Hey all! Sorry it's been a while. Everything is great here - I'm really liking it. I know my last post was a little negative - rough day. Since then, though, I've really gotten to know people here, and gotten into the swing of things, and it's great! I'm so excited to see what God will do with the next 5 months.

It's still all been orientation for the most part - talking about schedules and boundaries and such. Our staff is great! Pablo is leading the DTS - he's from Uruguay and has done a lot of ministry in Brazil. His wife, Fernanda, is an amazing cook and will also be helping us out with the dance side of things. We also have Fauger, who is the music leader. He and his wife, Ana, are also from Brazil. The rest of the staff are twenty-somethings: Sam, Zoe, and Michelle. They are all sweet, and have had some awesome experiences, and I'm so glad i have the privilege to learn from them!

Over the last few days, we've gone into the city a couple times go get aquainted with it. It's a great little city - definitely not as big as Melbourne, but I really like it a lot. We're about 30 min away, up in the hills, which is really nice. We have a nice yard and the base is surrounded by bush, so it feels pretty secluded up here, which I really like. Yesterday, we took a hike into the bush to where some waterfalls used to be - there isn't any water flowing over them now because Austrailia's been in a draught for the last few years. It was a lot of fun though - even though I realized how out of shape I am! Today, we heard a lot more about how creative arts will be fitting into the DTS and outreach, and talked a lot about how we need to take back the arts for Christ. It was really cool, and I am so excited! Even though I didn't think this was where God would call me, I definitely feel that I belong here, and am so excited to see what he will do!

Thanks again for all of your prayers! I hope you are all well back at home and are braving the cold! I hear I got out just in time!:)

God Bless you all!
Caitlin