First Week

Its been an amazing first week (well part of a week) at SMBC.

I moved in on Monday any meet my house mates. There are 8 of us living in a 'cluster' called Troull. I've meet many new friends here already and have already started making some contacts for finding a good church to go to. I'm intending on finding a chinese church, hopefuly with an englight and madarin service. I miss my Chinese Church friends back in QLD a lot.
Its been hard to find time to get out of SMBC to do some shopping (I intended to buy some basics - like a towel, when I got here).

I've found that time is a currancy when studying at SMBC. Very different from my 6 weeks on holiday! I did manage to get to the shops yesterday though to pick up some stationary and have a look around. There are many different cultures in this suburb and and a lot chinese people. I noticed the clerk in one shop speaking Mandarain to a customer so I thought I'd see if my rusty 中文 still works. Luckly shopping and food are ingrained in my memory from my trip to China and the lady could understand my (broken and gramatically dodge) speach.

I very excited about the next two years. Its going to be hard work (even harder than I expected) but more than worthwile. SMBC has exceeded my expectations already and my expectations where quiet high to start with!

Some praise points:

• I'm having a great time and am in good sprits and good health!
• I have meet many good friends already and find it amazingly encouranging living with believing believers.

Some prayer requests:

• I've been considering upgrading from a two year assosiate degree to a three year bachelor degree and have been praying and asking staff and students about this decision. Please pray for wisdom and peace regarding this decision.
• I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed meeting so many new people (I think there are 250 people here). Everyone has such interesting stories to tell but I find it quiet draining. The culture here is also a little different compaired to the laid back Sunshine coast and adjusting to the study from a working background is a challenge for me.