Cambodian Coast

We have made it to our first outreach location located in Southern Cambodia. The town is called Sihanoukville. It is full of European tourists and motor bikes. We are working at an orphanage started by an AOG Church and also working at a school. While we are here, we are painting the entire inside perimeter fence and also helping out the school connected to the orphanage. We are helping the students learn English and we are also getting to know some of the 82 orphans living there. 80 of the orphans also attend the school which is a K-12 school. So far it has been interesting getting to know the people and the culture. The food has been equally interesting. We have been eating a lot of rice, noodles, and vegetables. Our team is very lucky to be staying in a guest house across the street from the school and orphanage called Sunday Guest house. The people here are very kind natured and like to learn English. Most people who learn English can get better jobs which is why it is so important for the children in school. It's really a blessing to be able to jump into this ministry that is already set up and build relationships quickly. I'm looking forward to the effect this place will have on the students of our team.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane

So this will be my last blog written from Australia for awhile.  I am literally hours away from driving to the airport to fly to Bangkok and then on to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  So far we have only our first few days planned out.  We are spending Christmas in Phnom Penh and then making our way to our outreach destination which at the moment is unknown.  What is known is that we will more than likely be working with orphanage children and also working with churches while in Cambodia.  I must admit I am a little nervous as my American mindset is to try and have every step planned out for the next month.  However, we must be flexible going into a country in which relationships take priority over plans.  Our Cambodian contact has been working on setting us up with a place to serve in ministry and will likely have more information for us when we arrive.  Your prayers are most appreciated at this time as we are traveling and getting used to be around each other more.  Also, for trust that things we be more clear when we get there.  I am also nervous about leading 10 westerners into a country where it might be easy to complain and forget why we are there.  Thank you for your prayers.  I really wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is reminded of how truly blessed we are.  May we pass on the blessing to those who need it most.  

Christmas Lights and Baptisms

This past week I was asked by a few of my one on ones (see my first and second blog) to baptize them because they had never formally been baptized.  I felt very unqualified and yet honored to do it.  It was a little awkward since we had to go to a river to do it, but I was reminded that rivers are generally where most of the first Christians were baptized.  I was also reminded that baptism has so much symbolism in it.  To be baptized isn't just to have sins "washed away".  It's a symbol of being raised out of death and into life.  It was an honoring experience and I hope to do it again.  Also, this week the DTS has started working with a church called "Maroochy Baptist", which is where we have our lectures.  They put on a festival called "Christmas Lights".  The go all out during this time with an animal farm, Bethlehem walk, Christmas production, a food court, and other various events.  The students and staff are asked to help out in many different areas.  I am helping with parking as hundreds of people show up each night.  By the end of the festival which runs from Dec 11th to the 24th, they will have had thousands of people come through.  It's a great way to reach out to the community and talk about the real meaning of Christmas.  Some of the students are helping with the coffee shop, costumes, Bethlehem walk, parking, and serving food.  I hope everyone reading this blog has a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to hearing from you.

Covenants with Neville

"Covenants" is a topic that we were privileged to have Neville Strachan, pastor of Eastgate church in Byron Bay, teach this week.  Neville has partnered with our base and generally comes to speak on every DTS here.  I could try and explain a few things that he taught but it might take pages and pages. "Covenants" are not just promises from God as we would find out during this week.  They are an agreement between two parties and are everywhere within the Bible and throughout history.  A modern day example of covenant is marriage.  These things are almost always included in a "covenant".  Exchanging of coats (My stuff is now your stuff), Exchange of weapons (you pick a fight with me, you picked a fight with her too), exchange names (woman changes her last name), promise and oath (martial vows), blood cutting and seal (consummation of marriage), splitting of an animal (wedding cake?), blessings and curses (not normally said at weddings), memorial (wedding certificate and rings), covenant meal (wedding reception), and covenant attorney (wedding party).  All of these parts make up a covenant and can be seen in the modern day wedding.  Covenants have been known throughout history by every culture.  What Neville points out is that all of God's covenants with men are initiated by Him and that all of His covenants are leading up to Jesus Christ.  He is the focal point of all history, not only for the Hebrew people, but for the world.  It really was amazing to watch it all unfold as Neville explained the build up from the Old Testament.  It brings a whole new perception to God's plan. 

Schoolies Week

Some of you are asking yourself, "What is schoolies?"  I'm glad you asked.  The American equivalent to schoolies is grad night.  After Aussie students finish year twelve at school, they have an entire week known as schoolies week.  During this week, students congregate at certain places usually near the coast to party.  The largest schoolies parties were down on the Gold Coast a few hours south of here.  There were also some schoolies parties here on the Sunshine Coast as well.  All through the week, there were reports of rapes, ecstasy use, and extreme over-consumption of alcohol.  It is to the point where there are stations set up around the parties to pump stomachs when people have too much to drink.  Basically, it's a not week you would want to have your kids be a part of.  Of course, it's not all drinking, drugs, and sex.  Some kids go to just hang out and play sports, listen to concerts, and have a fun time with their friends before they move on to the next phase of life.  As a DTS, we were able to use this as a time to talk with the schoolies and develop relationships with them.  We were also able to tell them our stories of how God had changed us.  It was a very practical thing to do with the DTS.  It helps students understand that it's not really about shoving religion down their throats, so to speak; but it's about showing them God's love and being an example of what God has done.  I think most of the schoolies we talked to think that being a Christian is about following rules and not having fun.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We serve an eternally creative God who actually invented fun.          

Fraser Island and humility

This past weekend, our DTS took a long trip up to Fraser Island which is part of the World Heritage Areas and also boasts the world's largest sand island.  We rented four 4x4 land cruisers and took 29 people onto the island by ferry.  Getting to the rental place was an adventure in itself. We had three vans and three drivers who had no idea how to get there.  To make a long story short, we ended up on a few dirt roads and took a few detours, but we all ended up at the same place a few hours late.  After we got to Fraser Island and off of the ferry, my patience was tested immediately as I figured out I had 5 back seat drivers with me.  It was actually really tough to not be sarcastic or angry with them and I failed a few times.  Also, I felt pressure being the only person in the whole group who had been to the island before because everyone thinks you are automatically an expert on where to go.  I was not an expert and on fact I made some wrong assessments on where to go.  Luckily, we still had a fun time and we made it back to the rental place on time with no extra fees for late return or damage to the vehicles.  As I look back I was a bit stressed but I realize that I did have fun.  It really is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and often times we allow distractions to get in the way of really enjoying the things God has made. As we get closer to outreach I feel like we are getting better prepared through these experiences.  Please pray that God continues to work on us and that we have the right attitude with one another.

The times we live in

This past week, we had a speaker come in from a church in Nambour which is very close to us here in Maroochydore.  His name is Joel Baker and he is very passionate about the Bible and especially about angels and things unseen.  It really challenged me because I recognized that often we don't think much about those things because we can't see them or sense them with any of the five senses.  Joel spoke about the times we live in and how interesting the political climate is getting (ie: Obama elected as president, the world economy, and the situation with Israel).  Things that are unprecedented are happening in the world now and things that were written in the Bible thousands of years ago are being realized today.  I have to constantly ask myself, "Do I really believe this?"  It's hard to ignore.  The Bible talks about angels being around us and the Holy Spirit being among us, but I have often wondered how much do I live in that reality.  I know a lot of the students were challenged as well.  They had so many questions about this topic.  Whether we want to admit it or not, there is something going on that we can't see.  There are so many things we can't explain that happen to people and places.  Paul touches on this in 2 Cor 4:18.  He says there is things that are seen which are temporary and things that are unseen which are eternal.  Please pray for the reality of the unseen to be recognized by us and by you as well.  Thanks for continuing to support me and read these blogs.  I hope you are encouraged by them.

Week of Prayer

This past week, the entire DTS and staff participated in a week of 24/5 prayer.  From Monday to Friday, everyone was given two hour prayer slots.  Every staff had a group of students with whom they prayed with every day during these slots.  A couple of nights, my team had the 2-4 am slots.  It was hard to wake up for it, but it was actually a great experience.  I think the students really got a chance to see what God would do in their lives and others through prayer.  I know I was challenged to not think about myself and try to focus on things outside of me.  

We also had night time sessions every night from 7-9 pm in which we had lots of music, lectures, and prayer.  I think the students and staff were challenged to go all out during the week.  This week is pretty tiring especially when you have middle of the night prayer slots.  But it was a good week.

Also, we had a chance to get together with our outreach team going with us to Cambodia and Thailand.  We talked about what stresses us the most and how to handle it on outreach.  I tried to explain how outreach brings out the real "us".  We no longer have the comfort of home and space to keep us from really getting to know each other.  It's going to be a challenging time, but it changes people.  I know because the experience changed me too.  

Well, it's now nearly halfway through lecture phase of the DTS.  I am hitting the "wall" and need prayer to keep focus and not get burnt out.  There is so much I still need to do for outreach and also keep up with my one on ones and small group duties.  It seems like there is never enough time!  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Fear of the LORD week with David Giltnan

This past week we had Fear of the LORD week.  We had a speaker come from Darwin, Australia to speak named David Giltnan.  He is a very animated and bold Australian.  He discussed what it would be like to encounter God.  We looked at Isaiah 6 where Isaiah the prophet has a vision of what it's like too be in the throne room of God.  If you don't know what I'm talking about you should read it.  David really impressed this idea that we should be a people who don't do things half hearted.  There is an awe and wonder about God that causes us to fear Him in a good way.  

Partway through the week we had a night when people had an opportunity to come up and confess anything they feel is holding them back from a life devoted to God.  Nearly every student went up and it was amazing to see.  It's so good to see people get up and talk about the guilt and shame they have felt and just give it all up.  No one judges them, no one thinks less of them.  We spent all of Wednesday night and all Thursday during the morning into the afternoon doing this.  There is literally a noticeable change in the dynamic of the group.  

On Wednesday night something happened that I've never really seen before.  As we were praying for one guy on the DTS, he talked about how he had judged many girls based on their looks.  It hit a nerve.  A lot of the young ladies in the group were reminded of times when that had happened to them.  There were a lot of tears.  I understand that women are prone to be more emotional than men, but I know this was genuine heartache.  The rest of the time was spent praying for those girls and comforting them.  After that night, I think our group felt more like a family.  It made me realize how important it is to treat every women dignity and respect. She's someone's daughter, someone's mother, or someone's wife.  But most importantly she is God's creation.  

Thailand & Cambodia

It's official.  I will be taking a team with another staff person to Thailand and Cambodia.  We will be leaving very close to Christmas, possibly the 22nd.  We now have 9 students who will be with us to make a total of 11 people.  I think the flight from Brisbane is a pretty long one (about 10 or 11 hrs?).  We have only met as a team once to talk about what it will be like over there and what to expect.  Though Thailand and Cambodia border each other, I am under the impression that they are very different countries.  Cambodia has more poverty as they do not have the tourism or natural resources that Thailand is able to have.  Cambodia has about 14 million people and 95% are Buddhists.  Cambodia has a huge youth population.  About 50% of he population is 21 and younger.  Thailand has  over 65 million people and a greater land mass than Cambodia.  Thailand has many more large cities than does Cambodia as well.  Thailand is also the prostitution capital of the world.  

So far we are looking to do some very practical outreach ministries.  We have opportunities to work in orphanages, help build houses, play soccer with youth, and various other ministries to share God's love to people.  Please pray for our team as we prepare to go over there.  It is important that we understand that this trip isn't about our wants and needs.  Please pray for our team to have a servant's heart.   

Outreach Locations

We have come to the time in the DTS when students hear about our outreach locations and they choose where they feel they should go.  The outreach location that I will be co-leading is to Cambodia and Thailand.  We also have teams going to Vanuatu and also to Indonesia.  We had tried to get an outreach team to go to Darwin, Australia to work with the Aboriginal people, but as of right now, the students are very hesitant to be part of that outreach.  As a base, we feel that we are in a location to effectively reach places like Australia for obvious reasons and also to reach Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands.  

I am very excited to be part of the team that goes to Cambodia and Thailand.  However, we have not told the students yet where they are going because we haven't been able to decide where to put them since no one wants to go to Darwin.  Please pray for the DTS students as they make decisions where to go.  Pray that they would be open to go where they are most needed.  Also, it is very hard on the leaders who have felt called to go to Darwin.  

It is a great privilege that we get to go to places like Cambodia and Thailand to work with people to show them God's love.  It can also be difficult at times so please pray for team unity starting now well before outreach.  Next week I will share with you a bit about what we will be doing there. 

My 1 on 1's

As YWAM staff, I have been given four male students whom I meet with weekly.  The time is set apart so that the students can process the information from lectures.  It is also a time for discipleship which is a fancy word, but basically means a process of change.  We want to help guide students along on this journey called a DTS.  So far, I have met with every one of my 1 on 1's at least once.  I am so blessed to have a variety of guys.  They are at very different places and it will definitely challenge me.  

I have a guy from Norway named Kristoffer.  Kristoffer has had a rough time dealing with the death of a friend back home recently.  Luckily, he has two friends who are also doing a DTS with him here on the Sunshine Coast.  I also have Hans who is a 17 year old from Florida.  Hans feels a strong calling to missions.  I have a Swedish guy named Joppe.  Joppe is one of the funniest students we have and is so hungry to learn as well.  Last, I have Alex from Denmark.  Alex is a gentle giant.  He is very quiet, but I know he is eager to seek out God.  

One thing I noticed is that each student has so many questions.  Please pray for these students and ask God to give the wisdom.  They are all fun to be around and I'm so excited to start the week of lectures.  This coming week we are doing "Hearing God's Voice".  

  

The Start

Every student is now here and the DTS is officially started.  The houses are full of students from so many different places.  We have several students from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.  We also have one from Finland and two from England.  The other half of our DTS is made up of Canadians and Americans.  The other staff and I half carefully placed students in rooms with people of other cultures and nationalities.  It is so fun to watch the interaction between people.  Sometimes it's hard trying to understand people through a thick accent.  It's also difficult trying to understand different terminology (ie: garbage=rubbish etc).  One thing I have come to realize is that even though there are so many noticeable differences, people are all created by God and have so much in common even if we live worlds apart.  All people want community and relationships, no matter what that looks like.

This week, we are mostly doing orientation to YWAM and getting the students comfortable with each other and with staff.  A big part of this week is everyone must tell their story of how they came to be here at YWAM (also called a testimony).  If you would like to pray for something, pray that this would be a great experience and everyone would feel comfortable sharing.  It really breaks down a lot of walls between the students and staff.  

All the students are in love with the beach and the beauty of the Sunshine Coast.  It really is a great place to be during DTS.  There are a wide range of student ages as well.  We have two 25 year olds and a 24 year old.  We also have two 17 year olds.  Lee is a 25 year old student who I am really excited is here.  He has not stopped talking about how excited he is to be here and how he has to pinch himself to make sure it's not a dream.  I'm so glad he is here and I know he is going to be a great leader and example for our younger guys.  

Thank you to everyone who prays for our DTS.  I really hope you know that you are a great support and would encourage you to continue.  I will try and get some pictures up of students to give everyone a visual:)

Calm before the storm

This last week, myself and all the other staff have been in training to prepare us for the DTS that starts here Oct 6th.  I'm beginning to understand how chaotic it's going to be once it starts.  A speaker came up from YWAM Melbourne and has been with YWAM for over 30 years.  He really stressed the importance of having a servant's heart as a staff person.  One thing he said that really stuck with me is that an acid test to see if you have a servant's heart is: How do you react when someone treats you like a servant?  I used to think I had a servant's heart but I recently found out that I need some work done:)  To give you a good idea of what the students and staff participate in, I will give you an overview of the DTS.

Each staff person is assigned a group of students for both small groups and one on one times which both generally meet once a week.  So if a staff person has four one on ones, it could take up a lot of time every week.  In those times we ask the students questions about everything from lectures to life back home to whatever they want to chat about.  We really try to build relationships with the students and get them thinking about their future.  Particularly in the one on one times is when most of the deep conversing is done.  During small group time, we usually just meet to fellowship together and talk about certain issues in life.  The time is more to get the students talking amongst themselves and relating to each other.  Small groups happen once a week at a variety of places.  So these events happen outside of the lecture time.

Lectures are every Monday through Thursday from 8 am to noon.  Students are required to participate in lectures and encouraged to take notes.  It is also during these times when we discuss which countries to go to on Outreach.  Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of both the staff and the students here.  It is very important to make the students feel at home and part of YWAM from the time they get to the Sunny Coast.  

I actually met the first two students to show up.  They are Kristian and Ingrid from Norway.  They were very friendly and also very excited to be here.  As a matter of fact, we have several students coming from Scandinavia.  Many of them are from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.  We also have two British students and a few Americans and Canadians.  It will be great getting to know people who grew up on the other side of the world!  

Greetings from the Sunny Coast!!!!

Greetings from the Sunshine Coast of Australia!

As I have been getting used to being back here, I have noticed a few changes.  The base has grown exponentially over the past year.  We now have more vehicles, houses, and people staffing than ever before.  I am very fortunate that I know many of the staff already.  There are actually several people who were students with me during my school who are now staff.  My fellow Arizonian Sean Marin has been on staff ever since 2007 and has pioneered the media ministry here on the Sunny Coast.  Justin Tierney from Indiana and Kelly Tierney from Oregon were married in June and will be staffing.  Ashlee Rohrer from Pennsylvania has been on staff for nearly a year and has also been on several outreaches to Asia.  

I am very excited to start working with these great people and serving the community and each other.  For those of you who aren't familiar with how the base works, I will try and explain it.  The base acts as a platform for all the ministries that YWAM is involved in.  The Discipleship Training School, which is what I will be working with, is only one part of the base.  There are several people who work at the base, but are not directly involved with the DTS.  There is a skate ministry which works with a lot of the youth around the Sunshine Coast.  We also have a surfer's ministry that attracts people who live the surf lifestyle.  As mentioned before, we now have a media ministry which works with the DTS, the skate ministry, and the surfer's ministry.  And last there is a coffee shop at a wake boarding cable park.  For those of you who don't know what a wake boarding cable park is, its exactly like wake boarding, only you are pulled by giant cables that surround the park and not a boat.   

The Discipleship Training School starts on October 6.  For the first three months, the students will be in a classroom setting every morning Monday through Thursday until lunch time.  Each week offers an exciting new topic and speaker.  Students are expected to keep a journal, report on several books, and meet with their one on one which is assigned at the start of the program.  After the three months are over,students will have already split into teams which will go to other countries to do outreach.  Generally, we have teams gong into Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific.  

This particular school starting October 6th will have 20 male students out of 29 total students.  This translates into me being very busy and learning a lot along the way!  If you could please keep me in your prayers as well as these students, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you everyone for your prayers and support.  I look forward to hearing from you and sharing my experiences.

Grace and Peace,

Matt Brown