Blog Change!

Hi friends!

Just so you know I will no longer be updating you on this site any longer. You can find all my current updates at www.stephaniebeth.wordpress.com/blog

You can easily subscribe via email on this site again if you would like. If you have any problems let me know!

Thanks!
Steph

Hi Abbotsford!

Hello once again, friends!

I arrived back in Abbotsford late last night! I have spent the last few weeks back in Biarritz being a part of their summer ministry. It was great to be back in France again after Greece, and experience the busyness of this city in the summer! I would have stayed longer, but I know this time back home will be much needed and important as I raise support to return in September and spend time with my family. 

I was also able to see my parents in Paris a couple weeks ago- and it was a blast! After a few nights in Paris we took a train to Biarritz and they stayed for a few days as well!

My Nikon photos I will need to upload later because of course the airport had to have a mix up with my luggage once again. (3rd time out of 3..) But this time it was actually 40% my fault. ;) But I have some photos off my phone I will share.

The past 6 months back in France have been filled with growth, challenges, and peace. God has taught me more about how to trust him with my life and He has called me to make a 2 year commitment with Ywam. I am so excited for the next two years- I know they will continue to grow me and my faith. God is teaching me to let go of fear and to trust His plan for my life. We can make our own plans, but the Lord really does determine our steps. I had no idea that I would be back in France for this long but I am absolutely thrilled and grateful that God has called me to something greater. I don't know what He is weaving together but I know it is good and I know it will be beautiful.

I am planning on being home until early September and am currently getting things organized on the home front.  I will keep you updated on how things are going, and any fundraising events in the near future. Thank you so much for standing with me and praying for me- especially in this transition time. 

Your support is so appreciated,

Steph

1 PETER 5:

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Lesvos update!

Hello again!

It's been almost 5 weeks being here on Lesvos! Where has the time gone?! I am so grateful for this time here as it comes to an end.

The majority of my time has been spent coordinating volunteers- but I had a chance to go into the refugee camp we have been sending our volunteers in last week! I met some Afghanis, Pakistanis, Iranians Africans, and Syrians- (I had some volunteers who could speak Arabic with me, thankfully!) and I was overwhelmed by their different stories and current situations. My shift "duty" was to be in one of the family compounds. The camp has various .. I would call them metal containers, but different housing for the refugees, but the camp is filling up and more refugees have been coming in than leaving, and there are camping tents set up everywhere. And it is hot. It was 38 degrees during my 8 hour shift- and of course I was able to go home afterwards, take a cool shower, resume my normal life. So it was incredibly difficult seeing the situation these dear people are in and how many of them are stuck there- waiting to get processed and released- which for some is taking months.

In this particular camp, there are over 20 different nationalities all seeking asylum- the total right now is 2,700 people. Being in such close quarters and many of them having experienced high levels of loss and trauma, causes many many conflicts- and there have been numerous riots, fires, and unrest. It is a difficult place to be. I felt the heaviness and the hopelessness along with them as they talked and smoked cigarette after cigarette. One woman with 2 young kids- seemed happy- as I found out through translation, her husband is in Norway and his second wife (who was there with her- and who also had a new baby) will be going to him in Norway as he can only bring one of them. She will now have to figure out a way to raise her kids alone as she tries to get an appointment in Athens. Another family has a missing 10 year old son that they have lost all contact with. One Syrian man had been tortured by IS for 7 months- and had recently gotten an appointment in Athens- but in December. The camp has a section of unaccompanied minors- kids under 18- that are here with no parents and many have come on their own. Very difficult circumstances- and everyone has their own story. There isn't much for the refugees to do on a daily basis- but wait in food lines and try to keep cool under the shade they've made from blankets and tarp. Currently some volunteers are working on getting English classes up and running Monday to Friday, and there are art therapy classes for women that have started this week. The camp definitely needs more long term staff who can run things like TESL and counselling. It's been difficult to keep things like that going. Our volunteers work in the info tent, the clothing tent, and work hard to keep the peace around camp, hand out food, and figure out where new arrivals will stay- which has proven to be most challenging.

Overall it was very hard for me to see all this- and all the negativity and lack of humanity that has gone on in the media and countries closing all doors to these people. Pray for this place! Pray for better systems for these people to get visas faster. Pray for Jesus to make himself known and to make something beautiful out of such a terrible situation. Pray that in their restlessness and hurt that Jesus will meet them.

I have about 4 more days here until I get back to Biarritz! The time has gone by fast but I also feel like I have learned a lot and God has grown me in so many ways. Alice and I had a debrief with a lovely lady from Ywam Harpenden earlier this week and it was great to process the past few weeks. I feel blessed to have been challenged and stretched in this context and having been able to serve to the best of my ability here. But I am really looking forward to a month of summer in France and seeing my parents mid-July as well!

As you know I have also been raising my own funds for the past 5 months of various missions-work/volunteering with Ywam. When I go home I am going to set up a support system specifically for YWAMers from Canada- that makes it really easy to give monthly donations and to get tax receipts- but for now I am just living off the generosity of those who have supported me through PayPal. I am still in need of about 150-200 euros to pay off this trip to Greece, and then 400 euros to get me through my final month in France before coming home to Canada. I love seeing the Lord provide and take care of me- as he has in the past. If you feel like you could support me financially- I would encourage you to ask the Lord. I know so many of you have given, and so many of you have given so much of your time lifting me up in prayer. I thank each one of you- it means so much to me.

Please email me (stephaniebweiss@gmail.com) if you have been encouraged or have any questions about my coordinating work here on Lesvos- and if you would like to give financially you can also email me- or click the PayPal giving option on this blog.

Be blessed, friends!

Stephanie

(My wifi connection is not strong enough to load photos into here- so when I can I will post some pictures of the last few weeks!)

A verse God has specifically given me over my time here:

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up in honor."

June Update!

 Hi everyone!

Sorry it's been so long since I've written an update- it has been an incredible, packed 4, almost 5 weeks! From France we drove to Germany for the conference, stayed there for 2 weeks, and from Germany I flew to Greece for my commitment to coordinate for our base on Lesvos for the refugee crisis. Don't worry, I will explain everything. :) Let's start with being in a small town in Germany hearing from the founders of Youth with a Mission!

The conference was great! There was about 350 people there from around the world- mostly Europe. And our whole base was all together- outreach teams, DTS teams, and base staff. A truly amazing group of people I get to do life with! The days were very full, packed with 3 sessions of lectures per day. We heard many different topics- mostly on the DNA of Ywam and so many stories that really just blew us all away with God's faithfulness and provision. Darleen Cunningham had said that Loren likes to focus on the big picture, David Hamilton on the biblical knowledge and background, and herself on the practical- how we can all apply this to our own lives. So it was great to have them as a trio- and a handful of other speakers, share their knowledge with us. One of my other favorite speakers was Garth Gustafson, an American who has pioneered Ywam Battambang in Cambodia! I was able to meet him and 3 others from base leadership in Cambodia, speak as much Khmer as I could remember- and I am praying for the opportunity to be able to attend another DNA conference that will be held in Battambang next year!

The 2 weeks there went by fast, and soon I found myself on route to Lesvos, along with 2 other guys from staff in Biarritz. So how did Ywam Biarritz get involved in Lesvos and with the refugee crisis in the first place? And what is my role in this? All good questions, friend.

Mytilini Harbor, Lesvos

In October 2015 our base was having a time of intercession and felt that God was calling them to send a team and to get involved in the refugee crisis! Within 24 hours there was a staff team sent, and they got involved in the North of Lesvos working in a camp there and building relationship with other organizations already on the island. Soon we felt to commit to being on Lesvos for 18 months, working to mobilize Ywam teams from around the world. So as we are halfway through our commitment to the crisis now, there have been several individuals on staff sent from Biarritz who have rotated in as "coordinators." Some of our responsibilities include things like presenting Ywam orientations to individuals, coordinating debriefs, communication and logistics with teams before their arrival, airport pick-ups, organizing accommodation, communication with Euro Relief and making sure volunteers have what they need to get into the camp. It's a busy, exciting, never-a-dull-moment kind of job. We attend weekly leaders meetings where organizations on the island meet together and pray and discuss what has been happening in the week. As Ywam we are under Euro Relief and our role is to provide volunteers for them- as an organization they have done some amazing things here and run several refugee camps.

So that is very briefly what Alice and I have got ourselves into. :) Erik and Gerard (the other 2 staff leaders from our base) came with me from Germany to assist in the transition, (as Alice ended up coming about a week later and I was coordinating by myself), to see how things have been going, and to connect back with the base. They've now moved on to Athens and Thessaloniki to scout out further opportunities there and report back to Biarritz.

This is Alice! She is 28 from Australia and did the DTS right after mine back in Biarritz! We did some hospitality on the base together in the first month that I came back on volunteer staff. She came back on staff in January and is working in our music ministry. Love working with her! 

Another aspect of this ministry here is the Next Wave- a Ywam ship that is currently being used as housing for coordinators and volunteers. So yes, I am currently living on a boat off a Greek island. Didn't see that one coming! :) Here are some photos! I believe it can house around 40 people- I think we have around 30 including crew currently on.

The main living space in the boat

The weekly schedule for shifts for people staying on the boat!

The 'Graveyard'- wrecked boats, rafts, and life jackets left on the island.

Molyvos, Lesvos. About an hour drive from Mytilini, where we are staying.

Back in Mytilini on the harbor- our boat is on the opposite side of this shot.

Alice and I have yet to get into the camps on a regular shift as we have been busy coordinating other things for the volunteers, but we are hoping to get a shift in this week. 

Some prayer requests at the moment:

-wisdom and grace for Alice and I in this leadership role

-peace in the refugee camps on the island. There have been several riots lately and volunteers have been evacuated. But there have been more than 30 refugees that have given their lives to the Lord since Euro relief has started the camp- God is definitely moving!

-preparation as we could see a lot more boats coming over again towards the end of June- and the new coordinators from Biarritz will be coming around then.

As for me, I will be coordinating for a little over 3 more weeks here. I will then be back in France for almost all of July, being a part of their summer outreach ministry in Biarritz, and also taking a week off to see my parents that will be coming to France mid-July! We'll spend a few days in Paris and a few days in Biarritz! Then I will be flying back to Canada and I'm looking forward to being there around 2 months, enjoying family, friends, and raising support to continue this amazing adventure that God is leading me on.

I hope this gives you more of an idea what I'm up to here! Thanks always for praying and for supporting me!

Steph

The update of all updates+ EXCITING NEWS!

Hello again from Biarritz!

I have some exciting news to share with you all- a couple of things, actually!

The first thing is that I have committed to staffing here in Biarritz for the next 2 years! So this means I am now on full-time staff, and possibly staffing the next January DTS! I am not sure how exactly I will be serving over the next 2 years, but there are loads of opportunities and I am excited to see how God will use and grow the different gifts he has given me. As I was praying about committing to full time staff, I felt God say that with commitment comes vision, and as I serve and seek him here in France, He will guide me and give me further vision for my own life. Ywam Biarritz is currently pioneering a music ministry, a sports ministry, a ministry for women and children, a surf ministry, looking for a new base, running 3 DTS's per year, and are quite involved with the refugee crisis, sending and coordinating teams. So like I said- LOTS of opportunities to be involved in lots of different areas of ministry. I am excited to see how God will grow me and how he will guide me over the next 2 years!

My other exciting news is...I am going to Lesvos, Greece to help coordinate on the island right after the conference in Germany! It was a last minute decision, one of the leaders here asked me just a few days ago. But the dots are connecting and I will be flying out of Germany directly to Greece and will be there for 5 weeks with another staff. I have heard that it is hard work, but fun and rewarding. A number of people from our base have been doing this work in Lesvos, and we keep sending out different staff members to continue the work there. I have yet to sit down and talk about what I will actually be doing, what my day to day schedule will look like, or even where I am staying when I am there. But I said yes and I trust that God will really bless this trip and give me more of an understanding of this refugee crisis and how our teams are involved there.

All these amazing things are happening and we are getting prepared for this conference and the 2 day drive. But I can't help feeling like I am in a bit of a whirlwind right now- still doing hospitality at the base- picking up different people from the airport, setting up beds, organizing the morning tea for the conference, organizing birthdays, all while trying to mentally start packing for 2 weeks of camping AND 5 weeks in sunny Greece, AND making sure everything I am leaving is packed completely and ready for storage. And we are leaving on Saturday this week. SO much going on but God is GOOD and there is grace!

If you would like to support me financially on my trip to work with the refugees-- (I will give you more information on the specifics of my work when I know more), you can email me (stephaniebweiss@gmail.com) or donate right from this website. There are still a lot of things up in the air, like our flights have not been booked officially, so I am not sure how much money exactly I am in need of. I am going out on a leap of faith that God will provide!

So the next 2 weeks I will be in Germany, the following 5 weeks I will be in Lesvos, I will then return to Biarritz, and in mid-July I will take some time off as my parents are coming to Paris for a couple weeks! So it will be lovely to see them here and I will spend some time with them in Paris, and then we will spend a few days in Biarritz! Then I will be heading back to Canada at the end of July, spend some time with my family, fundraise, possibly work, and hopefully be en route back to France sometime in September.

God is faithful! Thank you for being a part of this with me and supporting me as I follow God and where He leads. I love seeing how the pieces have come together- just a few months ago I had NO idea that I would be traveling to Germany or Greece or even be based in France for the next 2 years! But God had a plan and I can't wait to know Him more intimately and know HIM more. It's easy to get caught up in all we try to DO for him- but it's also so good to take a step back and realize that it really isn't about what we DO for him but really it's about knowing him and walking through life WITH him. What an awesome God to serve- what a privilege!

Keep me in your prayers the next few weeks as these things come together. I don't know if I will have access to wifi at the conference- I have heard that we won't, so your prayers are really appreciated that all these things that need to come together do so smoothly. Prayers for all the vans making it to Germany, and good weather as we are tenting for 2 weeks would also be appreciated! :)

Thank you! God is good!

A recent photo of (some of) our staff + an outreach team fom Switzerland after a barbecue at the lighthouse!

DNA Conference, Bad Blankenburg, Germany!

Hello again friends and family! I hope you are all doing well.

I have the amazing privilege of attending this DNA conference in Germany from May 8th to 20th. The founders of Ywam are speaking there, and we are driving there as a base, as I have mentioned before. This is a really unique opportunity to hear from these incredible people and to travel together to Bad Blankenburg.

I have also been asked to help plan out morning tea and snacks for 300-400 people there every morning during the conference with one of my leaders. Growing and learning in multiple ways while I am there. :)

I am still trusting for a little over $500 CAD to cover the travelling expenses, accommodation, and the conference itself. I would be so happy if you feel led to give towards this opportunity. Feel free to email me, stephaniebweiss@gmail.com, if you have any questions, or if you would like to give. You can also use the convenient "Donate" option to the right of this blog page.

(http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1f29a38807302b84e44bbe8d5&id=9bb13cbe65)

"There is a simple truth about DNA: it is least altered the closest to its source of origin. DNA Infusion in Bad Blankenburg, Germany will be led by one of “the originals,” Darlene Cunningham, the co-founder of Youth With A Mission. And the other “original,” YWAM Founder Loren Cunningham, will be the other primary speaker! This is a wonderful blessing, as Loren is not able to be at all of the DNA events Darlene leads. David Hamilton, University of the Nation’s Vice President for Strategic Innovation, will be the third primary speaker. He also has an outstanding history of YWAM leadership, pioneering and innovation that spans more than three decades. David, Darlene and Loren are a wonderful trio of leadership wisdom."

I really appreciate the financial support as I really feel I am here as God has led me. It is growing me a lot to trust in His provision through the generosity of others. I pray that He will bless you one hundred fold from your generosity towards supporting me. It means so much.

Thank you! 

a new quarter begins!

Hi everyone!

I Wanted to share some photos of Biarritz I took a couple weeks ago! I love this place so much.

The music students have all arrived and have already started class and are currently learning about the nature and character of God taught by our base leader, Dan Appa. I have been enjoying leading hospitality! Some days I am needed to pick guests up at the airport, other days I am baking for the whole base, or organizing different events. It's a job that keeps me on my toes and challenges me to stay on top of things. I also get to be creative - which I love.

Next month our whole base will drive to Germany to attend a Ywam conference! Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With a Mission, as well as other well known speakers will be there. The January DTS is meeting us there, the Music DTS will come along, and all the staff as well! It will be an amazing time together and a rare opportunity to hear from Loren Cunningham and other well known speakers in the Ywam world. Also I am pretty sure that we are camping while we are there- so it is going to be quite the adventure. :) 

Another cool thing is that I have started an online Relational Fundraising course with Ywam E-Learning. It is designed for new missionaries who are starting to raise support and to give them the skills and the knowledge on how to do it well. I'm thankful for this resource- I haven't finished it yet- but I am working on it in my spare time. 

Thanks for praying for me!