More to Come!
A transition is coming up...
Hello dearest friends and family,
Maybe this email finds you preparing for Christmas, or maybe simply getting through to the next season. Either way, I pray you would be filled with the life-giving breath of a present God.
BOLONA: It was not a clean city, but it was a warm city.
This day trip to Bologna was a last-minute plan, and all four of us were surprised by the tangible love of God that met us there. Here are some reflections on why this city left an imprint on my heart and how it gave insight as to what God is doing in this country:
As we walked the streets of Bologna, something began tingling in the air. I was struck by the intense flavor of this culture. There are dozens of tall ancient towers peaking behind buildings from the time of the medici, abstract expressionist paintings hanging in windows, lonely university students pushing past to catch the bus, smoke-filled cafes, jewelry makers on fold out tables bending bronze, dingy mannequins in store windows, tourist attracting pasta and bologna restaurants, Christmas lights going up across windows, and a particularly famous museum highlighting an industrial photographer. Here, expression is around every street corner. These sights, sounds, and smells beat to the same rhythm of the streets I sense in Pisa, but somehow here it is amplified through a megaphone.
Each building has it’s own character from another century that collide together with one voice. Between the astrological signs, the alien wall murals, and the never ending graffiti tags, this one word stood out amongst the riffraff: Jesus! We stood there and sang and danced to king Jesus as pedestrians walked by.
We spent the afternoon exploring and found ourselves watching the sunset at an old church looking over the city. There was nothing left to do for the day, but to sing over the city and bless and cry out for God to do what he said he’s going to do in this beautiful nation.
It seems Italians are like many of us, thirsty for a living and true King who has enough time for them, to hear their hearts and walk with them in the day to day moments in warmth and genuine faith.
Remembering the last few months:
YWAM has shown me what it means to see the nations discipled around the table and to see the transformation of the Gospel bring hope and life to communities and individuals. Over the course of the last year, I have been incredibly blessed by this new world of missions through staffing a discipleship school for the first six months and taking on the communications department for the last eight months. It has become clear to me how much missions is a lifestyle and that walking with Jesus is a daily choice for freedom and intimacy. It’s never been about the task at hand, it is only through being present to a loving God with us at every moment that builds something lasting. Here are some faces of the people that have moved me to tears the last few months:
What I could say about the last year is that Jesus is my Shepherd. He has guided me through painful grief, through constant transition, through powerful friendships, and through radical moments with Holy Spirit at the table.
My hunger and thirst to understand church history and the overall story of the Bible has grown as I have walked the streets of this small town world of Tuscany.
Eugene Peterson has been an audiobook companion as I consider the Jesus Way.
What I know so far, is that the story of God is an ongoing journey of risk, belonging, and shared stories in “average” moments that are turned holy.
I have exciting news to share!
A new transition is coming up as we have been praying over this next season. This desire for me to study more of church history and grow in pastoral care, has grown into a possible reality. The Lord has been so faithful to tend to and reveal the desires of my heart and the door has been opened to pursue a masters degree this spring!
I have applied and been accepted to gain a Master in Divinity with Denver Seminary this coming January 2024.
This means I will be coming home for Christmas and staying at least for at least the next six months to a year in order to be in person for at least the first part of this pastoral degree.
My heart is still to serve the nations and to stay connected with YWAM. For now, the next step is to focus on gaining more understanding of the Bible to be able to do more teaching, discipleship, and hospitality as we continue this life around the table.
What sets my heart on fire is to meet new people, hear their stories, and catch ways to fan into flame the passions and dreams God has in store for them. By getting a degree with an emphasis in spiritual direction, I hope to have more insight into the story of God as well as skills to be able to walk with people on their journeys with God.
Practicals— what will this mean for missions an support?
I currently have a lead on an organization that wants to partner with me to be enable to continue to work in the ministry field while still studying in pastoral care. More details will be coming soon! But for now, my support through YWAM will continue for the next few months as I finalize the details with coming home to the states. Simply put: I will continue working in the missions field, with organizations and churches and raising financial support as the Lord leads.
Prayer requests:
For the transition home to go smoothly and to see vision for God’s plans for the future
For the DTS students who are heading on outreach in one week for Cambodia, Nigeria, and Cape Town.
For the people of Italy to come alive to the Good News that King Jesus is alive and with us!
A beautiful visit to YWAM Trentino and dear friends in Arco
Needs: I am looking for financial support for traveling home, living expenses, school fees, and textbooks. If this is something you’re interested in helping me with, here’s the link:
In the comments write: “MS: Maya Goodyear” for missionary support.
Thank you all so much for being apart of my life!
MY SPOTIFY SONG FOR ITALY,
Peace and many blessings,
Maya