Youth Arise 10-13 July!

This is a festival which is held by Youth Arise International as one of pre-WYD events. It takes place in St Joseph Nudgee College in Brisbane.
For the last 5 nights, I stay in classroom with about 30 other people from Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, India and some other African states.

The festival starts in the afternoon with a session titled “Gathering of the Nations”. The speaker is Henry Cappello who is a president of Youth Arise International. After that, we are celebrating mass with the celebrant His Grace John Bathersby (Archbishop of Brisbane). At night, we have some night festival. For God, we are jumping, cheering as the worshippers, emmanuelworship and Matt Maher, sing praise and worship songs such as “Your Grace is Enough”, “Trading My Sorrows”, etc.

Second day, I have 2 Workshops that I must choose from several workshops. I choose “Visionary Leadership” by Shayne Bennett and “Equipped for Mission” by Robert Clarke. This first workshop is very inspiring for me as he says that to be a leader we must surrender ourselves to God for His guidance. Another workshop is about their sharing in service team.

Third day, I join with other pilgrims in the central Brisbane with program “The Heart of The City”. Before departure, I have a mass celebrated by Fr. Gino Henriques (he is from Singapore, yey!!). When I am in the city, I meet some pilgrims from Papua New Genueia, East Timor, some African states and all people from many states in the world. It is very exciting to meet them as one body of Christ, sharing one faith in Jesus.

Last day (13th July), Sunday. I join two workshops titled “The Young Catholic Church” and “University Outreach”. I inspire to be a founder of Catholic club in SIM after these two workshops. Just for your information, SIM does not have Catholic Club. For the last night festival, three performers in one stage together! (emmanuelworship, rexband, and Matt Maher).
Finally it is finished. Tomorrow 3 AM must wake up and will go to the Airport.
Fly to Sydney, Australia!!