American Thanksgiving | Makin' A Way

God takes our little, and makes it much.

No matter where you are in the world, when there is a well-known, well celebrated national holiday in your home culture, you are a little homesick for the memories, and local traditions with friends and family. Nothing can ever replace time with people you love, and memories they make without you, but when sacrifice is commonplace for so many aspects of life... Some people choose to celebrate in small ways while acclimating to the culture around them, and others hold onto what they can and share with others.
It is definitely worth a try to celebrate a holiday that is focused on being thankful eh?

For Matt, this Thanksgiving - was all about that.

He made a point this year to use the opportunity to bring a little home to some of the Americans at YWAM Perth - Through an American Thanksgiving - potluck!
Attending that afternoon, were long-term staff who do not get home for the holidays too often... Students who only got here a few months ago, but this was their first Thanksgiving away from 'home'.
Yes, if you are asking.. they were grateful. And some were in tears.

All and all around 110 people showed up! We ran out of plates at 100 -so-somethin like that.

Americans, their families... and a few others came along too! Quite the variety of people from all over the world. Our clusters of groups sprawled throughout the open kitchen, dining room, livingroom, patio, and backyard of a YWAM 'Girls house'.
Everyone brought what they could.. and when it looked like we didn't have enough for the main meal, somehow it stretched to the point we even had leftovers!
Well, we did pray. I'm almost certain that is the only reason that Turkey seemed to multiply!
Heaps of "loaves and fishes" jokes.

After we were all gathered, and found a place to settle into, Matt introduced himself, thanked the girls who allowed us to use their house, and the ones who helped in the details... thanked everyone for bringing foods -- and led us out in prayer for our food, our time together, and that those that were with us would sincerely feel at home.

While eating heaps of stuffing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, cornbread,.. rolls... oh so many many things --- we had moments of conversation, sharing what our memories were while growing up.. what a personal and regional traditions  are... what our families are like. We talked about how we all missed our grandparents, and aunts and uncles who with their quirky stories and memories of our parents childhood - bringing light and laughter to our normal Thanksgiving.

I can say so many lovely people made a way for this to happen,.... but I think Matts mum had reason to be proud, as it is a huge tradition to have a large family gathering's sometimes even more than one with different sides of the family.

14 Aussie vs 'Merica

Stereotypes aside...
we often get lots of questions about the differences, these are the answers to the most common ones we get, beyond the "no, not everything will kill you there."
Which makes us ask heaps of questions.
"Heaps" is my favourite Aussie word by the way. Yes, I spelled 'favourite' correct. As my computer has assimilated in this country - to serve us better. *cheeky grin*


Basic Differences. 
(Adapted from this article.)

1.  The seasons are opposite. People don't generally ask about this but are surprised to recall it for the first time since school. I will save posting about how hot Australia is for another post...
   
2. Well, this one is obvious, Aussies drive on a different side of the road than the States. I have yet to try it, but Matt is certainly comfortable. Cuz, uh, manual drive issues.
3. New drivers on the road have to have an extra square plate displayed on the back of the car.  It has a P or L on it depending on how long you have been driving. --- So when a car comes flying up the road and cuts you off you can blame it on their provisional driving skills.
4.  Aussies very rarely dry their clothes in a dryer. Everything is air dried.  It’s a pain when it’s raining but makes so much sense when it’s nice out.  Think of all the electricity saved.
   Now if I can find a better way to get all the fuzzies off my clothes, that I am used to a dryer doing.
5. There’s a definite sensitivity towards water usage here. So hand-washing dishes and short showers are at times emphasised.  Oh! - and the toilets here have two flushing buttons.  One is a half flush and the other is full flush.  I think you can figure out which is for which.
   Also! Here is the answer to "Do Aussie toilets flush the other way?"
6. Salvation Army, and a decent number of charity shops! The main way we have furnished our apartment has been Gumtree. Which is similar to Craigslist. 50$ for two large couches! Uh yeas-thank-you.
7. Spelling/pronunciation of words and slang.  Words are spelled here as they do in England.  For instance, honors vs. honours.
   Abbreviations Aussies use.  They like to shorten a word and put an 'o' or 'ie' at the end of it.  To list a few:  Salvo (salvation army), pressie (presents), Chrissie (Christmas), Maccas (Mc Donalds), Sunnies (sunglasses), uni (university) and so on and so on.
8. Aussies use their cutlery different from Americans.  
   Most keep the knife and fork in their hands all the time, rarely putting it down. It’s a polite way to eat your food, but this is a difficult thing to change if you try.. so I gave up a long time ago, cause... why?
9. Usually, the food is of high quality when you eat out....although you do pay for it. So, uh, we just don't. We don't have many reasons to do that. (Instead, we do a super cheap brekky at IKEA, oddly enough.)
10. Generally, the cost of living is more expensive here, but with things we have learned over the years to just live way more frugal, or just be thankful for the current currency exchange. And pray it stays decent.
11. Baseball is nowhere to be found, it’s all about the cricket on that front. BUT Matt has fully gotten into Aussie Rules Football. Nope, it's not Soccer, and it's not Rugby... While still following his American Football when and where he can. That's my man, versatile, and multi-cultural...
12. The bugs are insane.  They are either massive like the huntsman spider (of which I personally have not ever seen), or painful like the bull ants.  I don’t think I have ever been bitten so many times by mossies (mosquitoes). Or seen so many cockroaches on the street...
13. The birds here are more exotic – and make funny noises.  All fine and good until you hear the squawking of kookaburras at 4 in the morning. 

    

    Rainbow Lorikeet

14. On the Animal front, we exchanged squirrels, chipmunks, racoons, skunks, deer, blue jays and robins for... kookaburras, kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, lorikeets, wombats, and cockatoos.

Basic Similarities are: 

• Australian Basic TV = American Basic TV.
  A large majority of the shows and sitcoms are American, with exception to the local news. Scratch that - I can even catch the American today show here in Australia. Between following the local news online, and the National news that is presented by the Associated Press... We keep up-to-date pretty well.
• Australian films = American films.  Generally, we have no problem keeping tabs on what is going back in the States here.  

• Many American restaurants and shops are here.  I can get Subway, McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King (called Hungry Jacks here, because the name was taken ).
• The weekends are the big nights out.  So like we have districts of our cities that shut down and others that wake up - Australia is the same way. Perth, in particular, shuts down earlier than most American cities I know.. So get we get groceries, and errands done early if we can.
• Families are especially important here.  People love to get together and have barbeques with the family on the weekends, and for holidays. AND like most coastal cities in the US, beach hangouts included. (That one is for you mum, in Florida.)
  In YWAM we tend to do this at a park a lot because there are so many of us. Which makes for a good time. 

Bonus | Foods

Australia is a mix of influences from Europe, and South East Asia... So in most dishes, and menus you see that coming through and making a taste all its own.

• Tim Tams:  These rectangular chocolate crispy biscuits with filling in between and all covered in icing. For some foreigners they are addictive. Pretty similar to a good Girl Scout cookie.
• Gingerbeer: One of my favourite things... Real ginger, with a hint of lime,.. and definitely sweet enough to keep a serving to a small bottle, and a rare occasion.
• Solo: A lemon soft-drink like you have never tasted. Super tangy. 
• Vegemite/Promite:  Legendary Aussie food. Only occasionally do I eat this.. but not a bad brekkie (breakfast). 
  
• Pavlova:  Delicious meringue cake with a sugar coating and fruit on top.  Sweet as.
• Lamington Cakes:  These small chocolaty, rectangular cakes covered in coconut shavings.  Yum!
• Crunchie Bars and Violent Crumble Bars: Honeycomb covered in chocolate. 
• Iced Coffee:  In most places, you can buy coffee flavoured milk in any convenience store.  
• Backyard Oranges, Lemons and Limes in our Neighborhood.. on back yard trees! Yes. I know you can get them in California, and Florida, but its super new to me. WE LOVE IT.
• Meat pies and sausage rolls:  Whoever thought of combining pastry and meat was a genius. It would definitely be a Frat-house food if eaten in the US. 
• Mi Goreng Instant Noodles -- Yup. The Aussie cousin of those American Instant noodles for those random lazy days when you run outta food at home. There are 4 packets of Asian seasoning that come with it.. so they are actually a nice change to the American ones. Matt likes them. But I'm not much of a fan. 

Obviously, I can only speak from my own experiences which will always be limited no matter how many years we spend here...
*ah-ahem* Like, uh,... the time I just didn't pay attention that lavender grew here in the spring. Granted there have been some pretty dry seasons, but God knows, I only started paying attention to flowers recently, when taking photos for my mum this time around. Who knew Australia had lavender? I certainly didn't. *note* These revelations can either make you feel like everything is always fresh and new all the time or you're just really stupid for never noticing before. I get a bit of both all the time. It's quite humbling.

There are so many moments when living here things seem so similar to living in the States... But between the culture of YWAM, and layers of Perth culture and Aussie differences here... We are daily reminded and awed that we have been able to make a home here.

Fun links:
American and Australian Relations -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia%E2%80%93United_States_relations

Americans try Aussie snacks... (with no context of 'how' to eat Vegemite by the way..)

Also, Check out my thought boards on Pinterest focused on Australia, and America...

https://au.pinterest.com/stephbell/%2B-oh-australia-%2B/

YWAM Perth Serving | Kimberley Region

Photo cred: SBS (bottom of post)

Read more: here

"When a young person takes their own life, devastation can be a word to describe the aftermath for friends, family, and whole communities. In March of this year, the nation reeled at the news of the death of a 10 year old girl in the community of Looma, located 70 km south of Derby in the Kimberley. The ABC quoted Gerry Georgatos, part of a Federal Government taskforce providing crisis support to families affected by suicide: “It is tragic that a young child would be so trapped in a sense of hopelessness… it’s a tragedy that needs to be heard across the nation…” This incident is not an isolated event, with the Kimberley region, Western Australia, recording the highest suicide rate in the world....."

What are we doing?
Finish reading this article: 

 www.ywamperth.org.au/articles/seeing-change

Incredibly grateful, in the light of this surge in statistics, that we serve a God that is able to lead the way.. and help us serve, honor, and love these communities.

Photos from the Kimberley region

Our Neighborhood | Perth, Australia

Little Bell Place

Been inside a bit this winter. Odd. Australia is so so so much colder than I remember. The days are like cool October, and the early mornings and late evenings, drive me to put my winter wool jacket on. Maybe I don't remember properly because a majority of our treasured memories are with people, and I spend most of my time indoors alone when I am cold. The silly things you realize you didn't remember properly.

This is just a post to share a bit of those quite times... what our world looks like so far here.

From our dining area to our living area. Some Gumtree (kinda like craigslist) couches we got for quite a steal, and the vintage dining table we found on the side of the road. The shelf to the left that we are holding onto for some fellow workers that are on the other side of Australia. Throw blankets here and there we brought with us. 

This little stand, clothing hanging contraption is what we put our cloths on (obviously)
15 AU at the Reject shop... Which is kinda like a small wares 'Big Lots'.

.


This: is my laundry outside.



Still getting used to hanging laundry to dry. Australia, has been far, far, wetter than I remember it...
In the summer, it takes about 30 minutes outside to dry your clothing. It's amazing. Why own a dryer!? While I am still adjusting to the winter.. after 2 days of rain I realized they were not going to dry. Fancy that.
So I pulled them inside, and put a space heater near by.
Voila' !

There was an evening it warmed up so I cracked the window.. So nice. The air is fresh in this city. Feels like you live in a very large small town.

Matt:

He is either reading a WWII book here, or his bible.. honestly, I have never seen the man read so much.. and he is a reader!But he's also, just super dedicated to his work. He serves his heart out, and studies up real hard about his convictions to use music to do ministry. Every night it's a different thing on his plate to meditate on, figure out, or write down.This table is now a desk next to our bed. after we found that vintage one on the road.

Our (1.1 mile) walk every day to the base...

We walk through a large footie park, right now its rather soggy, so sometimes. So if we are wearing our winter boots.. yes. If not, it's sidewalks the whole way.

Imagine mid-November cold rain, lots of rain, for all you northern North Americans.

On the weekends, there are footie games (football/soccer), up to 4 I think at a time.. for a match it seems. Very very cultural. Hundreds of teens just playing kick-the-ball around the corner from our little apartment.  

Didnt imagine this much green eh? In Australia.. parks are taken care of well. Especially in the city. This is what you get. Though because it is winter, and rainy I have yet to get caught in a public sprinkler system!

We walk past a dog park, another small park (pictured below) and through the greenspace infront of stadium..  Over all when you think of Australia, you don't think of this much green. I have to keep reminding myself, its because we are on the coast. Only 30 min drive from the ocean, and a shorter walk from the base to the Swan river which leads to the ocean.

Trees that actually loose their leaves in the winter.

I think that's pretty much it, for our neighborhood, and living space so far. Next time maybe we will share a little about the base and what it looks like for us to be in our ministries in the day to day.. eh?


Thanks for reading - Now go do something productive!

Fusion Event | Homeless Advocacy

It was a cold winter's evening in the city of Perth and people from all over had gathered at a local Baptist School in one of its rural suburbs.  As the sun was setting with a slurry of rain pouring outside, the people inside enjoyed their quiet conversations, displays of artistic works and small activities. Outside, under a covered walk way, were performers, bands and speakers all representing different organisations. The opportunity was open to raise awareness, to network those that would like to eradicate homelessness in their local region, and to raise finances to be able to serve the needs in their area. To do the latter, individuals opted to join in on a nation-wide campaign to #sleepinyourcar and experience what life was like for a person who only had a car for a bed and shelter. There were a good 20-30 cars in the lot, waiting when we left, to be slept in; each sponsored by their friends, families, and communities.

During the night we learned that there were numerous advocacy groups, shelters and recovery centers all over the region. It was rather eye-opening to see all of these different groups networking and serving in an area of need. Street chaplains, shelter volunteers, mentors from rehabilitation centers, and local advocacy leaders. My personal favorite, was a really cool (and previously homeless) guy, who trained people to learn and to focus on employment; to be dog-walkers and trainers as a way to become empowered again, to regain momentum, and to be employed longer term. Some of the dogs being walked were from local shelters. Those dogs in particular became trained to help veterans, and the disabled. Cool idea!

Fusion Australia is ‘a non-profit Christian Youth and Community organization with a deep and ongoing commitment to developing resilience in individual lives and the community through local initiatives’.
This includes, but is not exclusive to, homeless youth which in Australia makes up 42% of the homeless population.** They did a wonderful job in bringing the community and many other organizations together for one night.

Though the event was hosted by Fusion, YWAMers also played a very active role. We had a band ministry (Musicians for Missions) contribute, bringing and operating the sound board and equipment, sharing a few songs and contributing to the story sharing times.

We had Art Refuge, another ministry in YWAM that had worked for several years with the homeless and displaced people of Perth, come and share some insights through art that had been created from those very people. People that had been homeless, and even some from those that had served to those people being homeless. Many of the pieces were declarative of 'family', 'home', and the 'journey' it takes to get out of a seasons displacement or homelessness. The ministry also put out an activity table where others could draw out their thoughts, or write declarative statements over homelessness. 

Another ministry from YWAM, supporting Fusion with their presence, was the Resting Place, a pioneering ministry establishing supportive family homes for young women between the ages of 14-18 (those homeless, or at risk of being homeless). What a great event for them to make connections, and build bridges in the city.

YWAMers, from the ministries of  Priceless and Nexwave set up, and served a sausage sizzle. Priceless is a ministry who serves in prevention, advocacy, reseach, networking, and restoration in the area of modern day slavery. Nextwave is a ministry that mentors and invests in youth through high school seminars, camps, mission trips, work experience, and trainings
Interwoven between speakers from different organisations, were also some YWAMers who shared testimonies and encouragement.


Among all the speakers, there were numerous individuals who shared their stories of what it had been like for them to live through homelessness. After the our time was done; a major reflection, was hearing the those testimonies, including what circumstances got them there – sharing about how they got help, recovered, and found hope with the support of the community around them, including ministries and organizations like these.

** Info gathered by 2012 Census sited here -http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/about-homelessness/homeless-statistics

"Fusion Perth's Sleep in Your Car 2016 - a night of live music, speakers, art, activities and discussion all centred around the topic of homelessness and aimed at bringing people together to share stories and learn from each other. Followed by a sleep-out to raise funds for Fusion's ongoing work with young people experiencing homelessness in Perth!" - Fusion Perth, Australia

From Fusion Perths' Facebook page: 

"Thanks to everyone who came along to 'Sleep in Your Car' on Saturday night - musos, artists, poets, sleepers, speakers, volunteers and visitors. We raised almost $500 to add to our online total of $3,400 - and just look what we've achieved nation-wide! Keep those donations coming#SleepInYourCar2016"

MORE photos on their facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/fusionperth/?fref=ts 

Important links:

What is "Sleep in Your Car" all about?

What is it like to feel homeless?
For a winter night in Australia, experience it ...at a 'sleep in your car event'.

http://www.sleepinyourcar.com.au/

Statistics

Summerized - http://www.sleepinyourcar.com.au/more-on-homelessness/

Full report on Youth Homelessness - http://apo.org.au/resource/home-and-away-child-and-youth-homelessness-report


QUICK VIDEO / ABC NEWS FACT CHECK: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-10/fact-file:-an-interactive-snapshot-of-australia's/7156044

More info about:

Fusion, Western Australia

http://www.fusion.org.au/wa/index.php?p=perth

Painting Series: Video Project

So, I am working on a series of paintings for the last couple weeks.

A while back, non-profit outside of YWAM offered to donate video and media equipment to our ministry, if we created a couple of videos for them.

Several videos in, I arrived. This, I have just heard, will be our final video.

I am now working on an illustrative video of the story of a man, who was adopted, as the laws in Australia for adoption are on the verge of change. The video will end up being focused on the care and focus of adoption to be for the children's sake first.


Unfinished painting/illustration...

Because this is a ministry outside of YWAM, I am not sure that I have permission to share the video publicly- so out of respect for that, I thought I would only share as much as I have.

At least this way, you can see what I have been working on. "work in progress "...

Changes, and challenges.

Old Building.

Everything has changed here just enough at YWAM Perth to feel like a whole new base, but the atmosphere, community, and common mission still feel like home. It has been a little under a month since we landed, but we are still finding our footing, and settling in in so many ways.
You know, like an Aussie phone, and a substantial amount of furniture.

When Matt and I left back in February 2012 (Yes, it has been that long), we as a missional community were moving into a whole new building. I say 'community' because we house, train, and send out 100-200 every quarter of the year, into the nations, along with the 200+ long term staff that serve, and live here.. Many are young singles right out of high school or university, but there is also quite the array of long term staff that are families of all ages... and can you imagine... all different cultures -- all actively living and serving together on the daily. It's amazing.

So.
Huge, brand new building.

Initially, when I first started serving with this base -about 10+ years ago if you can believe it- in the 150 Claisebrook building - which was a decently sized one-story rented warehouse, with a jointed offices, walled in kitchen, classrooms for teaching, and a small parking area outside.  It had been well established for a number of years even before that..

NEW building!! She's a beaut!

The building we moved into... God led us as a whole base -we designed specifically to serve all of the needs we had as a base - we raised money, donations, and served hands-on to make happen. It was built for us, from the ground up. You can say, there is a strong sense of ownership because Matt and I were a part of that. "I spent time tiling that floor!" or "Wow, I remember praying for that *insert detail here*"
Which - sometimes makes me want to cry,.. because there was so many things I prayed into, partnered with others in trusting God for, and just you-know,... dreams eh? You see bits and pieces of what people envision and you are incredibly excited with them to see what God will do!

When Matt and I went back to the States, YWAM was just on the verge of moving into that building... its like, as a 'family' we were trusting for our first house, that was fully ours.

So, to say that we are adjusting culturally even to YWAM life, is not a tiny matter...

There are so many new people here! So many new ministries, and training ('schools' is what they are called here.) It's mind boggling... PS. Matt is amazed at how many faces I actually DO remember,.. and their names, and sometimes their ministries -- and many of them (due to the work they have done in other countries) are not even on Facebook!

On our end, directly effecting us:
But also, ministry wise.. Matt has been serving in Musicians for Missions... which-when-we-left was only just beginning... is now with several (literal) stages and seasons behind them!

Note:  

This weekend, he and a few other musicians will be serving/playing at a benefit for a local organization called Fusion, who works with displaced and homeless in the city of Perth. 

Personally I am rather excited. As they have already done some work/serving on the street, building relationships with locals several times a week... hoping to continue those connections.  Trusting for amazing things to happen, through him and his team.

On my end, the number of media team members has already outgrown the office we are physically in. I am working on a few different projects, of which I will show you when I get a proper photo eh?

Until then, thanks for keeping up, for your enthusiasm, feedback, and prayers as we figure out this journey -- haha -- and how to actually share it with you!

Expectations Aside

huge trees that have shed their leaves...

Huge, huge, huge help for me this time around.

As a person that has done this again and again... and mind you, from raising monthly supporters, to saying goodbye to family members for the last time (maybe) -- this whole being on the other side of the planet thing, isnt always so easy.

One of the big things that has helped me...

In a literal sense, when Jesus sent out the 12 he was like "don't bring anything with you" and being in right relationship with his Father, he knew... he knew what would hinder them...

He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. (Luke 9:3)

Wow. Right?

Looking over our bags, and things... we have gone through our stuff, again and again these last few months.. reducing our belongings to nothing.. its a bit weirder, the older you get, the things you have to find a new home for.. bytheway.. blender anyone? Special Ikea Toilet paper holder? haha...

Most of that 'stuff' was easy save a few things in my bags I am still being challenged with being too precious with... (interesting note: the more you have the more difficult it seems to be)

found on Pinterest.com

BUT most of all, what we got in prayer a good month before we left... the hardest thing we take with us --- That we absolutely must give to God, specifically over this season.

expectation.

Wow.

Believe it or not, can be brutal.

And this coming from a person who has carried alot of unnecessary anxiety over the last season.. (ask anyone who has been remotely close ... I hold myself to an unhealthy standard at times in relationships..)

So here we are...  Our expectations...

• People we missed saying goodbye to - between lack of time, and the unexpected.. incredibly heartbreaking at times to think about..
• Things I had counted on giving to specific people and oddly enough I have a hard time forgiving myself for not finding the time to do. You know that cast-iron skillet to the person who you promised you would give it to because you knew they would love it. Or that decorative item to my mother in law... or that cool shirt to a younger brother-like friend.
• Giving Prayer Cards to that specific person or this specific person. Thinking 'Please dont forget about us...'
• Expectations when getting here. That we would have internet right away, a phone right away...friends whos faces we mistakingly remembered were still here, knowing full well they are not. Grieving again those goodbyes we never really got before due to circumstances at the time. Did I mention I forgot how incredibly cold it gets for winter here - yes it is currently winter. (opposite seasons to the United States). 

On the other end.... Expectations of others to us... 

• I'm sorry, we just didn't have the ability to meet with you (quoted from either us or them)
• Finding out too late, Matts grandpa passed... and we were not able to go to the funeral... as we would exchange that, with seeing my mom right after a difficult surgery where she had little to no other support not even family... and just days before we leave the country...
• Expected to remember or forget things... names, ministries, life changes..
  Awe man.. thats been a difficult one, cause people don't know how their expectations are coming across. And a majority of time, it's my own disappointment with my lack or ability to communicate well.

The biggest, most difficult expectations, are the ones we have on ourselves..

If you are reading this, and can totally relate -- as a missionary especially -- I would encourage you to read http://www.alifeoverseas.com/goodbye-making-a-hard-word-easier/ posted long after we arrived. I would say we processed alot of this well.

So all and all. I don't just take those "expectations" and throw them out the window. I take them to God in prayer. 

Search me, God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

    and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:23-24

I have to say, "Am I giving myself grace here?" or "Am I giving others grace?"

As Gods example of grace fills the void of the unexpected, and the discomfort of heartbreak --- that is where we can set our expectations aside.

As for others expectations of me? Well, that can end up being a post all by itself. In summery though... What does God think of me, and if there are ways I have disappointed others - if I have prayed and asked God, if there was anything else I could have done.. I need to walk away if the answer is no. If not, I need to apologize or make it right in whatever way.

We will have challenges, us humans, no matter what stage in life, what season -- or between-seasons part of this journey we are in... Expectations aside...

Todays 'history in our life'

a little bit of sunshine for these cloudy winter days

Day 3-5

Team time!

So the media team (my team) that serves the base, had ‘team time’. A chill potluck. Matt was invited, too, and that was nice. To bring you into what this is like,… its kinda like it’s own community or small group… yes, we work together, but we also serve and pray together… 

If you have ever had a potluck before, you know that you really never know what you are gonna get.

Since we have only been here for  a matter of days.. we were not expected to bring anything except our smiling jet-lagged faces..
We had quite the variety considering where we all came from.. a Costa Rican, Canadian, French a couple South Koreans, German, Me and Matt,…. So around the YWAM Base they gathered what they could and made from those a large array of decidedly healthy items… (By choice this time - low sugar - , not just cultural.)

These were the high lights
Roasted Brussel sprouts with sweet potatoes and bacon bits
Salad with all kinds of unexpected things I cannot recall right now. 
Homemade Kale chips
Kimchi (Korean dish)

Blueberry Pancakes and Banana Bread for dessert.

Fun memory of the last couple of days -- When meeting Karen, from Costa Rica, we responded with glee when we found out she was from Costa Rica.. "I don't think we have ever met a Costa Rican before!" She responded quickly and confidently  "Well, then, I am history in your life."Those are the moments - serving with so many different nationalities.. and peoples and cultures... I absolutely love it.. #glimpsesofheaven

Time travelers

We made it! Praise God.

Having left the morning of the 6^th and arriving midday on the 8^th we saw 55 hours of travel, across 12 time zones, having crossed the international dateline (which means we are time travelers – haha- ), 4 layovers, 5 security check points, one entire read through of Romans, and if you hadn’t got the news… Matt and I got my Visa, less than 2 days from our first plane ride.

Mixed in with all the 'land sickness', caused by the constant change of altitude, and jetlag - it has been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. As the last couple of weeks in the States we did our ‘goodbye tour’ where we saw as many of our close family, and friends that we could possibly fit in…
neither of us were able to sleep fully on the planes… while anticipating all the changes in front of us…

On the other side we were met by the cold Australian winter (low 50 F) which included pea-sized hail and heavy rain – so not the Australia we remember, as there are alot of things we do not remember – but we were also greeted with warm hugs and smiles from 5 fellow YWAMers that came to the airport to pick us up.  Some familiar faces, some not, from each of our ministries, and a good Aussie friend of ours that has kept up with us now and then via skype.

We are still awed by Gods faithfulness… as ‘this’ moment we have been praying into, trusting God for, and anticipating for years  ----  but I am sure we will settle in too eventually, knowing so-so much on the YWAM base has changed – and will fill you in on as time passes.

We took our bags to a little studio apartment, not much different by size of the one we were in in Louisville… our voices still echoing off the familiar concrete walls..  In the kitchenette was  a pre-packed saved lunch for us, in the bedroom a mattress, and several basic amenities in the space…  provided by the YWAM Base; bread, butter, oranges and apples, toilet paper, temporary sheets and pillows…  and some given and borrowed from caring friends around the base… like coffee (yeah good friends right!?), and extra blankets..

We will have pictures of our journey available soon… as we took MANY… of course.

Stay tuned, keep us updated, on the literal things that are going on - on your side of the world,… and please please keep us in your prayers.

AGAIN… THANK YOU for being a part of this, Thank you for partnering with us in every way you have,…