June News Briefs
 Sa-wat dee kha (hello) from Thailand
"Visiting one Thai State High School we had the opportunity to do our dramas, sing songs and share with hundreds of the students. We were given lunch and well received - these opportunities don't come along every day. At another high school our team introduced ourselves at an assembly in front of 3000 students and 200 teachers. They treated us like royalty. This is the first time they've had a team go in. Again we did dramas then shared with many of the students - six sessions all day long. It was amazing. Eight of the students came back to see us at the church we are staying before we even arrived home, and many will come to the youth group tomorrow. While half our team are out in a village near the Cambodian border, four of the team are helping care for children of attendees at the YWAM Asia/Pacific Leader's conference in Pattaya, Bangkok. The conference so far has been pretty amazing. Frank Naea, the next YWAM International President, has spoken a couple of times and it has been truly inspirational; and Steve Aherne, National Director of Australia is sharing about Aust 2000 - Olympic outreach. It's been a real privilege to be here and be involved. I'm seeing more and more the opportunities for English teachers, not only over here, but in this whole Asian region. I am looking forward to travelling down to Hat Yai where we will be teaching English in a village school for a week. We also have planned youth groups, prayer walks and street evangelism." Down South in SydneyThe faithful Father! Seven students and four staff arrived in the Olympic City three weeks ago brimming with excitement at the prospect of seeing God move in mighty ways. Now as they reach the half way point in the outreach, there are many stories of how God has opened doors and shown His favour. First stop was the YWAM base in the north-western suburbs of Sydney, Carlingford. However, this is not Reef to Outback's targeted region, so immediately the hunt began for suitable accommodation in the northern beaches region. Here, the team struck a wall. It seemed that there was absolutely no-where to house the eleven members of the team. So the call to prayer was issued, and after a three hour session early one morning, the team felt God would open a door that could not be shut.
Divine appointments! Day three of outreach. Destination: Manly. Objective: To worship our God on the beach front of Sydney's most well known beach. We arrived and began to worship our Lord. Then an elderly man appeared in our midst, requesting we sing "Happy Birthday" to his wife. His name was Tom, and hers was Ngarie. Ngaire was dying of cancer, Tom informed us, and this would be her last birthday. So we sang with all our might and then we prayed for Ngaire and Tom, and the entire family. Their faces beamed and tears rolled from cheeks as God ministered through us. It was an appointment direct from God. School ministry! Our first opportunity for ministry into the schools of Sydney saw us visiting Bilgola plateau primary school. After a small presentation, we split into groups and began talking with the young grade 6 students. During those discussions Kristy, a 21 year old from Washington USA, was able to lead some girls in her group to Christ in a simple prayer. We thank God for the openness to the Gospel in the schools of Australia, and pray it will remain that way. Alice Springs to Darwin"Tough bush camping in the middle of the desert" Mel writes from our northern team "While camping outside Uluru - Ayers Rock we met a couple who's van had broken down. Watto was able to show God's love practically by repairing their van while we invited them over to the campfire for dough-boys and coffee and shared about YWAM and our beliefs.
We've been helping out with the judging and umpiring of volleyball,
Sepaktakrah and boxing; stuffing welcome packs; in the kitchen;
delivering newspapers; at the media center; and clean up of the stadium.
Many organisers of the games have commented on how well we work - what a
good witness for God!
 One team is specifically set apart for evangelism in Darwin. We all have a T-shirt printed with JESUS written in bold letters. The impact this has had on people has been amazing. People walk past us and read the shirt and want to know what we are doing - it gives us the awesome opportunity to share the love of Jesus and the life that He gives. When we cleaned up after the Arafura games opening ceremony, an army of people came out into the stadium with their JESUS shirts on in front of thousands of people!! Gospel Eisteddfod
After Sydney made a successful bid for the 2000 Olympics, an Australian organization called Quest was formed to find opportunities for Christian witness at the games. One of these Outreach events is the Gospel Eisteddfod. The vision in this case is that the regional Gospel Eisteddfod have the potential to reach regions of Australia and the next generation worldwide for the Lord. The benefits of involving and encouraging not only youth but all personal artists in the local church and region is one good reason to take part. This type of outreach is expected to raise the standard of Christian performing arts to achieve wider acceptance and therefore have a deeper impact in the secular world. It is hoped tosee the value ordinary people brought together by God with a common goal to see unity and outreach. Upcoming Opportunities
Completed a DTS? - ask about our staff opportunities. Please Pray
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Julie Litzow, DTS Leader sends their greetings from the outreach in
Thailand -
The next day the entire team attended a minister's fraternal meeting and
issued a request for a place to house the team. It was then that the
hand of God could be clearly seen. The minister from the Baptist church
in the suburb of Dee immediately offered to billet us. The girls and our
married couple would stay in his home, and the guys would be housed at
the church. It was clear that this was where God wanted us. The Baptist
church had been praying that their facilities would be utilised, and
felt we were also an answer to their prayers! As if all that was not
enough, the church has now offered to house future Reef to Outback
teams, and has even committed to building dormitories and a hot shower!
We have a faithful Father!
On to Alice Springs - a guy we met hung out with us most of the time and
we were really able to encourage him in his Christian walk. We also
spent time painting a house for a christian organisation called
Dayspring Construction. On a couple of afternoons we were able to go to
the mall and do some evangelism. Leigh and Brad noticed a lady that
appeared closed, and not at all interested in what we were about. Later
Leigh picked up a bracelet belonging to this woman and was able to
return it. She was happy and amazed that Leigh had found the bracelet,
this opened the door for Leigh to share with her.
Gospel Eisteddfod competitions to find Christian creative artists across
Australia are well underway. Those selected will take part in the
Olympic Games Outreach in Sydney 2000.