Friday, May 30, 2008

One week to go. . .

Less than a week remains and we'll be off to Sydney! For those of you who are now beginning to enjoy the hot summer sun, soak up some for us, please. It's winter in Australia right now! The winters in Sydney are similar to our fall, cool, but not too cold. A good mix of rain and sun, with temperatures in the mid 50s most days. Not bad for winter, eh?


While in Sydney we will be involved in programs and activities for at risk teens at the Airds Bradbury Youth Center, which is also where the Sydney Samoan Church of the Nazarene is located. We will also be participating in children's ministry, hospital visitation and just good-old friend making! The Samoan community has welcomed us warmly already, and we aren't even on site yet!


We leave the US on June 6, fly to LA and then straight to Sydney. The route home takes us through Auckland, NZ for a quick layover and then home to the US. Thanks for praying for our travel safety, as well as those jittery nerves and tender tummies for some of our team members. Long flights (13-16 hours in one shot) can be a doozy for some people.


Please continue to check his blog for more details and photos each week. Mates, thanks HEAPS for your prayer and financial support as we have been in preparation for this trip. Really, it's not about us anyway. It's all about our Lord Jesus Christ and building HIS kingdom! Thanks!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Cyclones and Earthquakes- Want to help?

" God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." ~ Psalm 46:1-3

Southeast Asia has been hit hard in the last two weeks with extremely devastating natural disasters, claiming thousands of lives both in Myanmar and China. PLEASE pray for the survivors and the massive relief and rebuilding efforts! If you would like to find out more about the situations in Asia and how you can help through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, take a peak at the links below.

David Harris, a dear Australian friend and the NCM coordinator for the Asia-Pacific region, will soon be giving our team word as to additional ways to help with the relief efforts when we get to Australia. We will share those opportunities with you via this blog when we receive the news.


http://www.nazarenemissions.org/default.aspx?pid=28 (Pack Crisis Care Kits for China)

http://www.ncm.org/news_pr_myanmar_cyclone.aspx (Myanmar Info)

http://ncm.org/ (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries website)

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Our Team

Team Australia 2008 consists of:
Melissa, Michael, Nicole, Johanna, Cora, Rachel, Suandra and Alison. The Lord has put this devoted team of students and professionals together and I am continually amazed at what I can learn from each of our team members.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

"Come and listen, all you who fear the Lord; let me tell you what He has done for me." ~Psalm 66:16

June 6, 2008 may offically mark the beginning of our travels to the "Land Down Under", but this journey has hardly just begun. Some members of Team Australia have been on board since the fall of 2007, praying, preparing, raising funds, and learning a lot in the process.

God has given us this incredible privilege and responsibility to spend 26 days with the people of Sydney, Australia; more specifically a Samoan congregation in Cambelltown. We are excited to join in and support ministry already happening in the communties surrounding Sydney, in whatever capacity that may be. We will be hosted by local families in the community and will be serving in the local churches, as well as public schools. . . wherever needed!

Please continue to check this blog frequently for updates, prayer requests, and photos.