Australia DAY Celebration

AUSTRALIA DAY

Last Wednesday we celebrated Australia Day with the rest of the nation. I watched clips from honoring the 'memorable' role models of the year and feasted on BBQ in the hot sun. They just don't do it like the 4th of July though! Here are a few pics from our 'island breeze' celebration! We feel blessed to be allowed to honor God in this beautiful country!

flood cleanup

I have arrived safely in Australia and since being back we've spent the week working on cleaning and landscaping projects for those who have been affected by the floods. It seems the first cleanup up has been done and people are now needing help getting the mud out of their basements, lawns and scrubbing with bleach the areas most affected. The boys at the base even worked on Saturday and Sunday but seem to enjoy it. We've been able to get lawn equipement back into running conditions and the girls and I spent an entire day cleaning and sterilizing toys for a local family with three autistic children. Their first floor was storage and play rooms, education rooms for their children. The water was so high on their house that the were prepared to climb in to the ceiling when the helicopters flew by to let them know the water was receeding. Many of these families will have emotional 'cleanup' as well as material (one seven year old boy kept telling me that the rain was coming and another flood; he had a hard time understanding that the flood was a one time deal). This week is our 'staff retreat' as we regroup together to focus on the upcoming year and our vision to continue working with the indigenous nations to spread the gospel and redeem cultures. Many changes ahead! Praise God for safety and provisions for all of us.

Pictures: volunteer firemen still continue to work with Brisbane residents (Api, fijian man next to truck); me pretending to work with the mud after spending the morning scrubbing the upstairs floorboards; a DTS student on outreach from Fiji, resting after a days workb

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010

HIGHLIGHTS of 2010

Australia

:

-Learning new cultural dances and traditions from the Pacific

-Helping two days a week with Shekinah program for girls (alternative school)

-Helping two days a week with local chaplains in the schools (Deception Bay and Grace)

-Supporting local Youth groups and church fundraisers

-Running our Tuesday Night Live community worship service

-Supporting local food bank

-Starting up and leading a women's bible study and prayer time

-Fundraising

-Prayer

Vanuatu

-Teaching on Evangelism for Discipleship Training School

-Lead worship and devotions on YWAM base

-Helping coordinate a rugby team to play in Easter 7's

-Translating English to French for Leadership Training (two men from New Caledonia)

-Surviving earthquake and pneumonia

-See a deaf man healed

-Revival in the local church

-14 people baptized

-Prayer

First Nations Outreach in Alberta/Manitoba Canada

-Support Coyote Creek Chapel

-Help run Youth Night and Kids program

-Co-lead women's bible study and share testimony

-Share in local Sunchild School

-Participate in local round dance

-Lead two teens girl to Christ

-Run a cultural night : see ten men come to chapel for first time

-Prayer

-Home visits and prayer

-Cultural Dance performance (two)

Budget changes for 2010:

Increase in travel expenses: 5000 dollars a year

Health insurance: 1011.25 dollars for the year

Monthly rent/food: 200 dollars per month

Possible "Principles of Redeeming Cultures School" in April: 4000 dollars

I am looking forward to continuing to see God work in Australia and the Pacific this upcoming year! Please pray about whether you'd like to join me financially or in prayer. Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas season and into the New Year!