This past weekend, we participated in Camp Connect at Burleigh Heads (the Gold Coast). We were able to stop at Surfer's Paradise and hang out with each other at the shops and the beach. This was also when we met the team from Harding University in Arkansas. Connect was a time to do just that, connect with other believers from all over Australia. There were people from Sydney, Melbourne, and even Tasmania. I went with little expectation of actually forming deep relationships, but came out with a new perspective on how quickly you really can form connections by just spending time with them non-stop for 48 hours. There were five times of worship and speaking throughout the weekend. Let me just stop right there. Have I mentioned that I am with a Church of Christ group? Well, they sing all acapella music, and it is gorgeous! I am blown away that even at this camp, people from all over can come together and know the songs and their parts. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ... everyone doing their part to make something that sounds so full and vibrant to bring praise to the Lord. After each session we broke up into small groups to discuss and pray together. I led a group of 5 ladies from age 12 to 35. I loved hearing what each one got out of the lesson and how neat it was that God specifically placed each one of us in this group. Here's a picture of our group. I am so thankful especially for Lea (standing next to me) and all her encouragement this weekend. It's amazing how God places people around you for such a short period of time and you are able to form an instant bond.
On Saturday, we all went to the beach and played a huge game of ultimate frisbee. Only a few of us stuck with it for the full 3 hours, but it was great to get to know our teams and have some fun. How often do people get to say they played Ultimate on the beach in Australia? Sunday night we went to West End--a church in the west end of town. This ministry was originally designed for university aged students and ended up with a majority of homeless people. It was great to sit and talk with some of them and hear their stories and about their talents. Afterwards, we walked to eat downtown with the group including the Aussies. We realized at dinner that we wouldn't be seeing much more of them after that night because some were helping out with Mission Moree, others had to work throughout the week, and the Tazzy guys were headed back home the next day, so we went back to the Ware's house to watch a movie. I think this was when I realized how much of an encouragement these guys were to us and that we were actually feeling appreciated for our time hanging out with them. It took me by surprise to hear that they were getting upset that we were leaving in a week too. I just thought they were used to it by now. Since then, Shuen has turned 17 and we walked to Ronya's house to help the Harding students pack up for Mission Moree, we have had another family fun dinner (picture below), and have gone to another bon fire (or "bomb" fire as Keith calls them. Not sure why that is...). Tonight we go abseiling at Kangaroo Point with Jamie Ware and tomorrow we are headed to Byron Bay to surf/snorkel.
As I sit here thinking about how much it is going to hurt to leave this place, I realize it's not the place, but the people I'm going to miss. These people who talk with the neatest accent in the world, who think that a biscuit is a cookie, who are giving with generous and hospitable hearts to a bunch of crazy/loud Americans, who are committed to get up at 6 am to go for a surf, who don't all go to university but jump right into their profession with a passion to excel in what they do, who raise their families with the love of Christ shining through not only themselves but also through their children, who think that all Americans say "yall" only because they've met so many southerners, and who love the Lord with all their heart and are surrendering their lives to His calling. I love the different ministries that we have been able to serve here with the people in a community of believers. Not only are they blessing the hearts of other believers, but they are making a different in their secular workplaces (Lea), in their schools (Shuen, James, Lin, Min, Sarah, Mike), with their neighbors (Nikki), and in their families (Lims, Cokers, Wares, Johnsons, Faulks, Leijens, Davis, O'Dells). I love how proud they are of their country, how family is tight, and how friends become family. God is doing awesome things here, and I hate to leave it when we are getting so close with the community.
Someone told the story of how someone else didn't want to leave Jesus' side and what He was doing:
"As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.' So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." Mark 5:18-20
It's hard to put into words what the Lord has done in my heart through these people, but I am praying as I go home that I will be able to tell the story of all that He has done. It's hard to think that He would bring me here to build relationships with people that I may never see again, but I trust in His plan. I pray that I will be able to see them again and share life with them someday, but until then I will do what I'm called to do at the moment. He has placed me back in Auburn for a season to fellowship with the community He has for me there. I pray that He would use me to make a difference in the lives of those around me. May I be a light in the darkness just as these people are here.
