Why Brissie?

So I've been asked many times, "why Australia?", so I decided to write it for everyone to know :)
A friend that has done a DTS before suggested that I get the "Go Manual", a booklet which YWAM produces that lists and gives a little bit of info about all of their bases around the world. This 150 page booklet was very daunting at first! After spending much time going through the lists, I narrowed it down to about 30 bases which fit my time frame (I was taking fall term at RCC and want to go back to college fall of '10 as well) and had programs which seemed fitting to me. I started the task of going to every single one of those bases web sites to find more information on them, costs, and just the general, more detailed information. The Go Centre in Brisbane was actually the first one on my list that I looked up! I fell in love with what the website said about the Frontiers program; I felt touched with the answer that THIS base was the one I was supposed to go to. I was filled with joy that came from the excitement I had for this base and Frontiers DTS! But I wanted to make sure that this one was actually the one. So I continued to go through the long list of other bases. When I tried to visit the next about 10 websites, something was wrong with them. Either they were under contruction, had been moved to another address that I did not have, or had absolutely no program information on it. I felt like this was a sign from God that I already knew the base I needed to go to! I did continue the last portion of the list, and none of them grabbed me in any way like the base in Brisbane did. I was so thrilled that I didn't have to make a decision over which base I was supposed to go to(as some of you may know I am terrible at making decisions)and that God made it perfectly clear and easy!
Now another question I have been asked a few times is something along the lines of "Wouldn't it be cheaper/easier if you went to a base stateside?" The answer is probably yes. The actual cost of the DTS/outreach would be about the same, but I am having to pay more for airfare and Visa costs. I even personally was wanting to go to one MUCH closer to home. I had been considering a base in San Fransisco for a long time. It was not my desire to go so far away, as I have mentioned before, it honestly scares me! But I think that is part of the reason God wanted me so far away from home-to learn trust Him even more and to grow in faith. I have gone on mission trips before, to Mexico for example. For many, the whole trip/living situation/ministry was a stretching experience for them. I'll be honest; I loved it, but I was totally in my comfort zone! But this DTS in Australia, simply because it is SO very far away, has put me out of my comfort zone already! God wants to stretch me and make me His servant, and I am growing and following Him.

If anyon has any questions about anything I said or anything else, feel free to ask!
<3Jessica