G’day Praying Partners:
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16
How thankful are we that this country – world – is not our home! God has prepared for us a place of indescribable blessings where we will spend all of eternity with Him. I don’t know about you, but after 2020 I am looking forward more than ever to that heavenly home.
I just looked over our email update back in August – it has been a looooong 3 months and not because a lot has been happening – it’s been the exact opposite! We’ve been in lock down since March in one form or another until about 2 weeks ago. Now we are slowly opening back up again. It was exciting to be able to meet a friend in the park just to have a chat! School is back to in person learning as of this term (about 4 weeks ago) so we are working with them to sort out a plan for us to hold in person services again. It looks like, God willing, we may be able to do that the first Sunday in December. It will have been 9 months since we met in person. We are incredibly thankful for the technology that has allowed us to continue to meet online for service, Bible study, prayer meeting and even game and fellowship time. But to say we are ready to join together for worship would be an understatement. We would ask you to continue to pray with us that God would prepare the way for us to worship together.
Although we haven’t been able to meet, God has continued to work. We’ve seen people come to know Christ as our members have shared their faith at work and we have at least 4 people ready to get baptized as soon as that’s possible again. Jackie has been discipling one of the ladies from church who recently trusted Christ and it has been incredible to watch her grow in her faith. Praise God that nothing “locks down” the Gospel! We have been encouraged to watch our church family faithfully proclaim God’s love even during extremely trying times.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration - whatever form that takes - and we pray that it will be a special one as you look back and see how God has blessed you during a year like no other! Speaking of looking back, we looked back on the calendar that we had planned out with all the activities and outreaches for the church for 2020, it was a great reminder that we can plan but only God knows what a year will hold. And what a year it’s been. As we think back over this year, the word that comes to mind is “faithful”. God has been incredibly faithful to provide, bless, comfort and challenge us during this time. Now, we look forward and begin our plans for 2021. They will be very different but one thing we know – 2021 will look EXACTLY how our sovereign God planned!
Shining the Light Down Under,
Rob and Jackie
Rob and Jackie
