A Nashvillean Influx

Last week a group of Lipscomb University (LU) students arrived to Perth to spend a month engaging in mission work and social activities.  It has been exciting to meet several new faces and hear about life back in Nashville.  Actually, them being here makes me feel closer to home.  There are a total of 10 individuals: 8 students and 2 adult leaders.  Saturday, the day after their arrival, a group of 24 of us, Aussies and Americans alike, went to the Subiaco Oval to watch the West Coast Eagles play (more accurately—>get slaughtered!) in a footy game.  Okay, the Eagles played a team called Geelong, who won the Grand Final (U.S. equivalent = Superbowl) in September, so none of us expected a win, but neither did we expect to get creamed so badly.  The final score was 47 (W.C.) to 176 (Geelong)  Ouch! It was quite unfortunate. But, on the bright side, I enjoyed my first LIVE footy experience.  There is nothing like watching overly-testosteroneous (my own word!) males tackle and collide and drag and push and…any other legal blokey action you can think of.

Sunday after church we took the train down south to Fremantle with the LU team.  Freo, as the Aussies call it, is a vibrant, eclectic city with unique shops, talented artists and designers with local stands, beautiful historical architecture, great food and gorgeous parks. It is one of my favorite cities in the Perth area.  Thankfully, the weather was gorgeously sunny and warm, which is rare during this rainy winter month.  Lunch was at Cicerellos, a quintessential Aussie fish-n-chips joint right in the heart of the Swan River’s fishing boat harbor.  Then, we spent the afternoon lazily strolling the streets of Fremantle, enjoying the fresh fruit markets, live sidewalk entertainment, and yummy gelato. 

Since I nanny of Mondays and Thursdays, I am only with the team of Tuesdays and Wednesdays, helping Sean Kotora lead the group’s daily activities.  Both Josh and Taylor are tag-teaming with Sean two days each, as well. Sean is a Lipscomb University senior who has come to Perth for his 3-month summer break, primarily to organize and lead the LU mission trip.  Props to Sean for doing such an awesome job so far! 

Tuesday, our crew traveled south to the juvenile detention center Banksia Hill.  Banksia Hill is an all male detention center, housing about 100 teens between the ages of 10-18.  A standard stay at the center ranges from 2 months to a couple years. We will be spending three consecutive Tuesdays with the youth there.  This week we split into different groups, some people tutoring the teens in Math while others (including myself) played drama and creative games with them in the gym.  Our aim is to encourage the boys to expand their imagination and creativity.  While the group wrapped up the final session singing songs and playing instruments with the boys, I went on an in-depth tour of the facility.  Since I majored in Social Work, I was very curious about the program: case management, counseling, resources, family involvement, etc.  I gained so much knowledge in that one-hour session!

Wednesday, we went to the adult male prison.  Unfortunately the prison had called an emergency staff meeting for the afternoon and all residents were to be locked in their cells for the entire time, so we were only there for the morning. However, upon arrival, we attended a memorial service for a 64-year-old prisoner who had recently passed away unexpectedly.  The staff described him as a helpful, servant-oriented, loving man who was always a pleasure to be around and who would do anything for the other residents or staff members.  Everyone there was overjoyed that we had come that day because the prisoner had no family to attend the service or remember him that day. The chaplain expressed that “it’s like God just sent him a supportive family out of the sky.”  Oh, how God’s timing is impeccable, hey!

On another note, this is my last week in Josh and Hayley’s granny flat. Next Friday, the fourth of July, I move in with my dear friend Marissa, whom I met over Christmas holiday.  Her parents are traveling around Australia for 3 months, so we are jointly  house sitting her place.  I am excited already, yet it will be somewhat sad leaving this cozy place with Josh and Hayley. 

Although I’ll be heaps busier while the LU team is here, I hope to keep you all updated on our weekly endeavors.  Week 1 was a successful and social blast so look for more to come…

-sarahkate

 

 

my green thumb

yesterday, josh, my friend janey and i went on an environmentally-friendly adventure!  world environment day was celebrated on june 5 and in honor of it, my friend, hayley’s workplace organized a volunteer experience at king’s park, this gorgeously lush and scenic area of about 1,000 acres in the heart of perth.  (www.bgpa.gov.au) upon arrival, we were taken through an orientation course on how to properly plant a tree using a small hand shovel and..well, our hands. hard core, i know. : ) the shocker came when the park ranger informed us that our tiny group of 6 people would be planting 1,200 trees that afternoon! the park ranger informed us that the park facility is in desperate need of planting volunteers because each winter, they aim to plant roughly 50,000 trees.  this is the time of year when new trees can thrive, amidst the rain and before the summer heat takes over. yesterday afternoon, a couple park rangers carrying trays of plants started walking through the bush-land, dropping the baby pots at various intervals. we then followed along, planting as we made our way across the area. although i came away with a sore back and thighs and grimy fingernails, it felt so great giving back to the community in such a tangible way. we concluded the afternoon like any other aussie gathering, with hot tea and cake (carrot). just this time, it was served off of the ranger’s truck bed. aw, the life… 

in honor of world environment day, i encourage you all to take action and do something to help the environment. whether it be something as simple as recycling your yogurt cups and milk cartons or something more involved such as planting a veggie garden or hang drying your clothes rather than using the dryer, everything is beneficial.  feel free to comment and leave your own ideas or experiences with helping the environment. cheers to all!

-skt