Hello, Australia

Finally.

2009-08-05T23:44:00.003-05:00

This is a bit sad, as it will be my final post for this blog.

I made it home, after a miserable 28 hours. Maybe I'll tell you why it was miserable (besides the obvious 14 hour plane ride) some other time, I don't want to relive it at the moment :)

However, I did make it home to my mom, dad, brother, cousin, and Will. It was so good to see them after so long. And I was so ready to be home once I had left Brisbane.

Gosh, I miss my Aussie family so much. But it is good to be home. I miss the accents, the lifestyle, but mostly just my friends. It's weird driving on the right side of the road again and having HOT weather.

I finally got everything moved into my new apartment, and I start sorority rush tomorrow. I really haven't gotten a break at all! But it has been totally worth it, every second. I'm finishing up the online class that I have been taking so that I will have a little bit of an easier last semester.

I just want to thank you all again SO much for your support, prayers, and for taking the time to read this. It's humbling to know that people will actually take time out of the day to read about what's going on in my life. What a blessing the Body of Christ is. So thank you, yes, YOU, for reading this. I am so glad to say that God is working in Australia, and I was blessed to be a small part of the movement this summer. It was an unforgettable 2 months, and I will remember everything that He taught me for the rest of my life. I can't wait to put some of the lessons into practice here at Auburn, and also to see how He wants me to serve Him during my time here.

I love you all, and I wish you the best - now, it's my turn to pray for you! God Bless,
Claire.

I hate the saying "all good things must come to an end."

2009-07-29T06:27:00.002-05:00

We left Brisbane this morning.

Not a happy day.

It was so sweet - we had 14 people come to the airport to see us off. We definitely had the biggest group at our gate, anyway! And yes, in Australia you can still go all the way to the gate with people - remember those days? It was a mix of the families we stayed with and some of the people our age also. How sweet!

I was just fine, dry-eyed when I was going around the goodbye-circle at the gate until I came to Doug, the daddy that we stayed with the longest. I started to tear up then...and when I got to Mandy, I lost it. She was crying a lot too. As was Josh, their 10 year old son - just about broke my heart!

Gosh, it was hard to leave. I've never had such a close family away from my true family before - but that's the wonderful thing about the body of Christ. We truly were bonded as sisters and brothers. And I learned so much from the families I stayed with, as well as the other people I got close to in the church. I was blessed so much by having some tell me that they had learned from me as well, and that I had blessed them while I was there. It was so encouraging, because I have doubted at times whether I had really made an impact or whether I was the only one coming away with anything. But who was I to doubt that the Lord really can work, even through someone like me??

So now I'm sitting at Kiah Ridge campsite outside of Sydney, and I'm about to go through the debriefing-sharing-processing period. I'm not really looking forward to that, but I know it's good and necessary so I will try and get the most out of it! That way I will be ready to talk about my experiences when I get back. I think I've already discussed how I have issues talking about trips right afterward - well, I think these two days should help with that. It has been fun catching up with the others who were in Australia this summer though - I'm remembering how much fun they are! It should be a good day tomorrow I suppose :)

Today in Sydney was so fun too! It was so lovely - the Opera House truly is stunning, and Darling Harbor is just gorgeous. I took heaps of photos - I'll upload when I get home and have time! I'm so glad I got to see Sydney for a little bit before I left. We had about 4 hours to walk around the city, so we got to enjoy it. It was a great day outside too, not too cool!

Love you all, I'll be home so soon!

Less than one week.

2009-07-25T05:23:00.002-05:00

Wow.

How fast this summer has gone by! It's strange - there were times that it really seemed to be going slowly, but now at the end it seems that it was just yesterday that I got here. And yet, I'm so close to all of my new friends and "family" that it seems like that I've actually lived here all along. (I don't mean that literally, Mom...I know where my home is!)

So, we leave Queensland on Wednesday. That means we have 3 more whole days here. I've gotten to the point where I almost don't want to have to do the whole goodbye thing, I'd almost rather slip away quietly. It's going to be too sad. Goodbyes are never fun. But I know that we will be doing a good bit of them on Sunday night. The Heinrich's are hosting a "supper" (which is the meal that comes after dinner here) after church partially as a goodbye for us. It will be good, but I don't want to leave people. And part of me is just ready for this next week to be over with, and to be back home. It will be all goodbyes, a painful attempt to discuss my experiences with other people, and over 24 hours of traveling.

God, give me strength for this last stretch.

I have this problem with the end of every one of my travels - I have issues with discussing what happened to me with others who weren't with me. I'm aware of the problem, but that doesn't change the fact that when I get back, it's always hard for me to tell people about what I did, what I learned, what I experienced. That's one reason I blogged - to share my experiences and what I've learned with people while it's happening instead of trying to explain it all afterwards. I tend to have a hard time sorting it all out in my head for a few days until sometimes a week afterward. So, don't be offended if you ask about my trip and I don't feel like talking about it or I have a hard time explaining it - it's not you, it's me.

This post is starting to sound a bit depressing and melancholy, but that's not really how I feel. I'm content with where I am. I'm so thankful that God allowed me to come here this summer. Part of me still can't believe I'm actually in Australia. I'm ready to return home, back to normal life, yet I can't stand the thought of leaving all of these wonderful people. But it will be alright. It always is, and God is with me - though I leave friends behind in life, He will never leave me and I will never leave Him. It's so amazing to think about.

I'm not really sure that this post has even made much sense, but I'm going to go now and try and catch some sleep. Good night to you all!

Play time!!

2009-07-20T07:55:00.002-05:00

Hello!

So, for the last few weeks that we're here, it's mostly play, a little work! Hooray! We have had so much fun lately and we're getting to relax a little, enjoy our time. I caught the virus that Cameron had during Youth camp and so I was a little sick last week, but all better now.

This past weekend we had SO much fun going down the coast with the Marriott's. We went to watch and hang out with the Christian Surfers, then went to "The Shack" - the Farley family's beach house. While we were there, we went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary...it was so wonderful. We got to hold a koala (named George), feed and pet kangaroos, feed rainbow lorikeets, and see heaps of Aussie animals (such as Tassie devils, wombats, echidnas, etc.) What a cool experience! Then we got to hang out with some of the wonderful families that I have grown to love all night. The next day we went to another cool marketplace and slowly made our way back. Such a fun little trip!

This is an interesting time period for me. I am not doing as much "work," so we're getting to do some things we want to do before we leave, and of course hang out with all of our friends. But I find myself having to remember the real reason why I'm here, and the fact that I'm still on a mission to spread the gospel and the be the salt and light. It's good for me to grow accustomed to living the mission out daily, and it's a mindset that I want to carry over when I return home.

I also am at such a weird place because we have so little time left. Part of me is eager to see family, friends, and especially Will, and yet a large part of me cannot stand the thought of leaving my new family and friends here. I am looking forward to seeing everyone back home, but I am trying to fully live out every minute that I am still here - I don't know if I'll ever get an opportunity like this again! I ask God constantly to remind me of the work He has for me, of the reason I'm here, and to help me make the most of my time.

We have two more Supa Clubs this week, and that's pretty much it for the "work" that we are doing. We're getting to go to the Australia Zoo on Wednesday - hooray!

Love you all-

It's been a long week!

2009-07-12T19:31:00.001-05:00

Hello all!

Wow, what a long week! It has been a while since I wrote last for that reason.

So...Winter Youth Camp '09! Incredible. We went up to Mt. Tambourine for the camp, which was a little cold but so nice. There were over 40 kids, most from Cleveland Baptist but some from another church in the area called Birkdale Baptist. Three of the leaders that came were also from Birkdale, including their youth leader who led worship (which I also helped with despite having a bit of a cold - not the best singing I've ever done!)

The camp was based around a Focus on the Family program called No Apologies; this is their Abstinence program. It is such a great program, really focusing on the emotional and spiritual reasons for not having sex before marriage instead of just the physical reasons (pregnancy, STDs, etc.) The kids get most of the physical reasons in school, so it was great to get to talk about other reasons to stay pure that many hadn't considered before.

We were up at the camp from Monday morning until Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, Cameron wasn't able to come because she was sick with a viral throat infection :( But I had so much fun with the other leaders and the campers. Many of us were somewhat sick with colds and such but we didn't let that ruin our fun. In between sessions, we had games, free time, and obviously food. Ryan and Brenny, two of the male leaders, came up with a bunch of fun games for the kids to play, and they had a great time. The pinnacle of the camp was probably Wednesday night, when we split the girls and guys into separate groups in order to talk about the more delicate subjects, such as "how far is too far," points of arousal, how to show respect to the opposite sex (eg., girls not wearing revealing clothing to help out the guys), and stuff like that. The session went on for around 3 hours, which is HUGE for kids their age, because the girls kept asking so many questions and were so eager to learn more. Many had never heard that type of information and were keen as to know anything that could help them. It really was an incredible night of openness, honesty, humility, and bonding for the girls and for the guys. It was so wonderful!

I got to reunite with Cameron on Thursday, and it was so good to see her! She's feeling much better now. Friday we slept in late and just chilled-out the whole day, relaxed after the hard week. On Saturday, we woke early to go with the Heinrich's to go up to the Sunshine Coast - so fun! We went to a place called Eumundi where they have a HUGE market with so much food, clothing, crafts, souvenirs, etc. Then we drove to Caloundra to hang out on the beach and watch the surfers. We went to a GREAT gelato place there too - yum! We drove back and met up with Mr. & Mrs. Jenkins, who took Cam and me to an AFL footie game. SO fun! It's such a different sport - much like rugby, but with totally different rules (which is why they call it Aussie Rules - only Australians play the game this way, like how we are the only ones who play American football our way.) It was a face paced sport with probably more skill required than rugby, and was very entertaining to watch. They don't smash people as much as in rugby though, so some people don't like it as much, but I thought it was great. And our team, the Brisbane Lions, killed the other team! Hooray!!

Sunday, I had to get up early again to help lead worship, and then we moved into the Marriott's home for a week. I'm so excited about getting to know this family better and hanging out with them for a bit! We will be back to the Heinrich's for the last bit though.

Well, I need to go do some reading for the online class I'm taking (getting this class all sorted out has been a headache in itself!) so I'll go on now. I'll try and upload a picture from camp or something later on. Ciao!

Surf's Up

2009-07-04T00:32:00.002-05:00

Well, I survived VBS week. Hallelujah!

I helped plan this event since the first day I got to Cleveland. Meaning there were four weeks of my helping plan for this 5 day event. Five very, very long days. The kids were actually only there from 9-12, but it felt much, much longer. And there was so much else we had to do in preparation in the week before, the weekend before, and especially each morning and afternoon afterward. So...I'm glad to be done! But it really was a fun week.

The theme was "Surf's Up," so the whole place was decorated with beachy, surfy things. Eg, surfboards, flippers, beach towels, beach balls, posters of surfers or the beach, etc. It looked really great. All of the games were surf or beach themed, including sand-castle building competitions (yes, we had to haul in sand for that one!) The teaching time was also somewhat beach themed.

Cameron and I had a lot of work! We planned the morning games every day, directed/acted in the dramas, led small groups of kids, helped Chris with the teaching time, and really whatever else they needed. We were kind of the "go to girls" for any random thing that was needed. We also had helped a lot with the admin-type stuff in the weeks before. We had so much fun with it. It was fun getting to be a kid again, thinking as a kid thinks, trying to decide what would be most entertaining and fun for them.

The last night, we had a "luau" family-night. The kids brought their parents and we all had pizza for dinner. We had prizes for the week's competitions, a demonstration of all the songs over the week (which are STILL stuck in my head!!), had a true-blue surfer come and speak, and showed a slideshow of pictures from the week. It ended up being a very fun night, and I was exhausted at the end!!

All of the kids were so precious. I really got pretty close with the sweet kids in my group, and it was so good to get to meet their parents last night. How fun! I'll have to put up a picture of some of them.

Anyway, it's officially the Fourth of July here, as well as in the States! It is past midnight when I am typing this where you all are! This is the third Fourth that I have been away from home, so it's a little bittersweet. However, my darling mother sent me some Fourth of July goodies so I can celebrate, and my sweet family here (the Heinrich's) are putting on a little party tonight. We're having two other families over, and we're going to have fried chicken, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, ice cream and apple pie. Yum!! Should be fun.

Well, that's a little bit of an update with me. I'm still fighting the lethargy after mono, so this week was a little hard at times for me. Keep praying for my health, please. Monday we leave for Youth Camp, so it's going to be a full-on week again. Pray that I won't be too worn-out! I'll be there from Monday through Thursday, then I'm pretty sure that the Heinrichs are going to take us up the coast for a few days too for a little break! Should be fun.

Love you all!

Brisbane is gorgeous.

2009-06-28T01:44:00.002-05:00

We went into the city last night, I thought you might enjoy these photos.

Random Thoughts.

2009-06-25T03:23:00.002-05:00

I'm writing this after talking to a friend doing mission work in Greece this summer. We were talking about how incredible it is that so many people we know are all over the world this summer doing work for the Lord. And how, though we are all doing very different things, we are all part of God's movement, his reconciliation of the world to Himself. Though the world is so different, people are so diverse, He is working in the same way in so many hearts.

I'm sorry if I haven't really been taking the time to write in more detail lately. Unfortunately, I don't have opportunities for extended time on the internet too often, so I have been giving brief updates. Maybe I'll try and tell you all a little more about the people I'm working with here in this post.

Australians are a very unique people. They are very laid-back and friendly at first glance, in general. And they are also quite influenced by the Western pop-culture, the same things that we are influenced by. One of the first questions a lot of Australian kids ask me is "Have you ever met anyone famous in America?" But many Australians are very hardened - by the environment, by experience; thus, many are hardened to religion. I think the demographics are similar to that of the United States - many say they are Christian; there are actually a lot of Anglicans and Catholics. There is also the presence of the "prosperity gospel." There is a rising Muslim influence, as well as Eastern religions. There is a large group of atheists or agnostics. Australians are also in the post-modern, "I just want to feel good, but you can have your religion if it makes you happy" phase.

We are so lucky to get to experience both sides. First, a very healthy, solid Baptist church with people who truly love the Lord and are living for Him daily. Then, when we go into the public schools to teach RE, we get to see the children who are not brought up in church, who don't have believing parents, who have heard that being a Christian is boring and want nothing to do with it. And yet, we get to bring them the gospel week after week. How amazing is that! That is why the Australian schools still need so much prayer, to keep this privilege in the schools.

Prayer is needed, just as in America, that people will see the true gospel and that they will know who God really is. That people can see Him, not the distorted, tainted views of Him that are out there. That the love of Christ will spread to all areas of Australia, including the Aboriginal culture. And that Cameron and I can be a light for Him while we are here - that we wouldn't let anything get in the way of that, be it exhaustion, irritability, comfort, etc.

I so badly want the Lord to be able to work in me while I'm here. I know that at times I have placed my own needs above His work. I have taken shortcuts because I've been tired, or because I've been selfish. And yet He continues to delight in me and desire to work through me. I am astounded by His love and mercy, and so grateful. Pray that I will continue to seek Him first, above all else, and the rest will flow from me knowing Christ crucified. I want so many things for this trip, but I want what HE wants the most - whether I get to see the fruit of that or not. Pray that I won't get discouraged.

Sunday marks the half-way point through the trip. Wow!! I can't believe it. In some ways it feels like I've been here forever. But there is still so much to do. VBS starts Monday. Youth camp the next week. So much has already been accomplished. So much left to do.

Thank you, again, for the prayers....
Keep looking to HIM!

VBS, RE, ETC...

2009-06-23T06:41:00.002-05:00

We're working hard!

This week is so busy with planning for VBS (theme: Surf's Up) on top of our usual teaching RE classes and Supa Club and everything else. We are in the schools or at the church or taking naps :)

I have had time to read though, my favorite pastime! I just finished And The Shofar Blew, a Francine Rivers novel. She is so talented...gifted by the Lord, really. If you haven't ever read anything by her, do so. This book was such a good picture of what a Godly woman should be in the hardest of situations. Also, it is a great picture of an issue facing many churches today. Go check it out.

Cameron and I are getting to go with a group of friends to DreamWorld on Friday. It's an amusement park like Six Flags or something similar - supposedly, the best in Australia! We have been looking forward to that.

Keep praying for the kids that we encounter in the public schools - so many of them don't have Christian parents, or don't know anything about Christ. I had a young girl ask me today at Supa Club if I had any kids back in America. I smiled at her and said, "Oh, no, I haven't ever been married." She looked at me and said, "But you don't have to be married to have kids. My mom has two kids and she's only engaged." My heart broke - what morals are people teaching their children today? Pray that we will have an impact in their lives, even though we are only there briefly.

VBS starts Monday morning! Pray that everything will go smoothly and that we can get everything accomplished this week.

Thank you all SO much for your prayers! They are so incredibly important. I'm learning that again firsthand! I can't think of anything else to say to really update you. But I hope that everyone is doing well back in the States! Eat a nice big American cheeseburger for me. They're just not the same here.

All my love!

Quick update...

2009-06-19T00:04:00.002-05:00

Hey all!

I haven't written in a while because I really don't have much new to report. We have gotten in a pretty good schedule of teaching RE classes, helping with Supa Club, doing VBS planning work, and spending time with friends and our family that we are staying with. They keep us busy! But it really has been a wonderful experience so far, getting to do ministry in a lot of different areas of the church and community.

The Lord has been teaching me so much, but in ways that it's somewhat hard to share. Will was asking me today "what has God taught you this week?" and I struggled to answer. It's the subtle things. Like how He's opening my eyes to see the deeper need of people. And how He is humbling me and teaching me to think about other's needs above my own. And how He is teaching me through the different sermons on relationships what a relationship of any kind should really look like. There's so much. But it's hard to put into words. I'm also learning that I LOVE working in a church environment. Which is great, since I wanted to work in a church before this trip, anyway!

For those of you lifting up this trip in prayer, please pray for the youth of Redlands City. Cameron and I taught a class of 8th grade students today and they seem so turned off to the idea of church. Some of them are so jaded and hardened.

Also, please continue to lift up my health. It's crazy how having mono can destroy your stamina for months afterward! I feel fine mostly, I just get tired easily still. Pray that I won't push myself, and especially that I won't relapse again.

Finally, that I will be completely submitted to the Lord's will and that I will be used completely by Him as His tool - that I won't try and get in the way!!

Thank you all so much for everything, and I love you all!

Birthday Seafood Extravaganza

2009-06-11T18:27:00.002-05:00

So, Tuesday was my 21st birthday.
How bittersweet!
It was sad being away from family and friends and Will, but the people here overwhelmed me with love and kindness. First, Mandy and Doug (the people I'm staying with currently) took my partner Cameron, the youth pastor Jason, and me to lunch at a place called Secret Coffee (used to be Coffee Secrets, they recently changed the name around!) It was so good, and we had a nice view of the Raby Bay harbor right behind us. Then we had to go to work - three RE classes and a Supa Club session.

I was so exhausted at the end of the day, but then they surprised me by having a little party for me! Four families plus Cameron, Chantelle, and Jadee, and HEAPS of seafood. I had told Mandy that my favorite food is seafood at one point...I even got to try something called a Moreton Bay Bug, which is a crustacean like a crab or lobster...it was SO good! They even had decorations, balloons, and a cake for me...and presents! I could have cried, it was so sweet...they absolutely didn't have to do anything, but they even got me some presents. And the cake was one of the most delicious EVER! They have really taken Cameron and me in and made us part of their church family so quickly.

It's such a blessing that we have gotten down here and have "fit in" so fast. The adults and kids both have taken to us so quickly and we really feel at home here. I just can't stop saying how much I love the people at this church...they are so awesome! I wish I could take them all home with me. The "young adults" - those my age - are so easy to get along with, and we had such a great time getting to know them on the camp.

So I thought I'd take the time to explain more of what a typical week would be for me. Mondays and Wednesdays, right now, are pretty unscheduled - we just do whatever we are needed to do on these days.
Tuesdays are the busiest. We teach several RE classes already, and some people are trying to get us to help with others in the mornings as well. RE classes, or Religious Education, is Christian Education that all of the PUBLIC schools have as a course. CRAZY, but totally awesome. I have tried to explain to people here how much of a blessing it is that they have this, and how it would NEVER happen in the States. So keep praying, all of you, that they can keep this door open into the public education for as long as possible! Anyway, we are helping teach these classes in several different schools. Also, we do what is called Supa Club, which is usually during the lunch break. It is a club for kids where they play games, win prizes, and hear about Jesus. Pretty awesome! They hear a short lesson while having fun with friends.
Thursday is just Supa Club, and then we go to the church for the rest of the day to help work on whatever they need (mostly VBS planning right now).
Friday is (usually) helping RE classes and then whatever meetings or planning needed. Today we are going to help plan some more VBS stuff, and then some Winter Youth Camp planning as well.
This Saturday is Redlands City Youth, which is a gathering from youth groups all over Redlands City (in which Cleveland is located). It will be a typical youth service - worship, speaker, etc.
Sunday I'm helping lead worship - pray for that!

Hope that helps explain a little more. That's pretty much the schedule for the next few weeks, until mid-July when we have VBS and Youth Camp. The kids are also on their winter breaks then, so we won't be going in the schools.

Love you all!

Sand, storm, socializing.

2009-06-08T19:55:00.003-05:00

Hey all! I talked to Mom today and she told me that some people have been asking when I would update this blog! Sorry about the delays. I was actually at a Young Adults camp this past weekend with the 18+ age group. We had such a great time! We were in an area called Lennox Head, which is in New South Wales, right on the coast. It was beautiful! The "theme" of the camp was "So You Think You Can Date?" Obviously, we talked a lot about relationships and purity. It was so good! The best part of the weekend was getting to know people better though...it was such a blessing to really get to know people this early on.

Two of the days during our free time we went into a little hippie town called Byron Bay...so great! We bought some hemp and beads and made bracelets, got some gelato from a little Italian gelato place, and I bought an awesome Australia sweatshirt. Though they call sweatshirts "jumpers" here! We also went down to the beaches. I'm going to upload some pictures of different places on here.

One day, we watched a storm roll in...I got some great pictures of that too! We pondered lightning and how to be struck by lightning would seem to be the awesome power of physically seeing God. I would imagine that we would be completely struck down, as if by lighting, if He revealed His face to us.

I'm so excited to have new friends here, they are all so sweet and great! The people here are really laid back and so friendly, and so funny! I spent most of the weekend laughing. It was a long weekend for them; on Monday they celebrated the queen's birthday.

Anyway, I'll try and write more later...I have spent all morning on Skype with my sweet parents so I don't have too much time here! More later. Love to you all!

Schedules, rain, and new friends.

2009-06-01T06:33:00.003-05:00

We have been busy the last few days!

It has been raining quite a bit here in Brisbane. Maybe I brought Mobile weather with me. Not that I mind rain, of course, but it's a bit chilly for rain here. By the way, the days are pretty warm when it's sunny, but the nights do get cool. Like our early-middle spring.

Cameron and I got the "privilege" of standing up at the 9:00 and 6 pm church services Sunday and answering questions to introduce ourselves. I don't really mind doing that. But we did have to do it twice. Church was good though. The morning service was on Acts 11, giving a lot of different missions stats. The night service was on the story of the woman who washes Jesus's feet with her tears and pours her perfume on him - the "sinful" woman. It was really good. A guest pastor came to speak, I can't remember his name though. There was also a guest band, Original Liberty - check them out, they're good!

After night church we went to the Coffee Club, the apparent hangout of the church group after that service. The band came along too, and it was cool talking to them - they recently toured the states, so we had that to talk about. All of the kids love to ask us questions about Hollywood, movie stars, the way we pronounce certain words, and if we have certain things in the U.S. It's funny.

Today, we went over our schedules for our time here with Mandy and Jason. Jason is the youth pastor here, and he's like any other great youth pastor I've known - funny, teasing, honest, friendly, and loud. I think we'll get along quite well. Anyway, my schedule consists mostly of teaching Religious Education classes at the schools during the days (can you imagine if we had those classes in the public schools in America?!), helping out with Supa Club, going to bible studies and youth group nights, and whatever else they ask of me, really. Most Wednesdays are pretty free at the moment. This weekend is the Young Adults Camp, which we will attend and just get to know people. I'm excited about meeting more people and getting to know the ones I already have met better. Also, we will be helping out with VBS and the youth winter camp in July. Here are some dates:
Young Adults Camp : June 5-8
VBS : June 29 - July 3
Winter Youth Camp: July 6-9

I may be helping with worship at the Sunday night services, and I know I'll be giving my testimony on June 14 at that service. Pray for that! If you have any questions about anything I mentioned or anything leave me a comment...I just love comments anyway.

Tomorrow I'll be running around all day, but I'll try and write again soon to keep you updated! Also, I'm going back to add some pictures to a previous post. Hooray for kangaroos and beach!

All my love-

*edit* I'm adding in a picture of a kangaroo for you all...enjoy!

Brisbane, finally!

2009-05-29T19:13:00.004-05:00

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.

T-11 hours, 25 min

2009-05-24T23:35:00.002-05:00

I am actually leaving to go halfway around the world in less than a day.
It's always weird when the day of a big trip like this comes. I always feel like I'm supposed to feel more; that I'm supposed to be doing more, thinking more, saying more goodbyes. Then again, I'll only be gone for two months.

So what did I do the day before leaving for the whole summer, you ask? Nothing too special, actually. Church, ate, napped, packed. Talked to Will via skype (feel free to add me - claire.gewin). Talked to Elizabeth and Katuschka (two of my very best friends). I'm going to miss talking to all of the above more regularly.

I'm very much looking forward to meeting Cameron, my partner for this trip. I have talked to her a few times and she seems to be pretty cool! And I know that God has set us together for a reason, so I'm excited for that. Also, to meet everyone else who will be journeying to Sydney with me. We are all meeting at the airport in L.A. before flying to Sydney, where we will stay for 3 days before we separate and go to our destinations. In Sydney, we will have a leadership training/orientation session. I have no idea what to expect for this.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect of most of this trip.

Isn't that the way I wanted it? No expectations? It might be nice to at least know a little more about what I will be doing, the particulars...but I will learn soon enough. I suppose the basics are sufficient now.

Well, I am going to head to sleep. I'm not really looking forward to the 17-hour flight between LAX and Sydney, based on my itinerary...but I'll make it. I have to. So, good night, and next time I write I will be 15 hours ahead of you!!

P.S. I am thinking that this post is making me sound a lot less excited than I really am. I always tend to get in this funk before leaving for a trip...much of it has to do with the packing. I loathe packing. Also, the transitions between airports is not terribly fun. So I'm just not looking forward to tomorrow. But the next day...yes. I am very much looking forward to the next day.

T-10 days...anticipation.

2009-05-15T14:58:00.002-05:00

Time is getting short for me in America.

I still have so much to do.

I sent Will off to Thailand yesterday. That was a lot harder for both of us than either of us thought it would be. Emotional, but I think we realized how much we care about one another. But I have already gotten to talk to him, and he is not even to Chiang Mai yet. Right now, he is sitting in the Bangkok airport. Keep him in your prayers too...

So now, I am praying, reading, thinking about packing, and doing last minute things here in Mobile. Oh, and spending time with my family, of course!

I have gotten the blessing of financial support from many friends and family, which I am incredibly grateful for. The Lord has really blesses my family with kind friends.

I can't wait to be there...to tell you all what it's really like! It's so strange, this waiting period. I'm ready to go, but not ready at all. Dreading the travel, but anxious for the arrival. So now, I wait with anticipation for the days to go by...but I'm trying to make the most of my few days left here.

T-20 Days.

2009-05-05T10:37:00.002-05:00

I should be studying for my final that I have to take 1 1/2 hours from now.

Instead, I thought I would share some thoughts I have had lately.

The closer the day of my departure comes, the more real this trip becomes. I have been continuously praising the Lord for His graciousness to let me participate in this. These two months present an incredibly unique experience that will undoubtedly prepare me better for my future roles in serving the Lord. It's really neat to see how He placed on my heart the desire to work with a youth ministry as an intern this summer...but then, He provided the opportunity to fulfill this desire overseas. This is combining two desires of my heart - the desire to minister and form relationships with people younger than myself, and my desire and heart for the nations.

Not to mention that it's Australia. If you have known me my whole life, you know that I have always wanted to go to Australia. You also may know that there was no solid reasoning behind it - I was always intrigued by the continent; I liked the idea of traveling there, but for no reason that I could really put my finger on. Ask my brother - he knows just how long I have been wanted to go. Now I can see how it has been the Lord's hand drawing my heart to these people, stirring up the desire in me to minister to them. What an incredible opportunity!

I'm also so glad to see how His timing is so perfect. I could have traveled there just for a vacation trip if I had wanted. Instead, He has given me this higher calling; an opportunity to serve Him. That makes the "trip" so much more meaningful and special and memorable!

I know that it is only for two months, but that is two months of the Lord's time. It says in 2 Peter 3 that "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." Who are we to know what the Lord can accomplish in a day? Or what works He can begin in two months, and see to fruition in years? All I know to do is to go, to serve Him, to follow His leading, and to trust Him for the rest. And that is what Jesus meant by saying "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:30) - we can lay it all at His feet, following Him and trusting Him. He takes the weight of responsibility and leaves us with the freedom and joy of doing His work.

So, thinking about that gives me peace about my trip. I know that He will accomplish what He sets out to accomplish. I am just a tool of His to be used. And that gives me peace and excitement.

I was reading through Acts last night, reading about Paul's missionary journeys. They inspired me and gave me courage. How incredible, to think back to 2,000 years ago when the early church was just forming; look where we are now! And to think that I have to honor and privilege to be a part of the movement.

I hope this explains why I am going for some of you. Sometimes when I am explaining my trip, it doesn't feel quite like a "mission" trip as most people think about them. And it's not, really. It's more like an internship in another country. I won't be building a well, or an orphanage, or teaching English, but I will have the unique opportunity to really minister and go deep with people from another culture. I couldn't ask for a more perfect opportunity for me.

Blessings to you all! Continue to pray for my preparations and the hearts of the people I will encounter; and thank you, thank you thank you.

Pre-Departure: T-30 days

2009-04-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is shocking.
I leave for Australia in 30 days.

That is how I feel right now. WHAT am I doing? Did you know that Australia is 15 hours ahead of the Central Time Zone? That it will be WINTER there? That it's on the other side of the WORLD??

Yet at the same time, I have so much peace. I am so ready to go, to meet the people I will be working with, to meet the students I will minister to. This trip will be so different than any other I have been on. For once, I'm not focused on myself. I am truly focused on what the Lord will do through me and the people I will meet there. Yes, I am expecting to grow and mature and learn, but I really haven't been thinking much about me while preparing.

I have never been anything but excited about traveling before, but I have also never been somewhere where I literally know zero people. Yes, I have met some people who seem wonderful via Facebook, but I have not laid eyes on a single person I am going with. While I like to think of myself as an outgoing, independent individual, when I really start to think about this I realize how crazy what I'm getting ready to do is.

Yet, crazy I will be for Jesus.

I truly cannot wait to start the friendships that I know will begin and grow once I get there. I cannot wait to be there. Yet at the same time, part of me knows that getting on that plane will be tough. Even tougher will be sending Will to Thailand 10 days before I leave. I'm probably as excited as he is for his trip, but I know that departure will be rough. We try to not think about it yet.

So right now...30 days prior...I'm trying to, obviously, finish this semester. But also I am trying to really begin to think more and more about this trip. I don't want to build up too many expectations, but I do want to prepare myself. I have started praying, but I really want to press in now deeply with the Lord. I need him to prepare my heart and mind, and the minds and hearts of those who I will work with.

For the record, I'm going to a town called Cleveland, which is right outside of Brisbane, in the state of Queensland. Google Map it. It's on the east coast. I believe the weather is supposed to be nice during the day, cool at night. Ie, 60s-70s during the day and 40s at night. Not too bad. I leave May 25 and return July 31. I'll be working mostly with the youth group, but I'm sure I will be doing other stuff too!

So, I'll be keeping you all updated on what I'm doing, where I go, what Australians are really like, what the Lord is doing, and life in general.

I'll post soon telling all the details about how I decided to go on this adventure...

So stay tuned.