goodbye africa hello australia

So, I have finally arrived back to my beautiful home in Australia.
The transition from Africa to Australia was surprisingly hard for me , I thought I was an adaptable person, clearly not. In Africa, I imagined going back to the base so much that I had created so many expectations in my mind of what things would be like - and of course things were completely different . Two new schools have begun while we was away , so there all staying in our old rooms , sleeping in our beds and eating our food. I'm just slightly territorial and tribal when it comes to my school...oops. Only kidding , the other schools are interesting and we my school is worshiping with them tomorrow night, so it will be cool to minister to them and get to know their hearts.
Firstly: culture shock. Being objectified and looked over and over again with 'have sex with me eyes' for two months really did disturb my mind, to come back in to a western culture and not to be on guard about where I walk or who I smile at, is something I take for granted. It really is a pleasure to smile at a stranger on the road.
I feel completely useless and inattentive being back in Australia with no church to visit daily , or some programme to perform. While in Africa I craved my own freedom to be independent , but now, I am finding it odd to be myself and with so much free time.
The first few days back in OZ, was challenging for me, I was SOOOOO emotionally sporadic, crying all the time and then extremely hyper the next... I think it was just the drastic change from African culture and the bubble of my team with the little connection I had from the outside world.
I miss Africa so much . I miss the Tabernacle of Praise Church , their lifestyle was a personal testimony for me that you do not have to do a DTS or be part of YWAM to be so on fire for God. Their love for God overflows in to their actions, they are so full of life. Its such an inspiring church to be part of , that they are not content with just being comfortable in religion and sitting in church on a Sunday but they want to see God's kingdom come. I will miss the hospitality of Africa , that they will invite you in to their house as if you were their family and feed you till your belly's full. I will miss the children of Leonsdale , who tangled up my hair every time I saw them. I will never forget the love they lavished on me and how I will never understand the impact I had on their lives.
Our debrief in Africa was amazing , we stayed in the artistic little beach town of Muzemburg in a hostel. I am so thankful for my outreach, when remember all the amazing moments I had, and all the miracles that happened, I would not of had it any other way, it was thee most perfect place I could of chosen for outreach. I do not have one single complaint. My leaders were amazing and so much more- the fact that they let us control our own outreach by doing 'BOM' groups was such an opportunity to put our faith in to operation. My favourite part of being in south Africa was the times i watched my friends walk out in who they are in Christ. Each one of them transformed so much , its as if I am meeting them all for them first time. The last night we we decided to worship and we were all going a bit psychotic on the spirit , there was so much faith in the room that we decided to put that to test . So, my leader Nick was explaining to us that once he heard that in a church called bethel in America its pretty famous I think , in one crazy worship session, things started getting random stuff stuck to the walls, like chairs and hammers, we had such an urge of faith come over us, that we craved to see if we could do the same thing so we put a penny up on the wall and we declared as silly as it sounds 'this penny will stick on the wall' and it did , there was no glue NOTHING, we tried it with other money but it did'nt work. SICCCCCCCCCCKKKK. This DOES not mean that we base our faith on miracles, but it also proves that God cannot be put in a box. Its something I am trying to wrap my head around that there is so much happening in the spiritual than I know and that God is bigger than I can ever imagine.
Reuniting with my babies was amazing , I will NEVER forget the moment I saw Claire again it was so breathtaking to see the change in her life shining off her face. Japan and India team were back already , so we were welcomed with lots of excitement and hugs. I LOVE THEM SO FREAKIN MUCH.
I believe my most significant revelation in my life was, knowing that I always have the choice.
CHOICE.
Its amazing - we are freely given it in every moment, every circumstance, every day. I had the choice on outreach to walk out in my flesh , tiredness, complaining, frustration, nostalgia, or I could walk out in my spirit , beautiful, powerful, strong. The world throws painful sometimes unanswerable situations at us , but we always have the power to choose how to respond to it. It has only been on outreach that I have actually acted out on this revelation.


GLAD TO BE HOME.. only 2 weeks and 3 days left of DTS . :(
We went to volunteer in Easter fest last week in Towoomba. With 13 hour shifts a day , no showers, and jet lag ... one word... gruelling.
I'm sleeping nearly all of the time these days... I'm so tired.
I miss my mum and family so much , but I still don't want to go home... ! I don't think i will ever be ready.

Harvey bay next week for debrief!!!
argh x
xxxxx