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....

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.

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!

irratic at best

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

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.

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.

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)

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.

My Latte Boys and Girls

A friend sent me this video this morning...




It made me chuckle. It captures so much of my life right now.
Most times I walk into UB's, I'll order a double. But out comes a triple.

It won't be long until I move away. I'll miss the boys and girls at UB's. Where am I going to find a cafe like it?

Always look on the bright side of life? Towards a Pauline Ethic of Contentment with Special Reference to Singleness

Although I think my thoughts on this topic will never be complete, I am pleased to say that my project is well and truly submitted.
Many of you who follow this blog will realise that this has been an ongoing theme for the last 2.5 years. So to actually get it done (including a major rewrite of 8000 words in the week before it was due), is very exciting.

Overall I am happy with it, of course there are several sections that I would rewrite if I had the chance, but I am determined not to look at it until the exams are over. No surprises, but I did end up pushing a few boundaries of the stereotypical understanding of sex and marriage in today's culture.

I think the most exciting thing is that the practical implications of this topic have already been evident not only in my life, but also in the way I have been able to share with others.


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2 exams away from exiting....

procrastination and plans

It is 3am and I am writing my Old Testament essay due tomorrow on Atonement and Justification in Zechariah.
So I thought I'd give my brain a little break by sharing my news about plans for next year. Whilst some of you out there may already know these, it is only in the past week that I have received all the official bits of paper making my position official.

I am excited to share with you that next year (God-willing I will graduate) I will be working with Youthworks.
This role has a couple of different aspects. 2 days a week it is with the training division doing regional youth advising, and 3 days a week with the year 13 gospel gap year program.

It has been the source of much distraction. I am stoked, and can't wait to get into it, but at the same time I need to focus on getting through this year!!
So on that note, back to writing words.....

half way home

so I reached the 7000 word mark for my project during the week. There are several sections that need a serious reworking, but I am feeling better about where it is at than what I was this time last week (which can only be a good thing).
So, halfway there, only another 8000 or so words to go.

It has gone on the back-burner for the next 5 days as my old testament presentation and essay are due next week.

Nothing much else to report, deadlines are pretty much all consuming at this time!

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PS - you may notice some updated links to the right, check em out

hope, joy and contentment

I am writing the 3rd chapter of my project at the moment. It is on contentment and eschatology.
It is taking shape quite nicely and I hope to write several thousand words tonight (maybe doubtful seeing as I only got 3 hours sleep last night, but I say aim high).
My first chapter is almost finalised, while the second chapter is what I call a dismal attempt at writing (anyone out there interested in Stoic philosophy and want to proof it for me?), but hopefully this chapter will cheer me up a little, after all, this is where I get to talk about Jesus!

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4594/15000

boys club, women bishops and stained glass ceilings...

If you didn't catch Saturday's Sydney Morning Herald, there was an article on the front page regarding the consecrating of women as bishops. Rather than re-hash the article, go read it here.

In my four years at college and in my visits to various churches, the question over the role of women in ministry is probably the one which is raised most often to me as a women studying theology and as a women who is intending on pursuing full-time ministry. The question over women preaching, to leading services, whether they should study at college, to whether they should be ordained with oversight of a parish.

So once again I was asked what my take was on Saturday's article and in particular, what my position was on Archbishop Jensen's comments. While responding, it has given me cause to reflect on a few things.

In some ways, there is a boys club mentality to college. While boys only events are right and proper in their place, the same as youth events, or women's events, etc, a boys club mentality can make it difficult for a women studying at college and in ministry.

In a class that is 50 men and 6 women, it is the blokes who are my peers, the ones I have studied alongside for 4 years, the ones who I will be in full-time ministry alongside. And these are also the ones who have locations and social events dedicated for them alone. It can hurt when one of your peers pulls the boys club card on you. It can make you question if they really see you as a peer.

As for the women at college. They are great. I have had the intense joy of getting to know many wives. But there is also a vast difference between us. There are many events and bible study groups for all women to get involved in during their time at college, but there are also events that are only for wives, events that the women students do not fit into the category.

So who are my peers?

In some ways, there is an exclusion from both categories, and an inclusion into both. While this can have some great benefits or crossing boundaries, it can also be isolating. I wonder if the seeking out of peers that is a contributing factor in the push for women's ordination?

end of an era

While I am bunkered away, lost and buried in my own concerns about getting this project done, life goes on.

14 years ago I went on a car trip with my mother. In the outer suburbs of Sydney we bought and brought home a Jack Russel cross. At the sweet tender age of 14, I had convinced my parents that it would be a good idea for me to buy a dog for my family for Christmas.

Wood-Dog is sick. He had a pretty major operation a couple of weeks ago to remove the cancer in his leg, but the vet thinks that it had already spread to his liver and other internal organs.
That's one of the things that I've found the hardest about coming to college - leaving my pets in the care of my family. While I was able to bring my fish Moe and Joe, poor Wood-Dog has to stay at my parents house.
Mum rang to tell me that he had taken a turn for the worst. It was family roast night, so she prepared a mini-roast for him. He rallied enough to eat his roast, but things aren't looking all that good.

I just hope he doesn't die before I get back to say goodbye.

Wood-Dog, while you look like a Dingo, you've been a good pup. I'll miss ya.

writer's block

the words
where are they?
deadlines loom
each day closer
straws of inspiration
grasped at the door
books piled high
notes out the window
float down the street
the cry for help
a librarian answers
is more books the answer?


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Project: 3258/15000

September Slump

I fell into September slump a few days early this year. It is the time of year when I want to have a break, but there is a grim realisation that there isn't going to be one. I think it came early this year because I have been thinking about what I will be doing next year. I have been going to job interviews etc. It makes me want to be there now and frustrated with still being a student. 4 years is a long time when you don't like sitting still!

It is hard to believe that I am even feeling over my project. That's right, I am struggling to be content in my research of contentment.

So even though I didn't get the draft of my project done for today's due date, I am taking the weekend off in the hopes that I will come back refreshed ready to write many thousands of words.

That's right, I'm outta Sydney for the APEC weekend. I drive to Newcastle tonight, then fly up to Brisbane tomorrow and I'll be back on Monday.

Here's to a relaxing weekend.

favourite sayings #2

Did you hear the news?
He's coming back you know!


Now I know there are a fair few people around at college who hear me saying this the night before an exam or when a piece of assessment is due and may think that I am all jest when I repeat this to myself (or anyone within earshot). But really, I do say it with a seriousness!!

Firstly, it reminds me of the urgency of sharing the good news about Jesus. If He comes back tonight, I want to make sure I tell everyone I meet between now and then about Him.

And secondly, no matter how bad life gets, it's gonna be better when He comes back!!

Issues in Theology

One of the subjects that we get to study in 4th year is called Issues in Theology. And as the name would suggest, we discuss issues in theology. Last Friday it was my turn (hence the radio silence).

I looked at the nature of forgiveness and repentance in human relationships. (in other words, do we have to forgive someone if they don't repent?) While I am told that it is quite a common topic to look at, that is precisely why I wanted to look at it, as it seems there isn't a great deal of consensus when coming to an answer.

So do we? Is there forgiveness without repentance in our human relationships?