Hey everyone!

Wow! So much has been going on!

Remember the medical ship I told you about last time?  That ship, named the Pacific Link,was actually the third ship in YWAM New Zealand's ship ministry.  They bought the ship, really trusting God to provide, and then felt to call the give the ship to YWAM Australia.  Imagine you start a ministry you were called to by God, pour your time, support-raising, vision and everything into this, and then God tells you to entrust it to someone else.  They wrestled with it for a long time, but finally gave in.  They gave YWAM Australia this multi-million dollar gift.  This has become a marriage between YWAM Australia and New Zealand, and active relationship where exchanges happen consistently.  We've become a family.  Well, this weekend, the exchange finally happened.  On Sunday, we had the official ceremony of handing over the ship right here on our base.  They are having what they call the "Ship Summit."  This week, they are all meeting together in order to really hash out the vision for this ship in Australia.  God obviously has a purpose for this transfer of ownership, and they are spending a lot of time discerning God's plan.  A lot of men and women who have been in YWAM for years are here, and it's really neat to see them and be able to talk to them.  The ship recently went on a 26 day mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG).  The statistics of how many people they reached are just awesome. As soon as the video with all of that information is able to be released, I'll post it up here so all of you can see.  It'll give you a good picture of that ministry.

This past Saturday, we had Youthstreet again.  Sometimes they have a theme, this week it was "dress like your mum."  No, I didn't dress like my mother, but I did dress like a mother.  It was a blast! Also, it was "Youthstreet's Got Talent" night.  They had about 10 acts, and it was a lot of fun.  One of the guys in one of the schools here did a Justin Bieber impersonation, going by the name of Bustin Jieber. I think everyone had side stitches from laughing so hard.

Over the week, we learned a lot about what it means to "fear the Lord."  We went over exactly what it is, why we should, and how to get to it.  So many people started a journey to freedom at the end of the week, choosing to pursue God, breaking the chains of fearing man, seeking forgiveness, and so many other things. God was really at work in a lot of people's hearts, the Spirit was moving, and Jesus was glorified.  It was amazing.  This week, the topic is "Father Heart of God." We'll see what is in store!

Seeking God,
Nikki

Daily movements...

Hey everyone!


I thought it would be cool to share with some of the things I get to see and experience daily here.   


One of the highlights of my day is just seeing the beauty of this place.  I know this will make all of you back home pretty envious with winter around the corner...but I just can't help it.  Check out some of the flowers and trees right here on base...

Beautiful huh?


I also want to share with you guys some of the things that are happening around the base here.  On Friday, the Mercy Ship came home.  The Mercy Ship is a ship that goes to Papua New Guinea with medical care and supplies.  They go to the rural villages that can't be reached by land and bring the care that the people can't normally receive it, everything from teeth to eyes to delivering babies. They also bring the message of Jesus with that care.  It's a pretty amazing ministry, and the statistics of how many people they've reach are just awesome.  I'm actually not allowed to release any of those yet, but once they come out to the public, I'll let you guys know.  Anyway, we had the privilege of welcoming home the ship.  Here are some pictures of that awesome time...

We made a lot of noise, and had a delicious barbecue afterwards too.  It was a great time of welcoming home our brothers and sisters in Christ, along with all their stories of God's faithfulness on their trip to PNG.  I'm a part of it now, and you're a part of it too.  It's so exciting!  


Another really cool thing that goes on here is this youth program called Youthstreet on Saturdays. It's basically this off-the-hook crazy awesome time of teenagers learning about God.  It starts out with Youthstreet teams - each crew member (kid) is put in a team, everything from music to art to skate to sports, and they spend time learning things in that area.  The music team learns a song while the skate team goes to a skate park and recruits crew to come to Youthstreet and everything else.  Then, after feeding them, there is this program called Youthstreet live.  There is a live band and a speaker every week.  Most of these kids are unchurched, but they come back week after week and are just pumped up with the message of Christ and a lot of love.  My job is security.  Don't laugh...everyone else does when I tell them my role.  It's just a great time.  I'll get pictures to all of you as soon as I can.  


That's all for now! 


Excited and growing,
Nikki

Worshiping with the Nations

Hey everybody!


I wanted to share with all of you a really neat experience that I have every time I go to a worship service here.  I have the opportunity to worship alongside people from all over the world, and it's one of the most powerful and moving things I've ever been blessed to experience.  Yesterday, worship in the morning consisted of everyone from the base - staff to students.  At the beginning, they called up everyone who speaks English as a second language and a representative from every country present.  They lined up in the front and passed the microphone, each person giving a shout-out to God in their native language or accent.  There had to have been 25 different people, each speaking out to God in a different language or accent.  Hearing someone shout out in African, to Swedish, to Spanish, to French, to Japanese in worship to God was such a beautiful sound.  Directly following that, we sang "He Reigns" by the Newsboys.  Here's a clipping of those lyrics:

It’s the song of the redeemed

Rising from the African plain

It’s the song of the forgiven

Drowning out the Amazon rain

The song of Asian believers

Filled with God’s holy fire

It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation

A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing

Glory, glory, hallelujah

He reigns, He reigns

It’s all God’s children singing

Glory, glory, hallelujah

He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds

Caught up in the heavenly sound

Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals

To the faithful gathered underground

Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation

Some were meant to persist

Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples

None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness

Tremble at what they’ve just heard

‘Cause all the powers of darkness

Can’t drown out a single word

If you get a chance to listen to the song, go for it, and imagine singing it alongside nations all over the world.  It was one of the most powerful things I've experienced in song.  Just the thought that despite any differences - in language or culture - we are completely united in our love for Christ and the movement of His Spirit.  Simply awesome.

Just some extra snippets.  As part of our training, we have a work duty every day Monday through Friday that we have to complete.  I am a floor-cleaner, and two hours of my day will be mopping tiled floors. I'm actually looking forward to it - I'll get a good arm work-out and get some great time to just worship in service.  It's really neat to really feel like part of the family - everyone has a role to play and is necessary for the base to function as our home.  I also met my small group leader who I will have a one-on-one with once a week.  Her name is Esther, and she has already been so encouraging and spoken so much truth into my life.  If you guys could really remember her in your prayers, that would be really appreciated.  If anything specific comes up in regards to her, I will let you know.  Also, I played rugby for the first time, and it is a blast!  It's not really anything like football, and I think I enjoy playing it more than I do playing football.  I know I know, I'm a traitor!  But truly, it is some of the most fun I've had in my time here so far.  That's all for now.  Thanks for reading!

Finally settling into normalcy,

Nikki 

Orientation Week...

Hey Mates!

Ok, so they don't actually say that as much as you think they do.  A word they do use a lot? Heaps.  "That was heaps fun!" Also, they call McDonald's "Maccas."  Ok, enough lessons on Australian lingo. :)

Orientation started on Sunday.  It was really simple - just a quick outlining of house rules since we're living in community, and then registration, and worship.  Then yesterday was a little more intense.  We started the day with quiet time, and then more worship. From there, we went to the lecture setting and went over guidelines and such.  It's been pretty low-key so far, and I've really spent the last couple days really getting to know the people around me.  In my DTS, I hear accents from Canada, Japan, England, Ireland, Australia, Southern USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, and New Zealand.  I've also talked to people from Austria and South Korea.  The range of pronunciations and lingo is simply awesome.  I'm learning so much about all those cultures as well as the culture of Australia itself.  It's been so educational, and so much fun.  You should hear a British man imitate an American accent.  It's so great!

I've found myself already so challenged by God, and we haven't really started into real lectures or outreach yet.  He really found a way to break me down: sending me across the world all alone where I don't know anybody.  I've found myself having to lean harder than ever on the strength He promises to provide if I simply trust.  I can't imagine how much more I am going to be challenged and pushed over this time.

Some fun new experiences so far have been; eating kangaroo (no, it's not like chicken), hearing the entire array of Disney Classic songs sung in French, knowing that when someone from the UK says "Are you ok?" they actually mean "How are you?", seeing a gigantic fruit bat, holding Australian money (which is so much prettier), and seeing the sun rise in the west.  I'm sure many MANY more are to come.  I can't wait to see what happens!

Being educated more than ever,
Nikki

Here.

Hey everyone!

I have so much to tell you! It's been crazy, exhausting, stressful, challenging, and overall a growing experience...and that was just the travelling.  Oh boy.

For those of you who aren't aware, this was my first flying experience.  Before I knew it, I was hugging my family and feeling terrified of the daunting security line that I was about to go through to get on my first flight out of Newark.  I had this horrible feeling: loneliness.  I went in a line, not knowing if I was right or wrong.  But just as I weighed how logical my position was, the woman behind me started talking to me, thus opening the door to ask her questions.  She assured me, talked me through security, and then I never saw her again.  Perfect timing.  Travelling companion number 1. I then got on the plane, and had a whole row to myself.  The 6 hours seemed long, but not too long.  I was able to sleep and watch the end of The Blindside, and I was feeling pretty good when I got to LAX.  I found my gate with no problem, and even made some really light conversation with this nice guy about my age who was in pajama pants.  Upon boarding the plane for a long 14 hours ahead, I sat next to two women, one college-aged and very talkative.  She had flown to Australia several times before, so she knew the ropes.  Anyway, the 14 hours that followed were the most uncomfortable hours of my life.  I slept maybe a total of two hours, watched at least 3 movies, listened to 3 complete soundtracks, and enjoyed very little.  The moments I enjoyed were looking out the window and not having to look up to see stars...just looking out.  It was pretty awesome.  And then watching the sunrise from above the clouds.  It was a completely different perspective, and one I don't think I'll soon forget.  Awesome is the only way to describe it.  

And these don't come close to bringing this aspect of God's creation to justice.  

As the flight ended, I was exhausted, but the process of customs was about to come as Brisbane.  The baggage claim took more patience than I could muster in the physical condition I was experiencing, and the lines were so long.  Remember that talkative girl? I ran into her at just the right times, passing in the line as it zig-zagged back and forth and just when I was doubting the most that I was in the right place at the right time.  She assured me I'd make my flight and eased some of my worries.  Travelling companion number 2.  I raced through the airport, the departure for my flight  coming sooner than I would have preferred as a newby to flying.  They took me to the front of the baggage check, and made it to the terminal as the flight was loading.  Only two hours more until I finally arrived in Townsville.  Finally.  But it was only too good to be true.  We sat for a while, then were told they were having technical issues and it would be delayed half and hour...no big deal.  Then they told us it would be a good hour and a half and let us off the plane to wait.  As I was waiting, I ran into the guy with the pajama pants again.  He asked me if I was a YWAMer.  Yes, he was one too. He's doing the school of music in missions at the same time I'm doing the DTS.  We talked about YWAM, I asked questions about what to expect.  He told me when he saw me in LAX, and knew thought I looked like a YWAMer...whatever that means.  Then he pointed out a guy on my flight who is also going to YWAM on the staff leadership internship and I took note of what he looked like.  My flight boarded again.  We sat for an hour...then they filed us off again, and told us the plane was not serviceable and they'd arrange other flights for us.  Great.  I didn't know what to do...I needed to get ahold of YWAM and let them know that I'd be really late to the airport.  The YWAM guy was transferred to a flight that had really limited seats and was leaving right away.  I had no idea what was going to happen.  So, right after said YWAM guy left, they announced that the original plane was serviceable.  By that point, over half of the people had left, so I had 3 seats to myself.  The plane was 5 or 6 hours later than scheduled, but was the most comfortable 2 hours I had spent in a while.  As soon as we were in the air, I was sleeping, stretched out over a whole row of seats.  And they fed us.  That was good too.  

We landed in a beautiful town, mountains, tropical trees, warm breeze.  As soon as I got into this blessedly small airport, I saw the YWAM guy who got on the plane before me.  Amen! If he was there, that meant that someone would be there to pick him up.  I said hi and introduced myself, and we talked non-stop until the person came to get us.  It really cheered me up.  I was ready to go.  We piled into a van with a bunch of staff and students, did a double take when the steering wheel wasn't where I thought it was, and then we were off. A couple minutes and we got there.  They showed me around, fed me, and then gave me the evening to myself. 

I think I was introduced to at least 50 people and I remember maybe a total of 5 names.  I spent the evening unpacking my stuff and trying to get internet to work on my computer unsuccessfully.  I was starting to stress out.  It's crazy how vulnerable you are to Satan's attacks when you're running on only a four hours of sleep over the past 36 hours.  I really wanted to talk to home, and had trouble not breaking down when I couldn't spend all the time I wanted talking.  Thank goodness, a girl let me use her computer so I could make sure the family knew I was safe.  I went to bed worried, frustrated, and overwhelmed, and officially knowing the meaning of jet-lag.  I woke up somewhat refreshed, hopeful, and with the internet.  Learning to completely lean on God is becoming a daily habit.  I have to remind myself constantly about His faithfulness.  This experience is going to stretch me further than I've ever had to reach before.  I'm going to be made uncomfortable and pushed out of the safety of my identity as Nikki Keister.  I got through phases of excitement and dread for this transformation that I know is going to happen.  But God's got me.  I'm here, so I can only pray the He works the way He wants in my heart.  It all starts on Sunday, this journey with God that I know won't leave me unchanged.  Here we go.

Jet-lagged but content,

Nikki

Preparing to Fly

Hey Everyone!
This is the day before I fly for the first time. Yes, a little nervous would be one way to describe how I'm feeling, but only about navigating the airport. My dad keeps telling me that he's seen how God has a funny way of providing a traveling companion, so that's been my prayer.

Everything is in line and I have almost all I need. It's been simply awesome to see God provide. The truth of Psalm 37:4 has become such a reality to me over these last couple months of preparation. "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart."  I've found that even if I don't ask God for something because it seems too small or kind of selfish, He's been providing it.  For example, I love music and listening to music, and always kind of thought "Wow, it would be so cool to have one of those nifty iPods or something."  I always settled for little $15 MP3 players from Wal-mart that broke in a matter of weeks and never planned to spend any money on anything more than that.  But then a friend of mine sent me a text message: "Hey Nikki.  Do you have an iPod?"  Long story short, I was given an iPod touch.  The friend who gave it to me didn't have to pay anything either.  It was incredible!  I never prayed for it, never asked for it, but I believe with all my heart that God provided it, and the friend who gave it to me would say the same thing.  Just recently, I'd been looking for a good daily devotional to take along, and that was provided.  Also, for a journal that I could record things in, and that was provided.  I never asked...but they were given.  It's awesome.  God's faithfulness is huge.  I've also seen Him come through in prayer.  I never thought raising the money would be possible, but ended up with $8,442 as of last week.  Such an answer to prayer! Thank you to everyone who gave, in money or prayer.  Thank you for letting God use you.  Thank you for your commitment to His calling.  

With mounting excitement,

Nikki