I've been out of the US for about a week now. Man, it's crazy how time flies! Australia is so amazing and our last week has been so full of ministry, bonding, and adventure. Our first few days here were spent resting and exploring, and on Sunday we started ministry by serving in local churches. The Lord has been working in my heart and I wanted to give you a glimpse into what He is doing. 

A key. At the end of training camp there was a presentation given about Keys for the Journey. It is a business started by an alumni Racer and he stamps keys and uses them to make necklaces. He also helps support fundraisers who partner with him. At training camp he said that if any of us Racers wanted one at launch we could order one and he would have it ready for us. I was instantly interested in the prophetic key and ordered mine. This means that he prays over our key and asks God to give him a word to put on it. Then our job once we get the key is to seek what God wants us to learn and pray over it. At launch I received my key and it said "BE."

I honestly didn't know what to expect, but that sure wasn't it. Yet God has already brought my mind to this word many times since launching. There are a lot of ways I could apply that word and God is definitely showing me areas where I need to just BE. 

One instance today was when my squad was at our ministry location. We went to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that was way out in the woods. They had us do yard work and clean facilities, and also go for a hike to the top of the cliffs above us. 

Leeches. Before we began the hike, we were told that since it had been raining a lot recently there could be leeches along the trail. Now silly me thought leeches only lived in water. Australia has proved me wrong. I instantly got nervous because I don't do creatures that suck my blood, but I prayed that God would keep the leeches off all of us and then I moved on with the hike. 

We reached the top and had a crazy view of the center and the whole area below us. I could see for miles and it was all wooded and beautiful. Standing on the top of the cliff the Lord reminded me to BE. To simply enjoy His creation and take it all in. We weren't able to bring our phones so we had to look with our eyes and not a camera lens. We then prayed over the center and the people who will soon be coming to live there, and hiked back down. And believe it or not, no one had even seen a leech. God is good!

Training wheels. Our time here has had its minor challenges, but overall it's been really awesome. We are learning to seek God's leading in where to go or who to talk to on some ministry outings, love on the people we come in contact with, and work hard in everything. Australia is a great country to start in because it has been fairly saturated with the gospel. I've jokingly called it our training wheel country because this is our time to start building godly habits and practicing what God is teaching us. Later we will move on to serve in more spiritually difficult countries where we will rely on what we are learning now. 

It may look like all we post are pictures from our adventures, but know that God is keeping us busy. (Most of the time we either can't bring our phone to ministry, or we are busy and forget to take pictures.) Ministry is where we spend the bulk of our time and energy. Yet there's no way to pass up the stunning Australian beach that is a short walk from our host location. 

I know I'm only a short time into the Race, but I absolutely love where and how we are serving and being able to explore one of the top countries on my travel bucket list. Hopefully I will continue to find joy in each country even when the days are harder.