“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” ― Dr. Seuss

So here we are, possibly for the last time on this blog as Kirsten will be writing a closing post some when soon. So what to say... It has been quite a bit of a culture shock coming back to New Zealand, after spending 3 weeks in Indo (and a few days in KL, Kuching, and Singapore) you really settle in and get used to it. The pace of life, not being able to speak the language fluently (you start to be able to work out roughly what is being said in some instances), being some of (if not the only) white people around, the different food and fruit, loving the oxford comma (that's for you Dani and Kirsten), and not necessarily knowing your way around the place. I suddenly realised that there isn't a picture of Ps Fera or Aunty Kim or Uncle Bob on the blog so I shall add two now so that you can put names to faces.

Please excuse me if the formatting goes all wacky. With Kirsten is Aunty Kim and Uncle Bob from Mt Hope who looked after us and made sure we got across the borders ok and that we didn't get confused if the border guards spoke russian (Matthew Stuart...) or anything like that. And with Lissie is Steph and Ps. Fera by the altar at Gadingan rocking those sweet t-shirts, we miss you all.

(Prepare yourself, this might be getting just a little melancholy...)

I think, now, the hardest challenge for us is returning to our 'everyday lives' in NZ and not just slipping back into the same old routines and habits that we did before. How do we take what we have experienced, seen, and learnt and apply it and live changed lives? Being the incredibly musical person that I am (note the sarcasm) the first part of the chorus from Brooke Fraser's Albertine seems quite pertinent:

"Now that I have seen, I am responsible, Faith without deeds is dead, Now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go till you are."

So what now? Well that is only something we can find out by living it. Has going on Missions changed my world outlook? Definitely. How often the phrase "we don't know how lucky we are" is bantered about and we glibly assent? Seeing the difference in culture, standard of living, what people have to live with, and just the heart of people - "we don't know how lucky we are."

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." - Oscar Wilde

How many of us just exist from day to day, fulfilling the same routine just to get by so we can sleep or just get to the weekend? Everyday is an opportunity for something amazing, such that when you go to sleep at night you can close your eyes knowing you have done something worth while, be it an act of kindness, taking the time for someone else, an encouraging/deep-and-meaningful conversation, something big or something small but something worth it. Be driven by eternity. It is the 35th day of this year, hopefully you have had at least 34 'worth while/God appointed' moments already. Keep your eyes and heart open, they are out there, pay attention, listen, and pursue it when it appears. I've been on this planet 8324 days (as of today 4th Feb) and I think I'm a tad shy of 8324 moments of awesome, so it might be time to catch up on some of it.

So with that monologue somewhat finished let us come back to the shallow waters and finish on a fun note and a great pic.

Here is Aunty Mum enjoying her first try of Durian ;) - no editing this Kirsten!

We had an amazing trip, life changing, but also great fun. Kirsten was an amazing leader (Aunty Mum FTW) and looked after us well. So Kirsten, Cherie, Dani, Lissie, and Matt - it was great going on missions with you... so when are off again?

Manjoe signing off

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

― Maya Angelou

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

― Mae West

Manjoseph and Matt are baking buns.

Me showing them how the pros do it.

Mmmmmm...!!!!

These will become delicious little buns once they are folded up
correctly! Bums with treats on the inside! From back to front: srikaya
(coconut jam), coconut, and chocolate :)

Manjoe goes to school

Nap time at Mt Hope!!!

Bahahaha aren't they cute :) Five little sleeping peoples :)

Aaaaaand.....we're done :)

Hello! We are now in Singapore! It's after midnight so this will be VERY brief as I'm very very keen to go to sleep!! But thought i'd better check in! We've debriefed (and had the first warm shower in 10 days!) in Singapore. Had a wonderful time at Mt hope which I will not write about now but hopefully some of the kids will get onto in the next few days. Today we spent the day playing at Universal Studios which was super fun!! Got four 10/10s and two 9.5/10s (due to being quite tired) so safe to say that overall everybody loved the day :) Joe, Cherie and I fly out in less than 19 hours...feels a bit weird to be heading home...after all this planning and everything it's actually all over!! However, tonnes of awesome memories and lots to look forward to in coming home so all good :)
Can't thank you enough for your prayers and support. We honestly have so much to be grateful for. Health wasn't perfect but could have been much much worse. We always felt safe, we got along well as a team, everybody had a very positive experience overall. Lots of stories to tell! Looking forward to seeing friends and family.
Over and out for now
Kirsten xx
P.S. Yesterday we were totally in three different countries in the space if 9.5 hours - BAM!!! Amazing! Haha.
P.P.S. have added some random photos below. They are not at all a good summary of this trip but I have very few on my iPod and therefore available for immediate upload, so this wee selection will do for now :)
Goodnight! Xx