Hello again!
It’s occurred to me that many of you, our faithful readers, are not quite informed on what YWAM Reef to Outback does and what we are doing as staff interns. So, I’ll give you what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced so far and will fill you in more as we continue to serve. First, I’ll tell you about one very exciting ministry that has been and will continue to be effective in changing the lives of many, many needy people. It’s the YWAM medical ship called, the Pacific Link. This old Japanese training vessel was miraculously acquired by YWAM RTO a few years ago and has been in the process of getting fixed up and prepared for its main purpose, medical missions trips throughout the South Pacific Region. While the work has been done in getting the supplies and volunteers together, the directors have had it touring throughout the eastern coast of Australia visiting various city ports with the manifold intent of performing youth outreaches to the many troubled teens in these cities while also offering tours of the ship and giving presentations to groups, schools, churches, and the like who might be interested in being involved in the future medical missions. Lastly, the base is conducting a Discipleship Training School stationed on the vessel with the small number of students and staff (6 or 7) having their lectures and outreach onboard. Currently, the Lord has opened doors for the Pacific Link to motor up to Cairns for more outreach and promotion and then on to Thursday Island located at the very northeastern point of the mainland where they will stay for a short time before making their way across the channel to Pupua New Guinea (PNG). Everyone is ecstatic about this part of the trip since this is where the mission will really begin in earnest. The vessel will arrive in one of the main ports in PNG and make sure all their paperwork is in order and fuel tanks filled. Next, it’s on to the various remote towns and villages to meet the needs of the local people. The ship is equipped with eye surgeons, primary medical doctors and nurses, dentists and assistants and the facilities for these gifted professionals to perform their duties. Also, in preparation for this trip, many extremely generous medical and dental supply companies, private practices, individuals, and groups have donated copious amounts of supplies and financial support for the outreach. We are all super excited to be apart of this grand endeavor and can’t wait to hear the stories of those who are serving on board the Pacific Link. In the meantime, a small army of workers need to stay back and take care of the base and the other important ministries that are happening weekly…that is where we come in.
Next, here are some of the other ministries that are going on here at the base:
Youth Street: A weekly outreach on Saturdays to teenage youth in the community. It consists of many kinds of staff led activities, from art, to music, dance, and skateboarding all for the purpose of leading the kids into maturity in every area of their life, especially spiritually. Ryan and I are involved in the skateboarding team during the day and occasionally we stick around for dinner and the evening, Youth Street Live part of the ministry where the kids are often treated to bands, games, insightful biblical teaching, and other activities.
Mission Adventures: A youth focused ministry that seeks to send teens on short-term mission trips in order to stir their hearts for God, for service, and for missions. This is a ministry that Cameron and I are interested in being apart of possibly in the near future. Hopefully, when things slow down a bit, we’ll be able to take the whole family along for some nearby outreach trips!
Proper Way Productions: A ministry designed to reach out to native peoples of Australia and the Pacific Islands. It employs dance, music, and other culturally rich activities to touch hearts for God.
Discipleship Training Schools: These are 6 month schools which are split into two main parts. The first is a lecture series that mostly takes place on base with students receiving rich study in spiritual principles and incorporating living in the community of the base and serving in various capacities both there and in the community. The second part are mission trips which help the students to put into practice the principles that they have learned while at the same time experiencing what “missions” is all about. Being in and heading up certain aspects of the Community Life department of base operations, I get to oversee anywhere from two to four DTS students in their daily work responsibilities. This gives me the opportunity to get to know these young people and to encourage them in their work ethic and spiritual growth, what a blessing! In the beginning of October another school will be starting with a large class of around 40 students in attendance.
School of Music in Missions: This is a school especially for the ministry minded musician. It consists of lectures in biblical principles of worship, opportunities to work with other musicians in teams (bands), and trips across land and sea to lead worship and reach out to the unchurched world.
Introduction to Primary Healthcare School: This school is designed to prepare students for Christian medical outreach.
*For more info and probably much better descriptions of these ministries check out the YWAM RTO website at ywamrto.org
Here are some events that are coming up:In October the base is hosting a number of conferences, seminars, and meetings and as a result we will all be very busy accommodating and facilitating them. Some of these are: The National Leadership Meeting, The National Base Leaders’ Meeting, Slingshot (a leadership conference), Marine Reach Meeting (gathering of various leaders in the relief ships world). I have been asked to be a venue manager during these events so I’m expecting to be very active moving chairs and tables around and generally helping out.
In December an amazing, extravagant annual event takes place called, Stable on the Strand. What makes it so amazing is that virtually all of the churches and local government (and many sponsors) in Townsville team up to put on a huge Christmas celebration. YWAM is in the thick of it helping the churches to work together and providing many staff and student volunteers throughout the event. I have been asked to take a large role in this event and so I’m praying about it. It is clear that one can get overcommitted easily so Cameron, Peggy, and I are working on balancing our time and work load so we don’t get burned out.
It is amazing to be in Australia in the center of God’s will, being used by Him in the lives of many different people. It is truly a miracle and we feel incredibly privileged to be apart of all this. With all of the areas that God has us involved in, 1Cor. 10: 31 comes to mind and rings true in our hearts “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Thanks again for your love, prayers, and support; you are a huge blessing to us!
It’s occurred to me that many of you, our faithful readers, are not quite informed on what YWAM Reef to Outback does and what we are doing as staff interns. So, I’ll give you what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced so far and will fill you in more as we continue to serve. First, I’ll tell you about one very exciting ministry that has been and will continue to be effective in changing the lives of many, many needy people. It’s the YWAM medical ship called, the Pacific Link. This old Japanese training vessel was miraculously acquired by YWAM RTO a few years ago and has been in the process of getting fixed up and prepared for its main purpose, medical missions trips throughout the South Pacific Region. While the work has been done in getting the supplies and volunteers together, the directors have had it touring throughout the eastern coast of Australia visiting various city ports with the manifold intent of performing youth outreaches to the many troubled teens in these cities while also offering tours of the ship and giving presentations to groups, schools, churches, and the like who might be interested in being involved in the future medical missions. Lastly, the base is conducting a Discipleship Training School stationed on the vessel with the small number of students and staff (6 or 7) having their lectures and outreach onboard. Currently, the Lord has opened doors for the Pacific Link to motor up to Cairns for more outreach and promotion and then on to Thursday Island located at the very northeastern point of the mainland where they will stay for a short time before making their way across the channel to Pupua New Guinea (PNG). Everyone is ecstatic about this part of the trip since this is where the mission will really begin in earnest. The vessel will arrive in one of the main ports in PNG and make sure all their paperwork is in order and fuel tanks filled. Next, it’s on to the various remote towns and villages to meet the needs of the local people. The ship is equipped with eye surgeons, primary medical doctors and nurses, dentists and assistants and the facilities for these gifted professionals to perform their duties. Also, in preparation for this trip, many extremely generous medical and dental supply companies, private practices, individuals, and groups have donated copious amounts of supplies and financial support for the outreach. We are all super excited to be apart of this grand endeavor and can’t wait to hear the stories of those who are serving on board the Pacific Link. In the meantime, a small army of workers need to stay back and take care of the base and the other important ministries that are happening weekly…that is where we come in.
Next, here are some of the other ministries that are going on here at the base:
Youth Street: A weekly outreach on Saturdays to teenage youth in the community. It consists of many kinds of staff led activities, from art, to music, dance, and skateboarding all for the purpose of leading the kids into maturity in every area of their life, especially spiritually. Ryan and I are involved in the skateboarding team during the day and occasionally we stick around for dinner and the evening, Youth Street Live part of the ministry where the kids are often treated to bands, games, insightful biblical teaching, and other activities.
Mission Adventures: A youth focused ministry that seeks to send teens on short-term mission trips in order to stir their hearts for God, for service, and for missions. This is a ministry that Cameron and I are interested in being apart of possibly in the near future. Hopefully, when things slow down a bit, we’ll be able to take the whole family along for some nearby outreach trips!
Proper Way Productions: A ministry designed to reach out to native peoples of Australia and the Pacific Islands. It employs dance, music, and other culturally rich activities to touch hearts for God.
Discipleship Training Schools: These are 6 month schools which are split into two main parts. The first is a lecture series that mostly takes place on base with students receiving rich study in spiritual principles and incorporating living in the community of the base and serving in various capacities both there and in the community. The second part are mission trips which help the students to put into practice the principles that they have learned while at the same time experiencing what “missions” is all about. Being in and heading up certain aspects of the Community Life department of base operations, I get to oversee anywhere from two to four DTS students in their daily work responsibilities. This gives me the opportunity to get to know these young people and to encourage them in their work ethic and spiritual growth, what a blessing! In the beginning of October another school will be starting with a large class of around 40 students in attendance.
School of Music in Missions: This is a school especially for the ministry minded musician. It consists of lectures in biblical principles of worship, opportunities to work with other musicians in teams (bands), and trips across land and sea to lead worship and reach out to the unchurched world.
Introduction to Primary Healthcare School: This school is designed to prepare students for Christian medical outreach.
*For more info and probably much better descriptions of these ministries check out the YWAM RTO website at ywamrto.org
Here are some events that are coming up:In October the base is hosting a number of conferences, seminars, and meetings and as a result we will all be very busy accommodating and facilitating them. Some of these are: The National Leadership Meeting, The National Base Leaders’ Meeting, Slingshot (a leadership conference), Marine Reach Meeting (gathering of various leaders in the relief ships world). I have been asked to be a venue manager during these events so I’m expecting to be very active moving chairs and tables around and generally helping out.
In December an amazing, extravagant annual event takes place called, Stable on the Strand. What makes it so amazing is that virtually all of the churches and local government (and many sponsors) in Townsville team up to put on a huge Christmas celebration. YWAM is in the thick of it helping the churches to work together and providing many staff and student volunteers throughout the event. I have been asked to take a large role in this event and so I’m praying about it. It is clear that one can get overcommitted easily so Cameron, Peggy, and I are working on balancing our time and work load so we don’t get burned out.
It is amazing to be in Australia in the center of God’s will, being used by Him in the lives of many different people. It is truly a miracle and we feel incredibly privileged to be apart of all this. With all of the areas that God has us involved in, 1Cor. 10: 31 comes to mind and rings true in our hearts “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Thanks again for your love, prayers, and support; you are a huge blessing to us!
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