Stable on the Strand
For the past two weeks, we have spent a lot of our time helping out with Townsville's Stable on the Strand.
During the first week, my team went down to the Strand to help with set up everyday from 8am- 12pm, although other workers were there as late as 10pm. It was nice to get out of regular routine and do some work outdoors in the sun. Despite the heat, we had a great time serving! In the afternoon, we went to some parks where many homeless people are. We talked to them and tried to direct our conversations towards Jesus. Most of them were pretty open about the Gospel, so it was really cool to apply what we've learnt. Since this was the first week of not having lectures, it was weird to not get taught more about God everyday. My hunger for knowing Him grew even stronger! I realized that in reality, I won't be spoon fed information about God everyday. In order to keep growing in my relationship with Him, I have to seek Him on my own.
Stable began on Sunday night. After five long days of set up, we were ready for it to finally start! We all signed up for two shifts each night, 5:30- 7:30 and 7:30- 9:30. The layout consisted of an area with live music and food, and a replica of the Town of Bethlehem. Every night I decided to help out in the dessert stall for the first shift, then any job in Bethlehem for the second shift. Options of jobs included hospitality, basket weaving, leading animals around, or even acting out parts from the Christmas story. With over 200 volunteers, there were many spots to be filled. About 40, 000 people came throughout the week, which was amazing to see. Many of the performers on the stage sung Christmas carols and some prayed a blessing over everyone. There was also a prayer wall where people could write down their prayer on a star and hang it up. At the end of each night, volunteers would take the prayers and spend the next night praying for them. How cool is it that Townsville's city council helps to put on an event like this each year? What an amazing way to spread the light of Jesus to a whole city! It was an honour to serve the community in this way.
Now that Stable is done, we still have ten more days of first outreach. My team will spend it going to other homeless shelters and building relationships with them. But first, we will celebrate Christmas together as a campus! We have many fun events planned for the next few days. I will miss everyone back home this year, and even the snow, but I am excited to celebrate Jesus' birth with my new DTS family! Merry Christmas everyone!
During the first week, my team went down to the Strand to help with set up everyday from 8am- 12pm, although other workers were there as late as 10pm. It was nice to get out of regular routine and do some work outdoors in the sun. Despite the heat, we had a great time serving! In the afternoon, we went to some parks where many homeless people are. We talked to them and tried to direct our conversations towards Jesus. Most of them were pretty open about the Gospel, so it was really cool to apply what we've learnt. Since this was the first week of not having lectures, it was weird to not get taught more about God everyday. My hunger for knowing Him grew even stronger! I realized that in reality, I won't be spoon fed information about God everyday. In order to keep growing in my relationship with Him, I have to seek Him on my own.
Stable began on Sunday night. After five long days of set up, we were ready for it to finally start! We all signed up for two shifts each night, 5:30- 7:30 and 7:30- 9:30. The layout consisted of an area with live music and food, and a replica of the Town of Bethlehem. Every night I decided to help out in the dessert stall for the first shift, then any job in Bethlehem for the second shift. Options of jobs included hospitality, basket weaving, leading animals around, or even acting out parts from the Christmas story. With over 200 volunteers, there were many spots to be filled. About 40, 000 people came throughout the week, which was amazing to see. Many of the performers on the stage sung Christmas carols and some prayed a blessing over everyone. There was also a prayer wall where people could write down their prayer on a star and hang it up. At the end of each night, volunteers would take the prayers and spend the next night praying for them. How cool is it that Townsville's city council helps to put on an event like this each year? What an amazing way to spread the light of Jesus to a whole city! It was an honour to serve the community in this way.
Now that Stable is done, we still have ten more days of first outreach. My team will spend it going to other homeless shelters and building relationships with them. But first, we will celebrate Christmas together as a campus! We have many fun events planned for the next few days. I will miss everyone back home this year, and even the snow, but I am excited to celebrate Jesus' birth with my new DTS family! Merry Christmas everyone!
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