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.

THANKSGIVING I love the US tradition of Thanksgiving: the history (pilgrims and Indians) the food (pumpkin pie and caramelised sweet potatoes as well as the turkey) and the gathering of family. I called Sue's family in Boise to wish them greetings, and Sue's aunt Olive called out "do they have thanksgiving in Australia?" To which I retorted "No - we are an ungrateful nation." Of course they laughed, but after the call ended I did think about those words. Are we an ungrateful nation? Am I an ungrateful person? The answer to that one was easy "Definitely NOT!" And so here is some of my "Thankful" list.
I am thankful for:

• family (extended and multinational) and close friends of all ages and nationalities
• being born in a free nation where freedom to worship and freedom of speech and a 'fair go' for the common man are taken for granted
• a house to live in (thanks Mum and Dad!) and a car that has served me well
• health and energy to continue to work with kids and children's workers everywhere
• enough money to pay my bills, put petrol in the car and food on the table
• a Church that does make a difference in our community and beyond
• and most of all for the God who created me, His Son who saved me, and The Holy Spirit who daily leads my walk called "life"

WOW....yes, I am thankful. How about you?
Link: Life, God, thankfulness
draft

"If You Build It......"

To finish the quote from Field of Dreams "they will come". We are hoping that a general manager will come to take SCKC to the next level. I have been involved with Southern Cross Kids Camps since its inception in 2000. We work with kids in foster care, or within the social welfare system. Most of these kids are having it tough and these camps allow them to experience unconditional acceptance, no-strings-attached love, a listening ear and the chance to build some happy childhood memories. Next year seven camps will run - six in three states of Australia and one in New Zealand. The board of directors are all volunteers and work from home. SCKC has two part-time staff for admin and accounts and NOW there is an office for them to work from, an office I will be at for several hours each week that I am 'home' and now the very real prospect of moving on via finding the right general manager. How did this happen? Through the vision, commitment to the cause of SCKC and generosity Jason Smith of the Back In Motion Health Group stepped in and has allowed us to use a portion of his corporate headquarters. We have our own entrance, reception area and two large offices! WOW! SCKC now has a physical presence in the community and we plan to make an impact. Check out www.sckc.org.au and its U.S. inspiration www.rfkc.org

The child within.....

Around ten years ago, Sue insisted that we needed a character puppet to add to the programs we were doing with kids. She bought a worm puppet and "Larry Funzel" was born. At first I wasn't convinced that Larry would be a puppet people would warm to, but true to form, he wormed his way into thousands of hearts, mine included. You could say that we are the closest of c0-workers and I am needed to give him a helping hand. But somewhere between the script and the performance, a strange transformation takes place. Larry takes on his own personna - radical, conniving, confusing, frustrating, funny, warm, tricky, muddled, endearing.... he is a bundle of contradictions and kids young and old love him. School kids chant "Larr-ee, Larr-ee" until he appears, and at one camp teens long graduated from the kids program still turn up to give him candy. One young friend was heard fiercely defending him at a recent camp "Of course Larry's real. A puppet can't have his own email can he!" Yes, Larry does have his own email. For the curious it is larry.funzel@carpenters-cross.org He is soon to feature in podcasts from the ccm website and so the legend lives on. Larry has taught me many things, not the least being "Don't judge by the outward appearance" which reminds me of the Bible verse "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord sees the heart." I know there are many handsome puppets out there but I've seen Larry's heart (he tells me good earthworms have up to nine of them) and as far as I am concerned, Larry is here to stay.

GO MARINERS!

"GOTTA LOVE THESE GUYS" goes the slogan for the Seattle Mariners baseball team. Sue jokes that there are three conditions in my "contract", namely a visit to the Museum of Glass, a trip to the coast, and one Mariners' game. Two out of three is par for the course, but this year I made it to all three!

Sadly, the M's didn't win, but I love the atmosphere of the game. Family groups predominate, language and drinking are carefully watched, and the thrill of the big crowd, with the carefully placed music or sound affects to draw a supportive response all make for a great few hours. Behind us was a family which included a young boy, possibly 4 years old. He sat perched on his dad's lap and watched every innings intently. As the pitcher wound up I would hear the voice from behind "Strike him out Felix , strike him out!" Felix Herndandez did his best, but victory was not to be that day. Not for lack of support from the young man behind! I was amused at his dedication and the fact that he knew his players! "Hit it out of the park Ichiro!" "Make a home run Beltre!" Sue and I work with young (and not so young kids) most of the year. Just as this young man was absorbed in baseball, so our delight is in kids who realise that we play in the greater game - the game of life - and the Master Coach, Jesus, is there to help us all the way! "Make a home run......." you fill in your name!

A lesson on "Trust". During the VeBS (Very Exciting Bible School) held at New Hope International Church Sue used a great object lesson to talk about "trust". Darlene knew that the cup over her head held water - she had watched Sue pour it in - but could she trust that she would stay dry when Sue turned that cup upside down? Well, you'll be glad to know that she did stay dry (trade secret as to how) but it illustrated a good point. When things look bad or dark or simply impossible that's when all we CAN do is to trust. Not trust in people, or finances, or possessions, but trust in the One who made us and knows us best of all. I have been in many situations when there seemed to be no way out, but I have learned to trust the Lord to keep me in the hollow of His hand. And He does.

R U a BIG picture/small picture person?

This is one of my favorite parts of the Australian coastline in my home state of Victoria. When I stand on this beach my eyes head out to sea, to the horizon (and beyond in my mind). Can you imagine what it would be to stand here and focus on a single grain of sand near my feet or just one rock? I would miss so much more of God's creation, His beauty, His world. Yet this is what happens to us in life - we obsess on a single word, or attitude or event - and that obsession inhibits our ability to relate well to others, to experience the blessings of forgiving and the freedom in being forgiven. These deep thoughts come to mind following a great event held in Sue's home town to celebrate 20 years of itinerant ministry to kids worldwide. Sue remarked to me: "So many people from so many churches all coming together - some of them haven't fellowshipped with each other in years." Well, if we believe that is what will happen in heaven - why not work on it now? One of the Bible verses we have been using this summer with the kids is from Ephesians 4:32 "Forgive one another ....even as Christ forgave you."

Miracle Mountain

Miracle Mountain is always just that - a place where miracles do take place. Miracles of love in young hearts, of healing, of encouragement and of hope for a future. I love the emphasis on everybody having a part to play. Here some of the kids join in the praise time on their own instruments and they did a great job. After service is over, the music starts again and kids dance around the tent. The Lord really does touch hearts, both young and old. On the first night we had a number of kids and one adult invite Jesus to be a part of their lives. That is exciting...and a miracle! For Sue and I this camp is always a time where we find ourselves encouraged by kids and workers alike. We always take something away with us in a spiritual sense. People often ask "How do you get ministered to when you are always taking the kids' program?" As Sue says "The same way pastors are ministered to - they don't get many breaks away from the responsibility of bringing a message to their people. We spend time with the Lord ourselves, PLUS you would be amazed how many children minister to us...along with adults who take time to share what they feel the Lord is saying." That's what being a part of the 'body of Christ' is all about.

Look at me - I'm Happy!

This past week was spent at McCall, Idaho at the Boise Royal Family Kids' Camp. Forty-three kids - all in foster care - had an amazing week of camp. Games, music, activity centres, swimming, chapel, laughs and more. Kids from all backgrounds of neglect and abuse experienced caring people all showing unconditional love and acceptance. Kids were listened to, affirmed, praised, encouraged and challenged to participate in zipline, archery, ropes course and canoeing. Down at the dock I took a photo of one of the younger campers and when I showed her the photo in the camera screen she exclaimed "Look at me! I'm happy!"

That was the thing she noticed - 'I am happy". Happiness is surely every child's right, but sadly many children rarely experience this emotion. If you can get behind one of the 150+ RFKC camps this summer, please do so and allow more troubled and hurting kids experience some 'happy childhood memories"

Check out: http://www.rfkc.org/ and http://www.rfkcboise.org/ and http://www.sckc.org.au

The Ripple Effect of a Life of Influence

THE RIPPLE EFFECT - A Life of Influence

Last month Sue's cousin Jeanette Kruljac went home to be with the Lord. Jeanette had fought a good fight against Non-Hodgkins and over the years we had seen the Lord's hand in so many ways in her life. It was with disbelief that I received the call from Sue that she was now with Jesus. I first met Jeanette in 1978 when a friend and I toured western US for the first time. I have been her pen-pal since my pastor Richard Holland (Founding Pastor of CityLife Church in Melbourne) visited Jeanette's church and ministered to their youth group. Jeanette and I corresponded for some years before I got to visit. Her kids Greg and Lisa were about 8 and 2 at the time and we had a great week with them. It was during this visit that I first met Sue and her family and we too began to spasmodiacally correspond. The rest is history - my church brought Sue out to minister in 1990 and again in '91 and she and I began working together in '92. Through Jeanette - her encouragement, her prayers and continued support - we have touched the children of nations around the world. As I heard stories of Jeanette's life I realised that all with whom she came into contact were in some way impacted. Neighbours, work colleagues, church members - all were ministered to in some way. Jeanette's love of life and family, her spontaneous joy even when her body was under attack, her love and loyalty to Larry and her kids (all of them) and her honor and love for her parents Bud and Olive was inspirational. We will miss her laugh and sparkling eyes, her love of adventure (she wanted to visit Australia so much) and generous spirit. We mourn a loss.....but heaven rejoices as Jesus says "Well done".

Mountain Moments.....

In the month since I last blogged, I prepared to leave for the US summer camp program with Sue, met with SCKC board and personnel on several occasions, spoke at a couple of churches and hosted a friend from Brisbane. Flew out on June 13 for Seattle and after two days there headed down to Boise. On Sunday we drove to Idaho City - a small western town that was in its heyday in the 1800's when gold was discovered. Every year a non-profit organisation "Isaiah's Ranch" hold several camps and events for kids and teens in this mountain area. The week long day camp reached 38 needy kids, hungry for attention and love. On the last day of camp I invited kids to come out and share what they had enjoyed about camp. Usually this centres on the games, the crafts etc. but this year was different. Almost every child commented that the best thing about camp was the love they felt, the care of so many people, the fact that kids chose to be nice to other kids, that they made more friends than ever before and on it went. It is our privilege to be a part of this camp, headed up by Michelle and Tim and a great team for volunteers. If you want to know more, check out www.isaiahsranch.org

"A little child...."

Today a friend and I had lunch in a local restaurant. As a confirmed "people watcher'" I enjoyed the scene at the next table, obviously a family get-together. A young couple with their first baby, their parents, possibly a brother and his wife, and their grandparents. Four generations around the same table and all with eyes only for the new arrival. The little girl was passed from hand to hand, a proud dad pointing out all the important things "Look at her smile...her hair...her little hands...." A grandfather was constantly videoing at every angle and the great grandparents simly smiled and nodded, delighted at the "next generation." It was a circle of family, all focused on one tiny baby. I couldn't help but think of the African quote that "it takes a vilage to raise a child" and that reminded me of speaking at a baby dedication service many years ago. The verse that I used is the one Isaiah uses speaking of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Christians understand that this verse speaks of Jesus' earthly birth, as a child, AND his status as deity - a son - the son of God - is given." Jesus, both man and God. But I saw this verse as having some application to all births. Every child is given by God to their parents as an earthly child, but their potential is to become a son or daughter of God, and parents need all the help they can get. If you, like me, belong to a Christian community or church, take a look at all your young families with their earthly children....and remember you can be role model and a godly influence in helping these little ones reach their spiritual potential. Keep an eye out for single parents in particular - they may love a spare set of grandparents to be in the life of their child.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah and her family celebrating
21 great years. Love the smile.....

Pic on right: The cousins. Four great young adults (well, Sarah IS 21 and Jon and Tom are not far behind...Oh and Jaymie is 7 going on 8....) These young people give me great joy - they make time for me - I love 'hanging out' with them. (Actually I am the ONLYone with anything hanging out!) I enjoy listening to their world...uni....dreams and aspirations....and most of all what God is doing in their lives. Congrats Sarah - you are a true Princess and God's love shines through you. [Loved the dvd's too...and the cake.....and the laughs....and your friends are awesome. Go girl!

World Impact Week - CityLife Church

World Impact is the missions arm of CityLife. What a tremendous vision they have to plant churches world wide. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the church some 42 missions workers were flown in from their fields in S.E. Asia, Eastern Europe, India, Russia, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. How impacting it was for us to meet together, to renew old friendships and forge new ones, to see a bigger picture of God working in the world. We were both ministered to in many ways - practical, spiritual, social.

It was a great week of refreshing and a fitting finish to Sue's marathon three months of ministry in Cambodia, Malaysia and several states of Australia. She flew home May 1 to minister at a Women's Retreat, spend time with family in Boise and prepare for the summer ministry time in the US.

Pic #1 is the group photo of all our workers (blurred intentionally)

Pic #2 Sue and I at our info table for International Night.

CONGRATULATIONS SUE!

Twenty years ago this month, Sue took a 'leap of faith' and stepped out of a secure position on church staff in her home town of Boise, Idaho. She moved to Seattle and launched an ininerant ministry working with churches in reaching children and training and equipping children's workers. The early years were a test of faith but as Sue puts it: "The safest place for you to be is in the centre of God's will for your life". And over the years this has proven true. CCM (Carpenter's Cross Ministries) has travelled to many countries including India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, China and more, training national workers and inspiring people everywhere with passion for kids. Congrats Sue - seen here cutting her cake and talking to Larry (AKA Carolyn). Coincidentally Larry chalks up 10 years and Carolyn 15 as part of the CCM team.

Watery thoughts!

There is something about water - the ocean, a bay, river, even a small splashing stream - that refreshes the weary and smooths away the stresses of daily life. We were able to snatch four days away a week or so ago in the midst of an incredibly busy schedule and head to a little spot near the start of the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria. Airey's Inlet is marked by a lighthouse, a few stores and not much else - but it is rich in atmosphere, peace, tranquility and a sense of time standing still. Which was just what we needed to regroup and prepare for the rest of Sue's time in Australia. The wonder of God's creation never leaves me - rockpools, anenomes, shells, the wheeling gulls and the endless rolling of the waves. I can never get enough of that. Which makes me wonder - does God feel the same about His final creation....about us? I suspect He does especially when we respond to His love or His correction or simply His presence. It's His presence that we need daily - spiritual water - whether in worship or prayer or as we open His Word and invite Him to speak to us.

How Far Would You Go For a Krispy Kreme????

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all our Irish friends (and who isn't?) It seems that Sue and I have Irish ancestry in common - on her mother's side but on both my parent's sides (along with a good mix of Scottish and English and whatever else). SO what did we do when we found ourselves down at Knox City Mall today? The Irish Pub was in full swing (emphasis on "full") with green beer and Irish dancers. But it was at Krisy Kreme we found our true Irish roots. We stopped to look at the GREEN donuts....and then read the fine-print. "Show us your best Irish jig and receive one FREE Irish donut". Now who could resist? I launched into a great jig, hands steadfastly to the sides...to the amazement of the barely-out-of-school lads behind the counter. I am sure they had NEVER seen an overweight woman of my age do anything this crazy before. Then it was Sue's turn - although she had looked a bit surprised at my spontaneous performance - and she too launched into a frenzy of fancy footwork and turns! We both exited munching our freebies...green and all!

T-Shirt Truths

Cambodia always impacts us - the kids, the passion of the workers, the transformed lives of the local church members - it's a great place to stop and takc stock of the important things in life. One of the young men was wearing a tshirt with the slogan: "You'll never know Jesus is all you need 'till all you have IS Jesus". Thoughtprovoking? We thought so. Many of the people here have so little - get past the western style facade that Phom Penh is hastily erecting and you find yourself in villages that have changed little. Subsistence farming, poor water supply (if any), shacks of palm leaves and bamboo, malnutrition in the children, disease and the still present danger of land mines. In some of the larger towns there is progress and many NGO's (Non Government Organisations) are doing valuable work improving living standards, equipping schools, building infrastructure. So what make the difference? How can the kids' pastor Vimean (pictured) look so happy? His office is under the corrugated iron roof of the church building - in the consistently hot climate of Cambodia the heat regularly 'melts' the computer systems in the church. But he doesn't complain. His smile says it all "I have Jesus and if I can introduce him to the kids in my city...my province...my nation I will give them the source of ALL they need." It's a challenge to me - I look at what I think I need......and all those things start to fade. As the old song says: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his glorious face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his goodness and grace."

By the way: Sue and I support Children in Crisis in Cambodia by selling woven cotton bracelets which come complete with photo card and brief history of kids being helped through this program. Each bracelet sells for US1 or $2 Australian. Let us know if you want some.

Cambodia's Children

This little boy is waiting for Joy Club to begin on the rooftop of a building in Phnom Penh. This photo touches my heart as I see him peeping from behind the 'bars' and I think of the unseen bars for the many children like him in Cambodia. Bars of starvation, of hopelessness, lack of a home or family stability. The children who attend New Life Centre's Joy Club are from the poorest of the poor and many simply sleep on the streets. The workers at Joy Club wash them, tend to their sores, replace clothing and shoes, and send them out with a bag of food, shampoo and soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The fortified Soy milk has made a difference, but it is still not enough for their weekly nutritional requirements. Perhaps the greatest thing that the Joy Club team gives is love, respect, affirmation and words of hope from God's Word. When we return home we want to feature these kids in our website - please check it out in a couple of weeks time and see how you can help! www.carpenters-cross.org

A Man of Faith

Richard Holland has been a spiritual father, mentor and friend over many years. His daughter Hilary and I go way back, and he was the founder of my home church, CityLife Church in Melbourne, Australia. When Richard started the church 40 yrs back this year, it was called Waverley Mission, then Waverley Christian Fellowship and now City Life. As you see from the photo, Sue Carpenter is back in town as of yesterday, and the first person she wants to see is Richard. A tremendous man of faith, Richard has seen many thousands of miracles, healings and lives changed and renewed by the power of God. He is also a man of great vision - when my father (who served as an elder in the church) found the land that the current church in on, Richard immediately saw it all: the church built in several stages, a school, community centre and a retirement village. In 1981 when the land was purchased there were 350 in the church but now almost all of that vision has come to pass - a church of more than 6000 in attendance every week, a school with over 1000 students, a community care centre with qualified counsellors, medical services, social workers and more. Only the retirement village did not eventuate [many of us older members of the church may regret that!] We thank the Lord for the "fathers" in the church today - godly men who can be trusted to walk the way they talk! We love you Richard!

NIGHT BEAUTY

Some years back I was walking through the botanical gardens in Singapore late at night, enjoying the cooler air after a hot and steamy day. Pausing by a pond, I admired the water lilies which seemed to float on the water. Some were competely open while others were in various stages of opening. Now the majority of flowering plants open wider in the sunlight, but there are some that are at their best in times of darkness. These particular water lilies were such plants. Makes me think - dark times [grief, disappointment, rejection, the challenges of illness or a broken relationship, all the struggles of life] can bring out the best in us. As a Christian I know that there are resources I have not always drawn on [how often I try to solve problems in my own strength). Resources such as pressing into God's presence as never before, asking Him for direction, for strength, searching His word for insights and sometimes just comfort. And all these are there - they are always there because HE is always there. I love they way David puts it in Psalm 116 "I love the Lord because He has heard my voice..." Jeremiah puts it this way (God says) "Call on me and I will answer you."
But the onus is on us to call....not half-hearted but with desperation, truly wanting God to respond and willing to listen to the way in which He chooses to respond. I sat beside one water-lily waiting for that last petal to open...it was like watching the hour hand on a clock - you CAN see it move if you look intently enough - and after about 40 minutes there it was...the last petal fully extended completing the perfect flower just the way it was created to be.

Fruit which remains....

While in Idaho we had breakfast with two of Sue's 'kids' [sorry guys!] Dena Cambra and Terry White were part of Sue's Super Sundayschool when she was Children's Pastor at Central Assembly. Now Dena is a college basketball coach back east and Terry is a professional singer living in Nashville. It is always exciting to see where GOd takes those we minister to and grow to love, and to know that the truths taught and the personal encounters with God through family and church will bear 'fruit that remains'. Sue is so proud of these two - in the best possible way! We pray '07 will be a great year for both Terry and Dena on every level - spiritually, physically and relationally.
Bible reference: John 15:16

Photo album

1. Sue, Dad and Mom on Christmas morning
2. John with Oatie
3. Larry with Sue on the "Oops" program for public access TV
4.Sue and De Ann at Terrace Lakes, Idaho.

Family and Friends

When it comes down to it, Christmas is really about family and friends, and whilst I have some great extended family and many loyal friends, usually on Christmas morning I wake up and wander out to the tree in the living room, put on my Christmas music and sit down to open my gifts. This is the one time in the year when I feel alone ...and then the phone rings. Sue and her family are always the first to call, and so it was such a blessing to be able to be with them this time.

Christmas in Idaho

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone! For the first time in 12 years I had the joy of returning to Boise for a white Christmas. As we flew down over the foothills I was dismayed to find brown, not white! Later in the afternoon I stood outside in the cold and asked God to smile on me and send me snow! Can you believe that several flakes immediately landed on me - no snowstorm, but enough to show up on my black coat! It was a SIGN I told everyone. After that I was caught up in the busyness of the season - shopping, visiting, eating, preparing, shopping...and on it went. I loved the cold, the lights, the Christmas music (after all Chestnuts Roasting by an Open Fire does nothing to me on a typical hot Christmas Day in Melbourne, Australia!) And then it happened....about four days before Christmas it snowed...and snowed again...and the ground was still white on Christmas morning. That's all I needed - not mounds of snow, but a soft, even cover to complete my Christmas dream. It reminds me of the simple things in life - I was satisfied with what I got in terms of snow - Lord, let me be satisfied with what I have in other areas too.