College - We've arrived!

Today, nearly all of the Ambassadors of Holiness have arrived into the Australia Southern Territory Training College in Melbourne, Australia.

There are many tired faces, not too much emotion presently, just a friendly 'hi' here and there without the jumping around sorta excitement of teenage high school days, but still a sense of sincerity and respect.

Due to this transition, the next few days will most likely be without much blogging as Internet and orientation is all still to be sorted out in the not to distant future.

Check this space soon for more updates of the Ambassadors, training college, and things about the Kingdom of God.

Bless ya

"The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:

"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

Psalm 118:14-15

Saviour of the World

Human Trafficking & Teenage Rape

I've just been watching a movie on Human Trafficking, the largest growing crime in the world and it just makes so much anger burn up inside me. Last week just over 600 young people from around Australia and New Zealand gathered together in Melbourne for a huge youth event called 'Insane'.

A part of Insane was a huge silent protest in Federation Square against this vile crime where around the number of around a jumbo jet full of mostly of women and children go 'missing' everyday and are sold into sexual slavery. There are way too many stories I've heard from individuals that have been involved in this and it really breaks my heart.

We keep telling ourselves that this only happens in far away lands and that it's doesn't really effect us so why do anything?! I want to change the focus slightly to right here on our shores of Australia, slightly different from sexual trafficking, but still sexual victims.

I've been having a few girls coming to me regularly now for months with stories and experiences of young teenage girls mostly getting drugged and raped here in Australia from every corner of the continent and they really develop a sense of self hate and depression. As these girls talk to me, it makes my heart break and I just wish I could really do something to stop this. The part that makes me the most angry is that nearly 100% of these go unnoticed and unpunished. One example I know of is a 26 year old raping a 15 year old girl who was drunk!!! How can we allow this to happen!

I've been told I'm too protective of our young girls, but I want to be a father one day, and this scares the hell out of me when my daughter will become a teenager. Is it culture we need to change or teachings that our children get from tv shows and songs.

We need to start doing something now, something needs to change now!

One life at a time

Break my heart for what breaks Yours God! I promise to do all I can in my power God so just give me access and Your anointing

"He [the wicked man] lies in wait like a lion in cover;

he lies in wait to catch the helpless;

he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. "

Psalm 10:9

Insane.. and more change

Insane starts tomorrow!

I had my last day of employment yesterday!

I'm now in no mans land - in transition of one life into another life

So, anyway, since insane is starting tomorrow - 168 hours of youth madness I'm pretty sure I won't get a chance to blog for a few days. Please be praying for all of these youth in attendance from around our Territory - that is Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, that their lives will be changed and that they will have the time of their lives under the safety of our Sovereign God.

I have to note here, just going back to my last day of work, how God blesses you for just being obedient. The guys at work are just great, going to miss them so much, but since I'm pretty much just moving around the corner, almost literally, I really hope to catch up with them here and there throughout the coming months.

My work mates wrote some great things in my farewell card, but by far the highlight was a poster they put together with pictures of them all and little in jokes and some really nice wishes and blessings. If God didn't call me elsewhere, I don't think I would have been leaving there just yet.

One more request before I sign off, please be praying for all the cadets of the 'Ambassadors of Holiness' session as we prepare to enter into our new life in a couple of weeks time, many of us are now feeling strain and some feeling burdened. God will give us victorious spirits, but it would be great to know that we have a great army backing us up as we go into battle.

Blessings

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalm 60:12

Change

Wow, 2009 has finally arrived!

So much is changing and I think I'm just not thinking about it all yet, so I'm coping.

This is my final week of work, my last day is on Friday before I move straight into this Salvation Army week called 'Insane' where youth from all over our Territory come to Melbourne for a week of activities and fun. I still have no idea what's going on, haven't heard a thing even though I've registered as a leader!! Wonder if I am?!

Packing is still a project that I'm thinking of but not doing a lot of!

I finished up at my home Corps last Sunday and had the best farewell ever, with many friends attending, nice words said and a few favourite songs requested. Everyone back for a bbq and a great game of cricket in the local park.

So, in summary, I've left my church which I've been a part of and built up for 27 years, packing to move out of home after 27 years in the same place with my family which I am very close to, quit my job which I really enjoy after working there for a bit over 4 years, going back to study all in the same building as where I'll be living and I get claustrophobic sometimes, living in a close community with a whole heap of different people with different aspects on things and backgrounds who are all leaders in their own rights and have generally strong personalities. I think I'm actually looking forward to this even though I haven't really got myself to think about it yet

I'm an Ambassador of Holiness, that's a higher calling than worrying about moving location, or the conditions of living, or income, or work, people etc. God is sovereign and always will be.

Come on world, you're yet to find the truth if you're not a disciple of Jesus!

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me

John 13:20