from more of the road

Started off the expedition on a ferry ride over to Stradbroke Island, where the games began. This week was Survivor Week. We were divided into our three outreach teams (Malaysia, Solomons 1 & 2) and began a week of fierce competition. There was anything from intense relay races to mind games to rugby to swimming to just flat out physical pain. No money was to be spent this week, no buying food from the markets, just the food prepared for us at mealtime. Half way into the week we were told food would no longer be prepared for us but we’d need to fend for ourselves. On top of that, we would also not be allowed to shower anymore. So each team was given an allowance and allowed to go buy food for dinner that night and tomorrow’s meals. Got a taste of what it might be like on outreach. After a day of self prepared meals and games we had a night competition where each team was to find their team’s bag of money on the bottom of the lagoon and use it at the aboriginal market to buy tomorrow’s food. The aborigines (our staff) treated us way nice, hooking us up with some lamb brains, liver, muscles, and sardines. After a day of aboriginal food and competition, it came down to a game of night capture the flag to decide which team would be the survivor champs. Ended up coming in 2nd by just a few points, but everyone was exhausted and ready for rest and some good food. But the games were not over. We were all woken up at 2am for Mission Impossible. Each team was to trek through the bush and make it to an aboriginal village by sunrise. We faced obstacles along the way, having to get drenched in swampy waters and ate some raunchy stuff. First, altogether the team had to eat a cube of butter and an onion then down the course we had to eat a can of dog food, wasabi sauce, and soda water. Once we got to the village, after the brutal journey and running down the beach on a full stomach, we were to tell the Good News to the villagers (again, our staff), who welcomed us with a spoonful of vegemite. Once they accepted the gospel, we were given the okay to shower and to buy food once the markets opened in a few hours. Finally, this time for real, the competitions were all over. Stradbroke was awesome, with a beachfront stay. We also had lectures in the morning this week, here is a little of what we learned…

Week 11 Stephen Mulhall – Identity:
The survivor host for the week was also the speaker, Stephen, who is our school leader and my outreach team leader. Finishing up from the last road trip, he spoke powerfully on our inheritance in Christ. Looked at the importance in names through many biblical characters and the affect a word can have on someone. Was challenged this week on the names we have been given and if they were legitimate or lies from the enemy. Listened and really searched for words that have been spoken over our own lives and the plan our Father has. Such a radical week, with not only the intensity of survivor week but also real breakthroughs and heard a great word of who I am in Christ.

Feeling great after a night of feasting, which we all felt for a good couple days after. We got back on the mainland and headed up to Harvey Bay. A group of 10 of us were given the opportunity to rent a couple 4x4’s and spend the weekend on Fraser Island. Sunday morning we rented a car in Harvey Bay and took a short ferry ride over to Fraser. It was such a sweet time to get away from everything and go explore a new land all on our own. And the only way to truly do that is on bumpy sandy roads. We checked out Lake Mackenzie, one of the most beautiful fresh water lakes. Enjoyed the freedom of driving all over the island, finding our own spot anywhere in the bush and setting up camp. Had to judge the high tide, gambling when we could drive down the beach and not get washed away. Good times chasing off dingoes that night. Drove down the beach the next day and checked out a shipwreck and a lake and river, then we headed back to the mainland.

Stayed the week in Harvey at a farm, where we set up camp out in the yard. Did some local outreach at some primary schools, putting on services and sharing what we do in YWAM. Led a youth group one night with a full band, sermon and all. Was a relaxed week on the farm, especially nice to rest after surviving the week before.

For the third week on the road we headed down the coast to Byron Bay. We stayed in a church that the Byron YWAM base have a good relationship with. Byron is beautiful and a real cool beach town. The atmosphere there was rad and welcomed me nicely. We had lectures this week with the Byron Bay DTS and the Sunshine Coast DTS came down and joined us. Did some local outreach altogether at a town nearby, Nimbin, which is known for being the supplier of most of Aussie’s grass. Was sweet to go in and spread love to them with a free barbie and live music and chatting with some far out folks. Did the same kind of thing in Byron the next night, getting more chances to talk with people. Had an awesome time surfing, playing volleyball, frisbee, and chilling on the beach.

Week 13 Nevel – Missions:
Nev was an amazing speaker; his passion was so encouraging and really showed his heart for God’s plan. Looked at the different great claims in the four gospels and learned a whole lot on what God’s calling looks like. How we are to be a witness, and bring God’s love and the greatest way that can be done is salvation in Christ. Took a look at Abraham and the ways he served the Lord and the blessing God poured out on him and took a look at Paul and his great mission. Nev was real and wanted to bring more than anything something that would impact us, not just numbers and statistics, but wanted to put a bit of God’s passion in us.

Next stop was Port Macquarie where we did research on the town for a week. Spent some time at the library and walking about, doing prayer walks, getting a feel for the town, seeing whether or not it has potential for a YWAM base. Stayed in a church and took it easy, did some children’s ministry and another youth group service.

Our final road trip was a hard one to finish. The rain was so bad that the highways we needed to get back home to Brisbane were all flooded. Changing our departing time three different times, we finally left Saturday at around 8 in the morning. Spent a good 15 hours in the bus, having to take another route back up. Drove all the way down to Newcastle to go around the flooded roads, making for a memorable birthday. Always something new and exciting with YWAM. Check out photos from our final journey on Aussie land, blessed times on the road.

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