Dream With Me July Newsletter

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DREAM WITH ME AN

Inside

the

UPDATE

FROM

CHRISTA

Issue

MINISTRY UPDATES

UPCOMING PLANS

HOW TO HELP

This is a new season and I wanted

None of the work I do with Youth

to let everyone know what lies

With A Mission is possible

I recently sent out a newsletter

ahead and what dreams God has

without your support. Please

covering what I've been doing

put on my heart for the next few

consider partnering with me to

over the past six months, but I'll

months.

make these dreams become

update you on what's been going

reality!

on since then.

MAKING ROOM I usually don't post newsletters so quickly back to back, but it's becoming more apparent to me that I need to share with everyone all the dreams and goals God has been putting on my heart as of late. If you read my last newsletter, you'll know that I recently finished co-leading my first DTS, which had a focus of Arts & Media. I don't know if I've ever left a DTS feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Usually I finish feeling mentally exhausted and ready to pack my bags and to go stay with the monks on a silent retreat. (This never actually happens, by the way.) This year I ended feeling very tired, but not defeated. After loads of prayer and contemplation, I was very surprised to find God givng me the green light to let go of DTS for a while. The original reason why I joined YWAM was because I had a passion to use media to impact the Kingdom of God, and I think He's redirecting my focus to see that dream reach its fullness. One of my colleagues prayed with me and got a verse that really confirmed what I was feeling. "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. [Proverbs 18:16] So, I'm making room.

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Ministry!

SUMMER 2017

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

12TH OF JULY July 12th is a holiday in Northern Ireland that can be a bit complicated, to put it lightly. To understand it, you really must have some sort of concept of the history of conflict in this land, which most people don't. To summarise, July 12th is the celebration of the Protestants victory over the Catholics in the Battle of the Boyne in the late 16th century. There has been a longstanding conflict between these two groups for ages, and this holiday doesn't seem to usher in any sense of healing or reconciliation. In certain areas of Ireland you will find enormous piles of palettes that are burned in opposition of the other side. While I've seen these bonfires burned from both sides of the conflict, the 12th would've been from the Protestant perspective. I had never seen anything like it. As we prayer walked throughout East Belfast this year, I saw an array of different bonfires with different crude, crass and horrifying statements written all over them. Pictures of politicians with the words "Ginger Minger" wirtten on it, signs saying "F*** the council" (for putting limitations on the height of their bonfires this year) and a coffin with the late Martin McGuinness' face plastered on it are just a few examples of this. MANY do not approve of this behaviour and actually leave Belfast every year during this time, but for those who stay, it really is a troublesome time.

Throughout that day I spent most of the time with YWAM Belfast. We went on prayer walks, had a time of worship and I filmed part of a music video for a local friend who is releasing an album later this year. In fact, his inspiration for the song we filmed for came from his experience the previous year at the 12th of July.

MEDIA PROJECTS

Almost as soon as DTS season ended, the media projects started rolling in. In fact, it was on my week off that I was approached by a friend to help with the photography for their upcoming album. This ended up evolving into designing their entire album case, which was both nerve-wracking and exciting. They're actually a fairly well-known band, which made me a bit nervous since most of my design skills were self-taught, but I think being raised in a creative atmosphere gave me the natural inclination to figure out how to do it. I'm learning more about what I'm capable of as a creative person in this season more than I have in quite some time. Along with the album design project, I was also asked to help another one of my YWAM friends with a music video for his upcoming album as well. Video work is not cheap and I find that one of my biggest ministry contributions comes through donating my time and media skills to people who otherwise couldn't afford it. I have been taking portraits and shooting videos for people to use in their ministry updates and fundraising needs as well. This winter I'll be heading back to South Africa to work on a bigger media project for an NGO my friends are starting in Durban.

Like I said, video work can be extremely expensive, so it's an honour to be able to help them out by flying there and filming it for them, free of charge! I really feel that God has been rekindling my passion for media and opening doors for me to walk in that way more than ever before.

PROPHETIC PRAYER TEAM

OPEN SKIES

I JUST returned from Open Skies yesterday, so this is very recent news! I spent the past few days volunteering in the prophetic prayer tent at Open Skies Festival. Coming from a very traditional background, I often find myself volunteering for this event because it pushes me outside of my comfort zone. Growing up, I hardly even prayed aloud, so it definitely challenges me! One story I wanted to share was about a girl named Abigail. Her aunt brought her to us and she looked pretty freaked out to receive prayer. We asked God to speak to us in words and pictures and I felt like God wanted to affirm the joy in her. After praying into that, I felt the Holy Spirit say it was important to say her full name. She had originally told us her name was Abby, but I asked if her real name was Abigail, and it was. So, I prayed a prayer of protection over her joy by using her full name.

The next day, Will Hart was hosting a seminar and started praying against a spirit of suicide and depression. I could hear his passionate prayer all the way from my tent! My prayer partner happened to be at that very seminar and said Will spoke to the crowd after that, asking about a teenage girl named Abigail. He said she was dealing with depression and God wanted to restore her joy. Abigail was sitting in the audience during that time. It's times like that when I truly realise that God is really speaking through us. It would be hard to argue that was all coincidence. Abigail had an encounter this God this weekend and it came through a simple prayer of joy.

FUTURE FOCUSED WHAT LIES AHEAD? Bear with me, here. I'm a dreamer, so this might look overwhelming at first, but it's all going to be okay. With DTS out of the picture, this frees up a lot of time for me to dream big and I'm going for it! Take a look at some of the bigger upcoming goals I have planned for the remainder of this year!

GALWAY OUTREACH: This month I'll be heading down to Galway with a team of four other people to do a street outreach to my favourite city in Ireland, Galway. While there we will be using video as a tool to reach people on the streets and hopefully bring encouragement and light while also lending a listening ear.

INDIA OUTREACH: I was recently approached by a friend with an opportunity to go back to New Delhi on a staff lead outreach next month. It felt like a door had opened as I've been longing to return to Delhi for some time now, so I've decided to commit to it. The plan is to take two weeks there to visit with previous contacts and also volunteer at Treasure House, a school for street children. I'm open to whatever else God has in store for this trip.

SOUTH AFRICA MEDIA OUTREACH: Big shocker, I know, I'm going back to South Africa! On my last trip there in May I realised there was a greater need for media projects than I had anticipated and decided to return to  make it happen. We will be returning as a small media team to film a promotional video for friends in Durban that are starting up a new NGO. This is the stuff I live for, I can't wait! It'll most likely be a three week trip sometime in December. This will make round 5!

USA VISIT/ VISA RENEWAL: Somehow another two years has past by already and it's time for me to go home to renew my visa at the beginning of the new year. This time I'm aiming to apply for the 3 year visa, which would make way for me to work towards residency eventually. It'll be far more expensive, but I'm having faith that this is what God wants. I feel that one day I'll most likely move to South Africa to do ministry there for an extended period of time, but after incessantly questioning God about His timing, He's convinced me that the time is not now. I believe I have more growing to do here in Northern Ireland before I make that next step. So, I'm faithful to follow!

Let's Make it Official!

WANT TO HELP? NOW IS THE TIME!

I joined staff with YWAM in 2013 with only what I had in my bank account and no certainty that I would have what I needed to make it by. Over the years, god has shown me His faithfulness in both times of little and plenty. Right now, more than ever, I need your help with finances.

WHY, YOU ASK?

One of the biggest reasons would be the significant raise in my rent after being evicted from our house last year.

Living in a village makes housing options pretty limited, and I took a big leap of faith in trusting God for double in what we were paying previously in rent. That means we went from £150 to £300. (around $400) For someone who doesn’t actually make a consistent paycheck, this is an incredibly challenging feat. There are a few faithful supporters that donate to me on a monthly basis, for whom I’m deeply grateful. Without them, I couldn’t get by at all. Right now, I feel God is asking me to be bold in stepping out and asking for help. Being on a volunteer visa and working for a non-profit organisation means that legally I cannot have a paying job on the side. This IS my full-time job. I am a missionary with YWAM and all of my income comes through your support. My biggest need right now is consistent monthly financial support to help pay for my rent and upcoming travel expenses.

Take a look at some of the expenses I’m encountering at the moment:

RENT: $400/ mo.

STAFF FEES: £30/mo + $91 for staff gathering

OUTREACHES: Ireland- $45 for Open Skies volunteer ticket + $50 for upcoming Galway city outreach India- airfare $520 + accommodation/food/travel expenses $650 South Africa- airfare $650 + accommodation/food/travel expenses (TBD) USA- airfare $573 + visa renewal costs $1,545

There are more expenses from outreaches around Ireland that I could list, but I think you get the picture. If you would like to partner with me and be a sponsor, please do not hesitate. In fact, I keep hearing God saying, "THE TIME IS NOW" as I’m writing this. I’m expectant for Him to do something incredible in this new season. Please consider being a part of it. I always try my hardest to bring my supporters into my ministry. Be it through

newsletters, photos or personal coffee dates when I’m in town, I always try my best! Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. All of my contact information is listed below if you’d like to get in touch!

Be Blessed,

Christa Noel Curry

"A man's gift makes room for him

EMAIL

and brings him before the great."

christa.curry@ywamrostrevor.com

WEB faithfultofollow.wordpress.com

PROVERBS 18:16