Finally Here!!!

Hi everyone!! This will just be a quick update, but I wanted to let you know how I’m settling in Australia!! I’ve been here for about 6 days now and I’m still feeling jet-lagged (waking up at 4:30 AM). My whole team is here at this point and we’ve just been spending time getting to know each other. The majority of the team is from the US, but there are a couple of people from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, China, and South Korea. There are about 30 students that are part of my program, but there are 13 schools going on at the base right now. There are 5 DTS programs (what I’m doing) and then several second-level schools and other programs. I’m not exactly sure how many students there are, but I’d estimate around 150, and then with staff, volunteers, and families, there are probably between 300-400 that come in and out of base on a given day (it honestly may be more, I'm not great at estimating this kind of thing). My housing accommodation has two large rooms, each with 12 bunkbeds, so it can fit 48 girls, and it’s pretty much full! It’s definitely an adjustment to be around so many people all the time. The base itself is quite large; there is a large space for worship/teaching, a cafeteria type area, tons of classrooms, a hang-out space with ping-pong, and a little store with food, books, and other fun stuff. I got an Australian sim card, so I have phone data and can communicate over messaging apps, FB messenger, Instagram, and email at pretty much any time! Just remember it’s a 12-hour difference, so mornings/evenings are the best time to get in touch with me :) Right now, we are still just settling in and learning about the way of life here at YWAM Perth, but our classes and lessons will start soon. I will only be here in Australia until August 11th, so I’m trying to soak up as much of the culture and city as possible. Also, a funny tidbit is, they don’t have “party-sized” chip bags here. I found a bag of Doritos labeled “bigger bag” and I kid you not, it was our normal size.

This is called London Court, it's a street in the city that's all dressed up to look like London.

This is the auditorium; we have community worship and any meetings involving all the schools here. It's also is used as a hang-out place during down-times.

So, tea and chocolate are staples here and it's pretty much appropriate to have them any time, morning or night!

I will be writing soon about what we are learning about in lecture and the different things God is teaching me, I can't wait to share more with everyone!! If you want to get notifications when I add updates, just enter your email in the "Subscribe" box at the bottom of the home page. We are about half-way through July now, so if you have committed to supporting me monthly, please send your gift in this week, if you are able. I can be mailed/dropped off at City Church Charlotte, or mailed to my parents. If you have questions, please just reach out to me and we can figure it out! Through gifts and pledges, I am fully funded for this part of my trip!!! God has provided for me in such an amazing way and I am continuing to trust Him for everything else I need.

Please check out the "About Me" page; I have added prayer requests at the bottom and would love for you to join me in praying!! More updates coming soon!!!