Australia! It’s amazing the relief that things like normal toilets and people speaking English (well, sort of speaking English) can bring. This month my team is located in Mareeba, Queensland which is apparently titled “The Sunshine State” but since we are visiting during the wet season it is more like the “Rains 3 times a day every day and occasionally let’s some light come through the clouds State”. However, it is absolutely beautiful and has been a wonderful break from the unending heat of the previous 2 months, so we are glad to be here!
We have been spending March working with a group called Indigenous Ministry Links Australia, who partner with Aboriginal Christians to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20), equip the Saints (Eph 4:11-12) and lay Biblical foundations throughout this so often forgotten people group. Unfortunately the Aboriginal people group is one whose story very closely resembles the hardships of Native American Indians. They are a group who have been oppressed, treated inhumanely and now are living on government funded and controlled communities, where most of their lives are caught up in the strongholds of addiction. Alcoholism, drug abuse, violence and shame seem to be the norm in these communities, and one of our contacts Gale shared with us that the average life expectancy of an Aboriginal man in this area is only 55 years old. WOW!
We spent our first week at the IMLA base sleeping in campers while cleaning, organizing, cutting down and digging out trees and doing any sort of other manual labor or project that they needed. It has been great to spend time blessing Carl & Gail by doing all of the things that they so badly want to and need to do, but just don’t have time for because they are so busy with other projects. This week we have relocated to the more remote Mt. Garnet community, where we are tenting outside of the church and are thoroughly enjoying hanging out with all of the kids that come by after school every day to see us. We are going to be helping with pouring concrete at the church and making some preparations for their upcoming Easter conference and we are excited to get to know the people of that community and try to build relationships with them and share His love.
Please continue to keep the Seeds and our whole U Squad in your prayers! We have that April 1st deadline of $10,000 in support per person coming up quickly and I and 3 others on my squad are still below the mark and are facing the possibility of returning to the States! None of us feel like it is our time to leave and are relying on the family of God to supply the funds needed. We know He has the money, we are just all anxious to see how He provides for our needs 🙂 If you or anyone else you know are interested in supporting me or one of my squad-mates please contact me ASAP via the “Contact Me” button on my menu, that way we will have an accurate total of our funds and can contact the AIM offices so that they won’t book our tickets back to America. Thank you!
The girl’s camper at the IMLA base
The Seeds repairing the roof at one of the local churches
Jake on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road. No big deal!
Driving on our way from Cairns to Mareeba… the whole trip is gorgeous, my photos don’t do it justice!
Just one of the many BEAUTIFUL waterfalls we have been able to see so far!
Thanks for reading, now please, take one of my favorites for the road:
Philippians 4:4-8 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Peace&Love
Brianna
