I have three and a half weeks left in Australia. I don’t understand how this happened. My adventure is nearly 2/3 done. Part of me is excited to see my friends and family at home again and part of me is excited to get back to the ministries that I’m involved in at home but part of me knows that the second I leave Lewis House to go home, I am going to be devastated. I really have become part of a family here. Living in community has its challenges, and I have been feeling especially challenged lately, but I have learned so much from living here, and I really do love every single person in this house. And I love the spirit and energy of YWAM Newcastle. Lewis House is a haven for the crazy, and I love it! Where else is it okay for a white girl to rap to a Beatles song?
So, for an update on life:
We have been trucking away on renovations at the corner house and officially got some paint on the interior walls at the end of last week. That means that I have a lot of painting ahead of me. Some kind words of warning from my slave driver: “I hope you get some rest this weekend, because you’re going to wish you were dead next week.” Thanks, Dave.
I have also been involved in a lot of worship lately, which has been heaps awesome. I was on the roster for Youth Street Live for the past two weekends, base day worship last week, and I led worship at International Church today. I feel super blessed that God has opened doors for me to get involved while I’m here.There is nothing better than using the gifts God gave me to praise the Lord!
And for those of you that haven’t really picked up on the Youth Street thing, let me explain to you. Youth Street is a Saturday program for Newcastle youth ages 11-17. We have YS Teams from 2-5 every Saturday. I am on the music team - holla! There are also sports, skate, scoot, dance, and surf teams. The teams all reconvene for dinner then head to Youth Street Live, which is pure awesomeness. We start with worship – Youth Street style. We always open the night with a random cover song, crazy dancing, lights, loud noises, etc. then go into skits, a speaker or two, prayer, and whatever else the Spirit has in mind for us. Then after hours involves dance parties, ping pong, open mic, a café, and hangout time. Youth Street has absolutely been one of my very favorite things about my experience in Australia, and I can tell you a few reasons.
Reason #1: Last week for worship, we covered “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, and my dear friend Melissa busted out a screamo breakdown. Last night, we covered “Can’t Buy Me Love” by the Beatles, and I rapped a verse. In a sparkly red trucker hat that says “100% Pure Aussie.” Yes, these things really happened. And I have video evidence. Warning: I am 100% pure gangsta. (Okay, maybe 99%.)
Reason #2: There has been a particular crew (don’t be confused like I was at first, “crew” refers to the kids, not the staff) that God has really put on my heart and that has been opening up a lot to me. He has been asking a lot of questions and putting a lot of trust in me, and I am excited that God is moving in him. Prayers would be greatly appreciated that God will not only work in his heart and continue to encourage him to open up to me but also that God will give me the right words to say and the patience to not give up on making a breakthrough.
After five and a half weeks at YWAM Newcastle, the most appropriate word to describe the current condition of my life is “exhausted.” As I put on the same dirty work clothes everyday and go to the house to breathe in more sawdust and paint fumes, I have to remind myself that even though I’m not in DTS lectures or leading a Bible study or playing with children in the projects, I am serving God. And I can grow in the Spirit painting a house just as easily as while leading a music team if I have my mind and heart in the right place. As I mentioned in my last blog, most of the things that I have learned from this experience have been in indirect and unexpected ways. And I know that after I get home and process everything that I have experienced here, God will continue to use this trip to teach me more and more. And even though I am already starting to stress out about all the things that are going to hit me like a ton of bricks when I get home like having to buy a new car and going back to work and getting everything in place for the new school year, etc…I am still in Australia! And I’m going to love every minute of it!
-cRay-Z
(That’s my gangsta name. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhwOzsypOiU for clarification.)
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