These past three weeks has been very busy with coordinating and even traveling with the Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors touring Australia. The musical theatre group arrived the end of April in Brisbane and came south to Newcastle, where we met them. Elder Warby has been the Area coordinator for the group so it was great to have them come.
On to Sydney, then Canberra, and Albury where we said goodbye. They then traveled to Tasmania and then back to Melbourne. Nine outstanding performances; Seven spiritual firesides; Appearances at State Parliaments in Brisbane and Canberra; Several radio and television interviews some even live; Numerous workshops with secondary students and some pre-schoolers as well; Consultation with the performing arts faculty at Monash University in Melbourne; Cultural and sightseeing visits throughout eastern Australia including beautiful Tasmania; Billeting and Sunday Church attendance with many members and some non-members; Temple visits at Brisbane and Sydney with endowments and baptisms performed at the Melbourne Temple;
At the Canberra performance and reception, they met and performed before Ambassadors and officials from many countries, some where the Church is yet to be officially recognized, thus planting seeds of goodwill that will sprout blessings in the future.They also personally met and performed before many important opinion leaders from government, business, academia, religion and the media.
With all of the tremendous goodwill these great Young Ambassadors accomplished, most touching is a story of tenderness and mercy performed by a few of them in Melbourne before they returned to Provo. Arrangements were made for a visit Sunday, May 19 to the home of Ron and Tailene Bradey, faithful Church members in the Cranbourne Ward, Braeside Stake. In consultation with priesthood leaders, beautiful Church songs and hymns were sung to Sister Bradey, a 24 year old mother of two, dying of cancer. Such “tender mercies” are part of the Young Ambassador’s repertoire as well.
We look forward to future visits from such outstanding young men and women who represent the Church in such meaningful and significant ways.
