(RSS Readers - Embedded Video)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sunrise in Sydney
Magnificent.
It's 6am here, and I have been awake since 4:30am...courtesy of jetlag. :) But if it means that I get to see amazing sights like the one above, i'm ok with that. This is the second amazing sunrise i've been privileged to see since I embarked on this journey. The first was from my plane as we were about to touch down in Sydney. It was amazing...to see the fiery colors just above a layer of marshmallow clouds. For a split second, I thought I caught a small glimpse of what it might be like to be God every morning..basking in the beauty of creation, and looking down on the world where things that seem huge to us, really in His grand view of things, are very small. Here's a glimpse of that one as well...
I'm excited about the day today...we will get to experience worship at two different churches - Hillsong and Christian City Church. We've made some great friends at both of these places, so it will be a treat to get to worship with them. The next two days will be hectic, we have back to back meetings all day, so I am thankful for today, to be able to take in some time to praise our creator who sent us over here in the first place!
My heart for the Uni students of Sydney (i'm picking up the terminology here!) grows more each day...even though i've only met a few of them so far, just the fact that I am being given the opportunity to play a very small role in helping unite them for the glory of God humbles me beyond belief. There are some great leaders doing some great things here, and I am so grateful that we can come here in October to create a space where they can take off the planning and teaching hats, and just come in to worship and praise with their students. So cool.
Well, that's all for now...I need to go and get ready for the day. Happy Sunday, by the way! I know it's Saturday evening at home, but I just thought I would send you a little preview for what tomorrow looks like! Weird, huh? :)
Jamie
Sydney Update: Part 2
We are now half-way into our second day here….yesterday was a long but exciting day. As soon as I rolled off the plane, I went straight to the hotel, dropped off my carryon luggage (sans my actual suitcase) and went straight downstairs to meet with my team for our vision cast meeting. We met with church leaders and campus pastors from all around Sydney in order to give them a better vision and purpose for why we want to bring Passion to their city. It was really great to see all of the leaders across the various ministries and denominations in the same room interacting, connecting and praying together. It’s a rarity here. Please continue to pray for the unity of the body of Christ here.
After the vision cast meeting, it was off to lunch with a few other leaders of campus ministries in the area, and then time for a little sight seeing before dinner. Jen and I walked all around Circular Quay (pronounced key) taking in the sights of the Harbor Bridge, the Botanical Gardens and of course, the infamous Sydney Opera House. It was so cool just to walk through the streets of the city and see all of the diversity amongst the people of Sydney. I’ve also decided that I want to trade in my southern accent for an Australian one…they just sound way cooler than me. ☺
A few minutes back at the hotel trying to catch up on a few emails, then it was off for a team dinner at Wolfie’s on the harbor. I will say that so far, the food here has not been my favorite part, but then again i'm picky. :) The 14 hour time change caught up with me about halfway through dinner, and I could barely keep my eyes open to walk back to the hotel. I passed out at 8:30pm (which would be 5am at home) and got a good solid 12 hours of sleep so I could start off today ready to go.
We got an early start this morning with an awesome breakfast, then after stopping at Starbucks for a little taste of home, its off to an afternoon of brainstorming with our team and a trip to Bondi beach this afternoon just to think outside of the box. Tomorrow will bring visits Christian City Church and Hillsong Church for two of their services, and I am very excited about that…stay tuned for more updates!
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging emails…that means so much! Keep praying for the students of Sydney!
And just for fun, this is my favorite pic so far...
Jamie
After the vision cast meeting, it was off to lunch with a few other leaders of campus ministries in the area, and then time for a little sight seeing before dinner. Jen and I walked all around Circular Quay (pronounced key) taking in the sights of the Harbor Bridge, the Botanical Gardens and of course, the infamous Sydney Opera House. It was so cool just to walk through the streets of the city and see all of the diversity amongst the people of Sydney. I’ve also decided that I want to trade in my southern accent for an Australian one…they just sound way cooler than me. ☺
A few minutes back at the hotel trying to catch up on a few emails, then it was off for a team dinner at Wolfie’s on the harbor. I will say that so far, the food here has not been my favorite part, but then again i'm picky. :) The 14 hour time change caught up with me about halfway through dinner, and I could barely keep my eyes open to walk back to the hotel. I passed out at 8:30pm (which would be 5am at home) and got a good solid 12 hours of sleep so I could start off today ready to go.
We got an early start this morning with an awesome breakfast, then after stopping at Starbucks for a little taste of home, its off to an afternoon of brainstorming with our team and a trip to Bondi beach this afternoon just to think outside of the box. Tomorrow will bring visits Christian City Church and Hillsong Church for two of their services, and I am very excited about that…stay tuned for more updates!
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging emails…that means so much! Keep praying for the students of Sydney!
And just for fun, this is my favorite pic so far...
Jamie
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sydney Update: Part 1
G'day Mates!
I have arrived here in Sydney! It's 4pm here, but 2am at home and i'm just now starting to struggle a little bit. Bring on the coffee. :) I have so much to tell, but not a lot of time right now, so here's a quick video update and some pics...I had a GREAT 26 hour journey if you can believe it - smooth flights, met some great people, and even had a quick layover in Tahiti. More on all that later...stay tuned! (RSS Readers-embedded video)
And a few pics...
I have arrived here in Sydney! It's 4pm here, but 2am at home and i'm just now starting to struggle a little bit. Bring on the coffee. :) I have so much to tell, but not a lot of time right now, so here's a quick video update and some pics...I had a GREAT 26 hour journey if you can believe it - smooth flights, met some great people, and even had a quick layover in Tahiti. More on all that later...stay tuned! (RSS Readers-embedded video)
And a few pics...
A layover in Tahiti!
The view from our room..
A closer look at the Opera House...
Me & Jen checking out the city..
Sydney!
The view from our room..
A closer look at the Opera House...
Me & Jen checking out the city..
Sydney!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Australia Bound
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
Tomorrow I get another stamp in my passport.
Tomorrow i am going to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, all in the name of serving our great God and making Him known!
Tomorrow I head off to Australia to continue planning and preparations for the last leg of the Passion World Tour. It's absolutely unbelievable that I am even getting to be a small part of this. It's opportunities like this that remind me I should never again doubt God's plan for my life, because it is waaaay better than anything I could ever dream up. :)
Right now I am a mix of emotions. I'm excited about the opportunity to get to travel abroad, and to do so with a purpose. I'm a little nervous because this will be the longest flight i've ever been on, and i'm going it solo. I'm amused at the fact that I have a layover in Tahiti. Yes, Tahiti. (it's a tough life, but somebody's got to do it) I'm a little overwhelmed at thinking about how much needs to be done between now and the actual event in October. And i'm also feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make this event the best it can be so that the students of Australia will walk into an awesome environment, ready to encounter God in a way they haven't before. The thought of it all is a little daunting, but I have no doubt that God has me here for a reason, and I am more than willing to take on the challenge.
Right now I am praying that our team makes it over safely (Jennifer & Garrett tonight and me tomorrow). I pray that God will focus my heart and mind, taking away any distractions that would keep me from doing what He is sending us over there to do. I pray that He will open doors for us and give us multiple opportunities to connect with the students, the church leaders and the campus pastors around Sydney in hopes of spreading the word to as many University students as possible. I pray that I will constantly be reminded that this is not a personal vacation to Australia...that while I can enjoy the trip and the scenery, I am there to do work...God's work, and I will not let myself or my personal desires get in the way of accomplishing the task at hand. And finally I just pray for His hand and provision over any and all plans that are made.
Will you partner with me in prayer for the students of Sydney? I sure hope so!
Be sure to check back often in the days to come, more updates will be on the way! See you on the other side of the world!
Jamie
Tomorrow I get another stamp in my passport.
Tomorrow i am going to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, all in the name of serving our great God and making Him known!
Tomorrow I head off to Australia to continue planning and preparations for the last leg of the Passion World Tour. It's absolutely unbelievable that I am even getting to be a small part of this. It's opportunities like this that remind me I should never again doubt God's plan for my life, because it is waaaay better than anything I could ever dream up. :)
Right now I am a mix of emotions. I'm excited about the opportunity to get to travel abroad, and to do so with a purpose. I'm a little nervous because this will be the longest flight i've ever been on, and i'm going it solo. I'm amused at the fact that I have a layover in Tahiti. Yes, Tahiti. (it's a tough life, but somebody's got to do it) I'm a little overwhelmed at thinking about how much needs to be done between now and the actual event in October. And i'm also feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make this event the best it can be so that the students of Australia will walk into an awesome environment, ready to encounter God in a way they haven't before. The thought of it all is a little daunting, but I have no doubt that God has me here for a reason, and I am more than willing to take on the challenge.
Right now I am praying that our team makes it over safely (Jennifer & Garrett tonight and me tomorrow). I pray that God will focus my heart and mind, taking away any distractions that would keep me from doing what He is sending us over there to do. I pray that He will open doors for us and give us multiple opportunities to connect with the students, the church leaders and the campus pastors around Sydney in hopes of spreading the word to as many University students as possible. I pray that I will constantly be reminded that this is not a personal vacation to Australia...that while I can enjoy the trip and the scenery, I am there to do work...God's work, and I will not let myself or my personal desires get in the way of accomplishing the task at hand. And finally I just pray for His hand and provision over any and all plans that are made.
Will you partner with me in prayer for the students of Sydney? I sure hope so!
Be sure to check back often in the days to come, more updates will be on the way! See you on the other side of the world!
Jamie
Monday, June 09, 2008
Making the Video: LDR Style
Just a little sneak peak at the making of the Singles Labor Day Retreat promo video for this year...
(RSS Readers: Embedded Video)
I love the fact that this is part of my job... :)
Check back later for the actual finished product!!
Jamie
(RSS Readers: Embedded Video)
I love the fact that this is part of my job... :)
Check back later for the actual finished product!!
Jamie
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