Three times gone, three times returned

The wind blows where it will, through the mountains and over the seas, howling with such force through the trees and across the sand, murmuring like a tiny child through the cities and towns... the wind is free... or is it?

Three times I've set out, three times return... the first trip, and the results of my homecoming, yielded so many changes in my life... the making of life long friends, the destruction of innocent pre-conception, the beginnings of humility. Two years later and I returned, doing what I could, and the result was a momentous shift, the best decision of my life.

Now the third year, once more I made the same pilgrimage, though the group is larger, and even my departure point is a different place. As before it was incredible, awe inspiring, humbling to see the hand of God move, to see the joy on our children's faces.

In many ways it was very much the same as the year preceding. We spent a lot of time drinking mango juice and playing cards, although this year, being part of the HK team, I actually roomed on the same floor as all the card playing, which somehow made it seem all the more accessible, and prevalent. (And, as was noted, I did disappear from the cards for some of the 2nd week) As before, I made some awesome friends from across the world (back home in Sydney actually) and now have so many more people with whom I will one day try to visit, no matter where they are in the world.

Yet there are some stark differences. Most notably, the harshness of it all. Never before had I felt so drained, so glad to be home, and indeed, every moment, while exhilarating and precious, was also incredibly tough. I was also a leader within a team, which was far more involved than I had anticipated... especially with all those team meetings... though I do believe that it helped me stay connected.

This year was also the best year of the three, I believe in most part due to my awesome teaching team, Ariel and Anny... both of whom was beyond 1337... and individually ragged on me about as much as M, Al and S do put together = P... (Which, for those of you who don't know, means they teased me a LOT). Hopefully it was all in the name of good clean fun, and it certainly made our kids laugh heaps!

However now, even as the memories begin to fade, and all we have to remember the past is Facebook (that evil, yet incredibly useful technological advancement)... I look once more to the future. Before it had always been apparent the direct effect that the trip had. Now, I'm just waiting, once again that breath of air... that wandering gust of wind, willing to go where the force that guide our lives will take us, waiting for the calling... listening for the voice of God...

There are a lot of pics on my Facebook, if you don't have an account, I suggest you get one, and add me.

Writer's block

I don't know what the reason is... but I haven't written anything in any of my stories in months! The last piece was a modification on Inner Peace on the 21st of May.. and that wasn't even very substantial. Since then, I've dropped a few posts on my blog... but I've lost interest in writing... I wonder why that is... maybe I'm just too busy.

My parents are here, was really awesome hanging out with them, even if it's a bit weird to go back to being part of a family after living by myself for 8 months... especially as a 22 year old young man. Was very cool though, got to show them all sorts of HK things/places and they even got to hear me preach, which was most cool!

Of course seeing my brother was awesome too, though we didn't really talk much, since he's so quiet around his family... lol. I don't think he has said more than 1000 words since he got to HK... and most of them were asking how much clothes costs. I wonder if that's what he's like normally. Maybe I AM an abnormality within the Male gender... hmm.. I talk a lot... and even a fool sounds wise if he keeps his trap shut...

Well I've got overseas trip coming up, would really appreciate if everyone would pray A: that I don't get over run by bugs, B: don't faint from the heat and C: really can have a good impact while still being united with the other teams from around the world.

Anyway, I hope to have a good vid clip of the trip up when I get back. Will def try to upload it here.

Cya all in 2 weeks!