A Ten Minute Catch Up!

Hey guys,

Right now I am sitting at Gloria Jeans, on Darby Street, in Newcastle, where there is actually great Internet, super hip atmosphere and just a calm feeling about the area, and I have ten minutes free, before I have to leave to catch a train home... but I thought I would use this ten minutes to let you know quickly what has been happening. It will only be short, and I will try and elaborate a lot more when I come back here, on my weekend, on Monday, but in the past month, the following has happened:

Health problems.
God's healing hand.
Doctor's appointments.
Medical Expenses.
Unknown/undiagnosable health problems.
Growing in God.
Confusion.
Trust Lessons.
Friendships.
Serving YWAM leaders from all over the South Pacific and Australia, at Tahlee.
All nighters.
Homework.
Life Lessons.
Random Moments.
Trusting in God when nothing makes sense.
Support Fundraising (still about another $1500 to go)
Some financial support coming in (thanks Owen, Kay, Andy, Sam and Laura!)
Sign Designing for Youth Street, AND painting it!
Video documentary to show you guys what I've been up to (this is still in the process of being made, as I've only got my camera, and limited video editing facilities, unlike what I have at home - but it's still totally achievable).

So this is just some of what's been happening in this last month. I'm also looking into MailChimp, so hopefully that will also be another tool I will utilise in keeping you guys informed... and maybe (joining my Mum on) twitter (shock horror, I know!). I will endeavour to give you a full picture on Monday, when I make the trip back here again, but until, God bless and have the best weekend!
GBUG
Kara

Monday 3rd of October, 2011 - FORT SCRATCHELY

One day to go, until classes start!

It’s Labour Day, in New South Wales, today. But it’s also YWAM’s second day of the weekend. As part of the public holiday, a few of us (all leaders, except me) – Becca, Brooke, and Danny, went and checked out Fort Scratchely, which was a fort created originally to defend Australia from the concept of Russian invasion in the late 1800s, during the Crimean War. It was then used to defend Australia during World War Two, firing cannons on the Japanese when they came down our coastline.

The entrance fee was also reduced to $5, from $12, so we got to check out the tunnels and explore the cottages and servant quarters, which has been set up as a museum, which was a fantastic history lesson well learnt. I’m hoping to, when I work out how, to include a map of the area, and basic history lesson of the fort.

There was also an art exhibition of photography and sculptures on display, as a part of the Mattara Festival. This festival is an annual event celebrating life in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, denoting the matarra (the Awabakal Aboriginal word for hand) of friendship, offered to visitors to Newcastle and locals.

Today also entailed with unpacking all my stuff, as our room’s fourth resident, Carina, had arrived from Austria, and we could allocate whose belongings could go into the space that was available. A few of us also played Articulate and let’s just say playing with teams of 3, AND mixed nationalities and cultures, where some people don’t have English as their first language, is challenging, but so much fun!

So in short, my room mates are Natalie (Ontario, Canada), Jess (Maui, USA), Carina (Austria). They’re an interesting mob, with so many mixed cultures, but we also entertain and learn a lot from each other.

August 2011 Newsletter!!!

Dear friends and family,

How are you? Can you believe how fast these last few months have flown by?

I know I said that I would send a follow up letter in July, but with the announcement of Mum’s engagement to one very lucky Gordon Beckett, and their upcoming wedding before October; a friend’s wedding in October, in which as part of the bridal party there is a lot of tango-ing and twister-ing, in getting ready before I leave; wrapping up work at the refectory; moving house; getting in the quarter finals with the church soccer competition; watching and looking after my health; and fighting Centrelink, well let’s just say a lot has been happening and this letter has just taken awhile to be produced.

Thankfully God does not put us on the back burner when He’s busy. He always seems to have time for us and has our best interests in mind. For me, it’s been seeing God’s provision when things aren’t going as planned. To have, with your prayer and support, 39% of the full $8450 raised, without my follow up, is a God send. THANK YOU so much!!! It’s truly been a blessing and means I only need a further 8% ($648.55) before October 4, for the class/lecture phase, and then the rest (53%) by November 10.

Another thing God has been teaching me is conversational prayer and trusting Him; to not get caught on the nitty gritty bits in the Bible, as hard as that is for me.

So, for the next few weeks, these are my main goals.

• To learn to include God in everything. Telling Him what I’m feeling, when I’m feeling it.
• To trust, know and believe God will provide everything, including the remaining lecture fees ($648.55) before October 4; as is the same with the outreach fees ($4225), before November 10, 2011, whether that be through you, your prayers, or some other means, which only God knows, and in only God can I trust.

If you would like to support me, through prayer or finance, please let me know.

My email address is rakaah@gmail.com, this email is also my paypal account contact email. My

mobile number and postal address can be obtained from privately emailing me or leaving me a comment, with your forwarding email address. If you would like to directly deposit into my YWAM bank account please email me also for this detail.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Until next time,
GBUG (God Bless U Good)
Kara Martin

What is Training Like @ YWAM Newcastle?!?!

(A YWAM Newcastle Production)