Hey everyone just wanted to update you what's been happening this month for me and my ministry: 

(Castle Hill, Townsville)

January for most people starts off with a big celebration of the New Year and that's exactly what it was like for everyone here in Townsville: and for not just for the celebration of the new decade but for an anniversary of YWAM internationally! 

2010 marks the 50th year since Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission saw his vision and dream to see young people know God and make Him known become a reality from YWAM's birth. We had an amazing opportunity for Loren and his wife Darlene Cunningham to celebrate this Jubilee of YWAM in Canberra along with many other YWAMers from all over the Australia bases. Our base director also had the opportunity to share with all of the Australia YWAM bases more about the Australia and PNG ship tour that is about to be launched within the next few weeks! God has done so much with the ship lately and there is much more to be done in these next few weeks.  

YWAM Australia has a vision to see 100,000 young people get involved in missions with this ship tour and spread life to the nation of Australia as well as Papua New Guinea. 

Now here's both a piece of inspiration and history behind these two nations:

The Kokoda Campaign was a series of harrowing World War II battles, fought between Australian and Japanese forces, between July 1942 and January 1943. The Kokoda Trail (or Track) is located in the Owen Stanley Ranges of New Guinea. The Trail roughly runs from Port Moresby to Kokoda, through extremely rugged and impossibly muddy terrain, which makes this tropical and mountainous area only passable on foot.  It was there on August 29th 1942, the Japanese task force broke through the Australian line forcing the Australians to retreat further back to Templeton's Crossing. Eventually, the Australians were forced to retreat to the shipping port of Myola. 4000 Australian lives were lost in the campaign overall. It is speculated that this number would have been much larger had it not been for help of Papua New Guinea men carrying injured Aussie soldiers along the Kokoda track. No known injured soldier that was still alive was ever abandoned by Papuan men; nicknamed "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels", even in the heat of combat. 

This picture of honor, courage and mateship is still presented in the people of Papua New Guinea today. Yet if you look at the land, see its rich and lush resources, and then see the need and poverty of its people, especially in the remote areas... something doesn't quite add up. There is definitely a need for justice in this nation. Many people are unable to receive basic health care, because of finances or lack of transportation to hospitals, as well as women and children are not receiving proper care and education. With the help of the ship tour, we plan to give back to this nation in such a way that it will be able to rebuild its foundations and bring hope to the communities and villages that have not been able to see or experience a promising future in their lives. We hope to give life... whether in means of resources, health care and awareness or simply the word of God and His love. 

It is interesting just to see how God has even built this partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia not only from the history they both have together but also with the partnerships we are building with the ship tour. Townsville is the nearest northeastern city to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and how amazing is it that God would give a ship to our base in Townsville to reach out to the nation of PNG!

What happening at base for me personally?

I’ve now switched roles in accounts-now working in accounts payable, as well as training a new staff intern named Renee on my previous job in Accounts receivable. The next month is going to look really busy for me, and quite stressful at times (as I’ve already noticed!). I’ve been asked to play piano and sing for the Youth Street Live band on Saturday nights, as well as be in the steady rotation for Corporate Worship on Wednesdays. As this is something more of a passion of mine, and something God really wants me to develop leadership in, please pray that my role in accounts will not be too stressful to learn, and that I’m able to get a full knowledge of what I’m doing in accounts so I can get everything done!

Also looking ahead, I’m continuing to pray about staffing a DTS (discipleship training school) in July. Currently the plan is to have 2 DTS schools run at the same time for July-one on the ship and one here at base. Please pray for more students to inquire for these schools! I’m also looking to raise some money for the ship tour (my possible outreach) and raise some more money to visit home in mid December 2010 to hopefully speak to my supports/church about my missions thus far. God is stirring a lot and I know he will provide everything in His time. Please pray for divine appointments with supporters, as well as new people that I meet here in Australia.

I know it’s a long update… but There really is soooo much going on right now. Please if you have any questions do not hesitate to email me! I love hearing from you all. Also if you have any personal pray requests … I would like to pray for you!   Thank you so much for reading, supporting and being a partner in my missions here at YWAM Reef to Outback. More updates coming soon!

Thanks so much!

long overdue. The latest news.

Hey everyone!

wow.... its been so long since I last updated what's been happening here so I'm sorry if this blog is a little exhausting.

but I promise all of it will be informative to the max!!

so heres the quick points first:

I've been working for YWAM Reef to Outback now for amount 4 months! Wahoo!

I plan to be here for 3 years now (for those of you who are confused.... yes I did change my commitment from 2- 3 years...I know. Intense right!?)

I am currently working in accounts in the base operation ministry area. I help students/staff process their payments and donations towards their schools/staff fees/outreach expenses. I get to see how God is providing FIRST HAND! :D

In December, I was able to staff a youth camp here called Impact Summer much like a mini Discipleship Training School, allowing high school aged youth to growth and develop their relationship with God. It was pretty awesome.

What am I doing next you ask? I will be working in Accounts for the next 3 months, until April-ish and then I hope to staff a school soon-which means I would be able to go on outreach!!!

These past 3 months have been soooo amazing and soo crazy I am blown away by how faithful my God is. To not wanting to be a part of the accounts ministry area, to seeing Gods provision in Accounts for me personally...and in other ways, to seeing DTS schools go on outreachs (To Papua New Guinea!), and see approx 45 youth develop a passion for God and sharing his word with others.... it is all so amazing seeing how much has happened.

Impact Summer really gave me a deeper passion to see young people come into missions..... seek out everything God has for them. The small group I led in particular (5 girls) was an incredible time where I was able to speak into the lives of these girls, encourage them, and see a vital change in their hearts towards God. We also had a couple stories during the outreach section of the camp (where we volunteered for a local Christmas festival) in which a group prayed for 3 elderly people and were healed from blindness, inability to walk and hip pain! so incredible! God is awesome.

The DTS teams that went to Papua new Guinea were able to reach into areas that have never been reached before, providing them with needs that are far out of reach for them. The goal and purpose of this outreach was to connect and make contacts to remote villages to come back with the ship tour and provide primary health care and food/clothing and spectacles for those with vision problems. Here's a little taste of what these villages look like :

Also to note! I've been playing piano at a local church every sunday, helping them out with worship since their band is away on a missions trip. It has been such a blessing to not only work with Ywam but the community of Townsville. This has very much stretched my to develop more leadership skills and boldness in my own relationship with God. Coming the end of January, I will be on the main rotation for the YWAM base's corporate worship team for piano and vocals and possibly in the rotation for our weekend outreach Youth Street Live band.

It is really funny how God has been using all of my skills as an individual to work for his purpose for others. :)

Needs/Prayer points:

-finances for upcoming outreach (approx $4000)

-finances for trip home in December 2010 (I hope to speak at a couple of churches to report what God has been doing)

-for the ship tour that starts late this January! finances, volunteers,

-the building of our new youth hangout cafe! pray that our crew finish in time for the ship tour/end of January!

FIRST UPDATE FROM OZ!

Hey everyone! Its been about a week now since I've arrived in Townsville, Australia and things are only beginning! Just a brief reminder/update for those of you who are not in the loop :

I'm currently in Australia joining staff with a international non-denominational non-profit organization called Youth with a Mission (aka: YWAM) I'm currently at the Reef to Outback base in Townsville starting my 1 year internship on staff, with a plan of 2 years working at the base.

ANYWAYS...

when I arrived at base things were COMPLETELY different for me than the last time I was here (for my Discipleship training school). Just being here, has brought a lot of memories, and familiarity but even more, uncertainty, beginnings, and nervousness.

My first week settling in has actually been quite a struggle emotionally, physically and financially. It hasn't been the easiest getting back into the swing of living with roommates, and living where I also work, without family or friends from home by my side. We kick-started the internship this past sunday with a orientation day full of yummy food, and lots of "hi my name is....what's your name again? " conversations. After dinner we were able to have some worship time with the new Discipleship training school (DTS) that also just arrived. God had definitely spoken to us that this quarter would be a season of stepping out, and really embracing God's call on our lives.

With that along with the previous base worship we had on the wednesday before, I felt God was really trying show me just how faithful he is to us. Although I came with a security of my finances in some order, when I go here, I realized just how difficult things were going to be in terms of finances. Turns out things haven't really been on my side financially as my bank at home is now giving me more trouble than it would at home. certain bills have been thrown at me as well (computer payments, certain airport tax...etc.) that I didn't really expect.
Long story short, I'm kinda in need of a crazy financial breakthrough. HOWEVER. God still remains faithful to me in other ways.

Today was the first official day of my internship and to be honest, I was given another curveball when it came to the ministry area I was given. Accounting. yes accounting people. and for those of you who know me.... I DO NOT LIKE MONEY . I am much more of a people person than I am a sit at a computer and do invoices most of the day kind of person. I've prayed about this a bit (although it's still in the process) and I know I'm going to go into this ministry with a willing heart. I have already seen a change in my own heart as well as God's provision through this time

now for prayer points:

-FINANCES.... its a big need right now... approx. 400 dollars at the moment as an immediate need but I am continuing to seek monthly support as well (thankyou to those of you who have made a response to this need already!!)

-that God would continue to strengthen me in this time of new encounters, and journeys on staff.

-for the finances of my fellow interns to come through as well.

-for the October DTS to come into this new journey with God with their whole hearts! Entering into all that He has for them!

If you would like to partner with me in supporting me financially/ in prayer... please msg me back or go to www.ywamrto.com to donate

THE LATEST

Hey everyone this is just one of the many truly awesome things that God is doing in the ministry I'm going to intern with :) hope you enjoy! remember to visit www.ywamrto.org for more news!

noteworthy praises

So I open up my email today to find a delightful message from Australia. That alone makes me smile as it is, but it actually happened to be about my visa. My australia visa has been officially granted! after all the nervousness of only being 4 weeks away from leaving, I am happy to say I can breathe just a little bit smoother knowing that I'm legally allowed to stay in Australia for a year. :)

Other noteworthy praises this week include....

- God is continuing to show me how much I was meant to stay here in Canada longer than I first imagined before heading back.

- God (as always) has answered my prayers (all in His timing that is)

- I have been able to spend a lot of quality time with some of the greatest friends.

- Divine appointments continue to come up that help me further prepare my trip

- I've grown a deeper passion for music and worship as a whole.

and something always worth mentioning...

My Church.... is amazing.

and no I'm not talking about the services, or the worship or how ridiculously good looking everyone is. no. I'm talking about the people, and their hearts and their willingness to help.

and even God's push and encouragement to get them to act in big ways. I'm not just saying this because something extraordinary has happened specifically to me (because it hasn't really , not recently anyways)

I'm saying this because I can feel it when I walk into the church. And I know there is a lot more that the church needs to improve on but that is part of working together. and molding the places where God wants it to be molded. I'm just always impressed with how the church steps out in obedience with even one small thing like being faithful to the community.

anyways... to anyone who is listening out there that goes to my church (sunshine ridge baptist) I'm thankful to be a part of your family. and please come visit me at the table on the 27th!

I Lay it down

Everything I am

Everything I long to be

I lay it down at Your feet

Everything I am

Everything I long to be

I lay it down at Your feet

I lay it down

I lay it down

I lay it down

At Your feet

Oh pearl of greatest price

No act of sacrifice

Can match the gift of life I find within Your gaze

Oh, what a sweet exchange

I die to rise again

Lifted up from the grave into Your hands of grace

Everything I am

Everything I long to be

I lay it down at Your feet

Everything I am

Everything I long to be

I lay it down at Your feet

I lay it down

I lay it down

I lay it down

At Your feet

The Journey soon begins....

Hi world.



So, this is the beginning. This is where everything is about to change. Tomorrow, is the day of the beginning of changes. Tomorrow I book my flight to Townsville, Australia.

There are a lot of "unsures" and uncertainties that lie ahead, but there comes a point to giving myself to God where the only step is a jump...into the uncertain. That place where we can no longer follow a map that we once drew out for ourselves when we were 12....closing our eyes and letting our Dad direct us to "home" in him.



2 months and a day from now I will begin the journey my heart has beating and breaking for for the past 10 months. I still can't sink it in! I think the part that makes me the most nervous is that I really don't know what it is going to look like for me. And I don't know when...or if I will be coming back home!



Please pray for my support come in as I still need at least $300 in monthly support. Many thanks to those who are praying and supporting me financially. This couldn't happen without you! Also pray that I am able to keep a good head on my shoulders with all the stressful appointments/purchases/forms that I have to go through