United with Dan on a Mission

The next season

During the Discipleship Training School there was a change in my financial standing and support, so for the 2 week midterm outreach in Belfast, I made the difficult decision to skip that and try to do some fundraising. It was also a recommendation by the base leadership. Amongst other things, I produced a showpiece video which I hoped would be effective in showcasing and encouraging others to support my work. [Mission’s Showcase Link] Unfortunately it has yet to produce a reliable change. So during the outreach I started making plans to do a “summer job” to save up money to continue my ministry, in the same way Paul was a tentmaker to support his ministry. I felt it would be a good idea to get experience in teaching English in a formal setting rather than casually like before. It would add to my ministry tools and help me know if it’s something in which I could actually function well. I first looked into Thailand as an option but did not feel peace about it. By the grace of God, He made a way for me to teach in the ELS School at YWAM Worcester from July through to December. I found out that I had done the FCM school in 2021 alongside those currently running the language school, which I felt was not just a coincidence. Feeling confident that this was God ordained, I asked for a meeting with the base leadership upon return from outreach.

The meeting, which took place about 3 days after getting back, did not go at all the way I expected. They wanted to know what my priorities were at present, to which I replied: “the student ministries in Glasgow, and partnerships with local churches” (seeing as DTS was almost done for now). Together it became apparent that my vision was diverging from that which the base is equipped to support me in. I struggled to understand that, as the autonomy I had functioned in before was not as acceptable in the UK, largely for legal reasons. Therefore my ministries not being seen as ministries in YWAM’s field of influence is difficult to explain if anyone from government came to inspect YWAM and their activities. I found it really sad and frustrating as many of my ministries can happen because of YWAM, or are enriched because of my presence there.” It also brought to mind that I had received many words, warning me that YWAM is a vehicle, a tool for God and ministry, it’s not an identity. “Do not get stuck as a YWAMer”. Eventually it was suggested that after I leave for the ELS in Worcester, I would need to reevaluate (if my vision still alines with YWAM) and then reapply in order to return in January 2024. It was hard to accept (despite making sound sense), as half of the reason I was initally doing the ELS was to help support my ministry in Scotland with YWAM. The implication of this would mean losing my UK visa and NHS, etc. (which is currently still valid for another year) I had not planned for this to happen which implied change to a number of my perspectives and motivations. Difficult indeed, but the joy of the Lord was with me and it didn’t phase me as much as it could have. 

I was  also invited to co-teach Holy Spirit week at a DTS in Japan. At first I didn’t really think it could work, as I would need to travel within two weeks. I would never get a visa in time, plus I couldn’t afford it financially. I mentioned during the meeting with leadership that this opportunity for Japan had come up. They know about my passion for Japan and that I’ve wanted to go there since 2011. I also shared that I wanted to learn to give lectures on DTS weeks, and that I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for that. There were so many great opportunities wrapped up in a few days in Japan, so I asked for their thoughts and input on it. They were concerned for me finacially, as they did not want me to pickup debt that would be a struggle later on. We also finalised that I’d be leaving for South Africa in June and that my ‘work’ with the base would end in May, giving me time to ‘wrap-up’, pack and say goodbye. That evening I discovered that from the UK, I had an E-visa option for Japan that would take only 5 days. I started a ‘GoFund me’ page to help “make Japan happen”, and as I needed aeroplane tickets prior to applying for the visa, I prayed, asked people that I trusted, and felt it was a go ahead from God. A means became available to get the tickets and proceed to apply for the visa. 5 days processing time would mean that I’d get the visa about 2-3 days before the flight. Then issues came up with the visa and they asked for extra documents and information not stated online, which delayed the process. This meant that if it took 5 days, I would only receive the visa on the day of my flight. I became nervous and wondered if I should postpone my flight a day or 2, but that would cost a lot more. I prayed, and then felt I had full confidence that it was God’s will, and that He would make a way. Then to my utter surprise, the visa was processed in just ONE day!! I was so happy!! I  couldn’t contain it! I told everyone what God had done, and how He had made a way for me to go to Japan. Firstly that my friend got invited to teach in Japan, secondly it that he would think to invite me to assist him, thirdly to find “cheap” flights and a means to buy them (most were about 1600 Pounds and I got mine for 800) when it seemed nearly impossible to get the finances and totally impossible to get the visa in time; then there were also the complications related to covid and PCR tests, but the fact that God had worked all of this out was as if He had parted the Red Sea for me to go to Japan. 

I was so excited about the wonderful opportunity that had come up. All I wanted to do was celebrate God’s goodness and get as many people to celebrate it with me. God had made it possible for me to go and had taken care of all my concerns. Nothing could steal from the joy and opportunity God had prepared. I was gratefully encouraged by the love and support I got from everyone at the Bridge Church in Kilwinning, it was really special for me and added a whole new level to my appreciation for them.

Regardless, within a few hours I was off, and a great journey began. Everything went smoothly from the PCR test, to the night bus, to the aeroplane to arriving in Tokyo. From there it was a little challenging but I managed with my Japanese and connected the dots to reach my hotel. Over the following days God blessed me with many incredible experiences and conversations. In the first two days there, my Japanese ability grew so much that it felt unfair compared to all the work I had put in before. Japan turned out to be everything that I had hoped it would be. I got to meet with a “language exchange partner” friend that I have known for 13 years but had yet to meet in person. That was one of the most incredible days of my life! I ended up in places that I doubt many foreigners would ever get to, and brought ‘Light’ to these dark corners. The following day I made my way to the YWAM base in Yokohama. On the way there, I had a ‘movie scene experience’ where I dropped my phone, and it fell between the train and the platform – about 6m down. I ran to find one of the station staff to help me, only to discover that someone had seen what happened and was already explaining it. Both the station staff and ordinary commuters were extremely helpful, and able to retrieve my phone. Praise God! It didn’t even have a scratch! I thoroughly enjoyed being amongst these people. 

Then it was time for the week’s lectures to begin… My friend and I had prayed for ‘words’ and ‘encouragement’ for the students and staff. For me this usually involves getting a picture, seeing a vision, or hearing the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. On Monday we shared them with everyone present. We had not shared the words with each other before, but they aligned so well for each person. The rest of the week I was blown away as I began to get to know the students and staff and saw how accurate those words actually were. There were a lot of incredible things happening during the week, but I wish to tell of two specifically. One evening we went to Ofuna. While there, we encountered some guys playing guitar, so we decided to talk to them, and play guitar with them, and then ask if we could pray for them (that God would mark them and encounter them). After that I asked if they recommended a restaurant to which they took us. We offered to buy them dinner and had incredible conversations. The next morning we found out that +/- 30min after we left, one of our students met the same two. His Japanese was much better than mine, and he shared the gospel story with them. We found out that they live in Hongodai, which is really close to the base, so they were invited to a community evening. It was incredible to see the fruit of God answering our prayer for these guys, and how incredible it was that one of our students would be the means that God would use to reach them! Another story involves an incredibly shy Japanese girl, who spoke little and used a mask to hide her face. Timid and soft during the week, I felt the Holy Spirit say I should encourage her to speak, to not let the enemy silence her, that her voice has power and I proceeded to pray with her. Over the next 2 days she made incredible progress and by the end of the week had changed so much. There was a whole new light in her eyes, more joy, more voice and she even ended up praying for someone who got healed! Holy Spirit is so awesome! This was a week of teaching on Holy Spirit, but Holy Spirit was so present and active, that we were really just facilitating. 

All of that was incredible, but has come to an end now. I arrived back in Scotland a few days ago and had to get back into things. I am trying to navigate this tricky space of ‘my time here’ coming to an end, while still being 100% present. I am trying to be positive and fully engaged while still here. Yet there is hope, as it seems a lot has happened while I was in Japan. They seem to be working on a model of structure for staff in the future that will have different departments for people to take ownership of, instead of expecting everyone and anyone to jump in and fill stuff wherever required. I am incredibly encouraged by this and believe it marks the starting point for a season of great increase. Outside of YWAM I hope to find people before I leave, that can replace me in the ministries that I’ve been engaged in. God has been amazing in providing potential candidates when needed. Many may do a better job in those areas than what I did in anycase. I am hopeful for the best. I do have one major thing to look forward to, my roommate from my DTS in 2018 is coming to visit in a few days. Then come June I will start preparing for my departure… For how long, only God knows. Though my heart is troubled by leaving, I am full of faith and expectation for the next season…. Bitter-sweet moments… All in all it’s a reminder to stay focused on God, are our motivations pleasing people or pleasing God? Psalm 37 really spoke to me recently and motivated me to steel myself and look to the next season God has prepared. Let’s not miss out on what He has in store for us. Lets keep building His kingdom here.