These last 2 weeks have been the most packed and the most stretching weeks of my life but it has been so sweet! God is moving so much in our community and bringing about a lot of fruit. Here are some of the highlights from the last couple weeks

To Write Love on Her Arms
This event went off! We had a couple local bands play, testimonies, and had the founder of TWLOHA, Jamie share. It was a great night! We saw a lot of new faces and the flow of the night brought community, family, and love. I personally met a few girls, Leena, Amy, and Jess I got their myspaces and we’ve been in contact since the event. They’re stoked on Youth Street and are planning to come this Saturday! This event meant a lot for me personally. This is something that I have dealt with in the past as well as coming alongside a friend in jr. high and high school who struggled with suicide. This week the Lord brought a lot of healing and restoration and grew me in the area of intercession and prayer for others that struggle in this area.

YOUTH STREET/LIVEWIRE
Another amazing Saturday with my music team crew. I got the opportunity to lead the team this week by focusing on “Music Appreciation.” We discussed about the music we like, why we like it, what music we don’t like, why we don’t like it etc. It created an atmosphere to share about what we love in regards to music.
I was also asked to speak at our youth church called Livewire about the TWLOHA event and lead the crew in prayer and intercession. We broke up into small groups and asked the crew if they personally have struggled with this or if their friends and family have struggled with it. We talked to them about “standing in the gap” for their friends and family. We also wanted them to know that we are their family and that we’re not scared of their pain. We want to walk through it with them and provide them with community and love.

Growing in the Gift
Like I said before, God is really stretching me in getting in front of a crowd and speaking. You think I wouldn’t have trouble since I lead worship but it’s really an area that is difficult for me. I got asked to speak 4 times this week. God is so good…He is also faithful to supply the grace and strength we need. I’m excited to grow and go deeper in this gift!

Open Mic and Drew
God has brought an amazing 11 year old girl into my life and others here, her name is Drew! Her mom is the manager of the pub next door and they live on top of the pub. She came into the cafe during Open Mic night a few weeks ago but was taken out by her mom. Last week she came into the cafe along with her 2 sisters and mom. Drew and her sisters really embraced me and their mom saw that and embraced me as well. Drew shared with me some stories of living on top of the pub that a little girl her age shouldn’t be exposed to. She said she felt safe in our cafe. I told her about the TWLOHA event and she said that she would go. So Thursday she showed up with one of the girls, Kate from the DTS(Discipleship Training School). I got to hang out with her as well as with Kate. She opened up to us saying that she has never felt so much love and encouragement and that she wants to know God like we do. As soon as Kate started to share about a relationship with God her mom came to pick her up. Since then Drew comes to the cafe to hang out and today Kate is going to share with her about the love Drew can share with Jesus in a personal relationship with Him! I believe this girl is going to be radically used by God and for His purposes!!

Fig Tree Anglican Church/Wollongong
This weekend I will be taking the train 6 hours south past Sydney to Wollongong to visit and lead worship at the church where Maranatha will be sending a team in July for 2 weeks. I will get to share about why I’m living in Australia and be able to sell my cds for donation to raise some support. I’m really looking forward to deepening this relationship with this church and spend time with the body of Christ in a different place of Australia

Prayer Requests
–Drew and her family to begin relationships with God and be used mightily in this community.

–Vision and direction for this next season of ministry before returning home for a ahort time in May.

–Continued health, energy, and strength.

–God would inspire me to write more songs for His glory.

–Courtney on the music team. That she would continue to be open about her relationship with God and grow deeper!