FSM Newsletter Autumn 2014

Full Sail 15

th

M i n i s t r i e s

Anniversary!

The

Ludlow’s Report &

Oasis Thailand

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Domestic OUTREACH

Biola Enrichment Days

01

LAUNCH

15 Years at Sea

“Throw off the bow lines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Mark Twain)

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n July of 1999, when we first sensed God’s urging to launch a brand new ministry, He gave us the picture of a ship with its sails unfurled. We sensed Him saying, "Just get your sails up. You do not have to figure out where you're going to go, or how you're going to get there. You don't have to empower yourself to move forward. I will fill you with the wind of my Spirit and take you to places you've never even imagined! Just get your sails up!"

As we look back at the last 15 years of Full Sail Ministries’ adventures, we are filled with awe, wonder, and amazement at God’s faithfulness and ability to accomplish His promises!!

And what’s more, His Wind continues to blow open doors of opportunity all around the world!!! Following is a report of some of what we’ve seen and heard God doing in the last few months!!

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INTERNATIONAL Chiang Mai, THAILAND

Thailand

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Women’s Team to Thailand: March 1-16, 2014 The idea of sending a small women’s team to Chiang Mai, Thailand began to firm up in late January. The initial plan was based on an invitation made by the officials at a girls’ juvenile detention center in Chiang Mai last September. The invitation was to revisit the center (Jill had shared her life story there in 2011 and it was well-received) as well as the boys’ juvenile center next door. Our thoughts were to minister in those two locations and then spend the rest of our time scouting out the possibilities of bringing a full team to hold a Current for Women weekend to Chiang Mai in March of 2015!

Our little SWAT team of women (which we affectionately referred to as “The Fab Four”) consisted of our ministry assistant Jean Rowles, our dear friend and prayer partner Emily Locke, our precious daughter Erin, and Jill. Because of the small size of our team, the built-in trust of deep friendship, and a shared spirit of adventure, we were able to be very flexible. We had many things on the schedule by the time we arrived in Chiang Mai, but even in our "down time", we were able to really respond to how God was moving us in the moment. From popping into a high school math class to share with the students for 15 minutes to having divine appointments with people at coffee shops, we felt the Wind of God’s Spirit carrying us along at every turn and it was delightful!

Some of our opportunities included…

• Pouring into the members of a young missionary moms’ Bible Study (and gifting them with boxes of Girl Scout Cookies afterwards – “The thing we miss the most!”)

• Erin and Jill tag-teaming their FSM Team w/ young mom’s Bible Study- Chiang Mai testimonies for Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship’s youth group and then praying with several of the kids afterwards • Presenting Chapel at Grace International School for 150 well-behaved, soft-hearted, eager-faced elementary school children • Loving on the adorable kiddos from Abundant Love Children’s Home, run by missionary friend Cavell Rowsell F

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In Their Own Words

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THAILAND

In Their Own Words

Boys Juvenile Detention Center “We’d heard the horror stories about the boys’ juvy hall since before we’d even arrived on Thai soil. That they were unruly and disinterested and that we shouldn’t be surprised if many of them got up and walked out. However, from the beginning of our time together, almost all of the 593 young men were engaged with the words and the music, looking at us with open eyes and open hearts. At last Emie got up to share her story.

The first words out of her mouth were, ‘I wonder if any of you knows what it’s like to feel completely unseen in the crowd, Jean Rowles w/ girls from the alone, unknown, angry, lost?’ She went on to share her God Juvenile Detention Center story – broken through sexual abuse and disconnection from parents - and yet how Jesus made a way for her to be seen and known and loved completely. At the conclusion, she prayed that each boy in that place would hear for themselves in their deep places that He sees, knows, and loves them too and is available to them with just a cry for help, a leaning of their hearts toward Him. We left feeling that significant seeds had been planted and we have great expectation that a harvest is coming!!” (Jill Ludlow) Chiang Mai Women’s Prison

“I fell in love with the Thai people. One of my favorite moments occurred in the women’s prison for a group of 200 Thai believers.

After Jill had finished sharing her story, she invited our team to go out and pray with them. One precious young woman I came to was crying, crying, crying. Her lips moved as she poured out her fervent prayer to God. I sensed her striving, her unrest, her despair. I put my hand on her shoulder, gently touched my finger to her lips and motioned her to rest. And then I wrapped my arms around her. As I did so, she melted into my embrace – sobbing, sinking in more and more. I held her for probably 5 minutes like that, sensing the tangible Love of God pouring through me into her tender heart. I will never forget her face, her tears, the strength of her hug, and her beautiful smile afterwards. Opportunities like this awakened in me new dreams and desires for future places of pouring out…” (Emie Locke)

Team Prayer Times “The ministry opportunities we had were breathtaking and it was so evident to me that the Holy Spirit was touching lives every time we sang and shared. But most amazing to me was that this particular trip to Thailand was a turning point for me personally. On one of the nights, we had the most powerful prayer time I have ever been a part of and I experienced breakthrough in the area of my identity in Christ - breakthrough that I did not even realize was possible for me. My Heavenly Father had been preparing my heart for some time and it was the most beautiful thing to see the seeds that He’d planted over the last year really come to fruition. I’m not kidding! Since then, I am experiencing the most freedom I have ever had in my life. I am free to be Erin, the real Erin. The one He created me to be! I am loved. I am known. I am carried. I am powerful. I am free. Everything has changed for me and I am so beyond thankful.” (Erin Ludlow)

Jill Ludlow w/ girls from the Juvenile Detention Center

Thailand House Helpers Bible Study

“One of my favorite times of joining God in His work was during the House Help Bible Study. There are several missionaries that are taking the time each week to disciple their Thai House Helpers, investing time in the people closest to them…After a lunch of pizza, Jill shared her God story. How she first heard Him speak to her. How He met her where she was. With all the self-loathing, anger and pain, shoved down deep in her heart. He met her there. Set her free. Spoke love into her heart, ‘I see you. I love you. You were not an accident.’ One of the Thai women had invited her pastor to attend. Important to note: Thai people are not generally given to public displays of emotion, especially men.

Towards the end of our time, this pastor stood up and began to entreat all of the people in attendance that what Jill was saying was true. He was sobbing at one point. So overcome. ‘You must hear God’s voice of love for yourself,’ he said.

‘This is SO important what she is saying; you must learn His voice.’ The missionaries were in awe. Most had never seen this happen. To allow himself to show emotion. To be so overcome by God. Amazing!” (Jean Rowles)

Erin and Jill, and Jean Rowles, w/ missionary Jana

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Jill and Erin speak to Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship youth

Jill w/MBMS missionary

Emie Locke shares

Emie Locke w/ girls from the Juvenile Detention Center

FSM team spent the morning w/ Thai house help

Erin w/ a new MK friend at

All South-East Asia

n addition to the ministry that occurred this trip, we felt God practically FLING open the doors we knocked on concerning the interest and feasibility for a Current for Women weekends in March of 2015, both among the full-time English speaking Christian workers, as well as among Thais. God provided the confirmation we were sincerely seeking as well as the location, details and on the ground personnel we felt we had to have in order to move forward. Thank you, thank you God!!

We are thrilled to join you in this future endeavor!

THAI: March 9-10

Deep A Weekend Event for Women Chiang Mai, Thailand Horizon Resort and Spa

ENG: March 13-14

Calls to

200 M.7 Chiang Mai-Doi Saket Road

PAUSE

LISTEN

RECEIVE

Deep

Want to Support FSM?

07

SUPPORT

How to give to FSM

HERE’S HOW!

GIVE FINANCIALLY Give Online at www.fullsail.org or mail a check to FSM (PO BOX 1772, VISALIA, CA 93279) Support a Team Member Go to: http://www.fullsail.org/team-members.php

Jean

Will and Estate Giving - Include FSM in your will or trust (for information call 559-627-8202 or email geoff@fullsail.org)

DONATE ITEMS

For Biola Enrichment Days we need: toys, books, sports equipment, clothes, food, fuel cards

TEAM

Erin

Trevor

Robyn

Give a “Gift in Kind”: Items for FSM yard sales, Vehicle/ RV in running condition, building/warehouse, etc.

Do you own a business? Consider sponsoring an event!

Sound / lighting equipment for live events

VOLUNTEER

Give a day, a week, a month of your time during the Biola Enrichment Days.

Audition or apply for a team member position or for one of our summer intern positions.

Good Shepherd Mennonite Church in Ohio donated a 14 passenger Van

Trevor leads worship at Beulah Christian Camp

Craft Class - Jill explains the “Muchness Collage”

Toys - Books - Clothes - Sports Equipment for Biola Store

“Biola Store” is open!

Kids bring their Biola bills!

Volunteers Jen Brisco, Charlotte Gift & Vanessa Carrasco

Emie Locke walks her friends to lunch

Biola with SO

To

MUCH LOVE

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Biola Enrichment Days

or the past few years, we have been praying and thinking about ways that we could do the kind of work we do overseas right here in North America -­‐ ministries or mission efforts that we could “come alongside” to encourage or assist, especially those involved in arts-­‐related work.

In the fall of 2013, Geoff met with long time friend and C4W team member, Licia Clark, to discuss and explore this idea.

Licia has been involved in music mission and ministry for the past three decades; however, more recently, she has founded and directed a ministry to children in rural Fresno County called Biola Enrichment Days.

About seven years ago, Licia began with an after-­‐school program for children in Biola, CA (a little town of about 1,600 mostly seasonal farm workers). Starting with a handful of kids, she now has an orchestra of 75 violin, viola, cello and bass players from Grades 1-­‐8, which she calls Biola Strings!! Two years after beginning the after-­‐school program, she launched a summer music program called Biola Enrichment Days at the one church in town.

As Licia shared about her work, her heart for these at risk kids and her desire to see them open up their hearts and minds to a life beyond their present circumstances, it became clear to Geoff that this could be a place for FSM to invest some its summer resources.

As a result, we assembled a team of seven full-­‐time team members (including Robyn McHugh from Newfoundland), sprinkled with several area volunteers, to help facilitate Biola Enrichment Days from June 7– July 25, our version of “To Biola With Love ’14”. We began each day by serving breakfast and then poured love into these kids while teaching music and dance, making crafts, playing games, and holding inspirational interactive “interviews” with local leaders, professionals and gifted people based on speci]ic life-­‐af]irming biblical character traits. Our team did what they always do: ‘put God’s heart on display’. We spent time sharing personally with these sweet children FSM Intern Robyn McHugh ages 5-­‐18 the love of Jesus and inspiring them to break the cycle of w/ two of her lovelies poverty and gang life which is all too often such a strong draw in their community. Licia usually has about 60 children show up on any given day. We were shocked and thrilled that some 115 kids came, and over 20 of them were ages 15 -­‐18. Though we didn’t anticipate the numbers, we quickly adjusted our program. (We put Geoff in charge of the older kids -­‐ they had a blast!)

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DOMESTIC Biola, California

Created for

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

Psalm 139:14

Muchness!

Our theme for the camp was taken from the musical Alice in Wonderland, which we taught and performed for the parents and the whole community on our final night. In the story the Madhatter says to Alice, “You used to be much more…’muchier’. You've lost your muchness.”

We taught the kids that God created us for a relationship with Him and with great purpose - a “muchness” - inside of us. You could almost watch the light come on as they began to believe that they were known and loved!

Aubrey with a new friend

What’s Ahead?

To Biola with Love ’15 July 13-31, 2015

What’s Needed?

The day starts w/ a good HAPPY dance.

Kids toys, clothes, books, games, sports equipment, school supplies, funds, volunteers, love

Jean enjoys the many “floor” talks Tyler Doyle w/ his fire gear

Reading is very important to their development

Water Day!

“There are no words to express my gratitude for all you’ve done in Biola… I have been revived by your help/vision/love. The children will soon have children of their own (hopefully not too soon) and will tell stories about Biola Enrichment 2014. Discipleship has happened. I believe some of them will point back to these weeks as to when they felt called of God. Your love has imparted value and it’s been like water on arid soil. You and your… team have sacrificed for love and I’m praying that Love will fill you with increased strength, health, stamina, vision, and wholeness overflowing! “ Licia Clark Director of Biola Enrichment Days (BED)

Allie and Sarita on water day

11

OASIS

A Day Retreat

Oasis

Come away. Drink deeply.

Ever feel dry? Soul dry? For whatever reason or reasons (and your list could be very, very long), do you find yourself in a place where your heart feels worn? Where your less is more than your more? You need an Oasis.

After hosting Current For Women Weekends around the country we were often asked if we were going to provide a similar event for men. Oasis Day Retreat was born out of this idea.

This all day Saturday event is open to both Women and Men! The purpose of the day is to provide a private personal retreat with un-rushed time and safe space to listen for the Father’s Voice - to pause, listen and receive from Him.

I thirst for you,

my whole being longs…

in a dry and parched land

where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

So far, we’ve hosted two at the Bennett’s Ranch in Visalia - June 7 and October 25 - and we have dates on the calendar for four more in 2015. See our website for more details.

Sometimes you just need to get away!

30 minutes… an hour… a day.

Time.

Live worship sessions at Oasis

Erin & Trevor lead w/ FSM band

To Breathe.

To Drink.

“By the Fountain” Station

At Oasis you are free to pause, listen and receive from your Father

Here’s what to expect!

• • • • • • • • Phil and Danielle Carter lead worship at the first Oasis

live worship prayer and reflection stations artistic expressions: dance, live painting, etc. communion reflective time on God’s Word FSM prayer team available for personal prayer throughout the day short devotional teaching “moments” optional devotional guide to help lead people through the day

“The setting (in a word)… peaceful!”

- Oasis Attendee

In Their Own Words “Oh Lord, You are sooooo good! My weekend here with You and my friends has been like new life. Having tea with you is so simple and so comforting. Thank you for keeping things so simple. Being simply close to you relieves so much anxiety and stress. You are taking care of all that concerns me for Your glory. It will all be okay, of that I am assured. Thank you for making me free…free to be…” - Journal Entry from Tea and Thought Station “I have no great words. From the rawest places of my hungry heart, I thank you that I can say yes.” - Prayer from Treasure Box Station

“I was at Oasis this past Saturday and I just want to express my thanks to you… Thank you for creating a beautiful environment for people to connect with God. Thank you for praying over Saturday in advance - it made a difference. Thank you for providing structure and guidance and so much freedom simultaneously. Thank you for being a team that looks to Jesus - your passion and genuineness and love filled the air. Thank you for the Pumpkin Spice creamer. :) God met me at Oasis. I’m an introvert and lots and of things make me feel uncomfortable… but on Saturday I felt so safe and free and loved.” - Jenna

Communion Stations : Jill serves communion to Lory Bennetts

“Oasis created a ‘space’ to draw near to God and hear His voice.

Very sweet.”

- Ron

Sarah Geesey paints during the live worship sessions www.sarahgeesey.com

The Ludlow’s Report Geoff & Jill

Trevor

Aubrey

Allison Newsletter pics by Forrest Cavale, Robyn McHugh, Ryan Brisco and selfies by Geoff Ludlow.

The Ludlows

Erin Erin is in her senior year at Azusa Pacific University and would say that this has been a transformative year for her. She was on the Thailand team in March, spent 10 weeks of the summer working at Beulah Christian Camp in Ohio where she had administrative responsibilities but also helped lead worship with Trevor most every day, and then took a worship leader role at the Oasis Day Retreat on October 25th. “I have to say that the personal highlight of the year for me happened while in Thailand with our team of FSM ladies. God broke through some walls in my heart and freed me from some things that have been holding me back for years. I truly feel free and know my Father delivered me. I’m so grateful. I can’t wait for what He has ahead for me!”

Trevor is thoroughly enjoying his studies in the Worship and Music track during his Sophomore year at Azusa Pacific University. In the spring, he toured Korea with the APU Men’s Chorus. This past summer he was asked by Beulah Beach Christian Camp in Ohio to lead worship for their 10 week program - a huge responsibility and opportunity to get some experience beyond what he knows here at FSM. He has also been given the music and worship leadership responsibilities for our new Oasis Day Retreat events and, with Erin, has done an excellent job bringing all of the musical and artistic elements together. But more than that, he is developing a real gift of being led by the spirit in worship. He is becoming known for his humble servant leadership style and that is as a result of being in touch with his own brokenness and weakness. We can’t wait to see what God has for him this year.

Aubrey is a Junior at El Diamante High School in Visalia and when she’s not laughing and making us laugh, she is hard at work. Choir, dance, soccer, track, and homework keep this girl very busy, but she always seems to find time for friends. She is beginning to develop an interest in contemporary dance. She loves to work out new routines for dance in worship as well as to “freestyle” with her own contemporary twist. She is finding who she wants to be and deciding to go her own way rather than what may be the easy choice. We see a fresh confidence and vision for the future growing in her heart.

Allison, a Sophomore at El Diamante High School in Visalia, loves her art class, choir, soccer and track, maintaining her grades and being on time… for everything… all the time. She is as silly as her siblings but definitely has her own take on life. She LOVES people and animals of just about any sort and consistently roots for the underdog. A soft heart and an old soul, she loves praying with people at FSM’s ministry events and has a unique spiritual maturity and sensitivity that makes people feel at ease and open to allowing her to minister to them. She is herself.

Geoff & Jill are grateful for the “yes” in their hearts to God and the work He is doing in them.

 

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Support

Needs/Partnering/Thank-you!

Praise for...

Mission: Ways to

✤ God’s provision of our wonderful staff member Jean Rowles,

His direction for new events (Current for Women, Oasis and To Biola With Love Outreach) and His leading into this next new chapter in our work at FSM.

Prayer for... ✤The additional personnel and facilities needed to take the next step forward as we continue to grow, inspiration for Jill as she prepares for the teachings for Grace International School Spiritual Emphasis Week in Chiang Mai and writes new material for our next Current for Women Weekends, and direction and wisdom for the future.

a new… t or p Sup LAUNCH!

✤We have two teams going to Thailand this spring (Feb. 12-21 and Mar. 6-15). Jill and Jean will be “on the ground” from February 7 to March 20 to prepare for each outreach and to do the follow up needed. Geoff will come and go with each team. The support need for our family this spring is $18,000 ($3,000 X 6). This amount includes: C4W event in Thai, C4W Weekend for SE Asia missionaries and women in leadership, the Spiritual Enrichment Week at Grace International School, and a week of events in Women’s Prisons, Juvi Halls, Hospitals, Orphanages and Schools in and around the Chiang Mai area. Please consider supporting this outreach. It will be the longest period of time that we will have people “on the field” overseas and we are so excited!

Thank you!

Give!

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.

Facilities Office/Warehouse/Studio for “home base” in the Visaila area to host events, store vehicles and equipment as well as rehearsal/ recording media production rooms.

Equipment Funds for team Sound Equipment/Musical Instruments for domestic live events (especially the growing need for Current For Women Weekends) and for the extended outreach to Thailand in February & March 2015.

Video and Audio Equipment for recording live events, videocast and podcast productions.

Finances Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Gifts make it possible to maintain all the outreaches of FSM and C4W and launch into new areas of ministry.

Will and Estate giving - Include FSM in your will or trust. For info call 559-627-8202 or email geoff@fullsail.org

“Now to Him Who is Support an FSM Team Member able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or Be a Volunteer - for Biola Enrichment Days, imagine…to Him be prep, set up or tear down for live events, etc. the glory.” (Eph. 3:20) I heard once that the Be a Summer Intern for To Biola With Love words“immeasurably more” could actually be interpreted (July 2015) - contact Geoff at geoff@fullsail.org. “beyond beyond”. So…”Now to Him Who does ‘beyond beyond’ what we could even have imagined – TO HIM BE THE GLORY!!” Thank you God for blowing the lid off our tiny little concepts of Who You are and what You do! And thank You for this amazing group of partners and friends who You use time and time again to put Your “Beyond” on display for us and for the whole world to see!

Personnel

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 Autumn 2014

Issue No. Forty-Five

“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)

What’s Ahead?

Fo ll ow us!

Full Sail Ministries &

Current For Women To receive regu lar e ma i l u pda tes , email u s a t jea n@ ful ls ail.org

January 17: “Oasis” Day, Visalia, CA February 7- March 20: INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH (Spiritual Emphasis Week & C4W, Chiang Mai, Thailand)

April 11 – “Oasis” Day & Dessert Night , Visalia, CA

April 25 – Women’s Retreat,

East Hills Community Church, Riverside, CA

June 6 – “Oasis” Day & Dessert Night, Visalia, CA

July 6-August 3 – Summer Internship Program

July 13-31 – “To Biola with Love ’15”, Biola, CA

August 29 – “Oasis” Day, Visalia, CA

October 17 – “Oasis” Day, Visalia, CA

November 7: Current For Women, NW OH