February & March.

I’m a little late to the game with this update, but here is my update of the month of February as well as March, with some snapshot of what I got up to.

February

My February looked similar to my January with a few new opportunities that have opened up, for me personally and as a YWAM base. As a staff member, I was asked to lead something called ‘Track Time’ for the DTS. It is a time dedicated to a specific ‘track’ or ‘focus’ within their school, where they can practice applying themselves in these different skills and how to bring God into them.

I have been leading the ‘Arts and Media’ track of the DTS, which has one student in the track and one other staff member apart from myself. We all do the activity together, whether it be ‘art or media’ and learn to invite the Holy Spirit.

As well as this, I have continued in my roles as a barista in the cafe, where more and more people have come into the cafe, slowly but surely. Last but not least, I’ve been loving leading a bible study for the staff who serve in practical ways here on base. These roles have continued to be exciting opportunities for God to move in and I’m keen to be apart of it all.

Personally, I went to my very first theater show at The Empire Theater and saw ‘Pride and Prejudge’ with my close friend. I also went away for the weekend to the Sunshine Coast, the same friend joined me as we attended a women’s prophetic retreat on the Saturday. This retreat was the refresh from God I needed, as I felt God give me deeper understanding of my identity in Him as well as fresh vision for what He is calling me into.

Although short, it was a very refreshing time, as I got to be back home for the weekend, as we stayed with my parents. Special moments like these are always treasured and I am very grateful for them.

March

As I have stepped into March, I’ve continued in my roles throughout the weeks.

One week, for our ‘Track Time’ we did a collaboration with the ‘Prayer and Presence’ track and all practiced prophetic painting for people on base. Everyone was inspired and thoughtfully drew, painted and wrote encouraging notes for others. It’s been so fun to lead this space and point students in how to share God with others by utilising their personal passions, and in this case through arts and media.

When it comes to the bible study I’m leading, I have found that God is doing beautiful things in this space, I can continually see how His Word refreshes the hearts and ignites curiosity in His children; and I’m very grateful to be leading it with Him.

In the cafe this month, I haven’t seen too much physical increase in numbers or traction within the space; but there was this one customer who, unlike most of the others who have come through - stayed and lingered a little longer as she enjoyed her drink and the view from our building. This moment was such a blessing and spoke volumes to me, in what this space is truly about - to linger and rest.

Apart from my roles, here at YWAM Toowoomba we are starting some new Discipleship Training School (DTS) initiatives. These are a ‘Trailblazer DTS’ starting in July this year, which will be a partnership of our YWAM base and the Coffs Harbour YWAM base. ( link here: https://ywamtoowoomba.com/trailblazer-dts ) As well as this we’re going to be introducing new tracks with the DTS’s, these are the ‘Running & Fitness’, ‘the 4WD Adventure’ and the ‘Cafe & Barista’ (which I’m particularly excited for ).

In support of this, YWAM Toowoomba have launched a fundraiser for the base, that will help fund our future endeavours that God is calling us to as a base; some of which I briefly touched on this above. ( link here: https://ywamtoowoomba.com/ywam-fundraiser )

Personally, I had my birthday this month on the 14th, and turned 24! Woah! I felt very blessed and celebrated by my friends here on base. I also had a birthday celebration the following weekend where I invited our staff on base to a picnic. During this celebration, I got the opportunity to see my good friend Tanika as well as my older brother Jesse, who came all the way from the Sunshine Coast; this was such a blessing.

This is just a snip it of what I got up to over the last couple months here at YWAM Toowoomba. I’d love to share more with you guys about my day-to-day and what I get up to as a student and staff member here. Let me know you have any questions and if you want to get in contact with me, or feel led to support me in any way.

These are some of the ways you can partner with me, to support me in the mission of ‘knowing God’ and ‘making Him known’ in the nations. Supporting what God is calling me to personally, as well as what He is doing within YWAM & in the city of Toowoomba.

Prayers & Support

Your prayer and personal support mean so much to me and make all the difference. (”Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16)

Contact me :

Phone number : 0422256008

Email address : briannastod@gmail.com

YWAM email : ywamemail@gmail.com

Financial Investment

When you give financially, with investments no matter the amount, you are sowing a seed of faith in support of what God is doing, and partnering in the endeavour to further the gospel in all its many expressions. There are many focuses, where we (as YWAM Toowoomba) achieve this through.

Some of YWAM Toowoomba’s main focuses:

• YWAM Training & Equipping

  Our DTS , SWAP, MDS & LDS

• Outreaching to the City

  Visiting Refugee Homes & Hosting Busking Festivals

• The Prayer Room

  Our YWAM Building in the centre on the city, dedicated to prayer & worship, where we meet every weekday for an hour 8:30 - 9:30 am.

I will emphasise, I do receive finical support from the government ‘Centrelink’, which is sufficient to cover my current school fees and rental expenses. Any donations given, will be utilised and thoughtfully invested into the areas of either additional missions expenses, or to my missions savings account (which goes towards my future missions funding (for further schools), as the Lord leads.

My Bank Details

ACC : 17-942-6684

BSB : 084-801

Note: label the donation, so I know what it is going towards.

Stay Connected

By staying connected to me through my contacts and social media, and by staying up to date with this content, you are staying well informed of what I’m currently up to and what I am involved in, and how you can be praying for myself and the work we are doing here at YWAM Toowoomba.