Sunday, December 28, 2008

holidays!

As many of you will know, this past year has been manic to say the least.
Somehow I've made it to the end of the year without taking any holidays. But today, I am on holidays - and I'm very excited about it!!!!!
Sleep deprivation might be impacting the clarity of my verbal skills at this point in time, but nothing a good sleep won't fix. I'm blogging from Wellington airport where I've had a nine hour layover in the middle of the night.
I had planned on sleeping in the airport - I mean seriously, after Fiji, Wellington airport aint got nothing I can't handle. But as I was snoozing in arrivals at about 1am I became aware that the airport was shutting down for the night - say what? You mean it isn't like Sydney airport and they don't stay open all night?!
Thankfully the guards took pity on me when I asked if there was somewhere nearby I could go for a few hours and they let me into the cafeteria section of departures where I was able to catch a 2 hour snooze.
I can't believe how busy this place is at 4am!

But here's to being on holidays for the next 9 days.

Friday, December 05, 2008

the issue of cava


One of the big issues facing the church in Fiji is cava. It is one of those difficult issues where culture and Christianity meet.

It is a mild narcotic drink that is part of the Fijian cultural heritage. It used in welcoming ceremonies (like the one above) and as a general part of life. It is sold 24 hours a day in grog shops and is drunk by many each night. Cava is typically followed by grog sessions which last late into the night. So it isn't the cava in and of itself that is the issue, it is what follows.

Our group experienced its some of its effects first hand. Whilst travelling from Nadi to Suva on a hired bus, we discovered the driver had been out all night on the grog. It wasn't a pleasant trip with several team members having to sit behind and prod him and talk to him during the 7 hour bus ride (that should have taken 5!).

It is an issue that is dividing many of the Fijian churches. Many churches regularly practice the use of cava whilst other groups are raising up against its use.
While we try not to engage in cultural and church politics while we are there, it is easy to see the detrimental effects that cava is having on society - much like alcohol among teens and early twenties here in Australia.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

what makes it so....

A facebook friend (who happens to be a real-life friend too) posed the question on his status - how corrupted by sin can a Christian organisation become before it is no longer Christian?

Good question. What makes an organisation Christian or not?

Sunday, November 30, 2008

stop and smell the roses

Lately I've been wondering why we rush. Earlier this year as part of the Year 13 program, we went on a defensive driving course. We saw first hand the difference that driving 10km faster can make- and it's a big difference when you have an accident. Since then, I've been trying not to rush places. I'm generally an on-time person, in fact I hate being late. So when I am running late, it is easy for me to rush rush rush. But is it really worth it?
So now when I catch myself getting impatient at slow service from a sales assistant, or if someone looks harried, I remind myself - what's the rush? Why not let them go first?
After all, why not stop and smell the roses. Why not enjoy and savor that last mouthful of coffee. Why not get up slightly earlier so that I'm not rushed. And why not stop and take the time to have decent conversations with people instead of thinking that I need to be somewhere else....

Saturday, November 29, 2008

those days when we wish it wasn't so

this post is dedicated to ang - for prompting me to write more......

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run away? I mean really run away.
I've been pondering life and where it might take me. What would it be like to pack up and move overseas? Or to just walk out one day and never come back. But then I wonder if that's running away and won't really solve any of the problems that one might be running from. In fact, those problems will probably be there in that place wherever you might run to.

Lately I want to run away from it all. But the very thing that I want to run away from the most, will come with me everywhere I run.
Besides that baggage that each one of us carries, I'm talking about my arm. There are days I feel like it would be more comfortable to rip it off - today is one of those days.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Fiji First Impressions


It was an early start. We were easily identifiable, 40 people walking around Sydney airport in blue Year 13 in Fiji T-Shirts at 5:45am.

Meet Wallace Wanawong, he's the one in the photo with a hat on. Wallace had many adventures in Fiji and even has his own facebook page!!

After a pretty non-eventful but excitement filled flight we stepped into the humidity of Fiji. I was overwhelmed with the warmth and moisture. You start dripping the moment you step out of the plan onto the tarmac.

And then we headed into customs....

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

9 days to go...

There are nine days to go until we arrive home. Our time in Fiji has been wananavu (awesome in Fijian).
There are so many sights, sounds, smells and experiences that I want to share. I have kept a journal (but am slightly behind). There has been so much to absorb and try to understand.
I have had minimal internet access, but you know what - I haven't missed it!!
(hard as it might be to believe that)

We are back in Suva and getting ready to head into some days of getting into the schools to tell them about Jesus. I love the fact that in this country you can talk religion within 2 minutes of meeting someone.

Pray for us in our last week. For the people of Fiji - that many of them might come to know the living and loving and true God. For patience as people feel homesick and we live in close close quarters. For opportunities to share the good news of Jesus. For safe travel as we head home. For our re-entry into a first world western culture.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Getting ready to go

In 2 short days I leave with Year 13 for Fiji. We are going there for a month, on a short term mission. We will be involved in building orphanages, churches, evangelism, kids clubs, youth leadership conferences and school ministry.

Around 2 weeks ago, I was struck with nerves. How will I cope with 36 teenagers for a month? What about eating curry 3 meals a day? Do I really have to wear an ankle length skirt for the most part?
All these questions going around in my head and more. As I was driving to church 2 weeks ago, my heart was racing - anxiety had hit. Although I knew I was anxious about leaving, I couldn't put my finger on exactly what was bothering me. So I started praying.
I knew that God wanted me to cast my anxieties upon him.

And that was when it hit....

It isn't about me!

This trip - it isn't about me. It's not about how I'm going to cope with curry 3 meals a day or even about what I'm going to wear - It's about God!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

irratic at best

and it is only 8 days til I leave for Fiji.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Year 13 Fiji Launch Night

We'd love you to be there!

thankful

Tonight I am thankful that there were no serious injuries.

Around 5:25pm I got a call from some of our Year 13 students who were on the road coming back from WROK. They had been involved in a collision on the M5/M7 motorway. The car is probably written-off. But thankfully the 3 students in the car are ok.

In 8 hours Year 13 heads off down to the beautiful Waterslea for 4 days of lectures. We return on Thursday for our Fiji mission launch night -- We'd love you to come and support our launch, please let me know if you'd like some details (I've been trying to upload the flier but it won't work for me).

But for now, my thankful self is going to go pack and then get some sleep.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

To live alone or not to live alone?

This is the question that I am currently thinking about. As a single person the question must be asked - do I live alone? or do I share-house/flat with someone?

For the last 4 years I have lived 'in community', with the last 12 months being by myself in a flat (whilst still being 'in community'). I was alone but not alone.
And I loved it. I loved that there were people around that I could spend time with and be. (I'm not denying that it was hard to get used to the 4 years of fish-bowl living!!)
But I have moved away from that 'community' and landed in a completely foreign part of Sydney where I don't know anyone or anything.

And so the question is raised: Do I share or live alone? (obviously mainly applicable to the single adult person)

For all the hype of having 'alone time' or 'personal space' (of which I am largely guilty) I wonder whether this promotes a selfish and self-centred attitude to life.
Sure, there are difficult things about flatting with someone, but I think living with someone can make you a more gracious and understanding person.

Does living alone make you more selfish?

We were created relational but individuality is a prize of modern culture.
I wonder what the connection is between the individualistic push of society and the independant push of humanity from God - that is sin.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

the obsession continues

Today I dropped into my former place of study and bought more books! So my obsession with buying pretty books continues.

The job is going well. I love it. I think it is the best job in the world. It is a great honor and blessing to be doing what I am doing.

(note to self - I must change profile blurb)
(note to self - I must post what I am doing this year for work)

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

I'm back!

Sabbatical is over and I am back in the world of blogging!

I have been meaning to break my fast with this world for a few weeks now, but some gentle reminders from a few friends helped me on my way.

One could either say that there is too much to write, or nothing at all.

But I can sum up my world in the word change.