I'm not sure if I'm ready for this ...

Arriving in to Chang Mai at 2.30am Australian time wide eyed and ready for an adventure that would change my life ... Best ride home EVER! 

And if there is no car parks left just leave your car behind the parked cars and take the handbrake off ... So people can move it, No worries!

On 4 hours of sleep we woke up to a hot, humid but beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the sky. 

Breakfast, Orientation and Shopping, too bad I didn't get to go shopping (I'll explain a little later)

So we started the day with scrambled egg on toast (thank you Christine!) 

Team meeting and we met "four" an abandoned little boy. His mum just couldn't take care of him... Meet Four :) George was loving it and mum photo bombed haha 

He was beautiful, so young and his story was heart breaking, of course in true Karmyn style I lost it! I began to cry, my heart broke! To think a little baby not even 1 year old could already feel so much rejection. Writing this I think of what a beautiful story the cross is. Where God sent His son to die on the cross so we may have a relationship with our Heavenly Father, a father to the fatherless our Abba (Daddy) God. 

Psalm 68:5 "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." 

All of these Kingdom Kids orphans are not orphans for they have been adopted into God's family, that are loved by the creator who knit them together in their mothers womb. They will always be loved and for a time such as this they are located here to truely learn the love of Christ. 

Meet Tine, he is so full of life :) pointing at everything wanting to tell you big stories, oh & he loves snack time and selfies ;) 

We didn't get to spend much time with the kids today but tomorrow we will embark on another adventure, farming and hanging out with this children. 

We headed to the farm and to check out the other homes that Kingdom Kids rent to house some of the children. It's not much, but to the children it's everything. 

One way of transport, a couple of plastic chairs in a cart next to a motorbike. 

And... The truck!!! AWESOME 

Jim & I in the back of the truck 

Smoko... Fried banana and sweet potato from the side of the road!!! 

The farm... 

The farm house and water tank bring built ... We will be painting that for the next couple weeks! 

Shopping... So unfortunately from the above photo on which was probably like 11am this morning I was not feeling the best... nausea & back pain! Awesome! 

Our God is good though, I was prayed for multiple times, there was air con, I slept, I was looked after by everyone around me and everyone told me they thought of me while they were shopping haha thanks guys! I slept until 8pm, I woke up and no one was home still ( I admit it I missed everyone) 

20 minutes later I heard them before I saw them lol fruit, water, SIM card... What more could a girl want! 

A memorable first day that won't be easily forgotten ... 

Thank you everyone for your prayers... Please keep praying! 

Lots of Love and Gods richest blessings ... Karmyn xo 

Leaving on a Jet Plane ...

Time flies when you're having fun... Fundraisers, team meetings, prayer meetings, church, Work, Booty Camp and just doing life!!! 

Today is the day !!! 

I left these three (Michael, Marisa and Jess) ... 

Picked up this one (Christine) ... 

And Spent my last night in Australia with this lot :) (The Fam Bam) 

And now I'm on my way to the airport with this guy (Dan) ... 

I have no idea what to expect or what I have got myself into! I'm excited for the unknown and to be spending 3 weeks with the most amazing, God sent, inspiring people! There will be ups and downs, there will be challenges but what I am most excited about is the growth that God will take us on as we are stepping out in faith for the extension of His kingdom! 

Praying our eyes will be open, our hearts will be open and our God who's name is above every other name will move mightily! Don't expect any of us to come back the same ... 

Isaiah 55:10-12 

10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.

What an awesome promise to stand on! 

Please keep us all in your prayers ... 

God Bless, 

Karmyn xo 

6 Sleeps - Thailand here we come!!!

16 PEOPLE ON AN EPIC JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME ... 

Vicki, Kim, Christine, Charmaine, Pat, Chloe, Kiara, Julie, Mary, George, Karmyn, Dan, Jack, Gavin, Jim and Frank 

are all heading to an orphanage 40km out of Chang Mai to work with children who have been abandoned because of various reasons. The orphanage is called "Kingdom Kids" restoring hope and life into this children's lives. We will be doing anything from farm work, to washing clothes, sheets or just hanging out with the children. What an amazing opportunity to share Gods love with these kids. 

It's been 4 months since the initial meeting ("REACH Thailand Mission Team" meeting) ... where we decided our aim was to raise $15,000. 

WOW $15,000 in four months, impossible! We were all thinking it... But our God is faithful to His promises, our God is a God of the impossible and to us this seemed impossible, to God it was a walk in the park. We were put in a position where we had no other option but to step out in faith and let God move and oh my days how He moved!!! 

We had Thai dinners for after the Sunday night service organised (where all of team slaved over a hot stove for hours making sure everything was perfect!) 

We organised 100 boxes of Cadbury Chocolate to sell making a profit of $30 per box. Yes!!!! 100 boxes, I was dreaming chocolate by the end (actually it's not even over yet) 

We organised a cake auction which raised over $4,000 ... God is faithful even in the little things ... When we move God moves and it reminds me of this verse.... Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his lower that is at work within us!" 

    By Ash Collier 

    By Janelle Pearce 

    By Casey Martyn 

    By Anita Coleman 

And finally our biggest fundraiser ... there were ups and downs, there were opinions flying, there were disagreements and last minute changes but in the end we pulled together, we united as a team and gathered under no other name but Jesus (because we all knew we couldn't do it by our own strength!) 

The Trivia night went amazingly well ... We raised $9,000 and the support of the church, our friends and families was overwhelming! GOD IS SO GOOD! 

    Where's Wally was even at the TRIVIA 

    Absolutely Shattered!!! Couldn't even        hold the camera steady ... SUCH FUN

4 months + 16 ordinary people + 1 extraordinary God = $18,000 for the extension of His Kingdom 

6 sleeps to go ... So until then ... 

Catch ya ! 

Worship Central // Let It Be Known // Uncut!

This Song is Amazing >>>>>>> http://youtu.be/ds_d-k0xPYA

All around the world let it be known that God's Love Saves!

This video fills me with so much joy, the smiles on all of the peoples faces (young and old)

ALL AROUND THE WORLD people are worshiping and no matter what circumstance they may face they know above it all...

LOVE.HAS.WON 

xx

South Wales - August 2012

25th 






Kelly Louis James and Me got in the car to go to wales we went over a bridge and paid six pounds I didn't get the receipt but I am sure it was 6 pounds






Today I give 6 out of 10 no wait I had ice cream 7 out of 10 



26th 



Kelly Louis James Mamma Britain Steph and Aaron saw a castle where the King used to live we went to a pub and had chips I had ketchup we shared onion rings also




Sunset at Carmathen Bay
Today I give 8 out of 10 no wait I had ketchup 9 out of 10



27th



Today we played word game I came in place 3 I watched avatar and got a tattoo



Today I give 7 out of 10 no wait I got a tattoo and watched avatar 10 out of 10 



28th



Kelly Louis James and me got in the car and went to Swansea we had a meal I had pancakes for dessert. I did not see any swans in the sea at Swansea this I am confused about



Today I give a 7 out of 10 no wait I had ice cream with my pancakes 8 out of 10 



29th



Today I got a happy meal it made me happy the toy made me sad it was dumb. Kelly Louis James Aaron Jude Steph and me went to Carmathen I got chocolate popcorn it made me happy



Today I give a 8 out of 10 no wait I had caramel ice cream with nuts 10 out of 10 



30th 



Today James, Kelly, Louis and I went to Tenby, it was LUSH. The hills were steep and hard to walk up!

Beach at Tenby, South Wales





Today I give 9 out of 10, no wait I had ice cream but it fell on the ground 3 out of 10 





 

Best ever week in Wales! 

Chow Bella

 JULY 2011
Saturday the 16th 

Flew to Italy tonight with our flight arriving very late at night. Finally got to the hotel after our bus and taxi ride. Walked in and WHOOPS the guy had given our room away... Luckily there was a room available just around the corner and the hotel guy was friendly enough so we forgave him! 

Sunday 17th 

Toured around Milan, such a beautiful city, people weren't much chop though... being new to the whole travelling thing - Jess and I got scammed TWICE in a matter of about 20 minutes! Scam number 1 - Walked up the stairs from the underground and 2 guys where like "Chow Bella, would you like bracelet," No thank you... "no have have" *2 big guys grabbed our wrists and tied a bracelet on there* "5 Euro" WHAAAAAT?!?! 20 minutes late Scam number 2 another guy walked up to us grabbed my wrist put corn in it and said "feed birds" 5 minutes passed, "ok 50 Euro" WHAAAAAT?!?! Jess puts on her angry Voice! "We didn't even want this..."   Live and Learn though right :/ 

Monday 18^th

Went back to Milan City Centre today, went into the Duomo and on top beauitufl veiw of the city up there... Went for a massive walk found an awesome park and an equally awesome bar that had cocktails with tappas sort of things! 

Heading back to the train to go home:
Karmyn: Jess have you noticed those two guys following us for the last ten minutes
Jess: No
Karmyn & Jess start to walk faster
Karmyn: Jess they are still following us and they are walking faster now to
Jess: I've noticed as well 

Karmyn and Jess turn a corner and leg it. They find a place where there is BULK people and sit down. 

Karmyn: Jess those guys are walking towards us

Jess: Karmyn I'm nervous
2 guys start to talk to both Karmyn and Jess in broken English 
Guy #1: Hello, why you both walking so fast? 

Guy #2: Where are you staying?
Karmyn: to be honest I actually don't know
Jess: Anyway we have to go meet friends for dinner
(Good thinking Jess, lucky one of us are clever)
Guy #1: Dinner with us?
Karmyn & Jess: NO
Jess: Anyway got to go meet our friends now, BYE

Karmyn and Jess walk away as soon as the guys are out of sight Karmyn and Jess PIN IT to the underground station and get on the train - SAFE AT LAST

Tuesday 19^th

Got the train to Venice today, people are so friendly, saw some awesome buskers, very touristy destination, massive pizza and had a gondola ride - LUSH

Wednesday 20th

Lake Como today possibly?
This will teach me to Actually do the blog at the time of the event - whoops :/ 

ANYWAY here are some photos! 

On top of the Duomo

YEP!!! this was the scam

Duomo - Milan

Thickest hot chocolates ever... SICKLY SWEET

Just before we got stalked - hay hour oooohhh YEAH

LAKE COMO

McDonalds in Milan - why not? Beer for the drink - YES PLEASE

This Bridge has BULK shops on it

Gondola Rides

WATER everywhere

Chocolate or Cornflakes... Definitely Cornflakes

Wednesday 6^th July 2011

Sleeping at Lutton Airport

We woke up in the airport at 5pm this morning and went and changed money as well as printed out our tickets to get onto the plane.  
We flew from Lutton airport in London at 6am and arrived in Croatia at 9.30am. We went straight to our hostel and unpacked our bags. Today we sent half of our clothes back home as we had too many to carry around with us as we are now travelling and not working anymore. We went to the post office or POSTA in Croatian and sent some of our stuff home which cost us $234. The people in Croatia aren’t very nice and not helpful at all. At the post office there was a guy from Perth who was really nice who was originally from there. The language here is so intense when they speak it sounds like they are yelling or getting up each other! Jess and I were so tired we decided to get a drink and chips and go straight back to the hostel where we watched Private Practice and ate a box of cornflakes for 7 hours!

Thursday 7^th July 2011

Had an awesome sleep last night… the best Jess and I have had since being here! It must have been catching up with us. We slept until 10.30am and laid around for a while figuring out our budget and where we wanted to go next. We got ready and walked around to the Internet café were we spent 3 hours booking flights for our next 3 destinations. After Croatia we are heading to Italy (Milan) and staying at a hostel for a week, then Flying from Milan to London and staying in London for a week then from London to Ireland were we will stay for a while in a hostel there and maybe pick up some work as Jess is freaking out that I am not going to have enough money!!!

We caught the bus into Split Centre and had lunch and looked around. It is absolutely beautiful there and the water is amazing! The scenery around Croatia is beautiful the Mountains one way and the water the other.    

Friday 8^th July 2011

We woke up late again today got into out togs and headed to the beach. On the way to the beach we stopped in at the internet Café and were on Facebook and searching for jobs for 3 hours. We booked a walking tour in Italy for Thursday the 21^st which goes for 3 hours. After that we went to the beach and went for a swim. We searched for a restaurant to eat at and we finally found one. It cost us 134 Kuna for 2 drinks, bread, Spaghetti Bolognese, Pizza, Fries, crepe and chocolate and ice cream which is approximately $26... Winning!

Friday 8^th July 2011

We woke up late again today got into out togs and headed to the beach. On the way to the beach we stopped in at the internet Café and were on Facebook and searching for jobs for 3 hours. We booked a walking tour in Italy for Thursday the 21^st which goes for 3 hours. After that we went to the beach and went for a swim. We searched for a restaurant to eat at and we finally found one. It cost us 134 Kuna for 2 drinks, bread, Spaghetti Bolognese, Pizza, Fries, crepe and chocolate and ice cream which is approximately $26.

Saturday 9^th July

Our room for the next 6 days

The "Novi Dan"

Jess and I woke up today so we could get on our boat to Sail Croatia with Top Deck. Our boat was called the ‘Novi Dan.’ After walking the port for probably about 20 minutes we finally found the people who signed us in and showed us where we were to wait to get on our boat. We were waiting there with about 15 other girls… this was going to be an awesome week (bitch fights haha) We finally were allowed to board our boat and as it was the third boat from the edge we had to walk across three boats with MASSIVE suitcases! We got introduced to our tour leader and the crew on our boat. Bo was our tour leader from Australia. We got introduced to the people we would be spending the next 8 days with and ALL of them were Australian and not to mention 24 girls and 4 boys! This next week is definitely going to be interesting. Jess and I went to our room, had a travel sickness tablet and went to sleep (the travel sickness tablet knocked us out!) We woke up and we had set sail on the beautiful Adriatic. We headed for the small island Milna and stayed in Milna for the night. This night we had the most disgusting shot of Grapa? just before dinner (tradition or something) Jess and I found a bar which had free Wi-Fi and the best cocktails in the whole world!!! That night we had dinner with Nicole, Stephen, Kathryn, Dana and her husband?
Tonight was the night we learnt to drink beer... can you learn to drink beer? Well Jess and I had to ... Oktoberfest was coming up and we were not missing out on that! 

Thank you Coach Nicole and Stephen!

Sunday 10^th July

We woke up this morning to a beautiful breakfast of eggs, toast, cereal, bread rolls, yoghurt and fruit. At 11am we stopped for a swim break… it was so refreshing to jump form the boat into the crystal clear Adriatic! So relaxing, Jess and I stayed in there for a couple of hours and then Lunch was served and we set sail for Hvar. For lunch we were given vegetable soup with bread (do not fill up on the bread - Amel) chicken and vegetables and for dessert cake! Delicious J Sunday night in Hvar felt like a Friday or Saturday back home! Bo took us out for dinner and then we headed to a bar right on the water you could literally go down the ladder and go swimming and it was PUMPING for a Sunday night. Everyone on the boat sat on the edge of the water got a free shot and we all had a cocktail together! I went to get another cocktail and as I was standing at the bar this fella asked me what I was doing. Turned out he worked at the bar. We had a Jaga Bomb together and 2 charity shots (not sure what these were) All I know is I wanted a t-shirt! He also bought me a Cocktail to wash it all down J Bo then took us to the next bar and I decided I would speak British to everyone who passed by… At this stage I wasn’t sure of what drinks I like so I decided to just stick with the safe option and had bulk Jaga Bombs! Bad Idea I got so sick and vomited everywhere after I went on a little adventure by myself, so Jess tells me!   

Because I suck at blogging and it has nearly been two years since out little Croatia Adventure the rest of the week went something like this...

 Monday 11^th July

Woke up this morning with a massive Hangover heading to Korcula

Tuesday 12^th July

Sailed to Dubrovnik – 2nd night out and this time I was the one looking after Jess... "Karmyn I can't see"

Also had the best chips and pizza of my life as well as a cocktail tower that will forever go down in history!
This is the day/night my love of Ketchup and Mayonnaise with chips began - THANK YOU EUROPE! 

Wednesday 13^th July

Sailed to Mljet

Thursday 14^th July

Sailed early to Makarska to get a full day of activities in, such a beautiful place, beach front markets, so much ice cream and of course so much room for activities... we couldn't fit them all in but tubing was definitely a winner! 

Friday 15^th July

Back to Split and last day of Sail Croatia :(    

Here are some snapshots of the BEAUTIFUL CROATIA

Tubing in Makarska

Cocktails in Hvar right on the water

Pirate Party on the boat followed by a trip to a nightclub in a CAVE

Out in Dubrovnik - first ever cocktail bucket

Sailing into Hvar

First night on the boat - Garbage Bag Party in Milna

Cocktails on a tower