The last three days of being in Australia were quite emotional for me. And it was quite hard to leave again, something that I knew of when deciding to come back and probably something that made the decision harder as well. This time round it was harder than the first time to say good bye. Part of me didn’t want to leave. The other Tuesday when walking down the aerobridge to the plane at Sydney airport and waited to board the plane. I was trying not to be overcome by emotion in front of a few hundred people on the plane. As I took in everything, I was quickly prompted and reminded of why I was going. To serve the Lord where He has called me to and in that being part of serving His church and the extension of His kingdom. That made my circumstances seem not that hard to process, also the importance of going and reminded that I need to pay whatever it cost to do so. As I sat on the plane and watched Sydney disappear beneath me I reflected on my three and a bit weeks in Australia. I was blown away by God’s goodness to me and His provision. About thirty minutes into the flight, the sadness that I had been carrying had completely left me and I started to get more and more excited about returning to PNG. When I had arrived into Sydney at the start of the trip, I experienced a lot of cultural shock, even though it use to be home and use to be normal to me. But when arriving to Mt Hagen on the Wednesday, I experienced no culture shock what so ever. The only thing that stood out to me on that day was going to the market and getting so much attention and standing out so much. But everything here seemed normal to me, even though it is so different to Australia. It also felt like I returned home, even though I just came from home. So even though I want to call Sydney still home, from this trip to Australia I have seen clearly that PNG is now home and Sydney is where I am from.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Awesome blog man! I read it all!
wheres the photos but?
January 26th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Hey Bro, sorry no photos while leaving, traveling or arriving. Maybe next post.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Hi Matt,
I continue to pray for you as the Lord lays you on my heart.
The stuff that you’re dealing with is deep and it is wonderful to see that whilst still being real about your feelings and emotions; there is what the Bible calls an umpire in your heart. We are often not aware of the gentle moving of Gods Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide. The incredible thing is that He is there in all of the situations of our lives. Be blessed as you continue providing a vital part of the link that enables others in their ministry to the body of Christ, the Church!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hi Matt,
It is a blessing to read about what you are doing in my country. You really a servant of the Lord to serve where he sends you.
Being away from home and family for 5yrs and diagnost with breast cancer, i missed home and your pictures from home really made me feel i was already home. God has many ways of encouraging his children.
Blessings always