Survival

After 20 hours of flying time and a quick sweep through customs, I have finally made it to Australia! Thank you all for supporting and praying for me to be here because I definitely would not be here without you.

God's provision has definitely been present through the entire journey here. On the first flight from Chicago to Los Angeles, I sat two seats away from a lady named Kate who is also coming to Hillsong International Leadership College for Worship Music. She spent three years at Colombia College for vocal jazz performance, but now wants to create music to glorify God rather than herself.

As soon as I arrived at college, I met Matthew, my 20 year old roommate from Kansas City, MO. He is also at Hillsong for worship music and plays the drums. He was the interim youth ministry leader at his church and decided that he wants to be equipped to glorify God in incredible ways and felt that Hillsong was the way to do it. Since we met, we have been unpacking, discovering strange oddities around our house (such as the orange tree, the motorcycle in the garage, as espresso maker, etc.), trying to figure out how to cook Kangaroo meat, and finding incredibly cheap ways to eat.

Due to jet lag, I'm currently writing this post at 4 in the morning, after falling asleep at 7 last night. The first night was a bit better, but this is still pretty obnoxious. The first night was also very strange because Matt and I moved into the house without meeting any of our 3 other roommates, so it kind of felt like intruding.

However, the next morning I met Junior. He's been here for 4 and a half years, completing 3 years of worship music training on guitar and now is working through a degree program that Hillsong has rented from some other college. God has definitely blessed me by allowing me to live in this house. Junior has guitars, pedals, an amplifier (hallelujah!), and all of the knowledge of the area that I will ever need. Also, he let me know the internet password (which has no cap), taught me how to use the oven (because microwaved frozen pizza just tastes terrible), and let me know a shortcut to the church that cuts 10 minutes off of the walking time. (However, it is highly suggested that I don't take the shortcut during the night because I could be attacked by snakes or spiders. Not kidding.)

Thank you all for praying for me and please continue to do so. I have seen the benefits of your prayers and am excited for what unimaginable things that God has prepared for me. I would also like to stay informed of  things back home and what God is doing in your lives so that I can pray and praise with you. Send me an e-mail at Pike67@hotmail.com or on my facebook page.

God bless you.