Enjoy,
Amanda
I thought it only right to start from the beginning as my very first post. This is not the beginning of my walk with Christ, that was long ago, but this is about when I first got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ.
As a freshman at UW River Falls, my twin sister and I decided to check out every Christian organization on campus. We first attended an InterVarsity meeting and loved it. I was satisfied to get heavily involved with IV but Dani convinced me to still check out Crusade. So, our first experience was at an event called City Celebration where all the metro campuses got together to worship in Minneapolis. It was there that we met some upper classmen like Nate, Angie, Jackie, and Lindsey. Their love for God and for us made us feel like a family. While we still attended IV we became more involved with Crusade, where we formed intimate relationships with people.
As time went on I realized more and more the void between the Christians on campus. Instead of all being the body of Christ we were segregating Cru and IV and other. This totally broke my heart, and I made many attempts to unite the Christians. As a sophomore I was already a key leader with Crusade. I used my role in leadership to reach out to our fellow Christians, offering united prayer times, fellowship meetings, and joint outreach events. However, it never seemed to be successful. I'm not entirely sure what God was teaching me through my four years at college but I sure developed a heart of unity.
Another thing God developed in me was a heart for the nations. In 2005, I attended IV's missions conference called Urbana. I still remember thinking to myself, I don't think God is calling me into missions. I was intrigued and excited for all the organizations I learned about, and worshiping with 20,000 people was a taste of heaven. In 2007, I had the opportunity to go to CM2007 with Crusade in South Korea. It was very similar to Urbana but God changed my perspective, instead of simply being excited for what others where doing, I became excited about the thought of being a part of it. After the conference my team and I spent a week in East Asia. It was here that I realized my love for the world, especially Asia.
The semester before I graduated I spent traveling around Europe for a study abroad program. I attended many churches and realized that God is definitely working all around the world. About 2 weeks after coming home and graduating I headed for Australia for summer project with Crusade. So here begins my testimony of how God brought me to Brisbane. I had applied with my friend to go to the Middle East the summer of 2008 but while I was in Portugal I received a call that the project was full but that I could decide to go to Australia instead. I was torn with going to a place I had always wanted to go and that I felt would look more like a vacation and less a missions trip. I soon realized, with much prayer, that my image of this country was tainted and that it is not only a strategic place to share the Gospel but a place thirsty for God's Word.
While on summer project, I fell in love with the country and the diversity it has. Some of my teammates encouraged me to apply for STINT, I thought it was a novel idea at first but then God opened my heart. He gave me many passages of Scripture that read about proclaiming God's works to the nations. One day, while sharing with an Aussie girl, I explained how I had just graduated with no plans. She knew I was a Christian and I knew she was not but in reply she exclaimed, "you should be a missionary in Australia!" I was blown away and felt like saying, "God? is that You?" The final push was during my quiet time one morning. I prayed, "God, should I apply for STINT, should I come back to Australia?" The very next thing I laid my eyes on was a rubber bracelet I received at CM2007 that simply reads, "GO" so I knew God wanted me back in Brisbane. I told Him that I would take the step of faith to just apply. So I did, the last week we were on project. He blessed that step as I received a phone call of acceptance while in the airport coming home.
God also blessed my support raising which came in fast with the generosity of many supporters. I flew out with my team on Feb. 1 last year and the year was so amazing. But, maybe that will be another post;-) It is so amazing to see how much God has done from my freshman year til now, and whoa, it has gone by so fast. Now I am looking forward to another wonderful year downunder with a new team. Thanks for your prayers!
Amanda
