June 2019 Update

Can you believe how quickly this year is flying by?  It's crazy, isn't it?  Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to catch up with us.

Mike & LifeStory Ministries

So we've transitioned to our own ministry brand, LifeStory Ministries.  Along with this organisational transition, I (Mike) have also been going through my own internal transition, which has included a mix of times of self-doubt, and better coming to terms with who it is God is wanting me to be and what that looks like in seeking to live for Him in daily life.

I think I'm now getting my head around what that might actually look like going forward.  As well as opportunities to share with various groups face-to-face, I've become more convinced that part of this will include something I've thought about a number of times but have kept putting off (mostly out of fear) over the last few years.

This blog can become more than just a way to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in our lives.  I think it can also be better used as an outlet to share some of the things that God has been teaching us, and possibly become a growing resource of Bible stories and messages that have impacted me and that you may find helpful in your own life.  Who knows, perhaps you might even find them useful in your own community context.

I'm learning to overcome the fears, "Am I good enough to put myself out there?" "Will anyone listen to what I have to say?"  "When is the perfect time for this?"

If I wait for what I think is THE perfect time, then it might never actually happen.  I believe that in God's strength, wisdom and grace, that this is the time.  Where it goes from there is out of my hands.  My part is to be obedient in what I believe God is asking me to do.

Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing, but with Him we can produce much fruit, to God's glory (John 15:4-8).

So, having put this idea out there, I invite you to be looking for the first of these story messages on this blog in the coming weeks.

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Ray wired for her sleep test.

Rayleen's Health

With Ray's ongoing health issues, a local cardiologist suggested that she take a sleep apnea test to see if that is a contributing issue.  It turns out that Ray is suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnea.  She now has a CPAP machine and over the last week or so, Ray has been starting to get used to sleeping with mask and tubing.  Apparently, it can take several weeks to get used to, but early indications look hopeful that this will help improve Rayleen's overall health.  We're yet to see how this will impact her shortness of breath, faintness and general lack of energy.  Watch this space.

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Hannah with YWAM!!!

Hannah is returning to Australia this weekend after helping lead a group of YWAM DTS students in East Timor.  You can stay up-to-date with Hannah by checking out her blog.

If you'd like to support what Hannah is doing, her account details are:
BSB: 638010
A/C: 13858386.

We know she'd greatly appreciate any support.  Thank you.

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Josh

Josh has just successfully completed the first semester of grade 11 and is looking forward to a couple of weeks holidays after today's classes.  One thing he loves to do in his free time is having gaming days with friends.

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Ministry Opportunities

We continue to be part of what God is doing at our home church, Shepherd's Heart, and Mike is getting into the rhythm of preaching each month.  Mike and Ray also continue to run a weekly Youth Study as well as other activities for these young people.  Next term we're hoping to be able to start a kid's club as well.

Though crowds seemed a little thinner on the ground at Toowoomba Streets & Lanes Festival on Easter Saturday this year, we still had a couple of hundred people go through our presentation from the final days and hours Jesus' life, and beyond.  We also had some great conversations with a few people who were impacted as they considered how Jesus' death and resurrection affected their own lives.


Rayleen and Mike continued to serve at "Bella Sisters" (a ministry of "City Women" to girls aged 11-17) until the end of last term.  It's now time to move on, which will free our time to focus on children closer to home in our own community.  Bella Sisters is a great outreach and support to the girls who attend, and we appreciate that we've been able to be part of it over the last couple of years.

The opportunities to regularly lead devotion times for both the Men and Women at Teen Challenge continue to come along.  We're also talking about running "SEASON" again the coming months.

It was such a privilege to run "VERGE" Camp for our Church, Shepherd's Heart at Koojarewon Youth Camp back in March.  It was so good to see families and people of various ages gathering around God's Story over that weekend.  One primary school aged girl commented that she had heard various parts of the Bible all her life, but this time it was like it came to life for her.

Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival is on again this August, and this will be our second time there.  This year, as well as presenting the Good News of Jesus in various languages from the point of view of God being God of all humankind, we will also be offering a craft activity for children where they can make their own sock puppets that include words about Jesus in different languages.

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We’re grateful that you’re continuing to partner with us and we want to say a big “THANK YOU” to each of you. We couldn't do this without you!  If you haven't contributed and would like to, please follow this link.

God continues to show Himself faithful to us and we're thankful and excited for the opportunities that He opens up for us to see His Story have a greater impact on the lives of those whose paths cross ours.

Blessings,

Mike & Ray