Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Preacher Boy
I had an interesting conversation the other day during which I was told I’d be preaching before I went home – yes, told; not asked. I’ve served in church closely under the leadership of Chris Mendez, one of the pastors at Hillsong, and he said he’d be getting me to preach at an extension service (a service held at a location other than one of the bigger, main locations). I just got confirmation this week that the chosen date is this coming Sunday, November 30. I had already started preparing the message when Chris confirmed the date and mentioned something he’d like me to include. I was encouraged by the fact that I already had it in my message. It’s a great privilege and a great responsibility. I pray God uses me in a powerful way to change people’s lives.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Goodbye, here I come
As we wind up for the Christmas season, my thoughts flood my mind. Yesterday morning I found out a friend of mine is flying home to America on Thursday and she won’t be back till after I leave, so I said farewell. It drove home the reality that I will soon be saying farewell to many of my closest friends over the last couple of years.
One of my housemates goes home two weeks from today and our paths won’t cross again till one of us take a vacation and goes in the direction of the other. He was my neighbour when I first arrived in Australia and we moved into the same house a few months later together with a few other friends who have since left. We’ve been a significant part of each other’s lives since we both moved to a new land and ended up becoming friends.
Then there’s my first connect group leader who was overcome with joy the second time she saw me (interesting story she’s a little embarrassed about).
There’s also my connect group; his amazing splattering of individuals who decided to come together and join under my leadership. What an amazing group of people!
There’s people I’ve done ministry with, ones I’ve done classes with, and still others I’ve done vacations with.
There have been so many people I’ve met and grown to love in the past few years and it’s not easy saying goodbye. But at the same time, I look forward to what lies ahead.
When I came to Australia, I prayed that God would help me to have a big enough impact that when I leave, I will be missed; that people will notice when I leave and wish I was still here. I also prayed that I would have trained up enough of the right people to fill my roles so the ministry and life impact will continue. I believe both prayers have been answered.
Goodbyes are nothing new. Some are for longer period than others, and some are more welcome than others. I remember the joyful comments of one man after quitting his job. He said he had never seen the company in a better way than “In the rear-view mirror for the last time.” I’ve also experienced the other type where there’s unimaginable pain with the knowledge of never seeing someone again this side of Heaven. I wouldn’t say I’m looking either of those in the face now, but it’s goodbye nonetheless. It’s a happy/sad time – kind of like sweet and sour meatballs – two flavours that shouldn’t mix yet when mixed in just the right combination, produce something really special.
One of the greatest blessings in my life right now is that I truly know there are people in multiple countries who all want more of my time. I could look at my situation and see the negative side of having to say goodbye, or I can look on the other side and realize that goodbye in one place is also hello in another. I therefore choose to look forward with anticipation to that hello.
One of my housemates goes home two weeks from today and our paths won’t cross again till one of us take a vacation and goes in the direction of the other. He was my neighbour when I first arrived in Australia and we moved into the same house a few months later together with a few other friends who have since left. We’ve been a significant part of each other’s lives since we both moved to a new land and ended up becoming friends.
Then there’s my first connect group leader who was overcome with joy the second time she saw me (interesting story she’s a little embarrassed about).
There’s also my connect group; his amazing splattering of individuals who decided to come together and join under my leadership. What an amazing group of people!
There’s people I’ve done ministry with, ones I’ve done classes with, and still others I’ve done vacations with.
There have been so many people I’ve met and grown to love in the past few years and it’s not easy saying goodbye. But at the same time, I look forward to what lies ahead.
When I came to Australia, I prayed that God would help me to have a big enough impact that when I leave, I will be missed; that people will notice when I leave and wish I was still here. I also prayed that I would have trained up enough of the right people to fill my roles so the ministry and life impact will continue. I believe both prayers have been answered.
Goodbyes are nothing new. Some are for longer period than others, and some are more welcome than others. I remember the joyful comments of one man after quitting his job. He said he had never seen the company in a better way than “In the rear-view mirror for the last time.” I’ve also experienced the other type where there’s unimaginable pain with the knowledge of never seeing someone again this side of Heaven. I wouldn’t say I’m looking either of those in the face now, but it’s goodbye nonetheless. It’s a happy/sad time – kind of like sweet and sour meatballs – two flavours that shouldn’t mix yet when mixed in just the right combination, produce something really special.
One of the greatest blessings in my life right now is that I truly know there are people in multiple countries who all want more of my time. I could look at my situation and see the negative side of having to say goodbye, or I can look on the other side and realize that goodbye in one place is also hello in another. I therefore choose to look forward with anticipation to that hello.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Things I'll gladly leave behind
Here is the 4th and final part of my series on things I love and love a little less about Canada and Australia.
Houses with no insulation or sound barrier to other rooms or the outside
The 11 most venomous snakes in the world and 20 of the 22 most venomous
Wide selection of poisonous spiders
Slow walkers. It took only two weeks after my knee operation before I was walking faster than the average Aussie. I’m sorry, but when I go shopping, I have a destination in mind. I’m not too interested in going slow to see all the scenery in the center of the shopping center hallway. There’s not that much to see! Now to be fair, I have found one other place where people walked this slowly. Uganda.
Vegemite – Imagine a bit of yeast mixed with lots of salt, some (rotten) vegetables, and some other disgusting compound that gives it a definite brown colour, and you have the worst “food” I’ve ever tasted
The word “Quality” not being in the dictionary
Trolleys (shopping carts) with 4 turning wheels – especially bad on slopes
A postal service that calculates shipping time by walking the route, walking the return route, finding the total number of minutes, then labelling it days instead of minutes (ie. A distance that takes 20 minutes to walk – 40 minutes return – may take 40 days for delivery in Australia). I’m still waiting for one package that was sent from oversees (express post) at the beginning of Sept. I’m also waiting for an envelope that was sent on Oct 15 from just down the street (a 20 minute walk).
UV index so high that skin burns on just the thought of going in the sun
3 other guys in my house – ok, they’re good guys, but I’ll gladly trade them in for one woman, but only one certain woman and only after the right ring is on her left hand.
Houses with paper thin walls and saran wrap windows
The neighbour’s annoying dogs
All those mosquitoes – NOT - I don’t know what’s wrong with Aussies that they think they have so many mossies! I increased my count this weekend by 28.6%. From August 25, 2006 till November 9, 2008 I have now encountered a grand total of 9 mosquitoes. Yes, I counted! Having been warned in advance of the number of these bloodsucking pests, I thought they would be a force to recon with. When I didn’t find any, I started noticing the odd occasion when they did show up
Being asked constantly if I’m Irish – by people who have never even met anyone from Ireland!
“A” being pronounced “r” and “r” pronounced as “a”. This rule is especially true if the “r” is at the end of a word and the next word starts with a vowel. This probably needs some explanation so here are some examples
· Hosanna = Hosanner
· Paper = papa
· Darling Harbour = Daaling haaba
· Colour = Coula
· From a radio advert – Paramatta accountants = Parammaterrr accountants
· More = moa
People being amazed that I say “house” not “hoose”. This is usually followed by the comment that all Canadians say “hoose” and that’s why I must be Irish. I usually respond that since the person telling me this has heard only a few Canadians speak and I have heard many thousands speak, I would be a little more knowledgeable in matters relating to Canadians' way of speaking and we do NOT pronounce it “hoose”
Oh, the joys of living in another culture! Even so, I’m a better man for it. I’m looking forward to being home, but have to admit, I’ll miss this place. Especially every winter. I hope this series has given you a little extra insight into our cultural differences and you've been able to have a little laugh or two along the way. I'm sure anyone who has spent a week or more in Australia can relate to at least some of my points in this series. For the rest of you, it should help you prepare for any future visit you plan. Happy travels! See you soon in my homeland (and the greatest nation on Earth!!!)
Houses with no insulation or sound barrier to other rooms or the outside
The 11 most venomous snakes in the world and 20 of the 22 most venomous
Wide selection of poisonous spiders
Slow walkers. It took only two weeks after my knee operation before I was walking faster than the average Aussie. I’m sorry, but when I go shopping, I have a destination in mind. I’m not too interested in going slow to see all the scenery in the center of the shopping center hallway. There’s not that much to see! Now to be fair, I have found one other place where people walked this slowly. Uganda.
Vegemite – Imagine a bit of yeast mixed with lots of salt, some (rotten) vegetables, and some other disgusting compound that gives it a definite brown colour, and you have the worst “food” I’ve ever tasted
The word “Quality” not being in the dictionary
Trolleys (shopping carts) with 4 turning wheels – especially bad on slopes
A postal service that calculates shipping time by walking the route, walking the return route, finding the total number of minutes, then labelling it days instead of minutes (ie. A distance that takes 20 minutes to walk – 40 minutes return – may take 40 days for delivery in Australia). I’m still waiting for one package that was sent from oversees (express post) at the beginning of Sept. I’m also waiting for an envelope that was sent on Oct 15 from just down the street (a 20 minute walk).
UV index so high that skin burns on just the thought of going in the sun
3 other guys in my house – ok, they’re good guys, but I’ll gladly trade them in for one woman, but only one certain woman and only after the right ring is on her left hand.
Houses with paper thin walls and saran wrap windows
The neighbour’s annoying dogs
All those mosquitoes – NOT - I don’t know what’s wrong with Aussies that they think they have so many mossies! I increased my count this weekend by 28.6%. From August 25, 2006 till November 9, 2008 I have now encountered a grand total of 9 mosquitoes. Yes, I counted! Having been warned in advance of the number of these bloodsucking pests, I thought they would be a force to recon with. When I didn’t find any, I started noticing the odd occasion when they did show up
Being asked constantly if I’m Irish – by people who have never even met anyone from Ireland!
“A” being pronounced “r” and “r” pronounced as “a”. This rule is especially true if the “r” is at the end of a word and the next word starts with a vowel. This probably needs some explanation so here are some examples
· Hosanna = Hosanner
· Paper = papa
· Darling Harbour = Daaling haaba
· Colour = Coula
· From a radio advert – Paramatta accountants = Parammaterrr accountants
· More = moa
People being amazed that I say “house” not “hoose”. This is usually followed by the comment that all Canadians say “hoose” and that’s why I must be Irish. I usually respond that since the person telling me this has heard only a few Canadians speak and I have heard many thousands speak, I would be a little more knowledgeable in matters relating to Canadians' way of speaking and we do NOT pronounce it “hoose”
Oh, the joys of living in another culture! Even so, I’m a better man for it. I’m looking forward to being home, but have to admit, I’ll miss this place. Especially every winter. I hope this series has given you a little extra insight into our cultural differences and you've been able to have a little laugh or two along the way. I'm sure anyone who has spent a week or more in Australia can relate to at least some of my points in this series. For the rest of you, it should help you prepare for any future visit you plan. Happy travels! See you soon in my homeland (and the greatest nation on Earth!!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
