Update update read all about it

To my family and friends,

Hello all, I pray that everyone is doing well and are enjoying God’s work everywhere you go. This weekend, 21st Nov. 2009, is the weekend we as students have been counting down too. It’s the weekend we leave for outreach! It’s pretty crazy that it’s finally here. It seems just like last week that we started lectures and already we’ve done 11 weeks of lecture and now it’s time for 8 weeks of outreach. Three of the four teams have left for their countries. John and Jennifer left for Tingha on Wednesday, then this morning at 8am the Vanuatu/ Samoa team left and then this afternoon the Thailand team left. I don’t know if you’ve read my previous posts but a red flag might be going up when I say, “The Thailand team has gone” yet I am still posting...I wasn’t able to go on that team. While God has broken my heart for the people of Thailand, I wasn’t able to get my fees in in-time and with lots of heartache and tears had to let God be in control. With that, I am on the South African team. Most of the team leaves tomorrow, 22 November, and then Bethani, Ricky, and I leave Monday morning. Our plane takes off at 10:35am Sydney time (3:35pm Cali time) and we fly straight to South Africa – land in Johannesburg, have a lay-over and then head to Cape Town. When we are there we will be working with the church, in detention centers, with gang members, in the slums, we are hoping to go into an orphanage, and with HIV/AIDS victims. Every day is planned out and our only day off is Saturday...as of now. The Thailand team will be joining us after two weeks. Then Bethani, Ricky, and I leave 15th January and fly back to Perth...then to Sydney.

These past couple weeks have been very emotional. There were times I didn’t know if I was even going on outreach and I would really like to send a heart-felt THANK YOU to all that have prayed for me and sent in more support money. For all that have supported me, while you aren’t physically able to go to South Africa, you are still coming and reaching the unreached through me. THANK YOU ALL! It means so much to have you behind me in this decision in life. While time is going well, I miss home, family, and friends.

I want to let everyone know that while I am on outreach I most likely won’t be updating my blog or facebook. I hope to be able to send a message to Nathan and he will be able to relay the message of my works in South Africa. I know that God has a greater plan for me in South Africa and even though it’s been hard to accept not going to Thailand or being able to get on the plane today with the team I know my time in S.A. is going to be awesome. I’ve laid down my rights to be upset about my outreach location and I know that I trust God and his decisions for me. I can’t wait to come back to the western world and post photos and then to come home and share my experiences down unda’.

Please keep me and my team members in your prayers. My new team mates are: Bethani, Marie, Silas, Christine, and my leaders: Liz, Brea, and Ricky. Two weeks in the Thailand team joins: Jennelle, Shanna, Eilidh, Roman, Gerdien and the leaders: Paula and Gerry. Also, please keep the Vanuatu/Samoa team in your prayers: Maggie, Will, Janine, Keturah, and the staff: Leetoia and Sam.

Thank you all! I love you! I miss you.
Cheers mates!

Prayer Request

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray that my student loans will be deferred. Because I am not in the country and not 'looking for a job' I don't qualify for many of the categories. Please pray that God answers this pray and I get a deferment OR I get a good $5,000.00 to pay while I am gone and enough to pull me through until I start work again and earn enough to pay my loans. PLEASE !!!! PRAY!!!!

Prayinf for God's blessing because my first payment is due on Sunday. When I left for AU the loan companies said it wouldn't be a problem...I should have gotten it on paper. ...

sarah

This week...week 11

It's crazy to think that we are in week 11 already but I'm really happy about it. This week our speaker is our base director and school leader Etienne. Our topic is Cost of Discipleship. So far it's been good. The Melbourne group has left so there is about 25 less people on base and I'm really enjoying the space. This week we are praying and preparing for outreach. If we get our fees and plane tickets we will be leaving friday, sat, and sun (depending on the group). God has been answering prayers but many are still needed. I'll be posting more on outreach when I find out if I go or not. ..it's still up in the air with not having all my fees and all.

sarah

Hey all!!!

HI!

Sorry I haven't been on in a while to update everything. LOTS has been happening!!! Last week we had Joseph speak and he did an awesome job!!!! Oh my! Like I wish I had that on tape!! He spoke on Spiritual Warfare and it was spectacular!! Between his testimonys from God changing his receipts into money to lifting me off the ground (without warning) haha it was a good week. We had a burning session where we gave ourselves to God, we laid down our rights. It felt so good!!!!!! So so good! This past week, week 10, was Evangelism and Destiny. It was a week of double lectures, morning and night, and we have about 50 extra people on our base. Two YWAM teams are here, one from Brisbane and the other from Melbourne. It's been great to meet so many new people but it's a lot of people. ya know!?!

We went to the Blue Mountains! I will post photos soon (did I say that already in another post? Oh well.) We are going to the beach tomorrow!!! Manly Beach to be exact! AND we are leaving for outreach in 6 days!!! My room has already started to pack because we are so excited! We know that God is going to provide all of our fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's crazy to think that we are going into week 11 and we leave on Sat for Thailand.

Not sure if I posted this already so I'll post it here. Here is what we will be doing in our countries: Thailand: we will be going and working with human trafficing. Working with 'Bar Ministries' and NightLight'. Going into the red light districts and working with the girls that are being sold into the sex trade industry. And also working with Kings Kids!
South Africa: we will be working in the slums of Cape Town. We will be working with gang members, orphans, in detention centers, old people care homes, and in hospitals.
Samoa: helping with the tsunami relief
Vanuatu: doing a kids camp, helping put in clean water systems.
Tingha: helping with the new youth centre.

For my family: Don't worry, I'll be fine! We are never going anywhere alone and our leaders have told me personally that they will not let anything happen to us and they will stand between us and any danger.

Friends: (and family) Please continue to pray for me! For my fees! and for health. I think I have a cold again.

Oh, haha, I injured my foot. I was running inside to get a pitcher of water for a water fight and I fell up the stairs. My right foot and thumb nail on my right hand are bruised and my left foot has many sharp pains when I walk but it's not broken, which is all that matters to me. So please pray that my foot heals.

Cheers,
Sarah