G'Day!

Talofa from Logan!
 This is Megan and I just thought I would drop a note. It's 5pm on Wednesday night and we just got done with our third night of Wild Wacky Week. Tomorrow is our last day. This trip so far has been an awesome expericence full of many new experiences. My first new experience was Saturday night when I began having an ear ache and as many of you know it turned into something worse. After spending all Sunday morning going to the doctor and the ER(my first time ever being in one of those!) we learned that I have an ear infection and a burst ear drum...! which isn't too big of a deal, just have to take some antibiotics and hearing should be back in about six weeks. Another great experience was getting to go to the Australia Zoo and seeing the Irwin family and being up-close with some awesome animals! Wild Wacky Week(VBS) has been a lot of fun too. We are using the 2009 theme Museum 12627. The kids seem to enjoy it---we play games, learn bible verses, hear stories and sing songs together. I can't wait to see what they have instore for us! The weather is perfect... high 60's and at night high 50's so we just bundle up to stay warm at night! hopefully I can write more later. For now Tofa and have a good night. -Megan

Wild Wacky Week: Day 1

Today we launched our Wild Wacky Week with the children at the Logan Community Church of the Nazarene, and surrounding neighborhood.  What a wonderful day with the kids, teaching them of God's love and care, and unlocking the mystery of God's great plan for his creation.  We will continue this each day this week.  Enjoy the photos:

Some more pics for you!

Before the journey began. . .

Kangaroo with joey in tow at the Australia zoo . . .

 Megan and Alison face painting at the zoo  . . .

Nicole feeding the kangaroos at the zoo . . .

Michael with Mabel, Tia, and Jadase at church this morning . . .



God is already in tomorrow, literally!

For those of you stateside, you should know that Brisbane is 15 hours ahead of Central Standard Time Zone in Kansas City. As I write you now, it is 5:06AM Saturday, but only 2:06PM Friday afternoon for you.  Incredible when you think about it!
 The very fact I am now experiencing Saturday, nearly a day ahead of you all, gives new meaning to the principle that God is already in our tomorrows.  He knows what lies ahead and invites us to lean on him with the uncertainty of our tomorrows.

So, if you are a bit anxious today. . .
 "Cast the full weight of your anxiety on him, for he cares for you." 
1 Peter 5:7

The past two days our team has been getting acclamated with our wonderful billets (host families) and preparing for ministry through Wild Wacky Week with the kids that will begin full-on on  Monday- Thursday.  Last night we enjoyed a sport/game night with the youth here in Logan and look forward to spending more time with them at "TOA" youth camp July 4-8. "TOA" is a Maori word loosely translated "warrior". Our youth leader, Reg, has invested much time and energy into preparing the program and curriculum for this camp that will focus on being a warrior for the Lord Jesus Christ and developing strength and resilience from within. Looking forward to it!

Today our team will have a bit of a holiday and head to the Australia Zoo. Yes, this is Steve Irwin's famous zoo!  Should be a great day.  I hope to post some pics when we return.  Love to you all!

Alison

We're Here!

G'day Mates!
 
   We're here safe and sound in the lovely city of Brisbane, Australia!  Other than being a little jet-lagged, we are all doing well and are feeling so welcomed by our "billets"!  Gotta get some 'tucker'; will write more later.

One more day!

One more day and these Midwestern American folk are headed "Down Under"!  Our trip will take us to Logan, a suburb of Brisbane, on the eastern coast of Australia, where we will live, learn, and minister with some truly amazing people!  Though ministry is more about being with people than just doing things or accomplishing a task, we do have a plan of action.  Our tentative schedule is below in case you would like to pray for the team.  (Which, by the way, makes ALL the difference!)

June 21-23: En route to Brisbane via KC, Dallas and L.A
June 24: Ministry prep;  Friday "Youth in Action"
June 26: Team sharing in worship with church; Alison preaching
June 27- 30: 'Wild and Wacky Week' with the neighborhood kiddos;
July 4-8: "TOA"  Youth Camp in Pottsville
July 11: Team departs for KC; Alison heads for Sydney and then Auckland, NZ

As we have such gracious host families (aka "billets" in Aussie lingo), there will be ample opportunity to be immersed in Polynesian culture, learn from some true servants, and offer encouragement and service to the families in return.
Our goal is to love God and love people with everything within us!  Our prayer is that our team be a breath of fresh air and truly hold out the hope of Christ to the lost and broken with whom we come in contact.

Please leave us a message and check back often, as each of the team members will have an opportunity to blog throughout the trip.