Griffith Gleanings July 2016

GRIFFITH GLEANINGS

Since late April we have attended a different church every Sunday. It has been a precious time connecting with so many great Christian communities. As well as sharing in churches; we have enjoyed the deeper interactions of small groups. Thank you to those who have welcomed us, fed us and accommodated us in the more distant locations. We feel that many of the relationships established are significant as God invites us to partner together in his mission activity in Cambodia.

Late in June we travelled to Melbourne to complete ten days of transition training that is designed to help us be better prepared for the cross-cultural divides we will navigate in the years ahead. While we shivered through some of Melbourne’s best winter weather and shared some of the worst of colds and influenza infections, we also got to know some inspiring people who have either been on mission cross-culturally or preparing to go like ourselves.

We started July in a climate much closer to Cambodia’s visiting churches in Darwin. We had been encouraged to visit Top End churches when a Pastor of a Baptist church had told us that Darwin is closer to Cambodia than Adelaide. When the locals complained about how cold it was getting when the temperature reached the low 20’s, we started to feel like we were thawing out from being in Belgrave Heights where it snowed nearby. We returned home via Central Australia and felt like the cooler nights helped us acclimatised as we stayed at an Aboriginal community group north of Alice Springs, Ali Curung. This added to our learnings; resting and listening to the wisdom of Bill and Pauline Morrison.Who are serving with Global Interaction across 5 community groups alongside the Gurindji and Warlpiri people in the Northern Territory.

Associate Pastor John Whitbourn, Andrea Adams and Casuarina Baptist Church, NT Family with the “Pearl” Home Group and others.

Rob:

One highlight of our past month was meeting a Khmer couple at their Humpty Doo orchard with a group of their Darwin church community. They shared a powerful testimony of how they had both become followers of Jesus in the process of escaping from the Khmer Rouge. They were able to share their faith with family back in Cambodia who could then explain to their own community that God was not the religion of foreigners, but the God of the Khmer people as well. A life transforming relationship with Jesus involves faith in the faithfulness of God and faith can replace fear. This hope is what we all need when many around the globe are giving into fear in these days.
Pastors Bruce and Sue Clow, Cross Roads Christian Church family gathering together as one in him at Humpty Doo, NT.
Bill and Pauline Morrison serving with Global Interaction across 5 community groups alongside the Gurindji and Warlpiri people in the Northern Territory.
Prayer Requests
That all supporters will know God’s presence in their lives.
For new supporters to join our partnership team.
That each Cambodian team member and family will have a deepening walk with God and a constant openness to His leading.
Praise Points
Training in Melbourne was thorough and equipping.
Growing new relationships in the Northern Territory.

Mary and Craig Ingrames Connect Group at Bron and Gordon Hawkes Home all from Darwin Baptist Church.

Kelly & Luke Ingrames Connect Group all from Darwin Baptist Church.

JULY 2016

Together we stand as one because of Jesus. We are grateful for you standing with us.

Our “donut” chart that tracks how our funds received and pledges are going has risen to 32 % of the support target that we need to go to Cambodia. Thank you to those who have joined our partnership support team in a financial way. The support has grown in part by some generous once off donations as part of May Mission Month projects to support our travel, language learning and health costs in the year ahead. We are seeking to have a completely blue shaded donut before the end of the year.
Click Here for Support & Information

Deb:
I am thrilled that the relationships in the Northern Territory were open and deepening. Grateful for each person, group and church we shared with. Learning from each other in God’s mission for Cambodia. Together we are vessels for the Lord. We look forward to seeing these relationships grow.
Our Transition Training in Belgrave Heights, Melbourne was a unique opportunity to cheer on many other new cross cultural workers from different agencies making us closer as we are all preparing for global service. Together we covered a full range of topics to equip our missional toolkit with resources to delve into at our pace more fully from here on.
We are now back home in Adelaide. Our youngest child Miriam left for 4 months overseas this week. We are likely to move out of the family home prior to her return. So as a family we celebrated and honoured one of our ‘lasts’. Being our last meal all together in the family home. God’s promises, I am thankful for, reminding me of just how personal and intimate he is.
I am humbled by your support which has been shown to us afresh in practical areas, timely encouragements, prayer and financial support.
As we have a few months left before we are ready to go to Cambodia. I come before the Lord to quiet my soul. My trust in him is strengthened. Raising the required amount of over 60% before December 2016 will be a God feat. I surrender to him. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Pastors Bruce and Sue Clow, Cross Roads Christian Church family gathering together as one in him at Humpty Doo, NT.

Bill and Pauline Morrison serving with Global Interaction across 5 community groups alongside the Gurindji and Warlpiri people in the Northern Territory.

Prayer Requests