Aussie Kids

During our time in Central Queensland we met with some terrific indigenous children.  The church there (Christian Covenant Community - known as 3Ci) busses in local children each Sunday afternoon.   They enjoy some food and a great program.  We  enjoyed being with these kids who responded so well to music, fun and God's word.  Funnily enough, although we have been to many nations, this is only the second time we have worked with aboriginal children in Australia.  Next January we hope to do more in this field, working with children in the Kimberleys, Western Australia.   

Many hands make a new house!

CityLife Community Care (formerly Knox CC) turned out in force to give my aging home a makeover. More than 60 volunteers began arriving from about 8.00 a.m. last Saturday. They were placed in teams: painting, gardening and carpentry. Having prayed for rain for the last several years, it was impossible to ask the Lord to stop it...but it did hold off until around 1 and even then showers were light. What tremendous servant's hearts these people have - I was so overwhelmed by the care shown to me. Verandas, windows and doors painted, gardens weeded and edged, trees pruned, deck steps totally replaced. And as a special bonus, my own bedroom and ensuite freshly painted! Not only did they work through to 4, but a smaller team offered to come again next week and finish off! THANKS is such a little word for all I feel inside - but THANKS to all who came to bless me - you certainly did, and I am praying that in turn you will be doubly blessed.

Picture: the old green going and the new cream appearing!

The Hope of Easter....

NEW LIFE.....

Easter....bunnies, eggs, chocolate Bilby's (well, we ARE in Australia) almost everything in the stores except anything about the REAL meaning of the season. Oh - unless you count the cross on the Hot Cross Buns! Now while I enjoy a bun or two and a chocolate egg or six, I can't help despairing that the general population in my nation know very little about this time of year. Stats tell us that the majority of people believe in God but for many it doen't go much farther than that. But for Christians (and for myself) Easter reminds me WHY I am a Christian - a follower of Christ - and HOW I became one. Christianity isn't a cultural thing; you are not born a Christian. Heritage and history has no bearing on your eternal state. Rather you are 'born again' when you realise (a) your need of a Saviour (b) that Jesus Christ fulfilled the qualifications of that Saviour and (c) that His Resurrection provides us with not only forgiveness but access to the presence of God. I wonder at the marvels of creation, the universe, the beauty of the world around me and I acknowledge God the Creator. But knowing the reality of Jesus Christ goes beyond that - my errors, failures and deliberate wrong-doings are forgiven and paid for through His death on a cross. And because of the Resurrection I have new life now and eternal life to come. I hear His voice - in music, as I read the Bible, in response to my prayers, through the encouragement of others. I have seen the miraculous - circumstances turned around, urgent needs miraculously met, relationships restored, healings for bodies and minds and wounded spirits ....and the list goes on. I love Easter - another reminder of the greatness of God's love to His final work of creation - human beings! That's you, that's me.

HAPPY EASTER! And may YOU know the reality of this NEW LIFE!

Ministry in Thailand

To the left is part of the group of workers from Hope Churches who attended the training conference Sue and I taught. The conference was open to several churches and it was so good to enjoy the good spirit of cooperation between all. We varied teaching with team building activities, games, and object lessons and the response was good. We so appreciated the hospitality and care for us that the church showed. Special thanks to Pinky and Jippy for transport and help throughout our time there.



Look at the faces of the children to the right (athough the little girl back right looks a bit puzzled!) These children were part of an outreach amongst kids in a poorer area of Bangkok. One man in this location heard the gospel and accepted Christ. He, along with his family, have become a ray of light in this place, and each week a team from Rivers of Life Church visits to minister with the children, and have started a church in this squatter area. We enjoyed seeing the Pastor relating so well to these kids - and they responded well to him.

We count it a privilege to be able to share with churches in Thailand who are making a difference!

Update: Catching Up With Kittiphum

As many of you may know, Carolyn’s on a missionary trip in Asia. This photo and a text message were forwarded on to me on behalf of Carolyn to give us an update on her recent activities. The text reads:

Carolyn shares a meal with Kittiphum, the youth she sponsors through Compassion.

Carolyn and Sue will be flying from Kittiphum’s village back to Bangkok and will be ministering at a church there over the weekend. And then, it’s off to Cambodia on Monday. We’re praying Carolyn and Sue will have a safe journey and God will richly bless them and others through their ministering.

UpDate: Click Here to learn more Compassion International

TIME.........

Christmas - the wonder on the face of a child looking at a star.......the lights and music.......the timeless message of God's Son sent to earth - is over. New Year's Eve came - a fun time with friends and games and sparklers - and went. It is now mid January - my year is planned (God willing), diaries filled in, dates made, travel plans in action. TIME - The Inevitable March to Eternity - is flying by. I look at my little friend in the photo. For him, time is dictated by sleeping, waking, drinking, playing. It will be awhile for him to register the march of time. For his active brother (almost 6) time can be 'forever' (waiting for Santa) or "too short" (playing with his friends). For me time is the inevitable passing of days, weeks, months, years seemingly gathering speed each year. Was it really four years ago that I stood in Bogota, Colombia, watching street children board a bus for the journey of a lifetime - a camp that would offer them hope? Could it be seven years ago that Sue and I shared God's love with 1600 excited, expectant children under a silk tent in northern India? Sometimes it seems like an age, at others just a 'few months ago". Time is the most precious gift that we have - time to be the best we can be, to do the best we can do, to change the world around us, to reach out in relationships, to excel in generosity, to 'stop and smell the roses or coffee', and for me as a Christian, time to learn more about the God I worship. After all, I believe I'll spend eternity with Him! (And hopefully, with many who are reading this) TIME: one thing is sure, you only go on this journey once. My prayer for 2008 is that we may make every day count in some way to making someone's life a little happier, to encouraging more and criticizing less, to laughing more than we grumble, and for living in thankfulness for the life we have been given. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Proud moment!

The Wang family are very dear to my heart. Parents Chien Ming and Poh Hong married in Melbourne when they were students studing at Monash University. Shortly after the birth of their first son, they moved to Singapore where Chien Ming (known simply as "Wang") took up a lecturing post at the National University and Poh Hong to teaching at a high school. Christopher (pictured with me) is their second son (another son and daughter followed). I visited often, and several times the family came out to Australia, the most memorable visit being shortly before my father's passing. The children invigorated him and gave us the best Christmas ever!
Chris has been studing at Melbourne Uni for the past six years and graduated recently as doctor. What an incredibly proud moment - a credit to him for his perseverence and hard work and also a tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of his parents. They are a great example to me - devoted to their children, working to provide them with every opportunity in life. Congratulations Chris! You will be a wonderful doctor with your skills and God-given gifts of compassion, friendship and faith.