Great News!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve sent out an “update”
There are so many stories and highlights I have from my time at home and since coming back here to Australia continuing with my work here at YWAM Newcastle.

One major highlight is that I GOT MY VISA!!!! This means that I can stay here in Australia for an additional two years and at the same time I will be completing another course that goes toward my degree in Christian Ministry.

Leaving Australia after Boxing Day, I expected to be back by the end of January, however, my time with my family went from an estimated time frame of four weeks, to being nearly four months!
My initial visa application was refused for reasons that I still cannot fully explain but if there is any thing I’ve grown more and more confident of throughout these past several years it is that; regardless of our circumstances, emotions, and perceptions- God is FAITHFUL.
When we put our trust and hope in him, he comes through for us.
That’s basically been my whole year thus far- a cycle of freaking out about everything I see before me and the decisions I need to make, taking those worries & concerns to God, praying and hearing what he has to say, then following his direction and leading.

I realise that this update might sound a bit crazy (all this talk about hearing God’s voice and such) but if there is anything you’d want me to explain more, like the how’s & why’s, please just message me and let’s connect, also if you’d like to hear the long story about my recent visa journey I’d love to share that with you as well.

Within my work here with YWAM things have been going really well, we’ve been continuing to grow in our capacity to connect and empower the local youth of Newcastle through several different opportunities like our weekly reading/mentoring times, Saturday activity teams (surf, skating, dancing, art, sport, performing arts), and partnerships with other youth initiatives.
We’ve just finished our fourth week of the School of Innovative Youth Ministry (SOIYM) which is the six-month training course I’ve been working with for the past five years- this is our biggest course we’ve ever had with 10 incredible, passionate, and loving students.   (see photo below)