Weekend Recap!

Apart from church on Sunday, we spent got to do some sight seeing Saturday!  Thanks to some wonderful Aussie friends it was heaps of fun!  We are now a little past our halfway point.  That fact makes me a little sad.

1st Month!

As of today we have been in Perth for 1 month.  It's bittersweet moment.  Yesterday we hit what we call the "first month slup."  I think anybody that works in ministry will tell you the first month is fun and everybody is so welcoming, but then there becomes a time where it is not fun.  Although, I am still enjoying my time here.  This "1st month slup" makes me realize what ministry is all about.  There will be days that are not fun and hard.

God has done so much in my life in one month!  I already know my life will not be the same if He never sent me to Australia.  I have learned so much about the local church, being involved in the ministry, and God has revealed and confirmed His will for my life.

It's June 21!!

Going by our calendar it is June 21.  It was one month today since we left the States.  HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE!?  I have always heard time passes faster as you get older, now I think I have found that to be true.  Next week will be our halfway point.  It depresses me to even think about that.  I mean we have not been in Australia that long and it is not that much longer 'til we leave.  To date, this is one of the best summer missions experiences I have ever had.

One of the greatest challanges is trying to determine if this is summer or winter.  We are summer missionaries, but it is winter time in Australia.  At least they say winter time.

The Things I Try!

One thing I love about traveling is trying new foods.  Unfortuately, there are many delicious foods that can not be found in the States. 

I will try ANYTHING once just to say I have tried it.  I will spare you the details of all the exotic foods I have tried, because I know there would be some people who will never read this blog again.

This is called "lamington."  It is just some yellow cake rolled in choclate syrup and cocanut.  It tastes yummy!

This is lamb.  Let me just say I have some new favorite food!

Week in Review.

Our Mondays would normally consist of meetings with the church staff. Although, this past Monday was a holiday. So Monday we got to hang-out with some wonderful Aussies and pet a koala.

Every Tuesday we are blessed with a day off. However, this Tuesday we caught up with some of the young adults from church.

I spend my Wednesdays working at the kindergarten program that is run by the church. That is one thing I did not think I would be doing, but I find myself loving it more and more every time I leave.

Most of my work here is getting the church ready for their annual VBS. Unlike America, Australia does not have the heaps of resources America has, which means we have to have all of our decorations. Thursday and Friday I painted some of our decorations.

I had the privilege to attend a children’s minister’s training conference Saturday, which I loved. I realized it is something I may need to do more often.

And today (Sunday) we had church and then went on our weekly church picnic. I will leave you with a funny story. In Australia they drive on the left side of the road, meaning the steering will is on the right side of the car. So today I go to get in the car and I go the side with the steering wheel (if I were in America it would be the passenger side). And the lady driving jokingly said “Do you want to drive?” I am still getting used to Australia! Every time I think I have it figured out I do something that will prove me wrong.

I'm Lovin' It!!

We have been in Perth 10 days! Some part of me feels it has been much longer! Although, every new day goes by faster and faster. You will also have to forgive me for my lack of blogging. Internet here is few and far between.


We have been here such a short time, but I have learned more during time that what I have ever expected to learn. With this being my third year to be out of the country, one will often come into this thinking they know it all. I will be honest I had those same thoughts. The one thing I remember most from training was my supervisor saying “As a missionary you are ALWAYS learning!” I have found that to be so true. I have learned so much about myself, church, and ministry. I am just amazed at how God is a teacher. My biggest plea is that He will continue to teach me new things and make teachable!

I love this country and town! I love how they are SO laid back! They have access to all the same technology we have in the USA, but they don’t let it rule the world. I love the culture and some Aussie food! I love doing ministry with this church! I say all that to say, Do NOT be surprised if my passport gets lost!

The Things We Find!

These are some kangaroos we saw during our training.  We were NOT expecting to see any kangaroos this summer since we are placed in big cities.

Um, Yeah!  This is a loaf of bread that is labeled "Untouched by Human Hand."  Somebody has to explain this to me.



Perth!!

Well, after three days of training we are FINALLY arrived to Perth.  Training was fun.  It was nice to meet some new people and learn some things about Australian culture.  The one thinig I most remember from training is one of my supervisors saying “as a missionary you are constantly learning!”  God has proven that to me over the last 3 days.

We arrived in East Freo Wed. Afternoon.  Three of our new Aussie friends were at the airport awaiting our arrival.  They are so excited we are here to assist them in ministry over the next 2 months. 

Yesterday my teammate & I done a little exploring.  We mostly walked around town.  After we made a target run!  Today we are off to attend some Australian sports games.

Hello Sydney!!

After 30+ hours of flying and 4 airports we have arrived in Sydney safe and sound. Please, forgive my lack of updates. I had every intention of bringing my computer to provide picture updates but I decided at 2am of my departure date that I would not be dragging my computer all the way across the world.

God has been so faithful. We made it through security with very minimal problems(just ask me about the confiscation later). Some luggage got lost but now it has been found. By the grace of God, I have not experienced jet lag! That's a miracle considering jet lag was TERRIBLE last time I had a 12+ hour time change.

What I will I do?

Many people have asked, "Why are you going to Australia?" or "What will you be doing?" 

Well, I am pretty much interning with a local church.  There are some things they tell me I will be doing, but let me just say from past experience, what they say and what you actually will be doing can be two COMPLETELYdifferent things.  

I will be a this church East Fremantle Baptist Church in Perth, Australia.  I will be helping the youth and children's ministers and building some relationships with the young adults. 

Please continue to lift us up.  We are only 2 days away from our departure date!

Testimony

I am posting my testimony to let all of you know where I have come from, where I am and where I am going.

My parents divorced when I was 4 years old. My mom pretty much raised me all by herself. We never went to church when I was a child. However, I attended a church school so I knew some Bible verses and knew ABOUT Jesus.

When I was 12 years old my mawmaw started to get involved in a local church. I started going to church with her. I was in Sunday School one morning when the teacher asked me if I was a Christian, I said no. Shortly after that he asked if I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. In April 2001, I asked Jesus to forgive me & save my life! I experienced some joy unlike any I had ever known!

I spent the next few years teaching Sunday School and in VBS. At 16 years old, I spent the 4th of July in Honduras helping with medical missions. That missions team planned to go to Peru the following summer, but that was never of God and His will. God still gave me a heart and desire for the people, along with the culture, of Peru.

A few years go by. My mom started going to church. Honestly, she was just a "Sunday Christian." I had started college and got involved with Baptist Campus Ministries. In Sept. 2008, the precious BCM director took the time to introduce me to Summer Missions. I thought it would be a cool thing to do. Then I was determined to be in South Carolina the next summer. Although, I said two things since that day, 1) I would go some place I never thought I would go and 2) If my parents were more for it, I would be going out of the country.

I had the opportunity to talk with a former summer missionary. I told her those two things several times during our one hour conversation. All I can remember her saying is "Britney, you need to think about this! Think about what God is calling you to do. Your parents may not be for it, but you need to follow God's will!" I, literally, could not sleep that night for those words running through my mind. I called my mom the next day to tell her I would be going to Peru for the summer. I think she learned very quick I was serious and there was nothing she could do to hold me back. My mom supported me more than I ever thought she would!

That summer in Peru definitely opened my heart and mind to missions. I learned a lot about all of the "behind the scenes" things that you would never think about. My time in Peru gave me a heart to reach out to the nations for His name's sake. I decided to give my life to missions! I went to South Asia the summer of 2010 and now Australia for the summer of 2011. And I know God is not finished with me yet!!

Hello!

I hope you are here, because you have received a letter from me and you would like to be a part of what God is doing among the nations. As far as summer missions goes, I am still trusting God to provide financial and prayer support. I know He will provide since this is His will. I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do over the next few months, as I minister with with East Fremantle Baptist Church in Perth, Australia. You will be able to keep up with me on my blog, which I will update weekly (at least).

Please be in prayer for me and the 13 other college students going to Australia! Pray for God to prepare us for the journey ahead. We leave one month from today!!

I thank God for all of you, your support and prayers. God bless each one of you!!

Back 2 Life in the U.S.

As of now I have been home nearly a week. I have adjusted to life back home pretty well, or at least alot better than I thought I would. It is still a daily process. I have to tell myself 2 or 3 times a day that I will be ok. I have taken a shower EVERYDAY since I have been home, it seems unreal. I still freak out everytime I see toilet paper in the comode and everytime I use toilet paper I want to put it in the trash can next to the comode, but then I remember that I can flush toilet paper in North America. For a little while I got so excited when I saw someone wearing a crimson Alabama football t-shirt, but then again I have to be reminded that I am in AL. The language differance was a little hard at first but I am back to English for now. I have not been sick at all since I have been home, and I just knew that I would get sick once I got home.

I also miss blogging. Yesterday I was constantly thinking "I have not blogged in 4 days. I need to blog." I think I may turn it into a weekly thing and just write about what God is doing in my life or some new things He is teaching me. I also learned how to knit while in Peru. I never thought I would pick up 2 new hobbies with this trip, but that is more than ok.

Over the past few days I have been busy, but that has been good. It has kept my mind off of Peru. I miss my teammates. It would not have bothered me to be in Peru for a longer term, but i know for now I have to be in the U.S to finish school and who knows what else.

I'm Home!

I left Peru at 11pm Sunday night and I arrived in Birmingham at 5pm Monday. I had to travel about 20 hours coming back, but really it did not seem like it. It really feels more like 8 hours of traveling. We got through customs and all security without any major problems.



ALL GLORY BE TO GOD!!!!!



It is so weird being the US now. I have gotten used to being a Peruvian. Whenever someone asks me a question my natural responce is to answer in Spanish, I freak out whenever I flush toilet paper (in South America you can not do that), and I know the language that everyone speaks. I just have to keep reminding myself that I will be ok. It was hard not to cry on the way home from the airport. Life as I have known it for the past 10 weeks is no more, but I have learned and seen some wonderful things.

the Last

Plane ticket - $1086

Traveling Expenses - $1553

SUMMER MISSIONS - PRICELESS

As of today we are 5 days away from being on our way home. We can finally count on one hand how many days we have left and right now it is hard not to start crying. We are in our last village and tomorrow will be our last full day in this village. I have learned so much this summer from I can go 8 days without a shower to knowing how much the world needs to know the one who died to take thier place. I have had fun but there also some moments I would not care to relive. I know there has been some people who have prayed for me and are still praying.

My moma, who let me come to Peru for 10 weeks and has been more than supportive since I said I wanted to come.

Mrs. Christy, Thank You so much for taking the time to talk to me about summer missions and answer my every question.

Willis family, thank you all so much for the neverending support and prayers, I thank God that He has put ya´ll in my life.

And many thanks to all of the churches who have supported me.

I have not come to Peru alone. I could not have done any of this without you and Jesus Christ being My Lord and Strength.

I ask that you please pray for us over the next few days. We leave Lima, Peru 11.30 pm August 2, and I will arrive in Birmingham, AL around 6pm on August 3. Please pray for us as we leave, that we will get through customs without any problems. And as we are about to be at home please pray 1. for our health, over 2 hours I am sure our eating habits will change dramaticlly and 2. we are going back to a differnet culture and language. Most of us have gotten in Spanish mode and everytime someone talks to us in English we even answer in Spanish.