At a loose end

When you're hanging out with a friend and you're at a loose end. What I mean is you haven't planned anything and you panic because you want to do something meaningful, you know, use that time well. So at once the ideas 'food' 'outing' 'shops' pop into your head. And after some debate and googling you decide to go to a movie.You laugh at all the inuendo and crude humour, go separate ways and then when you lay in your bed at night, feel slightly uncomfortable, well more just not-quite-satisfied with yourself.
It's because you wanted to change the world. In your deepest of hearts you wanted to build God's kingdom. And what you did tonight in no way contributed.

Might not be your story but this is my story a few times over.

Wasted money when your $20 could have instead saved a few kids from the sneaky but lethal bite of a malaria-carrying mosquito. All because of haste, and fear of deviation from the social norm. What is really living anway? Is it not to take risks, to be open, to let life flow out of you exuberantly? To enable others to live more, even? I thought about this tonight. What if those 'catchups' involved a different kind of activity -- what if you could save the world in your spare time?

I think it's possible. We can continue being advocates 24/7. Watch a real movie, that educated you about other living circumstances existing in this world. Watch desert flower or the 58: film. Or write a letter to encourage a young bride widowed just a week after her marriage. Or to a persecuted christian who persevere's under torture - tell them they're an inspiration. Or cook a sweet dinner for someone who's super busy or not feeling great. Or just go for a walk (instead of eating chocolate) and appreciate the beauty of this world that we live in. The simple things. The basics of life. They need to be appreciated and to be shared more. Let love take over <3

^ This is my incredibly awesome group leader, Celeste!

She's helped run 3 fantastic training days in the lead-up to the Roadtrip;

Hanging out at Coles was the lunch time ritual

What is this Roadtrip to End Poverty?!

This blog is an outlet for my exploration of mercy, justice, advocating, and fighting for the rights of the poor. I'm launching it with biiiig action: I'm going on Oaktree Foundation's ROADTRIP TO END POVERTY!!!

This picture gives a brief overview of our big purpose:

 So pretty much, our leaders are not going to get away with half-fulfilled promises! Why? Because I, and 1000 other young Australians are putting the pressure on! We believe it's possible to end poverty and we want to be a part of making history. By roadtripping up and over the whole downunder, we're kickstarting a movement of restless people who want Australia to follow through with foreign development assistance to our neighbour countries, specifically committing 70cents in every $100 to the cause. Time is running out as we speed towards the 2015 deadline set for eradicating extreme poverty so now is the ideal time for us to connect PASSION with POWER!

A lot of things have inspired me to be part of this week's big adventure: 40hr famine experiences; Brooke Fraser; life in Africa; a series of toastmaster speeches about people who don't smile and people who don't, Isaiah 58's call to action... slowly all these separate influences & experiences have twisted into one passion that I feel flows as the deepest vein in my life: the outcome of being oxygenised by Jesus! [I like to use medical analogies; must be destined for medicine ;) ] It's been really cool to start reflecting on my journey. I'll post more when my head's clear :)

I have a dream

There's a reason why I'm starting this blog.
It's because I have a dream. I have a dream of a better world. I have a dream in which poverty is alleviated so greatly that the end of extreme poverty is within our sights, and we need only reach out a hand to grasp it.
I may sound optimistic - well that's good! yeah! Thumbs up!! Nahh, that's not what it's about. It's being empowered with knowledge. Knowing that if you're on the minimum wage in Australia, you are in the top 1% of the world's most affluent. It's knowing that if all the churches in America would just give the 10% that Jesus told them to give, poverty could, financially speaking, be eradicated within one year. Knowledge is empowerment. When we're equipped, all that is left for us to do is to reach out our hand and take hold of that tool. Nothing needs be created, only weight and wealth must be transferred.