Tuesday

It’s our final night in the hostel to which we have known as home for the past few weeks. It is strange how a place so far from “home” becomes “home” by the mere people you share it with.
That has happened here in Melbourne, we are all so familiar with places like “Lygon St”, Melbourne Central, Max Brenner, Kafe World, Melbourne Uni, student union building, the rock grass, and Russell St. These names that many of us barely knew how to say as we arrived have become part of our daily vernacular. These along with Monday night specials in the Bar for food, dollar coffees, and tim tams are some of the physical reminders of the past three weeks.
Few if any of us knew the change that would happen the first day we stepped into a place called The Space Hotel. However in retrospect it seems almost foolish and shortsighted on our part to not think the Gospel would not change us in the process of us explaining it to others. We in the past few short weeks have witnessed people hear the truth of Christ over 700 times and as we have faithfully presented it the message has shaped and changed us forevermore.
As we ended our last day here in the city by going shopping and gathering those final gifts for you the loved ones one thing came to the surface of our time here.
The message of Christ can only do one thing… Create Change… It not only changes those who hear it, but more so we have seen it change us. Drive us toward a God who gave everything to have a relationship with us. With no certainty of us ever saying yes to him, he gave everything to pursue us, be with us, and restore us.
In the process of digging into that message we have seen students from theWELL become confident, passionate, generous, prayerful, broken for the lost, transparent, and desiring to see others engage with it.
The last two weeks are so much more than the names, places, and people we have interacted with. It is the aggregate of the Gospel message being spoke, acted out, engaged in, and pursued. The students of theWELL will forever be changed and different because of the reality of the message they came to teach.
The amount of words on a page cannot tell of the work that has happened here, only the lives changed can speak of exactly what God has done here in Melbourne. However please ask because how each of us has seen the Gospel work the past weeks is differed and we would love to share it with you. And there may also be a point where we ask if you would like to know about Jesus and what he has done not just in us but for you.
” The man whom the demons had gone begged that he might go with him, but Jesus said to him,”Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you”. And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
-Luke 8:38-39

Excited to leave but sad to go.
Here’s some photos from our last day in the city, dinner, gelato, and some final exploring.

Monday

Douglas Burnham:

I read this verse today during prayer time on the Uni and it broke my heart. 1 Timothy 4: ”The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”

People’s time on this Earth is short. I sense the urgency and prayed for people’s hearts today that they might be interested in the gospel and that they might get into the Bible to read it for themselves. Our hearts break for the Australian people as a whole, but we know that God has/is doing things here that will carry on far after we have gone.

We leave Australia soon, coming back ready to make the Well a place where the Gospel isn’t something we talk about just on Sunday’s or at events, but in everyday, in every part of our life. And for me I hope to make Wednesday nights, not just a fun night or a social night, but where people are cared about like family and where the Gospel is poured out while playing sports. It makes me joyful to share these things with all of you. The Gospel has helped me find joy and I intend to share that joy with all of you back home.

Sunday

Today was fantastic, we found ourselves discovering what it really means to be flexible. On the way to Brighton Beach (the place with the bath houses) the train we were about to board stopped mid track and refused to take us to the beach. Which lead to trying to figure out how to navigate to a non-train route. This was after we spent time at a zoo here in Melbourne. The zoos here are a little different from the states. The “real outback” exhibit had two gates we walked through to find most of the animals roaming around with make shift fences of split rail and fallen branches.
The zoo was merely the beginning of our Sunday adventure. It had many trams, a bus, a couple trains, rain, and brisk wind. God has brought us through so much on this trip, and with every circumstance that stands before us, He has been faithful to take us through it – so we look to Him for our strength and unity. – God is our refuge and strength
We also spent time at city on the hill church which was very gospel focused. This was refreshing given the past few days of intense outpouring. It has been apparent that God not only has purpose in us being used but also growing ourselves here in Melbourne.

Word, Truth, Snap!

During my quiet time this morning, I sat on a little table just outside our favorite cafe here in Melbourne. With the rain falling and the sounds of the city fading, I began to reflect upon the last fourteen days of our time here in Australia. It has been awesome to see how God has been working in and through this group.
The first week on campus was challenging. For some, we struggled to dive deeper than mere surface conversation. Others found it difficult to transition from survey questions to presenting the Gospel. This seemed to compliment the fact that we were told that we would be facing strong sentiments of apathy among students… We spent that weekend wrestling through thoughts and questions concerning the previous week. He answered.
The apathy that we faced was more of our own than that of the students which pointed to our need to step out in faith and “giv’em Gospel” and watch God work. With conversations focused and pointing to Jesus, we saw Him open up conversations that we weren’t supposed to have. He rolled away the screen of apathy, which gave way to people wanting to know more about Christ. As much as we desired to see the Gospel change lives, we also have seen how it changes our own lives day by day.
Our work on campus has proven to be physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausting. And though it is bittersweet seeing our time on campus over, we are encouraged to have the next few days to both debrief and venture the city. Although we desire to be home, we wish we had more time here so that we might share the Gospel with every student. However, we are excited for the opportunities we will have to see the Gospel at work at both Palomar and CalState when school starts.
We left the comforts of Southern California to proclaim the Gospel and now look forward to returning home with the Word of Life resonating in our hearts and proclaiming from our mouths. We have so many stories to share when we get back home, but before we do…
We have:
a date with some kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, etc.
some beach houses to visit,
shopping to do at the largest flea market in the southern hemisphere,
a city to tour, photograph,
a plane to catch,
and a day, with more than 24 hours, to experience (this one is for RP).

“Gospel SSnnaapp!!!” —–> ask me about it when we get back.
-Josiah

Aaron and Today.

As another week comes to a close we begin to realize how little time we have left in Aussie land. The trip has really started to take a toll on everyone, one of the ladies even stayed home today to get some much needed rest. We walked to campus on our own while Charles and Natalie had a meeting. Though we all split up entering campus most of us end up in the same place, the union house, our unofficial base : ) we spent the hour connecting with God in our own little ways, whether it was reading the bible, praying or just being still. After the hour was up we all met on the second floor and waited for Charles to hand out the money for coffees and one-on-ones. As we all pair up and leave we realize that someone is going to be odd-one-out all day. I paired up with Brooke Terragrosa which is ironic because I was just with Erin, her sister, yesterday. We walked the campus talking about life and college back home. We talked to one guy, Jared, and he gives us enough info to fill out the survey but nothing else. Today was kind of an off day because the ladies are having one-on-ones so the guys are also having one-on-ones, which is a cool idea except that it limits the amount of time we have to talk to people. Me and Brooke have lunch and talk while waiting for her one-on-one. We have a nice little conversation before going to our separate one-on-ones. I talk to Charles about how I feel about the trip so far, how God is advancing in me and other things. After my one-on-one I realize that I have no way of getting a hold of or meeting up Brooke to know if and when she is done. So I just start walking and run into her, Sam, and Doug after a couple minutes. Doug goes to meet with Charles, and Brooke needs some rest so sam and I go out to talk to people, on our walk to talk to people we end up running into one of the australian students that we have played football with and a couple of the other ladies from our group. We find out that there are free yo yos being handed out in the student store so Sam and I head down there to see if there are any left, we end up talking to one of the store staff and find out that he is from Los Angeles, he moved here about 7 years ago and just graduated. We asked him about the yoyos and he eagerly hands us enough for our whole group, they have more than they know what to do with. We hand them out to the group as people gather back in union house around 3pm. We are all there. Eventually we make it home and have an hour of rest before heading to Melbourne central, the mall, for dinner. We eat dinner and have fun together but here is a sad fact about the bathrooms here in Melbourne, behind every toilet is a disposal unit for syringes. It breaks my heart to think that somewhere along the line shooting up became such a big thing that the city put these disposal boxes in every bathroom but I don’t see any literature or warnings against shooting up or other drugs, it seems to be a sad reality for this city. I pray that God will come to this city in a way that will make these boxes useless. After dinner we go to the lounge for worship, it is one of the groups last day here so they join us, there ends up being well over 30 people in this small room. Did I mention that someone left the heater on and the staff lost the remote so they can’t turn it off. We end up worshipping for about 2 hours. Although not a lot happened on campus today the lord still filled the day with great conversations and many new friends.

Thursday

It’s thursday night and we just finished our worship night. Tonight turned into a larger than expected event. We were planning on doing a worship night and were getting ready when two Aussie students showed up and asked if this was the worship night? We then said sure and come on in. They were here because another group in the hostel at a different campus had invited them to it and made a Facebook group. They joined us despite not knowing us and then as more people filtered in along with the other crusade group. Josiah was not expecting to play for am hour but he did a fantastic job and was a blessing to the other group.
Today as a whole was kinda odd. The group was slow starting this morning. We are definitely tired and excited for Friday and some rest. It has been an intensive two weeks here in Melbourne. Many opportunities to share the gospel. The apathy of students seems to have subsided to some degree. We have had numerous chances to share the gospel however in that few are taking hold of it. It is evident that thief minds are darkened and not able to understand.
There were a few greatly encouraging conversations today. Despite all the tales of talking to atheists, Hindus, and agnostics we found two solid christians here. They were not connected to any group and were busy but interested in not only connecting with the student life group but also meeting again. Those conversations were much needed given the heavy morning. It was encouraging and likely due to your prayers for us today.
We have a few sick students, others physically drained, but even with all that we are still encouraged because we know that the gospel will be known even if we are tired.
Doug had some great quotes today and has really been letting the truth of Christ wash over him. Best quote of the day was ” If theWELL (people of it)aren’t preaching the gospel, then they aren’t living. It’s the only reason for life”. Doug embodied the mentality of the group. They really are gospel ninjas. Finding any and every opportunity to express the reality of Jesus in conversation, in helping random people, or in engaging people in stores and on the street.
The students that came to melbourne are dramatically changed and stoked on not only who Jesus is; but also letting others know it.
Tomorrow we are on campus doing meetups, coffees, and one in ones with Natalie and I. It’s our last day on campus. Be praying that the students who are handed off and our students both embrace the power of Christ as they enter the next step of life and their semester.

Wednesday

Today was a tough day in that I was hoping to be praying all Day on campus but God had other plans. I went with Josiah and Jason to Victoria Uni. We got in a great conversation with a guy who didn’t know much about Jesus and we got to tell Him about our testimonies. Also we got to meet up with a contact at the university who is interested about starting up a christian group on campus. It also makes me regret leaving Australia it’s been such a pleasure to see the growth in everyone and you can see the gospel getting out of us. We are truly testifying the love! I have so much to tell you all when we get back! If the gospel is in all of you then it must get out of you!

Toosday

Day nine started with a wake up call from the sun. As I listened to Natalie humming I felt refreshed for the first time in a few days. After being sick I felt strong. I felt as though I could conquer the world without any fights. I felt the Lord calling me to scream for His glory. To let the world know He is what I want and long for. With all this in mind, I got up wanting to conquer.

Today I was blessed to have Rachel as my partner. As we wondered throughout the uni I looked around at each and every student that walked by thinking if they weren’t already saved that their life was going to perish into rubbish. These thoughts weakened my heart and I began grieving at the thought of how much darkness there was all around me. These students had no idea that there was a God who is gracious, forgiving, loving, and longs for a relationship with them. For that, I prayed and prayed.

Coming back to the place where we apologized for what we as Christians had done wrong in sharing the Gospel, we had our welcome pizza lunch. The crusade staff was shocked at the turn out but we weren’t. Out of the ten pizzas ordered (keep in mind the Aussie portions are half of ours) none remained. After, attempted to tackle the slackline, which attracted many students who were very curious to try. Soon we began playing the “21 questions” game with the Aussie students but weren’t given the questions. Having the opportunity to get to know these students on a personal note was inspiring. As we wrapped up the party we moved into a room for the first meeting of the year with Student Life. Charles gave a speech about John 6 and how Jesus is the bread of life. Priceless.

Closing the day with a great meal, that I’m currently enjoying surrounded by the encouragement and love from my new family. We will end the night with debrief and worship by Josiah.

Reflecting on the trip so far thinking God is incredible, never ceasing. There is no challenge He can not win. He longs to be the father for all. My only prayer is that these students would open up to the truth that is life and accept this new life. For this life is like no other and for that I’m forever grateful.
-megan

Second Monday

Thank God for a weekend of relaxation and fun but today was the start of a new week and another opportunity to tell students about Jesus. The day started off as normal with a quick breakfast and a short walk to the University for personal devo times.

After devos we had a short team prayer meeting where i personally prayed for every individual i would be conversing with in the near future. Then we set out. Aaron and I walked about the campus picking out individuals whom we would invest 5 maybe 10 minutes in trying to tell them about Jesus. Time and time again our conversations would make it no further than them telling us they had class and had to go. Seeing no fruit in our interactions really got me down even angry to some degree because I felt I wasn’t being successful. With about an hour to go in the evangilism for the day i was counting down the minutes ready to just get out of there and start over tomorrow. Aaron and i walked by two guys who we past by but later decided to go back to and chat with. I met one of the guys, his name was Royce. Royce was an intellectual atheist who had an argument for every word that came out of my mouth. At this point i was even more ready for the day to be finished and began to make small talk with him while i waited for Aaron to finish talking to the other person. Aaron finished then walked over to me and started his own conversation with Royce where i took the opportunity to close my mouth and be soaked up in my discouragment for the day. The conversation they had got heated and before i knew it Aaron made it very clear that unless Royce believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior then he was already dead. Royce, again, refused to believe in such “ghost stories.” Aaron said his goodbye and walked away as it was time to meet up with the others and call it a day. Just as i was about to say my goodbye and wish him a happy semester something sparked within me and i thought to myself “this isn’t enough.” I told Aaron he could go ahead and i would catch up with the group soon.

I sat back down with Royce and began sharing with him my story of how i came to know Christ. It was the first time in the whole conversation that he was quiet and listening intentionally. By the end Royce was willing to hear me out. Finally! He finally understood things. He understood that he shouldn’t be content with where he is in life and he wasn’t. He knew there was something more but he knew it was something he had to find out on his own. I felt a complete peace inside of me and came to realization that God had just done an amazing thing. Royce had to go so we said goodbye and i walked back to the meeting area. Walking back brought me to tears as i realized that everyday i come to this campus and i am literally giving the words of life to people. This is a matter of life and death and it had finally hit me, 19 years of my life and it just hit me. God is good.

We finished up the day with some grocery shopping and a nice team dinner together. Tomorrow is a compeltely new day but i know i will be going into it with a totally different mindset.
-David

Sunday Funday

Whoa. What a weekend. We spent the majority of Saturday relaxing, taking time slowing down, and going to the Victoria market.

Sunday was similar but different, the guys made breakfast for the ladies. Then Josiah lead us in a myriad of worship songs. He even played the first song he ever learned to play. We spent time praying for the past week and for the upcoming week.
We also spent time in Philippians focusing on the fact that we not only should but can walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.
After our time together we headed out in to the city towards a truly Melbourne experience. A Aussie rules football match. For those of you not so familiar with Aussie rules or affectionately known here as AFL, it is much like ultimate frisbee mixed with rugby. You can check it out on line by going to www.afl.com.au
It was a fantastic time of sport, relaxation, and connection for us as a team. Also it was great to experience the core sport here in Melbourne. It is so core that we actually have heard Christians here say that The priorities of an Aussie are always AFL first then everything else.
At the match we partook of a truly Aussie snack “meat pies” they are much like a pot pie but entirely of meat. What kind of meat no one is sure but they were warm and delicious.
After the footy match we headed to church, we were told about a small church that didn’t have a building and was gospel centered. It was called city on a hill and it was a really good small, hip, urban, church. They used to meet in a pub, the the pub closed and now have three services that meet in a few different locations in the city.
The worship was very eclectic and multi-national. There was jazz and hip-hop, indie, and folk. Their speaker was also engaging and spoke on 1 Corinthians which was very refreshing for our team to have worship and teaching different than our own.
The church then usually has a large number of people go out and eat together afterwards. We wanted to go out but chose instead to go home and rest. Next week we will probably go out with the people.
This was the end to the first week and has been tough. God has been doing incredible things in regards to shaping the hearts and minds of our students here. Continue to pray for energy and rest. We are going out today and are engaging in more conversations.