What happens when you hear God’s voice and it doesn’t seem real or possible what He is asking of you? You ask for confirmation. I had come home to the States in January (the 18th) thinking that time with my Dad was short and I should see him as often as possible. I was correct that the time was short but not my Dad’s time but my time in the States! It was April 25th when the Lord confirmed that it was time to return to Australia. Seeing that I had to purchase the ticket two weeks prior to the date the Lord gave me (May 8th), the idea that I could possibly pull that off seemed ridiculous and impossible. I didn’t even have a visa to enter the country and needed one to know how to book the travel. I prayed and told the Lord I would need a visa in 3 days if He wanted me to return that quickly. Last time took 7 days and the website says 4-6 weeks as general lead time. The night of April 28th (3 days later) I got the email saying I was approved for a yearlong visa. That allowed me to purchase the ticket through a travel agency by Monday, the 2 week deadline. I was generously funded for my ticket, found the cheapest ticket out there, and then my medical insurance for the time here was funded! I also had 4 ministry meetings and I had to cancel 3 of them due to lack of time. When I arrived at the one place I had confirmed, I found everyone whom I had canceled with at that meeting, so everyone received what they had need of. Miraculous!! The other miracle was the response of my work. They blessed me to go even though it put a kink into their plans for the company direction. God’s favor was with me every step of the way and provisionary as well. God loves to show off!
After 24 hours of travel, I arrived on Australian soil and felt like I was home. Funny how after 7 months a place can feel like home. I was ecstatic to see Rosie in the parking lot, Glenda’s van, and although an old girl, she is dependable as the day is long. Even more ecstatic was I to see my friend Glenda, waiting patiently for my arrival. Glenda has become my family here and though we come from different worlds and experiences, she is as my own sisters are to me. It is quite incredible how God has brought our two worlds together for His purposes and plans for the Kingdom. Glenda has been a faithful intercessor to stand by me as the Lord has commissioned her. I know she covers me in prayer when I am oblivious to my surroundings and speaks truth to me when needed. I am thankful for her faithful friendship. The ministerial relationship is God breathed and truly for Kingdom purposes. I was also met by another Australian pastor with flowers to welcome me back to Australia. This feels like home and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me here.
With feet barely on the ground, we headed for the DOCS (dept of child services) office while Glenda worked to get a 10-year-old family member into a safer situation. We ended up spending the night in Sydney and then headed out Thursday morning for Moree. We drove all day and finally arrived late Thursday night in Moree, tired and beginning to feel the effects of jet lag. Bodies don’t adjust as quick as they did when young, and I found myself battling allergies and congestion. Not the way I wanted to begin my stay in Australia, yet being under the weather has forced me to rest and try to stay down. The one blessing is that I brought my Benadryl tablets as they are not found here so I have been able to take them to help me through this adjustment period.
Since I left Australia in January, Glenda has obtained temporary custody of a 13-year-old family member so I truly came back to a family. It has been a long time since I have shared quarters with a teenage boy so each day I get exposed to the trials and tribulations of modern day parents. With that said, I am thankful I am not charged to raise a child in these perilous days. Hats off to those that live that experience daily. It also means a potential move to accommodate a household of three. It seems I have barely unpacked and may be packing the house up to move into a three-bedroom home. Though lots of work to move, it will be a blessing to have room to spread out. We have committed it to prayer and await the outcome.
It has not taken long to get into the Aussie mindset. We don’t have a meal, we have a feed. We have biscuits instead of cookies. We purchase petrol instead of gas and we live in a flat instead of an apartment. Aussies are very gracious and always comment how a feed is lovely or nice and always end their sentences with “yeah”. When they say “yeah”? they are asking if you agree and when they say “yeah” they are confirming a statement. The more difficult switch is re-training your brain to go from right to left. I find myself still confused in my mind when we approach an intersection. I know within a short time it will all seem natural to me again. Until then, I will stay in the left-hand passenger seat. I still find myself trying to step on the brake. Old habits die hard!
With a week of recovery time, we headed for Tweed Heads for a rally and saw God’s heart for the people here. He is calling the body of Christ to repentance and holiness and Sunday morning, although a small group, several prophets echoed the heart of God for His people. I anticipate what the Lord is doing here. He brought me back suddenly and I believe that He will move just a quick in preparing the bride of Christ for these last days.
Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for ministry and outreach to the community. If we move, we will be located in the center of an area of outreach and where many children live. It is awesome to watch God move in a people so oppressed to show His loving kindness to them and that He has not forgotten the Aboriginal people. Your prayers, support, and encouragement are making a difference!
After 24 hours of travel, I arrived on Australian soil and felt like I was home. Funny how after 7 months a place can feel like home. I was ecstatic to see Rosie in the parking lot, Glenda’s van, and although an old girl, she is dependable as the day is long. Even more ecstatic was I to see my friend Glenda, waiting patiently for my arrival. Glenda has become my family here and though we come from different worlds and experiences, she is as my own sisters are to me. It is quite incredible how God has brought our two worlds together for His purposes and plans for the Kingdom. Glenda has been a faithful intercessor to stand by me as the Lord has commissioned her. I know she covers me in prayer when I am oblivious to my surroundings and speaks truth to me when needed. I am thankful for her faithful friendship. The ministerial relationship is God breathed and truly for Kingdom purposes. I was also met by another Australian pastor with flowers to welcome me back to Australia. This feels like home and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me here.
With feet barely on the ground, we headed for the DOCS (dept of child services) office while Glenda worked to get a 10-year-old family member into a safer situation. We ended up spending the night in Sydney and then headed out Thursday morning for Moree. We drove all day and finally arrived late Thursday night in Moree, tired and beginning to feel the effects of jet lag. Bodies don’t adjust as quick as they did when young, and I found myself battling allergies and congestion. Not the way I wanted to begin my stay in Australia, yet being under the weather has forced me to rest and try to stay down. The one blessing is that I brought my Benadryl tablets as they are not found here so I have been able to take them to help me through this adjustment period.
Since I left Australia in January, Glenda has obtained temporary custody of a 13-year-old family member so I truly came back to a family. It has been a long time since I have shared quarters with a teenage boy so each day I get exposed to the trials and tribulations of modern day parents. With that said, I am thankful I am not charged to raise a child in these perilous days. Hats off to those that live that experience daily. It also means a potential move to accommodate a household of three. It seems I have barely unpacked and may be packing the house up to move into a three-bedroom home. Though lots of work to move, it will be a blessing to have room to spread out. We have committed it to prayer and await the outcome.
It has not taken long to get into the Aussie mindset. We don’t have a meal, we have a feed. We have biscuits instead of cookies. We purchase petrol instead of gas and we live in a flat instead of an apartment. Aussies are very gracious and always comment how a feed is lovely or nice and always end their sentences with “yeah”. When they say “yeah”? they are asking if you agree and when they say “yeah” they are confirming a statement. The more difficult switch is re-training your brain to go from right to left. I find myself still confused in my mind when we approach an intersection. I know within a short time it will all seem natural to me again. Until then, I will stay in the left-hand passenger seat. I still find myself trying to step on the brake. Old habits die hard!
With a week of recovery time, we headed for Tweed Heads for a rally and saw God’s heart for the people here. He is calling the body of Christ to repentance and holiness and Sunday morning, although a small group, several prophets echoed the heart of God for His people. I anticipate what the Lord is doing here. He brought me back suddenly and I believe that He will move just a quick in preparing the bride of Christ for these last days.
Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for ministry and outreach to the community. If we move, we will be located in the center of an area of outreach and where many children live. It is awesome to watch God move in a people so oppressed to show His loving kindness to them and that He has not forgotten the Aboriginal people. Your prayers, support, and encouragement are making a difference!