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