Brisbane, finally!

Hello, all!

Well, I arrived into Sydney on Wednesday morning (6 a.m.) and had probably the longest day of my life...
We arrived at the airport and went immediately to Kiah Ridge campground, where we had our orientation sessions. The group of people we were with were so great! We all clicked really fast - it was a little sad to all separate! But I will see them again at the very end. Now, it's just Cameron and me in Brisbane. There are other groups of two in Deception Bay (another area of Brisbane), Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Launceston (in Tasmania). Anyway, during orientation we learned a lot about Australia, the history, culture, people, slang, etc. That way, we will be able to know more about the people we will be ministering to.

The first day, we got to see some kangaroos! One of the guys in our group is also interested in photography, so he and I got out our cameras and stalked them down. I'll upload some pictures whenever I get a chance. We also got to go to a beach one day called Wollongong, which was a lot of fun. We didn't get to see much of Sydney at all, but we will when we return at the end of July.

Cameron and I are now in Brisbane, finally! We are staying with a family named the Heinrichs in an area called Thornlands. The church we are working at is Cleveland Baptist in Cleveland. Both areas are just suburbs of Brisbane, basically. Like Hoover or Moutain Brook to Birmingham!

We got to meet the head pastor, youth pastor, and others at the church yesterday. Everyone is so nice and friendly (not to mention their awesome accents!)

I can't wait to update you with more about what we will be doing and who I am meeting. I know now that we will be doing Religious Education classes in the schools, VBS, and other camps with the youth. I'll keep you more updated later, and perhaps be able to add a schedule.

Have to go now - more later! Much love.