The Walk

Today was a beautiful day in Pacific Pines. The breeze was heavenly so I determined it to be the best time for a walk.  You have no idea how brave I felt heading out on my own in a suburb where all streets are 90 degree slopes; all streets are uphill; all streets curve so that you can't see where you have been or where you are going. And did I mention that I am completely directionally challenged?
In the picture above, if you can spot a utility trailer in a driveway, you are looking at the house that I left on this courageous journey. I took this picture about half way up the first hill. You may choose to believe that I simply turned around to snap this beautiful shot of Victoria Drive... or if you know me better you know that my legs had turned to led, fiery, molten led.  I stopped and turned around, walking backwards up the slope hoping to ease the fire in the muscles that have been happily dormant for most of my life.  That lasted for about ten feet and it was apparent that I needed more of a break to catch my breath. So glad I had my camera with me to make me look like a tourist rather than just a totally out of shape middle-aged woman. Do you think I fooled anyone? It came in handy several times on that walk. When I couldn't remember which street I was on... stop and take a picture while praying for my guardian angel to show up and direct me... take another each time I needed to rest... take another whenever I felt myself turning blue from oxygen deprivation...  I got several nice shots of the city in my hour long adventure! By the time I return to Indiana I will be in much better shape... right?

At the top of the first hill there is a T and you can turn right and go up this hill or turn left and take a steeper hill. I turned left.  Must have been the oxygen deprived brain making the decision. 

Beautiful cloud shadows across the hinterland (mountainous region on the edge of town)

The sky was beautiful all day.  It was clear tonight and I could see constellations unlike the typical dippers I see at home.  The Southern Cross and Orion. The universe just keeps getting bigger and bigger to me. 

So many places to stop and pray for the city and all the lost people who need to meet Jesus and follow him.

 Please continue to pray for the ministry of Journey Church as we try to reach a community of people who are lost and don't even know it. I can feel the Spirit at work in the hearts of the believers and in the three short weeks that I have been here I have been able to see their level of commitment deepen. God is preparing the laborers and the harvest is ripe. Your prayer support is highly sought and valued by Journey Church.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Today is Valentine's Day in Australia. For all of my friends in America who are spending it alone... without their true love by their side, I just want you to know that, having already been there a day ahead of you, the world doesn't come to a screeching halt.
 It's just another day... another opportunity to love God and love others.
I wonder what the world would be like if there was more thought put into loving well, than being loved in a way that meets our needs or expectations.
I am truly blessed to have a husband that loves me in a way that helps me to be free to become all that God calls me to be.  People say we are lucky. After 35 years our love continues to grow stronger and our joy becomes more complete.  Not because we are lucky, special or perfectly suited to each other but because we are both committed to honoring each other above ourselves and praying for each other.  It doesn't come naturally, but once you have tasted the sweetness of it, eventually it becomes a way of life that you never want to be without.  Today I am on the other side of the world from Dana, wishing he were here with me, but knowing that our love grows stronger even apart because of a God who makes it so. Feeling pretty blessed!

Pictures from Down Under

Beautiful scene from the backyard pool of a family from Journey Church. They live in the same neighborhood as I, but at a higher elevation.
They are a lovely family: Greg and Kim, Maddie and Christian.  Keep them in your prayers as they seek to establish a godly home for their children.

I am standing in front of the building that Journey is privileged to rent every Sunday. It is a wonderful building and part of Pacific Pines Primary School.

We arrive two and a half hours before church starts for a variety of reasons. This Sunday I discovered that the room had been used for a variety of science experiments and set up took a bit longer.  I think that must have been a very fun class for the kids!

Here you see a traditional Australian Bar-b.  No open fires allowed.  Even in the parks they provide gas grills rather than the fire pits we have in America.
About once a month they have what they call a 'sausage sizzle' after church to promote time for visiting and unity. Just wrap a piece of white bread around it, top with onions or bbq sauce, if you like, and enjoy!
Shall we throw another sausage on the bar-b for you?

We drink primarily water here. Understand why?
Groceries are quite high and the Ravells have families over for a meal a few times a week to build relationships. Pray that God will stretch their dollars to enable them to continue this ministry of hospitality.

Meat pie and veggies!  My Super Bowl lunch. Yes, it was on here and I watched the whole thing.... but I didn't eat the whole thing... too much mince. That's what they call the mixture of meat they use, which is lamb and beef (I think). If it isn't, don't tell me!

God's Kids

Everywhere I go I meet children who were created in the image of the Almighty God. All of them need to know that the One who made them did so for a purpose. They need to know that He loves them deeply and is calling them to walk with Him.  They are all so beautiful and so precious in His sight and in mine. Their summer break is ending and people are just coming back after vacations and various activities. I was told that there were 7 children missing that are normally in attendance so next week we should practically double in size!
Pray that I will be attentive to God's plan in the lives of these little miracles; that I might be able to create an atmosphere of excitement among the future leaders of Journey Church; that the Spirit of God will stir up a passion to make disciples of these beautiful kids.

However... God is Faithful!

At this writing I believe that I left my home four days ago. I will, eventually, know what day it is, but for now I am content to simply ask someone.  Once I have attended worship on Sunday, maybe I will have my bearings. It has been a wonderful experience. Not because there were no difficulties with the journey, but because those difficulties gave opportunities for me to see God at work on my behalf.
I was scheduled to leave last Sunday HOWEVER I left a day later than scheduled due to high winds in Dallas that delayed my flight and would have caused me to spend a night at LAX, which didn't sound at all inviting. Rather, I called my father who lives in Fort Wayne, the city of my scheduled departure. He was happy to bring me home with him for the night and take me back to the airport the next afternoon. The extra time we had together was beautiful for me. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!  My sister and I talked most of the night away and I was up by 4 a.m. so I was truly ready to sleep on the plane when it left LA that night... HOWEVER... it didn't leave that night, but was delayed into the middle of the night while the technicians and mechanics replaced the censor in one of the doors that was falsely indicating a leak in cabin pressure.  I believe that I was on that plane for 20 hours altogether. By the time it took off I had been up for about 25 hours and I am certain that sleep came somewhere between the engines revving up and the wheels lifting off the ground. In spite of any bumps in the road, I had such peace and joy in my spirit. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!
I was able to get the message to my host family, the Ravells, that I would be arriving a day later due to the Dallas situation. HOWEVER, the departure delay in LA caused me to miss my connection to Brisbane from Sydney. The airline took care of securing the next flight to Brisbane, however time spent in customs kept me from making that connection, so they rescheduled me for the next flight out.  No worries on my part... I had complete peace because (say it with me...) GOD IS SO FAITHFUL.  All was well, HOWEVER, I had no phone or wifi to contact David and let him know that I would not be on the flight that the airlines told him I would be on! AND since I went through Customs in Sydney rather than in Brisbane I would not be in the same section of the airport where we had arranged to meet.
Fortunately, in Sydney I was able to pay for the use of a computer and send out a quick email telling him my flight number and scheduled time of arrival, then say a prayer that he would check his email before leaving the house.  For him, there was an hour drive to the airport, but with recent rains causing flooding there were many detours.  Guess what? Yep! You guessed it... GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!  I arrived at the Brisbane airport and as soon as I came through the door I looked up and saw David and Bethany Ravell in exactly the right place at exactly the right time...arranged solely by a faithful God. They arrived just as the plane was connecting to the gate.
There have been so many times in my life when I have felt "God is faithful, however..." because circumstances controlled my views of God's faithfulness.  HOWEVER... when God sets about to "renew your mind by changing the way you think" it turns your life upside down and your entire outlook is transformed. Circumstances are simply circumstances.  I am seeing more and more that when you look for God in those situations, he is always there and HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL.

A Mind Transformed

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,

 but let God transform you into a new person

 by changing the way you think...."  

Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)

I wonder if it is difficult to recognize a God follower in a world of ungodly people because we allow the circumstances of life to form our thoughts. How many times have I missed an opportunity to shine a light on the Almighty because I have chosen the dark thoughts that bring defeat.  As God prepares me for the mission in a far away place, He reminds me that I must surrender my thoughts to Him.  It is in that surrender that my mind and heart are transformed.

I will not see losses as defeat.  

Instead I will focus on what I gain in the lessons learned from that loss.

Rather than fearing the unknown that lies ahead, 

I will remember the One who holds my future securely in His hand.

I will not dwell on what I lack,

but be grateful for all that I have.

I will not cry for the family I leave behind,

but will love the family I will gain across the ocean.

I will not cast judgement,

but love unconditionally.

I will not hate my weaknesses,

but depend on the Master whose strength is magnified there.

I will not beg God for answers, 

but thank Him that the answers are already being worked out by His hand.

I will not worry about those at home,

but will trust God to meet their needs.

I will look ahead.

I will trust God.

I will listen.

I will follow where He leads. 

I am surrendered.

The Call...

Never have I been more passionate about the vision to which God has called me.Never before has it been more clear that the time is now to discover the mission field where that vision will come alive. Never before have my prayers been more earnestly seeking God's will.  Never before have I experienced more peace in God's waiting room...  Maybe it is because I didn't have to wait long for His answer.
My prayer, "Lord, open the door wide so that I can know for certain that this is the place for me to minister to parents who truly desire to follow You and plant seeds of TRUTH in the heart of their children.  Provide for me a clean canvas to paint the beautiful scene of Your Church partnering with families to become passionate followers who change the world, beginning in the home. I want nothing more than to be a godly woman following your leading. I will go where You lead and do what You have called me to do, just show me the way."
Then the telephone rings. It is Jeff Matas calling from Indiana Ministries.  "Jackie, God has placed your name on my heart. There is a church that Indiana Ministries has planted that is full of new believers who desire to launch an effective ministry to young families and need someone with your passion and experience to guide and encourage them. This would be a 3 month assignment."  Never in my life has God answered a prayer so promptly! Jeff continues... "It is on the Gold Coast in Australia, and a mission assignment so there will be no salary."
Did I just say to God Almighty... "I will go where You lead and do what You have called me to do, just show me the way?"
I don't know the way to Australia! God speaks to my heart... "I do." 
I haven't the means to travel so far away from home! "I have unlimited resources for those who will follow."
I have to have an income and I will be giving up 3 months of income and won't have a job when I return!  "I can provide for you better than you can provide for yourself. I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you a hope and a future... and this is part of that future."
I have never traveled alone beyond state lines nor have I ever traveled abroad. "I made the planet and know it well. I will be your guide on the other side of it just as I am here."
I don't have a specific formula for building such a ministry. "I know what they need, you just have to listen to me."
I am not a master at my trade. There are more gifted people than I. "But I have called YOU."
But, my family! How can I leave my husband, my children and my grandchildren for 3 months? Haven't you also called me to be a faithful guide to my own family? "Your witness to your family is worth so much more when you are obedient to Me. Your surrender speaks my name louder than your presence with them."
I board the plane in 11 days.  I have heard the call of God. With the support of family and friends and the hand of God holding me tightly, I will follow him and I will undoubtedly be transformed; shaped by the sacrifice of leaving my precious family and the blessing of meeting new believers on the other side of the world... but mostly shaped by a willingness to be a lump of clay in the hands of the Potter being shaped into the vessel I must be to answer His call.

A Godly Woman?

I don't exactly fit in the template of a godly woman as described in Proverbs 31. My husband may praise me and my children are a constant blessing to me, but I have never planted a vineyard, spun flax or sold a handmade sash to a merchant. Yet, finding myself in a difficult situation and wanting to handle it well, my constant prayer became, "Lord, make me a godly woman. I don't even know what that looks like in this situation, but it is the desire of my heart to be pleasing in your sight and to allow these difficult days to mold me into a vessel you can use."
His molding started with my heart. He held it in his hands until it was once again warm and pliable. Then he 'renewed my mind, by changing the way I think."  When my attitude and outlook changed and my heart was filled with his love I began to notice that I was being transformed into a willing vessel, ready to be filled and used as He saw fit. Another wonderful journey in my life was beginning and He was making me ready.