Entry into Aussieland :)

I had a wonderful flight.  I am almost over my jet lag.  Today is day four and I am feeling like a nap here soon.  If I don't stay up I will wake up at four am.  Since I'm on the top bunk being up and about is challenging with squeaky hardwood floors.  They tell on me every time.  

(Above is my sister Gracie, age 8.  She drops me off and picks me up from the airport every time I fly.  She's my best friend, number one fan, and the best little sister I could ask for.)

On my first flight to Perth I sat next to a man from Zambia.  He was considering/praying about doing a Crossroads Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission in Hawaii.  Which is what I help lead now and the organization I work for.  So I knew that was totally God.  He was very talkative and we enjoyed our flight.

Then on my 2nd flight from Dubai to Perth I sat next to a very traditional Indian women dressed in full (India) Indian clothing.  She was very nice but she only spoke Hindi and she was very sick.  So sick the flight attendants were considering removing her from the flight.  Through sign language I was able to ask to pray for her and help with her customs form.  She agreed and was very thankful.  Since i had 10.5 hours and some space I also took out my watercolor pencils and a cup of water to painted her a picture.  She really liked the picture.  

God had total grace over my luggage and my carry on as well.  I know they were both a bit over.

I was picked up from Perth airport by a lady from the YWAM base (Narelle).  She told me I'd be working with the Art Refuge (which is what i wanted to do).  They share about Jesus using art and art therapy.  Art Refuge works with the homeless, women's shelters, the detention center, and within the city.   Art is an excellent tool to help people feel comfortable talking with you. 

 My first night here I went out sharing with people about Jesus with several of the schools that are running and I talked with a security guard for about an hour about God.  It's neat, here at YWAM it is so normal... it's just what we do. People were worshipping and painting in the town square amongst the night life.  Some really great conversations took place.

Today was my first day of working.  They gave me the weekend to unpack, rest, and get over my jet lag.  I met with the rest of my house Sunday.  Right now I am sharing a house with 8 other girls.  There are 4 including me in my room. It's tight but we are busy and we have a nice back porch and living room if we need a little space. I have to tell you... my previous leader and I were going to go for coffee.  I ordered just a plain black coffee, nothing fancy... just normal and it cost $3.40 and it had to be 5oz. tops.  A little baby coffee with no refills.  I was shocked, thankfully my leader made me some ground coffee today.

I am going through orientation and work duties right now which is pretty laid back.  I work with three lady artist.  All in there 40's-mid 50's.  I am so excited to learn anything they or the Lord wants to teach me about art, ministry, or anything else.  I honestly can't believe the Lord is opening this door again... I laid art, my future, and graphic design at the foot of the cross during my discipleship training school.  I still can't believe I am going to be working on art related stuff.  Today we are doing something called straw blowing and scribble drawings.  You blow paint through a straw to splash it on the paper and the other you talk or listen and scribble gently at the same time and then you look at it to see what pictures you can see within the scribbles (To the left you'll see my scribble picture).  Techniques like these are therapeutic and help others relax and grow in confidence in their art.  

I like it here.  It feels homey and I feel like I can really focus on God and I know that I am in the center of His will.  I look forward to having these room mates.  A few are from Australia, some New Zealand, US, Norway, maybe one from Canada... I love it.  I love having people around.  I am just hoping to connect with them.  The weather is nice.  There are a lot of people at the training center right now because will soon be a 25 year YWAM Perth celebration combined with a 50 year YWAM celebration the last week of January.  It will be on Australia day, January 26th.  It's gonna be crazy. I helped paint some vinyl stuff on a pretty dead tree today.  They are going to put some decorations on it and use it as a chandelier for the celebrations.  It is a creative idea, I'm enjoying helping.

Please pray:   

-that my time here would be continually fruitful/productive
-that I'd trust people and make lots of friends (or at least a few really strong friendships)
-that God would use me... and continue to lead me in the path He has for me in this season... (on the water)


Love you all.
Thanks for loving me and cheering me on!
Love, Shelly.

January 11th, 2010