• Youth Explosion
  - never a dull moment that is for sure!
• Cheque presented for Gospel Eisteddfod
  - vision of the Eisteddfod commended by city council
• All the way from Holland
  - a passion to be involved in missions

Youth Explosion

Is it possible to turn the world upside down from 'down under'? Yes, it is happening at Reef To Outback! These are exciting times! A new group of 25 enthusiastic, adventurous and radical young people have made Townsville their home and they sure are hungry for God. In a world where young people look for hope and destiny in all the wrong places it is such a privilege to challenge these students in their walk with the Lord and in missions.

In only a few weeks time this bubbly mix of people from all over the world has become one big family. How can this group be described? Full of life and energy, reaching out to God, openness and lots of fun. There is never a dull moment that is for sure! In a few weeks the students will split up in three outreach teams and head for :- Mareeba/Cooktown, - Ingham/Charter Towers and - Ayr/Bowen to challenge the youth with the things they are learning right now.

We are looking forward to hear their amazing stories of how God uses them!

Not only do we have 25 Discipleship Training School students but also 13 Basic Leadership Schools students. This means that the school has tripled since it first started in 1995. Faith and Andrew Dutton oversee both these schools and have the awesome job of building excellence into these young people's lives. As you can imagine, the base is buzzing with young life and we are excited to embark on the adventure God has in store for us!

Grant given by Thuringowa City Council

All smiles as Ken Mulligan receives $3,000 from Cr Irene Stewart, Finance Committee Chairperson of Thuringowa City Council. The cheque was presented at a function in which the council launched its new policies for Cultural Development in the city. The Gospel Eisteddfod was one of the several event recipients to receive a grant from the council. CR LR Tyrell, Mayor of Thuringowa says - "The Gospel Eisteddfod will bring together regional artists, and I commend the vision of the Eisteddfod to identify and encourage Christian artists of all denominations to use their talents to reach out to the wider community with the ultimate goal being present in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics".

Its been a great pleasure to work with the council to see creative arts promoted among the people of the twin cities region here in Townsville/Thuringowa. One heat will be held at the Thuringowa Sound Shell.

All the way from Holland!!

Tulips, windmills, Amsterdam, wooden shoes, do I need to say more? I traveled from my tiny country, the Netherlands, all around the world to the land of kangaroos and koalas, Australia. Why would a Dutch girl go all the way to Townsville to join Reef to Outback and attend the Basic Leadership School? Well, first things first. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Claudia Helmstrijd (yes, I always have to spell my name), I am 25 and I finished my DTS in New Zealand in March this year. During my DTS I realised how strong my passion is to be I involved with discipling young people and world missions. That is exactly what the people at Reef to Outback are about! It is always a challenge to become a part of a new 'family'. And that is exactly what it is: family!

Coming here was a step in faith and I am grateful to God for bringing me here. It is awesome to be used by God to make a difference in young people's lives.