An Attitude of Gratitude

After a 37 hour day, 3 flights and 22 hours of traveling I've made it home. I'm so excited to finally be home, but this summer heat definitely makes me miss the winter temps in Pakenham.  I didn't realize just how long I was gone until I began catching up on life at home from the past 11 weeks. It was quite an overwhelming feeling to finally be home and try to process all the happenings of the past weeks.

Dear Pakenham family, you are missed heaps already. You will always be my home away from home. Feel welcomed to come visit when ever you would like. And once again, thank you so much for giving me the chance to serve among you.

I want to thank everyone who prayed for and financially supported this trip. We may never see the full impact we made this summer or see the seeds we have planted grow, but I know God had a purpose in sending me. Everyone who prayed and supported me helped make that possible. The task in Pakenham (and Australia as a whole) isn't over though, we only handed over the baton to other leaders that will carry out the work and ministries God has planned in Pakenham.  Please continue to pray for blessings on Pakenham Baptist as they grow as a church body and continue to reach out to the community around them. As for me, my task doesn't end in Pakenham either, this summer was just part of the master plan and task God has for my life in full-time ministry. To God be the glory, great things he hath done!

This will be probably be my last blog, so thank you for following my journey in the land down under.

Hoo-Roo Oz!

Well Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Pakenham anymore. We made it to Sydney yesterday and took a ferry to see the infamous Sydney Harbor. I’ve now seen the Sydney Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The only thing that’s missing is locating P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney. 

Who's ready for some Opera?

Today has been filled with reflection on our time here in Australia and reconnecting with the rest of our Aussie team. I feel like I just arrived in the Land of Oz and it’s already time to head home. As I've continually learned, mission trips aren’t only about me ministering to others, but I always find I’ve been blessed, as well as grown personally and spiritually by the end of the trip. This has been such a learning experience for me, through the good experiences and the bad. It’s been really hard for my impatient self but God’s definitely shown me how to have patience in difficult situations. I can do absolutely nothing on my own, but through Christ I can do anything. 

Tomorrow I’ll begin the long journey home. We’ll leave Sydney Wednesday afternoon and after the longest day ever (37 hours) I’ll arrive back home Wednesday night. Please pray that the Qantas airlines won’t organize their much anticipated strike tomorrow and there will be safe travels for our entire team of thirteen that will be traveling back home.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Well 10 weeks definitely went a lot faster than I expected. We finished up our work at the school on Friday with a packed Brekkie Club and a box of Cadbury chocolates. The good-byes (or see ya laters as I'd prefer) have been passed out and tomorrow we begin the journey back home with a 2 day stop in Sydney for debrief. It's bittersweet to think this is my last night in Pakenham. If home is where the heart is, I either have multiple hearts or pieces of it are scattered in the many places I can call home, which now one of them is Pakenham. As excited as I am to be back stateside in 4 days, I got teary eyed knowing I have to leave this new home and family I have made on the other side of the world, to go back to an equally loved home and family in the States.

Young Adults, the normal picture

Thank you Pakenham Baptist for giving me this opportunity to serve along side you and live life with "y'all".  I have loved my time here and I will miss my new Aussie family heaps! I'll be reminded of you every time I try to pronounce a word the Aussie way or try to drive on the left side of the road (hopefully this won't happen). So, SEE YA LATER!!

Is it too soon to say I no injuries yet??

The Last Week

The last week of our 10-week stay in Pakenham is finally here. I am excited to be heading home (to warmer weather) in the next week, but it will be bittersweet to leave this church and community that have become another home for me. We’ve spent a lot of time this last week wrapping up some of the projects and ministries we’ve worked with while here. HBC follow-up cards have been mailed out and a new term of Sunday School and Youth Group bible studies have begun.

A tour through the school with one of my favorite students.

 Today we completed our last day with the Elevate Leadership Program at the primary school. It was sad to say bye to the boys, but we still have 2 more days at the school for the bike program and brekkie club.  I’m thankful for the opportunity we’ve had to work in the public schools, because most public schools in the States would not allow this much involvement from the churches. Please keep the Chaplains and the volunteer Religious Education teachers of the public schools in your prayers, as they work in a tense environment trying to balance the pressures of the secular media and various political stances that are attempting to take away funding for religious groups in the schools. This is an amazing opportunity they have here and they are working very carefully to maintain positive relationships within the school districts.

The Elevate Program 

The Great Ocean Road

 We have returned from our trip down the Great Ocean Road. The sun stayed out for our drive on Monday so we could see the beautiful coastline.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

The Lighthouse Keeper's hymns

The Twelve Apostles (there's only 8 rocks left standing, 4 got washed away)

Finishing Strong

It’s day 55 here in Australia; the past 8 weeks have flown by. It’d be easy for me to focus on being home in two weeks, but I know there’s a lot God is still doing through me and in me as I finish the race set before me here in Australia. My prayer for the next 2 weeks is that I finish the race strong: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.- Hebrews 12:1-3 

A hug from Roger, the Kangaroo

We can’t thank the Florida team enough for all of their help at HBC and the Basketball Clinic. They left at the beginning of the week, after a trip to Phillips Island to receive hugs from Kangaroos and watch the Fairy Penguins waddle up the beach to their nest. Our adrenaline from last week has finally worn off and the remainder of the week has been slow compared to the hustle and bustle of HBC. Our main goal for this week was to follow-up on any decisions made last week and the relationships that we are beginning to build. We will be back to working in the schools on Wednesday, after a vacation up the Great Ocean Road.

Music Time!

I Will...

Kangaroo, it's what's for dinner... after we pet them and feed them, of course. On Wednesday, we took the Florida team to Gumbuya Park to feed Kangaroos, but while we were there Bus Drive Ben so graciously served up some delicious Kangaroo steak on the barbie. I will admit I felt a slight bit of guilt for eating the animal I was feeding and posing in pictures with 10 minutes earlier, but it's all part of the experience.

Family Night- Friday, June 8th

Grand Central Station is now closed. I've had so much fun hanging out with the kids and watching them grow in the Word all week at the Big Apple Adventure. We had 69 kids total.Tonight was the closing program, the kids were so eager to drag their parents from class to class to show all they had learned and the paper mache apples they created. Having the team from Florida here has been such a blessing.  One young boy gave us some challenging behavior problems at the start of the week, but tonight he was so disappointed to leave HBC. His attitude had totally changed this week all because a group of strangers showed him Christ love. Seeing these kids light up after a week of HBC is such a reminder of the task set before us and our purpose here.

I Will... Big Apple Adventure 2011

"I will take you name to every nation

spread the goods news of salvation, baptize in the name 

of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

I will teach the things that you've commanded 

make sure that your truth is planted. 

Jesus I will do whatever it takes to bring glory to your name"

Where Faith and Life Connect

We had about 50 kids attend the Basketball Clinic on Saturday. I don’t think anyone could tell this was the first kid’s Basketball Clinic they’ve had, it ran so smoothly. The kids are already asking if we’ll do it again next year. The best part is 7 kids wanted know more about Christ after hearing the short message Pastor Joel gave.

My Basketball Team- The "Chicks"

All aboard at Grand Central Station, Holiday Bible Club has taken off. We've completed Day 2 of the Big Apple Adventure, with a total of 57 kids. The kids are loving it so far and we had 10 new kids attend today. I've been put in charge of sound, so I get to learn motions and sing with the kids in music all morning. It’s been so much fun watching the kids get excited about HBC and even more exciting to see them grow in Christ the past two days. Tomorrow the bible studies will be focused on presenting the gospel, please be praying the kids hearts will be open to receive the word and the teachers will be filled with words of wisdom to speak.

Team from Sweetwater Baptist-Florida

Happy 235th Independence Day America! Last night we celebrated the 4th of July, Aussie style, complete with meat pies and Pavlovas. Of course, no 4th of July celebration is complete without watermelon and sparklers.

Magic Moments

Time flies when you're having fun... and busy! We've spent this past week nailing down all of the details for all of the excitement we have in store the next few days. The Basketball Clinic and Holiday Bible Club, as well as our team from Florida, have finally arrived. After a fun Florida team orientation of horse back riding, archery (yes, I shot an arrow; no, I didn't hurt anyone or myself) , and a whip-lash Ferris wheel ride it was time to get to work. I loved looking around the church tonight to see a mix of Aussies and Americans working together as the Body of Christ to hang lights and posters, make hot dog stands and even get a little dizzy spray painting graffiti in preparation for the Bible Club.

We'll be taking the courts at 10am tomorrow for a fun filled day of basketball. Please be in prayer for our volunteers and all the kids that will be participating. We're expecting a large number of kids to sign-up at the start tomorrow, so be praying we're not overwhelmed or stressed if we get a mass of kids registering at once. But also please be praying that we will still be joyful and excited if we receive less kids than expected. We want tomorrow to be about giving God the glory and a time to fellowship with these kids, what ever circumstance we may be in.

In other news, I've now had a "Magic Moment" with a Koala. Our new Host Mom, Janet, took us to Healesville Sanctuary on Tuesday to hang out with some amazing Aussie wildlife. I heard a bird roar like a tiger and had a close up with a Koala, since we're in Victoria we're not aloud to hold them. I'm really starting to bond with the Australian wildlife.

Meet Bernie the Koala

Half Way There

The clock is ticking down; we have one week until the Basketball Outreach Clinic and Holiday Bible Club begin. The schools are wrapping up their second term and everyone is anxiously awaiting their two week holiday starting next week. Thursday was our last day of bike riding with this group of kids. Next week we will have a celebration time with the students and their parents for completing the program. 

Geaux Tigers!!!

Today I was able to show my Tiger spirit, but this time it wasn’t for LSU, it was for the Black and Gold Richmond Tigers. I was able to experience my first Aussie Rules Footie match today. The football rules are a lot different than what I’m used to, but football fans are pretty similar (passionate and loud). 

We have reached the half way mark on our time here in Australia. It’d be easy to get discouraged right now from the lack of response we were expecting from the Aussies or the fruit we were expecting to see this far into the trip, but our supervisor reminded us it’s not about us, but about Christ and His Kingdom. On Friday, I was able to see of glimpse of the impact God’s using us for at the school. 500 primary school students gathered at the church parking lot for an evacuation drill. In the midst of hundreds of chattering students, we kept hearing our name called and tiny hands reaching above the crowd to wave at us from every direction. This may not sound like that big of a deal, but it was really cool to see how many students actually recognize us and were excited to see us outside of school. I didn’t realize until that moment, how many students God has placed in our reach to impact while we are here and how many students we have already begun building relationships with. All that to say, it was a really encouraging morning and a great example of our supervisors words: it’s NOT about us, but about CHRIST and HIS KINGDOM.

 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.- Colossians 4:2-6

Livin in the Land Down Under

It’s official; I’ve now touched a Kangaroo. We went to Gumbuya Park today and were able to feed kangaroos and emus. The kangaroos swarmed us once they realized we had food and one even let me pet him. The emus swarmed us too, but they didn’t receive such a welcoming reaction from me. 

Meet Joey Sr., my new friend!!

I hope all you dads had a wonderful Father’s Day on Sunday. Although it was celebrated in the States this Sunday, it’s not celebrated until the first Sunday of September in Australia. 

The Basketball Clinic and Holiday Bible Club are quickly approaching. We haven’t received a huge response back yet, but apparently Victorians aren’t keen about RSVPing. We’ll be working at the primary school Wednesday thru Friday; so hopefully students will be more inclined to come to both programs since they’ve gotten to know Austin and I. Please pray we can get a good response within the next week so we know how many kids to prepare for.

Gumbo means Okra

We are finally into a weekly routine between the church and the primary school. We had 9 boys attend the Elevate Leadership program at the school on Wednesday and the bike program and the brekkie club are still going fantastic. The bike program isn't just exercise for the kids, but its helping to keep my physique in shape too, considering the amount of chocolate I've been consumed with since arriving here.

I'm staying with the Kilkers and their blue tongue lizards

Since the search for Okra was a success on Monday, I made Gumbo for the Kilkers last night. There wasn't much left in the pot so I'd say everyone enjoyed it. Did you know?... The word gumbo actually means okra.  It came from French speaking Creoles in the Caribbean as a variant on the Spanish guigambo' for okra (this history lesson is courtesy of Roger Davis).

Happy Birthday to the Queen

You read that right, Monday was a big holiday: the Queens birthday. Most everyone had a 3 day weekend; the only down side is there was no birthday cake. But there was a trip to Costcos, a giant Canadian warehouse in Melbourne, where I found okra. Now I can make a proper Gumbo for the Aussies. And of course a holiday is never complete without a little browsing in the shopping center.

To back track the last few days. Friday we had our usual Brekkie Club at the primary school and the kids are really excited that we've been coming back every week. Youth group went great Friday night, thanks for the prayers for the devotion on Daniel 4. Everyone got to show off their athletic abilities during the youth group's sports night.

Brekkie Club- Rm. 8

Packing has become my new hobby. I packed my suitcase for the third time this trip on Saturday to prepare for my invasion of my new host family, the Kilkers. I'm going to miss staying with the Stebbins, but I love that we're getting to know so many different families at the church.

An afternoon by the lake with the Stebbins

It seems like Americans are invading Pakenham Baptist Church this winter. Sunday morning we had an awesome worship service led by the OneVoice Gospel Choir from Cedarville, Ohio.  I loved  spending the afternoon with some college students that share my accent and having that little reminder of home. Soon we will have a team from Florida coming to help with Holiday Bible Club.

A Box of Chocolates

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya gonna get"- Forrest Gump sure was a wise one. Everyday in Australia has come with its own unique story and surprises, but there has been two constants everyday: I will probably drink at least one (if not more) cup of coffee and I will probably consume at least one (if not more) chocolate bar. A large portion of my luggage returning will be filled with Cadbury Chocolates. Even the menu for tea at the young adults bible study involved chocolate- biscuits and chocolate gravy, prepared by Chef Jeremy.

Our shipment of VBS supplies from LifeWay has just arrived and we are moving full speed ahead to Bible Club Central Station.  I've been using my cutting skills to make taxi cutouts and Austin has been putting his manly construction skills to work by making hanging rods that give the illusion of a subway in the main hallway. Big Apple Adventure here we come!

Austin and kids before the fitness exercise.

Pakenham Hills Primary School has become like a second residence for us while we have been here. We have been able to spend a lot of time at the school the past two weeks. Yesterday we helped with a program called Elevate, which helps students develop leadership characteristics.  Today was the weekly bike program, it's wonderful to see how fast we're building relationships with these students. It was only our third day for the program, but I could tell they're getting more comfortable with us and trusting us a little more now that they know we are going to be there every week. Most of these kids come from lower socioeconomic families and have rough home lives, its amazing to see how a little encouragement and attention cheers them up and completely changes their attitudes. We'll go to the school again tomorrow for Brekkie Club.


I'll be leading the youth devo time tomorrow night on Daniel 4, your prayers are greatly appreciated!!

Snow Day!!

Monday morning started with a cappuccino and daily devotion with Pastor Darryl from Max Lucado's book, A Heart Like Jesus. Here's a little exert from our devotion:

The heart of Jesus was pure. The Savior was adored by thousands, yet content to live a simple life. He was cared for by women, yet never accused of lustful thoughts; scorned by his own creation, but willing to forgive them before they ever requested mercy.

"Create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."- Psalm 51:10.

We spent the afternoon working at 4C's food bank. There is a lot of fresh produce at the food bank that we got to clean up. We started with husking corn then we got the privilege of cutting brie cheese into slices to package. In case you were wondering, brie cheese really grosses me out. I got to leave Austin in the produce room to cut cabbage and pumpkin while I went to stock shelves with dry foods, this was much more appeasing to me. 

Louisiana Creole with the Stebbins

The Stebbins were able to enjoy home cooked Louisiana Jambalaya. I tried to make it as mild as I could, since most Aussie's don't prefer much of a kick. 

So this is what snow looks like!

Today we made our own SNOW DAY (on one of the coldest days in 18 years)!! We drove about an hour to Mt. Baw Baw to play in the fluffy white stuff. I got a little worried when we were nearing the top and there was still no sight of snow, but the temp started dropping and at last we found snow. The roads started getting icy, so we were only able to play for about 20 minutes before heading back down. But twenty minutes of snow was good enough for this southern girl. The most interesting part of the trip was morning tea time at Mrs. Mac's Corner Cafe. Sketchy and comical might be appropriate words to describe our dining experience. I drank a lovely hot chocolate made with long life milk... yumm :/ All in all it was a fun day in the snow with great company.

Under Age

Basketball 101: don't use your feet! Well Saturday brought another day of fun on the basketball courts. I'm so used to kicking a soccer ball that's its been really hard to get used to playing basketball, not to mention I lack hand-eye coordination. But it was still fun to hang out with some of the youth and college students from the church. Saturday night I went with the Stebbins to a family friends house to visit with a couple who are missionaries in Colorado.

New York City Skyline

Bi-Bi-Bi, Bi-Bi-Bi; Big Apple Adventure! I had the privilege of teaching the Sunday School kids the motions and words to the theme song for the Holiday Bible Club this morning. The kids will be working on learning the song the next few weeks, so they can present it as an advertisement to the church before Bible Club begins. I was surprised at how well the kids caught on to the song and I really enjoyed doing the music with them today.Next week I'll start teaching the 2nd & 3rd grade Sunday School class, so today I assisted and got to know the kids a little bit better.

"Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"

 

This was just one of the many hymns sung at the Hymn singing tonight at church. Austin and I felt a little under age for the group tonight, but they sang some of my favorite hymns so I enjoyed the service. Since we work in the Sunday School during the morning service, we don't really get a chance to sit in on a Worship Service, so tonight we attended the young adults service at Beaconsville Baptist. It was definitely upbeat from the hymn singing we had just come from. It was a great time of worship and it was really nice to be around people our age.

Keeping Busy

     We've been staying super busy the past few days. Wednesday was the first day of winter and the end of the coldest May on record. I think my body's beginning to acclimatize to 4 Celsius. We've done a lot of searching for Bible Club supplies the past few days. Running to discount dollar stores left us with the final supplies we needed to create a NY Taxi Cab and add a few buildings to the already started NY skyline in the worship center.

     Wednesday we visited a couple of churches to pass out information about the basketball outreach and Holiday Bible Club. We met with the pastor and youth minister at Beaconsville Baptist Church for about an hour, I think the pastor was contemplating kidnapping us for their church. Most of the day was spent on a Bible Club supply search. That afternoon Austin, Pastor Darryl, and I began working on building the NY Taxi Cab. The night ended with good fellowship and bible study with the young adults.

Creating a NY Taxi Cab

     Thursday was another busy day, but I've found that coffee is like water here, so I'm keeping awake by all the caffeine I'm in-taking.  My favorite part of Thursdays is the bike program we are involved in at the primary school. Today I was the leader, so I got the privilege of riding the bike and leading the kids around a dirt track (...without getting hurt). The students had to answer questions about bike safety and manners at each stop, which I thought was a great way for them to build social skills. We had a quick Bible Club meeting that night, before I was able to head back to my wonderful Aussie family (the Stebbins) for tea and a game of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Leader of the Pack

     Today came complete with a huge wave of exhaustion. We helped with the Brekkie Club in the morning at the school and had about 25 kids attend. This has become a really great way to make connections with the kids. We finished up some work at the church for youth group tonight and then headed home for a much needed rest. We took the youth group bowling in Warragul tonight. I bowled a high score of 53... anythings better than a 0 right? Saturday will be a day to sleep a little later, before heading to the gym for some more basketball training.

Eureka

Y-E-S to V-B-S! Yesterday was our first full day to work in the church office. We spent most of the morning and afternoon cutting out leaflets for our upcoming Basketball outreach and Holiday Bible Club (which is known as VBS to many of you). These events aren't until July, but they'll be here before we know it, and we want to get this info in the schools before the kids get out for their winter break. I'm really excited that the church is doing the Big Apple Adventure, since I already know a little bit about the theme.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.~2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I was reminded of this passage after visiting a church member named Harry yesterday who is battling with cancer. Through all of this, Harry hasn't lost his humor or faith. Harry reminded us that our strength and our joy should always come from the Lord and not our circumstances.


Tuesdays will typically be our day off during the week, so today we ventured into the big city of Melbourne. We took the train into the city and enjoyed a beautiful ride on this last day of Autumn. I loved spending the day roaming through the streets of Melbourne and seeing the city from the Eureka Skydeck. The Eureka Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere reaching 91 stories high.  To make the day even better the sky was clear and the sun was shining for the 2nd day in row, which is very rare during the colder months in Melbourne and Pakenham.

Standing on the 88th floor of the skydeck we were able to see the bay and the entire city of Melbourne.

What's retro?

Saturday was a relaxing day off. Peter and Julie took Austin and I on a ride in the hills. We were able to visit the Puffing Billy steam train. The steam train is one of the oldest in Australia, it was built in 1901.   Even though the winter sky was gray, the hills covering the background were a beautiful site.

The train conductor gave Austin and I a short overview of the train and how they keep it running.

We enjoyed a delicious Devonshire tea at a nearby cafe, to warm up.

Since my basketball skills are lacking and we'll be helping with a basketball outreach Tim and I went for a little" training" at a local gym. Some church members showed up as well and I got schooled in basketball by a 6 year old. I'm going to need to make a lot of improvements by July.

Today was our first sunday at Pakenham Baptist and I'm not sure the last time I met so many people at once. The Aussie's are so hospitable and welcoming.  I had the chance to sit in on one of the children's sunday school classes that I'll be helping teach in the future. I'm so excited to finally be at the church and getting to know the people here. We also attended the Retro Service at the church tonight, we weren't really sure what retro meant, but after arriving we shortly realized we were a few of the only people under the age of 80. It was an interesting service to attend and I was able to meet even more friendly Aussies!

Wonder Woman

Cold spaghetti for breakfast? Yep, that's the Aussie way, served on toast. We returned to the primary school today to help with the Brekkie club. About 30 kids showed up to receive a free breakfast. Many of these students are from low income families, so its a true blessing that the school allows us to come in and do this breakfast club for them. I had so much fun getting to talk to the kids and of course getting made fun of for my accent once again.

We were able to experience our first night with the youth group in true super hero fashion. The youth group meets every Friday night and tonight's theme was Super Heroes. A last minute run to a fabric/costume store turned into a makeshift Wonder Woman costume. Austin lead devo tonight on Daniel 3 and did a great job might I add for last minute notification about the devo. I can't wait to get to know the youth even more, but for now its nice to be able to just put names to faces.

Captain America, Captain Australia, and the Unknown Super Heroes

Tomorrow we have the day off, so I think we will be getting to rest a little and then doing a tad bit of site seeing.

No More Planes

I've now been in Australia for four days and my body is finally adjusted to its new time clock. Austin (my partner for the summer) and I landed yesterday afternoon in Melbourne and drove to Pakenham. It was bittersweet to separate from our team and head to our different assignments. But thank God, we won't have to be on another airplane for two months!

Leaving Sydney, heading our separate ways!

The young adult bible study group made sure to give us  a little quiz on Aussie words when we arrived last night and I was of course asked over and over again to speak with my lovely southern draw.

Our morning was spent at Pakenham Primary School, which I absolutely loved. I was so intrigued to see how the school systems work over here and it was great to have the opportunity to get information from many of the teachers. Every Thursday we will work with a Physical Education Program at the school teaching students how to ride bikes, as well as teaching them common social skills. Our goal is to build relationships with the students and teachers, which will hopefully draw them into our Holiday Bible School at the beginning of July.

Kangaroo sitings!!

Tea is Dinner?

Here goes my first blogging experience!

After over 24 hours of travel our entire team of thirteen has finally made it to Sydney, Australia. We've completed our orientation now at the wonderful Camp Kiah Ridge. I've found out some pretty interesting things about Australia, like Tea actually means dinner and Supper means a late night tea and biscuit and breakfast is most commonly referred to as Brekkie. I'm trying my best to catch on to the lingo.

We went on an excursion yesterday afternoon to Wollongong Beach. It was really cool to see the Pacific Ocean from Australia. It's winter, so it we weren't able to get in the ocean, but we definitely still had fun climbing rocks near a light house.

       One of many attempts at a jumping pic with wonderful new friends (Gabe, Austin, and Sarah)!


We're 15 hours ahead of most of you and jet lag took a tole on me. My body may be in Australia, but my time clock was definitely still in the US. Jet lag has finally wore off after two days and I am now ready for our last trek of the trip to Pakenham today.