Rahab's identity confusion

I came across a verse the other day which confused me. 

 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. (Psalm 89:10)

Wait, really? I thought we liked Rahab! I know she's a prostitute, but she and her family were saved in Joshua, she is given as an example of someone who trusted God in Hebrews. Why has she been crushed? 

I did some reading and found a few references to Rahab being defeated by God (Job 26:12), and even as being a nation (Psalm 87:4). 

It turns out that there are two Rahabs. One is the prostitute of Joshua, the other is some sort of ocean creature like a leviathan, which God is said to have defeated when he created the world. It sometimes symbolises the chaos of the sea, so when God parted the sea for Israel he defeated Rahab again. Eventually Rahab ended up as a synonym for Egypt, as in Psalm 87:4. 

How interesting! 

AFES AC

Last weekend I went to AFES' apprentice conference. It was at the end of the semester, a weekend with other apprentices looking at our glorious God, and sharing stories of joys and struggles. While I was a little tired to be spending time meeting people, it was great being with others who are keen about God's Kingdom, singing loudly, inputting discussion, volunteering to pray. 

The best bit of the weekend was the small group. Most conferences tend to put you in a group, you meet them, forget them and are in a completely different group next year. This time I got put in a group with four other gals, and we will be in the same group at the end of year conference, and then twice again next year. All of a sudden it's worth forming real relationships with them, even though we live in different cities, keeping in contact and sharing stuff throughout the year. It was wonderful to share stuff I had had trouble with and have four others nodding and saying 'me too!' rather than 'oh, you don't need to worry about that.' 

The other great thing was the singing! There were only about 50 there, but everyone was enthusiastic and confident, even with just a keyboard to back us up. 

An nyeong!

I'm learning Korean! I'm reading the Bible with a Korean lass, and every second week she teaches me some Korean. I can say things like hello, hello politely, my name is, what's happening, yes, no, awkward. Also, for some reason, do you want to die, which is an aggressive phrase that some young Koreans say to their friends as a joke but shouldn't be used as a conversation starter. 

Also I can say goodbye. Jai ga!

My first holiday!

Well, my first in this job at least. I went to Perth for a friends wedding, and while I was there caught up with work and church friends, and spent a few days watching movies with my sister. I even touristed a bit, going into the underwater observatory at the end of Busselton jetty. All in all pretty good mix of fun and rest. 

The water was a bit murky but there were huge shoals of whitebait, which is apparently a bit uncommon. I didn't take my camera to the wedding, so I have to wait for Facebook to come up with nice ones. 

I did everything on public transport! I caught 3 trains, 2 planes and 9 buses! 7 different people were nice enough to offer lifts as well, some of them more than once.

I got home on Tuesday night, and have been struggling to get work done since then, but today I put on a big load of washing and started writing a bible study on singleness, and there are bread rolls in the oven for lunch! 

How are you enjoying MTS?

I have come to dread that question. I don't resent being asked. I appreciate the care people are showing for me and the ministry I'm involved in. I know they're being polite, showing an interest in my life and work, wanting to encourage me in ministry, finding out how I'm going. I rarely answer perfectly honestly. 

I don't much like it. Part of this is that OWeek is hard, week one only a bit less so, I'm still trying to learn people's names, and I spent most of last week with a cold. I haven't had the best time recently. Nothing terrible has happened, but I have been worn down. 

But right now I don't want to continue in full time ministry after my two years of MTS. I didn't before I started either, but I thought I would likely change my mind. It hasn't changed yet, and doesn't feel like it will. 

How do I answer this question? I usually say that it's tiring, and different to my previous job, and that I don't really know what I'm doing. It's true, but not complete. I'm looking at a week of sending emails and calling people who aren't really that keen, where I have to provide all the energy and enthusiasm for the relationship. I'm looking at a semester of meeting people for the first time, then meeting more people, then meeting more people, then see the first people again and forget everything about them. I'm looking at a year ahead when everything looks like a burden, and nothing like a joy.

So how, in the end, am I dealing with this gloominess? To start with, I'm keeping on keeping on. Persevering for the sake of perseverance. It will get easier as I get to know people, set up regular things, work out a balance. There will be more joys as I see people grow in the knowledge and love of God, which will make the hard yards worthwhile. I'm chatting to a few people rather more honestly than the evasive 'tired' response. I'm also trying to learn to rest in God, to find reading his word alone relaxing and invigorating rather than a task to be gotten through.

OWeek

OWeek was two weeks ago now. We ran a watermelon stall, another stall more for information but it also had watermelon, had heaps of chats and ended the week with a walk along the breakwater at Nobby's.

This is Steffi (my housemate), feeding watermelon to a bird. I don't know what the bird was trying to advertise.

I chatted to some Iraqi blokes who were interested in the ESL course we are starting up. There were a few people who said they are interested in finding out more about Christianity, so hopefully next week I will start meeting up with some girls to read the Bible with them.

The most encouraging thing about the week was seeing older students getting involved and working hard to make sure everyone knows about Newcastle Christian Students, even as the week dragged on. Sam is an Engineering/Business student who was there every day, setting up the stall, handing out leaflets and striking up conversations. By Friday afternoon, he and I were the only ones still on campus, manning the stall and meeting quite a few people, even up to 2pm when we packed up. Ben is a second year Education student who organised the leafleting, getting up at 6:30 most mornings to be there at 8am, ready to leaflet the 9am orientation sessions. Jasmine and Juliet came from the central coast on Tuesday and were really proactive in striking up conversations with people walking past the stall.

Working with International students

I work about one day a week with FOCUS for international students. Aside from the constant "pardon?" I have noticed another interesting thing. This showed up on my Facebook news feed.

I'm sure it's very funny...

The first day of my new job!

It was nice. There was discussion on our (mine and Andy, the other new MTSer's) reasons for doing MTS and what are our expectations. Also we talked about what is hoped to be achieved and what the most important things are, what are the unique opportunities and challenges of university ministry, and how much I get paid. 

When I got home, I attempted a budget to see if I really can afford to live on it...

In other news, I get to work with FOCUS, the international student group!

Great Ocean Road!

We stayed in Adelaide, which is nice in a small, slightly boring way. They have lots of markets and stalls, and run trams and roadworks. Their botanic gardens are nice, but have next to no natives - just one little corner with an assortment of flowers and shrubs. We didn't even see a Sturts Desert Pea.

The next day we drove to Warrnambool via Mt Gambier, stayed with some friends and walked along the breakwater where we saw a seal frolicking in the water! Unfortunately no camera except my phone but it was a total highlight. The next day...

London Bridge

The bridge used to connect up to the mainland, but it fell down in the 90s. A couple of people got stuck and were rescued by helicopter. 

The grotto. It's hidden in the bottom of the hole, but it's super nice.

There were so many people at the Twelve Apostles. I personally think that they are among the least interesting of the things to see, but if you drive the great ocean road you have to look at them.

Then we went to Melbourne, stayed with some other friends, then to Goulburn and home on Christmas eve.

This is Grandfather in Goulburn, sitting in his chair, reading his newspaper. 

The Nullarbor and Bight

There are no trees. See?

It's times like this I wish I'm a geologist. Also, I regret not wearing a hat that day.

We stayed in Eucla near the WA/SA border, they have a swimming pool and a pond with frogs. Then we went to Streaky Bay (so called because the water in the bay is streaky).

It's a bit streaky. The hotel was nice and they had a delicious watermelon and feta cheese salad in their salad bar. 

Next time, great ocean road! I should have worn a hat that day as well.

The whale skeleton and esperance

I forgot to put the picture if the whale skeleton in last time.

We got to Esperance late due to whale world being an all morning thing, but we drove around the cliffs and went for a walk.

The water was so blue, bluer than the pictures really show.

Staying in esperance was hot and I didn't sleep well. The next day we drove to Eucla near the SA border, nothing happened except lots of frogs in the pond. (Eucla has a pond!) I didn't take photos of those frogs, but here's one that Matt nearly sat on at whale world. They were pretty much the same anyway.

Roadtrip part 2

When we got to Albany, we climbed a mountain with some views and a good walk.

Views of Albany and the sea mostly. Also, Albany has a rock shaped like a dog. They call it dog rock.

See? Dog rock. 

The next day we went to whale world. They have a steam boat that was actually used as a whaling boat and you can walk all over it. It's rather cramped and interesting. 

And there were whale skeletons. This one is a Pygmy blue whale.

On the way we saw a rock formation. Neither of us remember it's name, the bridge or something. There was also a blowhole but it wasn't blowing.

Next time, Esperance, and possibly some other things.

Beginning of Roadtrip

I'm in Adelaide! I did plan on posting stuff earlier, but I kept getting tired or having no internet. So now I need to summarise a week! I won't though, I'll start off and do some more later when... it's later.

On Saturday I filled up my car. It all fitted! Hooray! Then we went to Busselton to hang with the sister, stayed there Sunday. Then Albany via the treetop walk!

Us on a tower

Treetops. Matt has a good hat.

You can also walk round the bottoms of the trees, and through some of them.

Next time of Roadtrip... Whale World and Esperance!

Rottnest Island

On Friday we caught the ferry to Rottnest. We climbed a lighthouse which had great views.

You can see Perth city in the background. 

Then we went to a beach and jumped off a rock.

Then we walked to the old army barracks.

I had another swim, we looked inside the chapel, saw a peacock and caught the ferry home. 

Leaving work

Today was my last day. Same strange experience as for church really. I kept forgetting that I'm not coming back. I pulled all the rubbish from my locker, and removed the decorations. They all have memories.

My two 'gold stars,' a tiny gift label, and some inexplicably beautiful packing material, artfully cut out and stuck to my door by Soren.

We all went out for Christmas dinner last Saturday, good food, better company. It will probably have to suffice for a farewell.

There were fireworks too! Going out with a bang...

Leaving church

Yesterday was my last day at church. I was interviewed and asked for money and prayers. I didn't say anything too dumb, mostly because I knew the answers to all the questions. A few people said they would give me money, some said they would pray. I'll be sad not to see them again. 

Redemption church has been good value, and I will keep praying for them over the next few years. It's so strange saying goodbye to people I see every week. In some ways it's hard to remember that I won't see them next Sunday; that I won't be putting James' bass guitar into my backseat, picking up Hannah on the way and borrowing Wayne's tuner. I'm so glad it isn't goodbye forever, that our friendships will continue into eternity!

Packing

Not much fun, takes a long time, lots of decisions, a little bit satisfying.

We have a steady supply of these boxes at work after a minor incident at a nuclear reactor in South Africa. They are a good size for moving: fit stuff in but not too heavy. 

Nearly all the clothes I'm dropping at the opshop. I'm still wearing a few. I reckon I'm getting rid of about two thirds of my wardrobe.

Sadness

Earlier in the year I went to a funeral for sister of a friend. She had taken her own life at the age of nineteen. There are plenty of things I could say here about suicide, depression, death at a young age, grief and loss; but other people have said those things better than I can. Instead, I will restrict my comments to funerals.

Firstly, it was a good funeral. The family said nice things, the music and service were minimally distracting and there were some nice personal touches. 

Second, I find funerals a bit ridiculous. Everybody acts as though it's all for the benefit of the person being buried. Funerals are for the family and friends, an opportunity to say goodbye and celebrate a life, and they can do that well.

Thirdly, Catholic funerals are especially sad. The priests were constantly praying that this girl might be accepted into heaven, that she might be included in the kingdom, that her sins may be forgiven. They tried to help things along by putting statues of saints and spraying holy water on her coffin, and burning incense. There was celebration of the sacraments she had taken which would put her in a good position, but there was no certainty. There was no joyful celebration of knowing we will see her again in glory, knowing that she is forgiven, accepted by God, heir of the promises. 

In the car on the way back there was discussion on what people would like or not like at their funeral. I didn't join in, but maybe I should have. Burn me, bury me, feed me to the cat, it's not going to bother me either way. But please, celebrate Jesus' death on my behalf, praise God that in his great mercy he called me into his Kingdom, and look forward to the day that when you will see me again and we will spend eternally praising the King of glory. And, most importantly, make sure that the gospel is preached clearly, make sure that my non-Christian friends and family are called to hear God's words and repent. 

I actually have a supporter!

I won't tell you who she is in case she blushes, but she has opened up her bank account ever so generously, so thanks. Want to jump on the bandwagon? https://afes.org.au/profile/heather-green is the place to be! 

In other news, I went to Busselton on last weekend, to visit my South-West sister.

I don't know why there aren't any photos of both of us, but that's Julia with the Busselton jetty. And pyjamas. 

I hereby tender my resignation

I put this on my boss's desk last a couple of weeks ago. It feels pretty final, all written down and official like that. I'm going to be sad to leave.

(it looked better printed out, something happened to the formatting in transit.)