Laughter is the Best Medicine

Trying to get the ocean and the city all at once :)

      So here are a few pictures of beautiful Surfer's Paradise where we live, work and play! I've included a lot of pictures of fun and laughter in this post. These photos are some of the highlights of my time here, times where I've been able to just laugh and enjoy the moment. Times where I have been content in the joy of being here and living out the opportunity that God has given me to do what I'm doing!

Anika and I enjoying the waves

Me and a few of the lovely ladies soaking up the sun
(Tina, Vicki, Me, Anika)

Welcome to gorgeous Surfers Paradise!

Beach Volleyball
(Arthur, Mariann, Vicki, Tina, Anika)

      Nearly every friday we go out to do some form of evangelism and tell people about Jesus. On this particular friday we decided to pack up and head out to the beach to set up a volleyball net, our goal was to then recruit people to come and play volleyball with us. It ends up being a lot of fun and people start asking who we are and what we're doing. Its an awesome opportunity to tell people about who we are as an organization and even greater, to share with them the love of Jesus. These girls are sitting down waiting for their turn to play as we usually have several teams and we rotate through tournament style. Its also a great chance to see the gorgeous ocean and get a nice tan! :)

Driving the ladies to church on a Sunday morning
(Me, Vicki, Tina, Stephanie, Anika, Maija, Berith)

     Every Sunday we try and make it a priority to go to church, this picture was actually taken this morning. Can you guess who is driving? Thats right, I am! Australians drive on the opposite side of the road and in the opposite side of the car. So the passenger's seat is actually the driver's seat. It took me a little while to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road and every now and then I still want to go into the right lane but I have to remember I'm not in America anymore! Aren't these ladies gorgeous! 

Playing the Ha game
(VIcki, Me, Berith Megan, Cassie)

Laughing away

     There are times where we have to come up with our own fun as we're sitting around at home, this is a game called the 'Ha game'. Basically, we all lay down on each other's stomachs and we have to say Ha in sequential order extremely loudly and not break out in laughter. You should try it, its impossible! Everyone always ends up in giggle fits and time flies on by! 

     They say that "Laughter is the best medicine" and I believe that it is true. I'm trying to spend as much time as I possibly can during my time here to LAUGH! I want to get every single positive experience that I can out of this time and just have fun! As we all are having fun together and enjoying each other's company I find that we are all beginning to bond closer and closer as a group. Its been so much fun getting to know the students and creating genuine relationships with them.

Group Hug!
 (I'd like my brother to note that I am repping the DDC hoodie, just saying <3)

     Every Thursday night we go out to a side of town called Southport that is known for having many homeless and needy people that live in the area. We set up a table and serve bread and snacks that are donated from a local bakery as well as hot tea, coffee or Milo (hot chocolate). We give it out to anyone that walks by and would like some. This ministry is called Coffee Van and it has been very successful in bringing hope to the homeless people in the area. They know that every Thursday night there is a hot drink and something to eat waiting for them and we have seen many people come to know the love of Jesus through this ministry. 

Fun nights at Coffee Van

A little bit of fun art representing our love ;)

     This is a picture of one of my students (Megan), she and I decided to be silly and write things on each other's hands and I love this picture of her in mid-laugh! I loved the little note she drew on my hand with the precious picture of love (its a stick figure work of art!) I love my DTS and the students so much and I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here and get to know these amazing people! Thank you all for supporting me in my time here and allowing me to come up behind these students and walk with them in their journeys of getting to know God in a greater way! It is changing my life just as much as it is changing theirs! Your love and support means so much to me, thank you. I love and miss you all.

I love my DTS!