Young Adult weekend in Katanning

This past weekend, we took 5 young Adults to a church in Katanning W.A. Our D.S. rode with us as well. He is Visiting all the way from Melbourne! (5 hours flight to us). We were hoping for more, but with finals in UNI only two weeks away. Many young adults needed to stay home and study. It was a 4 hour drive South East. As we arrived we had many ideas of what Katanning would be. But, had no idea that we would see how God is moving in the town of Katanning. The church is about 6 years old. It started with a Pastor who felt that God called him to holiness and from there out they now run about 50. This pastor is wanting to retire. But, God uses him every day and every Sunday to minister to the people of Katanning. We had wonderful conversations and met many people who will be in our prayers often! As we arrived this "little" town did happen to have a target, two banks, a bakery, a store that was open on Sunday morning when Melissa realized she forgot baking soda and we were making waffles! We stayed on an old boarding girl schools campus owned by the Baptist church. (Farmers daughters would stay at the school during the week and go home on weekends). We had an incredible time and on the way there we passed through a town called "Wagin" pronounced waa jing with a long A! This town had the biggest ram in the southern hemisphere. We had a wonderful time and couldn't believe it took us 3 years to finally get out there! We plan to go back and help the pastor when he would like to take a sunday off or just go out and be guest speakers. Their church service is in the morning so we would make it back in time for Landsdale. Now about our young adults. Chris and I got to know Rick Ray, Rina, Fei, and Joshua, Young who runs the Young adults ministry at the John Wesley Church came with us as well. The young adults who came with us actually attend both the Landsdale and John Wesley church, but have been attracted to our church by Pastor Young who is teaching them English. Rick Ray is a third generation Christian from Korea. Fei from China Recently accepted Christ just about 6 months ago, and has really shown growth. Rina, and Joshua also from Korea have shown growth But over all we really bonded. We stayed up till 1AM playing UNO, because no body could win.

We played all kinds of thinking games, (they like those), and just silly games! Chris and I had a wonderful time "pretending to be young adults" Although, I would like to think we still are considering we are only 27! But, God moved in us and in them, and you could see as they talked with the people in the Katanning church, that God was working in the young adults lives! Fei speaks English really well, but the rest of them, are just learning. So, it was definitely a fun experience had, but as they got to know us they were much more comfortable with trying to speak to us. Pray that as we are now home, we will be able to continue to grow our relationship with the Young adults and bring them closer to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Youth Group IGNITES!

Our Ignite youth centre Friday night had 28 youth attend! A couple of weeks ago we had this same situation however Chris and I were caught off guard. But, not this time. The teens read the rules signed youth group contracts on behaviour! And, we actually had a blast! We played group games, and were actually able to facilitate activities! It was SO much fun! Pray for us as we have to decide how to respond to this. 16 of these guys were footy players, and we want to reach them for Christ. Yet, there are some social issues that are a problem. Pray for the church as we make some decisions about how to conduct the youth centre, and whether or not we should move it to another time. The most major problem is that after the games the parents stand outside the hall drinking and having a good ol' time. However, we are a Christian organization and we do not carry a liquor license which is REQUIRED in Australia. So, we are praying for God to show us the way as we discuss this with the footy group and find an alternative solution without loosing the footy boys! We believe that God is starting to change them and they are starting to open up to us. When it was time to close we literally had to almost kick the kids out! Because, they would not leave! WE praise God for such problems and hope that you will pray with us as we seek an answer!

Friends Night at church

Also, Sunday night we had Friends night at church. A teen that I have been bringing to church named Cindy has been coming for about 8 months! This Sunday night her dad came to church and brought her 3 siblings! HOW EXCITING! God is moving here, and he is starting to change lives! Tun, Cindy's dad would like to come back. Please pray for Tun and his family!

Asking for Prayer for our Young Adult Camp!

This week our DS is coming out and we are taking the Young Adults away on a 36 hour camp! Chris and I will be running Bible Studies and group games to build leadership and a bond between all of them. Pray that we would have a good trip and that they would unite together! Also, we are Sunday morning visiting a town called Katanning which is a sheep farm town 4 hours from Perth. On Sunday morning the church will be bringing in members! WE will be there to show them our support and to also build a bridge between us and them! We will be leaving our kids in Perth. Pray that this time would be a time of bonding, that our children will do well with out us, and that an unbreakable bond and growth in who our young adults are in Christ would be made!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was full of celebrations at church. The children made Trivets at Kids Club for their moms so we handed those out as well as the church gave to every mother a candle that said faith. We started this week our sermon series on Family and what better way to start than on Mother's Day. Chris preached an excellent sermon on what a Godly mother looks like. Funny enough, one of his points was that a Godly Mother keeps herself physically healthy. Funny enough though I was sick so everyone snickered on that point. He wasn't necessarily talking about sickness, he was talking about physically healthy. But, everyone had a good laugh and looked at me since I was SICK!

We had 33 people at church which was exciting. Our family is a bit ill at the moment with a pretty bad cold. So, pray for us to recover quickly, since the doctor has no appointments for two days! :) I have already been sick for a week, and seem to not be getting better, but we will be patient and wait it out. We have challenged every person to have a friend in church next week. Please pray for our church families as we would love to see this happen! We thank you for your prayers Chris and I feel them especially on the days when we are sick and have so much work to do for the kingdom! But, God is good and he never gives us more than we can handle.

I just wanted to post on here Happy Mother's Day to my Mother!

My mother has been a Godly example to me my whole life. She is full of love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and she is devoted to being a follower of Christ! I thank my mother for the impact she has had in my life. Whenever I am out of patience with my kids I stop and think how my mom would have reacted and it would have been with complete control and patience! I hope I am a mother like her! I love getting to talk on the phone everyweek with her and hear how she is doing and get tid bits of advice from her! I love you Mom! I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! XXOO