Hello!
So much has happened and changed over the past couple of weeks and I am still trying to process it all. With that being said, I’ve taken a breath and want to share with you what’s been going on:
First, it took us 3 whopping days to travel from Atlanta to Australia. 3 Days! That was a memory filled journey in itself and I got to step foot in countries and cities that I never have before. This week has been refreshing and allowed me to catch back up from that.
Second, I’m in Australia! I’ve never been to this beautiful country before and never thought that I would ever come here before deciding to go on the World Race. We have been staying in a town called Byron Bay and it reminds me of home because it’s a beach town like Pensacola. They have cleaner surf, but we have cleaner sand ;).
Third, Byron Bay is a very spiritual place in terms of cults and other religious groups so everyone is so open and welcoming to talk about God. It has made conversations about Jesus and relationships easy to start yet has been challenging in it’s own way. I really do love these people though!
Fourth, my team (a smaller group of people within our big group on our route) bumped into an awesome dude named steve who lives here but is from America. He was excited to meet Americans in Australia and showed us around town for a bit during one evening here. We are planning a hang out soon next week to learn more about his story. He knows why we are here, so hopefully Christ’s love can be shown through our time with him and God places his hand on him. Please be praying for steve, an awesome man who loves people (even strangers like us)!
Five, my team found an opportunity to serve at the community center in Byron Bay, serving food to homeless and hungry locals. The people we served alongside were all amazing people and they truly care for their community. They were a very diverse crowd, too. Five countries were represented based on nationalities present at the event. We also were asked to have our pictures taken and to write a story about why we were there so that it could be shared by the organization’s Facebook page. Jesus’ name was placed in that story!
Six, me and a couple of my squad mates (I’m picking up on this Australian lingo very quickly) met a rad dude named Jim who wore a Jimi Hendrix shirt and played the guitar. He has some very interesting viewpoints on life and God. While he disagreed with a lot of what we shared with him, he also had a lot of things he did agree with us on and was extremely peaceful to talk to. After talking, we played some music together in the park. More will be shared about him and our volunteering opportunity in the coming weeks with photos and videos! Please be praying for Jim and his family. He’s one of my favorite Byron Bay locals!
Please keep this country, my squad, and this trip in your prayers. It makes all the difference in the world! I also still need funds for my trip. If you feel inclined, please pray about donating in any way you possibly could. You’d be partnering with me and joining me in God’s dream!
“Have your conduct honorable among Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
– 1 Peter 2:12 –
With Love,
Tyler
