3 more weeks...

Outback, here we come!
In about three and a half weeks, 12 of us are setting out for out two month outreach throughout Northern Queensland. We will be stopping in several towns for 1-2 weeks each. Our main focus for outreach will be youth, as 85% of Australia’s population is under the age of 25…the largest youth generation in history! God has given us an incredible opportunity to share His love with His children through many different avenues.

What will we be doing?
In Australia, Christianity IS allowed to be taught in schools and because of this, we will be doing several different school programs. One of them is called Religious Education classes where we will explain the truth of the gospel in way that is relevant. In the past, Reef to Outback has seen a lot of fruit come from these classes. We are also running an all day program called “AusLife.” AusLife is a fast paced, interactive seminar designed for grades 8-12. The goal of Auslife is to get students thinking and talking about different life issues. Peer Management, Self Esteem, Goals and Values, and Relationships are the four seminars we run that help address many of these issues. At the core of the seminars students are challenged to evaluate how a relationship with God is relevant in their lives. We will also be doing lunch programs, camps, and after school programs, where we will have the opportunity to share testimonies and build relationship with the kids.

In Mount Isa, our final destination, we will help pioneer a Youth Street program. Youth Street is an amazing program that I’ve gotten to be a part of here in Townsville. It’s a place where kids can spend a Saturday afternoon getting active, developing talents, making friends, and learning what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. It provides kids with a safe and positive environment, somewhere where they can feel free to be themselves without fear of judgment and criticism.

When we are not doing the things mentioned above, we will be serving the local churches and poorer communities through practical ways: yard work, building, cleaning, cooking, etc..

I hope that this gives you a glimpse so that you can get excited about what’s happening in the Nation of Australia!