Hello Friends & Family!!

It's Wednesday the 16th, 2:10 pm as I sit and write this report. The sun is shining bright and warm, there's a slight breeze, and the sky is bright blue and cloudless. Hard to believe we've come so far... We have about 11 days left of time on the field before we head out for the Brisbane airport and say goodbye to Australia.
Our project time is quickly wrapping up! The team is spending their last few days of this week finishing renovations on the small house on property, as well as working on getting ready for the Bush Dance on the 19th. Monday and Tuesday next week (the 21st and 22nd) will be spent preparing the property and cleaning up before we head to Bundaberg for a work project and some cultural experiences.
This week has been pretty quiet. On Monday, we hosted a birthday party for Dez, who has turned 96! He is a very significant man to the staff here (and to us!), because he was the one who donated this beautiful land to Teen Missions many years ago. He does his best to make it out for events we have here, and he loves to tell stories! We enjoyed listening to his stories while eating homemade fruitcake and custard (though some of the team members didn't enjoy the fruit cake).
Tuesday held a change of pace for us kitchen ladies (Pat & Mari), as the kitchen ran out of propane. That meant we had to cook everything on the grill (or as the Aussie's call it, the barbeque). Thankfully, lunch was completely cooked, although not warm, by the time the gas and hot water stopped working. For dinner, we cooked snags and roasted veggies on the grill, along with homemade rolls from earlier that morning. Actually... The ladies prepared the food, and made Dalton and Caleb cook on the grill! :) The boys were willing to help, and it turned out very yummy!! Praise the Lord, we got more propane this afternoon, so now we have hot water and a functioning stove/oven. We are now trying to use up the food we have in the kitchen, so we don't leave much behind when we get to Bundaberg on Wednesday.
In one of my previous reports, I mentioned Abigail and Lane, or the "junk food ladies." Their year of internship was over on Monday, so we had to say goodbye to them. They are now heading back to the states, where Abigail and Lane will join us during debrief. Tia, a much loved staff member here, is now running the junk food store, and the kids remain happy!

A few moments from this week so far:
- On Monday night: I was in the kitchen cooking dinner, and heard some commotion. Looking out the screen door to the pavilion, I saw a line of boys (led by Gabe) marching in line and singing at the top of their lungs. They were on their way to the trash can, where they were looking for a Tim Tam wrapper that was supposedly, "missing." It came out later that nothing was missing, they just wanted to have some fun. It brought joy to my heart watching them all have fun and be goofy together, even after a long work day. :)
- On base, we have four guinea fowl. They are annoying and frustrating birds, always getting under your feet and trying to eat your food before you do. CJ made a contraption that is indescribable (made of sticks, duct tape, random objects like a styrofoam earth, etc.) and in the shape of a giant L. He loves to wait for an opportune moment and chase them with his contraption, and then we all laugh when they run away with their feathers ruffled.
- The entire team LOVES baby Esther. She has recently discovered how to blow raspberries and squeal. It's one of my favorite things to watch boys like Joseph, Abe, and Elliot blow raspberries and make silly noises to make her laugh. They are such gentle kids, and love to play with the baby.
- Every night after evening devos, we spend a moment singing the old hymn, "I Love You, Lord." Even when the entire team is sleepy and wanting to go to bed, they stop and sing this song together. This brings such joy to my heart, and I love listening to them make a joyful noise to the Lord (although sometimes it doesn't sound so beautiful to my ears).

A word from the team members:
CJ:
"God is good and is letting me have a great time with my team. Australia is beautiful. I always enjoy when we go out as a team (going to the beach, or the store, etc.). It's always fun."

Nick B:
"So far being here in Australia, we have been working on the house and on the bush dance. The church services have been great. We have gone on hikes and went to the beach. In my devotionals I have been reading about walking in love, and the principles of marriage (1 Corinthians 13)."

Gabe B:
"Australia is so cool! So far I've painted a closet, painted a closet, painted a wall, and much more. It's been a great time bonding with the team and serving God (through a lot of painting). There are kangaroos everywhere, and everything from the weather to the weird birds has been amazing. God has been working in me through teaching me to serve with a joyful heart always. I can't wait to see how God continues to work in my life."

Please be praying for the team:
- For health, as we are all seeming to get the sniffles with the colder weather
- For unity, spiritual growth, and a genuine desire to serve the Lord

We are all loving it here in Australia! It continues to be beautiful weather, and the team is doing a great job with having a good attitude, even though they are doing the same work nearly everyday.
- The Australia Leaders