Video intros

Take a look at these videos introducing my life here in Canberra:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MoriahDownUnder

Christmas and New Years

The week leading up to Christmas started with the Aussie tradition of Carols in the park. One of the wonderful things about a warm Christmas is that you can be outside sharing the season with your community. The evening kicked off with a sausage sizzle as people from the church and neighbourhood pulled out blankets and lawn chairs, filling a section of the park across from the church. I wandered from blanket to blanket greeting people and sampling the snacks they had brought with them. Our singing was led by a volunteer choir and orchestra some 40-50 strong. We sang of Jesus’ birth and of dashing through the snow (which still seems hilarious to me, as we sat there sweating, even though this is about my 8th Christmas in Australia). As one soloist lifted her voice, a flock of Cockies (Cockatoos) soared over us filling the air with their cries as they landed in the gum trees that stood as our backdrop. I love this sitting and singing with whoever happens along.

I spent the week from Christmas to New Years with my parents. This time was a flurry of food and friends. Mum and I baked some of our favourites (sticky buns for Christmas morning and pizza to share with guests) and enjoyed a quick dip in the pool in the hotter parts of the day. We were invited into others families as they celebrated together and loved time on the phone or Skype talking to our own family as they gathered to celebrate around the world.
Mum and Dad and I carried on the tradition of playing cards when we are together as a family. I was having pretty bad luck but still managing to beat my Dad.
One evening some of the women from Mum and dad’s community came over for a girl’s night. We watched movies and gave foot massages. What a wonderful way to relax!

One afternoon Mum and I went to see the movie Australia. As the war planes started to swoop down on Darwin, my Mum began to cry. Later, while we walked home, Mum told me again how much she hates war. I do too but I feel powerless to change it some days. As I hear of more and more deaths in the Gaza Strip, many of whom are children and civilians, I despair knowing that I can’t stop these wars. But I have also heard that the best way to bring about peace is to do what you are gifted with, working with that gift toward peace. So I am not going to throw myself in front of a tank or change the armed forces for now but I will work at teaching people ways of peace, ways to live in faith and hope. I will work with the next generation so that they will know that we have more options than war or apathy. This is why I am working in Canberra. This is why I have followed God’s call half way round the world again. When I feel small and insignificant I hope in this.

New Years we spent in the city sitting next to the bridge with thousands of others. In many ways the nasty side of humanity came out. People were pushing, drinking too much, fighting, saying things that were uncalled for, and generally being rude. But in all of that the fireworks were beautiful. There was a moment at the end of the fireworks when we had bright, colourful flashes on three sides of us and all was lit up; at that point I thought maybe the tenseness and frustration was worth it, but I’m still not sure.

In between all of this I took time to read, Baptist baptism material and books on youth ministry theory and theology. As I reflect on the year past I look toward the year to come with hopeful eyes. We still do not have any participants for Irene’s Place but I am trying to be patient and trust that God will lead us where we should go.
I have been in Canberra about 6 months now and am starting a new year. There are possibilities but I still find myself lonely many days and wondering how long it will be till I stop feeling displaced. This past year I have been in 5 countries and while I love the travel I can’t wait to be able to really unpack and find a place where I fit.