Driving in Cars with Random Indian Men

3/10/2012

Today I had my second week of service placement, Hillsong Street Teams. Today was a rather different experience. Today I met a woman named Kathleen. She is a Torres Strait Islander/ Aboriginal. Later Corey informed me that she was bi polar. Let’s just say that explained a lot.

Then we went to visit a woman named Jane. We had visited her last week (this is the same lady that gave Corey soap (See my post from the 3^rd if you’re confused by that last statement)). When we got there, there was already a group of three in her apartment, but she let us in anyway. There was a new guy in our group named Kenny. So he introduced himself and she shook his had. Then she turned to me, but gave me a very shocked look. I was about to reintroduce myself and remind her that we had met last week, but I didn’t get the chance. She looked at me, all wide-eyed and concerned, and said “Not you. I don’t want you here. You need to leave.”

Bizarre right? Corey, Kenny and I all looked at each other, very confused, but we wanted to be respectful so we left. But it was totally weird. Why you gotta kick me out Jane? I thought we had a nice time last week. What’s up with that?!

Later the other team that was in there said that she is not always all there in the head. She confused me for someone else, and thought that I was high on cocaine. Later Corey jokingly asked me "How long have you been using?" I told him "Apparently for the last 30 minutes". I'm glad Jane was there to let me know. I need to get my act together.

So that was kind of a weird start to my day. But after Street teams, we walked to Central station and I took the train back home. At home I did some homework, took a nap, then got ready for church. I was going to meet my friend Glenda at the bus stop. Long story short, I got lost in the massive train station that is Central Station (Seriously, there’s like 30 platforms!). So I ended up not getting to sit by Glenda during the service. But I did get to see her afterward. She is just cute as a button!

Service was really neat. Christine Cain spoke. I had never heard of her, but apparently she’s a big deal, and after hearing her speak I can see why. If you get the chance, look her up.

After service, I figured there would be another get together like there was last week. I ended up meeting a lot more people. I met a lovely girl from Norway named Ingville. Two sisters from Wallongong named Ester and Molly. A really cool Vietnamese/Australian woman named Linh. A Brazilian man who I think was named Steve. He basically looked like Tarzan. Or, for those of you who go to APU, freshman year Remy Goodes. We ended up going out to a random Portuguese deli/burger joint. It was really cool chatting it up and hanging out with these people.

Afterward, Linh connected me with a group of four Indian men who all live fairly close to me. Daniel, James, David and Johnwesley. (I'm not sure if that last one is right, but that's what I heard so that's what I'm writing). Daniel had driven into the city so he offered to drive me home. (It was totally not weird and I was completely safe. So stop worrying Mom!)

 They were all so sweet and super interesting. Daniel had gone to school to be an engineer but now he is a youth pastor studying to get his masters in Divinity (what a boss). He is in his last year and his ultimate goal is to go home to India and start a church. Totes presh.

When Daniel found out that I was a graphic design major he asked me if I could help him make a logo. And he was just too precious I couldn’t say no. So it looks that I have some pro Bono work in my future. Small price to pay for the cutest new friends!