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
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Hats
Our team leader Jimmy often talks about the different "hats" that we wear in our jobs. There are so many different aspects to our job, so many different roles that we are aiming to fulfill. I had a perfect example of this on Thursday. We did a pancake outreach on Thursday at Ballarat, just loving on the students there and giving them some free pancakes. It was a blast, we met a lot of new people and just got the name of Student Life out there. One minute I was figuring out how to get a fairly dodgy barbie down 3 flights of stairs, the next minute I was talking to heaps of different students about a wide variety of topics (ranging from why we were doing this and who Student Life is to the music on last week's Glee episode), and the next minute I was talking to Leighton, the head of the Ballarat Student Association, about club funding and how clubs like Student Life add to the atmosphere and culture of the uni. As I was talking to Leighton, I almost started laughing. I kept thinking to myself that 5 minutes ago I was down on the main part of campus flipping pancakes and telling students about Student Life, and now I'm up in the Student Association office talking about the inner workings of the uni. I went from wearing a very casual, hey-come-be-my-friend hat, to a very professional, representing-our-club-to-the-head-of-the-student-association hat.
We can put on so many of these different "hats" throughout the day. Sometimes it's overwhelming, sometimes it's just funny, but most of the time I absolutely love it. It keeps me on my toes, makes me extremely aware of my surroundings and who I'm talking to, and stretches me in ways that most jobs wouldn't. It's a bit crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything :)
From the friendly I-miss-you-all-heaps hat,
Michelle
We can put on so many of these different "hats" throughout the day. Sometimes it's overwhelming, sometimes it's just funny, but most of the time I absolutely love it. It keeps me on my toes, makes me extremely aware of my surroundings and who I'm talking to, and stretches me in ways that most jobs wouldn't. It's a bit crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything :)
From the friendly I-miss-you-all-heaps hat,
Michelle
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pictures!
I love taking pictures. I'm not claiming to be a professional, or even good, by any means, but I just really enjoy seeing the world through photographs. It's actually something that I experience the Lord through, looking at His creation, whether it be people or nature, in a whole new way. And I love having control over what the focus of the picture is. I got a new camera for Christmas right before I came to Australia, and I've been having so much fun messing around with it. One of these days I'll work my way up to an SLR, but for now I'm perfectly content with the one I have. Thought I would share some of my favorites I have taken so far!
So this looks like a boardwalk, and it is, but not like the ones we're used to. There is a swimming area blocked off in the Geelong bay that's enclosed by a circular boardwalk. Shortly after taking this picture Erin and I started running back to land because it started pouring :)
These were all taken at the Geelong Botanical Gardens. Adam, Erin and I spent last Saturday morning just wandering around there, taking pictures and chatting. It was such a lovely morning, and a great way to enjoy the way-too-warm for May weather that we've been having lately.
Of course one of my favorite subjects to take pictures of is kids, so I have heaps of pictures of Zarah, Josi, and Rita.
Zarah and Dad
Josi is one of those kids that just never stops smiling. The only time I have seen him not smiley was when he was super sick with a nasty stomach bug. His smile brings so much joy into my life!
Because I'm around Rita the most out of the kids I have the most pictures of her, and this is easily one of my favorites. Something made Jimmy (Rita's Dad) laugh, and she just happened to look right at me, it was so perfect. This picture even made it to a frame in their house, I feel so honored!
I got a chance to go to the 12 Apostles with the spring break team. These are iconic Australia, pretty standard protocol in tourist advertisements. When people picture Australia, they picture these, with the white sand beaches and the clear blue water. It's lovely and absolutely gorgeous, but keep in mind it took a 2 hour car ride to get here, these aren't in my backyard or anything :)
There is a massive stadium in Melbourne called the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). It's a huge stadium that can hold up to 100,000 people, it's quite the experience. We have been to 2 footy games there, one when the spring break team was here.
They let you come on the field after the game is over. It's pretty sweet seeing the stadium from the players point of view, just beware of flying footy balls everywhere! I love having a picture with my Gauchos on the MCG field!
STINTer love in the stands
Kuda, me and Matt at the Collinwood vs Geelong game. This was a pretty big game, since it was the 2 top teams going against each other. The stadium was nearly sold out. And Geelong won! Go Cats!
Annie, one of the girls that came with the spring break team, who is also a dear friend of mine, was able to stay longer than the rest of team since she is already done with uni. One of the days she was here, Rakesh and Sam (2 of our students) took me, Annie, and Matt out to some fun areas around Melbourne, some of which were St. Kilda, Philip Island, and Sorrento.
On the ferry from Geelong to Sorrento
Beach huts in Sorrento
Rakesh being silly with a beach hut :)
I don't think I'll ever get over how clear the water is here.
Sunset from St. Kilda, overlooking Melbourne
Sorry, that was a long post, I guess I just like sharing my life, through pictures, with you guys!
Lots of love,
Michelle
So this looks like a boardwalk, and it is, but not like the ones we're used to. There is a swimming area blocked off in the Geelong bay that's enclosed by a circular boardwalk. Shortly after taking this picture Erin and I started running back to land because it started pouring :)
These were all taken at the Geelong Botanical Gardens. Adam, Erin and I spent last Saturday morning just wandering around there, taking pictures and chatting. It was such a lovely morning, and a great way to enjoy the way-too-warm for May weather that we've been having lately.
Of course one of my favorite subjects to take pictures of is kids, so I have heaps of pictures of Zarah, Josi, and Rita.
Zarah and Dad
Josi is one of those kids that just never stops smiling. The only time I have seen him not smiley was when he was super sick with a nasty stomach bug. His smile brings so much joy into my life!
Because I'm around Rita the most out of the kids I have the most pictures of her, and this is easily one of my favorites. Something made Jimmy (Rita's Dad) laugh, and she just happened to look right at me, it was so perfect. This picture even made it to a frame in their house, I feel so honored!
I got a chance to go to the 12 Apostles with the spring break team. These are iconic Australia, pretty standard protocol in tourist advertisements. When people picture Australia, they picture these, with the white sand beaches and the clear blue water. It's lovely and absolutely gorgeous, but keep in mind it took a 2 hour car ride to get here, these aren't in my backyard or anything :)
There is a massive stadium in Melbourne called the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). It's a huge stadium that can hold up to 100,000 people, it's quite the experience. We have been to 2 footy games there, one when the spring break team was here.
They let you come on the field after the game is over. It's pretty sweet seeing the stadium from the players point of view, just beware of flying footy balls everywhere! I love having a picture with my Gauchos on the MCG field!
STINTer love in the stands
Kuda, me and Matt at the Collinwood vs Geelong game. This was a pretty big game, since it was the 2 top teams going against each other. The stadium was nearly sold out. And Geelong won! Go Cats!
Annie, one of the girls that came with the spring break team, who is also a dear friend of mine, was able to stay longer than the rest of team since she is already done with uni. One of the days she was here, Rakesh and Sam (2 of our students) took me, Annie, and Matt out to some fun areas around Melbourne, some of which were St. Kilda, Philip Island, and Sorrento.
On the ferry from Geelong to Sorrento
Beach huts in Sorrento
Rakesh being silly with a beach hut :)
I don't think I'll ever get over how clear the water is here.
Sunset from St. Kilda, overlooking Melbourne
Sorry, that was a long post, I guess I just like sharing my life, through pictures, with you guys!
Lots of love,
Michelle
Sunday, April 25, 2010
No I didn't know...
I love the drive up to Ballarat that we do every Thursday. It's a good time to just hang out with Matt and Jono, to pray for everything going on, and (when I'm not the one driving) to just sit back and take in all the beauty that this place has to offer. It's getting especially beautiful now sine it's fall here, so the leaves are changing into beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the fields get greener and greener everyday. Don't get the idea that I'm driving along the Great Ocean Road once a week, cuz I'm not... going to Ballarat we are actually getting further away from the ocean. It's nothing but country and wide open spaces, and it's next to impossible to count all the horses and sheep that we pass. It's quite different than Southern California, and not the kind of scenery that I'm used to... a comparable length of the drive would be SB to LA, but not the same at all! No 6 lane-highways with massive SUVS doing 85, mainly just a 2-lane road doing about a 100 k's, which is about 60 mph. Much more low-key and truly Aussie :)
This week we passed a house that had a MASSIVE banner in their front yard. The first line read "DID YOU KNOW?" I was intrigued, wondering what this house wanted to so clearly present to its neighbors and everyone that passed by. My mind began to come up with lots of possibilities that this house wanted me to know, some ideas a bit more ridiculous than others. As we got closer, you could read the second line that, in smaller print, said "that Buninyong has 2 bars..." (Buninyong is the tiny little town that you hit before you get to Ballarat, and when I say tiny, I mean tiny) My first reaction was complete surprise that such a small town would in fact have 2 bars in it. When I got done wondering where the bars actually were, the implications of what I just saw began to hit me. I thought about all the time and effort that went into making the banner, the money that was spent to get it produced, and the dangers, and possible accidents, that occurred while hanging it from their second story balcony. It made me sad to think about the fact that all this time, effort, money, energy, labor, etc went into letting people know about these two bars. This banner was sending quite a message about the people that lived in this house and what's important to them, and it broke my heart to think that this is what so many people are living for, and think it is worthy of their lives.
I know what it means to pour time, effort and energy into something; I pour so much into this ministry everyday, and, if I'm honest, it's exhausting and, at times, it can drain me like nothing else can. But I come home everyday knowing that I am working for something greater, something more worthy than I can probably ever comprehend. This banner advertising these bars doesn't have that promise attached to it, for all they know they could put up that banner and not a single person could show up to these bars (which is probably the reality because it didn't actually say where these bars were... poor advertising if you ask me). It broke my heart to see first hand that these people thought this message was worth pouring into, and even spreading to others, and made me all the more grateful that the message I'm "advertising" is one of redemption and hope. Thank. You. Jesus.
For the only message that's worth spreading,
Michelle
This week we passed a house that had a MASSIVE banner in their front yard. The first line read "DID YOU KNOW?" I was intrigued, wondering what this house wanted to so clearly present to its neighbors and everyone that passed by. My mind began to come up with lots of possibilities that this house wanted me to know, some ideas a bit more ridiculous than others. As we got closer, you could read the second line that, in smaller print, said "that Buninyong has 2 bars..." (Buninyong is the tiny little town that you hit before you get to Ballarat, and when I say tiny, I mean tiny) My first reaction was complete surprise that such a small town would in fact have 2 bars in it. When I got done wondering where the bars actually were, the implications of what I just saw began to hit me. I thought about all the time and effort that went into making the banner, the money that was spent to get it produced, and the dangers, and possible accidents, that occurred while hanging it from their second story balcony. It made me sad to think about the fact that all this time, effort, money, energy, labor, etc went into letting people know about these two bars. This banner was sending quite a message about the people that lived in this house and what's important to them, and it broke my heart to think that this is what so many people are living for, and think it is worthy of their lives.
I know what it means to pour time, effort and energy into something; I pour so much into this ministry everyday, and, if I'm honest, it's exhausting and, at times, it can drain me like nothing else can. But I come home everyday knowing that I am working for something greater, something more worthy than I can probably ever comprehend. This banner advertising these bars doesn't have that promise attached to it, for all they know they could put up that banner and not a single person could show up to these bars (which is probably the reality because it didn't actually say where these bars were... poor advertising if you ask me). It broke my heart to see first hand that these people thought this message was worth pouring into, and even spreading to others, and made me all the more grateful that the message I'm "advertising" is one of redemption and hope. Thank. You. Jesus.
For the only message that's worth spreading,
Michelle
Monday, April 12, 2010
A picture worth a thousand words
At our Connexions camp last week we took a few minutes to take a big group photo, and then got shots of everyone with their campuses. I just saw these photos, and can't stop smiling at them.
Everyone from the Greater Geelong area, so all of the campuses that we are in charge of. Pretty good looking bunch, eh? :)
When we started taking our campus pictures, there were many, shall we say "encouraging jests", when they called Ballarat. Keep in mind, as of right now, I'm the only girl at Ballarat. So the picture is me and 6 guys, gotta love it :)
I love these guys, I really do, but I'm desperately asking the Lord for some women... hanging out with these fellas all day is starting to wear me out. I can already see the Lord working, and there are a few women that have been coming around, just weren't able to come to Connexions. I'm grateful for the ways that He's moving, but desiring to see so much more. So many times I feel inadequate and wonder how much the Lord can really do through just one woman, but I know that's just my doubt and lack of faith getting in the way. If you could please join me in praying for more women at Ballarat. I have seen the Lord work in crazy ways when I ask you guys to pray, so I'm asking you, almost imploring you, to join me in interceding for some women.
And I have complete faith that the picture for Ballarat next year will be more gender balanced... shoot, last year there wasn't even a picture for Ballarat, so praise the Lord for that!
I can't thank you enough for praying with me,
Michelle
Everyone from the Greater Geelong area, so all of the campuses that we are in charge of. Pretty good looking bunch, eh? :)
When we started taking our campus pictures, there were many, shall we say "encouraging jests", when they called Ballarat. Keep in mind, as of right now, I'm the only girl at Ballarat. So the picture is me and 6 guys, gotta love it :)
I love these guys, I really do, but I'm desperately asking the Lord for some women... hanging out with these fellas all day is starting to wear me out. I can already see the Lord working, and there are a few women that have been coming around, just weren't able to come to Connexions. I'm grateful for the ways that He's moving, but desiring to see so much more. So many times I feel inadequate and wonder how much the Lord can really do through just one woman, but I know that's just my doubt and lack of faith getting in the way. If you could please join me in praying for more women at Ballarat. I have seen the Lord work in crazy ways when I ask you guys to pray, so I'm asking you, almost imploring you, to join me in interceding for some women.
And I have complete faith that the picture for Ballarat next year will be more gender balanced... shoot, last year there wasn't even a picture for Ballarat, so praise the Lord for that!
I can't thank you enough for praying with me,
Michelle
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