Monday, September 14, 2009
I am on a new adventure. While I was in Australia, God laid it on my hear to go to New York City. This is where I am now. I'm studying politics, philosophy, and economics in the basement of the Empire State Building. The Lord is growing me and stretching me in this new environment and I pray that He will use me to change this incredible place, one person at a time.
Friday, May 23, 2008
We're in our last week of outreach in a town called Mount Isa....a mining town.
I don't have time to write much but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm alive and well since my last post. I'll be getting back to the base in a week so I will post a big update when I have easily accessible internet all the time.
Please pray that our week here will end with a bang! We're helping some people pioneer a YWAM base and Youthstreet program.
I don't have time to write much but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm alive and well since my last post. I'll be getting back to the base in a week so I will post a big update when I have easily accessible internet all the time.
Please pray that our week here will end with a bang! We're helping some people pioneer a YWAM base and Youthstreet program.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
number2
Gladstone:
We were in Gladstone for a total of 10 days and they flew by incredibly fast. As soon as we got there, we put on an Auslife training for the local volunteers on Sunday evening (April 20th). We did a total of 5 Auslifes at the different schools on two different topics: Goals/Values and Relationships. As a small group leader, I met some really cool kids and was able to encourage them and challenge them to think for themselves by asking questions about things that really matter. I was amazed at how many kids don’t know anything about God and haven’t even given it a second thought. It’s a blessing to see kids leave the Auslife day with questions of their own and the motivation to seek answers. At the end of the day, we have them fill out a “React” card which gives them an opportunity to write down their comments and check some boxes. At the end of the day, we usually have about 5-10 people check the box that says, “I would like to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus.” (The chaplains at the school follow up with the students and since we’ve left Gladstone there has been a few that have become Christians.)
I stayed with an incredible couple, Graeme and Lynda Stephens. They have been hosting YWAMers for 12 years in their house. They were such an encouragement to me and I learned a lot by staying with them. For our day off, they took us knee boarding in the river. After knee boarding a couple of us used the surfboard behind the boat. We have some awesome videos of that.
Blackwater: (very small town)
In Blackwater, we stayed with a family who was re-pioneering a church. On Friday we did an Auslife at the highschool in town. It was the smallest Auslife we’d ever done, with about 30 kids in total. With the small group, it ran a lot smoother and we as a team felt like the kids grasped more than some of the other ones. We were supposed to leave on Saturday but instead we decided to stay another night to help them with some yard work. With 14 of us helping, we got a lot done. We probably saved them a couple months of Saturdays in just a short afternoon. (working in the garden made me want to have one of my own)
Because their church is just starting, they only had two people who attended. Those two people weren’t Christians but were going to give the whole “church thing” a try. After church was done, Kathy (the wife) said that she thought one of them became a Christian on that day. God is already starting to grow this church and develop it into a bright light in the community.
Emerald: (Emerald city in the land of Aus : )
In Emerald, we did lots of Religious Education classes in the primary schools. One day we did some yard work at a family’s home because it was damaged by a huge flood that came a few months back. We visited an elderly home and gave some testimonies and sang some old hymns. The SOMM (school of music and missions) stayed with us at the PCYC (basically like the YMCA back home) and it was really nice to touch base with them again. On Saturday the girls went to a garden party at the church to celebrate mother’s day. That was interesting to say the least…women in big hats, weird skits, and a plumb pudding auction.
Now we’re in Longreach. BEAUTIFUL outback town. We’re staying in a sheep sheering quarter with cows, sheep, and kangaroo everywhere! It’s fantastic. On Tuesday and Thursday we did two Auslifes in the school and last night we had a bbq with small group from the church.
Sunsets and Sunrises are out of this world.
More to come<3
LoveLoveLove, Kaitlyn
We were in Gladstone for a total of 10 days and they flew by incredibly fast. As soon as we got there, we put on an Auslife training for the local volunteers on Sunday evening (April 20th). We did a total of 5 Auslifes at the different schools on two different topics: Goals/Values and Relationships. As a small group leader, I met some really cool kids and was able to encourage them and challenge them to think for themselves by asking questions about things that really matter. I was amazed at how many kids don’t know anything about God and haven’t even given it a second thought. It’s a blessing to see kids leave the Auslife day with questions of their own and the motivation to seek answers. At the end of the day, we have them fill out a “React” card which gives them an opportunity to write down their comments and check some boxes. At the end of the day, we usually have about 5-10 people check the box that says, “I would like to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus.” (The chaplains at the school follow up with the students and since we’ve left Gladstone there has been a few that have become Christians.)
I stayed with an incredible couple, Graeme and Lynda Stephens. They have been hosting YWAMers for 12 years in their house. They were such an encouragement to me and I learned a lot by staying with them. For our day off, they took us knee boarding in the river. After knee boarding a couple of us used the surfboard behind the boat. We have some awesome videos of that.
Blackwater: (very small town)
In Blackwater, we stayed with a family who was re-pioneering a church. On Friday we did an Auslife at the highschool in town. It was the smallest Auslife we’d ever done, with about 30 kids in total. With the small group, it ran a lot smoother and we as a team felt like the kids grasped more than some of the other ones. We were supposed to leave on Saturday but instead we decided to stay another night to help them with some yard work. With 14 of us helping, we got a lot done. We probably saved them a couple months of Saturdays in just a short afternoon. (working in the garden made me want to have one of my own)
Because their church is just starting, they only had two people who attended. Those two people weren’t Christians but were going to give the whole “church thing” a try. After church was done, Kathy (the wife) said that she thought one of them became a Christian on that day. God is already starting to grow this church and develop it into a bright light in the community.
Emerald: (Emerald city in the land of Aus : )
In Emerald, we did lots of Religious Education classes in the primary schools. One day we did some yard work at a family’s home because it was damaged by a huge flood that came a few months back. We visited an elderly home and gave some testimonies and sang some old hymns. The SOMM (school of music and missions) stayed with us at the PCYC (basically like the YMCA back home) and it was really nice to touch base with them again. On Saturday the girls went to a garden party at the church to celebrate mother’s day. That was interesting to say the least…women in big hats, weird skits, and a plumb pudding auction.
Now we’re in Longreach. BEAUTIFUL outback town. We’re staying in a sheep sheering quarter with cows, sheep, and kangaroo everywhere! It’s fantastic. On Tuesday and Thursday we did two Auslifes in the school and last night we had a bbq with small group from the church.
Sunsets and Sunrises are out of this world.
More to come<3
LoveLoveLove, Kaitlyn
Monday, April 14, 2008
Current location - Yeppoon
Here's a quick update for you:
Last week we were in Cairns and Pentland. Lots of driving in a 12 passenger van. We were only in Cairns for three days and while we were there we did a lot of evangelism and ministering to the backpackers. We put on a couple free BBQs which were a great way to get conversation flowing. In Pentland (population=400 people) we stayed at a small sports center and put on a two day youth camp. About 10 kids showed and we had a great time showing God's love to them through games, testimonies, and small group sessions.
We arrived in Yeppoon on Saturday night. Since then we've been partnering with the church on a couple of outreach projects. Tomorrow -retirement center, Wednesday - highschool, Thursday - undecided, Friday - Highschool, Saturday - skate park.
-->Right now Helen and I are staying with a lovely couple. It feels so good to finally sleep in a bed agian!
I don't want to stay too long on their computer, so its goodbye for now! Hopefully I'll be able to find an internet cafe where I can type some more in detail.
Love,Love, Love<3
Last week we were in Cairns and Pentland. Lots of driving in a 12 passenger van. We were only in Cairns for three days and while we were there we did a lot of evangelism and ministering to the backpackers. We put on a couple free BBQs which were a great way to get conversation flowing. In Pentland (population=400 people) we stayed at a small sports center and put on a two day youth camp. About 10 kids showed and we had a great time showing God's love to them through games, testimonies, and small group sessions.
We arrived in Yeppoon on Saturday night. Since then we've been partnering with the church on a couple of outreach projects. Tomorrow -retirement center, Wednesday - highschool, Thursday - undecided, Friday - Highschool, Saturday - skate park.
-->Right now Helen and I are staying with a lovely couple. It feels so good to finally sleep in a bed agian!
I don't want to stay too long on their computer, so its goodbye for now! Hopefully I'll be able to find an internet cafe where I can type some more in detail.
Love,Love, Love<3
Monday, March 31, 2008
Outreach - rapidly approaching
Only Five More Days till our two month outreach! I don’t feel 100% ready but I know I will be by Saturday. I’m really going to miss it here. The base has become my home away from home. I’ll miss sleeping in my uncomfortable bed, staying up late chatting with my roommates (two of them are on the Vanuatu team), going to base worship and intercession, and doing my work duty as receptionist. But I know that outreach is going to be phenomenal! Our team has really come together and I can see us becoming like a family while we’re out.
--Our first stop is Cairns where we will be ministering to backpackers and doing night evangelism in the markets.
-- Please continue to pray for our outreach time. Finances still need to come in. Team unity still needs to be kindled. I want more of a vision for our time and divine appointments with the people.
Last week was our final week of lectures. Justin Claypool spoke on the topic of missions. It definitely was a challenging week and God really spoke to me through the teachings. I can honestly say that I am ruined for the ordinary. My mindset about life has changed. I know longer need to do what everyone expects me to do or be who everyone expects me to be. God has specific things for me and only me. I don’t want to miss a single opportunity because of fear of man’s opinion.
This week is “Outreach Prep.” We’ll be working on dramas, sermons, testimonies, games, Auslife training, and tons more! I’m preparing a sermon on the topic of “missions.” It will be my first time giving a full-on sermon. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time.
I’m also packing up all my stuff. I’ve accumulated so much while I’ve been here. Books, papers, letters, packages, and more and more clothes. It feels like I should be packing up to go home, but I still have another TWO months!
And that’s about it for now,
-Kaitlyn
ps
Thank you for being part of my great adventure!
--Our first stop is Cairns where we will be ministering to backpackers and doing night evangelism in the markets.
-- Please continue to pray for our outreach time. Finances still need to come in. Team unity still needs to be kindled. I want more of a vision for our time and divine appointments with the people.
Last week was our final week of lectures. Justin Claypool spoke on the topic of missions. It definitely was a challenging week and God really spoke to me through the teachings. I can honestly say that I am ruined for the ordinary. My mindset about life has changed. I know longer need to do what everyone expects me to do or be who everyone expects me to be. God has specific things for me and only me. I don’t want to miss a single opportunity because of fear of man’s opinion.
This week is “Outreach Prep.” We’ll be working on dramas, sermons, testimonies, games, Auslife training, and tons more! I’m preparing a sermon on the topic of “missions.” It will be my first time giving a full-on sermon. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time.
I’m also packing up all my stuff. I’ve accumulated so much while I’ve been here. Books, papers, letters, packages, and more and more clothes. It feels like I should be packing up to go home, but I still have another TWO months!
And that’s about it for now,
-Kaitlyn
ps
Thank you for being part of my great adventure!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Voice in the Dark:
Last night we put on a benefit concert to raise money and awareness of female injustices going on around the world, specifically in Thailand. The money that was raised will go directly to the Tamar Center, an organization that brings prostitutes off the streets and helps them learn life skills so that they can support themselves and their families. The Tamar Center needs $500,000 to build their new center in Pattaya.
Here’s a link to the Tamar Center video:
http://www.ywamthai.org/pattaya/tamar_video.html
Prostitution, human trafficking, and sex slavery, have become issues that have burdened my heart. My heart breaks for the women and young girls who are trapped in these situations with little to no hope. I’ve been reading this 30-day prayer booklet, where there is a personal story on a different issue for each day of the month. It’s opened my eyes and given me a bigger picture of what the world is actually like. It’s not the peachy place I once thought when I was younger. I’m angry, heart broken, and ready to take part in the solution…helping one person at a time.
You can go to this website if you would like to buy a book. It’s only $5 and all the proceeds go to Voice for the Voiceless cause.
http://www.voiceforthevoiceless.com.au/30-days-of-prayer/
Last night we put on a benefit concert to raise money and awareness of female injustices going on around the world, specifically in Thailand. The money that was raised will go directly to the Tamar Center, an organization that brings prostitutes off the streets and helps them learn life skills so that they can support themselves and their families. The Tamar Center needs $500,000 to build their new center in Pattaya.
Here’s a link to the Tamar Center video:
http://www.ywamthai.org/pattaya/tamar_video.html
Prostitution, human trafficking, and sex slavery, have become issues that have burdened my heart. My heart breaks for the women and young girls who are trapped in these situations with little to no hope. I’ve been reading this 30-day prayer booklet, where there is a personal story on a different issue for each day of the month. It’s opened my eyes and given me a bigger picture of what the world is actually like. It’s not the peachy place I once thought when I was younger. I’m angry, heart broken, and ready to take part in the solution…helping one person at a time.
You can go to this website if you would like to buy a book. It’s only $5 and all the proceeds go to Voice for the Voiceless cause.
http://www.voiceforthevoiceless.com.au/30-days-of-prayer/
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