We want to connect with you!

Over the next 6 months our family will be travelling and visiting churches and individuals to raise support. Sometimes we visit churches on a Sunday morning, afternoon or evening.  But, we also visit churches every day of the week to visit their small groups, youth groups, kids programs, Sunday schools, or special weekend or week night mission events. See, we love them all! Because it is here that we get to connect and partner with those God has called to equip us to go back to Australia.  Without all these amazing people holding us up and being our support we would not be able to minister in Perth, Australia.  We even like doing family game nights, or special outreach events. So, whatever your need, let us know and we will do our best to make ourselves available.  

If we are not booked in yet at your church please contact us by email at georgefamilyinaustralia@hotmail.com  

or 

phone at 716-498-1388.

God bless, 

Chris, Melissa, and family

October 2nd. New York State!!!!

Grandma and Papa George with Uncle Doug and the kids

We have safely arrived in the USA.. And, our kids are having so much fun realizing how different life is here from Australia. Chris and I grew up here so we don't always see all the differences. but, our car rides are anything but quiet.  The whole time we drive, we hear from the back seat...

- Did you see that?
- Wow!!! look at that HUGE truck!
- There are no fences here!
- Did you see that school bus?
- Look at all the trees with coloured (australian spelling!) leaves?

Grandma Wilday and Aunt Nicole with the kids

The list is non ending.. And, then the super market... our visit to TOPS.. was nothing short!  We entered the cereal aisle and, the kids were so overwhelmed. In Australia we have a short aisle of cereal. So, I can't wait till we go to Walmart... or Wegmans... or some other stores.   The kids are amazed by the cheap prices.... and the variety of food, and candy, and ice cream, and so many options to choose from.  Let's not forget.. the apple cider and the donuts!

Setpember 28th- Good bye's are always hard.

Today, we spent the day packing and finalizing things around our house.   It was not an easy day, but it was an exciting day.   It's always hard to think about leaving the people you have lived your daily lives with for the past 10 years.   We have seen people come to Christ, we have seen families healed, we have seen our church grow. We have seen people start to read their Bibles, and we have started to see so many good things.  Not because of us... But, because of what God is doing in Perth, Australia.  But, the reality is... We can't do what we do in Perth, Australia without the prayers and support of our sending churches! And, although, it is bitter sweet to leave.... It is amazing to think about the reality of us, getting to return to America and tell them all the AMAZING things God has done in the past 5 years. Because, we want to celebrate with all of you.. what God has been doing.  So, although, it is hard to leave.. We are also excited to return to the states and connect with each and every single one of you! Our faithful prayer and financial team!   But, before we boarded the plane we still had some serious and important business to do!

Makayla had asked a few months ago to get baptized.  And, it had been put off because it was winter and it was cold. But, one of the things she had mentioned to Chris and I was that she wanted to be baptized before we left Australia. Because, the Landsdale Wesleyan Church, was her church family. She had mentioned how amazing it would be to be baptized in the US with her real family. But, we told her it was her choice. And, in the end, she came to a very good place. And, that reality was that we now have Christians in Australia and they are "our" church.  There are  people who pour into her life, and she pours into other people's lives there (australia). And, she felt that if she were to get baptized. Australia is where it should happen. And, at her friend's house.

We gathered for an early church service at 3:00 and then headed up to where the baptism would be.   Afterwards it was a really special time. many photos were taken. and, then we headed back to the church to celebrate with dinner!  It was so special to see all the families that came to say good bye to us. And, even more special to hear some stories from people of the first time we had met, that we weren't even aware of!

After dinner. We headed back to our house, for a final "bag" weighing session just to make double sure each bag was under 50 pounds. And, then we received hugs, shared tears, and headed off to the airport.

When we arrived at the airport it was a final check-in and off to customs. After we cleared customs we all just kind of slumped in a chair until our plane loaded.

Makayla and I were still unwell.  We even had a few minutes to stop into the dr's office and grab an antibiotic on our way out! But, despite how tired, and emotionally exhausted we were, we knew that in less than 36 hours we would hug our parents which we hadn't seen in a long time and, our children would embrace their grandparents and their cousins!  This is a time that you look forward to, the whole time you are flying.  After all literally sitting on a plane for 24 hours is a LONG ride.  But, the hugs of family feel so AMAZING on the other side!

September 22nd-28th PACKING UP AND MOVING INTO STORAGE

This week we spent the entire week, packing up and moving our stuff and our belongings into the church office in our home for storage.  God has been opening doors and putting everyone where they needed to be at the exact moment.   We have all been unwell, Makayla needed two days off of school and Brayden also had two days off of school, but packing up continued on.   When I say that God had everyone right where he wanted them, that is an understatement.  

God has provided a beautiful mum with three children to rent our parsonage while we are away. And, also, God has provided an amazing College student to rent the granny flat attached to our house. Together we believe the bills for the parsonage will be covered while we are away. Chris and I did not know either of these people, but God put our friends in the right places at the right time to hear about them, and therefore we were able to give these people a great place to live.

While Chris is away God has provided a wonderful Pastor Lindsay Cameron to fill the pulpit at our church for the next 6 months. Please remember to pray for Pastor Lindsay as he connects the people of our community to the word of God on a weekly basis.

Also, please continue to pray for Mark and Dawnielle. They will be staying on in Australia while we are away to be the Family Ministry Coordinators. They will carry on our AWANA, and Youth, and Bible Studies.

When it comes time to pack up it is always hard sorting through stuff, and thinking what needs to be accessible and what doesn't to the church!  We were able to move a few shelving units of Church material to the church or to the Mattesons.  And, then we did seem to get all of our personal belongings into the office, and we did seem to get everything tidied and cleaned.   I had an amazing friend Amanda who came over and helped me on the Sunday to finish up the final touches and she also went back, and did my carpets and mopped the hardwood floors, so they would be clean too. Like, I said God just walked us through a great departure.  

September 17th-21st District Conference & Southern District Kids Camp

  On Wednesday we flew  five hours to participate in our district conference.   We flew in late, and as we got off the plane, we quickly remembered we were flying budget, as we walked off the plane onto the tar mac and then into a small metal shed to collect our luggage! We then took a taxi to kingsley where we will stay the next two nights.  Thursday we spent the day showing Mark Matteson around the city and visiting the Victoria Markets.     We took the train and trams into the heart of the city. The Victoria Markets take up an entire block and if an item was every sold or thought of being sold in Australia, you can probably buy it there at the Victoria Markets.   Every three meters there is a new vender and rain or sunshine, these people are out selling their items.   We did a bit of shopping, since we are going home to the US we thought we would buy some Christmas presents! So, that was fun.  
On friday morning we woke up early and loaded up the trailer with sound equipment, to help the conference staff. We then took the train into the city and helped everybody ramp up for the start of District Conference.   District Conference is such an amazing time because you get to see all that God is doing across the churches in our District.  The Southern District covers a huge area.  All of Western Australia South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.  This is a huge area. But, God has blessed us with pastors and lay people and churches who are spreading the word of God.   WE heard beautiful music by the "Upper Room" and "Sunraysia" Church.  It truly was a special weekend.  Some of the service was in Tongan and some in English. New pastors were ordained  and then business of course was handled!   Because of our tour in the US this year to raise support for 6 months, Chris has stepped down from the board, but others have stepped up to the call and we have an amazing group of leaders who are going to lead the district forward.  

Melissa ran a kids camp the entire time the conference was going.  It can be quite ovewhelming. It was 20 hours of curriculum planning in three days. But, she always has a blast ministering and pouring into the kids.  She carried her theme from our kids camp over and expanded on it. So, they journeyed on adventures in Candy land and learned how to live a sweet life in Jesus!





Buble Gum- Stick with Jesus
Fairy Floss (Cotton Candy)- Build your life on the Rock
Mint- Only Jesus can offer forgiveness.
Hard Candy-  Hard times will come, and we need to wait upon the Lord and seek him.
Sour Patches-  Use Kind loving, caring Words, not sour ones
Chocolate- We're all different and God made us different with different ingredients but we're all still sweet to him and each of us matter the same





The kid completed crafts and had all kind of fun.  The children also shared a song in the Sunday Service.
Before we left, the kids were already counting down how many days till we would see them again, and have another District Kids Camp Meeting.

AWANA Adventure CAMP September 13th-15th

AWANA Adventure Camp was an amazing time! We had so much fun, getting to know all the kids from our AWANA program out in the bush. We canoed, bush walked, swam, rode a flying fox (zipline), and we had so much fun outdoors. We spent time around a campfire, and learnt about how we need to "Stick with Jesus", wait for God in the hard times, and we talked about living a sweet life instead of a sour life.  We had such an amazing time!

Our group except Melissa (taking the photo!).  We had so much fun bleaching the shirts the kids had on. We took $2 shirts and laid an A on top and then sprayed with water and 1 teaspoon of bleach to made these super cool shirts. The kids LOVED them.  And, the bushwalking up massive hills, and giant rocks, was just so beautiful and amazing.  God has really made some beautiful country for us to explore in Australia

Home Ministries

Our family is coming home on September 28th! Our kids are super excited. The last time we did home ministries was in 2009.  So, our children don't really know what we will be getting ourselves into. But, we are so excited to travel our supporting churches and update them with what God has been doing here in Perth, Australia.   He has been changing people's lives, families lives,  and God is on the move here in Perth, Australia. So, we cannot wait to get our funds raised and then return to Perth, to continue ministering here.

The Matteson family (which arrived in July)  will be carrying on our work here in Perth, for the next 6 months.  We will still continue to Skype in and continue our district roles, while we are in the States.  Then, we will return to Perth, Australia in April 2015 once we have reached full support.   We are looking for about 20-25 new churches, as well as we hope to renew all of our current support.   We are so thankful to the 100 + people and churches who have stood by our side and continue to pray and support our family every day.

  Please do continue to send your support in while we are stateside, as we will still need to pay our bills in Australia, and also, now in the states while we travel.

Please email us at georgefamilyinaustralia@Hotmail.com to book a time for us to come visit your church.  We are available weekends, weekdays, and anytime you want us. At the moment, we are currently only booked on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, of October. So, the rest of our schedule is completely open. Please book as soon as you can so, that you can have your preferred date!

Looking forward to catching up with you all,
Chris, Melissa and family

AGM'S and Zone business

Our district a year ago, split into zones, and Chris has been the  Zone coordinator for Western Australia for the last year.  Included in his job has been meeting with pastors, organizing camps, and over seeing the Wesleyan women, youth, kids, and men's ministries for the zone. Also, part of the job is to conduct the AGM's for the 3 other churches in WA.     We visited Peace Lake on Sunday the 24th of August,  Which was a very special time. Chris preached, and then we had their AGM. The service was conducted in English and also in Tongan.  

Then, last weekend  the 31st, we drove 5 hours to Albany, and then drove 2 hours to Katanning, and then 4 hours home and preached in both churches.

This past  week we conducted John Wesley's AGM and then drove home on father's day and had church at Landsdale.

I guess, where I was going with all of this is... It has been a great time for us to get our children into the routine, of doing lot's of driving on a Sunday.   Because, on September 29th, we will be arriving in the USA, to start fundraising to go back to Australia. We have just finished a five year term, in Australia and will be returning in April 2015 to Australia for another 4 years

The Georges

UPWARD

Upward Sports camp has been going amazing today..  Today was super busy as we settled 130 kids into their group. But,  God has used us to touch 130+ kids lives. God has been with every coach, and station leader, and we have had a really smooth start to camp. God has been holding our hands, giving us strength, and especially the courage we need to be bold about who Jesus is! Here are some pictures of what has been going on.   I want to share a special story though. Because, today we had a lady come in, and she said she drives through Landsdale every day but, today she for some reason she drove past the driveway to her house. And, the first place to turn around was in the car park. Now, when she saw all the children playing soccer and the girl cheerleading, she felt that deep inside she NEEDED to let her children attend. And, their family is Muslim. But, I believe that God had a plan for this family.   I hope that everyone on our UPWARD ministry team will make themselves open and ready to clearly share about how they have met Christ with the kids in their group this week.

Upward Sports Camp Preparation Day!

Today, the entire day was spent preparing for Upward Sports Camp which starts tomorrow! For the first time ever we had over 30 people come together and prepare for our ministry outreach event. We had a session where we all learned the safety and insurance procedures, and then the rest of the day learning how to connect and communicate with the kids.  Afterwards the cheer coaches and station leaders practiced for cheer camp, and then we spent the entire rest of the day putting together sports kits that each child would receive. We were incredibly blessed to have UPWARD, Eastern Hills, and the Landsdale Church come together and work as a team. UPWARD was able to provide us with amazing uniforms and drink bottle and pom poms. Then the coaches, station leaders, and team members were put together by Landsdale Community WMC and  the Eastern Hills Team from the USA. Inside the kids bags they received a drink bottle, a uniform, a bracelet, and the soccer players received socks and a soccer ball, while the cheerleaders received pom poms, and other girly things!   But, it was so amazing to stand together with a team that God had pulled together all the way from Buffallo, NY to Perth, Australia. And, all of us were working OUTSIDE of our comfort zone. Yet God was going to use us, to work in these 132 kids lives because we were willing to step out in faith and trust God to carry us through the upcoming week.  We were so proud of the Landsdale parents and youth that stepped up to help!  I know that God has amazing things in store for this week not only in the hearts of the kids who are going to join us, but also in the hearts of those who are going to help us!  I am so excited I can barely sleep!  Although, I am still up at 2:00am prepping for camp.  But, it just seems that there are so many things we could still be working on.  So, pray for Chris and I as we continue to work on everything and keep it all running smoothly.  May we be God's hands and feet this week!
Melissa
PS below are pictures of the teams and the bags we prepared.

Women's Retreat July 4th-6th

This past weekend was completely amazing. We had the Western Australia Wesleyan Women's  Zone Retreat.  I was completely exhausted as I had to pull a few sleepless nights to get everything together for the weekend, but I also couldn't have pulled it off with out Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church from Clarence, NY. I can't give enough praise to God for supplying a missions team to come help us here in Western Australia! It was extra special because I had lot's of extra help this year, so we were able to give the Wesleyan Women's committee of Western Australia a break, and they were able to sit back and enjoy the weekend. The theme for the weekend was "freedom in Christ."  It was truly special in every way because.
1) We had the most women ever attend from the Landsdale Church
2) We were able to grow in Christ
3) we were able to meet new people and grow new relationships
4) God used every women on the team from Eastern Hills to connect with someone this weekend.

It was truly remarkable. Even I felt as if God was refreshing me and speaking to my heart.

Below are a few pics from the amazing weekend. Thanks again, to everyone who helped make it a success!

Matteson's have arrived!

The Matteson's have arrived in Perth, Australia!   We are so excited that they are going to be here in time for UPWARD sports camp! We can't wait to partner with them and we can't wait to see what God is going to do through their amazing family.
Pray for them as they

• Settle in to School
• Meet new friends
• Build relationships
• Start small group studies
• Help at UPWARD this week

We are so thankful to God for bringing this team to us.  They even had God with them down to the last moment's of arriving in Perth. As, there was a storm that came through and a lot of planes were delayed coming out of the airport they were at, but for some reason their plane was allowed to go, and they had a completely smooth trip to Australia.

The American Team has arrived!!!

Today is a day our children incredibly enjoy! Tonight we picked up the American team! They are here to support our Upwards Soccer/Cheer camp and also our Zone Women's Retreat. We are so excited to meet this team that God has called to partner with us here in Australia for the next 14 days and are super grateful to the Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church from Clarence, Ny for sending them our way!   We are extremely looking forward to what God is going to do through them.

Permanent Residency

Today is the day we have been waiting for!!! We have been granted Permanent Residency in Australia. Thank you for your prayers. It has been a long 4 years of working to achieve this goal! And  we are just amazed at how God uses us to bring people to Him in Australia! And that God had blessed us with this honour and privilege. We are blessed!

Praise God!!! Matteson's 100% funded

Today, is the day we stand in amazement and know that God has called this family to join us here in Perth, Australia. God has called an army of prayer partners and an Army of people to financially partner with this amazing family to use them and change lives of Australians. They are coming to change peoples lives for eternity! There is no greater place to be, then right in the center of Gods will. And, he has definitely called them here to Australia to partner with the ministry! In less than 3 weeks they raised 40% of their budget. Our God is amazing. Please pray for a few loose ends.
1. We need their visa approved. They will be coming in on a 90 day visitors visa then swapping over to a longer one. Please pray that the government would quickly make a decision on their longer visa.
2. Pray that we find them housing.
3. Pray for their family as they are saying good by and packing up to come here.
4. Pray for them to have strength. They have had a crazy whirlwind of a week.

And, most of all thank you for your prayers!!! god has heard all of us and has moved his mighty hand. Thank you for partnering with us to change lives!!

Praises and Prayer Requests

Prayer Requests Pray for Upward Sports Camp registrations and for the Camp which starts July 7th-12th Pray for Women's Retreat July 4th-6th Pray for our family to receive Permanent Residency in Australia Pray for Mark and Dawnielle Matteson to reach full support and arrive before July 1st Pray for the Eastern Hills Missions Team as they arrive here on July1st Pray for Chris as he leads a men's retreat June 20th-22nd

Praises Praise God for confirming in our hearts, this is where he wants us! Praise God for holding our family in his hands! Praise God that 12 people came to Christ! Praise God for an awesome youth camp! Praise God for blessing our church as we work on the "thankful heart" series

Matteson Family!

Today is the day we ask all of our supporters to make a faith promise or onetime gift to Mark and Dawnielle Matteson! 

Who are Mark and Dawnielle?  They and their three children will be joining our family here in Perth, to help carry the work load.  Chris and I have had one sunday off in 5 years, and work atleast 100 hours a week!  They are coming to help us minister in this community.   We are desperate for more hands, and have been praying for God to open a door for another family to join us! And, he has called the Matteson's to come serve.


They have raised 73% of  their support  since January! And, they are hoping to leave for Perth, Australia to work at our church by July 1st!!!!   Yesterday was Mark's last day of work in the USA... Their estate sale is today and tomorrow, and they have already rented out their house.   They are convinced and so are we the God has called their family to move here to be God's hands and feet.

We are so excited about the doors God has opened for this family to come work with us for an entire year.   They and we would really like them to get here in time for Upward Sports camp (July 8-12th) as this will be a great time for them to start to meet the community.  It allows us to have more kids at the camp, and we don't want them sitting in the USA, when God has so much in store for them here. 

With all that said...  Here are your options to help this family minister in Perth, Australia.

1) join their prayer team!?  
2) Can you give a one time gift, now? 
3) Sign up in faith,  promising to give a specific amount sometime within the next 12 months!

We know, that God will get them here, in his time. But, we also, know that it takes lot's of people standing behind the missionary to allow them to be the hands and feet of God.  

We appreciate all the support all of you have given to us.. and that is why at this time in the 11th hour of them raising support, we have come to those we love and know to ask you to help this beautiful family!   Please click on the link below to pray or give!

God bless,
The George's

http://www.wesleyan.org/gp/minfo/WM29-0096

Permanent Residency!!!!

Please continue to pray for  our family to receive Permanent Residency in Australia. We applied back in November and slowly but surely they keep asking us for more stuff. But, we think we are down to their last request.   and, let's be frankly honest.. It has not been cheap. so far, it has cost our family over $10,000 sine November to meet their requests, and demands.  Everything from, paperwork and a flat out 8,000 fee and then physicals, and exams, and tests, and blood work, and eye exams, and new passports for the boys because theirs were baby pictures, and the list is non ending.  But, we think this is their last request... FBI fingerprinting! These were turned in over a month ago.. But, the FBI has FINALLY taken out their payment for the fingerprinting process. Would you please pray for us that the FBI would actually process these quickly, and then that we would get the results quickly returned to us, so that we can turn them in, here in Australia.  We feel that we are on the final leg of getting permanent Residency.  This is such an important hurdle for our family to get over and approved, so that we can stay ministering here in Perth, Australia.   Please pray that:
1) The government would favour our applications
2) that FBI fingerprint would get turned around quickly.
3) That we could receive our answer soon!!!!

A thankful heart!

   We have been going through a series recently on stewardship with our church.  And, being thankful to God.   When we least expect it, God has always got our back.  We thought we would take a week and focus on tithing and ask everyone to bring their gifts to the Lord. Then, on  Thursday we received a call from Bunnings that they had a cancel on a sausage sizzle.   Our church is a little behind. And June is the last month of the financial calendar in Australia, and there were lots of things we had wanted to do as a church and hadn't been able to do yet.  But, God he knows our heart, and he knows our desires, and he knows we want to move in our community. So, out of the complete "nowhere!" God drops this special opportunity in our lap for us to sell sausages for our local building store! Not only did we meet some families and their kids are going to join our soccer camp.  But, we were able to triple what our tithe was... on the next day.. Because we were willing to go and work and serve our community...   God, opened the door we were just willing and ready to do whatever was needed to meet his amazing opportunity. 

Best Easter ever!!

Today was a very special day! Not just because we were celebrating Easter, but because God called people to him. We had our regular evening service and Chris and I had been praying all week along with many of you that his would move in People's lives.. But, tonight we had 10 people accept Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. It was such a heart Moving moment. Such a God moving moment. We had 10 people give their lives to Christ and many more commit to draw closer to him and to really stand for Christ in their life. Chris preached on being made new in Christ and God just used him in an amazing way. The children were out with me in Sunday school getting the same message and all of them were confidently wearing their crowns they made, that protested out loud that Jesus made them new!!! What a great day! Pray for these individual's that we would be able to give them the tools to grow in Christ and to understand what an awesome decision they have made!   Thank you for your prayers!!!

Also we still have not heard anything on our PR so please keep that in your prayers...

In 5 hours we leave for youth camp. The theme is 4 real! Pray that god would move In the teens lives we  are taking and that Chris  and I would say the right things that they need to hear and that we also would be great listeners. We have a 3 1/2 hour drive in the car so looking forward to hearing them all chatter on the way there! Please pray every day for us on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!!!