I arrived back in Sydney over a week ago now. Leaving Mt Hagen Friday morning and arriving into Sydney Saturday afternoon. I had some sort of virus infection a few days before leaving, so flying was quite painful at times. I was sort of out of it for the first two days being back, especially with headaches. On leaving Mt Hagen I was looking forward to returning to PNG.
1. Arriving in SYD
On arriving back into Australia and mainly Sydney I had expected to have some culture shock or reverse culture shock. But there really hasn’t been any at all. The main difficulty has been coming back to so much change. Coming back I knew I had changed with my time in PNG and I was a different person. But seeing so many changes, people have changed, new babies and many others things have happened. But especially as more change was unveiled during the first week, has been hard to process and even discouraging at times. I guess the best way to describe it at times, has been like being winded.
2. Hanging out with Zach for the first time
On a more positive note, I feel like I haven’t done too much since being back, but I have kept busy. On arrival that Saturday night had a BBQ at my pastor’s house with family and close friends. My first visit back to my home church at Western Sydney was a baby dedication, where Bay and Beck dedicated big Zach to the Lord. Sunday night celebrated my Mum’s birthday which was earlier in the week. Have been doing shopping or errands during the day and catching up with people in the evening. I was able to attend JJ and Soona’s wedding on Saturday, which was a really Christ centred wedding and was a really encouraging time. I can’t believe I could of missed it.
3. JJ & Soona’s wedding (my highlight so far)
I am really grateful for the way God has brought about my furlough and that I can be back in Australia for a bit. The way so many things have fallen into place to be here and events to be able to attend, plus more arising since I have been here, like my home church’s family camp next month. But I struggle to have a holiday being in Sydney unless others are on holiday too, so I will have to try and get away somewhere. I don’t think I can call Sydney home anymore.
