Australia Update...

I sit writing this as I look out the window at the rain coming down lightly. Today is a bit of a dreary day, as it's rainy, cloudy, and a little chilly. However, the team is lively and excited!!

These past few days haven't held too much out of the ordinary, but we've been wrapping up our time here at the TMI base in Australia. Monday and Tuesday was spent cleaning up the property, and making sure our living spaces were organized and clean. Today has held a scurry of excitement as we clean the kitchen and bathrooms, blow out the pole barn, pack up and weigh our duffels, and pick up last minute groceries. Around 3 pm this afternoon, we will all pile on the bus and head to Bundaberg, which is about three hours away.

This morning after all their tasks were completed, the kids played a lively game of four-square with a soccer ball, which was fun to watch. We get lots of laughs watching the athletic team members and the not-so-athletic team members play games. Multiple times, the soccer ball has gotten stuck in the rafters of the pole barn, but somehow they always get it down to keep playing.

Lunch today was kept simple (chicken salad sandwiches & chips) so we didn't have lots of cleanup before we leave. However, Nikita, a staff member here, made it exciting for the team! Recently, Dalton and Caleb told her they could eat a steak with a spoon better than with a fork and knife... so Nikita bought everyone a small steak! Of course, somehow the guy leaders were able to cut their steak with a plastic spoon... But everyone else was happy to eat their steak, and it was yummy!

On Monday, the lady leaders let KP (Joseph and Judson) come to the store with us. This was a fun time for everyone! Typically, we don't have team members come with us, but there was room in the car, so we let them come along. We were surprised at their generosity and kindness! Instead of spending their money and time for what they wanted from the store, they stuck with the lady leaders until we told them they could get their things. When they came back, they had a shopping cart full of snacks and drinks. They had "taken orders" from all the team members, and figured out what the leaders liked best from Wooly's, and then bought it all. What a sweet gesture, and it was much enjoyed by all!

Tuesday morning we did our final "hoorah" as a team, and took another polar plunge! Many more team members showed up this time, as well as both assistant leaders (Dalton and Mari), while Pat and Caleb made pancakes. Thankfully, it wasn't a super cold morning, and we were in and out as fast as possible! It was cold, but quite invigorating. Tia came a few minutes later, so half the team stayed and jumped in again with her before they took hot showers.

Tuesday night also held a special treat for the team, when the lady leaders made pizza for dinner! It turned out delicious and of course, they ate it all up. It feels impossible to feed these boys enough! Oftentimes, if they are still hungry, we make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for them until they are full. This can be hard, though, because they could eat us out of house and home if we fed them until they were really full!

Here are a few words from some of the team members:

Stephen M:
"This week has been packup week so far, we started the week off with going to Anthem Church and assisting with their kid program. I believe the ministry at Anthem Church went very well. On Monday we cleaned up from the bush dance, we had to move tables back and clean the buildings. My favorite part about Monday was all the free time we had after the clean up. Tuesday was pack up day and so we finished cleaning up and started packing for home. My favorite part about Tuesday was Mr. Caleb explaining his favorite Bible verse for evening devos that night. This trip has been great so far and I am excited to continue the ministry in Bundaberg!"

Navie M:
"This trip has been really great! The Lord has been laying on my heart to love. You never really know what someone may be going through so love is very important. I'm having a blast!"

Hudson C:
"This is the last day we are here for and I have grown so much in the Lord. We have just a great time."

The devil has definitely tried to attack us as a team in the past few weeks, but be encouraged! Looking at the team interacting with each other, and watching them serve the Lord blesses our hearts. They really pulled through, and we believe this team is stronger because of the difficulties. The Lord has a plan for us, and we believe that being here in Australia is where He wants each of us. We are so thankful for the unity and love we have been blessed with on this team. Every one of the leaders has said this is the best team they have ever led before!

Prayer Requests:
- Please continue praying for the health of both team members and leaders. The sniffles just keep on going around.
- Pray for safety as we travel from Tewantin to Bundaberg to Hervey, and then back to Tewantin for all our sightseeing days.
- Pray for growth and open hearts as we have the amazing opportunity to experience some more culture and learn some history of Australia. There's lots to learn from these people!
- Pray that we would continue growing in unity and love for one another. We're on the last leg of this trip, but we're not done yet!

Thank you, family and friends for all your prayers and support!
- Australia Leaders