Wait, that was Andrew BRYAN?!?!

We just got back from our MYC... it was a blast, full of meeting students, challenging talks and getting to hang out with the Aussie staff. The week was full of highlights, but the most comical came on the first night, when it was just the staff there. Erin and I were sitting at a table chatting with the STINTers in Newcastle, just catching up and talking about life and ministry. All of a sudden this guy comes up to us and introduces himself, "You're Erin and... Michelle, right? Hi, my name is Andrew" This actually isn't that uncommon as it may seem. Aussies are super friendly, and there aren't too many full-time staff with Student Life so when new people are around they notice, and generally take the time to get you know a bit. It's wonderful, and definitely something that I am gonna miss when I leave this place.

After chatting with Andrew for a few minutes, I discover that he works at headquarters and is very in touch with the staff; he said that he kinda cheated on knowing our names because he has pictures of us on his wall. I thought to myself that was a little odd, but how cool that he wants to know the staff so much that he has pictures of us so that he knows who he is praying for. He mentioned that he spent some time in Orange County and the PSW regional office, so we chatted about that. He used to be an engineer, my dad is an engineer, so we chatted about that. Kind of a typical conversation, nothing too out of the ordinary. He thanked us for coming to serve here in Aus (like most people do), told us to have fun at our first MYC, and left us with the typical Aussie "Catchya!"

After he left, Erin turned to me and said, "Wow, that's really sweet that the director takes the time to know the names of STINTers." It took a second to register, then I said (probably a bit too loudly) "Wait, that was Andrew BRYAN?!" Erin started busting up and I turned beat red.

I had just had a good 20 minute chat with the national director of Campus Crusade for Christ Australia. This guy is in charge of setting direction for the entire country. He was in Orange County to talk to the PSW regional leaders about what it looks like to have a partnership with Australia. He's the stinking national director.... and I didn't even know who I was talking to. Now that's embarrassing.

When my face returned back to it's normal color and Erin finally stopped laughing, we started to realize just how cool that interaction really was. I can not even imagine how much this guy has on his plate, how many things are on his to-do list, and how many things are on his mind. Yet he still takes the time to get know his CCCA staff... even the American ones that are only committed to being here for a year. That's something that I just adore about Aussie culture, they're so relational and caring, it never ceases to amaze me. It doesn't matter if you're the checker at the grocery store, the guy next to you on the train, or the national director of CCCA.

And note to self, know what the national director of the country you're serving looks like because you never know... you just never know :)

Lots of love,
Michelle