Australia was suppose to be the half way country pit stop where we have a break from crazy cultures and just work with some sheep. I could not wait to get my hands dirty and have some fun. In true global fashion it was 6weeks not knowing what I was doing or what was going to happen next. It was suppose to be easy but it wasn't...
For the first week I got to relax and catch up with some friends, learning from them and serving where I could. We also had a camp with the youth from the church where more friendships were made. Surrounded by believers who all speak your language was quite a different scene but a most welcome one. Spiritually it was quiet, confusingly quiet...
Then I was whisked away with 5 other guys to a farm for a week of lamb marking. I have no idea what I was expecting but it wasn't this. Every morning getting up at 5h30 for bacon and eggs (WHAT?? FOOD? ON GLOBAL??) and watching the sun rise on the way to the sheepies. In the cold with my 7layers of clothing on, of which at least 1 belonged to one of the guys, we started with the sheep. The production line included catching, vaccination, ear marking, balling, cutting/ringing tails, scratching, sometimes mulezing, spraying and tipping them out. On average processing about 1500 sheep a day with smoko (aka tea break) and lunch in between. Then back home for a shower (necessary) and tea (aka dinner).
I was surprised at my reaction to this all...
What I realized:
1. I still want to prove myself and not be treated different because of my gender. But sometimes I forget that I am a girl and that I have limitations.
2. I am adventurous enough to take out a sheep's balls with my teeth (no jokes!!!)
3. I don't mind blood on my face..or on my teeth or up my nose...In fact I find it hilarious when people throw/squirt me with it.
4. I can laugh at the most ridiculous things and make work fun
5. Sound effects are awesome
6. I might be 26 but in my heart I am 12
But after a week of working in the cold wet weather, my body crashed and I got sent to do school scripture for the next week. Wow, what a great concept! For a whole week we visited schools and told stories, did skits, and taught the kids Bible verses and songs. This was the first time that I did kid's ministry like this and I learned a lot about how things are done.
What I realized:
1. I don't get stage fright...like at all
2. I can act. Maybe not great but much more than I thought I could.
3. Being silly is fun.
4. Prayer is needed everywhere
5. Honor the school and their rules so that there will be favour for next teams.
That weekend we were blessed with a good old South African braai complete with all our favorite foods: boerewors, vetkoek, melktert, koeksisters, soetbrood, etc. Wow, spoiled like crazy! Our entire team also got special prophetic words spoken over us that was one of the spiritual highlights of my year.
Then it was back to farm life! For another 3 weeks I got to play (I mean work) with the sheep. So every Sunday after church and lunch we drive about 8hours to a farm. Then we work there until Friday and drive back. At work there would be little wars where we throw each other with butt skins and blood just to make things more interesting. I got to do every job at some point, even doing more than one at a time. During the last days I got to mules 2 sheep. It took forever but the experience was great!
Things I learned:
1. Fellowship with believers are important.
2. Everything belongs to God so we work for Him, not for people.
3. If we trust God with everything, why not trust Him with the amount of children we have?
4. Speak life, not death.
5. I get cold really easily.
6. God knows everything, He guides us. I don't have to be afraid of making the wrong decision. He will show the way.
7. McDonald's caramel latte is amazing!!!
8. I don't like disappointing people.
9. I don't take it well when people say I am beautiful...
So I learned a lot, made great new friends and found out a few things about myself along the way. Crazy times with amazing people.
Expectations exceeded!!!
