Griffith Gleanings August 2015

Posted by Rob & Deb on Aug 4, 2015 in Newsletters | 0 comments

If you want to receive our newsletters send an email to myrtle@live.com.au Ephesians 3:17b-18 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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GRIFFITH GLEANINGS

Our studies this year have taken us through preparations for intercultural life and work (from a subject appropriately named “Intercultural Life and Work” at Tabor college) as well as the beginnings of a ‘formation’ subject to help us get more than head knowledge and introductions to both Old and New Testament. We expect you are aware of our conviction towards preparing for long term cross-cultural work with Global Interaction (the Australian Baptist mission agency). If you haven’t already done so and have internet access, we encourage you to check out Global Interaction. We provide a link and web address to Global Interaction at the bottom of this newsletter.
The process of confirming where we will serve continues to take shape and we plan to meet up with some other couples in the coming months that are at a similar stage of preparations as ourselves. We think we are on track to complete our part time studies late in 2016.

AUGUST 2015

Rebekah, Nathan and Miriam continue to make progress to complete their respective studies / apprenticeship this year. In May Jeremy returned from his Brazil, Atlantic and European adventure to launch into his traineeship in outdoor education at El Shaddai Camping Centre at Wellington on the Murray River. The past two months while Rob and Deb have explored another continent without their four children has been preparation for some of the adjustments we will make over the next couple of years as a family. It has been encouraging to watch them pull together in support of each other through this stage. Whilst local friendships came alongside and supported our almost all adult children in our absence.

We have several trips to Melbourne in the next handful of months for an intensive course on strategic mission and for team meetings.

Thankyou for taking this journey with us. We know that we can only move forward with the encouragement and prayerful support of our friends and church family here in Australia and around the globe. God has blessed us with some wonderful opportunities to make the most of our studies, friendships and travels so far this year. Please read some of the highlights we have prepared of our last few months.

Rob
I am continually reminded of the privilege of learning as we approach the halfway mark in our part-time studies. The past semester included some sobering reading about the stress levels of cross-cultural workers being beyond what makes most people physically ill (not to mention the threat of disease, disaster and possible violence!). It is a good thing that we are not in this experience for fun and entertainment, or on our own! The Formation subject has complemented our learning to get a balanced perspective and hear wise guidance of others on the journey with us. We have also been reminded of the need of a commitment to life-long learning.
The research paper I prepared last semester was on the topic of exploring the issues arising from being a western cross-cultural worker in a poor ‘developing’ country* in light of 1 John 3:17 (and whether the love of God can be in someone who has no pity in a “brother in need”). After finishing the paper I took a book with me overseas to explore the topic some more and frequently found myself struggling with a book titled “Walking with the Poor” while I was mixing with overfed and indulgent westerners. This subject will no doubt be one that is never “settled” when aware of the plight of need around me in a poor community. Yes having pity for the brother in need and giving generously is something that should characterise Christians, but there is a need that this practical expression of love; is considered and not just a reaction to perceived need that can bring harm. Ultimately the unseen God is visible in those who express the love of God dwelling in them. Have you had similar experiences and thoughts? How do you deal with human needs where you have lived?

Praise Points

– For positive progress in Miriam’s studies.
– Safe and refreshing travels overseas for ourselves.
– Good health and provisions.

Prayer Requests

– Increased study load and work this semester.
– For God’s continued leading regarding his plans.
– Transitioning well in our various relationships.

http://www.globalinteraction.org.au/who-we-are/people-groups/khmer/rob-and-deb

May Mission Month
Drawing attention to mission during the month of May is an idea that Global Interaction uses to encourage Australian Baptist Churches to focus on mission locally and abroad. We had the privilege of visiting and speaking at five church services and a 150^th year anniversary event at Flinders Street Baptist (for South Australian Baptist Missionary Society – a precursor organisation to Global Interaction) to be introduced as the most recent candidates for cross-cultural service. These gatherings provided opportunities to begin relationships as we shared our conviction towards long term cross-cultural service.Advocacy Group
An opportunity exists for those who would like to support us at a local level (prior to our departure and then meeting together quarterly when we go overseas). Drop us a line so we can explain a bit more if the idea of being a part of an advocacy group interests you.

Deb
Experiencing the gift of a Spiritual Director this year has opened up opportunities for someone to speak into spaces in my life to enable a deeper penetration of understanding Gods nature as He is being revealed through my life so finely tuning me, into my God awareness and connectedness.
Many lifetime memories and experiences came from our recent travels. One I will share bicycle riding in Amsterdam; which proved to test us despite doing it in many other countries that same trip. Navigating streets and canals with map in hand where the streets shared similar confusing names and the map was incomplete. Bicycle lanes shared with motor bikes, wheel chairs, and the regular spray of unaware pedestrians. Bicycle riders in Amsterdam rule the roads so they don’t ride defensively as we are familiar with. Suffice to say it felt chaotic, stressful and made our defensive characteristics heighten as a couple with each other. I can report good outcomes for us and the bicycles. Overall I enjoyed myself, as I have always refused to pay for something and not get the maximum value from it. On reflection as a couple we recognise when we live in the ‘majority’ world* we will be living constantly with discomfort and unfamiliarity and we need as a couple to pool together our strengths and do life more slowly.
God is knitting together relationships from our pasts, present and into our future, to track with us and support us along the way. Thankyou to each of you for your messages of love and support, further confirming Gods mission is active and corporate.
*we prefer to use the words ‘majority’ world rather than ‘developing’.Ephesians 3:17b-18 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.