And then month one was over. Australia came and went, but not without leaving an impression on my squad. This beautiful country taught me how to enjoy flexibility and servanthood, how to sense the Lord’s leading and to follow His prompting. Australia allowed for team bonding; five virtually opposite individuals being unified in one mission. It showed us true vulnerability with one another, both sharing blessings and praises, but also frustration and confusion.
Last week I broke my phone (long story, I dropped it in the toilet), Ari broke a guitar, money was stolen from Tyler, and Megan broke her belt strap on her pack. The things that we hold so dearly– the necessities of this trip– slipped out of our hands in four weeks. With that said, it made me confront the priorities of my heart. To ask myself what my identity relied in.
Lord, did we use these things too much? I know I meant sacrifice when I committed to this trip, but my phone? To which He reminded me that things are things. They’re replaceable. His Word endures forever; He is my purpose and my portion. So with or without a phone, I stay grounded in mission.
So I let go of the things I couldn’t change, and I dove into this last week in Byron Bay. My team danced with the kids church on Sunday, and served for our last time at the community center that feeds the locals, our squad shared testimonials over our last meal with the YWAM staff, Ari and I sang at open mic night at an event in the park, and earnestly prayed over each other and our months to come.
Thursday night was Pancakes and Chai in the park (refer to my last blog if that doesn’t ring a bell); I’ll be honest, it was a long and frustrating day for my team. When Ari asked if I’d like to sing with her in the park that night, I questioned if I’d be effective in that ministry. But to say yes in the midst of fatigue was my best decision. We sang, we laughed, we met and prayed with locals, we ate Pancakes, but most importantly, we worshipped our God. In a public park. In the heart of Australia. There is an unbelievable peace about worshipping our God, and Ari and I just gave the breath in our lungs back to the One who gave it. It was freeing and lifegiving, and in those sweet moments, I was glad I said yes. Because time spent with Jesus is never something I wish I skipped.
Looking back, I recognize the beauty of all we did, the memories made and the lives touched. Through our team time, we began to understand our purpose to one another and the surrounding community, to live simply with Gospel-intentionality and to walk boldly in the Truth we profess.
Nest stop.. BALI!
