Anyway: Authentic Christian Witness

As we settle back in our routines here at 'home', it's can become easy to fall prey to the idea that life here in Kansas City is somehow ordinary or mundane, lacking in importance. Quite the contrary! Actually, our homes and workplaces, those places where we spend most of our waking hours can be some of the best places for authentic Christian ministry to happen! The following poem is a good reminder to stay the course and keep loving God and loving people when hit with the realities of everyday life. . .even when we're not in the "Land Down Under".

Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Long -Awaited Surfing Pics. . .

Some of you may remember our surfing excursion on the Gold Coast a few weeks ago. Here's proof that we really did it! Heaps of fun!

We're Home!. . Lots of Pictures

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

~Hebrews 6:10-12

We're back well and safe here in Kansas City! The flights were smooth, on time, and we all arrived back with each piece of luggage that we left with, a miracle in and of itself! Each of us has benefitted greatly from your prayers throughout this entire journey and we want to thank you! Thank you for trusting us to proclaim the love of Christ alongside our fellow brothers and sisters in Australia. . . thank you for your financial contributions. . .thank you for your prayers. . .thank you for your e-mails and messages of love and support. . .thank you for joining in on GOD'S mission!

We thought you might enjoy some more pics from our time "down under", now that we are home. Stay tuned. There is more to come! Please feel free to leave a comment!

Back in Logan

Scroll down to enjoy some photos from the last week. Notice the amazing shots from up in the bush plane above Fraser Island!

We arrived back in Logan (near Brisbane) yesterday afternoon after having spent 9 wonderful days up in Maryborough. The night before we left we were treated to a fantastic BBQ, a "last hoorah" of sorts, with all our host families and were treated to some traditional Aussie favorites, pavlova, lamingtons, sausages, etc. Yum!

Thanks to our incredible Maryborough hosts: David and Belinda, Chris and Cara, Marion and Michael, Brendan and Michelle, Gary and Kathy, and James and Michelle- what would we have done without you?!

Today the plan is to catch up on sleep, pack up and prepare to leave early tomorrow morning at 7am for the airport.

Last days in Oz. .

It is hard to believe that in less than a week we will be heading back to Kansas City. It has been an incredible privilege to partner in ministry with the folks here in Maryborough and be invited into their homes and lives- what a gift!

Since I haven't updated the blog in a few days, here's a heads up on what we've been up to this last week in Maryborough:

• Visiting with the residents of the Groundwater Center, a nursing home/elderly care facility
• Assisting with set up, tear down and meals for the memorial service of Peter Wilson, a man well-loved by many in this Maryborough community
• Painting the exterior of the Richmond St. Community Church of the Nazarene
• Hosting another girls' night with the teen gals, focusing on modesty and purity
• Teaching/hosting three chapel classes for high-schoolers at Riverside Christian College
• Participating in Sunday morning worship- preaching, skits and children's church at Richmond Street and an intergenerational fun night with the Neptune St. Church

This weekend we also had the incredible opportunity to spend a day on Fraser Island, THE largest sand island in the world! This completely sand island is just off the coast of Australia, beyond Hervey Bay and is 123 KM long. It is on the World Heritage List and it is clear why: beautiful coastline (though heavily shark infested), amazing flora and fauna growing completely from the sand, dingoes (though we actually didn't see any this time), crystal clear lakes, a shipwreck and so much more! It was a real treat to take a day tour and see the island. Some even saw the island from a bird's eye view- up in a tiny 7 seat bush plane!

We are so grateful that everyone on the team has remained healthy on this trip so far. Swine flu has hit full force here in Australia and we've met a few folks who have just recovered, so keep praying for the health and safety of the team.

Tomorrow we will finish the paint job on the side of the Richmond St. church and get ready to head back to Logan for our final days in Australia. Friday is the big day that we head back to the good ole' USA. It will be very hard to say good-bye to those who have become dear friends here in Queensland.

Stay tuned for a couple more updates before we leave. .and feel free to leave a comment!!!

Here come more photos. . .

Sad Loss

Please pray for Nicole and her family as they grieve the loss of Nicole's young cousin. It is very difficult when someone close to you passes away and it is only intensified when you are across the ocean, thousands of miles from home. Please pray the the Lord would give us discernment as we make decisions that might include booking an early flight home for Nicole to be with her family.

Did You Know?

Little Known Facts About Maryborough, Australia:

• It is the birthplace of "Marry Poppins" author, Helen Goff (alias Pamela Travers).
• It is believed that many of the buildings and streets in Disney's version of the story are actually reminiscent of this small town in Australia, rather than from London. (Remember Cherry Tree Lane, Admiral Boom's house, etc.?)
• Maryborough is a town of about 23,000.
• The people are hard-working and fantastic to be with!

Yesterday we enjoyed a picnic with the families and youth of this tight-knit community and today spent some time with the residents at the Groundwater Centre, a nursing home for the elderly. It was fascinating to to hear the stories of some of the Maryborough folks, some of whom haven't left this town in over 50 years. Many of them were farmers and fishermen/women and one of them was even the eldest of 17 children!

Please continue to pray for the team, that we would boldly proclaim Jesus Christ and live out His love in everything we do and say. Thank you!

(More pictures are coming, but the internet is a bit rough right now. . . )

Great Folks in Maryborough

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful picnic with the youth and families of the Maryborough community. Did you know that Maryborough, Queensland is actually the birthplace of "Marry Poppins" author, Helen Goff (alias Pamela Travers)? It is suspected that many of the sites, buildings, and much of the architecture even in Disney's version of "Marry Poppins" is reminiscent of this unassuming small town in Australia rather than from London, England. Ya learn something new everyday, huh?



Today we spent some time with the residents at the Groundwater Center, a nursing home for elderly residents, having a chat, enjoying a 'cuppa' (tea) and joining some of them for a mid-week worship service put on by a local church. It was interesting to hear their stories of life in Maryborough, many of them farmers and fishermen who have never left this small town.



The kangaroos continue to be as fascinating as can be. Did you know that a male red kangaroo can be grow to be over 6 feet tall and can balance it's entire body back on his tail? Amazing!



Please continue to pray for the team, that we would boldly proclaim Christ and live out His love in everything we do and say. Thank you!

Oops- can't forget surfing. .

Saturday was spent riding the waves in the Gold Coast with some introductory surfing lessons. No wonder it's some of the best surf in the world. . .massive waves, warm waters, soft sandy beaches. More action photos are coming, but for now enjoy these photos of the ocean. Believe it or not, we all actually got to stand up on our boards. It took heaps of practice and many a mouthful of salty water, but we all made it up and it was a blast! We were even blessed with this maginificent rainbow to end our day. Thank you Jesus.

Australian Countryside- Maryborough

We had a very busy ( and absolutely FANTASTIC) week with our Pacific Islander bros and sisters in Logan, and now it's off to see a different side of Australia. . . the countryside of Maryborough! This included a 4-hour train ride up the east coast of Australia farther up into the state of Queensland.

A mob of kangaroos have found their home in the fields here and it's not unusual to see them sunbathing on a warm sunny winter day here in Maryborough.. . along with cockatoos, frill-necked lizards, and geckos.

The weather here has been perfect so far! Since we are much closer to the equator here in Queensland, the days are sunny and relatively warm, with temps even getting into the low 70s here in Maryborough. What a winter, huh?

This week our team will be meeting with elderly folks in the nursing homes, hosting youth activities and chapel services at the highschool, as well as engaging in other ways to partner with Christians in Maryborough to bless the community. Sunday we have the privilege of leading the morning worship service at Richmond Street Church of the Nazarene.

We'll keep you posted as much as possible. . so stay tuned for the next installment on our blog. Thank you for your prayers four our team and for both the Logan, Brisbane and Maryborough communities here in Queensland.

More pictures. . .

Wild and Wacky Week in Logan

It's hard to believe that we left Kansas City nearly 5 days ago! Life here in Logan has been incredible and we continue to enjoy hosting the "Wild and Wacky Week" for the kiddos at the Logan Community Church of the Nazarene everyday from 10am-3pm. This local body of believers pour their lives whole-heartily into the children and youth of the community and it is quite evident. We are so thankful to be able to serve alongside some devoted and compassionate leaders here in Logan; two of whom are Shane and Alise. . amazing Christ-followers and talented youth workers!

Last night we also hosted an "inner beauty" night for the teen girls here in Logan. It was a blast as we played games, dove into scripture and learned engaged in discussion on what it means to have beauty that goes deeper than external appearance. Johanna even taught the girls how to do simple hand massages and we all got to practice on each other. Heaps of fun and quite powerful!

Today is our last day for "Wild and Wacky Week" and tonight we will host an evening of fun for all the teens . The plan for tomorrow includes a day of relaxation on the beach: surfing and shopping! Sunday we will showcase what the kids have been learning all week and enjoy some great worship and fellowship.

Thank you for your prayers, seriously! The Lord is using His people to bring him glory, and that includes us! We are safe and healthy, learning heaps and ready for whatever He has in store for the rest of our time here! Please continue to cover the team and both the Logan and Maryborough communities in prayer.

Our "Billets" (Host families) are such a blessing to us: Jean and Eddie; Ruth and Reg; Mareko and Ruth. . .THANK YOU!!! May God bless you for your sacrifice and service to us. We are learning heaps about service just from watching you!

Pictures as requested. . .

We're Here!!!

G'day from Brisbane, Australia!

We finally landed this morning, July 8 5:30 in Brisbane and all went without a hitch (well, almost). We thank the Lord for smooth flights, great service and the amazing hospitality already shown to us by our brothers and sisters at the Logan Community Church of the Nazarene!

After promptly being picked up from the airport we jumped into our first day of "Wild and Wacky Week" with the kiddos from the neighborhood, 31 to be exact! The kids are fantastic and the entire day was a blast teaching, singing, creating and playing as we learned how to "Go Lead" following the example of Gideon. The Lord truly gave us the energy and smiles He knew we needed to take charge of the day despite some major jet lag. Thank you Jesus.

Tomorrow and Friday we will continue with "Wild and Wacky Week" during the work day. Then we will engage the teen gals in some study on the inner beauty that God finds of great worth, as described in 1 Peter 3.

Photos are coming. . .we've got heaps. . .so stay tuned! In meantime, please leave a comment!

3 More Days. . .

It's hard to believe that in 3 days we will once again be departing KCI airport for our newest trek Down Under! For those of you wondering when you'll ever finally see current/new pics on our blog, your day is coming soon!

Depending on internet availability, we plan to post pictures and updates as regularly as possible as soon as we arrive in Brisbane. Each of the gals will get a chance to share their journey with you right here on the blog, so stay tuned!

Pray that each of us individually and collectively as a team will be a breath of fresh air and a blessing to all we interact with. The Lord has truly given us this gift of partnering in ministry with fellow Christ-followers in Australia and we are THANKFUL! Your prayers are absolutely vital - thank you!