Back from PNG

Hello everyone..

We have now been back from PNG for over a week. Png was such a great experience for me, and I hope to go back there someday! I spent 3 weeks in the highlands in a village called Wau. Our programs were planned out when we got there, so we planned what we wanted to do for the hour or 2 we had for the program, and then had a lot of time to spend getting to know the locals or playing with the kids. Wherever we went though, we always had our friends from seven block going with us. Seven block is the street/area where we lived in Wau. It was nice to always look out when speaking and see familiar faces!

One of my favorite days on outreach was one afternoon when we had some free time. My team leader and I got a coke and chips(another favorite activity- it was amazing how much we appriciated a coke and chips) and sat with some of the 7 block ladies. We probably sat there for an hour talking to them and hearing stories about 7 block, and about their families. As much as they loved us and appriciated us being there, I think we learned a lot from them and appriciated what we could learn from them too. Sitting in the yard chatting with them is something I'll never forget( I was in the mountains in PNG!), and I'll never forget their kindness and generosity. Not only that, but sitting and talking to people during the day is a big part of their culture, which Lindsey and I got to experience first hand.

Another favorite time on outreach was our seven block program. We started out on the small stage in a building up the road from where we were staying, but after the first worship song went down and danced with the kids. We danced and jumped with them for what seemed like a long time, and it was so fun being surrounded by kids singing loudly. We also ended up changing our WHOLE program that we had planned, after we got there. We played whisper down the lane as our team tried to figure out what we would do, but it ended up being a very powerful night. A lot of people came up for prayer at the end, and I was able to pray for a lot of them, some who made decisions to give their life to Christ. The people of 7 block also had an offering for us, and it was humbling to see people giving knowing that they had little themselves. That night was when I felt like we really connected to the people we were living close to, which made a big difference for me on outreach. Needless to say, it was really hard saying goodbye to our friends that we grew close to over our 2 weeks in Wau. I felt like I had been there so much longer, and had known them for longer than 2 weeks. Our last night was a tearful goodbye, and the next morning at 5 am they were all there to see us off on our truck as we headed back down to Lae to fly back to Australia. One of the ladies told me that I always have a home in 7 block, and I really felt like I was leaving good friends behind.

I was so blessed to have been able to go to Wau and build those relationships with the people. It confirmed again for me that God always has our best interests at heart, and that He knew exactly where to put me on outreach. I got to see God's power at work in the people there, and how when you're open to what He wants you to do, He will be faithful in moving and answering your prayers.

We're back in the swing of things in Townsville, kind of. With Christmas coming up, this week is going to be a busy fun-filled week with Christmas parties, Stable on the Strand, and other various holiday activities over Christmas Eve and day. Stable on the Strand is an event that has been going on for awhile in Townsville. They set up tents on a field near the beach that look like the town of bethlehem. Our DTS are all volunteering. Last night I was a "begger" on the street of bethlehem, and we really did "beg" people for money, which was going towards helping the homeless and other people in need in Townsville. The best part is that if you are volunteering in the town of bethlehem section, you get to wear a costume!! So a few other girls and myself were beggers, and some were shephards or carpenters. So much fun!! Hopefully I will have pictures on facebook, so if you're on facebook check my page in a few days. If you want to learn more about Stable, the website is www.stableonthestrand.com.au


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!