Issuu

“Displaying God’s heart through the Arts!”

A Full Sail Ministries Newsletter

THE LUDLOWS Winter 2013

Issue No. Forty-Four

www.fullsail.org

“Jesus has revealed the Father and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known.” John 1:18 (Amplified) What a profound thought. Jesus coming to earth in human form – taking on flesh and moving into the neighborhood (John 1:14 Message). He was God’s way of unveiling Himself to us, His way of showing us Who He really is. Jesus is God speaking our language – of interpreting Himself to us! Whoa! And here’s another profound thought. “God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us!” (II Corinthians 5:19-20) From the moment we surrender our hearts to Jesus, God puts His Holy Spirit inside us to continue His ministry of unveiling His heart to the world! Just think of it!! Everywhere we go, we have a part in interpreting God to the world! Oh! It has been inspiring to see God doing just that, whether in Thailand or Tulare, CA, Africa or Azusa Pacific University! Following is a report of some of what we’ve seen and heard in the last few months!

I N S I D E INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Special Thailand Report

Deep Calls to Deep Tulare Community Church -‐ Tulare, CA

PRAYER - PRAISE - NEEDS

CASTING VISION a look ahead Family U p d a t e

THANK YOU!

Full Sail Ministries, PO Box 1772 Visalia, CA 93279 | 559.627.8202 | www.fullsail.org

THANK INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

The Mission Once again, God put together an amazing team for our “To Thailand with Love Outreach, 2013” - 19 individuals with the perfect combination of personalities, giftings, and call to meet the needs of this particular outreach. The unity we experienced was precious and we were delighted with a deep sense that in every concert, every conversation, God was literally unveiling Himself to the people of Thailand, making Himself known through this unique group of people.

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We held concerts in schools, a juvenile detention center, a women’s prison, markets, a slum area, the local university, a hospital cancer ward, and on the street in front of the missionaries’ store front church. Many individuals responded to the love of God, many heard the Gospel for the very first time, and many new relationships were formed.

We were able to provide for our Phuket missionary friends a new drum kit, four guitars, and even some needed tweaking and repairs to the old sound system we donated during our last trip. We were also able to give a new CD player to the women’s prison, and a large quantity of sports equipment to the Juvenile Detention Center. All of these will be used for further ministry long after we’re gone.

It is our desire to be a “shot in the arm” for the full-time Christian workers and missionaries. Through worship in English, team devo times, lots of laughter, quiet moments to share hearts, and ears listening to God in prayer on their behalf, we believe God accomplished a time of refreshment for these very dear friends.

Erin w/ Bua and Lady in the Cancer Ward

FSM donates sports equipment to Juvi Hall

Good News Practical Need Missionaries

Jill w/ MBMS Missionary Becky Ouellette

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Juvenile Detention Center

This was our second time to visit the Juvy Hall in Phuket. In attendance were 25 boys and 2 girls, ranging in age from 14 – 18 and ranging in crimes from possessing inadequate travel documents to murder. Interspersed between worship songs accentuated with lyrical dance, different team members shared about their lifechanging encounters with Christ. We ended with the drime – a wordless drama set to the music of the Life House song “Everything”. The drama poignantly depicts God’s initial breathing of life into a human being in Edenic relationship, the distraction and MBMS Missionary destructive effects of sin, the despair of separation, and God’s ultimate rescue through Cynthia Friesen Jesus! The message of the drime was powerfully communicated and it was obvious shares with an inmate from the faces of the teens as they watched that God’s Spirit was working deeply in hearts. At the end, we went out as a team to “mingle”. Erin was particularly drawn to one of the two girls in attendance. Soon after they began to talk through an interpreter, the girl voiced to Erin that the drime had deeply moved her; that she felt that she had been watching her own story being portrayed. (She had been raised by her grandparents to believe in Jesus but had walked away from Him in her teen years.) Tears streamed down her cheeks. Erin asked her if she wanted to pray and open her heart to Jesus once again. This young girl eagerly agreed and in that sacred moment, she invited Jesus to come in and give her a fresh start.

Women’s Prison In 2010, we had done the first concert ever in a women’s prison in Phuket. Since that time, our missionary friends, Becky and Bia have had opportunity to connect with the prison officials there, as well as a new inmate named Cherry. (Cherry had gotten mixed up in a crime ring that had led her away from God for a time. God convicted her and challenged her to turn herself in to the authorities. She did. Now in prison, God has opened the door for her to minister to many of the women and she has boldly proclaimed the Gospel in that place for the past 2 years.)

Allison painting faces at the market

As we began our concert this time, the openness of the prisoners was unbelievable. Literally, it felt like they were standing at the window of their souls, hungering and thirsting for God. The worship was powerful and when Jill began to share her story, almost every woman wept openly. At the end, Jill led in a corporate prayer to invite Jesus to begin relationship with every ready heart and then we went out as a team to be “with” them. During that time, Cherry milled around, bringing different friends to different team members for prayer. One precious young lady burst out to Erin, “I want Jesus!” The openness was astounding! All too quickly, the guards began to usher us out and we wept in saying goodbye. One bright thought was the knowledge that Becky and Bia would be back to encourage and continue the relationships that had begun. Several weeks later, we got this Facebook message from Becky: “We had the privilege of presenting the CD player you purchased for the prison. They were very grateful. We're going in again on August 27. Pray!! Last week Cherry told me there are about 100 women who have accepted Jesus- very young in faith, and needing discipleship (learning to turn away from former belief systems…) Amazing!!”

Full Sail Team @ Juvenile Hall

Lauren Lieder airborne

Drummer Jeremy Jahr worships during Market Concert

Anna Currali sings her heart out in a Phuket Market Concert

Cancer Ward On one of our evenings in Phuket, we went to the local hospital to sing for the cancer ward patients and their families. After a shortened concert, we went out to pray individually with anyone who desired prayer. One gentleman, who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, expressed that Buddhism had not worked for him and he was ready to give Jesus a try! Our missionary friend, Cynthia, prayed with Tang (not his real name) to invite Jesus to take control of his life. Full Sail Team sings at Phuket Hospital Several days later we got this Facebook message from Cynthia: “We are going to visit Tang tonight. He is very excited to have us come. He wants more prayer… He said his house is filled with idols and was wondering if we as Christians could enter it. I said, we have God’s Spirit in us and not only are we not afraid of other spirits, but we have power and authority over them in Jesus’ Name. He seemed surprised…We spent time praying over him, praying for healing and he prayed as well. I told him that Jesus is Lord of his life now and he can’t seek any other spirit or idol and he said he didn’t want to anymore.” A few days later came this message: “Today Tang surrendered all his idols and amulets and put them all in a box for us to get rid of. As he put each thing in the box, he said, ‘I don’t want this, I don’t need this.’ It was AMAZING…” And then a few more days later: “Went to see him this morning and he had worship music on really loud…heard it before we got to his door!...He opened the door and there was this beautiful smile and his face had changed. You can tell he has God’s Spirit within Him!” There was another individual in the cancer ward - a gentleman who seemed to understand every word we were singing and saying in English and wept openly throughout the concert. Come to find out later, his name was Peter, he was German, he was alone (no family or friends left in the world), and he was dying from lung cancer. As Jill and our girls went to speak with him after the concert, it became apparent that, because of a tracheotomy, he was unable to speak. However, when Jill touched his arm and whispered, “Jesus is here and He loves you”, Peter’s teary eyes brightened, he nodded his head, touched a finger to his chest and mouthed, “Jesus is in my heart.” With tears running down each of their cheeks, the girls took turns assuring him that he was not alone, that Jesus’ knew his every thought and His Comfort and Presence would never leave him. The intimacy and holiness of those moments is very hard to describe and when the time came to say goodbye, it was excruciating; it truly felt like leaving behind a family member. About a week later, Cynthia, Jill and the girls returned to the hospital, anticipating a sweet reunion with Peter and an opportunity to find out more about his story. When they arrived, they found his bed empty. Cynthia quickly spoke with a nurse and learned that Peter had passed away that very morning. They were all shocked and wept openly. A Thai woman who was caring for a gentleman in the bed next to Peter’s began to speak to Cynthia. She said that the day before, Peter had smiled brilliantly the entire day! She said no one could come into his presence and not end up smiling as well. Wow! We all have a very strong sense that Jesus was just getting Peter ready for his ‘Welcome Home’ party! And we are astounded by God’s divine appointments, believing without a shadow of a doubt that God had brought us all the way from America just to reassure this lonely old man that he was not alone.

University

One great opportunity we had was to teach for three days in the local university. We broke up the Full Sail team into their skill sets and held classes for the students. The dance team instructed in dance, the vocalist conducted formal vocal training, and the musicians jammed with the aspiring rock stars. The most powerful Lauren and Aubrey moment came when, after three days of training, building teaching dance @ the university relationships and teaching the students worship songs in Thai, our team held a concert in their campus theatre. For two of the songs, we had some of the Thai students come on stage and join us in singing, dancing and playing their instruments with the team. It was incredible. Then we performed the drime and Geoff concluded the concert with a clear explanation of Who Jesus is and how He has provided a way of rescue for all of mankind. Many heard the Gospel for the very first time, being exposed to a Living God Who loves them and died to release them from their karma. We’ve heard that it takes an average of seven times before a Buddhist is ready to respond. Please pray for Cynthia and the other Thai believers as they partner with God to continue to water and nourish the seeds that He planted in the fertile soil of many hearts.

Full Sail Ministries To Thailand with Love Team 2013

Trevor and his “Legends” Basketball Team

“Tang” (Cancer Ward) hears the Good News

Missonary Greg Ouellette w/ Trevor, Shop Owner and Geoff buying 4 guitars for PLC

“Our Savior’s Here” @ the Juvi Hall

fullsail.org

Jessica Cavale shares w/ school girls

On the Docket for 2014 International Outreach

Current for Women

Projects

• Thailand (C4W Women’s Team - March) • Africa (Geoff scouting trip - Spring)

• Current Worship Day • Monthly Prayer Events

• Book (Jill’s Life Story) • C4W Video

Domestic Outreach

Support Events

• New Website & Blog

• Summer Mission - July

• BBQ/Silent Auction Fund Raiser - April • Live Concerts / Artist Events

Deep Calls to Deep

he goal for C4W is to provide women with a safe setting and unrushed time to meet with God. Through excellent worship led by the Full Sail Band, a beautifully crafted meeting room filled with rich color and skillful lighting, artistic expressions through painting and dance, videotaped real life women’s stories, stations for personal reflection, and teachings from the Scriptures by Jill, women are encouraged to pause for a moment from the busyness of their lives, to listen for their Father’s Voice and to receive all that he has for them.

Psalm 42:7

The theme for our Tulare, CA Weekend on September 27-28 was “Deep Calls to Deep” taken from Psalm 42:7. So often in the busyness of our lives, the time and space to connect, to dream, to allow God to fill the empty spaces of our hearts just doesn’t get taken. Our prayer for this weekend was that every woman attending would experience what it feels like to be fully known and fully loved by the One Who created each one of us for that very purpose, Deep calling to deep.

Quotes from Journals “Deep places of pain surface. Places of wanting to be known that have resounded for years in only rejection. And yet the truth is that You are reaching to me, desiring me to fully be open to You. What wonder! Oh, how I know you love me, but that You as well want me to be undone and open before You - each part, each place of ugliness or selfishness or pain that I have held and hidden? You long to pour Your healing upon and in. Amazing!! Broken and open to be known and loved by You. Revive me as I peel back places so deep.”

“The past is gone. The pressure is gone.

You are Jill & Erin w/ Sarah Brinkman - C4W Tulare Sponsor

here with me.”

In Their Own Words... “Wow, where do I start? ’Jesus fully knows and fully loves me’. When I heard this, it was an immediate flashback to childhood days, days of wanting to share and speak and give opinions and ideas and share who I was to my mom...and always being thwarted, always she was the one to speak, always I was the one who was shut down, never voicing, never engaging, always being stymied, always the connection of relationship severed. So, it hit me that with Jesus it is so, so, so opposite of that. Not only does He know me, but He desires to hear my thoughts, to encourage my sharing, to listen intently to my heart, to connect in each fiber and detail of my life and thoughts. Somehow, this was the biggest gift and treasure of the day for me! Jesus knows and loves me!” Tulare C4W Attendee “Back in June I had become aware that I didn’t have joy in my life. I thought doing a word study in the Bible on joy would help me find it. It didn’t. In fact, joy felt quite far away from me all summer and into the Current for Women Weekend. So, to find joy in a moment’s experience during a Sunday morning worship service was amazing. It was like God was embracing me, filling me with his love. The result? A flood of joy filled my entire being. I’ve felt different from that moment on and finally understand what it means for the joy of the Lord to be my strength. I am grateful!” Tulare C4W Team Member “So many amazing experiences were packed into the weekend. I am still musing over the Friday night teaching about the intimate fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perfect unity and intimate fellowship have always existed in the Trinity. How astounding, that God would initiate that same kind of intimacy with those He created! God had a personal, timely Word for each and every woman who walked through the doors. That Word was being poured out before the first session even officially began as women bravely walked into the foot washing station where several of us had been commissioned to serve. I cannot adequately express what happened in those holy moments. The Spirit of God was tangibly felt as women quietly removed their shoes, sat before the basin of water and focused on what it was that God was beginning to speak to their hearts. As the scented, soothing water poured over their feet and the Name of Jesus was uttered, tears began to fall and hearts were captured by the Maker of each of those hearts. The room became a holy sanctuary of God’s presence and lives were changed before our eyes.” Tulare C4W Foot Washing Team Member

Ballerina Aubrey Robbins

“This was the most intimate experience with praise and worship I have experienced. The Presence of the Lord was so great. A great woman’s release!! All together. So uplifting!”

In Their Own Words cont’... “I didn’t want to come actually but my friend so generously bought me the ticket so I had to come. And I cannot believe it. This is what I have been craving for. God used you all to bring me happiness in worship and to fall in love deeply with God again. Thank you. I hunger for the Almighty. Please keep this program going. It will surely help restore many broken souls.” “I want to thank you for everything. I came 2 hours away to hear this and I cannot wait to come to more of your gatherings. I feel refreshed. I’ve been torn apart emotionally and each time I felt this way, God always found a way to rebuild me and today was one of those days…I am certain that you’ve touched every person in this room with the program that you Recording Erin’s Life Story w/ Forrest all have put together. Thank you so, Cavale (thirdlementstudios.com) so much. God bless all of you.”

Danielle Carter Worship Leader

Layne Downes, Leah Rixmann, Ronda Parin, Bonnie Dick, Dawn Wright - C4W Worship Team

Fresno Dance Collective “NOCO” (Aerial)

“I was so impressed by the beautiful orchestration of every detail. How planned and yet completely submitted to the Holy Spirit everything was.”

Amy Querin “NOCO” Director

C4W Dance Team

Lauren Lieder C4W Choreographer

Quotes from Journals cont’... “You broke in! You used the words of the praise to cut through my defenses and show me the deep places that need healing and freedom. God though Your Holy Spirit, You showed me how fear of being vulnerable has left me crippled and stunted and isolated, how selfishness and attempts to seize/keep control stifle life and love. I confess and agree wholeheartedly that I am broken, willful, wounded, and wounding. You showed me how I am drowning and how you can rescue me. You asked me to trust you, to rest in You, to yield, to let go…I choose to believe You have broken the prison of my fear. Teach me to walk in it…Draw me close to You so I may hear Your heartbeat and whisperings and murmurs of guidance for each next step.” “Thank You Lord, last night You filled the place in my ‘deep’ that has dried up wishing my dad’s love would fill. I felt Your Holy Spirit move through me and fill that empty place. I felt reconnected with You for the first time in a long time. I love You for staying with me and even pursuing me…How much we are loved!!” “I have prided myself in holding back emotion, and being able to project phony emotion when necessary. I thought it was a gift, instead of the manipulation it truly was. Help me express myself. Help me not to be afraid of tears. Help me let go of trying to control situations and things. That burning in my throat that I hold back so often needs to flow out so that You can flow in. Help me hear You God. The Real You, the One who I read about in Your Word, the One I feel stirring in my soul. Thank You for blessing me with this time to be quiet…to listen.”

artist

SARAH GEESEY

C4W Team Member, Artist Sarah Geesey paints throughout the sessions of every C4W weekend. Each work of art she produces is unique to the theme of the weekend. Prints of this painting entitled “Live Known” are available through her website. A portion of the proceeds of each sale go to support her ministry work at C4W events around the country.

Live Art

- Painting Description by Sarah Geesey

The part of life that is seen is so often shaped by our effort to cover our shame; lipstick, mascara, straight lines, complete sentences, and correct answers (ie: lines at top of painting). But, beneath that skin lies the true deep - the place where we live and where the Spirit of God breathes life. His awe-full, endless, unspeakable deepness calls our deep up to the relationship and reflection we were always meant to live in. Only the wave of his realness (wave), His authentic, vulnerable Self, can wash our souls and restore those things that we thought were lost. Our messy, scarred, now-freed spirits respond to His and find the courage to fly (bird) - break though the lipstick covering we once thought was necessary for acceptance. This is the good news!

www.sarahgeesey.com

"You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Family Update Erin w/Obama in South Africa

Trevor being, well, himself

Erin has had the amazing and delightful privilege of studying abroad with Azusa Pacific University this fall semester of her Junior year. The group of 50 students spent the first 8 weeks in intense course work study, including a Biology course that required weekly “safari”; the following 2 weeks the students participated in various service projects at sites in and around Pietermaritzburg, and then finished off their remaining 4 weeks with an in-depth study of the history of South Africa which included travel around the country. Erin has been soaking in every moment. Probably her favorite memories from the semester were made at River of Life, the service site she chose, at which she was able to teach, play, counsel and bond with children from a local orphanage.

Aubrey dancing at C4W Tulare

Allison w/ her

September began with major changes for our family as Trevor left home and ventured down Soccer Coaches to Azusa Pacific University for his freshman year in college. He’s totally enjoying a full course load, playing on an intramural football team, making crazy new friends, and working part time on campus at the Cougar Dome. But probably his highlight of being at APU so far has been his participation in Men’s Chorale, a traveling choir that spends two Sunday’s a month ministering in local churches and other service sites; the Men’s Chorale will also be taking a tour to South Korea for two weeks in May. Aubrey is one busy girl!! A sophomore at El Diamante High School, Aubrey begins two days of her week at 6:30 a.m. with a pre-pre-first period Weight Training class. Then it’s off to 2 different choir classes, a dance class, and several tough core classes! And her day doesn’t finish when the bell rings at 3:20 p.m. – no, it’s on to after-school soccer practice for 2 different soccer teams!! Yikes! No grass growing under her feet, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! On the side, she still dances for all of FSM live events as well as other opportunities for worship dance that come her way! Another huge change this fall occurred when Allison went off to El Diamante High School for her freshman year, marking a bittersweet end to our home schooling days as a family. Allie is loving this new adventure – making tons of new friends, participating in a 3-D Art Class, Spanish, Honors English, Geometry and Health. She was a little uncertain going in, slightly nervous about how she’d adjust, but she’s doing excellent work and is loved by all. Her soccer coach said of her, “She’s the glue that holds our team together!” What a delight to watch her come into her own!

CASTING VISION a look ahead

ave you ever looked at a room in your house and realized it was in Kendra, Anna, Erin & Jill need of a remodel? You haul out the furniture, begin stripping the wallpaper and remove the worn or broken fixtures. It takes time and lots of energy, but you do it with a spring in your step because you know the end result will be worth it. The final product will be something fresh, something new, something yet to be revealed! For reasons we can’t fully describe, God seems to be up to some significant remodeling of His Own - in our personal lives, in our relationships and in our ministry as a whole and it is really good! He’s been dropping promises from the Scriptures into our hearts like crazy, Scriptures like Haggai 2:4: “’Now be strong… and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” And Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” And Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” And Isaiah 37:32: “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” And so we are determined to lean in to Him, asking Him to clean house and remove anything that is no longer useful or relevant or life giving in preparation for the new thing He is about to do. Please pray with us as we allow Him to do His work; our hearts are filled with anticipation of revival!

“Our Savior’s Here!”

Praise for... ✤A tangible sense of His Presence and the drawing of His Holy Spirit in every venue, every conversation, every prayer time during our “To Thailand with Love Outreach ’13”, July 8-28. ✤Every one of the 375 women at our Tulare Current for Women Weekend Away, September 27-28 who responded to God’s invitation to pause, listen and receive. ✤Life, breath, health, and the ability to walk and serve and flourish! ✤God’s timely and faithful provision for every one of our needs. ✤Friends/Partners who have linked arms and hearts with us in ministry through our Current for Women weekends and overseas outreaches.

Prayer for...

Signs with the Names of God in Thai

Ways to Support FSM! Transportation Any vehicle in running condition (Car/ SUV/ Truck/Trailer/Bus/RV). If we can’t use it, we’ll sell it and use the funds for other transportation needs. Resources to repair the FSM’s Motorhome (needs some electrical and engine work and new air bags and tires)

Facilities Office/ Warehouse/ Studio for “home base” to store vehicles and equipment as well as rehearsal

Equipment

Funds for team Sound Equipment / Musical ✤Inspiration for Geoff as he takes time this winter and early Instruments for domestic live events (especially the spring to create, to write and to receive a fresh Word from God. growing need for Current For Women weekends). ✤Inspire Jill as she prepares for women’s retreats in the spring Video and Audio Equipment for recording of and begins writing new material for our next Visalia Current for live events and in video-cast and pod-cast Women Weekend. productions. ✤Provide for Jean Rowles, our new full-time administrative assistant/ministry coordinator extraordinaire, as she spends October-December in her home areas (Pennsylvania and Florida) with the goal of raising all of her prayer and financial Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Gifts make it support for 2014. possible to maintain all the outreaches of FSM and ✤Give clear direction as we pursue several new creative C4W and launch into new areas of ministry. ventures, including a “Current Worship Day Away”, open to women and men. ✤Open obvious doors of opportunity for both our Current for Women Weekends Away and International Outreaches. We have many ideas of our own but we are asking God to lead the way He’s going and give us the courage to follow wholeheartedly.

Finances

Thank You!

We Celebrate!! Jean Rowles joined FSM full-time this year!

We never cease to be moved and amazed by the generosity and consistent support we receive from you, our partners and friends. It is a beautiful thing to watch God take our “little lunches” (like the little boy’s lunch on the hillside that day with Jesus and a group of 5000 hungry people), break them, give thanks for them and then do the impossible – feed a multitude! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of the miraculous!! As we look ahead, we see so many areas for growth and improvement. We are constantly pressing ahead, looking for ways to make this ministry more effective. As you can see from this page, there are many needs before us as we grow. Thank you for helping us hoist the sails and launch into new waters chartered by our Father.

To give a special year end gift or to donate on a monthly or regular basis... Please use the enclosed envelope or give online at http://www.fullsail.org/donate.php. All gifts are tax deductible.

FR O M : GEOFF & JI L L L U D LOW F U L L SA IL M IN IS T R IE c/ o T ul ar S e C ou nt y O ut re ac h, In c. PO B ox 1 7 72 V is al ia , C A 9 3 2 7 9 -1 772

FULL SAIL MINISTRIES Winter 2013

Issue No. Forty-Four

“I've set you up as light to all nations. You'll proclaim salvation to the four winds and seven seas!" Acts 13:47 (MSG)

Thank

Yo u !

The Ludlows Geoff, Jill, Erin, Trevor, Aubrey, and Allison Bringing God’s Love and Joy to every corner of the world. Want to come join us?

Full Sail Ministries

Current For Women

Follo w us!