Australia

I am here, in this sunburnt land.

A few anecdotes, from my journey:


I was sitting in my seat, a window, for the flight from Denver to LA. And, as any guy does, I was hoping that the person who would be sitting in the sit next to me would be a girl who was very solid and devoted to her Christian faith, and also stunningly gorgeous, and also well educated and intelligent and articulate.

And, of course, she would fall madly and utterly in love with me the instant she saw me sitting there, reading.

I quickly took myself to task about this, reminding me that life never actually works like that, and that I should be focused on preparing myself for my arrival in Australia. I had just managed to convince myself to read and not worry about the person who would be sitting next to me, when I saw the guy on the aisle stand up and someone slip into the middle seat. Hope beyond hope, I looked over to see if my wishes had come true.

"Sorry, guys," said the middle-aged guy taking the seat, "I'm not the hot girl you were waiting for."


Upon my arrival in Sydney, and clearing of Customs, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. There was gentleman in there at one sink, apparently having had the same idea as me. Here is our conversation, which looking back, isn't as funny as I remembered it. Either way, its my blog so I get to recount it.
Man: You from around here?
Me: No, sir.
Man: No sirs around here, mate.
Me: Oh, sorry.
Man: No worries. You can drink the water.
Me, confused: Oh. Ok.
Man: There's bloody little of it, with this drought...but what we have, is all good!


I had lunch with some friends, Steve and Heidi, as well as Steve's parents, who is the District Superintendent I was working through for my upcoming visit to Maitland. Steve and I were talking about Sydney, and the obvious reliance on tourism.
Steve: Yeah, we have a lot of tourists.
Me: Basically the US, right?
Steve: No, we have tourists from other countries.
Me: Oh?
Steve: Yeah. Um...Texas...?


Well, its been fun so far. I toured a bit of Sydney, and then ventured a bit more out into the bush, in rural New South Wales, which is where I might be working. I had forgotten how much I love this country, both in reference to Australia and the terrain itself. The scrub of the bush. I love it.

I have really only felt 'at home' in two places, Scotland and Australia. I had forgotten how much I love Australia until I landed on its sunburnt shores...or maybe this is God's way of telling me something? Either way, rural New South Wales is where I want to be.

The backbone of the church here in Maitland is a solid core of very devoted and faithful Christians. I've already fallen in love with them, and their devotion to reaching a fallen world with the gospel. I have very little doubt that I am called here, assuming there are no big surprises. It won't be easy, and will require massive amounts of personal sacrifice, but if that is what is required to truly live, is it even a question?

Your prayers and encouragement are much coveted, both for myself and the Wesleyan Methodist church in Maitland, as we try and discern God's voice in this matter. Cheers.