will stacken - ywam amsterdam staff

Hey All... In efforts to stay up to date on my blog is my weekly offering. It was such a good week!...I truly mean that also. I am starting to adjust to this brief season here in India. Its been a lot of getting used to. I am facing things here in India that I did not plan on and seeing things here I also was not prepared for.... I am really amazed at what God is teaching me in this season here. We just went through a week on Family System. This looked at such things as: Defence Mechanisms...Unhealthy Family Roles...Codependency. This all was so very interesting. If you (like me) did not know a whole lot about there things I would love to share it more with you and direct you to information on these things. Man, people can be so complex and when there childhood is not facilitated properly it can have massive ramifications. I am really learning about how important nurture is to the child. Wow...its crazy stuff.

Also...In an effort to be real and transparent...I am not perfect, nor do I seek to portray this. So to follow suit with that statement I really want to say that God is really working on my heart in this season here. He is bringing out old wounds from my past...Guiding me through the proper healing of them...and removing them from my heart. In there place He is putting wisdom and grace. Basically God is revealing to me why I act and think the way I do... So yeah.

 With all that said...I've also been having some fun here to. The weather has been sunny and 90. Its the dry season here. But man, when that monsoon season comes it is absolutely crazy. oh man. It rains...all day...everyday....for 3 months. The Indians say its really something...anyway... I hope you are all doing well. Take Care...Seeya. In Him...Will

Hey All I have now been in India for about a 3 weeks now. I have really enjoyed it a ton. I have been for sure learning a ton here...Like what you ask??...Gods really got me in such a good spot to know Him more. I am in many ways out of my element. I am immersed in a culture that is quite different from my comfortable Western culture (Amsterdam & Minnesota). Yes, there are some Westerners that I connect with here and that makes me feel at home. However, I am building some true cross cultural friendships also. This indeed a challenge. But as to what God is teaching me through this...I am finding a lot of time for just me and God. Be it times with my Bible...times reviewing class notes on family systems and defence mechanisms...or long prayerful walks along the Indian train tracks. These are good times for me. God is let me get back to Amsterdam for that 4 month period and I loved it. But this season He has taken me out of it again...but this is a time where He is refining me to serve and love it better. I learning so much about who I am and where I come from. I am learning so much about my own family in this time also. That's not always easy...but it (like God)...is ALWAYS good. I love my parents so very much. They truly did the best they could...and I think I turned out pretty good!...others may disagree with me...but..

 Overall...I am doing very good. Its been and will be a time of great refinement. I am so very sure of this. I wanna close by saying that God is teaching me a lot through my running here. I am running only 9-10 miles a week here. Twice a week. But the runs I am taking lead me through some great paths...up big hills...across bridges...through small villages...along large dry lake beds...its been so good. They are some awesome times of peace and challenge. God is really showing how important this is to me and how much He can teach me about discipline and perseverance. My running is really important to me and God really tends to meet me in those times. So. I hope who ever reads these little messages is blessed by them!.... In Him...Will

Hey All

If any of you are interested in sending me mail in India here is my address..I have no idea how long it takes to get stuff here from the States or Europe...Stay in touch! Seeya

Will Stacken-ABC

C/o. UofN

GPO Box-127

Pune-411001 MS. India

Hey Everyone... I have been in India for about 11 days now...Wow...its been such a good expierence here. I love it thus far. There are only Americans on the whole base! There are about 200 people here...its about 95% Indian. So its cool. The food is way good. Lunch and Dinner have been very Indian in style...white rice with something (usally a type of curry) to put on it. Every meal has been good though. I am making some friends here though. Everyones really nice. hm....I have been running here too. Its been awesome for that. The YWAM base is tucked back in the hills here. So the runs I go on have been so beautiful. I see a lot of cows...with big horns wandering down the roads...I always pray they don't freak out on me. I think they are all pretty chill though...So don't worry about me.

The training itself has been going so good. We just finished a week of student and staff bonding. This entailed sharing our own personal stories...pasts...and addictions. Then we began to look at the benefits of recorvery in a group setting through group proccess groups. What a powerful tool! I am reading a book here on Alcoholism called "Dying for a Drink." Its all about way of recovery for these people. Wow...I have learned so much already. We are also looking at the use of 12 step methods. This tool is also so very effective when used the way it was designed.

 Anyway... I must say that I am enjoying it here. I miss my home in Amsterdam...and Minnesota. However, I am truly seeing why God took me here for this season. I am having such rich times with Him here. No joke. But...All is good. Take care...stay in touch. in Him...Will Also....Be checking the PICTURES section....I have a lot of India pictures up.

Hey Everyone...

I am safe and sound here in India. I had a really good flight and trip to Lonovala, India. I flew into Mumbai (Bombay) and took a 2 hour cab ride here. Its a great place. Its most people from all over India...South Korea...Canada...United Kingdom and so on. Its been great though. I am getting over my jet lag and adjusting well. The food is good too...a lot of rice! So...Classes start on Monday and I am REALLY excited about it. The teachers and staff seem so wise and knowledgeable on these topics. So. Please stay in touch with me here. I will have internet at the base. Take care and I miss you all.

In Him....Will

I write this update from my cozy seat on the flight to Mumbai. Its crazy to think this is all happening. However, its caused me to reflect on the last 4 months of life in Amsterdam. They have been such quality months. They have been filled with up and downs...times of self-focus for understanding....times when I am beside myself in my view of God. Make now mistake...God has been teaching me...using me...and refining me in ways I never dreamed possible. Its been a true season of growth...in just 4 months. Maybe this is just the natural maturing process...But I truly see this all as His leading me. I love that. Its been a trail that I love. Now, its lead me to India. I look forward to this time of learning and growth. I know that God will heal, refine, and teach me so much. I seek to learn how to do my job the best I can. I love the RLD and the people who end up there. I see brokeness, the likes of which few ever expierence. I see people wearing the pain of life on there sleve. I know the heart they have is yearning for the SHALOM of Christ. This word is so much more than "peace" you know...its a true, rich, overwhelming, steadfast, pure, God-given peace. I desire it further in my life and I desire all the nations expierence this love of Jesus. Its a beautiful thing. I look forward to hearing from you all...and I look forward to sharing about my expierences in India as they happen. This last season in Amsterdam has been a huge blessing. All the ups and downs of it all have refined my heart for the future. I look foward to the future. God Bless you all...Take care... in Him...Will

hey all... well its been such a crazy last few weeks. i have been so busy that i barely even thought of all that is going on my life...between Christmas here in Amsterdam...missing Christmas in the USA...getting ready to leave for India in 3 days...all the details of shots, packing for it, flights...its been just crazy...plus now New Years. but its been good. i am coming to learn that this is just normal life. its funny how stressful life here can seem at times. its something i guess i just didnt plan on. but...i really cant complain...i hope it doesnt sound that way in the least...its not my intention at all. ok. on to more positive topics...

 our Christmas at the Cleft was a huge success. we served around 450 total meals in the 3 days of out reach we had. they were very fun and powerful times. we had a total of 60 volunteers come and help our small team. out volunteers were a huge blessing and encouragement. they served and just loved on our friends from the streets. plus...God really used them to reach some of these people in fresh new ways. it was a truly a warm Christmas at the Cleft... then on the 30th of December i had 3 friends of mine from college come to visit. they did a similar backpacking trip around Europe like i did about 3 years ago. they came and stayed with me in Amsterdam for like 4 days. it was so much fun to have them in Amsterdam. it really made me feel at home..so a major thanks to Josh, Andy and Sam...it was way tight having you guys here.

well thats about it. for now. i am really excited to go to India to get this training...but man...i gonna miss the Cleft so much. serious. so much good stuff is just getting started with me in the neighborhood. but the tools i am going to acquire in this school will impact my ministry so much. well...take care everyone. in Him...will