Far Out! Finally arrived here in Australia. A mad dash to the gate in Tampa, a few more plane rides, and heaps of hours later...I have officially set my feet on Oz soil. It all seems so surreal, being at the base in Byron Bay. The leadership here as changed, but this base is going to grow into something bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. With fresh ideas and new ministry opportunities, God is going to rock up and do some epic things! As being a fairly new base and a small one at that, God has plenty of room to stretch his hands.
Spending these first few days with good company and trying to catch up on jet lag and of course, my Aussie lingo. I can't believe God has brought me to somewhere so beautiful and safe. I struggled with the fact of coming to a place that is not torn by some kind of injustice. To be in a place where my life is on the line for the sake of the cross, my heart seems to leap for joy. But my best friend reminded me of the leadership and ministry growth that occurs in a community of like mindedness...and what better place than the one which challenged me and pushed me to grow in a way that I never knew was possible. This is going to be an epic year that will bring much fruit to my life and those I work with.
Headed down to the Sunshine Coast and had an amazing time. We took a van that was less than healthy. With a dead battery and a none existent alternator, we were up creek! Had to jump start the battery a few times before anything would happen, left in a parking lot in the middle of the night, slept in the very van I never wanted to see again, and broke down on my way home....this would be a trip I would never trade for anything. Regardless of all the troubles this beast of a van gave us, one of the best weekends ever. Finally arrived back in Byron Bay, driving on a prayer and holding my breath for the best. The new students were already here, I was supposed to be picking them up earlier, but the van decided to be a huge embarrassment. Enough with the van, the new mob are EPIC! Each DTS holds their own different vibe, I am diggin this school. They are passionate, courageous, and they love to evangelize!!!!!!!!! I am sooooo stoked to be able to challenge them and probably learn from them at the same time. I can't wait to tell them about "The One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven", and start handing out tracks and telling dudes and chicks about Jesus....expand the kingdom!
Took the crew out to the town and gave them a chance to get to know the people and of course, the surf. Gave a few lessons and they were rippin the waves in no time. It is such an encouragement to sit on the beach and watch as students just walk up to people and strike up a conversation about Jesus...and we haven't even started the school yet!!! I keep praying that this passion and courage keeps building in their hearts and in mine. I really believe if you can confidently evangelize in a western nation, you can evangelize anywhere! These tools will become soooooo useful to them as they head on outreach in a short 4 months. Such an amazing group, love em!
Here are their names, if you could be praying for them that would be amazing. I know on my DTS some of the hardest things were being broken to allow God to fill us up again, and just finding the time to be alone with God. Thanks heaps for all your prayers and support. Bless yaz!
-Kylie
-Elise
-Charmina
-Mimi
-Jared
-Laura
-Ezekiel
-Devan
-Amanda
-Hunter
-Jake
-Tom
For His Glory,
Ian
