Tuesday, July 26, 2005
No Matter How Far You Travel...
You Are Never Too Far Fom Home.
It is true about the winters in Portland, Australia. They are cold, windy, the rain comes often, but it is still incredibly beautiful. Friday was spent trying to adjust to jetlag. They suggest you keep active and wear yourself out to induce a hearty night sleep. To throw our bodies into a state of exhaustion we decided to walk Percy Street (the main street of Portland) and become acquainted with the town. Like any new adventure, we were stopping in shops to examine the variety of items found in the local retail stores. And to our surprise, we found a mug that we only thought we could find back home (see picture below). And where did we find it? Simpson’s Bargain Basement Gifts. Yes it was called Simpson’s. It just goes to show that you are never too far from home.
Saturday we had lunch with Roy and Margaret Hope, Jack Phillips (Margaret’s 92 year old father that made cricket bats for over 40 years), and Sister Mary from St Mark’s Benedictine Abbey in Camperdown, Victoria. Afterwards we went with Roy to learn about his ministry in Portland, The Flying Angel Club (see picture below). This evangelical outreach club ministers to the international seafarers that arrive at the shipping harbors. Located in a building overlooking the docks, The Flying Angel Club (see Revelation 14:6 for name reference) provides crews with a place to relax, exchange currency, make international phone calls, and hear the Gospel. What a wonderful outreach opportunity for these men that are often at sea for a year at a time. Please pray for Roy and the others at The Missions to Seafarers because they are about to embark on a fairly ambitious project. Currently their building is outside of the harbor security area. Starting next year the harbor will be under tighter control and the crews will not be allowed to leave the harbor. Thus they are attempting to move the mission directly inside the harbor! What a blessing this would be. Have a local ministry that reaches out to internationals…never too far from home.
Roy was also kind enough to introduce us to the Australian Rules Football through local “Footie” clubs Heywood and South Gambier. What an incredible game. It is fast paced, crowd involved and a lot of fun. Then Roy explained the rules to us. We loved it even more! Pictured below you will see a picture with me and the umpire – what a thrill. This part of the country is fixated upon sports…never too far from home.
Later that evening we had a meet and greet tea at Portland Baptist. This warm and welcoming fellowship was very kind and hospitable to this funny-talking, right-side driving, bloke and shelia from across the Big Pond.
We had a great time worshipping with Portland Baptist on Sunday morning. Singing songs like “Heart of Worship” and praying for Grace Baptist made us feel connected to our family back home. In the evening Christy and I were the featured guests at their youth service. Specifically we were “on the couch.” During their service they have guests come and sit “on the couch” and are asked questions dealing with one particular topic. The topic for this night focused on the will of God in the lives of people. Great topic and we loved the conversation with the church. Yes, students in Portland wonder how God will show them His will for their life. You guessed it – never too far from home.
Kangaroos – they do exist. By the amazing travel-guiding skills of Mr. Len Caddick through Halls Gap, Victoria, we were able to get up close and personal with these beloved animals on Monday afternoon. The Australian bush country is truly amazing. It is kind of like the Shenandoah Valley (only replace your bears with kangaroos, your pines trees with eucalyptus, and your cardinals with kookaburras (pictured with Christy) and magpies. Beautiful flowers, rivers, and animals are peppered throughout this enchanting landscape.
…Never too far from home.
Until next time…Blessings,
Aussie Word of the Day: No Worries – Your Welcome or Its O.K.
Next Post In Series: Pictures In Time ¶ 7/26/2005 02:23:00 PM
It is true about the winters in Portland, Australia. They are cold, windy, the rain comes often, but it is still incredibly beautiful. Friday was spent trying to adjust to jetlag. They suggest you keep active and wear yourself out to induce a hearty night sleep. To throw our bodies into a state of exhaustion we decided to walk Percy Street (the main street of Portland) and become acquainted with the town. Like any new adventure, we were stopping in shops to examine the variety of items found in the local retail stores. And to our surprise, we found a mug that we only thought we could find back home (see picture below). And where did we find it? Simpson’s Bargain Basement Gifts. Yes it was called Simpson’s. It just goes to show that you are never too far from home.
Saturday we had lunch with Roy and Margaret Hope, Jack Phillips (Margaret’s 92 year old father that made cricket bats for over 40 years), and Sister Mary from St Mark’s Benedictine Abbey in Camperdown, Victoria. Afterwards we went with Roy to learn about his ministry in Portland, The Flying Angel Club (see picture below). This evangelical outreach club ministers to the international seafarers that arrive at the shipping harbors. Located in a building overlooking the docks, The Flying Angel Club (see Revelation 14:6 for name reference) provides crews with a place to relax, exchange currency, make international phone calls, and hear the Gospel. What a wonderful outreach opportunity for these men that are often at sea for a year at a time. Please pray for Roy and the others at The Missions to Seafarers because they are about to embark on a fairly ambitious project. Currently their building is outside of the harbor security area. Starting next year the harbor will be under tighter control and the crews will not be allowed to leave the harbor. Thus they are attempting to move the mission directly inside the harbor! What a blessing this would be. Have a local ministry that reaches out to internationals…never too far from home.
Roy was also kind enough to introduce us to the Australian Rules Football through local “Footie” clubs Heywood and South Gambier. What an incredible game. It is fast paced, crowd involved and a lot of fun. Then Roy explained the rules to us. We loved it even more! Pictured below you will see a picture with me and the umpire – what a thrill. This part of the country is fixated upon sports…never too far from home.
Later that evening we had a meet and greet tea at Portland Baptist. This warm and welcoming fellowship was very kind and hospitable to this funny-talking, right-side driving, bloke and shelia from across the Big Pond.
We had a great time worshipping with Portland Baptist on Sunday morning. Singing songs like “Heart of Worship” and praying for Grace Baptist made us feel connected to our family back home. In the evening Christy and I were the featured guests at their youth service. Specifically we were “on the couch.” During their service they have guests come and sit “on the couch” and are asked questions dealing with one particular topic. The topic for this night focused on the will of God in the lives of people. Great topic and we loved the conversation with the church. Yes, students in Portland wonder how God will show them His will for their life. You guessed it – never too far from home.
Kangaroos – they do exist. By the amazing travel-guiding skills of Mr. Len Caddick through Halls Gap, Victoria, we were able to get up close and personal with these beloved animals on Monday afternoon. The Australian bush country is truly amazing. It is kind of like the Shenandoah Valley (only replace your bears with kangaroos, your pines trees with eucalyptus, and your cardinals with kookaburras (pictured with Christy) and magpies. Beautiful flowers, rivers, and animals are peppered throughout this enchanting landscape.
…Never too far from home.
Until next time…Blessings,
Aussie Word of the Day: No Worries – Your Welcome or Its O.K.
Next Post In Series: Pictures In Time ¶ 7/26/2005 02:23:00 PM
