Adventure Time in Australia

The Final Countdown

I am already half way through my final week of ministry in Australia.  We go out sharing Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday.  That’s it.  Done.  It is so weird to say that we only have two days left to share.  A small part of me still doesn’t believe that I’m actually in Australia, like I have been in some dream for the past four weeks.  However, I have seen tremendous spiritual growth during my stay in Australia.  I’ve learned to rely on God when the students reject us and it is hard to share the gospel.  I’ve developed habits to continually be in His word and to keep myself in constant prayer.  I’ve learned to look towards God and know that I am perfect in His eyes and not feel inadequate.  I’ve learned to not be prideful of myself.  In short, I have felt God’s presence.  It is awesome to see these changes in my life through, but I am reminded that it was not because of me that these changes happened.  It is because of God and his holiness that I have changed.

With our ministry here in Australia coming to an end, a lot of the team members (me included) are feeling a bit run down.  Yesterday I had a few good conversations with people, but a majority of the students I talked to were so fixed on their own beliefs and were not open to Christianity.  It is frustrating, and it is difficult to continue to share the gospel in a loving way and not just hitting them until they get it.  Jesus conducted all of His ministry in a way of love, and I should try to do the same.

Today, the Christian group we are helping here in Australia (Student Life) held an event at RMIT Bundoora that we have been promoting for the last few weeks.  We put a lot of time into promoting for the event and the Student Lifers have put in even more time and energy, but when it came to the event only two new people showed up.  At first it was completely discouraging.  We received contact information from about 80 or so students that were interested in the event, but only two students showed up.  Completely not what any of us expected.  However, it IS a success for God.  We stepped out in faith so that we may give glory to Him.  And gaining two students for the Student Life movement is a victory in itself.  Before today, they were only five students in Student Life at the RMIT Bundoora, and now they’re members increased by 40%.  It is incredible that Student Life still shows growth through the event.  God definitely showed up.  On Thursday, we have a similar event at La Trobe.  Please pray that whatever the event turnout is, that God will be glorified.

So this is the last week in Australia.  The final countdown.  I am thankful for the friendships I’ve developed on this trip.  I am excited that God was able to use each of us in different ways to share His love and share the gospel.  I am stoked our group saw eight students make the decision to follow Christ.  And in our last two days of sharing, I know that God will continue to be present.  As we finish up our ministry here in Australia, I am looking forward to living out my ministry back home in Turlock.  It has been my prayer that God will teach me things about sharing his gospel that I may bring back with me and use at home.  My old college pastor emailed me my first week in Australia

I am excited for you to be in Australia - push yourself to live radically for Jesus - there is no better place to start than there.  Know one knows you, you will be leaving before you know it, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You may find pushing the limits of what is comfortable for you is actually a lot of fun.

Thank you for your prayers, and I’ll be home sooner than you think.