As most of you know, we’re on tour with a medical ship called the Pacific Link (www.ywamships.com), going down the east coast of Australia to talk about the opportunities to help Papua New Guinea, a country just off the north coast. We’re currently in Ulladulla, a small town south of Sydney. It’s a beautiful sleepy town on the sea, quaint and quiet.

Last night, we were hosted by the Mayor of Ulladulla, given a formal civic reception into the city. A few of us were there to represent the Ship and to mingle with local council members. As per usual, our team (Nick, Jessica, Mike and myself) was there early, setting up the sound and projection for the night. Mike would be playing in the background and we would be showing our promo video.

After helping as much as we could, Jess and I sat off to the side, trying desperately to stay out of the way. We watched locals trickle in to the building and put on our best smiles, as we were representing YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and the Pacific Link. Not much later, a man with four children darting around him, made his way over to introduce himself. He gave us firm handshakes and then inquired about what we were doing here in Ulladulla.

We took our turns talking about ourselves and when the conversation went quiet, I asked ever-so-innocently;

“So what do you do here in Ulladulla?”

A small grin spread slowly across his face and my stomach dropped. I had already made some sort of grave, unknowing mistake.

“I’m actually the Mayor of this old place,” he said with a chuckle. My face flushed and I made a nervous giggle as I glanced Jessica. Her eyes were filled with delight and she tried not to grunt with laughter.

“Oh.” I said, flatly.

What else do you say after asking the Mayor what he gets up to in this little town?? Jessica made small talk while I tried to swallow my pride and pretend that I normally embarrass myself and have no qualms about it. He was incredibly gracious and pardoned himself to talk to some other council members. Jessica immediately errupted into laughter after asking me “what do you do here in Ulladulla?” I muttered a sheepish be quiet before making my way to some other important person that I could flounder myself in front of.

Once, after saying something particularly embarrassing, Nick said to me later; “Sometimes…you just say things.” “So?” I’d asked. He’d held up his hands in defense and said no more.

So, I must confess – sometimes, I say stupid things. There are those that say little and when they speak, wisdom flows like honey. Sometimes, I speak like honey. But most of the time, millions of tiny rubber balls come out instead, bouncing all over the place while I race to try and pick them back up.

Sigh…c’est la vie!

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