Globe-trotting for God

PAKENHAM’S Erin Thomas has the world at her feet. This month she left for an opportunity of a lifetime – to see the world, help those less fortunate and spread God’s word.
The bubbly 24-year-old was chosen as the only Australian to be part of a world missions team called Global Challenge Expeditions.
For the next 11 months, Erin and 30 fellow travellers will circumnavigate the globe, travelling through up to 20 different countries working on practical projects, ministry and missions – and impacting those they meet with “God’s love”.
“Our main focus is to go and share about God, and in doing so, working with the communities – it’s really exciting,” she said.
But the highlight, for Erin, will be working in a number of disaster-stricken countries such as Guatemala, Burma and possibly Haiti and Indonesia.
“What I’m most looking forward to is the practical stuff,” she said.
“I love using my hands; previously I’ve helped to build cabins for kids in Poland, painting things in Scotland.
“And I enjoy working with people who want to follow God in this.”
The group Erin is travelling with is made up of 30 people aged between 20 and 30 years of age from all walks of life.
She knows no-one else on the tour, and will almost definitely go to countries where Christianity is outlawed.
“We’ll spend a bit of time on the Tibetan Plateau where the church is very persecuted and Christianity is not openly practised,” she said.
“There are a lot of underground churches and to experience what it is like to be persecuted for what you believe in will be really interesting.”
She says it will be interesting to see the difference from Australia, where you might be teased for your beliefs but are still able to openly practice christianity.
Erin will also work her way through the Middle East, including Israel and Jerusalem and needs to learn about other cultures she has never experienced before.
“We have to be careful, we are not doing this to offend anyone, we just want to chat with anyone who wants to,” she said.
“It’s really cool – Jesus was a traveller and we are kind of travelling in his footsteps.”
She isn’t only excited about spreading the word, Erin is also interested to learn about different cultures on her trip around the world.
But with numerous years of camp experience behind her, as well as her teaching degree, Erin is sure she has all the skills needed.
“It’s something I’d like to do forever – help people and spread the message,” she said.
“I can see myself teaching and working on a missionary base or something similar – this next year will stretch me, but it will open my eyes to what’s really out there.”
You can send your words of support to Erin or donate to the cause by emailing her at friedchicken_et@hotmail.com.