“My Heart is Changing”
A couple of weeks ago, I was lying in bed and somehow I could feel my heart changing, becoming softer, more patient, more caring and available and engaged! Sounds far-fetched, but I honestly believe God is changing me to become more able to help ‘pastor’ this group; someone easy to listen to and learn from. Part of ‘going deeper’, means working ‘that Christ is formed’ in all those who God is giving us to care for. So thanks for praying for me to grow into this maturity. It’s an ongoing process.
Day by Day
It seems the Lord has told me not to make any big plans as I did at the end of last year, but to serve this core group spontaneously as the days unfold. For example, we had a student free day recently and Isla, the little girl in the middle of the photo who loves Jesus, said she wanted to make a scrunchie as she always misses out. So we invited ‘everyone’ to come on a non-school day and make scrunchies and paper chains and to learn about Jesus and pray a bit. What a special “unplanned” day of making disciples! So we have just planned one event over the holidays. Everyone was in favour of Thursday 2 January, 2025 for a gathering. We’ll see how it goes and go from there!
New Friends – in Queensland
Our mate Conrad Parsons put us in touch with Emma and Christo from Walkervale Church in Bundaberg, Queensland. We’ve had two Zoom meetings and really loved sharing the journey together. Their suburb is very similar to Corio and they are innovatively serving their community at the grass roots level and loving them in Jesus’ name. God is moving mightily in their ministry. Praise God for bringing us together as friends. Here is a ripper video of them introducing themselves.
Financial Situation – Cleaning Bonanza!
On 1 Nov I began cleaning a private Catholic girls school with Geelong Commercial Cleaners. Here is my fabulous co-worker who’s training me. We clean every school day for 3.25 hours. I’m getting stronger and fitter and we believe working with GCC is perhaps God’s answer to our financial needs. Christine has joined as well as her work at The Gordon has ended. She’s cleaning the offices at GAWS (Geelong Animal Welfare Service) and a medical clinic in the city twice a week. Since joining, I’ve been able to introduce two migrant friends to GCC, both who are desperate for work; one from Myanmar and one from Afghanistan. I’ve also brokered a deal where we can clean some of the chairs from the school over the holidays so the children can learn some kingdom lessons by working for pocket money.
I’m on MotorBike
Since losing our car a few months ago, I’ve got my motorcycle license and a lovely little Honda CB125e, a classic 10 year old bike. We believe God has guided us in this as part of really belonging to the area, realising 90% of our vehicle use is local. The area has minimal traffic, wide, flat roads (no hills) and, now I’m cleaning everyday, it’s perfect for commuting. I’ve also made friends with several excellent men who ride. Praise God. And yes, I’m being very careful, thank you.
Pop Up Church – Spontaneously for 2025
We’ve decided to get the permit to host Pop Up Church once a month, but not to be committed to doing it every month necessarily. Given our ambivalence, the lack of obvious fruit, the increasing fruit in other areas and the pull back of One In Christ to quarterly, we believe holding this ministry more loosely is right for 2025. That means we probably won’t do it every month, but make a decision as we feel moved by the Lord month by month. Our December Pop Up Church will feature a singing family from Fiji!
We love our Peruvian Housemates!
Praise God for Ysabel and Lucero who love Jesus and now live in our bungalow! This is the 7th home they’ve had since arriving in Australia in January and we hope they can stay. Ysabel made ceviche recently as it’s the national dish of Peru and next weekend, we’re going to see the Matildas v China at Kardinia Park for Lucero’s 12th birthday. Thank you Lord!
Pray for ridiculous levels of fruitfulness
It makes me tired reading all this, but then I remember my overarching prayer: for ridiculous levels of fruitfulness. Jesus often taught that those with little fruit will be punished and those with lots of fruit are more pleasing to God. So I pray for an abundance of fruit. It might not be conventional, but it will still bless the Lord!
Thank you for being part of the journey!
If you feel led to help financially, here are the details:
Account Name: Little Miracles Community Inc.
BSB: 633 000
ACC: 205 402 357