No Reserves. No Regrets. No Retreats.

Before I begin, I'd just like to thank everyone for their support. These last few months have been just a tremendous time of trusting the Lord and seeing support come through in the most marvelous ways. Now that I have finally reached my support goal, I am preparing myself yfor half a summer of Australian evangelism.  I only call it that for now, because I actually have very little idea of any details. But, either way, I'm excited no matter what.

I'm sure many of you have already heard of William Borden but for those of you who haven't (or maybe have forgotten) here is a link: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/regret.htm


For a long time after hearing this story, I was confused, and not even with William. I was confused with God. Although it's hard, I actually can understand the passion William had. Even to the point of giving up his inheritance. His heart longed for so much more in this world than what most people desire. Yet, I bet when most people read his story, they see him in a different light. They probably see him as someone who traded wealth and prosperity for death.


But as I was saying, I desired to understand why God would let someone with a heart and passion like this to die before he had any chance to reach Asia. It just didn't seem right.


Well, I've definitely learned a few things since my initial reactions to this story.


1. God doesn't thrive off of us giving up our time, resources, or even our lives. It is for our (human kind) benefit, and our benefit alone. 


Psalm 103 paints a beautiful picture of this


2. Our actions don't change God's plans.


"I know you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
 - Job 42:2


3. If our work here on Earth is not for His glory, we our glorifying ourselves and/or each other. I'll never know all of Borden's thoughts throughout his ministry, but from what I read, his actions definitely represent a man who is directing the glory towards the Lord. 


4. God exalts the humble. Again, only God truly knows his heart and deepest thoughts, but usually the act of giving up a large inheritance and social status to live and minister with the poor and needy is one of humility.


"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
- 1 Peter 5:6


Borden's humility is most definitely honored in many ways. One of the more obvious ways being that his story is known and has inspired many others, myself included. 

In God's plan, there is no failure 

Only obedience and the fruit that it bears

We may not see this fruit initially

Often times we will never see it through its entirety

I have prepared myself for all of these possibilities.

May I always trust in the Lord through Australia and the rest of my life.

No Reserves.

No Retreats.

No Regrets.

Travel

Tomorrow is the 28th, a day that's been on our calendars for a while now as the day our team flies out of Dulles on our first flight (of 3) that will end up with us all in Melbourne, Australia on the 30th (we pass over the international dateline...how cool is that?!).

Please be praying that our flights go well and without a hitch. Traveling so far over multiple flights can be so stressful as soon as delays begin and such. Please pray that our day of traveling is uneventful and that we will bond over the hours and the miles so we can enter our first day of summer project excited to serve God as a team!

Once we arrive, we'll have some time to get accustomed to the new time zone, culture, and city. But barely 48 hours after arriving, we will get on a bus with a ton of the Aussie students from across the Victoria region to go to their version of the "winter conference," which is called Mid Year Conference there. Oh, and fun facts: the ministry there is called Student Life instead of Cru and the staff are called Missionaries, not staff.

Please pray that our adjustments and travel go well over those first few days. Also, please pray that the americans and australians strike up a bond quickly. The more we collaborate across cultures, the better we can reach the campuses!

Okay, see you on the other side! Off to Oz!!

A Week Away!

Welcome to the 2012 Australia Summer Project blog! This is a blog to follow the happenings and prayer requests of the Mid-Atlantic's SP to Melbourne, Australia. Our team of 8 students and 2 staff will be meeting up in less than a week to embark on a verrrrry looooong day of traveling to the other side of the world. While this is incredibly exciting, please be praying for our team to be preparing well over this last week at home.

Going on a Summer Project is a HUGE step of faith for many college students, including the 8 students coming to this particular project over this summer. They are giving up internships, jobs, time spent with family and friends, and the comfort of home to see what God will do in them and through them when they say "yes" to Him. Pray that he will be what we all depend on as we go out to the world. Pray that He will be our joy and our hope. Pray that we will see His name known in our own hearts as well as the hearts of the students in Melbourne, Australia.

Thank you for your prayers!