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!