Week 11 and 12

Wow I can’t believe lecture phase is almost over. It’s Friday night of week twelve and the last night before we go on outreach. This feels so surreal! I’m sorry this is a bit late, I’ve been working on this post since last week. Hope you guys enjoy!

This last week the topic was evangelism and our guest speaker Emma gave us some really good practical but deep things to take with us about evangelism. First thing I learned was that even though I don’t have a typical “come to Jesus” testimony, God can still use me and the stories I have to share about what God has done in my life. He challenged me twice this week and I ended up sharing two testimonies! One at commissioning night and one on Friday outreach! I think that was something I really had to overcome this week to be ready for outreach.

Wednesday night was commissioning night and we all dressed up and every DTS this quarter was commissioned to go into the nations as Jesus’ disciples and do His work which was a humbling and honoring experience.

This weekend was very busy as we spent our time preparing and packing for outreach and then we went into this last week with only two days of lectures before Christmas and Boxing Day!!

Our lectures were on outreach prep and we talked about having an attitude of gratitude on outreach in every situation. We also talked about how important it is to stay in relationship with each other and with God and to always be interceding and praying for God’s heart. It was so great to have reminders of what’s we’ve learned and practical lessons that we can practice on outreach!

Monday we had an amazing time of worship and unexpected servant leadership as the leaders washed all the students feet. I was so moved by the servant-heartedness of these leaders and I am so honored to be lead by them during this DTS. Their hearts are so big for God and for us and it shows through every day. I am so thankful for these amazing leaders. What is also amazing is that same night we saw all the rest of our finances come in for outreach!

Tuesday evening we went to city beach together as the last time with all of YP for some team time and we had a blast!

Wednesday was Christmas and I put on my Christmas pjs (a onesie even though it’s summer here) and opened our stockings at base, then watched the Grinch and dressed up for a delicious lunch with over 500 people from the base! We all ate together and played games together and then did a gift exchange which was fun as well.

Then on Thursday we went to City Beach as a base and took over the beach! The waves were seriously crazy and the highest I’ve ever seen! Me and many other people got swept away by the waves countless times but for me it was still fun.

The only problem is I came away with a second degree sunburn on my face! I put on sunscreen when I got there and then spent the next three hours in the water and forgot to reapply! Oops. Praise God though I’ve been praying and people have been praying over me, and it’s been healing very fast so far.

Now it’s Friday night, I have everything packed, all my extras in a storage unit with the rest of the October DTS’s, and I am now waiting for the last five hours to pass until 2:30 am when I will leave with my team for the airport! It doesn’t feel real, it’s so crazy.

Well be flying to Dubai, have a 21 hour layover there in the airport, then on to Tanzania where we will have a 24 hour layover and will stay outside the airport, and then to Malawi where we will spend the first 28 days of outreach!

I have my mosquito net and bug spray and my long skirts and dresses and I am ready for Africa! It’s hard to describe how it feels to be done with lecture phase. It went by so quick yet I feel like I’ve been here for years.

So much has happened here in Perth during these last three months so it’s times like these that I’m thankful I make these posts every week or so while the memories are still fresh. These next three months will be a new chapter and new experience and I can’t wait to see what God will do in our lives during that time. I am fully expecting God to move in big ways so expect some crazy stories coming in the next 12 weeks. We’re just getting started!!

I’ll keep you guys updated especially in the next few days! Love you all! Please pray for safe and smooth travels for my team and for our DTS. Hugs from Perth for the last time for three months!