The Cooktown Mission Trip was one of love and service in action as 22 students from Years 9 and 10, along with three staff members, travelled to Cooktown, North Queensland, for the last week in Term 2.
The team prepared tirelessly for the trip by gathering resources, creating programs and practising skillsets. Arriving in Cooktown, staff and students felt a long way from home, both geographically, and in the lack of comforts and technology, and the slower pace of life.
The group settled into the tranquil rainforest accommodation, which would become their base camp for the week. Throughout the week they visited and served at two local churches, two community members’ homes, three local schools with the Cooktown community chaplain, and also spent a day at Endeavour Christian College with a past Hillcrest teacher, and now principal of Endeavour Christian College, Mr Peter Connell.
The intention of the trip was to love and serve others, to bring glory and honour to God. This was fulfilled throughout the experience as students grew in their understanding of life, other people and of our living God. Most mornings began at 5:30am and didn’t finish until 10pm, as the hard working team cleaned school sheds, classrooms, libraries, equipment and grounds.
As the students served others and reflected upon their experiences, they looked deeper at their own personal life, and we saw a transformation in thoughts and a real understanding that accelerated them toward knowing God better. The trip was a great catalyst to propel these students forward in their lives and individual faith journeys. It has prepared them as leaders in our community, with the desire to pursue a culture closer to that of God’s intention here on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Ps Tim Cochran
SLC CHAPLAIN
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