Our school officially start on 4 August. We had a welcome dinner that night with my favorite meal, chicken Alfredo, and get to know you question games! Afterwards we had a bonfire in a flower pot and talked! It was such a fun evening. We had orientation on Friday and Saturday then we traveled up to Redcliff for our student retreat. We stayed in the church and took that time to share testimonies! It was so encouraging to hear 25 peoples stories! (:
When we got back on Monday we unloaded and just hung out. Tuesday we start lectures on the Character and Nature of God. Our school leader Kimberley Brinkman taught that whole week. She is absolutely amazing and has a superb relationship with Jesus! The students were very excited about topic. I think the third day I was walking out of the bathroom and one of the students was walking in and was sobbing. Normally crying students would be a bad thing but this student started to realize that God was the PERFECT father and that he had unresolved issues with his father. It was great! There is a long road ahead of him but he's well aware and has many people to stand beside him and fight with him! The second week was intercession and hearing the voice of God. Two different people that work on the YWAM Brisbane centre taught these topics. It's very usual that students come and have NO IDEA that God is a speaking God. Many of them struggle with the confidence of actually being able to hear his voice. It's very rewarding to watch them be frustrated at the beginning of the week then have a revelation and watch them share it with the whole class with a love displayed all over their faces! Each week we meeting in smaller groups to process life, lectures, and anything God is teaching us. Today was the second one. Me and another staff member, Alicia, are co-leading a small group. We have four students all together. We decided to walk down to McDonald's and get 50 cent cones!!! When we walked down there we played two truths and a lie just to get to know each other. Also it was a good example of building relationship which is how you can recognize God's voice! We then talked about different revelations or struggles we are going through. And for the next week we will be secretly blessing one other person in our small group! I personally love this! (:
I am completely exhausted and ready to go to bed. I need to update more on my life possibly this weekend. Know this though, God is amazing and is truly challenging and blessing me. I miss everyone tremendously. Thank you for reading!
Send me letters, people! (:
Shannon Baxter
YWAM
671 Samford Road
Mitchelton QLD 4053
