How have I already been here a whole month? Time sure does fly.
Let's see.. what have I been up to lately? This post will probably be pretty short. If you want to know more- I'd love to tell you!
Last weekend I got to meet up with Maggie and Ashton in the city! It was so good to see familar faces and get to see how their trip was going. We had a good bit of time to chat and look around a bit. We even found a starbucks! Hellllo Merica.
I have been continuing to help out in the schools with the Brekky clubs, Make a Difference class, and "Veta" class. This past Thursday we went on a trip to the city with the "MAD" class. We ate lunch in one of the big shopping areas and then walked to our destination- a church in the middle of Collins street. Now this Baptist church is placed on a street full of expensive shops. You've got your Gucci, Chanel, Tiffanys, etc. Not only is it their to reach out to all of the shoppers- but it reaches out to the homeless community as well. What I loved about this church is that they are their to build relationships. To create a community. They aren't there to do a good deed by giving the homeless some food- but they really care about them. They want to become friends with them. They have a cafe where they provide two meals a day throughout the week. Here at the cafe they encourage church members and other people to come as well and eat meals with the homeless. I think it was pretty eye-opening to the kids as well- some of them had never really seen a homeless person and expected to see what they saw in the movies. Something that also really caught my attention when we were inside the church was that one of the kids in our class said "This is only the second time I've been in a church. The first time had to do with one of my schools". It just really brought to my attention again that most if not all of the kids in this class do not know Christ- and that I am there for a reason. I love being in the city.
I love Friendship Group- the senior citizen fellowship group. This past week we went to Dromkeen. There is a cute little place which has original pieces of art from Australian Children book illustrators. We had tea and scones and then went through a tour of the place. I loved it- seeing the different art was great and it kind of made me miss my major a bit. I got a book called "Possum's Magic" from the gift shop. It is full of different Australian animals and food- perfect for an Australian unit in my future classroom. I love the people though. I enjoy the car rides I get with the different members and drinking a cuppa with them. It is so encouraging to hear them talk about their walk with the Lord and see how welcoming they are to people. They wanted me to stand up at talk as we eat a sandwich for lunch about myself and my mission here and in life. Then- they prayed for me. It was so precious. I feel so comfortable with them.
Wednesdays was a day again where I had several things planned to do-but none of them worked out. I had a nice leisurely morning with my breakfast, talking to my family, getting dressed, and reading in the word. I walked to the church- but no one was there so I kept on walking till I ventured upon the big shopping center in the area. I grabbed a cuppa and read the book I had brought with me "Not a Fan". If you haven't read it- you really should! I haven;t finished- but I really enjoy it so far. It ended up being a lovely day with just the Lord and I. I SOO needed that- even if I didn't think I wanted it at first.
Youth has been great the past two weeks. Last Friday we had our own youth service. I helped lead worship and it was nice to be up their singing again. I also led the games. We did "Card knock-out" and "The Wheetbix Challenge". The winners of each game got to choose a lolly. We had a speaker come in and He talked about finding freedom in Christ. It just went along perfect with our song selection- something that we didn't really coordinate. God is just awesome like that. I also helped with the worship on Sunday morning. I just got super joyful up there when I started thinking about how God let me come all the way to Australia and how I am getting the chance to worship with such passionate believers. Then tonight at Youth we went to the regional Youth Alive event. Ahh it was so good. A speaker from Queensland came and shared his testimony and then presented the gospel. Ahh it was powerful and God truly spoke. About 50 or more students gave their life or recommited their life to Christ- three of them being from our youth group. I couldn't help but cry to see God move through them. I need to love them more and pray for them more.
Prayers are needed!
-Marissa- the pregnant lady with twins I talked about in my previous post
-Josephine- the young lady at church interested in Christianity
-ESA- a "winter holiday" camp that I might be able to be a counselor at. We are trying to get everything submitted and praying that the director of the camp will allow me too. So many of our youth are going and it would be such an incredible week I know.
-the youth group- that they will continue to seek Him after awesome events like Youth Alive and the ESA camp
-that I will love each person I come in contact with just as Christ loves me.
Okay this was long. I got typing happy. I love you all. Thank you for all the prayers!! Keep them coming :)
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