Updaeto!

hey y'alls! here's another update on what's up down under... somehow it feels weird to post here though. oh well.

I've been attending this place called Cross Culture Church of Christ (aka C4) for the past 2 weeks. the way the service is conducted has a similar feel to bbpc's 1st service. Worship songs are a mix of contempory & hymms, all done with a diff band each wk. Then announcements, which use a great deal of multimedia presentations which are really well done & humorous! Communion is held every week here. The messages have been excellent and concise (the theme now centers on the gospel of Mark); and the atmosphere (like everywhere in Melb) is really relaxed. Then after service there's some mingling and got to know a few of the people...it's strange how people who are like 50+ ask you to call them by 1st name eg steven. ah but the professors in uni do too.
I would post some pics but my internet from home is far too slow to upload stuff...so maybe while on campus :)

Last week was orientation wk, but orientation here is...different. Their version of og is host group, which only stays together for the 1st 3 hrs. After that is a huge load of talks and activities that we just have to turn up for, alone or what. And aussie's love booze & bbq. Hence, many boozing parties and bbq's all round. O wk felt strange for me overall, almost surreal...

So term really just started this week, with only a few hours each day (surprising eh?) but of course that increases...to like an average of 3-4 hrs per day. Everything here is about initiative, it's almost overwhelming with everything happening. Also requires: thick skin, willingness not to save face, discipline, sharp mind & tongue. Here we have to make ourselves heard. It's a challenge i must say.

In the midst of the action, it is such a joy to find quiet at home and pray and reflect. I find myself out of my comfort zone for huge periods of time, and quiet time is really a wonderful sanctuary.

yeah and as lois was saying post up prayer needs! for myself, pray for calm and courage to face the new style of education; for discipline to self-study and to resist many temptations here (pubbing/clubbing is esp. common & popular).

for those who may feel overwhelmed and inadequate;

my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion Forever.
-Psalms 73:26