Part 2 (Sent: Fri, September 12, 2003 8:12 pm)

Aprendiendo Espanol

After checking out my body and ensuring I was ready for my journey, I turned my focus toward the language of Argentina; Spanish.

Not knowing a word of Spanish initially, I trot off every Wednesday morning to see Don, my private language teacher. A typical lesson involves lots of stories about Don's history. It is very interesting. My one hour lesson often stretches further. Don says he doesn't mind spending the extra time because he can see that I am learning fast. With only a few months to learn I am pleased for the speed.

It has been very frustrating not knowing enough of the language to communicate. Using teaching books it seems easy. Out "there" it is not. I am realising how complex language really is. A second language has really opened my eyes. Choices of words and how they change with tense and mood all add to the complexity that I didn't know was there before. English just seems so easy. But then that is just because I grew up with it.

A local Spanish guy took me along to a church in Annerly where they hold the services in Spanish. Singing old familiar hymns in another language is a great experience. The church, on the other side of Brisbane, is an hours drive away so I do not get there as often as I would like.

We have a TV station that plays Spanish News every day, which I try to watch often. My dad started to sit with me, asking me to translate. He doesn't now. I think he translated better than me.

With the news so hard to learn from I convinced my folks to buy a DVD player so I could watch movies in Spanish. People talk really fast in movies and reading Spanish subtitles is an exercise in visual gymnastics. None-the-less I subject myself to this sort of punishment in an attempt to learn faster.

The Web As A Revolution

A while ago Brodie (my brother) established a website for himself in order to communicate with family and friends about what he had been up to in his travels overseas. I liked the idea, so I stole it. He willingly helped me set up my new website. Introducing www.GroovyGuppy.com

It contains everything from my photographs for public viewing through to private sections with personal information that only I would need. A useful tool during my travels.

Please feel free to check it out anytime. You will find photos, stories, ideas, and other bits and pieces there too. That is when it is finished. There isn't anything there now. The end of September will be when it contains something useful.

Little Boxes of Essentials

As many of you know, I sold most of my belongings while still in New Zealand, taking only a small number of boxes with me. Ten boxes totalled 110kgs and cost me a lot to move to Australia. These were only the essentials.

I arrive in Australia and God then tells me to re-sort and clean out my boxes. The only problem was that I had already done this in New Zealand and my friends were grateful for my generousity.

But I went through them again anyway sorting out anything not personal, not legal, and not strongly sentimental. Six boxes disappeared into the bin or other people's hands. I was very surprised. What I have now, is the "precious" core. Repacked into small boxes, themed, and catalogued. They are now ready to be sent to me in South America should I need them.

House Work

Owning a house is a two edged sword. The benefit is the investment and roof over your head. The drawback is the cost of maintenance when it falls down around you. My house has required a lot of TLC to prevent the latter. In the last few months that has all changed.

The property market in Brisbane has grown so much over the last few months that property values are at an all time high. A sellers' market. I am seriously considering my option to sell. But that means house work.

In true Amish style, our family is gathering together as one to help with my house work. This weekend we will be tearing into all the remaining repairs on the house. Clotheslines, floorboards, rooms and trees all be affected! Then all I need is a ready buyer...

In return for this gathering of locusts, our horde will then descend upon Joseph's house for painting, Dad's house for gutter repairs, and John's house for painting and repairs. This way we get four weekends doing four different things in four different places instead of four weekends doing the same thing in the same place. More social and more fun. The Amish got that one right.

Parents - Our Legacy

All of this working with my parents would have normally driven me to distraction. A strange transformation has taken place during my time in New Zealand. My parents seem to have been transformed before my eyes! Suddenly they seem like normal people to me. I even hear words of wisdom coming from their mouths! Shock and horror at the thought of it. Can you believe that I actually like spending time with them?!

Working alongside of my dad has become an incredible privilege. Helping him out with the business and having opportunities for sharing my ideas with him about it is one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had. I have found in him new depths of wisdom, caring, and insight that I never knew existed before. Our relationship has moved to a new level and I am very glad for it too.

As with my dad, so with my mum. She too has suddenly sprouted words full of knowlege, wisdom and understanding. Spending time together has never been easier or more enjoyable. Even with moments of "mothering" I just smile at seeing how much I am loved. She is a truly wonderful woman.

With a renewed respect and love for my parents has also come increased opportunities to spend time with them. A morning tea together on the beach, or dinner at the RSL. A drive to pick something up, or just spare moments at the office. All are times that I really value. Even more so with leaving the country for an undefined period of time.

Parents. Once you get past the "parent" bit they become a real treasure.

The Story of YWAM

Youth with a Mission, otherwise known as YWAM, is a world wide organisation that trains younger people in missions. For a long time now I have wanted to connect with this organisation in some way. Argentina may be the place this happens.

Talking with YWAM Brisbane provided me with contact details for the Corrientes YWAM base. Some quick emails saw the application form arrive in my inbox for the next course in July 2004. This is one of my options.

My other option is currently with Christ for the Nations. This is a mission organisation that trains people up in their Dallas university and sends them out around the world. There is a couple from this organisation that are running a free training college in Cordoba for youth. There is some indication that this may be my direction.

Which way I go is not an immediate decision. It may be after I arrive in the country that I will finalise my decision. For now I have these two options. Beyond this I will continue praying and wait for God to show me which way to go.