It still feels like "wow we are actually here".
I am sitting in the lounge on one of the black Ikea couches typing away, while surrounded with other people between the age of 19 and 30 also working on computers. Book reports, journals, and newsletters galore. I can hear distant voices discussing social issues in the current nation they are interceeding/praying for in the other room. Welcome to YOUTH WITH A MISSION!!
the view from Kings Park, Perth
Australia's version of central park...
BEAUTIFUL
Random Pictures:
^
Buddist festival downtown Perth
AS I am writing this..
Most of the Media Reach Team is out and about exploring.. in the city somewhere, or a train ride away.
A bit about the base: Right now there is about 300 people here. There are 2 other DTS (training) going on right now. One classic/basic DTS - April, and one called a Surfers DTS DTS - Surfers -called that for obvious reasons. We all have our tools and gifts to play a part right? Also right now there is a Advanced Community Counselling School, Basic Leadership School, Children at Risk School, School of Frontier Missions Muslim World Focus, School of Worship. Most of these programs are also 3 months of training and 3 months of outreach. And they will also be sent at the same time as we will be to our outreach location.
Please do not be confused- this is not a 'school', so much as it is training grounds for biblical truth.
BIG EVENTS - THIS PAST WEEK
Matt and I were settled into another housing situation. Gladstone they call it. Beautiful sheek little place where the most basic of things are available. Matt and I have a couples bedroom 10x15 and our door opens to a kitchenete, with table, and that opens onto a patio with the toilets outside connecting to the patio. (In Australia they call the bathroom the toilet cause often the toilet itself is still separated from the house,... going back to when civilazation all 'went' in out-houses) Our flat has several rooms as well, offices and bedrooms. There is a german couple also there, and a random speaker from Uganda,.we will be expecting more in the days to come apparently.
A BIG thing that practically EVERYONE (we were scheduled for weekend work) EVERYONE went to. NON-YWAM affiliated, the Invisible Children global orginazation gathered supporters in down-town Perth. Check this out if your curious : http://www.invisiblechildren.com/about/whoWeAre/
We also learned about their story.. in more details. These are the kinds of stories we want to tell, hope we want to give as a "media-reach team". In the coming weeks we will be starting a project-- we will keep you updated!! SO keep us in prayer!!
We also learned about their story.. in more details. These are the kinds of stories we want to tell, hope we want to give as a "media-reach team". In the coming weeks we will be starting a project-- we will keep you updated!! SO keep us in prayer!!
OUR SCHEDULE (As previously written by Matt)
Heres a rundown of how our weekdays .....our weekends we have off to work on media journals and feedback with our leaders,.. so all and all its pretty packed!! Check this out..
6-620am All students on the base have morning exercise in the park we all head back to our residency for quiet/get ready time.
620-800am. Quiet time is different for everyone. Steph draws and reads her bibble, where as I read and journal.
830-930am we have worship or intercession.....depending on the day.
930-10am is morning tea which is basically just a fellowship time.
830-930am we have worship or intercession.....depending on the day.
930-10am is morning tea which is basically just a fellowship time.
10-1230pm is lecture time. Subjects like- Character and Nature of God. or Repentance and Forgiveness. VERY theologically well rounded, and conviction stirring. Speakers (also YWAMers) volenterally come from all around the world by their own funding. Crazy inspirational faith stuff. Examples: an Irish guy, who is a missionary in China; a Media dude from this base, or a woman orginally from South Africa with a heart for Performing Arts currently floating around the Aussie YWAM bases.
1230-130pm is lunch time. For those of you who dont know what lunch is - its a time during mid-day when we eat food. hehe MEAT PIES AND FRIES BABY!!!
130-330pm is work duties. I work in properties. (Base matinence) Steph works in hospitality. Hospitality preps all the living comforts for guest speakers and whatnot. (Making cookies and all that good stuff)
330-530pm is free time or media workshop.......depending on the day.
530-600pm is dinner time. For those of you who dont know what dinner is its a time in the evening when we eat food........ ;)
After dinner 5 differant options can happen through out the week.
Monday @ 630pm lecture
Tuesday @630pm small group
Wednesday is free time
Thursday from 530-830pm is city outreach.
(story from steph)
This is an amazing time to see God move......as one might guess. Every week we are led to go someplace different, speak or bless someone different. This past week a couple of us met some street kids and were able to bless them with dinner. We explained to them when they asked why we did what we did,.. but we did not want them to feel like there was an agenda,.. like they they had such joy to hear and spend time with them and understand their stories; how they ended up on the street.
Friday night @ 730 is all base meeting. Basically this is like a church service with a different speaker every week. Alot of community people come to share in the time with us and hear more about the amazing stuff that happens here.
More stories and details coming soon. We will have to sign off for now.. but we have missed all you all...
