July Update from Australia 🇦🇺

Dear friends and family,

I hope you're all doing well! I wanted to take a moment to share an update from Australia and to thank each of you for being part of this journey with me. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support have allowed me to be here, and I truly couldn't do this without you. I am so grateful for the way you continue to partner with what God is doing.

Over the past few weeks, life and ministry have been full! During my first few weeks back, I jumped in wherever help was needed because the new quarter and role rotations hadn't begun yet. Although I wasn't able to start my full-time position right away, I definitely wasn't sitting around! Since returning, I've served in more than half a dozen different ministry areas, gaining experience in event planning, content creation, youth engagement, hospitality, and several other areas.

Outside of ministry, I've also been settling back into life here in Townsville and really enjoying being a part of the family again. I recently moved into my new home, and I already feel so blessed. I get to live with some of the sweetest girls, and I'm so thankful for how welcomed and at home they've made me feel. One of the highlights of this past month was getting to attend our staff retreat, which was such a refreshing time to slow down, spend time with the Lord, and build deeper friendships with the other staff. We've also had some really fun community nights, went to an escape room with some friends, had a few movie nights, and I even got to experience watching the State of Origin rugby series (one of Australia's biggest sporting events)! It was so much fun seeing how passionate everyone is, and I loved getting to experience a little more of Australian culture.

Now that July has arrived and the new quarter has begun, I've officially started my full-time role in Mobilization, which I'll be serving in for the next three months, and I couldn't be more excited! One question I've been asked a lot is, "What exactly is Mobilization?" Great question! Mobilization is essentially another word for communications and outreach. We believe that communication is one of the most important parts of growing a missions movement because, without it, people may never hear about opportunities to get involved with missions or have their questions answered. To be honest, when I first heard that communications was such a significant part of missions, I thought, "Really? Isn't it just talking on the phone?" But I've quickly learned it's so much more than that.

Here at YWAM, our heart is to know God and make God known. If we're only focused on knowing God ourselves, we're missing half of the mission. Part of making Him known is having conversations with people, sharing what God is doing, and inviting others into what He is doing. One of my favorite parts of my role is that I don't just get to answer questions, I get to hear people's stories. I try to approach every phone call and email relationally because every person on the other end is someone created in God's image. They're not just another phone number or another task to check off my list. They deserve to feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for.

Most of my role involves connecting with people who are interested in doing a DTS (Discipleship Training School) or who simply want to learn more about YWAM (Youth With A Mission). Sometimes that means leaving a voicemail or having a quick five-minute conversation. Other times, I get to have really sweet conversations with people who deeply love Jesus and are sensing Him calling them into missions. It's such a privilege to often be the very first person they connect with at our campus, listening to their story, encouraging them, answering their questions, and praying with them as they take steps of faith.

It's amazing to think that a simple phone call can become the beginning of someone's journey into missions. To me, this role feels like such a full-circle moment because, if it weren't for the Townsville campus being intentional in its communication, I may never have ended up doing my own DTS here. Someone took the time to answer my questions, encourage me, and help me take that next step of faith. Now I get to be that person for someone else. It's such a cool reminder that God can use ordinary conversations to accomplish extraordinary things, and I'm so grateful that I get to be a small part of that.

The Lord has also been teaching me a lot personally. He's continually reminding me to trust Him in the unknown, depend on His strength instead of my own, and believe that He is working even when I can't immediately see the results. There have definitely been moments of uncertainty, but through each one, I've seen His faithfulness over and over again.

One thing I've learned since arriving in Australia is that the cost of living (especially groceries and everyday food expenses) is higher than I originally anticipated. While I've been so grateful for God's continual provision, I've realized that my monthly expenses are a little more than I had planned for. Because of this, I'm praying for a few additional people or families who would consider partnering with me through either monthly or one-time financial support. Even a small monthly or one-time gift makes a meaningful difference and helps provide stability as I continue serving here. If you've been thinking about joining my support team, I'd love to connect with you and answer any questions you may have. Above all, I'm trusting that God will continue to provide, just as He has faithfully done throughout this journey.

As you continue to partner with me, I would love your prayers for:

• Continued trust in the Lord, especially in seasons of uncertainty.

• Deeper relationships and connections with the people around me.

• Safe travels for my roommate, Ella, as she returns to Australia, and for a smooth transition as we begin living together.

• Continued growth in my relationship with Jesus and a deeper dependence on Him.

• A few more monthly financial partners to help meet my ministry and living expenses.

• That every conversation I have through Mobilization would glorify God and draw both me and the people I speak with closer to Him.

Want to Partner?

If you've been thinking about partnering with me, I'd love for you to visit the Partner With Me page on my website. There you can learn more about my ministry, why your partnership matters, and how you can support what God is doing here in Australia through prayer or financial giving. Whether it's a monthly gift or a one-time donation, I'm so grateful for your consideration and support.

Thank you again for your generosity, prayers, and encouragement. Knowing that I have a community cheering me on from across the world is such a gift. I'm continually reminded that this ministry isn't something I do alone; you are a part of every conversation, every prayer, and every opportunity I have to share the love of Jesus.

I've attached a few photos from my first month back in Australia, and I hope you enjoy them! Thank you for continuing to walk alongside me. I'm so thankful for each of you and look forward to sharing more stories of God's faithfulness in the months ahead. If you made it to the bottom I just want to say a huge thank you for taking the time to read about what God has been doing in this past month!

With love,

Poppy