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Christmas in the Country

If you told me a few months ago that I’d be spending Christmas in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of people I’d only met a couple of weeks ago, I can imagine myself laughing in your face. Now I am laughing at myself at the crazy adventure that God has taken me on because I said yes to him.

It is the end of  Christmas day now, and I am still in awe; in awe of  what God is teaching me through my amazing teammates; in awe of the hospitality we have received from host families in Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and here in Denman from the Hopkins family (where we have eaten possibly the most illustrious Christmas feast ever cooked); in awe of the beauty of my adopted home, Australia.

Meeting Santa in Newcastle

In terms of material Christmas presents, I received those a few weeks back in the form of good walking shoes, shorts, skins and other gear for the walk, and I am extremely grateful for these practical gifts from my beautiful family. But, since this walk has begun I feel like the more I choose to give the Lord, the more He gives me – like everyday I am receiving gifts from Him as He takes me on this crazy journey called Crossroads. The fact that we are pretty much the guinea pig walk here in Australia and that everything is just so unpredictable does wonders for one’s personal faith. Who do you trust when you don’t know where you’re going to sleep tomorrow night? When you don’t know what kind of abuse will be hurled at you walking down the street or praying outside abortion clinics in luminous pro-life shirts?

I think a good ‘ol pro and con list of Christmas time sums up my current feelings:

Pros:

  • magnificent food
  • a roof over our heads
  • awesome company
  • It’s Jesus’ birthday!!!!!

Cons:

  • It’s my first Christmas away from family (love you guys!)
  • last night it was about 35 degrees C in our bedroom
  • now, our bedroom has been taken over by Frances’ brothers. There are multiple game consoles running simultaneously, as well as youtube videos of guys wiping out on skateboards…this is kind of amusing so I don’t know if it’s really a con?
  • We don’t know when/where we will get to Mass tomorrow…pray for us!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight =D

Peace, love and blessings,

Chris Da Silva