Hi all!
It sure has been a while since my last update, and I apologize for that. I would like to just let everyone know that God has done more than I could ever imagine! So far, our team has seen the Lord bring nine people into His kingdom; only God knows how many more lives have been impacted outside our knowledge. I wish I could explain how much value has come out of everyone's support for this project, but I just can't start to put it into words. My life has been changed by the things I've seen and the people I've met, but I'd say that the most influential factor is the Holy Spirit. I am learning so much about myself and about God. I have had countless spiritual conversations, each one unique and thought-provoking. I have experienced directly answered prayer throughout this adventure. I have gained completely new cultural perspectives and seen that the God of the land down under is the same God of the USA.
Today was our last day of full-time ministry on university campuses, but I'm not really sad because I get to live the rest of my life on mission for the Gospel. When I go back to my home soil, I will have a billion new opportunities to share my faith with others and learn about their beliefs.
From the very first step of faith when I applied for Summer Project in Australia, I was walking in obedience to the God of the universe. I had no idea what would come out of this adventure, but I knew it was in the Lord's will when prayer and support came rolling in and my worries faded into joy. Summer project has been nothing less of a challenge, but I find that whenever I surrendered my concerns to Jesus I quickly began to see profound meaning in what I experienced.
Seriously, I want everyone on earth to know about their Heavenly Father, and my heart breaks for those who do not yet know Him. My biggest prayer is that the Lord would use us all to show love to people in this world, since He first loved us.
Only a few more days in Australia! ..for now ;)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
half time
Just returned to the big city from mid-project retreat!
This weekend trip was meant to refresh our team for the remaining two weeks in Australia, and it sure did! The girls stayed in an adorable home by a beach near Melbourne, and the guys stayed in a house a couple blocks away. We got to sleep in Saturday, and we just hung out on the beach and explored the little town we were staying in.
I ventured over to a nearby beach and sat down on a sand dune as the sun began to set. It was just God and me. I have rarely seen places as beautiful as what I experienced on the beach. I journaled for a good hour, blasting Phil Wickham and praising God as waves from the Indian ocean washed up on the super-soft Australian sand. I asked the Lord to speak to me in the silence, and I totally felt Him there with me. I quickly became more aware of my flaws and more awake to God's brilliance. I strongly believe that He spoke truth into my life, and I wrote it in my journal because it's between me and the Lord.
I want everyone in the world to be able to experience His presence, and it sincerely breaks my heart to know that there are so many people who choose to deny Him or have never even thought of God. It's my prayer that the lost would be found.
Two more weeks here in the land down under! I can't believe how quickly time has gone! I don't want to separate from my 16 family members on this project because I think they are just the most wonderful people!
Please pray that God would keep doing big things these next couple weeks, and continue to do so after we have gone back to the States.
Love you all!
This weekend trip was meant to refresh our team for the remaining two weeks in Australia, and it sure did! The girls stayed in an adorable home by a beach near Melbourne, and the guys stayed in a house a couple blocks away. We got to sleep in Saturday, and we just hung out on the beach and explored the little town we were staying in.
I ventured over to a nearby beach and sat down on a sand dune as the sun began to set. It was just God and me. I have rarely seen places as beautiful as what I experienced on the beach. I journaled for a good hour, blasting Phil Wickham and praising God as waves from the Indian ocean washed up on the super-soft Australian sand. I asked the Lord to speak to me in the silence, and I totally felt Him there with me. I quickly became more aware of my flaws and more awake to God's brilliance. I strongly believe that He spoke truth into my life, and I wrote it in my journal because it's between me and the Lord.
I want everyone in the world to be able to experience His presence, and it sincerely breaks my heart to know that there are so many people who choose to deny Him or have never even thought of God. It's my prayer that the lost would be found.
Two more weeks here in the land down under! I can't believe how quickly time has gone! I don't want to separate from my 16 family members on this project because I think they are just the most wonderful people!
Please pray that God would keep doing big things these next couple weeks, and continue to do so after we have gone back to the States.
Love you all!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I'd like to apologize about the lack of updates. I have few opportunities to get on the internet and keep everyone in the loop.
This week, we have started to go to the campuses for evangelism. Oh, and they are flat out gorgeous! It would be impossible to explain what's happening in my heart right now, but the Lord has already done so much since Monday, when we first started sharing at the universities. The more times I approach people, share my faith, and get to relate to students on a personal level; the more comfortable I am with all this missionary stuff! :)
On Tuesday, a few of my teammates and I went to a different university that Student Life (the Christian club) has never set foot on. As pioneers, we set up an info booth at their orientation day and walked around and had great conversations. That was a difficult day. People's hearts, here in Australia, have really been hardened to the gospel. However, I got to have very engaging spiritual conversations with people of really diverse beliefs. Needless to say, it has been exhausting! But it is SO worth it!
I have been learning a ton about ministries and the Lord's grace. He has been answering my prayers and working big things in the hearts of the lost. I know that incredible things are happening, even if I can't quite see the outcomes yet. All I can say is God is so good!
Australia is such an amazing country! I wish I could explore more of it, but the Great Commission sort of beats out adventuring in the outback. Sorry family back home, but I am most likely coming back here later on for a more extended stay.
Prayer requests:
My team and I would love prayer for boldness and sustained emotional energy from the Holy Spirit.
Also, please pray for the lovely individuals we have met so far, that they will be open to the gospel and maybe even welcome Jesus into their lives!
Oh! The family is going to our first Aussie footy game! Oy oy oy!
Cheers
This week, we have started to go to the campuses for evangelism. Oh, and they are flat out gorgeous! It would be impossible to explain what's happening in my heart right now, but the Lord has already done so much since Monday, when we first started sharing at the universities. The more times I approach people, share my faith, and get to relate to students on a personal level; the more comfortable I am with all this missionary stuff! :)
On Tuesday, a few of my teammates and I went to a different university that Student Life (the Christian club) has never set foot on. As pioneers, we set up an info booth at their orientation day and walked around and had great conversations. That was a difficult day. People's hearts, here in Australia, have really been hardened to the gospel. However, I got to have very engaging spiritual conversations with people of really diverse beliefs. Needless to say, it has been exhausting! But it is SO worth it!
I have been learning a ton about ministries and the Lord's grace. He has been answering my prayers and working big things in the hearts of the lost. I know that incredible things are happening, even if I can't quite see the outcomes yet. All I can say is God is so good!
Australia is such an amazing country! I wish I could explore more of it, but the Great Commission sort of beats out adventuring in the outback. Sorry family back home, but I am most likely coming back here later on for a more extended stay.
Prayer requests:
My team and I would love prayer for boldness and sustained emotional energy from the Holy Spirit.
Also, please pray for the lovely individuals we have met so far, that they will be open to the gospel and maybe even welcome Jesus into their lives!
Oh! The family is going to our first Aussie footy game! Oy oy oy!
Cheers
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I'm writing to you, my friends, from an adorable cafe in Melbourne, Australia. Yeah, that's right.
I take no credit in getting here. It was all from the Lord and all the generous supporters who have been keeping me in their prayers along this journey. I cannot tell how much you have blessed me.
Recap: the 16-hour plane ride was so much easier than I had expected. I slept through most of it; thank goodness it was a red-eye. Jet lag was almost completely erased from the situation because our leaders kept us awake until 9pm on the day we arrived - by way of an epic scavenger hunt throughout the incredible city of Melbourne. We searched for landmarks and fun cultural centers, and we had to ask the Aussies where things were. They are SO FRIENDLY by the way! And I cannot get enough of their groovy accents. Needless to say, it was a fun day, and the sleep we got that night was the best ever.
The last few days have been filled with amazing works of the Lord and great conversations within our team. From our loopy times of trying to laugh without smiling to the intimate times of prayer and worship, God has been bringing us close so that we can unify in His love as we spread the Gospel. We have been reading and studying the Gospel of John, and each time I read it, the gravity of the Lord's sacrifice and immense heart for the world just increases.
Gotta go, I don't have much wifi access, so it's been difficult to update y'all. Bear with me!
God is so good!! Cheers!
p.s. I saw wild kangaroos yesterday. :)
I take no credit in getting here. It was all from the Lord and all the generous supporters who have been keeping me in their prayers along this journey. I cannot tell how much you have blessed me.
Recap: the 16-hour plane ride was so much easier than I had expected. I slept through most of it; thank goodness it was a red-eye. Jet lag was almost completely erased from the situation because our leaders kept us awake until 9pm on the day we arrived - by way of an epic scavenger hunt throughout the incredible city of Melbourne. We searched for landmarks and fun cultural centers, and we had to ask the Aussies where things were. They are SO FRIENDLY by the way! And I cannot get enough of their groovy accents. Needless to say, it was a fun day, and the sleep we got that night was the best ever.
The last few days have been filled with amazing works of the Lord and great conversations within our team. From our loopy times of trying to laugh without smiling to the intimate times of prayer and worship, God has been bringing us close so that we can unify in His love as we spread the Gospel. We have been reading and studying the Gospel of John, and each time I read it, the gravity of the Lord's sacrifice and immense heart for the world just increases.
Gotta go, I don't have much wifi access, so it's been difficult to update y'all. Bear with me!
God is so good!! Cheers!
p.s. I saw wild kangaroos yesterday. :)
Thursday, July 12, 2012
briefing
Hello ministry partners!!
I am writing from Los Angeles, where our three-day briefing has been taking place. I arrived on Tuesday, and I have since had the blessing of getting to know my project teammates and attend seminars. These, coupled with our team meetings, have already been so helpful in preparing us all for the ministry we will be doing down under! God's amazing love has been so present here, and my new summer family is bonding a ton! We get along like we have all been friends for months, though we just met a couple days ago (although a few of my teammates are from Cal Poly and I loved them already).
We have been staying in dorms at a university before we leave, where the meetings have been held. Staff members and Cru leaders have been facilitating the seminars that show Cru's international vision, how we want to love the Lord, how we can love our team, what to expect from changing cultures, and how we are launching a movement overseas.
From talking with teammates who have been on missions to Australia before, the culture there is very apathetic to the gospel because they are usually not raised to even think spiritually. All they know is life in this world, and they sometimes don't even question what happens when we die. It will be difficult to engage in spiritual conversations with Aussies, more than it is to talk with Americans who have grown up in a society that is more aware of Christianity.
Despite the challenges, I feel like the Lord is planning big things for our team, and I just want to be there now! Alas, we have to wait another day before we head to LAX for our direct, 17-hour flight to Melbourne (pronounced MEL-bun by the locals). I am so ready to get out of this heat and layer on some awesome sweaters for the winter weather!
God has been so good, and the more I prepare for this adventure, the more I understand that I am not here by accident. His plan is TOTALLY worth surrendering to.
Next time I update, I will quite likely be in the southern hemisphere!
G'day!!
I am writing from Los Angeles, where our three-day briefing has been taking place. I arrived on Tuesday, and I have since had the blessing of getting to know my project teammates and attend seminars. These, coupled with our team meetings, have already been so helpful in preparing us all for the ministry we will be doing down under! God's amazing love has been so present here, and my new summer family is bonding a ton! We get along like we have all been friends for months, though we just met a couple days ago (although a few of my teammates are from Cal Poly and I loved them already).
We have been staying in dorms at a university before we leave, where the meetings have been held. Staff members and Cru leaders have been facilitating the seminars that show Cru's international vision, how we want to love the Lord, how we can love our team, what to expect from changing cultures, and how we are launching a movement overseas.
From talking with teammates who have been on missions to Australia before, the culture there is very apathetic to the gospel because they are usually not raised to even think spiritually. All they know is life in this world, and they sometimes don't even question what happens when we die. It will be difficult to engage in spiritual conversations with Aussies, more than it is to talk with Americans who have grown up in a society that is more aware of Christianity.
Despite the challenges, I feel like the Lord is planning big things for our team, and I just want to be there now! Alas, we have to wait another day before we head to LAX for our direct, 17-hour flight to Melbourne (pronounced MEL-bun by the locals). I am so ready to get out of this heat and layer on some awesome sweaters for the winter weather!
God has been so good, and the more I prepare for this adventure, the more I understand that I am not here by accident. His plan is TOTALLY worth surrendering to.
Next time I update, I will quite likely be in the southern hemisphere!
G'day!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
the story begins
Wow. My mind is being blown by the Lord's grace right now, and His peace is so overwhelming! I'm really going on summer project...intense.
I'm pretty excited for this blogging stuff. It makes me feel official, and it also illuminates the reality of this adventure that lies ahead. Ministry partners, supporters, and friends; thank you - times infinity - for being a part of my mission to reach people on the other side of the globe with the overflowing love of Jesus Christ.
Here's a little sneak peek at what this project will look like, from what I've been told..
A group of about 18 of us college students, including a couple Cru staff members (who help to guide us all in our journey), will be living in Melbourne, Australia, as missionaries at a local university. The students will be in school, since it will be winter (weird, huh). During the weeks, our group will be on campus, sharing our faith and hopefully developing meaningful relationships with students. As we gain contacts, we will be able to maintain these friendships by referring them to Cru ministry teams who are staying in Australia for long-term missions. In short, we get to grow God's kingdom! How cool is that!
I'm so blessed with such an incredible opportunity to go overseas with my summer project family, whom I have been in contact with during these weeks leading up to the project in July. We have been encouraging one another in our support-raising, and I have already seen the Lord do so much in their lives, as well as my own!
As a ministry partner, you all will be able to follow me via this blog as I go on the path that God has formed for me, and you can bet that He is about to do even more awesome miracles in the land down-under!
Love you guys!
I'm pretty excited for this blogging stuff. It makes me feel official, and it also illuminates the reality of this adventure that lies ahead. Ministry partners, supporters, and friends; thank you - times infinity - for being a part of my mission to reach people on the other side of the globe with the overflowing love of Jesus Christ.
Here's a little sneak peek at what this project will look like, from what I've been told..
A group of about 18 of us college students, including a couple Cru staff members (who help to guide us all in our journey), will be living in Melbourne, Australia, as missionaries at a local university. The students will be in school, since it will be winter (weird, huh). During the weeks, our group will be on campus, sharing our faith and hopefully developing meaningful relationships with students. As we gain contacts, we will be able to maintain these friendships by referring them to Cru ministry teams who are staying in Australia for long-term missions. In short, we get to grow God's kingdom! How cool is that!
I'm so blessed with such an incredible opportunity to go overseas with my summer project family, whom I have been in contact with during these weeks leading up to the project in July. We have been encouraging one another in our support-raising, and I have already seen the Lord do so much in their lives, as well as my own!
As a ministry partner, you all will be able to follow me via this blog as I go on the path that God has formed for me, and you can bet that He is about to do even more awesome miracles in the land down-under!
Love you guys!
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