Have you ever seen something really beautiful, or tasted something absolutely delicious, or heard something that made you feel good inside; have you experienced anything that's made your heart smile? Maybe you saw a beautiful flower or sunrise, tasted a delicious dinner, or heard a life-giving song. Whenever you experienced that thing that made your heart smile, did you tell anyone about it? Did you tell a friend, family member, peer, co-worker, or neighbor so they, too, could experience that wonderful thing; so their heart would smile too? That's how I feel about sharing the love of Jesus. After experiencing the goodness of Jesus and the love He has to offer, I MUST share it... through actions. That's what it's like to be a missionary, and that's why I am a missionary. Jesus makes my heart smile every day. First impressions of Rockhampton. Saint Mary's Church and our house. Sunsets from our back door. I’m learning more than I ever imagined, being challenged in ways I never predicted, receiving in ways I haven’t asked, and sharing love in ways like never in the past. It’s indescribable, but no one can out-give our Heavenly Father. As this journey continues, I have no doubt that God will provide in unforeseen ways and that I will witness more of God’s love than I could possibly begin to describe. Building a New Home We landed in the small airport of Rockhampton, Australia to be welcomed by friendly faces and members of our new community. We live in a house that is just over 125 years old, it's a retired presbytery next to a small church in town. It may be old, but it's our new home, and it's quite accommodating. The women on team share a bedroom area in the house, and the men share a bedroom. There is a kitchen, dining room, prayer room, office, lounge room, and bathroom with both bedrooms. As NET missionaries, we are committed to living an authentic Christian lifestyle through a number of priorities we incorporate into our daily routine. We still cook and clean, we do laundry and wash dishes, we shop for groceries and drive a car, but there's more. We pray a lot. Each day we spend an hour in a time of personal prayer to be with God. We spend another hour of the day in team prayer where we pray with one another through praise and worship music on guitar, intercession, scripture, and Spirit-led meditations. We attend daily Mass, we pray together before every meal, and we pray together at night before we fall asleep. It's ideal practice at learning to live life as a prayer. There is a great amount of commitment in our missionary lifestyle, and that commitment starts at home within our team. We plan a scheduled time for "lights out" which everyone is expected to follow, and a time for "rise" when we all wake up together. In order to function as a united team, we spend intentional time in conversations to help us work as one and serve within our ministry to the best of our abilities. We also have time for team meetings, planning and organizing our sessions for the week, and preparing our weekly ministry. Each week is full of commitment, every minute of each day is planned according to a schedule that we follow to allow us all to function together. I am learning a lot about commitment; commitment to a new "family" with my team, commitment to a new community and ministry responsibilities, commitment to our students at schools, commitment to parishioners, commitment to friends and family at home, commitment to new friends, and most of all, commitment to God. This being the first time for the community of Rockhampton to have a local NET Team, we came with no expectations. Everything has been beyond rewarding and full of blessings. The past two months have been spent in the classrooms of our three primary schools, on the campus of our 1,500 student high school, at youth group every Friday night, at our three churches every week, at young adult gatherings, at parish events, at team meetings, at Mass, in Adoration, at school lunch breaks and recess, in school hallways, leading prayer, student retreat days, in churches, and at other school and parish events. We get to do a bit of everything, and every encounter with people is incredibly rewarding and beautiful. We've gotten to meet so many new people, and I've gotten to talk with countless new students. It truly is a gift to get to see them from week to week and journey with them. I am very grateful for the ministry I get to be a part of! For more details on what our daily commitments are and the ministry we get to do in schools and at church, keep an eye out for my next coming blog in a few weeks. More details, stories, and beautiful testimonies coming soon! The past nine weeks I’ve gotten to know my team a lot better, they’re some of the true treasures of this year. My four teammates are all from Australia. We have a lot of fun together, teach each other a lot, share victories and struggles, support one another, pray together, cook for each other, create memories, serve as a team, make a lot of noise, travel as one, and call one another to holiness. I'd like to introduce you to my team! This is Gerry! She is 18 years old from Melbourne, Australia. Gerry just finished high school and has shared her deep love for youth ministry through her active involvement in her home parish in Melbourne. This passion and love for Jesus has brought her to NET this year. She’s got the voice of an angel and musical skills on guitar that I am blessed to witness every day. She loves all kinds of dogs, we share a love for dancing, and she appreciates the beauty of nature outside the big city. Gerry possesses a special ability to truly invest in the people she meets each day through her compassionate heart. With parents from India and Sha Lanka, she has helped increase my understanding of parts of the world I have never experienced. Gerry is a beautiful soul whom I am gifted call my teammate and sister in Christ. Here's Robyn! She’s a fun-lovin’ gal from Sydney, Australia. In her 19 years of life, she finished high school in the city and studied at University for a year where she decided to serve with NET. She completed one full year of NET in 2017 serving on the National Team. Her experience with NET in 2017 was life-changing for Robyn, it was her first year on team that led her to committing to serve a SECOND year with NET. Robyn enjoys most sports, especially softball, she has quite an interest in motorcycles, she’s got a brain like a GPS, and she loves Jesus a lot. Her joy and positivity radiate from her heart when she talks to those around her. I am blessed to call this brave woman my teammate and a sister in Christ. Luke! This young man was home-schooled for part of his life and studied at public school for the rest of his 18 years in Canberra, Australia. He’s got a great love for the game of cricket, and a passion for economics, politics, and history. His deep appreciation for books and new knowledge shines every day through his intellectual vocabulary choices. Luke is an amazing guitar player, and he’s got a golden voice to match. Luke is a very bright young man who enjoys helping me learn about Australia. His compassion and kindness shine daily, especially when interacting with the students at school and parishioners in the community. Luke is a brilliant young man whom I am blessed to call my teammate and brother in Christ. Meet Mick! Mick is from a family in Brisbane, Australia. In his 19 years of life, he finished high school, spent a year discerning the priesthood, served in the Army Reserves, and now is a NET Missionary. Mick has a great passion for all sports, so great, in fact, that he cannot choose one favorite. Mick has a deep appreciation for the sky, from evening sunsets to nighttime stars. Mick enjoys music and shares his creative side through writing poetry, playing the keyboard, making music, and juggling. He’s never afraid to have a random dance party or sing a song with his team. Mick shares his love for Jesus through his gentle heart and his desire to be a great brother to all. I am blessed to call him my teammate and brother in Christ. A Few Treasured Moments
Mail can be sent to us if you're interested in this! It's always lovely to hear from friends and family back home and around the world. If you feel you'd like to put something in our mailbox, it'd be much appreciated. I'd be so grateful to receive any messages or kind thoughts via mail. There is no need of any items, only prayers and encouragement. Anything can be sent to: Katie Ahrns PO Box 9874 Frenchville, Queensland 4701 Australia In addition to a mailing address, it's a great surprise to receive emails and updates online. Another option is to email me at [email protected] to keep in touch. I keep you in prayers and look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to be in contact with me! Rockhampton is more commonly known as "Rocky" within Australia. Personal Reflection I really do believe that every person has the ability to change the world. I hope to be a part of that change every day, and not just any change; a positive, meaningful change. It’s quite amazing when I think about it; the ability that each and every person possesses. As humans, we have the ability to make another person feel happy or sad simply in the way we treat them, the words we choose to say, and the actions we live out. In these ways, we have the power to make someone happy or unhappy, to make someone smile or look down, to make someone laugh or cry. This ability that humans possess, along with many others, is truly powerful and incredible. This power gives us the ability to change the world, for the better, if we so choose. That can be a challenge in itself; choosing the good change each day. But it's a choice more than worthwhile. It's an opportunity to choose love, share love, and TESTIFY TO LOVE. On another note... I’ve been blessed to get to witness some really beautiful sunsets. I thank God for every single one. Watching the sun set is one of my absolute favorite hobbies. Most evenings around 5:30 I can take a peek out the back door to admire the beauty of the sunset. In the times that I’ve gotten to stand in awe of the sunset, I’ve come to ponder a new thought. God made beautiful sunsets. He also made beautiful people. In the eyes of God, each person is more valuable and more beautiful than any sunset. If I can stand for a few minutes in awe of the brightly colored clouds in the sky when the sun is touching the horizon, how must I be looking at the people I pass by every day? I cannot fully understand the way God sees His children, but I can hope and strive to see people the way God sees them; with more beauty than all the vibrant colors of the sky just before nightfall. As beautiful as this is, YOU are a million times more beautiful than this, plus more. My PrayerMy prayer is for all those who are striving to be the positive change in the world, for all who are changing the world; that they may truly testify to love. I pray that everyone knows of the beauty that lies within them; that they know the way God sees them. May others see them the same. Jesus, may You walk with the students in Rockhampton and all youth worldwide. God, please be with individuals who feel alone, confused, stressed, or discouraged; may they feel Your peace. May God grant His loving grace to all in this world, and may we feel and know of His presence. I pray for loved ones, family, friends, and all who have supported my journey. I pray for eyes to see Jesus in others and a heart to love as Jesus calls us to love. God, you know the desires of your children. Please be with us all and allow us to always look to You for strength, joy, peace, and authentic love. God, I lift to You intentions in the hearts of people in all nations. Thank you, Jesus, for Your love and goodness. Amen. God Bless You.
3 Comments
5/20/2018 06:58:25 am
Katie, this is incredible! I love hearing about your adventures! Know of prayers coming from Pennsylvania! Also, so happy there are people who are so passionate about dancing and sunsets, maybe just as much as you! How special! :)
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Christine Beaver
5/22/2018 06:35:27 am
Katie, thank you for the update and the beautiful pictures! It looks so beautiful. I love the sunsets. You seemed to be blessed with wonderful teammates and I am impressed that you are the only non-Australian, and so far from home. It says a lot about your character and willingness to go where God has called you, without hesitation. You are truly a beautiful and special young woman. I'm sure your time there will be a blessing to many people and that it will be an amazing experience for you! Thank you for your continued openness to serving others. God bless you, your team and those you serve. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers!
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Lynn Child
6/10/2018 04:27:22 am
Katie, You are an inspiration to all you touch with your work and all who are blessed to read your posts, emails, and see your photos. Keep up the great work of the heavens that your teammates and you are doing. Blessings to all of you and those who you are helping. Lynn, Findlay, OH, USA
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