Great and Mighty

So, the OneVoice Australia mission trip is officially over. You would think that we all fly home in the morning, but actually... most of us still have another five days! That's right - we're staying for the 25th annual Hillsong conference. We could NOT be more exciting. Being evangelical Christians from the USA between the ages or 15 and 30, we are naturally Hillsong fanatics. Don't worry, we're only freaking out a little bit.

Let's just focus on today - our last day of official ministry, and also the day that we said goodbye to six of our team members who fly out tomorrow morning. It has been one of our longest days yet, beginning with a traditional Anglican service in a stone church building about the size of my living room. Although reading prayers from a book, going forward to take Communion, and singing all six verses of a hymn I had never heard before are not experiences readily familiar to me, I truly appreciate the diversity in worship styles found among God's people. One of the major lessons God has taught me on this trip is that He is not only the God of conservative evangelical churches in America. Jesus Christ transcends ethnicity, denominational divisions, music preferences, age, and geographical location. His church is all part of one family, no questions asked, and I have loved worshiping with other believers despite initial differences.

Our next gig was at the same church - St. Jude's - but in their larger Sunday service. A little less traditional Anglican, but still different from what most of us are used to. After morning tea and chatting with church members, I headed back to our host home with Lisa and Ali where we relaxed for a little while, packed our suitcases, and sat down outdoors to a beautiful Sunday lunch of grilled chicken and onions, rolls, charred potatoes, and salad with red peppers and avocado. Then it was time for our final performance - a full length concert at St. Jude's open to the church and the nearby community. The place was packed, and it was (in my opinion) one of our best concerts. 

But the best part was after the concert. While we wrapped cords and packed speakers and microphones into the trailer one last time, we were able to talk to even more of the guests at the concert. Many of the friends we made the previous week in Sydney attended, and we have also gotten to know many St. Jude members fairly well. And (surprise) they served us afternoon tea as well. Then, our team of nineteen gathered together in a room made for ten for a final powwow. We have been sharing our testimonies over the past few months during our meetings, and the last four people gave their today. I won't give you all the details that were spoken, but have you ever had a moment where you just can't stay silent about what God has done? Join OneVoice, and you will find it a common sight. Because God has been good!!! Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God does not see our ugliness and sin when He looks at us; He sees the perfect, holy, and broken Jesus instead. Hallelujah! We ended our meeting by singing Great And Mighty, the song that broke everyone down in rehearsal before we even left the country. Now, nearly a month later, it means so much more. Even some of the guys worshiped with misty eyes. We presented Justin with a thank-you gift: An illustrated history to gospel music that Debby found at Koorong, which we all signed year-book style in the front pages. After teary goodbyes and a million and one hugs for the people leaving tomorrow, we departed for the last time to our host homes.

Tonight, Allie and Lisa and I watched Father of the Bride 2 with our family and ate chicken burritos in front of the television. They are truly a remarkable family, and I'm going to miss them. Tomorrow we go to our hotel... we'll see what happens from there!