emotion and processing what this means to me personally. It's exciting to hear that God is bringing people out of isolation and in a different way then ever before. People are leaving home to go to school or get a job and are keeping in touch with their families back in their villages. If we can reach those in the city, then we can reach those in isolation through those in the city! I love that Brad is very passionate about sharing his heart for the cities, but never discredits those who are called to work in the isolated places. I loved this week and I can't wait to see how God uses it to impact my future. I have loved growing up in the LA area and being here at YWAM LA has really grown my love for the city . I love that all the nations are represented here and that this city is so influential to the world.
Sorry if this felt a little more like a lecture this week. I wasn't sure how to share without giving a little bit statistics. 😂
I really enjoyed this week.
Let's chat!
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
FB messager!
Stay in touch!
instagram: mad_4_mangoes
snapchat: ichigogirl
Camping was an amazing experience for our school. No phones, in the "wilderness", and sleeping in tents made for a stretching opportunity to grow closer as a family (school 🙂). I was a little nervous to be camping but ended loving every minute of it. We hiked up Pedro Blanca (White Rock) in Ojai, California, as well as swam in the river and slept under the stars. It was challenging, yet relaxing and over all a time to get to know each other. We learned about different ways to pray by ourselves as well as read Judges and 1 Samuel as a school together. So thankful for my SOMD family.
This week's lecture was beyond words. Brad Stanley has a heart to share about Urbanization and how it effects how we fulfill the Great Commission in the world today. It's crazy to think that my generation is the most urbanized as well as the most technologically advanced generation. About 54% of our planet is urbanized (as of 2014) right now, so that means we are able to reach more people than ever before. Urbanization is the moving of people into physical proximity and allowing cultures and diversity exist in unity with each other. This is bringing more unreached, isolated people groups into cities, making it easier to share the gospel to them. Most people from these people groups are forced to move to cities because of natural disasters like famine and drought causing about 80 million people to move every year (about 1.5 million a week!). These developing cities are growing faster than they can provide for, causing urban slums to grow rapidly as well! About 1 in 7 people in the world, live in an urban slum. I've seen these slums in Cambodia, and they are in a desperate need hope. God is bringing these people out of isolation and needs people to meet them in the cities to share his glory.
This is only a glimpse of what this week held in lecture, and it has been a rollercoaster of emotion and processing what this means to me personally. It's exciting to hear that God is bringing people out of isolation and in a different way then ever before. People are leaving home to go to school or get a job and are keeping in touch with their families back in their villages. If we can reach those in the city, then we can reach those in isolation through those in the city! I love that Brad is very passionate about sharing his heart for the cities, but never discredits those who are called to work in the isolated places. I loved this week and I can't wait to see how God uses it to impact my future. I have loved growing up in the LA area and being here at YWAM LA has really grown my love for the city . I love that all the nations are represented here and that this city is so influential to the world.
Sorry if this felt a little more like a lecture this week. I wasn't sure how to share without giving a little bit statistics. 😂
I really enjoyed this week.
Let's chat!
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
FB messager!
Stay in touch!
instagram: mad_4_mangoes
snapchat: ichigogirl
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Learning to be a Follower (SOMD ~ Wk3)
So this post is a bit early this week because we are going camping!!!! I am so excited to get off the base and get to know my SOMD family on a deeper level. I'll make sure to update everyone about it next week!
I had the opportunity to go home for Easter. It was so nice to get to spend time with my family as well as my church family for Easter at Fairplex! Love the crazy busy day!
This week was Spiritual Leadership week with Kenny Peavy. Kenny is an amazing speaker because he not only teaches you in a classroom setting, but you see him live out what he's teaching. I was honored to hear him speak during another school that I have done through YWAM. Kenny is very Holy Spirit lead and is a true example of what a leader looks like.
The main thing Kenny kept saying is that in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. As Christians, we are called to be followers of Jesus, so becoming a healthy leader comes with that. Paul and David were both willing to live to follow in God's calling for their life. They weren't perfect but they were at a place of listening to what God said to them and acting on it. I want to live by this example. Sometimes, we end up like Judas or Saul, wanting all the glory for ourselves. We want to see how far up on the ladder of success we can get by ourselves or we expect God to reward us here on earth. That's not what our goal should be, it should be on how we can further the kingdom for God's glory. He freely gives to us so we can freely give it away. He gave us the best he could, Himself! Our goal is to become his disciples, so we can make disciples, so they can go out and make disciples, and keep it going till the end of time!
I really enjoyed the worship time Kenny lead our school in. He had us sing from what the Spirit was speaking to us to show us that we are all worship leaders. When we worship, it's not about who's watching but only what happens between us and the Lord.
This week was so good and I can't wait to continue to see how God speaks in the coming weeks! I'll see you guys next Saturday, and I'll update you on our camping trip!!!
I had the opportunity to go home for Easter. It was so nice to get to spend time with my family as well as my church family for Easter at Fairplex! Love the crazy busy day!
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| Look how grown up my brothers look! I love watching them grow into young men! |
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| Our annual Easter picture. :) |
This week was Spiritual Leadership week with Kenny Peavy. Kenny is an amazing speaker because he not only teaches you in a classroom setting, but you see him live out what he's teaching. I was honored to hear him speak during another school that I have done through YWAM. Kenny is very Holy Spirit lead and is a true example of what a leader looks like.
The main thing Kenny kept saying is that in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. As Christians, we are called to be followers of Jesus, so becoming a healthy leader comes with that. Paul and David were both willing to live to follow in God's calling for their life. They weren't perfect but they were at a place of listening to what God said to them and acting on it. I want to live by this example. Sometimes, we end up like Judas or Saul, wanting all the glory for ourselves. We want to see how far up on the ladder of success we can get by ourselves or we expect God to reward us here on earth. That's not what our goal should be, it should be on how we can further the kingdom for God's glory. He freely gives to us so we can freely give it away. He gave us the best he could, Himself! Our goal is to become his disciples, so we can make disciples, so they can go out and make disciples, and keep it going till the end of time!
I really enjoyed the worship time Kenny lead our school in. He had us sing from what the Spirit was speaking to us to show us that we are all worship leaders. When we worship, it's not about who's watching but only what happens between us and the Lord.
This week was so good and I can't wait to continue to see how God speaks in the coming weeks! I'll see you guys next Saturday, and I'll update you on our camping trip!!!
Saturday, April 15, 2017
SOMD ~ Wk 2
Hi Everyone!
I'm really starting to enjoy blogging! I've been writing, I'm starting to not only see the importance to document my day, but it is helping me process (I'm a external processer by nature) as I write. This week went by really fast. It was a shorter week in the sense that we only had lectures for the first three days rather than having them every weekday morning.
It's crazy how you can meet people through YWAM and feel like you've known them your whole life. We are in such close knit of a community where we eat, sleep, learn and worship all on the same campus, so you get to know each other really quickly. I love it! I love that people from all different backgrounds and cultures come together to learn more about God and how he wants to use us as individuals coming together to be the body of Christ.
Our topic this week was Boundaries. I wasn't sure how this topic would be discussed through our speaker but I feel like I can look back on this week and understand more about what unhealthy and health boundaries look like, how to maintain them in the change of seasons and that they are ok in first place. It helped me to place a foundation on which to build my own boundaries on. One thing that Craig, our speaker, said that affected the way I think was about which of the Trinity has the ability and power to judge. I've always thought it was God the Father who has this authority, but it actually Jesus who does. Jesus was fully man so he not only has the authority to judge us but he has the understanding of what we are tempted, tried, and suffer with as human nature. This really put this into perspective for me, as it changes the picture on how I see God on his throne and how he's not just sitting up in heaven judging without understanding of what we go through. Ts not that I didn't think he didn't understand but it shows more of how he cares for to have Jesus be the one who sits as a judge.
One Thursday a month, we usually have a base wide prayer and fasting day (P&F), where we all agree to sacrifice eating and drinking (anything but water) for the whole day until dinner. We usually prayer about one larger topic that in more in depth than our normal intercession times. Today (Thursday) was our usual P&F day for this month. We watched the Passion of the Christ in honor of Easter and then we prayed for unreached people groups throughout the world because they don't know about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and them. I found out that there's more YWAM base throughout the world than unreached people groups, in fact theres double the YWAM bases! YWAM LA's goal is to "adopt" one of these people groups in the next season and not only be praying for them, but eventually send outreach teams to these people. Our leadership team at the base is being challenged to be praying about who these people will be and will announce it in the near future. We were then surprised by our director with a Easter feast! Our base closes for the weekend but they wanted us to be able to celebrate as a community.
On Friday, we did a scavenger hunt as a school. We call it Urban Plunge at YWAM LA and we do it in the heart of Downtown LA. It was a great time of bonding as team, and I was surprised at how much I knew the city, yet there are new surprises around every corner! It was challenging as we were encouraged to do "missions" as a team to go out and pray for people and do worship in public as well as complete silly challenges like walk down Hollywood Blvd. with our shoelaces tied together.
I'm happy to be part of this school and I can't wait to see how the next 2 1/2 months bring us even closer as a SOMD Family!
I'm really starting to enjoy blogging! I've been writing, I'm starting to not only see the importance to document my day, but it is helping me process (I'm a external processer by nature) as I write. This week went by really fast. It was a shorter week in the sense that we only had lectures for the first three days rather than having them every weekday morning.
It's crazy how you can meet people through YWAM and feel like you've known them your whole life. We are in such close knit of a community where we eat, sleep, learn and worship all on the same campus, so you get to know each other really quickly. I love it! I love that people from all different backgrounds and cultures come together to learn more about God and how he wants to use us as individuals coming together to be the body of Christ.
Our topic this week was Boundaries. I wasn't sure how this topic would be discussed through our speaker but I feel like I can look back on this week and understand more about what unhealthy and health boundaries look like, how to maintain them in the change of seasons and that they are ok in first place. It helped me to place a foundation on which to build my own boundaries on. One thing that Craig, our speaker, said that affected the way I think was about which of the Trinity has the ability and power to judge. I've always thought it was God the Father who has this authority, but it actually Jesus who does. Jesus was fully man so he not only has the authority to judge us but he has the understanding of what we are tempted, tried, and suffer with as human nature. This really put this into perspective for me, as it changes the picture on how I see God on his throne and how he's not just sitting up in heaven judging without understanding of what we go through. Ts not that I didn't think he didn't understand but it shows more of how he cares for to have Jesus be the one who sits as a judge.
One Thursday a month, we usually have a base wide prayer and fasting day (P&F), where we all agree to sacrifice eating and drinking (anything but water) for the whole day until dinner. We usually prayer about one larger topic that in more in depth than our normal intercession times. Today (Thursday) was our usual P&F day for this month. We watched the Passion of the Christ in honor of Easter and then we prayed for unreached people groups throughout the world because they don't know about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and them. I found out that there's more YWAM base throughout the world than unreached people groups, in fact theres double the YWAM bases! YWAM LA's goal is to "adopt" one of these people groups in the next season and not only be praying for them, but eventually send outreach teams to these people. Our leadership team at the base is being challenged to be praying about who these people will be and will announce it in the near future. We were then surprised by our director with a Easter feast! Our base closes for the weekend but they wanted us to be able to celebrate as a community.
On Friday, we did a scavenger hunt as a school. We call it Urban Plunge at YWAM LA and we do it in the heart of Downtown LA. It was a great time of bonding as team, and I was surprised at how much I knew the city, yet there are new surprises around every corner! It was challenging as we were encouraged to do "missions" as a team to go out and pray for people and do worship in public as well as complete silly challenges like walk down Hollywood Blvd. with our shoelaces tied together.
I'm happy to be part of this school and I can't wait to see how the next 2 1/2 months bring us even closer as a SOMD Family!
Friday, April 7, 2017
SOMD ~ Wk 1
Hey everyone!
It's so good to finally sit down and write my blog more often, like I originally wanted to when I started it. I hope I can keep you all updated in this next season, and that you can see a little more into my daily life here at YWAM LA.
A few weeks ago, I sent out the two outreach teams from the Compassion DTS that I staffed last quarter. I am so proud of all my students and I can't wait to hear all their stories of how God worked in and through their lives in this season. It's only been two weeks, but I already miss them like crazy. I've seen lots of people come and go over the last 3 years since I've been here, but it's different when its the people you've poured into that have left. They come back after outreach in 7 weeks, and I can't wait for them to be back. :)
Last week, I had a week off to spend resting after the school. I enjoyed being home, although it went by way too quickly. I love that I live close to the base so I can go home in my time off and spend it with family. It's funny because when I'm home, it just feels so normal, like I never left but being here at YWAM feels normal too. I love that being at both places feels like home, although I do miss the other place when I'm not there.
I loved that I was home for the Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser that my parents hosted at Amy's Farm last Saturday. They raised money for EveryOne Free, an anti- human trafficking organization and Jonah's Light, a scholarship program for an after school program in memory of a little boy who was killed in a drive-by shooting in a local neighborhood. My parents love to serve and I'm so glad that set that example to me and my brothers.
It's been 4 years since they last hosted one, so I was happy that I could be apart of this one. Since my family is planning on moving to Texas later this year/next year, and I don't exactly know what that means for me, I was happy that I could be there with them.
This week was the first week of SOMD (School of Ministry Development) a leadership training school, here at YWAM LA. I am so excited to be apart of this school as a student, this quarter. I always want to be a consent place of learning more about God and who he created me to be. This week we shared a bit about ourselves to the rest of the school and are getting to know each other.
We are reading through the entire Bible during this school and we have already read through Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus. We are to read it as a small group, or individually, as long as we read each book in one sitting. Our leaders want us to understand the Bible as one story pieced together to help us understand the context in which it was written (who it was written to, what needed to be said to them, when it was written, etc.).Our leaders have been giving detailed introductions to each book to help us understand these things so we aren't reading the Bible "blindly".
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| Here's the School of Ministry Development (SOMD)! I am already so excited to get to know all these wonderful people! |
I am excited to announce that I have received most of my funds for this school! I am still in need of $400 by next Friday, April 14th. I am also planning on attending the outreach that follows this school. My leaders are still planning on a location, so I will keep everyone updated on where that will be once I get more details. I am hoping to raise $3,500 for this outreach.
If you are interested in supporting my financially, please contact me in one of the ways below. :)
I am planning to update this blog every Saturday, during the next three months. Subscribe so you can stay in the loop!
Let's stay in touch! Feel free to contact me at anytime!
Email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Blog: www.offthehookthree28.blogspot.com
Monday, March 20, 2017
Spring 2017 Update
Hi everyone!
Just a quick update. :)
It's the last week of the Compassion Discipleship Training School (CDTS) that I have been staffing over the last three months. It has been quite a learning experience as I helped lead these students to know more about our Creator. I honestly can't believe that it's time for the students to head to their overseas locations at the end of this week. One team is headed to the Philippines and Mexico and the other team is headed to Kenya and Greece. I am so excited for the teams, even if I am not joining them on this trip. I know that God is going to do some incredible thing in and through them.
I am excited to let you all know my plans for this next season! I know I mentioned that I was hoping to join YWAM Long Beach on their trip to Japan, but unfortunately it fell through. I am disappointed that I won't be going back to Japan at this time, but I am excited for what God does have planned. :)
I am going to be doing the School of Ministry Development (SOMD) here at YWAM LA. It is a secondary school of leadership training and many YWAMers attend this school after their Discipleship Training School (DTS) . I have been wanting to this school for quite a while, but it wasn't till recently, that I felt like now is the time for me to take part in it. DTS is great for figuring out one's identity in Christ before sharing it with the world and this school, while as SOMD is helping those figure out how to share with others their identity in Christ on a more long term bases. This school is great for those who may feel called to full time ministry, whether its in YWAM or not and helping them seek God and create realistic goals to achieve it. I am am still trying to seek the Lord on what this looks like for me, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for this next season.
I am in need of finances for this school. Please consider partnering with me as I continue to develop in my calling.
My current goal is to raise $6,350 for this school and outreach.
If you are interested in donating, please contact me at my email below.
The SOMD starts on April 2nd, so I will be going home for Recoup before it starts. If you want to hang out, let me know! I'd love to share more about what I've been up to!
In this next season, I intend to be more intentional about updating this blog. Please subscribe to be updated on my time here at YWAM LA!
Stay in touch! Get a glimpse of my daily life on:
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
FB Messager works great too!
Love and appreciate you all!
Just a quick update. :)
It's the last week of the Compassion Discipleship Training School (CDTS) that I have been staffing over the last three months. It has been quite a learning experience as I helped lead these students to know more about our Creator. I honestly can't believe that it's time for the students to head to their overseas locations at the end of this week. One team is headed to the Philippines and Mexico and the other team is headed to Kenya and Greece. I am so excited for the teams, even if I am not joining them on this trip. I know that God is going to do some incredible thing in and through them.
I am excited to let you all know my plans for this next season! I know I mentioned that I was hoping to join YWAM Long Beach on their trip to Japan, but unfortunately it fell through. I am disappointed that I won't be going back to Japan at this time, but I am excited for what God does have planned. :)
I am going to be doing the School of Ministry Development (SOMD) here at YWAM LA. It is a secondary school of leadership training and many YWAMers attend this school after their Discipleship Training School (DTS) . I have been wanting to this school for quite a while, but it wasn't till recently, that I felt like now is the time for me to take part in it. DTS is great for figuring out one's identity in Christ before sharing it with the world and this school, while as SOMD is helping those figure out how to share with others their identity in Christ on a more long term bases. This school is great for those who may feel called to full time ministry, whether its in YWAM or not and helping them seek God and create realistic goals to achieve it. I am am still trying to seek the Lord on what this looks like for me, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for this next season.
I am in need of finances for this school. Please consider partnering with me as I continue to develop in my calling.
My current goal is to raise $6,350 for this school and outreach.
$325 a month- keeping up with my staff fees to the base
$1,575 - tuition of the school
$3,800- overseas outreach expenses (renewal of passport, plane tickets, housing, transportation, etc.)
If you are interested in donating, please contact me at my email below.
The SOMD starts on April 2nd, so I will be going home for Recoup before it starts. If you want to hang out, let me know! I'd love to share more about what I've been up to!
In this next season, I intend to be more intentional about updating this blog. Please subscribe to be updated on my time here at YWAM LA!
Stay in touch! Get a glimpse of my daily life on:
Instagram: mad_4_mangoes
Snapchat: ichigogirl
email: mad4mangoes1@gmail.com
FB Messager works great too!
Love and appreciate you all!
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