the month de january

ok, the first week was about hearing God's voice. we talked about the still small voice a lot. because the few times when God's audible voice was heard, destruction was sure to follow. the still small voice was good, loved it, because it's kind of like God's saying, "hey, i love you."

also we kind of talked about how God's not just a vending machine you know? we have to have a relationship with him, which i never really understood until now. i've always been under the impression that God was the Provider; ask and you shall receive; the great physician, and all those other great things that he is, but i was never introduced to God as a someone who desires to just hang out with us. you know? it's kind of like when your dating a girl, you tell her you like her and how awesome she is, and she's happy and stuff, but you tell other people about how awesome she is and they, in turn, tell your girlfriend the good things you've said about her and she is just elated and bubbling with joy. well, the same goes with God and our relationship with him.

so i think that is why friday night evangelism is awesome. because we get, no we are allowed to talk about Him and let other people know of the joy that is in our hearts. on friday nights we go to a place called Flinders street. it's a huge night club hotspot there are probably about 20-30 clubs within walking distance of each other. we get out of the vans on flinders at about 9 oclock and between nine and eleven, we get to evangelize. the first week, we talked to a few backpackers but nothing of any huge significance happened. but this past friday, we worshipped on the street which was cool. we had our cases put away to avoid the appearance of busking, and we still drew a crowd. it was great because people were, though intoxicated, sticking around through whole songs and asking us about where we were from, what we're doing here and so we had a chance to break out of the typical conversation and witness to them about what we were about and what God's doing in our lives and such. i used to get slightly embarrassed when i was in public and someone i was with would start talking about God, but now every friday i'm super excited to go out and talk to people about their beliefs and mine in God.

the second week of lectures focused on clear conscience and being comfortably exposed in our sin so that we might then rely on God because we had nothing else to lean on. it was a super convicting week about just my attitude and everything that went along with it. this past week, we talked about identity, and how we shouldn't believe anything anyone says negatively about us because we should find our identity in christ. also we talked about how men, mor and more, have become passive in things that the should be doing and women have noticed and have become increasingly domineering because they see men not doing a thing to fight for them so thety have begun to fight for them selves and not let men help where we have been called to.

some of the fun things we have done:

the billabong sanctuary: we went here last week, it's pretty much awesome. i'll post pictures.

Big Krystal Creek: it's this super awesome watering hole with cliffs to jump off of. i'll post pictures.

The Strand: a.k.a. the beach. this place is awesome. it's got everythign for a 10 year old mind to enjoy, so it's perfect for me. i'll post pictures

Youth Street:wow, it's the youth program that we do every week that give kids a place to hang out that is safe and friendly. we are separated into teams and such and i'm on the skate team. we go to a new park every week, and just have a good time.

that's all for now, BUT i'll post pictures soon.

transport

one car ride to the atlanta airport :45 minutes
plane ride to LA : 5 hours
Layover in LA: 12 Hours
Plane ride to brisbane: 13 hours 30 minutes
Layover in brisbane: 4 Hours
plane ride to townsville: 2 hours

That is why traveling is dumb. it takes too long, seriously guys hurry up and invent teleportation. i'm tired ofthis redonkulous invent of the airplane.

before i go i want to tell you two VERy important things about australia.
1. sweet beards = short shorts; the sweeter your beard is, the shorter your shorts are allowed to be and vice versa.
2. i've done my research (i flushed three toilets) and yes, water spins the opposite direction.

preflight

so the saga begins, it's 1Am prior to flying out. my bags aren't completely packed. Am i worried? the better question is have i ever been gone from my family for more than 2 weeks. worried doesn't fully encompass the feelings pumping through my veins. i feel more bloated than worried. all jokes aside, (jeremy doesn't believe i can be serious) i'm ready for this trip. i'm a talker, if you've met me you know this, and i talk a lot about doing things, but i rarely go through with them. "hey, i might get an RX-7" didn't happen; "hey, i'm going skydiving when i turn 18" i'm afraid of heights; "Hey"... two examples is enough. you get it. so going through with such a crazy thing on my part has to be a God thing. I'm ready to see what God has in store for me. thank you to everyone who has made this possible through prayer and support. i wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you.

Brandon Funk

Isaiah 45:2-6

2 I will go before you
and will level the mountains ^[a] ;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,

6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.