Changing roles

The transition has begun! I am transitioning out of my role in our accounting department and into July 08 Discipleship Training School Staff! As school staff we have spent last week as well as this coming week preparing for the school both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Along with getting the houses ready and all the curriculum sorted out etc. (physical), we have also spent a lot of time in the classroom being taught some of the finer points of discipling as well as diving a bit deeper into what we want to accomplish as DTS staff by setting realistic attainable goals (mental). Some of our “goals” are seeing our students grow in spiritual gifts, maturing in worship and prayer, integrating God into every aspect of their lives, as well as developing a heart for the lost...just to name a few. We have also been praying (spiritual) for our students travels, families, finances, and that God is already preparing their hearts for what he wants to accomplish over the next 5 months. Right now we have 16 students who are planning on coming but a couple still need to see finances come in and we have been partnering with them in prayer to see that happen so they can make it here! The school starts this coming Sunday and our first student arrived today…from New Jersey no less!

It has been an incredibly busy time as I have been preparing for the school, as well as moving into the DTS house, as well as continuing to work in accounts in the afternoons, as well as planning and leading the YouthStreet sports team…(we did archery this week by the way which was awesome!) But God is good and while things have been busy and sometimes close to overwhelming, I have a real excitement about everything that is going and can’t wait to dive all the way in. This is definitely a new experience for me and I feel that both personally as well as corporately we are being ushered into a new season and we are going to see big things happen! It’s going to be so good.

In other news, my back is doing very well and recovery seems to progressing well. I have no pain and it feels stronger and stronger as time goes by. My left calf still doesn’t work but I am going to physical therapy to hopefully regain what movement I have and train my brain to fire up what nerves are still working! I would love it if you could continue to keep a full recovery of my leg in your prayers.

We also have our first YouthStreet outreach team (made up of 13 YS teenagers + 7 staff) currently in Thailand for 2 ½ weeks…things have been going really well according to their reports and I will give you a full report when they return. It’s so cool to see these young guys and girl getting a taste of missions and getting out there and doing it! It’s so great.

Thanks again for all your continued thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith and I will be talking to you again soon. Send me an email and let me know what’s new in your lives too!

Love you guys and miss you.

Read more...

Recovery and School Staff

Hello my friends.

It has been a little while so I thought I would give everyone a quick update of what is happening.

1. The "Aaron Wright Night" that my church put on seemed to be a great success. From what I have heard everyone had a great time listening to the band, hearing a bit about what is going on over here, and watching an update video where I conducted my own interview from my recovery bed as well as a slideshow of pictures of youthstreet. They also raised some financial support for me as well which is a huge blessing for me. Big thanks go to everyone who coordinated the night as well as everyone who attended. Glad you had fun and I wish I could've been there!

2. My back continues to improve and I am just about back to normal. I spent a total of 3 weeks in bed (mostly) and am now back to work full time and even started physical therapy last week. It feels really good and I am totally pain free. My calf still does not work and the neurosurgeon says that at this point is might work again but it might not. It has been so long now that we will do what we can to regain the function but chances are I won't get full use back. But we will see how it goes (I am not one to give up easily) and I will do what I can and let God do the rest. Thanks again for all your prayers throughout the last couple of months....and no I am still not playing rugby yet.

3. The big news for me here at Reef to Outback is that I have been asked to staff the July Discipleship Training School (DTS). That is the same school that I originally came to Australia to attend back in July last year. But now I have gone from a lowly student to a big bad staff member which means that I run small groups, do heaps of one-on-one discipleship, speak and teach often, and much much more all with the aim of taking the students deeper with God and give them a heart for the lost and for missions. It also means that I will be leading a team on a two month outreach starting in October to a destination that is still yet to be decided officially at this moment. Staffing a school means that my role around the base will change dramatically (I will be leaving my beloved accounts department) and I am very excited for all the opportunities that this entails. My DTS had a major impact on my life and it will be a privilege to staff a school that can really change someone's entire outlook on who God is, who they are, and what they will do with the life God has given them. It's gonna be good and I look forward to relaying many stories of what God does during this time. The school begins on the 14th of July and runs till December 5th. I can't wait.


Everything else hear is great. Youthstreet continues to cruise right along and the ministry here is thriving. Thanks again for all the prayers and support. I love you all!

Read more...