One step closer..

It was my last day at Curtin yesterday... I will miss the energetic, intelligent crew i got to work with...as well as the interesting conversations out in the kitchen, the yummy morning teas and the on-going dramas with the air con!
My colleagues put on a lovely afternoon tea for me and made me feel very loved!! It was the first time I've ever been to a party where the focus was solely on me (being a twin means you're always sharing the spotlight) so it was very special! I'm deeply touched by the generosity and kindness shown to me by everyone there- thank you!!

Here are some pics :)

enjoying the food!

So i'm officially unemployed!!! That is scary...How do i answer when people ask me what i do??

Now it's on to the next challenge. Learning the language! In Lichinga, the main language is Portuguese, so i'm dedicating this next month to learning the basics.
I'll also be visiting some kindys/playgroups and getting some tips from them. My time in Mozambique will be largely spent looking after the missionary children, so i figure i should get as much training, advice and ideas as i can! I'll let you know how i go as i take this next step!


And thats the end of an era.....

I should probably explain...

Well i've returned back to earth after the excitement of the last couple of days! I literally felt like i was floating when i got that email earlier this week!

The excitement has certainly not died, but now it is joined with all the other feelings you get when you've just quit your job and are about to embark on a journey on your own to a place you've been only once before, not knowing the challenges you'll face or even how long you'll be gone for...

I think i look a little bit like this right now: 

thats what i imagine excited/happy/nervous and all the other feelings i'm feeling right now, to look like!

So i thought i better answer some questions here that many have been asking me..


Where/when am i going?

To Lichinga, Mozambique on May 3rd on an open ended ticket (at this point planning on staying 3 months)


What will i be doing?


The main purpose of going over there is to be a support to the missionary families who are based there already- specifically to look after their children so that they are free to learn portuguese and immerse themselves in the culture.
I'll be helping look after the Houston children (Rachel and Elijah) and the Beeck kids (Jack, Matilda and Sydney).
Both of these young families are only recent additions to the GIA team serving in Mozambique.
In fact, the Beecks move over to Lichinga on April 15th!!! Cam and Kath are absolute inspirations, and their story and journey is well worth hearing (reading). I fully recommend you check this out- explore the posts and newsletters Kath has written as they prepare for their own journey.
Totally normal people, doing an extrodinary thing! For more info on these familys- check the links below!

The Cranes!

The Beecks!

The Houstons!

I'll also have the opportunity to assist with projects already set up there. Once a week i'll get to join Heather Crane on her hospital visits (another misisonary based in Lichinga with her family of 5 kids and husband Jonno) where she delivers 'baby bundles' to the mothers.There is also the possibility of running kids programs for all the missionary kids in the area (theres like 30 odd!!).

And who knows what else!

Who am i going with?


Global Interaction Australia I'm not actually physically going with anyone though, and if you know me you'll know that will be a big deal.. I thrive on human connection and sharing experiences with others- so doing this on my own will probably be a huge challenge. But it's also a reminder that i'm not alone really (i'm talking about Jesus)...and i'll be staying (i think) in the dependencia (detached house) behind Cam and Kaths so there will be plenty of company around!
  
Why am i doing this?

Well, first of all i should probably point out that i certainly never imagined i would! I went on a short term mission trip earlier this year because i wanted to get an idea of what missionaries do, and i wanted to experience Jesus in a different way- having to rely on him in a completely different culture/environment... I didn't expect to fall in love with the place and i didnt expect to want to go back...but while we were there i  became more aware of the need to have someone looking after the children so that the parents could actually get on and do what they just left their whole lives in Australia for! Thinking of my own situation...i am single, moved back home with my parents, in a decent job, enjoying the luxuries of Australian living, i realised that i have the capacity to meet this need and there really is no reason why i shouldn't just step out and go for it.

It sounds pretty simple writing it down..but for me it did require a whole change of heart and many barriers had to be broken down before i even considered this..
I am fully aware that what i am doing is exceptionally small. I'm not giving up my life in Oz for good. The job i quit was never a career anyway, and this is probably as much for my own personal growth as it is to help others. However, it still overwhelms me that God has given me this opportunity and that i will get to experience and rely on Jesus in a whole new way...
It reminds me that God does use anything, big or small just as he uses anyone (big or small!) for his plans and purposes.

So i guess, as an encouragement...no matter what we are called to do, or where we're at, God can and will still use us! Therefore i have no reason to boast about what i am doing- because if it was in my own strength- i certainly wouldn't be going over to Africa away from everything i know and love!! The bible says it better...

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)
²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[d]


Ok well that is it from me!!! I promise shorter and more concise posts in the future!

talk to y'all soon!