Wide open spaces, a strange, familiar landscape, country music playing "loud-az" in their "utes" (utility vehicle). Strange accents with words that take a while to get up to tabs on. When someone would ask or tell you something enough times, you stop asking, "what" and just say, "yeap".
This island of a continent is Australia and is largly underestimated! It is our saving grace for the year as we would need to work with sheep on farms to pay the for the rest of the year's travels.
On our arrival in Sydney we where organized a place to stay for two nights. We where blessed staying with a group of hosting ladies called the Darlings in the Darling house. It was a great encouragement hearing their stories and reflecting on experiences.
In the late evenings, we went exploring at the Sydney Harbor vibrant with lights as the Vivid Light Fest was on. For those that know, Marton had such a ball, we struggled controlling his excitement - like a kid at a fair he took it real well. It was quite the view, many buildings as well as the Opera House lit up with projected moving images and lights.
After our goodbyes, we had to depart to Harden to meet our hosts to-be - the Willersdorf family. We worked in the family business, Noble Management, a livestock company and learned lamb marking, scanning, weighing and pushing around sheep. We learnt practically first-hand, what Aussie farming is like!
What an adventure this would be, yet little did we know what was waiting at our new home! Eleven kids just falling short of a dozen, it doesnt get any cheaper though! Eight are still living with Julie, their mother, as they were kind enough to host another eight men as well. In addition, having guests that sleep over frequently, already practically family members.
Our initial expectation was working hard 24/7, and so we did, but we remained encouraged and the joy was infectious. Each morning, Psalms would be shared and thoughts would be pondered throughout the days' work. Psalm 23 became very real to us as we could see the world from a sheep's perspective. We practically saw what Jesus meant when He stated that He is the Shepherd over His flock. Little we knew how much it would take to push a stubborn sheep in a pen and then realise the biblical resemblance to us.
You feel part of a bigger picture with this family. With them we learnt what it meant to be part of God's Household - that you only need to get by with the love of Christ. They have truly given over everything including so much more, even surrendering each other to the hands of God.
Glory to God for seeing a devoted body of Christ as a family who work well together. Like every other family, there are times when grace-growers pop up and some bump heads. The difference is that in this family there is a peace beyond understanding, something that can only be given from God.
We can see why so many South Africans called this home because of the communities' acceptance. The family introduced us to their church, small but people passionate to change the world - a God fearing community. The Willersdorfs connected us with life-long friendships and experiences that we will take with us on our journey and life ahead!
We have come here to work, but the resounding thing that God did for us was His blessings: a place to stay for the first two nights in Sydney; blessed with friendships; going to the Sydney Opera House and so the list continues. We cannot forget to mention the countless amounts of people that blessed us with meals, gifts, warm beds and encouragement - people filled with the Spirit of Christ couldn't wait to exchange testimony and so great revelations were revealed.
Australia has been challenging. We have had physical endeavors as well as spiritual. It has got us to a point of unity as a team seeing how a body of Christ operates. When someone tires out, another would take his place. So how much more will Jesus take our burden upon Himself!
We pray you are inspired to continue to live out Jesus. Our journey continues to Fiji tomorrow!
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