Still loving + learning..

How do you describe the most amazing thing that’s ever happened? What words are used to retell of the incredible works of God and the revelations of His love?

I’ve been struggling ever since I got here with the words used to my time here and someone simply said, “Why don’t you pray and ask God?” It was so simple and I’m a little disappointed that I had to hear it from someone else but really that’s what this blog is for - to share my journey of faith and growth with my friends and family.

I LOVE the people here. The different accents are merging into one and it’s fun as we find out more about all the different cultures. I’m finding it incredible to just have time to hang out with people and get to know them. We’re learning about community and family (a lot bigger than usual) in the little things such as sharing 2 showers between 40+ girls but also just as we continue to go on this journey together.

This last week has been a real eye opening, heart thumping and emotional time. We have been challenged to really think about who we are and the person God has created us to be. We were stripped down from the lies that we’ve so easily believed. It was a real practical thing to write the truths about our self but not as simple to actually believe them in our head and heart.

Who I am in Christ cannot be changed or shaken. I am His daughter and I want to walk in this each day – exploring my gifts and passions and using them to serve God and His people.

Last night we were told of all the outreach options. There will be teams sent to Papua New Guinea and Cambodia to share the love of God and actively be pursuing social justice. This will be the six week outreach during April and June with more details to come. We have till Thursday to think and pray about it and during that time we aren’t to talk about it with our team so we’re not influenced by their decisions.

Please be praying for us all as we wait on God and His leading to know where we are to go. This is exciting as look forward to the things ahead and what God has in store for us. Thanks heaps for your support and coming on this journey with me. 

All in one week

A week in Townsville! It’s been a challenging and incredible week and it certainly feels like I’ve been here a lot longer!

Orientation began on Sunday and for the first couple of days we were introduced to YWAM and what their core values are and how will we would be effectively be able to live in community with one another. This time was also a time to be able to settle in to our new home and learn the ropes.

A brief outline of our schedule:

In the mornings from after breakfast till lunch we have lectures. These are on a range of subjects and are sometimes just with our group and are sometimes with both groups.

After we all share lunch together, each person has a work duty that allows the base to continue to function and run properly. Some jobs are: maintenance, dinner prep, cleaning of rooms, office work and a bunch of others. My work duty is breakfast preparation which is absolutely great for me because I’m a morning person and also allows me to have my whole afternoon from lunch till dinner free! I can then use the time to do homework, washing or anything else.

On Saturday afternoon/night we run programs called Youth Street and Youth Street Live. This is an opportunity to engage with the local teenagers of Townsville. They are able to be involved with activities of their own interests such as music, sport, dance, skate and art. In the evenings, it is a more chilled and relaxed vibe with café style live music and general hanging out. This past Saturday (21^st) our group which is Crew Recruit (going into the community and telling people about it…recruiting!) had a carwash. This was to raise some money to use in recruiting in the future weeks.

This week we have been learning about “Hearing God”. It’s been stretching as it’s not something I think about constantly. It’s easy to think that it’s all about hearing an audible voice and give up when God doesn’t speak in that way. I’ve loved being challenged and taught. I’ve loved stopping and hearing God in a new way.

God is challenging me in particular with the fact that I need to become more discerning and have His perspective. I want to grow. I need to grow. He’s most definitely working here in me and in this place. Being here with such amazing people from all across the world who all love Jesus so much is INCREDIBLE! It’s hard to describe sometimes…I guess I’m still trying to process it all as well.

So many good chats with open and honest people and as I hear more about what God has been doing and continues to do I am encouraged and uplifted. I can already say it’s going to be tough to say goodbye. (I love them!) Let’s not dwell on that just yet…I want to stay in this moment and soak up all that God has for me!

I’m looking forward to the week ahead. We’re diving into the topic of “Identity” and how we will live in light of what Jesus has done.

Thanks so much for your encouragement. I’ve loved receiving mail, texts and a couple of Skype calls. It feels like I’ve been away for so much longer and I do miss you all a little bit. Keep me updated with what’s going on and I’d love to talk to you! Heaps of love! A J

I'm here!

Townsville is incredible. I’m not completely sold on the heat or humidity but there are so many people from all over the world and it’s just so fun to meet everyone.

We arrived just after lunchtime on Friday and the heat was quite overwhelming. I guess wearing a cardigan wasn’t necessary. As we got to the base, we were shown our rooms and a quick tour of the base. It was a lot bigger than expected. It was a hugely nice surprise to find some presents on my bed from Mum and Dad.

In my dorm room there are 10 girls. The people in my DTS (Discipleship Training School) are from the US, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Australia. It’s been ridiculously fun working out random differences and just sharing our cultures with each other. We have kinda settled in and chucked our things in our drawers and shelves. I’ll try to get some pictures up soon so you all know what I’m talking about.

Saturday was a fairly free day, filled with a little shopping, the arrival of more students and the continuation of fun with all the other people.

On Friday night I went to bed with this small feeling of “I couldn’t do this” or something. It was foreign and I wasn’t sure where it was coming from. I knew that God had placed me here but for a moment I gave into doubt. I prayed God would fill me with peace and that I would be able to trust Him and hold fast to His promises.

When I work early on Saturday morning I showered and went to the girls common room for some quiet time with God. The passage I was up to was from Jeremiah chapter 1 and in verse 7 it says: “But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.”

It was a real assurance that God IS going to challenge and stretch me in ways that I can’t even imagine right now, but He will never let me go. He’s never going to give me more than I can handle. I’m excited.

I had asked Him to stretch me even if it was painful and uncomfortable and I believe the real work hasn’t even begun yet.

Today is my birthday! It’s fun being with everyone and getting to know everyone on a much deeper level than facebook. We have all bonded well so far (I mean it’s only been a couple of days) and we are able to jump right into sharing our lives with each other.

I went to church on the base with a lot of other people this morning and am having lunch while updating you all. We will begin orientation and OFFICIALLY start at around 3pm today (Sunday)! Love you all and thank God so much for the input in my life as you have helped me grow and get me to this place.

Please facebook, email, text or Skype me because I’d love to hear from you!!

J

And we're (nearly) off...

My bags are packed and just about everything is organised…I should probably be in bed! Tomorrow is finally the day! I’m moving up to Townsville to study at YWAM (Youth With a Mission) for the next five months. We’ll also be heading out overseas on outreach later on in the year but I’ll update you all as soon as I know.

I’m so excited about this next step. This course focusing on social justice and in particular sex trafficking has been on my heart for a few years now. It’s been what I’ve been reading and researching and now I’m able to go study with likeminded young people from all over the world. This opportunity is just so incredible and such a testament to God’s goodness.

This blog will hopefully allow me to let you all know what’s been happening and keep in you in the loop. I want to be raw and honest with you as God works in and through my life. Please pray not only for me and my journey but also for all the other young people coming from all over the world and the staff that will be directing us. This is big!! We want Jesus to change lives and we want Him to use us to do it. Please pray that we’ll be open to His leading and totally surrender all that we have to Him.

Thank you so much for being such an amazing support, encouragement and blessing to me! Seriously, I am so grateful and thankful. I’m going to miss you all but I’m so excited about this next part of my life that God has planned.

Heaps of love, Anthea J

Please stay in contact, as I’ll be keen to hear what you’ve been up to as well. I’d love it if you’d like to write a letter (I love mail!!) and I’ll be sure to write you one back. Also, you can email me anthea1098@hotmail.com and let me know if you don’t have my mobile number and I’ll give it to you. Thanks guys! J

Postal address

Anthea Kruik

C/O YWAM Reef to Outback

PO Box 6221

Townsville, QLD 4810

Australia