Hello Friends and Happy new year!
I am aware that it is about half way through
the month, but I still am exciting for all the new things God wants to do in
this new year!
Well the second and third week of December I
took some time off- I got to explore Perth a bit more, got to paint and rest
which was really nice! I really enjoyed having slow mornings, and the freedom
to sit in the library or to travel on the train to new stores.
Beginning of November I had officially been on
staff with YWAM Perth for a year which was exciting! It has been a very full
year of new things, some rough moments, but I am so thankful for God’s
faithfulness and provision inside discipleship, finances, and friendship.
Well with being on staff for a year I’ve also
been doing the ministry development school (MDS) for a year- it’s such a great
school with very practical skills that will serve not only the ministries I am
in, but also myself, schools, and the people I get to work with. So far we have
covered- working in a ministry team: what does good team work look like and how
to build relationships with people in different ministries and backgrounds; communicating
to a variety of people; how to share vision; making presentations; working in a
Christian community; public speaking; prayer; worship; spiritual warfare, and evangelism.
I think it’s so amazing to have so many topics
taught by people with stories and experience of deep relationship with God but
also the “this worked” and “this didn’t work…at all” moments.
The week I came back from holidays was Christmas
week, there was a little bit of working on projects for Australian Mercy Relief
Services for 2021. But also got to help set up for Christmas and celebrating
with 300+ of our dearest and nearest friends and family in Australia. I also
got to bake 8 carrot cakes with cream cheese filling and frosting and they came
out so beautifully. I really miss baking sometimes (my house doesn’t have an
oven so I miss baking at different times).
On Christmas day we opened presents as a house
and had a lovely breakfast together, and then at 12:30 we gathered for lunch
and some games. In Australia we celebrate boxing day after Christmas by going
to the beach- it was high 90’s to 100 degrees most of the week which made the
beach more enjoyable. (unfortunately the high temperature means very HIGH
chances of getting sunburned at the beach if you’re there for more then two
hours even if 50spf sunscreen is applied- I got a light sunburn, but thankfully
my friends have aloe 😊)
New year
As a base we rang in the new year with another
beach day and some intense cleaning days. Which helped get the base into the
spirit of new things and preparation for what is to come. As this new year
comes, we’re in hope that the boarders will open and we will be able to run international
schools again in person!
Until the borders open we’re continuing to run
seminars and schools
online, as healthcare we have a huge heart for seeing medical professionals
trained up with discipleship tools but also being encouraged as they work long
hard jobs that they are a light to everyone they come in contact with. So the 1st
of February we will be running the Missions equip Seminar (MES)
specifically for medical professionals. We have our base founder, base leader
and an incredible doctor speaking on different topics for three weeks- and its
lead by our fantastic healthcare leader and founder, Kathy Kennedy.
I’m also still part of the staff that will be
staffing the Birth
attendant school but until boarders open or are announced that’s a bit on
hold. I’ve also been working with the Primary Health Care school for the accreditation
with the Australian government, along with ARMS and going on cases and helping
it get ready for a large city fundraiser for it.
Testimonies!
- Tree climbing
I was taking a walk in one of the lovely parks
in the area an I climbed a tree because it looked lovely. When I came down some
local aboriginals were walking by the path and were a little surprised to see
someone coming down from a tree. I started chatting to one of them, she had the
same name as one of my friends, and I had the name of her daughter, I mentioned
I was a follower of Jesus. She said she grew up in a Christian home, and
immediately turned to her friends and said “this is my partner, Steve*, Steve show
her your leg, she’s a Christian she is going to pray for your leg.” I had not
mentioned prayer, I hadn’t mentioned being in healthcare or anything else.
After praying for his leg, he was more alert and said his leg was feeling much
better, and his partner opened up about her life and a lot of very hard
experiences. I was able to listen and was able to point her back to God with
how she handles and processes those situations. It was amazing that climbing a
tree started a whole conversation about Jesus and even created the intersection
for “Steve” to get healed.
*Steve is a replacement for the real name.
- Hindu bible study
One Wednesday morning, as a ministry we got into
groups and went on evangelism. My group felt to go to a park quiet close to a
Maccas* and the word of hope and to approach people who look like they have it
all together. We got there and started prayer walking around the park waiting
for God to highlight someone. We noticed a young lady and approached. She was
in university studying nursing and Hindu. When we tried mentioning Jesus/God,
responded as many Hindus would and said that she believed that they were all
connected and part of the same thing. So we asked if she had any questions
about following Jesus, and she said that she wanted to know when/how Christians
said God made Himself know to people and why we thought He was the only God. We
sat down and had a bible study on Genesis 1. She said it answered her question
and actually gave her a lot to think about. We ended up having to leave but she
had the bible app on her phone and my phone number which was exciting- very
much hoping for follow up meeting and more bible studies.
*Aussie McDonalds
- MDS testimony
Like I mentioned above as a ministry we go out
for evangelism, but also in side our ministry development school we go over different
topics and this year one of the topic was evangelism and being able to use
testimonies and share the gospel during evangelism conversations. I was trusting
for one of those opportunities to come, me and Becca went on evangelism on one of
the last days possible, and got red and yellow as what to look for when doing
evangelism. We found a quiet shop with a young gentlemen- the shops colors were
red and yellow and I got to share the whole gospel to him and even share parts
of my testimony basically hitting everything in a very natural way. It was so cool,
he got to hear the gospel for the first time and I got my homework done through
the grace of God.
Prayer points
This year I’m hoping to be able to go on outreaches
and for that I’m trusting for regular monthly supporters, trusting for more energy-
even with taking a break the holidays took quiet a bit of energy and the
process of getting ready for more- I really want to go into the new year well.
I just wanted to thank you so much for how you
have prayed for me, supported with encouragement, and given financially. It’s
been incredible to be able to finish this year with so many new friends
Love you guys!
Joannah Zimmerman
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