Community

Poatina 

Look what we woke up to this morning! All the wild, windy weather from last night rewarded us with snow on the peaks around us. This is the view from the dining room window this morning....

.....and this is the view inside the dining room straight after breakfast. Two of the young children from the Poatina community couldn't wait until church time to see 'the kids from Wagga' so they came up with their mum at breakfast time. Very quickly they had many new friends to tell their stories to and draw pictures for.

Chill out time before church

 Each year the little church in Poatina is blessed by the students from Wagga as they lead the Sunday service. While one group of the students spent time preparing the service, the rest of the students 'explored' the town area. The local skate ramp and adjoining hedge maze provided opportunities to be challenged. A vigorous game of 'tag' in the maze was a great warm up activity. 

Was it just 'flipping the bottle' or was there more to it than that?

An a-maze-ing game of 'tag'

Anyone for a game of 'hide and seek'?

Obviously we weren't the first ones to 'explore' this area....enjoying the view (of the snow covered mountains) from the comfort of a bush seat

Church was a special time of sharing..... fellowship, talents, stories and testimonies of how God has been working in people's lives. The music team shared their talents in beautifully leading the singing; the drama team provided an entertaining story of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness for the children; Liam E and the 'two Pages' shared some reflections of life at Wagga Christian College and how God has been working in their lives before a couple of Poatina residents shared their stories too. We were amazed to hear of how our college had impacted the life of one Tasmanian family. Remember all the snow that Tassie had when we were down here last year? A family from Launceston had come to the mountains to see the snow and were staying in Poatina at the same time that we were here. They came along to church, met our students, and were amazed at their friendliness, honesty and the way they embraced the whole community aspect of Poatina. Our students became a part of the way that God brought this family to selling their home in Launceston, and moving to Poatina, which they said has been a transforming journey for them! 

The children's talk/drama highlighted how God cares for us and is looking after us. We can get very anxious about many (important) things, and God says "I have got it....just trust me". The Israelites were worried about how they would get food and water out in the desert.....and God provided. Ali challenged us on where our focus was.... what does it mean to be 'great'? She spoke of a story that has come out of the Olympics of one of the members of the Refugee team and how she is an Olympic hero even though she hasn't won any medals. Inspiring........ Challenging......

Fellowshipping after church

Poatina is becoming well known for the resident artists and the work they are producing. A glass blowing studio has been developed and we were able to experience first hand the amazing process of transforming molten glass into beautiful creations....some more beautiful than others! Those of us who had a 'hands on' experience realised very quickly that it looks easier than it is, and had a greater appreciation of the talent and skill that the artists have in being able to create the things they do. Just giving you the heads up Mr Crick.....Cloe has already requested a furnace for the D&T room! Perhaps it could go alongside the Pizza 'furnace'?

In good company watching the glass blowing display

After lunch, it was time to get to work! Every month there is a big community working bee, and with the saying 'many hands make light work' we were all put to good use.... By the end of the afternoon, we had created a huge bonfire with all the scrap timber that had been cleaned up from backyards and community areas. Pity we couldn't enjoy the rewards of sitting around the bonfire....too windy!

Here we are....

....at the end of our first day in Tassie, sitting around a toasty fire, listening to the wind howling (outside...thankfully) and to Ali, one of the long term residents of Poatina. She is introducing us to the people and purpose of the community where we are blessed to be for the next few days. Right from when we drove into town a couple of hours ago, people on the street were waving to us, greeting us and welcoming us into their community. She is reminding us of the importance of 'community'..... of getting to know each other, caring for and serving each other. 

What a great way to begin our journey of 'community' as Year 9's in Tassie. Although..... perhaps after two days packed into buses and squeezed into tiny boat cabins, perhaps it is about continuing our journey of 'community' rather than beginning it! But I'm getting ahead of myself....back to the beginning of the day. Our 5:45am wake up call introduced us to a glorious sunny morning in Devonport. At the risk of spoiling the start of a great day, we descended upon a 'famous Scottish restaurant' for breakfast. For 1 person in the group, it was a chance to replenish 'supplies' lost overnight as a result of the 'gentle' rocking to sleep.

Good morning!

The first time we got to stretch our legs was in the town of Sheffield, the town of murals. This town was on the verge of 'dying' before it was rescued by a group of artists painting the town's history on walls all around the town. Since that time, many tourists make this town an important part of their itinerary, helping to keep it vibrant and alive. Our kids have made their own contribution, many using the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and gifts to take home.

From Sheffield we headed up the mountain to Cradle Mountain National Park. By this time, we knew why we had to bring all our 'winter woolies'! Hotdogs warmed our tummies, while the extra layers warmed our bodies. After lunch we were taken on a (very informative) tour of the area, trying to catch a glimpse of the famous landform despite the low cloud.

Dove lake with Cradle mountain in the fog behind...

Layering up!

Hotdog!

We did get to catch a glimpse of some snow.....

It doesn't take much snow to make a snowball.... 

.....and have a fight!!

Some of the action....

Learning about the World Heritage listed site

Some of the amazing Tassie scenery...

...and more of the same

....but so different!

.....Go!

And we're off! For a 'little' moment there, I thought we might have been nursing some of the students on our laps as we tried to find seats for everyone! But..... it was all 'in hand' and we managed to find a seat for everyone, with 1 seat spare for 'the meds' (aka the medicine box). It certainly didn't take long for everyone to feel quite at home, enjoying each others company, and the running 'hysterical' commentary from Eric-the-bus-driver.....that would be the commentary associated with the 8 day 'history' lesson.

Smile!

Too cute.....and I'm not just talking about the buses!

First stop was Beechworth for morning tea, not that the lolly shop provides the 'best' sort of sustenance for morning tea. However, I'm thinking that it was the most frequented site, followed by the more appropriate choice of the bakery. Coffee for the adults in the group was a definite 'must'! While we're on the topic of food, lunch was 'somewhere' on the side of the road.....although you will be pleased to know that we did find a safe spot to pullover, that had the essential amenities requirements! This also gave us the opportunity to have the first of many' 'changeovers' as we swapped bodies around between the two buses. 

Lunchtime

We know we must be getting close when we can see, and feel, the water..... dinner on the beach gave everyone a chance to 'feel' the ground once more before boarding the boat and gaining their 'sea legs'.

Albert Park Jetty

Who's excited?

Loving the adventure....

Sitting pretty....

There it is!

Nearly time....

All aboard!

On board entertainment

With just under an hour to go until 'curfew' everyone is enjoying exploring the boat and trying their hand at all the on board activities. There is a real sense of adventure as choices are made about how, or where, to spend the evening in the many communal 'areas' on the boat. The refurbishment 12 months ago certainly has improved the options available.

Maybe not enough room to 'swing a cat' but you can always try.... and 'pull a bow'

Visiting....

Oops....the gentle 'rocking' has just started! Lets hope it stays that way! According to Mrs Meyer, you just need to think of it as your mother rocking you to sleep! On that note, I think it is time to say 'goodnight' and lets hope it is followed by 'sleep tight'!

Now we are definitely off....and sailing

Get set......

All the preparations are well under way..... packing is 'happening' and the last minute inclusions being dealt with.

Sooo many yummy goodies have been arriving  today - thank you so much for all your hard work and culinary creativity!! We will all get to enjoy (no doubt our waistlines will attest to this!) your efforts over the next week when we 'roll' back into Wagga......

Get ready....

Do you feel a little nervous? Don't worry.....you are in good company! At this time there are many others feeling very nervous as they are mounting the starting blocks, getting ready to participate in an adventure of their life time......it just so happens that they are in Rio....and you are in Wagga, getting ready to head off on your adventure of a life time in Tassie! Well... I hope you are getting ready! Only two more sleeps until you get to sleep on a boat....with your friends.

The 'friends' ??