Where do I even start

I honestly don't even know where to start...haha. So much has happened. But I guess the beginning is as good a place as any.

The flight went really well. Actually a lot longer then I thought. Our flight from LAX to Brisbane was almost 13 hours. I sat next to an old couple from PA who were on a 27 day tour in Australia. They were nice. She gave me a Jolly Rancher. The whole flight was actually a lot of older people which I thought was weird. There ended up being a lot of people from ND who were on a sponsored tour. Met a couple from Cando (I think) who were farmers. Fun to be able to connect with people like that.

Andrew Carlson picked me up from the airport at 9ish on Saturday morning. It was blessing to have him as I was able to ask questions and prep myself for what was to come. He was also able to show me around a bit and help me get familiar with things

That day/night I spent in a backpackers (think dorm/hostel). It was definitely an interesting experience. This environment is a lot of drinking, partying, and people who are wandering. Was actually able to sleep pretty well even with all of the unknowns. Shared a room with an older gentleman who I never spoke with, and a YWAMer that I didn't who he was until we woke up and looked at each other...haha.

Sunday morning around 10, Corsin, a staffer from Switzerland, picked us up and brought us to the house. The rest of that day took forever as it was a lot of waiting around and meeting people. Everyone seems pretty cool and I am pumped to continue to get to know them. Sharing a room with a guy from MN, CA, and Australia.

The week....I don't even know where to start haha. So much has happened. This week was "just" orientation...but even in that I learned so much.

Every Monday morning is base worship, so everyone from our YWAM base (DTS, SBS, Skate Ministry, Coffee Ministry, Staff, etc) come and worship together. Fun to see everyone that is involved.

From there we jumped right into orientation stuff...the why's and how's of the base. They focus on the Why, the How and What will figure itself out.

I have been super impressed by our base....they are so cool. They have really focused on the pursuit of Jesus...making that the main thing. They treat us like adults and expect that we are wanting this time to grow (evident by the money spent and distance traveled)...with that there are no rules. Like none. If you truly want Jesus and desire to be more like Him, that heart will govern the decisions and choices you make. This mindset also helps the transition back. We don't just have Jesus here, but will have him as we go back to whatever it is we go back to. We aren't in just a bubble. We continue to live life apart from YWAM.

There was so much that I learned in those talks, but I did a poor job of taking notes haha. Hopefully going forward I will have more to give you on what I have learned.

Most days we are in lecture until 12:30.  From there we break for lunch and then work duties. I am on House Maintenance, so this week we cleaned pools and mowed the grass (kind of felt like home). And then it was free time.

We are free most days from 3ish until 6. This is a time to enjoy the beach (which is amazing) and the area. But it is also our time to pursue more of Jesus through reading and study. We have to choose that. No one is going to babysit us and tell us what to do. If we want more of Jesus, we must pursue it. One of our requirements is to do some reading (bible plan and a book), so I have spent some of this time doing that. I have also spent this time at the beach taking in the sun (sunscreen is a necessity, even for me. First legit burn). I may also at some point attempt to surf. Skate longboarding is a continuing learning process, but it has been fun.

During this week, everyone also gave their testimony. It was so cool to hear everyone's story and background. Lots and lots of dirt came out. Alcohol, drugs, depression, broken relationships, etc. This was also a very humbling time for me as well. I have given my testimony countless times from working at Bluewater. But this time it was a bumbling mess. I forgot large portions haha. I am pretty prideful in the fact that I am always prepared and usually successful at the things I do. He is continually breaking me of that.

In mentally preparing my testimony, I was also thinking back to why I was here. Why am I in Australia with YWAM? And I discovered that I am in constant pursuit of seeing my potential come to fruition. Everywhere I have been, I have been told that I have immense potential, whether it was with school, jobs, ministry, etc. But with potential comes the expectation that something great will come of it. So I found that I would go attempt something, find that it wasn't "enough" or was "settling", and seek to find somewhere else to unleash that potential. I just never wanted to see potential go to waste. I never wanted to disappoint.

So here I am....trying to define the potential that I have in Christ. Seeking to find my complete identity in Him. My identity isn't found in the potential or status I have, but in knowing that I am a Son of God. A co-heir with Christ. This was a huge realisation for me and I look forward to pursuing and growing in this.

Friday morning we had an hour of scheduled worship....it went for almost 2.5 hours. God was so good in meeting us there. Many things were declared and called out, both for our school and individuals. I had never seen anything like that. People who had never met were calling things out in each others lives...God is so freaking cool.

Our school has been so intentional about wanting more of Jesus. That is what I want as well, but I am also skeptical. Sometimes I just feel like I haven't actually seen Him. One of the school leaders explained it to me in this way. The flesh sees with our eyes, but the spirit sees by faith. I just need to believe it to be true. Believe that He can heal and that He is present and working. It was so encouraging and something that I am continuing to work on.

That brings me to Saturday morning. We actually have most weekends off, free to do as we please. I am currently down at the local Mcdonalds (they call them Maccas) using the internet. I am hoping to use my Saturday mornings from 7ish-9 (Friday afternoon at home. I am 16 hours ahead) to update and connect. I am trying to limit the usage as much as I can. I just really want to be present here, but I do also want to connect with you all.

If you absolutely need to get a hold of me, let me know by Tuesday or Wednesday your time. I can do a quick check on my phone and then can schedule a time to connect for the weekend.

I also have an address. So I would love to hear from you as well or have packages (wink wink).

YWAM DTS
c/o Zach Jaszczak
PO Box 5633
Maroochydore, BC, QLD
4558 Australia

Facebook and email are also a great option as well.

https://www.facebook.com/zjaszczak

zacharyj17@gmail.com

That is all I have for now. If you have any questions or would like to hear about certain things, let me know. I will try to touch on them next week. Also, I am trying to train myself to take more pictures, but I can't guarantee too much haha.

This coming week we will be starting to learn about the Character and Nature/Father Heart of God. Pumped to dive in.

Just know that I love and miss you all and that I am super stoked to see what God will do in these next 5 months.

In Christ,
Zach

P.S. Mom, don't worry, I am eating really well. Haven't been hungry yet.