Late last year we (Rob & Deb) were accepted as candidates for long term cross-cultural work with Global Interaction (the Australian Baptist mission agency). Global Interaction exists to empower communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus. The process of confirming where we will go, we expect will take shape as the year progresses. Global Interaction focuses on 9 least reached people groups…so that narrows down the possibilities! Once confirmed we will begin visiting churches to make connections with new friends and supporters. The Diploma of Intercultural Studies we are currently studying part time will likely take us to late 2016 to complete.
In January we completed our Old Testament summer subject and enjoyed studying the theme of our last assignment tracing the mission of God through the Old Testament. We also participated in Global Interaction training from the National Office in Melbourne preparing us for partnership development.We have an exciting year before us with some May Mission Month activities coming up, Bible College studies throughout the year, and a Global Interaction course in September. Rob is taking some long service leave mid-year for us both to take a break and doing some first world travel and experiencing a variety of different cultures and languages.Rob
I have had a sense of calling to overseas cross-cultural work most of my adult life, but resisted the idea for a fair while. I am moved by the fact that a couple of billion people in the world can go from birth to death without having the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus in a way that they can understand. I believe God has a heart for people of all nations and people groups and that I have been blessed so that I can be a blessing to others.
Helping to feed the world has been a professional motivation for me working in agriculture, but with several short term trips to India and Africa in recent years I have been aware that the food we produce in Australia will rarely make it onto the dinner plates of the world’s poor. If I can help people sustainably produce their daily requirements of nutrition that would be a bonus working in the majority world, where “hungry seasons” can be normal. Whether I use food production skills where we are heading will depend on the strategy of the Global Interaction team in that location, but in many places where Global Interaction operates as many as 90% of the population is still engaged in agriculture. |
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Praise Points
-Safe travels for our adult children.
-Quality family time together.
-All that God is teaching us.
-Being sustained by our Lord as a family as we prepare and transition into new phases |
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Global Interaction is celebrating 150 years. If you are in South Australia on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 why don’t you join us for the 150th Anniversary Event to be held at Flinders Street Baptist Church between 2pm and 5pm?Below is a link to a Global Interaction web page that introduces the two of us and a way that you can support us financially. There is also lots of other information that you can read there to find out more about Global Interaction.
Support details: http://www.globalinteraction.org.au/who-we-are/people-groups/khmer/rob-and-deb |
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Jeremy (19), Rebekah (22), Miriam (17), Nathan (21)
Rebekah, Nathan and Miriam complete their respective studies / apprenticeship this year and in May Jeremy will return from his Brazil, Atlantic and European adventure to take up a trainee role in outdoor education at a Christian camp site on the Murray River. Our four children will be staying on in South Australia. They have been preparing for this for some years, but there will be some adjustments for us all during the process. |
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Deb
Growing up in a turbulent home environment as a foster child the Father heart of God shepherded me through my formative years. There is not a time in my life that I was not aware of God’s presence, even though significant experiences pressed in around me. In my mid teen years whilst in a very public arena at a mission’s convention with Helen Roseveare speaking, I heard and responded to the call of God upon my life. This commitment has helped shape life decisions, whom I married, parenting and life experience. Being a registered nurse and midwife has opened many doors in life, currently with the homeless and those at risk of homelessness and our refugee community here in Adelaide. Learning the language of disadvantage has been a great teacher to me.
Not knowing the next steps in this mission is an act of grace; knowing Gods wisdom prevails, He is in charge it is not my resilience but His strength to reflect. God’s glory is for us to share His mission with you. We want to use this forum to take you with us, we invite you to join us in God’s mission in whatever way He leads you. Please travel with us as confirmation that we are in Gods mission together. |
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| Rebekah with Miriam on her Year 12 Formal night |
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| Jeremy at the helm sailing on the Young Endeavour Tall Ship from Rio de Janiero, Brazil to Barcelona, Spain. |
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Prayer Requests
-Our daughter Miriam studies and life directions.
-Our son Jeremy starting his traineeship and living in a small community.
-That God would remain at the centre of our studies and other preparations. |
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