So we were finally able to leave for camping Tuesday. The drive was a little over two hours. It is so beautiful up there! I wish I had taken more photos. The weekdays were a lot like on campus except we weren't up as early, we had dessert every night, 'battle-buddies' at lunch (which is when you are partnered with another student or staff member to have lunch together), we had outreach prep during many afternoons, we had something called 'shed night' which is where we did activities together in the evening in the big shed (one night we did 'movie charades' it was awesome!), some morning we also did something called 'Good Morning God'. We were numbered off into teams in which we had to put a one hour program together in the morning. I was group #3 and our theme was 'putting our focus back towards God'. We had done much self-improvement and character development exercises in the past weeks and we felt it was time to look outside of ourselves. Besides all of that, on free days we went on hikes, swimming in the swimming holes, hanging out around the campfire (personal favourite), and I was really able to get to know people a lot better and hear their hearts. My 'ministry placement' was also different. I had 'dinner prep' which was wonderful. I miss cooking with my mum.
The first week of lectures were 'relationships'. With God, with family, with friends, and with the opposite sex. It was a great week. The biggest thing I got out of that week was it's important not to go into relationships with just what's on the surface. We need to make ourselves vulnerable to each other and be real. It's self-preservation that we don't do this. We are afraid of being hurt or rejected.
The next week's lectures were 'Lordship'. WOW! Where to start.. haha.. Every day was long with him. On Friday we had lectures ALL DAY until midnight. Just praising God, bringing offerings, tangible and intangible, making commitments, laying down things, confessing sins, having communion, 4 baptisms and 3 re-commitments, anointing with the Holy Spirit, prophesying, giving to one another.. On the particular time we gave to one another it was so much more powerful than 'giving night' weeks ago. We were all in a circle and seeing people's reactions and the gifts and it was very emotional. I was given a pen and told I'm a sister to one of my friends here, another girl gave me her sleeping mat (I forgot one and was sleeping on the ground of the tent) to symbolize God wants to comfort me, and another girl from Switzerland gave me her bathing suit she had learned how to save lives in because I was going to save lives! It was so powerful. Funds were given, trips to see America in the winter, books, shoes, jewelery, all so meaningful! The one particular night we were anointed with the Holy Spirit as we were worshiping and people were speaking in tongues, yelling, running and screaming in the field praising God, jumping, trust falls were happening, people were crying, praying for one another. One girl and I were just so ecstatic and filled with such joy and peace, we turned to each other, smiled, and said 'If people saw us, they would swear we are all insane.' I can't explain the two weeks guys, it was so awesome. Life changing for many.
We came back down the mountain on Saturday afternoon, unloaded, got luggage from storage, and went to our new accommodations (the ship leaves this week so we can no longer live there). We have been split up by outreach team. All teams (girls) are in the YWAM apartments behind the old base. My team is in a flat above the home of some key leaders in YWAM. I love our flat, even though it isn't much, and I'm going to miss it! The boys are all in a hostel near the new campus.
This week's lectures are on 'Bible Study'. It's great learning how to study your Bible in depth and the different methods. I have learnt this all before numerous times but It's been a great reminder nonetheless. Tuesday I was able to go to 'Salvo's' (the Salvation Army for all of you non-Aussies) and get some books! I have been going crazy without something to read. Then that night we had 'Outreach prep'! Wooo! So exciting! We got a basic outline of our schedule the first week when we will be in Ayr which is between Townsville and Mackay. Mackay is our main destination but we will be spending some time in Ayr speaking in some schools and churches and doing youth programs. We leave Saturday morning. This morning we had a time of praying for the outreach teams and then lectures. I just finished base-ops and this evening is 'family night'. So worship and 'family dinner'. I love Wednesdays! Tomorrow I'm going to try to get to the mall for some things before outreach. I'll be gone for three weeks so this will be my last blog post until I get back. Today was hard for me, and many other students. When I got back to Townsville on Saturday, my family had just left Florida on Friday and I won't be able to really communicate with them again until mid-April when I'm not even sure I'll have steady internet access. Just frustrating. I really miss them and especially my little brother. Many other students are struggling with homesickness and stress. Please pray for us! We have been so busy. Emotionally drained from camping, and now physically drained from outreach prep, book reports, homework, ministry placement, lectures, etc.
I suppose I should end this here.. I love you guys and miss you loads! Wish I could make this deeper but I was seriously journaling for three days after camping because there was just so much to say! I will gladly share more stories when I'm home.
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| The drive back to Townsville |
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| The entire January DTS & staff |
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| The massive bonfire the boys made Saturday night |
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| Me & Abigail's tent |
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| 'Huntsman' spider - often on my tent |
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