Faith, Friends and Newfound Fascination

Beauty. What is beauty? We all have experienced it right? I know what it is, right? Wrong. I have been a virgin to beauty until now, simply an unknowing bystander. This city, this country exposes me to this newfound beauty with each and every step. It follows me. I cannot escape it. It evades every surface and seeps around every corner. It is like a parasite and takes hold of me with no mercy. This city picks me up and carries me in its arms where she wants me to go. It is a beauty that cannot be reduced to mere words or even pictures. It is a happiness, a sadness, a passion. I question whether it is real. It is a phenomenon.

I have experienced Melbourne in a new way this past Sunday. After a week of endless essay writing and class reading, a beautiful day of rest was needless to say welcome. Sunday morning was absolutely beautiful and I awoke with a new outlook. I made the decision to try a new church in the city, Collins Street Baptist Church. www.csbc.org.au/

Little did I know, I would find a family, not just a sermon. As I read along the one hour tram ride into the city, I couldn't wait to see what this beautiful historical building and service would offer and I was truly in for a treat. I discovered upon my arrival into the city that there was a mass parade honoring Anzac Day in progress. Anzac Day is a day of remembrance of all the Australian soldiers that have given their lives to defend their country. It was amazing to see all of the military members dressed up and marching down St. Kilda road. I got the chills from hearing their national anthem while viewing the Shrine of Remembrance. What an inexpressibly special moment.

After I made it through the crowds, I arrived at Collins Street and headed for the sanctuary. I was greeted by very sweet ladies and immediately asked about my accent. I was thinking "How do they know already!" After I explained my origin, they escorted me down to a great seat and I immediately took notice of the diversity within the congregation. To my left, was a young guy from Kenya and directly behind me sat a pastoring family from Singapore. It was absolutely amazing to see everything gathered in one place, worshiping one God from all DIFFERENT places! The service was wonderful and the inside of the church was enough in itself to keep me coming back. After the service, everyone was invited to have refreshments and coffee outside the sanctuary. The announcer mentioned cake and of course, I woke up out of my morning stupor and thought CAKEEEE? haha I did have a scrumptious piece of lemon pound cake and a pipin' cup of joe, along with great conversation of course ha. I met one of the women deacons that insisted on parading me around and introducing me to each and every single member of the church staff and church (think she just wanted them to hear the accent). After my multitude of introductions and discussions of America and the great South, I was invited to lunch. These people REALLY know how to make someone feel welcome!

I headed upstairs along with 2 other college students that I met (one girl from Singapore getting her M.B.A. and a boy from Korea studying engineering). The lunch was great and I met so many people! I felt so at home and found out lots of information about the church and Australian culture. Turns out the pastor's wife was from Texas! He taught in the U.S. for a while and we discussed the differences in the education systems. Very interesting and I enjoyed every minute. You guys know any opportunity to debate, I am there! I met a very nice elderly man that told me story after story.... after story. It was nice but I will not lie and say that I couldn't wait for a new batch of dessert to come out to give me an excuse to get up. He did however offer to put together an itinerary and list of places in Sydney to visit after I told him of my traveling plans. Turns out that he was a travel agent for 20 years! Guess listening to those stories did pay off in the end...

Before I left, I exchanged numbers with quite a few of my new friends and we are planning on going to dinner this week!

After a GREAT church service and lunch, I headed back to good ole Bundoora. After arriving here, I for the first time ever noticed sheep to my left right near the tram stop! Of course this sight, being my nature, caused me to explore and good thing because I ended up finding the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary nestled in the woods behind the sheep pins! I have been looking for it since I have been here at La Trobe and have had no luck. It didn't cost anything to enter so I went for a quick adventure. As I was walking and thinking about how beautiful Australia was, something even better happened. I was beginning to wander if the sanctuary had any animals or if it was more of a forest type environment that sought to protect and preserve trees, forage, birds, etc. when TWO KANGAROOS jumped out in front of ME on the path! I hopped after them and had a little chat for a while. It was such a great experience and I am so thankful that I got to experience it.

After leaving the sanctuary, I headed back to my room and started on my essay. Got lots of productive work done and overall had one of the best days yet in Melbourne! I found the beauty even at La Trobe. Now, I am getting sad to leave it. Australia provided me with faith, friends, and also a newfound fascination.