Words from the left hand side of the road!

I was sitting here today and I was like ooh I should blog, I said I would within the two weeks. Then I looked at the date ad realized that it had been two weeks exactly since my last post. So here is my two week update.

Timaru has been great! I have really enjoyed being here, Timaru is just as beautiful as I expected it to be. I dont know if anything in this country could be ugly.

As we have been in Timaru we have been staying with a family and it has been so nice. I have really enjoyed being a part of a family again. (not that my DTS hasnt been a family they have been every bit of a family and more) But, what I mean by that is that it has been nice to be back in a normal family type lifestyle. Waking up in the morning in a normal house, eating breakfast, heading out for the day, and then coming back, eating dinner, and then hanging out in the living room watching the news. The people and families of been more than accommodating to our team.

On another exciting note, something that I forgot to tell anyone that I have talked to back home. I have the joy and pleasure of driving here! Its been quite exciting learning how to drive on the left hand side of the road. And have gotten quite comfortable driving a manuel drive as well.

On a ministry note, our time here has been about the same as Dunedin. Personally I have a few more opportunities to speak and I even got the chance to MC our jump rally. It has been really fun.

A big part of this update is to also let you know whats next. We have two weeks left in New Zealand, and they we will be spent back in Dunedin. As my last blog stated we were supposed to be heading up to Nelson. There however in true YWAM fashion been a few changes made to our schedule. The doors in Nelson just werent really opening up for us, so we decided that going back to Dunedin (where we have quite a few contacts) would be our best bet.

So thats a little bit about me. Hope this finds you well and I will give you another update when I am back in Australia!

Love You all and see you soon!

Love and Light,

J.

Hello New Zealand!!!

Hello to those who are still actually reading this thing. Sorry for the gap between posts, I have been quite busy as of late which means hopefully you will find this blog somewhat entertaining.
For those of you that might not remember or know I am actually now on my outreach phase of my DTS. (Well I am on the second part of outreach, we have already done a short stent but this is the long one.) So , that puts my current location in Dunedin, New Zealand. I will be remaining in NZ for 4 more weeks, then 1 week in AUS, and then it will be time to return to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Just in time for the most important day of the year, and you know that would be my birthday of course! Dec. 17th for those of you forgetting, but don’t worry if you want to go ahead and send my presents to my house or give them to my mom to have when she picks me up from the airport that’s ok, I will not be upset! HAHA!!!!

Back to the point of my blogging, as I previously stated I have been quite busy. I guess as we like to say here “Welcome to outreach!” (Which is funny because we have now been on outreach for 5 weeks total, so the statement has slowly shifted to “it is outreach!”, welcome just seems a bit silly now).

I guess I will start from the beginning and just see where I go from there. Please forgive me if I wander off on some aimless rambling, I am not submitting this thing for a grade, however having an English teacher as a sister though I sometimes feel everything I type is being graded. (HAHA Love You Lish)

We flew into Dunedin on the 18th of October. We were traveled for 24 hours because of an 8 hour layover overnight in Christchurch. It was actually rather fun, we received a few stares as people entered the airport and there was this motley crew all spread out in the airport baggage claim area. Good stories though and some pretty funny pictures as well. Once we arrived beautiful scenery and yes sheep immediately welcomed us, there is indeed quite a number of sheep here it is no stereotype.

Even though many of us were in our sweats and we all were exhausted, we headed off straight to church. I mention this mainly because it has been very cool how welcomed we have been here. Every church we have been a part of has welcomed us with open arms. Families have fed us and given us more sweets than I have eaten in several years combined. But, even outside of the churches we have been treated very well. This town is beautiful in landscape and with people. It is one of the friendliest towns I have ever been to.

Yeah so day one we went to a church service and were taken to one of the elders houses and fed. We spent the afternoon just hanging out and fellowshipping with people from the church.
After most of us were fighting sleep as the afternoon went on we were finally taken to where we have been staying. Our entire team is sleeping in the basement of a church. It has been exciting living with the whole team; it has really given us a sense of family and unity. The church is nice as well, there is only one shower, but we have lots of toilets and a very large kitchen to cook all of our own meals. We also have been blessed with real mattresses, which has been rather nice!
The next couple of days were easy for us, we spent the time getting acclimated to the city, hanging out at the cafes, some prayer times, a bit of prior proper planning to prevent poor performance, and stocking up with food for our team. And then Wednesday we hit the ground running and its been a blur ever since. My numbers are not exact but I think we have done something around 12 or 13 school programs, 4 or 5 youth groups, a couple of church services, a girls group, and a men’s bibles study all in the last week and a half. Along with a city wide youth rally and open houses for people to learn more about missions and take a tour of the ship that is docked here that is a part of mercy ministries. (That is a branch of YWAM in case you were wondering out there)

In these programs, youth groups, and service the schedule and what was said has varied each time. The basic point however has been the same. We have just been encouraging people to get involved, get active, and realize that there is more to life than just what the norm is. And that we need to think outside of ourselves and give back in whatever way that may be for each person individually. Through this we have also looked for all opportunities to share the gospel and we spent a lot of time inviting people to the Jump rally that I mentioned, as well as for them to come down and visit the ship.

The ship has really just been a catalyst or talking point for us to get peoples attention and encourage them. As we have been here our goal has just been to allow our lives to be the gospel that people can see and hopefully though that we can love them and encourage them to love others and get active and get involved and not just sit back and watch life pass them by.
Now sadly my time here in Dunedin is winding down, but its ok because tomorrow we are heading off to Timaru for two weeks where it will be a lot of the same thing. We will be taking a bus; we have been told that it should be about 2 and half hours. Once we arrive in Timaru we are going to be billeted in with people of the community. The experience that billeting will provide could prove to be somewhat interesting but I am excited about it. We will be in Timaru for 2 weeks as well, and then our schedule becomes tentative. Our plan is then to head another 5 or 6 hours north from Timaru onto Nelson. Our time at Nelson will look very similar to our time in Dunedin and Timaru, but as I mentioned no plans in Nelson have been confirmed. I will keep you up to date with our activities as they happen and as I find out more.

I hope that you are all doing quite well out there, and I cant wait to get back and see everyone! Even though my time has been more than wonderful here and I could easily move to New Zealand, home will be a welcomed thing in my heart especially all of my friends and family, and I hoping for a bit of early snow as well so I can get out on those huge Paoli Peaks, that is just wishful thinking though.

Well I hope this was as interesting for you as I kept telling myself it was as I typed it. I will hope to give another update in a week and a half or two weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

Love and Light,
J.

Moats and Boats and Waterfalls

Here I am, Sunday night before my last week of lectures. I can not believe where this journey has taken me. The last 13 weeks, or whatever it has been, have been absolutely life changing. I am not the same person that I was when I left the United States in July. And I am positive that as I am about to leave Australia for 6 weeks and head off to New Zealand, that I will continue this journey on down the rabbit hole.

I did though just want to you guys a quick update on what the game plan looks like for me the next couple of weeks . . .

So yeah, this last week I was just here on base it was quite the busy week. Catching up with friends and preparing to leave again, homework, and book reports, and most exciting is that the new October DTS rocked up. Its so fun to see them and get to talk with them and look back at how far I have came already, and to just think about the journey that they are about to embark on. So this coming week is just preparing to leave . . .

My team and I will be leaving on Saturday afternoon the 17th of October, flying to Brisbane having a little layover then to Christchurch, an 8 hour layover over night at the airport then a flight to Dunedin. Where we will be spending 2 weeks. And then driving up to Timura and spending the remaining 4 weeks.

While in Dunedin we will be staying at a church (the whole team will be together) in Timura we are getting split up and put in different peoples homes. While we are in these two cities we will be doing relatively the same thing in both . . .

We will be working with Schools and Youth Groups for the YWAM New Zealand Ship Tour, I dont know how much I have told you or how much you all remember about the Australia PNG ship tour that is about to happen here that RTO is leading, well this is that ship. Here is a little Video to let you see what I will be involved with . . .

Below I also posted the video again or maybe for the first time of the ship tour that our base is going to be doing just as a little refresher . . .

I hope that this helps fill you guys in on what is going to be going on with me . . . Ill definitely blog again before I leave.

Love and Light,

J.

Its all crazy! Its all a dream! Its alright!

And Im back for two weeks then off again to New Zealand this time . . . Sometimes its surreal! The title says it well, its crazy and it feels like a dream, but it is definitely alright.

Mission adventures was AMAZING!!!! I loved it, it was so much fun and was right up my alley. I loved having the opportunity to disciple and teach kids that were willing to learn and wanted to grow deeper in their faith with God. That for me is what it is about. Helping people to better understand and know God in a deeper more personal way. For the first week of minor outreach we were here on base and teaching the kids running a lecture type week for them much similar to the weeks that I have had previous to my outreach. We had plenty of exciting things happen during that week as well . . .We did a play that was a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus in which I was Jesus, it really moves you going through that experience being hung on a cross and faking the absolute agony that he went through in order for us as imperfect humans to be eternally saved. We also did fun things like play a lot sport teach kids to walk like a cow, baby shark, and a little about polar bears and camping haha. We also had a massive food fight during the week that was disgusting to say the least.

Then we headed off to Palm Island (P.I.). Having the opportunity to minister in a cross culture setting is something that everyone should do in there life! It is eye opening and just simply fun! No Jokes . . . Playing with all of those kids everyday was tiring yes but also quite joyful! I was a human jungle gym a photographer and whatever else you can think of that these kids asked for.

It was one of the greatest experiences of my life . . .We slept on concrete floors, took cold showers, and ate our meals outside and I never really felt the need to complain (except for the cold showers because they were like ice cold and I dont like cold water, who likes cold water? lets be honest here) I woke up every morning feeling complete and fulfilled. Plus we really got to see God work in many ways I have plenty of stories if you want to hear the details.

I guess I could have started with this part but Ill back track now . . . Palm Island was much like being in a different country. It was by no means 3rd world but it was no where close to what we would expect in a modern western civilization. But though it was not the cleanest place in the world and not the safest it was still beautiful! The sunsets were epic and the night sky gorgeous. The forest and ocean were breath taking . . .Its such a shame that such a beautiful place has been reduced down to so little and that the people there dont take better care of the land they are given. But there is hope there are people there who do try it is not all lost!

During these two weeks of mission adventures on a spiritual and personal level I really began to understand who I was and learn and grow deeper with God. These two weeks are two I will never forget . . .For lots and lots of pictures of Palm Island and my team check out my facebook . . .I forgot to take any pictures during the lecture phase but it was just us here on base so it wasnt to exciting from a picture standpoint!

That leads us to 5DE . . . First and Foremost Gold Coast was beautiful as was the camp we stayed at about an hour up into the Mountains. Brisbane is also a wonderful city that I loved very much and hope to go back to some day. For 5DE my outreach team was required to switch gears a bit . . This wasnt necessarily a trip all about God but a trip for kids who came with a lot of questions about God and a chance for them to just have fun and for us to get to show them some love.

It was a tiring weak slept very little starting with about an hour half the first night on the way down ther on the good old double decker bus. Our first day there we did some relay games and had some friendly team competition (We were split up into 4 team that ran through out the week it was one boys cabin with one girla cabin and there were 4 cabins for each ironic huh?) So yeah that was the first day and on that night we had a massive game of Sardines my group dominated with the best hiding spot ever! Day two was the water park and that night was a bit of capture the flag. Day three surfing and Gold coast shopping capping the night with a litle dance party with a cowboys, indians, and Mexicans theme . . . Yeah you can tell that Americans had their hands in the planning! Day four was the other theme park we went to and that night was a praise and worship service some testimonies and our only real ministry night for our outreach team and it was good. Our last day there we went into Brisbane for some shopping I got food poisoning from the Australian version of Burger King (Its called hungry Jack here because when the King tried to come over there was already a place called burger that refused to sale the rights I guess) and then it was another 20+ some hour bus ride back!

I almost forgot that on the day we went surfing that morning I attempted to eat a pancake that in the history of the campgrounds that we stayed at only three people have ever finished. It stayed that way because I couldnt do it but I was so close it made me angry its was one of the hardest things I have ever done. . . Check out the pics on FB its crazy!

So yeah that is my outreach in a nutshell I guess now that I think about it I could have gave a little more detailed break down of Palm but it was pretty relaxed and loose I spent a lot of the itme in the kitchen and stuff and I know I didnt mention that we did an open air service in a courtyard one night that went really well and yeah so thats it . . .if you have any questions PLEASE email me I love emails or just hit me up on Facebook . . .I miss you guys and I thank you so much for your prayers and your support while I was gone trust me, my team and I both could feel them working. We needed it and appreciated it more than you will ever know. If you dont always think that prayer works or that there is no power in prayer . . .WELL STOP because there is and I am living proof of that right now as I write this and everyday that I live my life I see that prayer works. Teaching point here though is that sometimes it just dosnt work out the exact way we had envisioned so we get all crazy saying it dosnt work but it does just look at the situation and talk to God and he will show that it works!

Ok its my bed time here now you are all just waking up as I write this so good morning! Ill talk to you again soon!

Love and Light,

J.

I wanna go to 5DE . . .Oh Wait I am!

Hey guys just wanted to let you know that I am back from Palm Island safe and sound . . . It was so much fun I loved it wore me out, but loved it none the less! I will be posting pictures and writing a much more detailed blog when I get back from the Gold Coast. We leave tomorrow (my Sunday) and will be getting back sometime around Saturday (Oct. 3rd) don't really know when for sure but I promise once I do you will all know ASAP!

I really appreciate all of your prayers while I've been busy, I can tell so have faith and know that they are working . . . Mission Adventures was so GREAT and your prayers and support were a part of seeing people go deeper with God and seeing parts of the Aboriginal communities changed for the better!

Ok I love you guys and please keep praying for me I am about to take a 15 hour bus ride with 44 12-17 year olds so that should be fun! I love you all and you have all been in my prayers as well cant wait to talk to you all more soon!

Love and Light,

J.

Last Post Until the 24th

Hello over there! So I just wanted to let you guys know this is my last entry until the 25th (Thats when we get back from Palm Island) I thought that we would be able to have a bit more Internet Access than what I will. I will be able to on occasion check my email and facebook and send small responses if your keen on that but major communication is temporarily suspended! Please do keep my team and me in your prayers and I will definitely be praying for all of you as well.

Love You all and talk to you in 11 days!!!!

Love and Light,

J.

An update from the Last week and The Mission Adventures Adventure is Beginning!

Hey Guys! Whats up in the land of free and the home of the brave? It has been all good down here in the land down under! I have had a great last week and a half since I last updated you all on my happenings!

Not much has been going on here outside of the usual but, it has still been pretty good none the less. Lectures this week went quite well. Our guest lecture was Dean Sherman and man was it good. His main topic was spiritual warfare but really he talked a lot about just the basics of being the church and where we have screwed up and where we can make a difference. One night outside of normal lecture time he also spoke on relationships to the whole base and it was even better than his lectures during class. He talked about how as christians we have just messed relationships up and that the world has messed them up but, it dosnt have to be like this. It was good. . . Relationships is my favorite subject so maybe that has something to do with it as well.

As far as fun down here this week I got to do some skating around town on a long board one night and that was fun. . . . I discover mylifeisaverage.com Umm yeah its funny! . . . Spent some time down at the beach saw some art work that was sweet as. Yeah sums that up I guess . . .

YouthStreet last saturday was good I am loving being a part of it! It is funny I wasnt exactly the most excited person in the world about working with 14-15 year olds but my heart has just continued to grow more and more for these kids and I cant wait to come back to the states and get to implement some of the things I have learned here and to get to minister to the kids back home, this age group is so important!

Speaking of kiddies! We moved out of our house this morning to get ready for mission adventures that starts tomorrow! We are now allliving in this really nice house about five minutes off of base ( Dont worry pictures will be posted . . . I will post a whole album at the end of our minor outreach) But yeah so thats been exciting . . . With mission adventures like I said before we will be training and holding some stuff for the Youth Group the first four days. I am personally helping with outreach prep, and leading some intercession times. I also am playing Jesus in a thing they called the passion play (Its about the crucifixion) I am really excited about all of this . . .Then for the outreach part I will be cooking for the week with one other person for the youth group as well as my team while we are staying over on Palm Island . . . While we are at Palm Island we are staying at what they call the PCYC its a youth rec center. We mainly will just be holding a few activities on the Island hanging out with the youth there and just building relationships and witnessing though those opportunities so it should be good, not super structured but thats more my style anyway.

So yeah this will be my last post for about 10 or 12 days . . .Ill get a day off when we get back from Palm Island where I can throw a quick update up about how Mission Adventures and Palm went and Ill let you know more details about 5DE! . . .

I hope everyone is doing well, please keep me and my team in your prayers a little extra these next 3 weeks as we will be really having a lot of opportunities to share the Love of God with a lot of people and as we all know thats when we seem to come under the most attack so your prayers are not only appreciated but needed! Much Love to all!

Love and Light,

J.