General Ministry Update!
If you haven’t already met them on Facebook, I’d like you to meet the newest members of our family, Alaska and Storm, the puppies in the picture here (yes, they are sisters).
In some ways I feel a little like these excited puppies as I start to get a glimpse of what God has in His hand and is about to throw our way this year. There’s a sense of “Will I know what to do with ‘the ball’ when it comes in my direction?” But beyond that there is a growing sense of anticipation and excitement as I think about the year ahead.
Though Alaska and Storm don’t always live up to the behaviour that we’d like them to have (like when they dig up Ray’s garden), it’s hard not to love and accept them when they come and lick my hand (or face when they can reach).
It reminds me of God’s unconditional love for us (though mine is far from perfect), and whether we’re worshipping Him , or “digging up His garden,” he still loves and accepts us, and corrects us when necessary because of that love. BTW, the Greek word for worship, proskuneo, gives a picture of a dog licking their master’s hand.I haven’t taken the puppies for a walk yet, but have heard from Ray and Hannah how they tend to either walk excitedly ahead and need restraining with their leash, or want to stop walking and need that gentle tug to encourage them along again.
Isn’t it amazing that through Jesus’ death in our place, we have access to our loving Father, forgiveness anytime we need it, and His guiding hand each day. No matter what, when we’re trusting Jesus we can never get beyond the reach of His “leash” on us (or maybe I should say the “anchor” that connects directly with Him - Hebrew 6:19-20).
Our home church, Toowoomba Community Baptist, has a sausage sizzle fund raiser coming up after the morning service on the 21st of this month, and we’re privileged to be able to run this event. Trav Johnson is making the trip from Adelaide for a few days to support us, “help turn some sausages,” and be available to chat with for any convos that come up.
The Young Adults community group at church have welcomed us in and this year have brought Rayleen and I into the leadership team of the group. We’re thankful for this opportunity to serve, and excited about what God will do.
We’re currently preparing for An Easter Story Walk-through for the inaugural Toowoomba Streets and Lanes festival next month. This will be the first time that we have the opportunity to present an ATS event to the general public in Queensland. So looking forward to this! If you happen to be in Toowoomba for Easter Saturday (and maybe Sunday), we’d love to see you there. More info to follow.
We as a family are planning to head to Victor Harbour, SA, in July for VERGE!!! Want to join us???
We’re also still keen to facilitate an ATS Christian Leaders Retreat/Conference in Hervey Bay later this year. The convo continues …
Blessings,
Mike
| Financial Support Update! We’re grateful that you’re partnering with us and we also want to say, “THANK YOU” to those supporting financially! Mike has now transitioned from being a “Provisional Worker” to an “Associate Worker” with AccessTheStory. This means that support raised can now be made available to him to cover ministry expenses. We’re excited about what God is doing and the doors that He is opening, and are hoping to | continue raising support which will also allow Mike to supplement his income as a “Worker” with ATS in the future. Meanwhile we continue seeking further opportunities to serve through Jesus’ Story. And we invite you to consider whether God is calling you to contribute financially to help cover ministry expenses . An example of this could be to help cover costs for the family to travel to South Australia for VERGE in July. J |
Toowoomba Family Life! – by Ray
Christmas and New years all just seem like a blur. I was thankful to have the 2 public holidays off of work to be able to share in the celebrations with Michael’s family. We had Christmas lunch with most of his family out in the shed. It was so good to be in our own house and be able to open it up to whoever could make the trip to Toowoomba.
This year we have a real sense of change happening. For starters Hannah got a job at a well know fast food joint starting with M, she also turns 16 next month and is eager to get her learners. She is excitedly doing grade 11 at school and has been selected for some leadership roles.
As you have read we got PUPPIES!!! We are just a tad excited over this. They are so gorgeous and so naughty. But o well, with a little bit of training and a whole lot of patience, they will grow up and become great natured, loving dogs. (That’s what I keep reminding myself anyway).
Josh is in year 8 this year, so far he is enjoying it. He is enjoying Youth group and loves playing video games. He plays with the puppies sometimes, but still has times when they intimidate him, as he had a fear of dogs due to being rolled by one as a small child.
I am looking forward to the Streets and Lanes Festival (in place of Easterfest) and a little excited at what God will do through this avenue.
We are definitely settling in to Toowoomba. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else now. I am so thankful God brought us here to this city in the country, this beautiful city that has 4 distinct seasons (sometimes all in the one day). As I walk to work, I often find myself just thanking God for bringing us here, providing me with a great job, providing us with a great house in a great location. We are so blessed.
Rayleen
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