Skimming stones

It's taken me long enough, but finally, here is my post-minor-outreach-blog...post.

For about two and a half weeks, me and my team went on outreach in the wonderful city of Cairns. This included staying for a week in a city central backpackers (or hostel), a few days in a local Baptist Church, and then to finish it off we travelled north to stay with the parents of one of the DTS course leaders. They had a lovely home up in the hills, we packed out all of their spare rooms, and me and my friend Tim stayed in the very reasonably sized caravan just outside the bungalow.

The purpose of the outreach was mainly two-fold: To evangelise in the city, and raise awareness of the YWAM Australia and Papua New Guinea Ship Tour amongst schools and the public. Both of these were highly successful, and I have many stories from each - but for the sake of time I'll just share a couple of examples later on.

For those of you who prefer the more concise, to-the-point, approach; I'll write a brief summary here and obviously concluding updates right at the end. You can then decide whether or not you want to read my selection of short stories that follow, yay.

My outreach was a real time of growth for me. I learnt a lot about evangelism and where I fit into it - I developed a passion for speaking to the local artists in various galleries, and I also seemed to minister effectively to the homeless. In going to the schools I made many great connections with the young people, providing them with hope, calling them to missions and raising awareness of the Ship Tour. Of course, I grabbed the opportunity to practise my public speaking and really benefited from it. Finally, I really developed my relationship with God. I was able to have consistent and powerful devotional times each day. Through that, and experiencing the power, faithfulness, provision and sovereignty of God as we walked by faith each day, my relationship with Him was greatly deepened. Not to mention, me and the team had an incredible amount of fun along the way!

Short Stories

David

One sunny afternoon, God lead me to sit opposite a homeless man on a park bench. He didn't look like the influential type, but little did I know the huge impact this guy would have on me. After finding out he hadn't eaten in a couple of days, I bought him a meal from McDonalds, and from there we had a really great conversation. By the end, we'd only spoken a little bit about God, but I wasn't concerned. I just wanted to show Dave, my new friend, compassion, genuine interest and friendship; and I had a funny conviction I would see him again in not too long.

It was just the day after, when I found myself once again in a conversation with Dave after God 'coincidentally' crossed our paths. Dave had a huge smile on his face, and joy seemed to ooze out of him. After I asked what the reason for his happiness was, he told me of how after the conversation we'd had the day before, he decided to start praying, and reading his old bible again. He prayed to God the previous night for some money to help him buy a train ticket which would enable him to visit the remaining family he has left in Brisbane. The day after, Dave was notified of an advanced payment on his pension - which was more than enough for his ticket; he was also able to buy some new clothes and some food. As if the clear answer to prayer wasn't enough, he decided to then bless me by paying me back for the meal i'd bought him the previous day. We talked a little more and it became obvious that God was doing something in his heart - how exciting!

Finally, it was one of our last nights in the city, and so I really wanted to see Dave before i left. Me and a friend prayed desperately for direction as to where we could find him, and God took us on an unbelievably specific route which finally lead us to him. Me and my friend Katie were able to spend a good hour or so ministering to Dave before saying our last goodbyes. Dave even encouraged us with a verse he'd learned from John 14.2, In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. What hope and faith from a man who calls a sleeping bag home! I could see a real change in Dave, and i still continue to pray for him that God would be with him, transforming him bit by bit. I was so thankful to God, He had showed me His guidance, faithfulness, goodness and so much more through this legendary friend of mine who I hope to never forget.

Any Questions

So, we spent a lot of time in local schools running programmes which gave information about the ship tour, and calling young people to missions. One of the funniest things that happened during our visits was the 'any questions' section at one of the primary school presentations. We quickly regretted opening the floor to the youngsters, as we were greeted with 'questions' including:

"My best friend is called Jimmie"

"We're going camping next week"

and my personal favourite..

"I live in a shed"

So maybe we won't do 'any questions' for the young'ens next time around.

Reconciliation

Our team leader Ania raised an issue with the group one afternoon during a group meeting. Well it wasn't so much an issue, but a sense, with which the group agreed. We agreed that there was an unsettling vibe of division in our team, and it needed to be fixed before we moved on. A few people decided a time of worship could help put is in the right frame of mind to deal with the situation - and they were definitely right. Me and Alorah had the honour of leading the group in a time of worship, which lead to some great ministry. I was so blessed to see God working in people, one by one, before leading us into a time of reconciliation. It was a really beautiful moment where we rediscovered our group's purpose and vision, we committed to standing by eachother and putting Christ at the centre of our mission. This is just one example of how God was sufficient for us, and always sustained those He called.

Vision

I really benefited from my friendship with a great guy called Tim. We pushed eachother in our walks with God, especially in the area of quiet times. One morning we got up at some unearthly hour and headed straight for the beach. Tim went for a swim, and I was about to join him - until I noticed a section of beach which turned rocky. Remembering my passion for skimming stones, I decided to head in that direction and spend some time talking with God whilst throwing rocks, nothing like some father-son bonding.

I'd recently been praying about my future, and all of a sudden I found what I was doing becoming strangley prophetic.

The stones I was throwing were people, they were different shapes, sizes and colours - representing the different backgrounds, personalities and skills of those i would be working with. And as God called Peter his 'rock' on whom he would build his church, these stones were people who would serve as a firm foundation on which God could work, and use for amazing effect.

I was passing on technique, giving the stones the ability to fly. I was discipling, leading.

Now you can throw a rock pretty far, but it just makes a violent, uncontrolled splash.

But I wasn't throwing, I was skimming.

Each stone touched several destinations, leaving ripple effects which spread widely, their influence can be seen for quite some time after.

The stones were thrown in all directions,

Leaving a ripple effect with every impact on the water, and they continued to ripple until the stone could travel no further.

God is calling me to skim stones.

~

So you might think that sounds a bit weird, or scary, but I'm very excited.

Anyway we've returned back from outreach safe and sound, to a base which has had a minor facelift including several structural changes. It sadly means that communication is more of a struggle than before with minimum internet access for a period, but hopefully that will change.

It's been great to be back, to catch up with every one by sharing stories and encouraging one another; and of course it's just fun to be able to hang out with all of my friends again. We've been back now for just over a week, and we've enjoyed some amazing lectures and other events which I'll fill you all in on in a week or so (famous last words).

Now it's all about getting as much as possible out of the final two weeks of lectures, before we head off to PNG for six weeks. It's gonna be good.

Thank you so much for reading, and for being patient in waiting for the updates! Hopefully not as long till next time. Thanks again for your continued love, prayer and support - God bless you.

All my love, Matt.

Prayer requests

Bringing closure to what we learned, and the experiences of an amazing couple of weeks on outreach

Homesickness

Keeping my relationship with God number one priority - not being swayed by the work or social side of DTS

Discernment, wisdom and perseverance in hearing God's voice and spending time with Him.