I'm Alive!

Hey everyone! I've been in Australia for nearly 2 weeks now and I think it'd be an understatement to say it hasn't exactly gone as planned! I don't want this whole post to just be about the coronavirus (I'm sick of talking about it to be honest) however I do want to fill you in on how life here on base has been effected by the pandemic. But first a little recap of my time so far...

I landed here in Perth on the 6th of March. Shortly after arriving I put my stuff in my temporary accommodation (which just happened to be the same place, room and bed that I spent 3months in over my DTS lecture phase), and then headed to get bubble tea and maccas (McDonalds), which is a very common occurrence here at YWAM Perth! I had the weekend to recover from the jet lag and hang out with my friends who I hadn't seen for a while, and then I had to repack a little suitcase as I was off to staff retreat!

On Monday the 9th, the YWAM Perth staff pilled into cars and buses and made the 2ish hour journey south to Busselton. We spent Monday to Friday hanging out, praising Jesus, playing volleyball and soaking in the sun on the beach. It was an awesome week and really great for me! It was so easy to chat to people, get to know everyone, and really understand what it's like to live in this amazing community of christians.

When we arrived home from staff retreat, the crisis really hit. I'm sure you've read or heard a lot about COVID-19 by now, so I won't bore you with stats and figures, but rather I'll just tell you how it has impacted life here on base. The Australian government have decided that you cannot meet in groups of more than 500, and if you enter the country internationally you must self-isolate yourself for a 14 day period. Living in a large community like we do, we have to be extra cautious to protect those of us who may have other health issues, and so are more at risk to the virus. Therefore, our Friday night meetings and Monday morning worship sessions have been cancelled for the time being. We have also changed the way we eat together. Our meal times are split into groups. Each group has a time slot and an area of base to eat in, and during this time there is no walking through base as a precaution. The food is served by one individual per item in a buffet style, so as not to spread as many germs, and we all bring our own water bottles.

Unfortunately because of the severity of the virus, all outreaches for this quarter have been cancelled, meaning that the DTS's and a lot of second level school students are having to head home, having not completed their qualifications. The base leaders have also decided that due to the circumstance (and the likelihood that Australia will soon close their boarders) the best option is to cancel the April quarter all together, meaning there will be no students (bar a few) on base for this next quarter.

I don't yet know if my MDS school will run in April, but I will be sure to keep you updated on what's happening and what my situation is!

Now moving a little bit away from current events, and into some more personal issues! As I mentioned earlier, when I first arrived I was back in my lecture phase accommodation, however with all that's happening here on base, YWAM were keen to separate their staff and their students, just to be safe! So as I arrived home from staff retreat I had to pack up my stuff and move temporarily into a staff house. I am still waiting to hear where my permanent home will be, and am eager to move in there! It's been difficult to settle in when I'm still living out of my suitcase and don't know really what my life will look like, but God is definely using this time to grow me in my patience, and hey...I guess it's just like outreach!

These are definitely very uncertain times, but it's an incredible place to see Jesus move! As a ministry we recently watched the Holy Ghost and Holy Ghost Reborn movies and if you haven't seen them go check them out! This whole situation has me thinking about something that was highlighted through the movies. They always go into these places that seem crazy, maybe dangerous, and to use a better word, dirty. They head right into the thick of it, and they bring people to Jesus through the power of Holy Spirit. The mess and confusion and danger and dirt is EXACTLY where Jesus would have been. Our world is so broken right now; everything is dirty and unclean. It's devastating...but doesn't it excite you?! Where there is brokenness, Jesus can bring wholeness. Where there is pain, God can bring comfort. Where there is mess, Holy Spirit wants to clean house. I'm so ready to see revival in the nations, and I'm excited to see where God is going to use me to bring it!

Prayer points:

- Pray against the spread of coronavirus, and for wisdom and peace over leaders

- Pray for all the students having to go home due to the virus

- Pray for the new staff who are arriving (or trying to arrive) during these complicated and uncertain times

- Pray that YWAM find me my permanent accommodation quickly so I can really settle in

- Pray for our brothers and sisters who are serving Jesus overseas and in places at real risk from the virus

Remember to wash your hands!

God Bless, Kate♥