I apologize for my lack of communication over the past couple weeks. Internet has been infrequent which really puts us millennials through withdrawal, but regardless being on the road has been an amazing experience so far!
As some of you may have seen in the news recently, Australia’s east coast had a visit from Cyclone Debbie approximately 2 weeks ago. This effected not only the immediate impact area, but caused massive flooding all down the coast. Many of these effected areas happen to surround the communities we have planned to stay in while on the road.
So, seeing the need, we jumped at the opportunity to be able to help those around us, beginning last week in Murwillumbah.
In Murwillumbah I was on a team that went door to door in an area that had been some of the most heavily flooded in the area. We helped clean up a lot of debris in yards and houses and shovelled a lot of mud off roads and out of gutters.
It was my first time being in a natural disaster zone and it was quite an eye opening experience. As we drove through the towns my heart ached for those who had lost so much, and the reality of what nature is capable of revealed itself.
Yet despite the difficulties of the situation it was encouraging to be able to watch communities pull together and support each other in this time of need. People helped their neighbours while others drove around the town offering food and clean water to those affected. Yet even more encouraging was the desire of many to look at this as an opportunity for a fresh start.
This view and attitude of determination echoed on as we journeyed to the town of Lismore this week where members of the community had created a very efficient system to help one another out, establishing a base where volunteers could meet, supplies could be handed out, and teams could be sent into the community to respond to requests for aid.
Again we helped with removing lost of debris from yards, and cleaning residue left by the flood water within the homes and businesses.
I felt incredibly privileged to have been able to help out where we could and even more inspired as I witnessed those who had been through so much be so determined to look forward with a positive outlook on the new journey ahead.
If any of you would like an idea of what the flood was like, here is an article about the flooding in Murwillumbah and Lismore:
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In between our efforts in Murwillumbah and Lismore we enjoyed lectures with Kevin Stickl in Byron Bay and arrived in the beautiful community of Ballina.
Ballina has be such a nice experience as we have been able to help the local congregation here and meet some amazing people from the YWAM community. Our hosts have been beyond incredible to us and made us feel right at home, continually spoiling us with Fernanda’s cooking.
Next up, Rainbow Beach.
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