News from the Gong

Good-day! (See, I'm speaking the Aussie lingo already!) So, I've been here for 2.5 weeks now. Crazy. Last week went by so quickly, it's hard to recount what happened. I'm finding myself having less and less to say. I'm definitely feeling transitioned by now, although some of the adjustments are going to be long-term. I'm still loving community life, going deeper in new relationships all the time. I'm not even sure how to sum up what I did this past week... a little bit of everything. I'll just list it, which will be fun for you to see how much my week encompasses...

- Listened to a good friend of mine teach on lifestyle of worship and intimacy with God (he just did a course where he developed his teaching and shared it with a few of us).

- Started my office job full-on. I am working on compiling a condensed file of all the information the DTS outreach team needs for their trip to Southeast Asia in December.

-Started praying with a small team of people about mobilization stuff- connecting YWAM Wollongong to the community in Shellharbour, serving/ equipping the church with where they are already invested in the area, etc. Still praying into what this looks like and getting God's heart for it.

-Each week the speaker for the week for the DTS shares with the staff who aren't staffing the DTS (i.e. me and like 20 others) every Wednesday. It is a time of encouragement and strengthening for us. We also get to hear the speaker Thursday nights when we have Community Night- a time of worship and teaching open to the entire community. This week Fiona challenged us to be hungry for the Word of God, not just the words of God- SO important. So good.

- This week we had a team from Townsville, Australia come stay at our base. They were on their outreach all around the east coast of Australia, so I spent some of my week hanging out with them and getting to know them a bit.

-I got a cell phone!!! Wooo hoo... Definitely excited about that, as I've been trying to get this for a couple weeks.

-This weekend... I went to the beach on Saturday with Amy and then helped out the DTS with the car wash they did to raise money for outreach. That night I went to this cute cottage-like house in the rolling hills (with cows and horses). One of Meg's friends was selling all these crafty, super creative (and Christmasy) stuff to raise money for missions there. Fun! Sunday (today)- I visited a new church, I went to the harbor and took pictures, and I babysat Madison and Chloe (Ken and Meg's kids).

Well, there you have it. That was me not knowing what to write about so listing vaguely my random activities for the week. :) Maybe you are getting somewhat more of a glimpse into my life here. Let's hope so! Here's some pictures to help paint that picture even more! Enjoy.

This is from the harbor, looking out at Northbeach (about 20 minutes walk from where I live).

pelican! :) i thought he was cute.

beautiful yellow wildflowers at the harbor.

This is a Fish and Chips shop in Shellharbour Village right on the harbor.

Finally, this is Northbeach- the closest beach to me and the one I'm at every chance I get! :)

One week here/ My new life.

Office... where I work

Lecture Room... Where DTS students learn & worship/ prayer happens often

Looking out at the yard between the common room and the classroom

the Common Room... where we eat and hang out

Outside... looking at the common room side

An echidna! We found this little guy in our yard outside!!!

I've been in Australia for one week now! A week ago yesterday I was arriving at the base being welcomed by old friends and new faces alike. It's hard to believe it's only been a week... so much has happened here already. There's so much to tell and explain, but I'll begin to try.

I probably got over jet-lag and settled in within about the first three/ four days I was here (although those first few days were quite overwhelming!) I had Thursday- Sunday to kind of rest and get settled and process, though, which was really good and needed. At first I was really overwhelmed by the amount of people living here. Imagine going from living with 5 people to 50 something in a day! Talk about overwhelming. Needless to say, I quickly am finding the inner introvert in me coming out. Saturday I woke up early and walked to the beach (about a 25 minute walk) and sat on the rocks with my Bible and journal as I watched the waves crash. There was a crazy canoeing competition going on and multiple groups of surfers. But even with all that going on, I was able to find the place of quiet and stillness with God and His creation. Amazing.

Sunday I went to church with Amy and a couple other people here. Please be in prayer that I would listen and seek God for what church HE is calling me to plug into and be a part of here. That's something He's really made priority in my heart, so I would love your prayer into the faith family He is calling me to.

After church, I spent some time with Meg, one of my best friends and my mentor here. She and her husband Ken are a part of the leadership of the base here, and I'm going to be spending a lot of time with them- learning from them as I do life with them. (Side note: Meg is from Tennesee and Ken is from Georgia, and they're the only other Southerners here). Anyway, they have a huge heart to mobilize people into missions and into the nations. That's a big part of my heart too. They came to me with the vision of wanting to build a mobilization team into YWAM Wollongong where we would go to local churches, youth groups, schools, wherever God calls us.... and tell stories of what God is doing all over the world making the gospel known to engage those in our community with the call of making disciples of all nations. So... that's another big thing you can pray for!

To shift gears a bit, I'll share about the week and what I'll be doing for this season on the base. So, I think we have about 43 staff here at YWAM Wollongong now. A few of those staff are staffing the DTS. But the remaining staff all have very key roles to plug into and serve to make sure the base is able to operate and do everything God has called us to do. Just recently, the base has grown and gained enough staff to make sure every job on base can be done and done well. We have teams of people operating and serving together in various capacities... Office/ registrar, hospitality, kitchen, maintenance, and IT/ technology. Each is important and necessary. It's cool because in interning for One Way Ministries and working in the office- combined with getting to go on the field in Guatemala- I saw the value of all the office stuff and the need for it to do the ministry we did on the field. It's all for the glory of God and making Him known!

So... It looks like I will be serving in the office. The interesting thing about this past week is that my office operations leader, Chris, was out all week because her son broke his arm. So, I've seen a little bit of what I'll do, but not really yet. Another cool thing about the operations teams, is that each team meets together every morning for prayer and to invite God into our work for the day. It's so cool to ask God to come show us ways to do our work really well and make sure everyone is doing okay that day and hold each other up as a team. Then once a week, all the Operations (Ops) teams come together for worship. Also, every week, the whole base comes together for worship in the morning. And once a week the whole base comes together for intercession/ prayer for an unreached people group. There is so much prayer and worship that goes on here. It's pretty incredible.

It seems like I've been here forever already. Part of that is because I feel so disconnected from life back home, which makes me really sad. So, if you think about it, PLEASE shoot me an e-mail or something and just tell me what's happening with you or your family or whatever. Communication is so hard with the time difference. Also, part of feeling here a while is because I have gotten to know people so quickly. I still have a long way to go building relationships, etc. But I'm surprised how much I've gotten to know people in just a week! But I guess that happens when you're sharing a bathroom and shower with 25 people! (Which, by the way, hasn't been nearly as rough as I thought... which is a blessing! :)

There's so much I could still say, but this post is getting lengthy so I'll cut it short. :) Pray still... for the transition to a completely different life, which is still hard. Also pray for my back as it is bothering me, that I will use that opportunity to depend on God. Finally, pray for a hunger for God's word and truth. :) Thanks yall. I'm realizing more and more every day how blessed by the people I am at home behind me. I have such a strong support system. It's really quite phenomenal. You are each a blessing from God to me.

love, Christy

Enjoy a few pictures of my new home here...

Day 2

Hey! I don’t want to let too much time get away before I update yall on what’s going on. I feel like if I start updating a lot right from the start, maybe I’ll be more likely to communicate well and frequently. Oh well, I’m still pretty jet-lagged, but here it goes!

The ride from the airport to the base was fun and filled with anticipation. I enjoyed views of costal waters and Aussie homes and conversation with an Aussie couple who were also riding in the taxi/ van with me. When I got to the base, I was overwhelmingly welcomed with huge hugs by familiar faces. It was such a joyful, crazy, exciting reunion. I was also met by my roommate here, Amy from Washington, who I had never met but had talked to quite a bit before coming. She’s awesome and has done so much to help me get settled in (including man-hauling a bed with drawers for me today so I could have more storage space! :)

It’s so crazy to be back here. In some ways it feels like I’ve never left, but in others it seems like it’s been so long at the same time. The relationships I left are picking right back up, but there is still so much catching up to do. I’m also enjoying getting to know new people here as well. It’s a bit overwhelming with all the new staff and the DTS students who are here, but I’m sure I’ll get to know them in time.

Today I went shopping for essentials and room organization stuff. I spent like 3 and a half hours or something ridiculous in the mall... talk about exhausting! But I’m making such progress on making the room organized and all that. Amy and the other staff have been awesome in making sure it’s easy for me to get settled. And leadership here gave me these past two days and the weekend to get settled before jumping into everything, so that’s nice.

It’s so cool living in community again. It will take a little getting used to, but I definitely like it. There’s always something going on and tons of people all around me that share the same passion, which is really a cool way to do life together. I’m going to have to cut this short because dinner is soon, but I’ll try to write as things start happening and I know more of what the routine will be, adapt, and all that!

Finally in Australia!

Hey! I'm in Australia!!! Woo hoo! This post was actually written from Sydney airport, but I'm actually on the base in Shellharbour now. I'll write again after I get some sleep and am a bit more coherent. :)

I made it! Well, to Sydney at least. I’m writing all of you from the Sydney airport. I met my limo driver who is taking me to the base, and I’m sitting in an espresso cafe waiting on whoever else he has to carry along the way. So glad i found whoever is taking me to base! :) The flights were relatively uneventful. I started out in Memphis with my stomach turning and churning in knots, anxious, knowing I wouldn’t be seeing this place again or my sweet parents for a while! I didn’t cry too much when I left my family, although I miss them dearly already! I made it through security, hoping my plane from Memphis to Atlanta wouldn’t be delayed since I had only a 45 minute layover in Atlanta. We ended up sitting in the parking lot for 20 minutes after taxying and they told us we would be delayed taking off. I prayed I would not miss my flight, but I just barely made it! Praise God! Even though I got on the plane on time that plane was a bit late taking off because of battery issues. But we took landed safely in LA, where I had about 20 minutes to change planes. The plane from LA to Sydney was much nicer and bigger with more options for food and entertainment. I sat next to all these Aussie boys on all sides of me (haha) who were all very polite and eager to help me with stowing my bags. The flight was long... 14 and a half hours! But I managed to sleep for about 7 hours, woke up for a snack, and then maybe 4 more hours! Pretty good, huh? So, I feel a bit disoriented at the moment, but not just exhausted... I think that will come later in the day! I made it swiftly through customs an immigration with no set-backs. I had a bit of trouble finding my driver, but found him. Now I’m sitting in a cafe in the airport drinking a latte and eating a blueberry muffin! I forgot how expensive everything is here! Gee!! My latte, which is a large, is the size of an American small and was $4.10... just a plain latte! And then I wanted this banana bread, which was huge, but was $5.50!! So, I settled for a mini muffin (and I mean, mini!) for $2.50! Outrageous! Hopefully that’s just the airport. I remember things being expensive, but not like this! Ha. The weather here is about 65 degrees... kinda cold for this time of year. The Aussie boys next to me said it should be really hot and it would be soon. I’m excited for the drive to the base... to see the Aussie landscape and coast along the way. And I cannot wait to see those who I was close to again and catch up and start this adventure God has set before me. Thank you so much for your prayers about the trip. Side note: my back barely hurt, AT ALL! The trip went really smoothly... aside from sitting on airplanes lot and waiting to take off... now that I’m off the plane, it seems like it went by quickly! I know that was God, giving me strength that He knew I needed and being so faithful to answer the prayers of the consistent prayer warriors I have at home! I miss the South already- Covington and Birmingham- my true home. But I am so thankful to be here finally and engage the Lord in what He is doing in this beautiful country. I am so thankful to Him for choosing to use me, in spite of all my weakness. What an all-sufficient God we have! Love to you all! love, Christy P.S. Oh yeah, if you want to write or send something, here is my address here. Some have asked for it: YWAM Wollongong Attn: Christy Barton PO Box 4040 Shellharbour NSW 2529 Australia

His words

Sometimes, I have no words when I read His. It should be that way more often.

1 John 1: 5-7

“This is the message we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sins.”

Exodus 33:14-15

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he (Moses) said to Him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”

Philippians 4:8-9

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever in honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Bound by worry or Dressed in readiness?

Hello! I woke up this morning to read my devotional for the day, Jesus Calling. This is what I read...

“Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communion with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to listen, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me.

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules: 1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there. 2) Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include any imagery that comes to mind. This mental discipline does not come easily, because you are accustomed to being god of your fantasies. However, the reality of My Presence with you, now and forevermore, outshines any fantasy you could ever imagine.”

Wow. This is so good and speaks to where I am right now entirely. When I fantasize about what is coming up in Australia and get my mind ready by “preparing,” God has NOT been the object of my thoughts! So although I am excited, that excitement has only been a worldly excitement in a lot of ways, falling short of what God really has. His desire is to fill me with a holy anticipation that will build in my spirit.

What have my primary thoughts been? My experience? Relationships there that will serve me? Or joining God in the work that HE is already doing there, picking up my cross, dying to myself, and serving, following the way of Christ.

What do I dream about? The easy road? Or the hard one? Because He never said it would be easy. But He said a whole lot about it being hard. He promised that just as Jesus suffered, so would we. How could we expect not to if we are following Him? But in plenty and in need, in health and prosperity and in poverty and suffering, He is the hero. He is the one we are worshipping and serving.

When my mind races and thinks about what is to come, my mind should immediately settle on Him as the main character, and not me. He must become greater; I must become less. This whole adventure isn’t about what I will experience and how I will grow. I’m sure He will lead me into some amazing experiences and growth will naturally happen because of Christ in me, but that is just a by-product of the goal, which is the proclamation of the gospel, with words and with my life- Jesus exalted and Jesus magnified. I say, “It’s not about me.” But, is it?

Luke 12: 21-31

“‘So the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ And He said to His disciples, ‘For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; not for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more that food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable are you than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil not spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

Luke goes on to say in 32-38...

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for the Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even the third, and finds them so, blessed are the slaves.”

Be dressed in readiness. Be like men waiting for their master when he returns. Am I dressed in readiness? Are you? Am I waiting? Am I watching, looking all around me with great expectancy? Am I looking for God right now in front of me with great expectancy? Am I looking for God in the future with great expectancy? What is He doing? How is He working? Where is He asking me to join Him? Will I obey? Will I even hear? Or am I too distracted with thoughts of my own experience and where I think God is working because I am placing certain expectations on myself and on Him? Lord help me to surrender expectations and the idol of experience to you. Help me to envision you as the hero and the main character in my future. Help me to be watchful, looking for you. Waiting for you with great expectancy. Help me to be dressed in readiness. Amen.

Reflecting

It's been over a month since my last post. I definitely will up the frequency on the blogging once I'm in Australia. I think part of the reason for the silence is that the Lord has had me in a very calm season of rest and just soaking in stillness. I get so use to chaos and business that I can easily forget how to enjoy these calm seasons and let God use them to restore my tired soul and prepare me to enter into what is next. But, looking back, kinds on the end of it, it seems like that's more or less what this time has been, and it's been good.

Speaking of resting, I've gotten to do some reading for fun, which has been really nice. I recently read The Heavenly Man about Brother Yun, who suffered for the sake of the gospel in China. This man's story is incredible. The thing I seem to remember the most about it is the Lord's lovingkindness and goodness in how near He is to those who suffer. I have been wrestling with chronic pain in my back, shoulders, and arms. But the Lord has been so NEAR in it all. I cannot deny His closeness. I am humbled with a dependency on Him that I haven't had to have before because of physical limitation. But when I cry out to Him, He answers.

A little over a month ago, God led me to call a lady about massage therapy. She is such a servant of God, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, she now gives me hour long, deep therapeutic massages completely FREE of charge. How good is God! What a blessing. It's in times like this, that I know He is near.

I was reading the other day in Exodus... in 3:7-8, God says, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey." Are you hurting? Tired? Suffering? God KNOWS your sufferings. Not only does God know because He sees your suffering, but Jesus knows because He has borne the fullness of suffering. We suffer and it's the result of either a fallen world or our own sin. But Jesus suffered, not as a result of sin at all, but to destroy sin all together and make a way for us to be restored to God, free from sin for eternity! He suffered on the cross, understands all our suffering completely, and destroyed suffering that we might spend eternity in glory. I love that- gives me hope and peace!

Anyway... off the subject, but it's crazy to think in 18 days I will be leaving for Australia (Oct. 26), and in 12 days (or something like that), I will be leaving Birmingham and heading back to Tennessee to spend some quality time with family (and to pack up my life for two years)! Crazy! It's been such an insane journey to get to this point, but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. God has been so evident in it, and it's so clear to me that He's been guiding and orchestrating this the entire time. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement... hopefully I'll be writing again soon!

Love,

Christy