I have been here for over 2 weeks, and I love it, I am adjusting to being away from friends and family, and I am adjusting to the "drinking culture". I am also making friendships where I can offer myself. They all never labeled me as a "hardcore christian", but they knew I was different when I wouldnt do things our culture calls acceptable.
But I am making friends. I am praying for my friend Alex, and for my friend Kat. They both have been open to learning about me, and my life. Alex is my good friend, he is understanding and accepting, and gay...but I dont think that really matters at all. Kat is my Australian neighbor and in all my classes. I like her alot, and she seems to like me, because she comes to see me alot.
Anyway. I am walking into who I am while being here, and what it looks like to really believe who Jesus says I am. I was reflecting on all the shame and condemnation Satan made me feel whenever I was with christians for an extended period of time, the deep thought of "I am so not like them, and they wouldnt like me if they knew me."
That battle isn't over I am sure, but a new light has been seen in my eyes. Satan here has been whispering in my ear, "This is who you are, and in a matter of time you will be just like them." But I know that isnt true. I know that I was made for more, and so were all these people. So I cry for them. I pray, and I have hope...because he made me new...and is in the business of making people new.
I also KNOW there has to be a christian group on campus, and next week is the club fair. I am so excited to meet a ministry it is rediculous. I guess this is what real life is though. Feeling alone, longing for people like you, and seeking Jesus in the gaps.
So that is all for now, I have class. Much love from down under :)
1 comment:
Hi Coleen! It's so good to read your updates!
I will be praying that you do find good like-minded Christian friends as well as truly enjoy and love the friendships that have started in your classes. I'm glad that things are looking better and that you are praying against satan's lies and for your new friends. I really pray that God gives you all the strength you need and unexplainable peace! (you know He will give it!)
And I don't know if this will help at all, but I happen to have been following a blog of an Austrailian guy, Mike Jolly, who's involved with campus ministry at the University of Tasmania (which university are you at?) Well his blog is here and the ministry he's involved with is FOCUS, which looks like it has other branches in other Austrailian universities. Mike at least seems to have a lot of true passion for Jesus from reading his blog, and I'd trust any ministry he was involved with. Even if his group isn't for you, I'd still recommend reading his blog as well as his newly-wed wife Christine's, as God has used their blogs and links from their blogs to bless me tons. :)
love you!
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