Hey everyone,
Sorry it's been so long since my last post, things were a little busy. I can't believe that I only have a week left of outreach! It's flown by so fast. The last four weeks have been pretty crazy. The last post I was writing from Gladstone, but since then I have been to Mackay, Sarina, Airlie Beach and now I am writing to you from Mount Isa. Each place has been jam packed full of fun and God has moved so much during those times.
Mackay was maybe one of the most difficult times on outreach I encountered. As a team we became camp counselors for troubled youth. Camp Eagle was a place put on by the chaplains from the schools around town for kids that they felt needed a bit more attention. The reason it was so trying is because of the lack of respect. Though, as the camp went on we where able to see more and more improvement in their attitudes and their respect for others. I was asked to look after a kid that has severe depression. I spent about 90% of the time at camp with him talking and looking after him. He is a Christian, so we had some great conversations about God and I did my best to answer some difficult questions. Even though this time was some of the most difficult it was probably some of the most fruitful.
Next my team headed to Sarina. Here we had one of the craziest schedules I think I have ever heard. We did a few school programs, helped clean up a skate park, went to an old folks home, and gathered native seeds... yep you read it right, gathered native seeds. For being such a crazy schedule it was one of the most fun. The diversity of our group definitely helped us in each of our diverse engagements. We were also blessed enough to be billeted at a beach house on a private beach. Don't worry I took heaps of photos.
After that we headed up to Airlie Beach. This is a huge stop for backpackers. We stayed at a YWAM base that has just started up there and we showed up to meet their first DTS. The team and I ran a few school programs and a Bible study which were great experiences. The YWAM base there is really focused on backpacker ministry, so we got to help them out with that as well.
Now I am in the Isa. This is the second time being here and it's become quite a bit hotter than last time, but still bearable because I jump in the pool whenever I get the chance. The last few days have been great because we have been doing acts of service which I love. We are staying at a caravan park run by some YWAMers, which we were able to help out and do some yard work at. We also ran a Sunday school, an indigenous youth group, more yard work and a kids telephone religious class. The kids telephone class was really awesome. Because Australia is so spread out a lot of kids are on cattle farms and don't get the chance to go to school. We participated with School of the Air and what they do is have a school over the phone so kids can have a chance to receive an education. It was amazing being able to be a part of it and see how it all works.
Tomorrow we head off to Maggie Island for Red Frogs and schoolies. Its bound to be an amazing time and I am excited to see what God does. Keep your prayers coming and I will blog again once I get the chance.
N.G.
