Last week I took my last tablet in the battle against anxiety and depression! Can I feel the difference? Yep! In a good way. This past week I have reconnected with the intense feelings of excitement I remember from over a decade ago when my passion for university ministry was first stirred up. I’m grateful that I had medical help in softening the pain of our recent season of life but it sure is good to really FEEL again! In God’s timing I’ve come off medication and been released into building great relationships with other Christians and ministries. That in itself has been a powerful experience as well as building with non-Christians on their spiritual journey.
Late last year we united a group of young people to actively pray for Deakin and connect with students. They have continued to give up their time and resources to help me out at Deakin (Ken now focuses on Melbourne Uni and I am involved at Deakin Burwood). Earlier in the year when it started getting colder, we were looking for a room to meet in and I began calling all of the chaplains on campus. Since then, the chaplaincy has been an amazing support!
Some highlights for me this year have been playing soccer with the students, providing them with home-cooked meals and freshly brewed coffee, helping with English speaking, praying alongside a hundred others for our universities, cooking for the Melbourne Uni SFC camp, giving out pancakes, making videos, getting to use my Japanese vocabulary, pastoral chats over coffee and taking a day trip along the Mornington Peninsula. Coming up is a trip to Healesville and a “Voice of Deakin” karaoke competition! Can’t wait.