serve - nat rickwood

1st June 2009 by Julia Hosking

In November 2008 I had the privilege of serving as a member of the Red Frogs Crew on the Gold Coast at Schoolies 08.

Red Frogs is a Hotel Chaplaincy service offered to school leavers at Schoolies week. Basically we just go around to hotel rooms and build relationships through hanging out with them and providing a positive presence. We also do things like cook pancakes, walk people home, tidy rooms, offer emotional support, and of course, hand out red frogs.

My heart has always broken for people my age who are in pain. I am so blessed, I have an awesome life, and I'm constantly surrounded by people who love me! Yet so many young people today live in broken homes where they don't know and experience love. They try and fill the gaps with alcohol and drugs. I wanted to try and make a difference in these guys' lives by just displaying a really generous and genuine attitude to life.

A highlight for me would probably have to be spending time with the Schoolies, and being able to build relationships with them. I also loved meeting up with other Red Frog members, which we did daily. It was great being part of a really big team that had come together for a common purpose.

I've always been a fairly shy person, and I never thought I would have the courage to do something like Red Frogs, it just wasn't for me. But God kept placing it on my heart, and I just knew it was something that he wanted me to do!

I never went to Schoolies when I finished high school, so I didn't know what to expect. And I won't deny it; the element of the unknown scared me! God really put the conviction in my heart that I needed to cling to him, and he would provide me with all the confidence and strength to get through the week.

For me, it was an experience I will never forget. I loved every minute of it, and I can't wait to do it all again!

Comments

Sandy

June 03, 2009 at 9:56pm

yay nat...thnx 4 sharing...hopefully more ppl like u will get the courage to do red frogs this year!

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Tamara

June 17, 2009 at 9:35am

You're awesome Nat!

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