After a windy ferry ride to Manly Beach, we enjoyed a morning along the shores of the Pacific Ocean.  A winding walking path along the coast afforded a breathtaking view of the water, and small coves without sunbathers offered us the chance to walk along the water’s edge and search for shells.  As one passerby said to us, “How could you see such beauty and not think of the divine?”

In the evening, we joined the youth of the Saint George’s Deanery for a Praise Rally at Bethany College.  The teens were full of enthusiasm, and a PowerPoint presentation of their activities in preparation for World Youth Day showed their commitment to prayer and community.  The youth were excited to have us with them, and we welcomed the chance to meet and pray with and for them.  The evening’s guest speaker called us all to open ourselves to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to be willing to surrender our lives to God, a call we seek to answer.

In every way, and in every person, Christ has been so manifest in this first day of our Australian mission.  We could write volumes, but these simple highlights will have to suffice for now.  May God help us to return the overwhelming goodness that we have received this day.