Building for Eternity
Missionary Connection
Updates from beyond the Parish
Melting Moments with Link Missionaries the Gerbers
10 months ago
Philip & Deanne Gerber serving Christ in the Northern Territory
No buts, no maybes. We were recently encouraged at St Peter’s Nightcliff to remember that despite all the BUTs of our questions, doubts and excuses there is also the BUT of certainty … BUT I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.
Deanne’s Mum, Heather Rose Quinn, went seriously downhill and then into palliative care at Mt Gambier and we received news on Sunday 20th March that she has gone to be with the Lord, aged 77. Deanne said her goodbyes a few weeks earlier on a trip to Mt Gambier. Though Mum was very demented and physically fairly wrecked, she still had her faith in Jesus. As Deanne left Mum said feebly “Good-bye Love”. Bitter-sweet.
Enrolments at Nungalinya continue to increase. Aboriginal folk are hungry to study God’s word and keen to do courses.
Flooded rivers and demands on peoples’ time often make it hard logistically and present Deanne with many challenges …the government funding requires 50% of the training to occur away from the College at the student’s community.
The new Principal, Dr Jude Long, is gently but purposefully leading the college in a clear Biblical direction. A suitable Assistant Principal with the required VET experience has not yet been found.
The proposed aboriginal clergy conference was postponed because of logistical and travel problems…. Another example of the difficulties of supporting remote aboriginal ministry.
The annual appearance of the dragon flies has commenced heralding the approaching “dry” season & reminding us of God’s unfailing, recurring sovereignty & His love shown to us in Christ.
Give thanks for:
- His abiding & unfailing Word by which see.
- Keenness of faithful Aboriginals to do Nungalinya theology courses.
Pray for:
- Overcoming of the logistical difficulties in getting students to Nungalinya.
- The Spirit to move in the hearts of those who read the Gospel material distributed through Darwin Life Expo.
Click on this link to see the Gerber’s newsletter in full Gerber – April 2011 Newsletter
From the Chins – update 31st March 2011
10 months ago
As we continue to provide prayer support for our Link Missionary – Richard Chin working with AFES through Universities throughout Australia. Richard continues to work with university students yet still cares for Bronwyn, his sick wife. While they are based in Wollongong, Richard’s job does involve travelling. Again while putting much of that travelling on hold to be with the family through this very difficult time, Richard has had time to keep us informed of the progress of Bronwyn. Our last update from Richard told us that Brownyn had been admitted to hospital, extremely weak as she could not keep her food down. Richard now advises us…..
Dear brothers and sisters,
Bronwyn was hospitalised twice in recent weeks. Humanly speaking her first admission involved a comedy of errors that ultimately left her with an infection. This required a second admission. Although frustrating, we know that God is in control.
The upside is that the eventual gastroscopy showed that everything in her stomach was healthy. She is now home and her vomiting seems to have settled. Praise God. She even returned in time to celebrate Rachel’s 17th birthday!
But she remains weak and her back pain has returned. It’s been a hard road for her. Yet she remains in relatively good spirits.
Rachel is surviving Yr 12 exams (so far!), whilst Naomi, Grace, and Thomas continue to survive well despite Bron’s condition.
As always we bathe in God’s grace and are so very grateful for your prayers.
Please ask God our Father to
* nourish Bronwyn’s soul and body for his glory.
* alleviate her back pain
* keep us all looking to Jesus.
All our love,
the Chin family.
Full circle for the Ma-Fats
10 months ago
In 2010 we took on the responsibility, to have as Link Missionaries the Ma Fats.
Eric & Jacqueline Ma Fat came to Australia from Mauritius for intensive study at our Moore College in Sydney. Not only did their enormous study load keep them very busy but they still had time to preach & visit those parishes they were linked with as we supported them both financially and prayerful. They also interviewed a number of our own seniors, for ideas of how to care for the elderly in Nursing Homes, back in Mauritius. When they visited Dapto, they shared how life was for them away from home, family & friends and what study was like in a different language and their hopes and prayers for when Eric was fully trained.
They’ve come full circle now and have moved back home to Mauritius after completing their study.
Eric has now been ordained (27th February) and appointed to take charge of the parishes of St. Paul, Plaine Verte and St Peter, Cassis.
Eric writes to say what a honour and privilege it was to have Archbishop Peter Jensen and Bishop Peter Tasker visit for this important event and be able to welcome them to Eric’s church.
Carnarvon’s “Summer of Tears”
10 months ago
The Anglican Parish of Carnarvon in north west Western Australia is one of DAC’s link missionary connections. We support Carnarvon by prayer and financially. Many will remember that DAC sent a mission team back in July 2006 of 40 people.
This exert is taken from the current Northwest Network March 2011 newsletter.
Carnarvon’s “Summer of Tears”
Carnarvon was one of those towns caught up in the devastation of the floods and cyclones of this “summer of tears” as one leader has called it. It has been a time of overwhelming experiences not only for those flooded but also those involved in the “flow on’ affects: cleaning up; distribution of basic essentials; re-establishment of power and water, roads and communications; dealing with different personalities under stress. Then as the adrenaline flow slows, the reality of the hard slog ahead and long term sense of loss (personal items, photos etc).Members of the Carnarvon MU decided it would be helpful if, two months “down the track”, folk who have been too busy and stressed to talk to each other, could be given the opportunity to enjoy a night out away from the cleaning and clearing of destroyed homes and property. Consequently, with money received from Geraldton MU and many others, we were able to issue a number of “dinner for two” vouchers. Invitations were sent out including the vouchers, an MU prayer note and a copy of Mark’s gospel.
Fifteen couples were present on the evening of February 14 at the Eascine Lodge for a lovely three course buffet meal, provided at a 25% discounted price by the proprietors of the motel. Other couples who have been invited may take up the opportunity to attend on a different evening, either by themselves or with others who have shared the experience of loss from flooding. It has been a very worthwhile initiative, and was most appreciated by the couples who have shared a meal together as our guests to date.
Thank you again for your prayers and your generosity. We are very conscious of Sod’s hand in all of this as we hardly had a cent We cant help thinking of the saying “out of little things big things grow”.
Carnarvon MU
You can read this and more in their latest newsletter – so why not pick up a copy from your service today and be informed.