Winter Break

So this week is the last week of the winter break here in Sydney, and semester 2 starts next week. I guess I can say that I'm ready for Semester 2 and all that comes with it. I think my short stint here in Sydney has been really great and I've learnt so much from the people I've met here and from the experiences I've had so far. Just this winter break itself has taught me so much, as I spent time with friends and family.

I spent 1.5 days in Canberra with Christine and her brother and friends. It was nice to be somewhere new and to meet new people and being brought around and taken care of. Roadtripped down to Melbourne with the cousin after that and spent about 5 days with him. Haven't really spent that much time with the cousin before and it was actually really good. Spent time talking, having good food and just walking around the city and of course, playing with Cocoa.

The next highlight of the holidays was going on the 10-day Mission Awareness Tour with Australian Indigenous Ministries (AIM). 16 of us, uni students, went on the tour together to know more about the Aboriginal communities, their cultures and how God is working amongst them through AIM missionaries and workers. It was awesome, having to meet new people, sharing lives with them, cooking for them, chatting and singing around the bonfire. It's an experience I will remember for a long long time. Two things that I really learnt from the tour is how POWERFUL and AWESOME my God is. He provides for all our needs and He knows all that we need even before we know it. He provided for us through our fundraising (we raised much more than we needed through friends and family) and He provided the 16th member so that we could each save up quite a bit. Indeed, God provides much more than we needed. Having met Moses family (the missionary and his family) just reminded me of how God can use anyone. Talking to the Moses kids really challenged me to consider how I can further serve God and His people wherever He leads me to. Being able to spend time with the rest of the team was really great too. Making great friends out of this tour and knowing that we'll always have this tour to talk about and to encourage each other with. The tour can be summed up in 3 simple words that Andy says, "I LOVE IT!".

Another blessing that I have to share. Whilst on the tour, I received news from my dad that a family friend would be paying for my school fees for Semester 2. PRAISE GOD! Here's the background story for my joy in this. I tried to apply for the International Student Scholarships that Macquarie offers, but due to some reasons, I wasn't eligible for it. So the backup plan was to use the money that family and friends have blessed me with and money that I saved up to pay for the school fees. And then live on Yi Ling for the rest of the year. And because this family friend is paying for the school fees, I now can return the money that I borrowed from Yi Ling to pay a portion of Semester 1 and still have extra for living expenses. Yet again, God has shown me how He always provides for more than I need. Just so so so thankful to God for His grace and love for me. I am reminded that just as long as I follow His lead, there's nothing to worry about. Thinking back, I remember my dad saying "Don't worry about money. God will provide." And indeed, God has. Thank you God!

I'm reminded of Matthew 6:25-34, that what's most important is to "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt 6:33). Truly I have been challenged to seek God first and His will and to trust that He will provide for all that I need.

Signing off with a photo of the team after spending the afternoon in a local school, doing Religious Education with the kids.