Failed attempt

Public transportation is not as easy as it looks! One day Shae, Becca, Steph, and I went to a museum and we were to take a bus back home to Irene's Place. Well, first of all, we had bought bus tickets weeks back so we had those in our pockets and Moriah told us to take bus 6 back to our house. So we found the bus terminal and it made sense to wait for bus six where there are benches with a big sign with the number 6 on it. We wait there for about 15 minutes and here comes a bus 6. We attempt to get on the bus, but the bus driver looked at our card and said "sorry, you can't board this bus... you have a ACTION card and since they are a monoply we don't accept those cards." Well, we were a bit ticked off, but what were we to do? So we went back to the benches and proceeded to wait for a bus that said "ACTION" on the side. There were heaps of ACTION buses that passed, but none stopped where we were. After about 10 minutes, we decided to go look at the map which was posted across the street. The map was not helpful for our American minds which didn't comprehend the different columns that stated bus numbers and terminal numbers... it was like we were in a foreign country!! :). We just stood there completely defeated and helpless. After much confusion we decided to find a payphone and call Moriah for help.

That was not the end of the problems. We couldn't get the payphones to take our money! I'm telling you, the payphones in Australia are not normal. There are weird slots in them which tell you to insert a payphone card?! I still don't know what that was about... but the slot where we were supposed to insert change was closed. (See SincerelyShae.blogspot.com for video) Eventually, after lifting up a pulley and forcing in coins with a certain amount of pressure and correct timing (see how complicated it was!) we got the coins to go in. I put in $1, which gave us like 30 seconds of calling time. At this point we were all grumpy, defeated, and just didn't want to attempt to find the bus so we just asked Moriah to come pick us up, as embarressing as that was. May I add that it took us 2 phone calls to actually get in everything we needed to say before time ran out. So, needless to say... Mission FAILED.

So I have a story for you!

Today we were introduced into Wesley United which is the church where Irene's Place is located. So as we were introduced we had to give our names, where we are from, what are volunteer locations are, and why we are here in general. Then we all sat down and listened to the sermon which was about giving, and the pastor said "compared to most of the people in the world, everyone in this church, EXCEPT maybe "The Interns" (us) in Irene's place, is concidered rich!" They also think Moriah (Irene's Place leader) is dirt poor, so that just adds to the story. So after church we all go back home to Irene's Place and are just chillin'/eating lunch when this car stops in front of our house. This elderly man (90 years old) steps out of his car and awkwardly walks up to the door. Moriah and I are just watching from the kitchen window and are like "what is he doing?" Well, Moriah goes and opens the door and he just looks at her and say "yes, you are home" and then turns around and goes back to his car without saying another word. Moriah calls after him and says "Sir?! can I help you with something?" and he just keeps walking, doesn't respond. Once the man gets to his car he starts to fiddle with something in the front seat then emerges from his car with a plastic bag. I'm not exactly sure what Moriah said to him cause I couldn't hear, but she comes in with this bag full of food: one loaf of bread, 6 pieces of nice pork chops, and 2.2 kg of raw chicken with herbs, and 1/2 gallon of honey that he raised himself. Becca and I just look at each other with this amazed expression on our faces. The old man then comes back to the door and says "I was moved by the message this morning and what you said, so what do you need?" Moriah just said "well, actually we are fine! We arn't as dirt poor as he made us out to be, so we'll be alright."

Let me just say, that 90 year old man now has a special place in my heart. Aussies don't exactly understand simple living so a lot of people want to step in and provide what we need. Such nice people. I know, my last post was about giving, but I still can't get over how generous people can be. Seriously, generous... one man offered to give us a car. Others ask us if we have enough heaters, blankets, or anything/everything.

Next week's blog: Our failed attempt at public transportation.