So here we go again, a month later and after exams.
We got to the airport and were preapring to begin our journey. It was going to take about two days of flying to get to Australia. The longest flight was 14 hours and we also had some intense layovers. But anywho, we got to the airport and five team members had issues with their visas. We were each responsible for two 50lb duffles that we were charged extra for and barely had enough money to get where we were going. It was going to cost an extra $200 for each of the five people. We simply did not have the money. In the middle of the Orlando airport we, all 20 of us, sa in a circle and began to pray. In less than five minutes one of the men that worked at the United Airline check in came back to tell us they were going to not only pay the extra fees for the visas but also the extra fee for our bags. It was the first sign that God had some great things for us to do and we were all encouraged.
As a side note, I am in love with New Zealand even more and I was in the airport for eight hours. Please just let me move there and live my life with the kiwis.
Over the summer some of the most monumental momumental moments of my life took place. For those who are not aware, I went to Australia on a mission trip. First off, I am straight up in love with the country now. I was before but now I am dead set on my feelings. I could never explain to anyone in full what all happened. God is far to great and words simply cannot capture some of the emotions I felt and the things that happened. At times I wish they could but then I realize that if they did these great things would be less great because mortal man could explain them. What fun is that? None. I will now begin;
I had to go through two weeks of intense boot camp training prior to Australia. I was with my team and leaders during this time and we took classes on how to share our faith and practical things such as; brick laying, steel tying, concrete, hole digging, and music. It was extremely difficult, not only physically but spiritually. Because of the terrible living conditions (living in tents, no cold water, no showers, bugs, a lot of rain etc…) I doubted that God really wanted me to go. I, on more than one occasion, considered quitting. I now know that I would have missed out on an incredible summer. While I was still at boot camp God taught me that He truly is all that I need. I had no distractions and God and I had some wonderful one on one time. Devotions were by far one of my favorite parts of the day. The sun would just be rising and I was already in the word. He also taught me that His grace is sufficient for ALL my needs. I would not receive grace for something a day early or a day late. His timing was impeccable and I could not ask for anything more. That was only the beginning to what He had in store for the summer.
(I am going to write in installments. That was the first, more to come later this week. It just leaves you wanting more, right? Also, I cannot emotionally take writing more than that. I miss it more than I’ve missed anything else in my life and its strange not to be there. It’s kind of hard to explain. I guess you just have to go on a mission trip to know what I am talking about. If you have not ever been on one, do not feel terribly left out. It almost like that hurt you feel at the end of a relationship. It is different though because its not filled with regret, more like don’t memories and an intense longing and desire to go back. It’s terribly conflicting at times.)
