I will be without wifi for the next few weeks. So most likely no blogging while I am in PNG. After August 19th, I should be able to give further accounts of my experiences down here.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Magnetic Island
Today I took a break away from base life and ventured over on the ferry to Magnetic Island. It was a fantastic getaway. Everyone at the base has been great but not knowing anyone can be draining, so the introverted part of me was ready to break away from the pack for a bit. Especially due to the fact that I won't be able to break away from the pack in PNG. The buddy system will definitely be enforced there. Magnetic Island, Maggie Island, is 8 K from Townsville so this makes for a quick ferry ride. The great thing about Maggie Island is that there are all these tucked away bays and a ton of walking trails. So all I needed was my map, hiking shoes and a book. I plopped down on a rock every now and then to read some. It was definitely one of those no schedule days. One of the walking trails included passing through what remains of a WWII fort. The fort made me think of both my granddaddys. The sun then came out as a I discovered the different bays. I did not swim although you can swim all year long here. I ended the day at a lorikeet feeding which was really entertaining as at one point the lorikeets were not only on my hands and arms but also on my head!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The GBR
I took advantage of my location and went on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday. When I registered the guy told me (after I paid my money, of course) that there was a wind warning advisory out for Sunday. I told him that I was a little nervous about getting seasick (yes, I will be living on a boat for the next month). The only advice he gave me was to stare into the horizon if I started to feel the least bit of seasickness come on. So with those words of wisdom I jumped on board Passions of Paradise ready to go explore the South Pacific.
It was about an hour and a half boat ride out to the first reef location. On the way out I decided that I would try the intro scuba dive course, too. So I listened to the spill and got a little anxious but firgured I would try it for 10 minutes (the first 10 minutes were free) and then go from there. With the intro dive, the ratio was 2 divers for every instructor. After battling the waves snorkeling for the first 30 minutes, I was ready to go underwater. My instructor was a scruffy, Australian with long hair who looked more like a surfer than a diver to me, but I was ok with that. I got fitted with the goggles and tank and tried my best not to fall. I jumped in and as I grabbed on to the rope where my instructor was, the first thing he said was "you look terrified." I was pretty terrified at that point. Could I really trust this regulator to breathe for me underwater??? We then reviewed our drills then the 10 free minutes were up, and it came time decide if I was going to leave the rope. Some of my initial fears were lessened as we went through the drills, so I decided to go a little deeper. Me and the other diver linked arms with our instructor and went under. Two things struck me during this first dive. One is that the kids' books which show all the crazy colors for the underwater creatures are actually not making it up. There really are that many colors painted on the surface of this huge mass of water. Not only were the coral and the sponges crazy neon colors of purples and green but the fish were, too. The second thing that surprised me was just how slow everything seemed to be under the sea - time itself seemed to move at a slower speed. Needless to say, I was pretty blown away on this first dive and if it wasn't for my ears doing all sorts of crazy popping, I could have stayed down there all day.
We got out and had a nice lunch. I met a cute 8 year old boy who gave me a hard time about how much I was eating. The other guy to the left of me was pretty amazed at all the colors that were down there at the bottom of the ocean, as well. It was surprising, but should I be surprised by God's art work and attention to detail even at the depths of the sea?
Well, I got one more dive in that afternoon. Sit down, Mom, because we did see a shark . But he did not seem to care too much about us. He just kept swimming.
On the way back to shore the wind and waves were kicking and that got the boat to rocking which made some motion sickness come on, but I looked continually at the horizon for about 45 minutes which did seem to keep things under control for the most part. Thankfully, I did not need a brown bag. T
It was a great trip to the reef. I was glad I stayed an extra day in Cairns.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Sustainability
For the last week I have been living and working at the Kanjini Co-op. When I decided to take some time away from the daily grind, one thing I really wanted to do was explore gardening further as learning to grow some of my own veggies is appealing to me (maybe all those years of shucking corn as a kid had something to do with this). So when the Papua New Guinea trip came together, I quickly planned to set aside some time for WWOOFing. I became a member and got my wwoofing book and started looking for a farm or garden, a place to put my hands in the soil. Well, I quickly became a little overwhelmed as there are about 2000 wwoofing hosts in Australia. The book does divide these options according to location and type of work. In the Cairns area, the Kanjini Co-op stuck out to me as its posting included working in a veggie garden and the ability to borrow their bicycle. The co-op and I sent a sent a few e-mails back and forth. When they offered to pick me up at the airport, it seemed like everything was set: I would work 5 hours a day for a place to cover my head and some food to fill my belly.
Shiralee, my hostess for the week, picked me up at the airport. Plans quickly changed that first night, as Svargo - the other co-op director - was ill. Before I knew it, I was being dropped off at a hostel. Well, things worked out as they usually do. I got over 12 hours of sleep that first night in the hostel and then got to look around Cairns and enjoy a flat white coffee at a local shop the next morning. I sat for a bit slowly sipping my coffee and reading Clayton King's book about discovering God in the daily experiences of our life. It was nice to have that morning of quietness, and I felt like I was reminded that God is totally in control of this trip. Despite my best attempts at planning, He still knows what is best for me.
Well, Shiralee held up her end of the bargain and picked me up at 11 AM the next day. We drove "up the mountain" to Koah which is located in the Tablelands, a tropical area filled with rolling hills. The Tablelands are approximately 700 meters above sea level which gives this area a perfect climate, nearly all year (for all you Wisconsinites - it's winter here and the temperature has not gotten below 60 degrees). As we drove west for 45 minutes to the co-op, I asked Shiralee - a shiny, lady in her mid-fifties born and bred in Southern Australia - about the vision of the co-op. She gave me a long spill and painted a beautiful vision of what their vision is for the next 10 to 15 years, as this co-op is just getting started. To sum it up in one word - they hope, plan and dream of being a place that is sustainable. Now a days, the word "sustainability" is thrown around quite a bit. However, I wasn't quite sure if I really knew what it meant. So I probed further in the car ride, but once I got to Kanjini, I really didn't have to ask much more about sustainability because I felt like I walked right into the definition in that 11 acre space.
The co-op currently has 4 different "buildings". Shiralee's bedroom is located at the top of the hill in an old caravan. The large shed enclosed Svargo's bedroom on one side, the didgeridoo business in the middle (which should be a whole other blog post) and a guest room on the other side. At the bottom of the hill was an octagonal area open on all sides with one side leading into the kitchen. Since the living room and kitchen were open to the tropical dry lands, there was plenty of opportunity to see the wandering spider, ant and yes, even the friendly millie (Australian slang for mouse). Finially, there was another bedroom and living area in another building just a few feet away from the kitchen.
Jess was the other wwoofer. She had just finished up a study abroad program in Australia and New Zealand. And of all places is the world, she is from Florida - a University of Florida student to be exact (it's OK, she is really not into football, so we did not have to get into any heated debates over our beloved football teams). It was great having her companionship to not only share the work and chores, but also good discussions and laughter. I am so thankful our paths crossed. Our work at the co-op included everything from transplanting coconut trees to making additional raised beds and harvesting ginger and turmeric. My favorite job was making the raised bed and harvesting the ginger and turmeric. My least favorite job involved revising a raised bed which basically required moving a whole lot of dirt so that we could fix the wall and then moving a whole lot of dirt back. It was good to perform some of those non-glamorous jobs - it reminded me how so much of life is made up of doing non-glamorous chores and duties.
Staying at the co-op this week got me thinking about sustainability. Shiralee and Svargo inspired me a great deal. Their electricity is powered solely through solar power. Their drinking water is rain water that they collect during the rainy season. They not only have a recycle bin but also a compost bin and a worm farm bin in addition to their rubbish bin. They limit they're driving into the city to 2 to 3 times a week. Yep, they are pretty passionate about their sustainable practices. We didn't agree on everything, but none the less, I left this week wondering how I can add more sustainable living into my lifestyle. In this environment, it did not look like people were giving up stuff in order to live this sustainable life. In fact, there no shortage of laughter, singing and good food. The meals usually included garden fresh veggies and tropical fruit. In addition to picking up some great gardening tips from Shiralee who was practically born in the garden, Jess and I took home some good recipes.
At this point, I relate living a sustainable lifestyle to being a good steward. I looked up "stewardship" this week in my Bible concordance, and it took me to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. We are each given a certain amount of resources. Growing up in the West, I have been given a lot of resources. Am I wasting those resources, burying them, or multiplying them? Resources can be any thing from fossil fuels to finances to time. I don't think we are all called to the co-op lifestyle. But living in this type of lifestyle for one week has inspired me to be a better steward. I am definitely thankful for this first week of exploring and getting my hands dirty in some Ozzie soil. I feel like I have already learned so much that I could even come home today and be totally satisfied. But, on second thought, maybe I'll just go to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow instead.
Shiralee, my hostess for the week, picked me up at the airport. Plans quickly changed that first night, as Svargo - the other co-op director - was ill. Before I knew it, I was being dropped off at a hostel. Well, things worked out as they usually do. I got over 12 hours of sleep that first night in the hostel and then got to look around Cairns and enjoy a flat white coffee at a local shop the next morning. I sat for a bit slowly sipping my coffee and reading Clayton King's book about discovering God in the daily experiences of our life. It was nice to have that morning of quietness, and I felt like I was reminded that God is totally in control of this trip. Despite my best attempts at planning, He still knows what is best for me.
Well, Shiralee held up her end of the bargain and picked me up at 11 AM the next day. We drove "up the mountain" to Koah which is located in the Tablelands, a tropical area filled with rolling hills. The Tablelands are approximately 700 meters above sea level which gives this area a perfect climate, nearly all year (for all you Wisconsinites - it's winter here and the temperature has not gotten below 60 degrees). As we drove west for 45 minutes to the co-op, I asked Shiralee - a shiny, lady in her mid-fifties born and bred in Southern Australia - about the vision of the co-op. She gave me a long spill and painted a beautiful vision of what their vision is for the next 10 to 15 years, as this co-op is just getting started. To sum it up in one word - they hope, plan and dream of being a place that is sustainable. Now a days, the word "sustainability" is thrown around quite a bit. However, I wasn't quite sure if I really knew what it meant. So I probed further in the car ride, but once I got to Kanjini, I really didn't have to ask much more about sustainability because I felt like I walked right into the definition in that 11 acre space.
The co-op currently has 4 different "buildings". Shiralee's bedroom is located at the top of the hill in an old caravan. The large shed enclosed Svargo's bedroom on one side, the didgeridoo business in the middle (which should be a whole other blog post) and a guest room on the other side. At the bottom of the hill was an octagonal area open on all sides with one side leading into the kitchen. Since the living room and kitchen were open to the tropical dry lands, there was plenty of opportunity to see the wandering spider, ant and yes, even the friendly millie (Australian slang for mouse). Finially, there was another bedroom and living area in another building just a few feet away from the kitchen.
Jess was the other wwoofer. She had just finished up a study abroad program in Australia and New Zealand. And of all places is the world, she is from Florida - a University of Florida student to be exact (it's OK, she is really not into football, so we did not have to get into any heated debates over our beloved football teams). It was great having her companionship to not only share the work and chores, but also good discussions and laughter. I am so thankful our paths crossed. Our work at the co-op included everything from transplanting coconut trees to making additional raised beds and harvesting ginger and turmeric. My favorite job was making the raised bed and harvesting the ginger and turmeric. My least favorite job involved revising a raised bed which basically required moving a whole lot of dirt so that we could fix the wall and then moving a whole lot of dirt back. It was good to perform some of those non-glamorous jobs - it reminded me how so much of life is made up of doing non-glamorous chores and duties.
Staying at the co-op this week got me thinking about sustainability. Shiralee and Svargo inspired me a great deal. Their electricity is powered solely through solar power. Their drinking water is rain water that they collect during the rainy season. They not only have a recycle bin but also a compost bin and a worm farm bin in addition to their rubbish bin. They limit they're driving into the city to 2 to 3 times a week. Yep, they are pretty passionate about their sustainable practices. We didn't agree on everything, but none the less, I left this week wondering how I can add more sustainable living into my lifestyle. In this environment, it did not look like people were giving up stuff in order to live this sustainable life. In fact, there no shortage of laughter, singing and good food. The meals usually included garden fresh veggies and tropical fruit. In addition to picking up some great gardening tips from Shiralee who was practically born in the garden, Jess and I took home some good recipes.
At this point, I relate living a sustainable lifestyle to being a good steward. I looked up "stewardship" this week in my Bible concordance, and it took me to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. We are each given a certain amount of resources. Growing up in the West, I have been given a lot of resources. Am I wasting those resources, burying them, or multiplying them? Resources can be any thing from fossil fuels to finances to time. I don't think we are all called to the co-op lifestyle. But living in this type of lifestyle for one week has inspired me to be a better steward. I am definitely thankful for this first week of exploring and getting my hands dirty in some Ozzie soil. I feel like I have already learned so much that I could even come home today and be totally satisfied. But, on second thought, maybe I'll just go to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow instead.
Friday, July 06, 2012
Made it to Cairns
After leaving Madison around 5:30 PM on July 4th, I arrived in Cairns at 12:15 pm on July 6th (I am about 14 hours ahead of East coast time...I think). The most interesting part of the flight was flying into LA around 9:30 pm. During the twenty or so minute descent, there were fireworks going off all along the way. Fireworks are definitely more spectacular seen from the ground but what made this show so spectacular is that we got to see ALL the fireworks going off in the LA area. And it seemed like there were literally fireworks going off on every corner. So that was a nice 4th of July surprise. The 13 hour flight from LA to Brisbane was not too bad. I got some sleep and got some food to keep my stomach from growling. I chatted it up with a guy originally from France going to a coral reef conference.
I think the theme for this trip will already need to be flexibility, as my initial plans have already been changed somewhat. The host family I am staying with for the first week picked me up at the airport and then dropped me off at a hostel for the first night instead of taking me to the farm! The plan is that I will go with them today back to their house. There is another wwoofer (willing worker on organic farms) already there who is from Florida. Thankfully, I got a great night sleep at the hostel and some sweet time walking around Cairns this morning. From the first glances, Cairns seems to be pretty much like any beach town. I got to have some good coffee this morning and there God reminded me that He is in control of this trip. So I continue to be excited about what He has in store.
I did not get a chance to send out an e-mail with prayer requests prior to leaving. So here are the things I am currently trusting God with and would love to have you praying for this as well:
1) Explore: Open eyes and open ears to see and explore all the ways God is working in this place and in my heart and the hearts of those around me. May he use conversations and circumstances to broaden my perspective and focus on Him.
2) Respond: That I would be able to respond to the needs and circumstances that come up in a way that shines for Him.
3) Expect: That I would be enabled to step into each situation with an expectancy that God is on the move and He wants to use me.
4) Serve: That He would use me to serve these people. May He help me take care of the people's musculoskeletal concerns and may by taking care of their body give me a chance to care for their spirit as well.
Thanks for reading. I am not sure if I will be able to send updates while I am at the farm. But I should be able to check e-mail, so please send me updates if you get a chance. I would love to hear from you! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
I think the theme for this trip will already need to be flexibility, as my initial plans have already been changed somewhat. The host family I am staying with for the first week picked me up at the airport and then dropped me off at a hostel for the first night instead of taking me to the farm! The plan is that I will go with them today back to their house. There is another wwoofer (willing worker on organic farms) already there who is from Florida. Thankfully, I got a great night sleep at the hostel and some sweet time walking around Cairns this morning. From the first glances, Cairns seems to be pretty much like any beach town. I got to have some good coffee this morning and there God reminded me that He is in control of this trip. So I continue to be excited about what He has in store.
I did not get a chance to send out an e-mail with prayer requests prior to leaving. So here are the things I am currently trusting God with and would love to have you praying for this as well:
1) Explore: Open eyes and open ears to see and explore all the ways God is working in this place and in my heart and the hearts of those around me. May he use conversations and circumstances to broaden my perspective and focus on Him.
2) Respond: That I would be able to respond to the needs and circumstances that come up in a way that shines for Him.
3) Expect: That I would be enabled to step into each situation with an expectancy that God is on the move and He wants to use me.
4) Serve: That He would use me to serve these people. May He help me take care of the people's musculoskeletal concerns and may by taking care of their body give me a chance to care for their spirit as well.
Thanks for reading. I am not sure if I will be able to send updates while I am at the farm. But I should be able to check e-mail, so please send me updates if you get a chance. I would love to hear from you! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
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