A gap year in Oz

Australia was never a place I had ever given much thought to, apart from 'G'day's, kangaroos and the television programme Neighbours.

But, after meeting some people from 'down under' in a Christian chat room, my attention turned. It was through getting to know these friends over about three years, prayer and God's guiding hand that I have ended up in Australia, not only going out to meet them, but to spend a whole year in Hobart Tasmania doing volunteer work with a church planting movement called Vision100.

After college I had been wanting to take a 'Gap Year', a year out usually between college and uni. I decided to make it a year out for the Lord in Australia.

I had originally planned to do a course in Brisbane but that fell through. Unknown to me, God had something far better planned, so for me it was back to the drawing board.

Ears pricked up

One Sunday not long after, Peter Woodcock came and preached at my church and during his preach spoke a lot about Australia. My ears pricked up. I got talking to him and he gave me the contact for David Jones in Hobart and doors began to open.

After saving up from my Saturday job at Burger King in the Guildford Spectrum, the Lord provided me with enough finance to get his plans into action. My flight was just two days after my last exam at Guildford County School back in June 2003. It was my first ever flight and time going abroad; it was 14 hours to Singapore, and most of the time I felt extremely sick! As the plane took off and soared over London in the night sky, I quietly but desperately prayed for peace, as emotions ran high. God-given peace washed over me and I knew the Lord was near as I started my year long adventure, an entire year away from home!

First taste

I stayed with some friends in Singapore, and got my first taste of a foreign country, trying new foods, seeing a new way of life; all very exciting. God answered my prayer for no jet-lag, so I was able to enjoy the short stay there much more. Then, it was eight hours on to Brisbane and from there on to Cairns. I met my 'Internet Friends' and had a fantastic time getting to know them and living with an 'Aussie family' for the first time - a bit of a change! While I was in Queensland I saw the wonders and beauty of God's creation, scenery that literally takes your breath away: lying under the night skies with millions upon millions of stars, so unlike anything in the UK; new wildlife I've never seen with the classic kangaroos and wallabies, huge spiders and multicoloured birds; it was a bit like a storybook! I've had many adventures that include bush walking, climbing mountains, swimming in gorges and at the Great Barrier Reef and even pig hunting with dogs (don't ask!), plus plenty more!

Tasmania

There are five church plants in Hobart, which are aimed at different audiences. I am currently working with two, Cornerstone and Crossroads. Vision100 is a vision to see 10% of Hobart in Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches and to achieve this they roughly need 100 new churches. The churches are different to your English-style church, more relaxed, especially Crossroads, which is basically a uni-aged church and the one I am spending most of my time with. It is a church really living out the gospel in their love and service for each other, their faithful preaching and teaching, with some of the best training, evangelism and one-to-one work I have seen or heard of.

BBQ culture

The work I have been doing for the last five months stretches from schools work (a primary school class - still getting used to the 'Good afternoon, Mr. Maskell') and a Christian Union at the college. I'm doing theological study (Moore College, Sydney) here, learning much about God's universal Word, his plan and purpose for us. I meet up one-to-one with people studying God's Word, praying, sharing each other's lives, while kicking back over a coffee in the city. Walk-up evangelism around the city, various conferences, and having a go at preaching and washing up! There is much more going on, including all the touristy things and plenty more planned for the rest of my time here.

There have been many surprises since coming to Australia. Everyone knows Aussies are laid back, but if they were any more laid back they'd be horizontal; they have very warm and friendly personalities; all their cars seem to be white; and their sky and sun is much brighter than at home; there is a massive sport and BBQ culture. I've had BBQs coming out of my ears, it seems! The first time I bought something in Australia the lady said: 'G'day, how are ya? What you up to today?' I froze for a second, wondering why she was so interested in my life, I was only buying fruit - was it my oranges! I gave a quiet and confused 'Yeah, OK' and hastily walked off feeling a bit stupid! This is the normal custom, to talk to strangers as if you have known each other for years and has taken a bit of getting used to - in the UK, you just tend to get a pale look with, 'Hi, that everything?' or 'Hello', followed by 'You want any cash back'. That is one of many learning scenarios I have got myself into; often I will be embarrassed by words I have said, not knowing they have a different meaning over here, like the name they have for flip flops!

It's been thrilling doing the ministry work, very nerve-racking and stretching at times, but with a uniquely Australian chilled-out flavour to it! My first time preaching was a bit scary, seeing the importance and responsibility of opening God's Word truthfully and clearly. Sitting down, examining the Scriptures, then piecing it together and bringing it to God's people, it's very rewarding.

For the Lord

I would deeply encourage Christians my age to take a 'Year out for the Lord', wherever it maybe. In Aussie I have had plenty of chances to go travelling, 'seeing the sites' and holidaying. The beauty of doing a Christian gap year is that you have a full year focussing on growing in knowledge, experience, love and service of the Lord in a way impossible otherwise. It's a time when you learn a lot about your culture, the culture you're in, you grow in character and maturity, as well as having a break from the education system which will refresh you in an amazing way. The benefits are that you get to declare the gospel to people, learn more of it yourself, and deeply touch many more lives than will happen just travelling. The work you'll do will be selfless, having heavenly value, lasting for eternity. Just travelling is the opposite to that - remember this world is simply 'passing away', we'll have heaven to explore, and that's going to be far more spectacular than this world.

Ears pricked up

First taste

Tasmania

BBQ culture

For the Lord

Andrew Maskell

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