Blessed are the Peacemakers

I love the nations. I love different cultures. I love hearing different languages. One of my favorite things about the YWAM Kona campus is how international it is. With 600 staff and 100-400 students each quarter, you are bound to meet a variety of people. Being situated in the middle of the Pacific, YWAM Kona attracts people from many different nations such a Korea, Japan, China, Samoa, Figi, USA, New Zealand, just to name a few main ones. Our campus is also bilingual... the signs you see around campus are written in English and Korean since there are typically a large number of Koreans here at all times (fun fact: 40% of Koreans are Christians!) Some schools here are bilingual...so at some large corporate meetings there may be a translator to Korean. This quarter, which isn't one of the bigger quarters, there are over 50 nations represented here. I hear different languages wherever I walk on campus. Living here is truly intercultural studies.

It's amazing what the Lord speaks to you about in the littlest situations. The other day I was sitting in a housing meeting for an orientation about our building that I'm living in. This wasn't an ordinary housing meeting, but it was filled with God as we opened with a few songs of praise to Him. Next thing I know, the housing manager was inviting up a lady from China to come and pray over us for that time.

We have been hearing a lot about China recently. It's estimated that there are thousands of people realizing the love of God in the underground church everyday. One of the most communist, closed countries is seeing the biggest revival in the history of the church. Yet the media world doesn't report on this stuff. It's happening. The Chinese are seeing the glory of God tangibly, in the biggest ways possible. Millions are choosing a life of persecution and danger in order to follow Jesus. Just search "china christian revival" in Google and see all the things that come up. YWAM Kona is seeing more and more Chinese come here and it's absolutely incredible. I'm intrigued by these people who know what it really means to choose to believe in Jesus. They know the cost. It is so awesome to have a lady on campus representing those millions who are being persecuted for their faith in China. And it led me to to thinking about the depth of this representation...

The beginning of each quarter starts with a parade of flags from each country represented on the campus at the time. This time, I watched the flags of 57 countries pass by, including China and Afghanistan. As we had a time of worship with the 300+ on campus, it started to hit me about how Jesus truly is peace. Here I am in this community on a small island in the Pacific ocean, worshiping the creator of this world with 57 other countries. Where else do you see this? In the world there are wars, political strife, disagreements, and violence going on between nations. War between America and the Middle Eastern countries. China and America not having a best relations as they stand with North Korea. Yet here I stood completely at peace with the people of those countries. Not only at peace, but choosing to intentionally love each other no matter what because that is what God calls us to do. When we put Jesus at the center of everything, peace in the kingdom is created and this is the perfect example.

I am in awe of this. I can talk to Afghan brothers in the morning and meet Chinese sisters in the afternoon. THIS IS HOW THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WILL LOOK! It's the goodness of God that draws us all together. And although humans aren't perfect, Jesus is the prince of peace who brings resolution when we look to him in our conflicts. We spent this morning being trained by a lady who teaches on confrontation and problem solving when in leadership positions. Not only were we taken by her wisdom, but also how simply the Bible teaches us the same things that she was telling us. It's all in there. And it makes sense. She shared with us examples of having to confront people on something harming the community, or learning to be corrected for the sake of keeping to what is in line with the Word of God. The more they looked to God to lead them in resolutions, the better is turned out. Forgiveness was given. Trust was regained. Integrity was strengthened in the individuals.

How amazing that we have a God that wants to make this world better and is doing it through us! We are vessels of His peace. Let's be a Spirit-led generation who seeks His will for strong relationships among each other. I am so excited.

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing all the cultures together under your name. Nothing else can do the same!

Join with me in praying for the nations and governments to turn to the Lord and to a world centered around Him. Many times we fight for Christians to come into the positions of leadership; but let's also continually, fervently pray for the salvation of those who already have an influence. Jesus is after their hearts! Holy Spirit come.