I’m not sure about you, but I’m not real ‘gutsy’. Year after year, I do my very best to avoid having to go on the ‘giant swing’ at the yr.7 camp. But year after year, the kids are very persistent about getting you on there.

For some reason, I quit giving excuses this year and just got on it. You are harnessed in and pulled up by a group of year 7 students. Then you pull a little rope that releases you into a very scary free-fall. For a moment, you are sure you’re diving to your death…and the kids delight in watching your face. But as swings go, you fly to the other side of the horizon and gradually you start to enjoy the ride.

Then I get off and say, “I’m never going to do this again!” But you know, that’s only until the next year and a new bunch of eager, blood-thirsty year 7s!

The year 7 camp was held in the week prior to the school holidays, and although tiring, was very worthwhile attending. Myself and 3 other guys from Syndal Baptist had many opportunities to encourage and get alongside lots of students. We hope and pray that we will be able to continue the contact, back at school and see many of them come along to Student Focus (the lunchtime program).

The China Trip…

Thank you for your prayer support for the trip to China recently. We all returned safe and relatively well, having been incredibly blessed with all that we experienced. We knew that God had His hand on the trip, as we had opportunity to meet with particular people who gave us great insight into the Chinese culture. We were able to meet with people from house churches and the government church, as well as lead the singing for 2 International Church services. We also met with non-Christian Chinese who shared their thoughts with us and we had an opportunity to visit the Bible Press in Nanjing. Through all of our interactions and experiences, it was clear to us that God is moving and working hugely in China. We were so encouraged to see the number of legal Bibles produced there – the entire Bible, at a very inexpensive price!

We had opportunities to help people along the way, and even to play badminton on the streets of Kunming with some older Chinese folk. Many people stopped to watch and see if these ‘foreigners’ could really play badminton. We did our best to represent Australia well!! J

We just want to thank God so much for the trip and I ‘d love you to pray that all the team members will effectively find a place to serve the Lord, in response to all they’ve learnt on this trip.

More exciting news…

I reported in a previous letter about Sarah starting work (in a role similar to mine) at the Mt Waverley Secondary College Senior Campus. Well now I can report that Gina Dittmer is a friend of mine who is going to be joining our ‘YFC schools work’ in another Secondary College in Melbourne. She is coming over from Perth and like me, will be in the school for 3 days, and working with RYAP for one day of the week.

So this exciting work is expanding!!! Woohoo!!! Pray for Gina as she comes over and looks for a home here and begins her new role at the start of May.