Griffith Gleanings November 2016

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.

GRIFFITH GLEANINGS NOVEMBER 2016 Glory to God for his enabling. Great news as we are almost there with our support target and looking at departing early in the New Year. We wish to welcome you to our commissioning service by our sending church Blackwood Hills Baptist Church, 72 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood South Australia. 10am Sunday, December 11th.

Farewelling Rob’s parents Praising God with 96% Support Tabor College studies end for now; life long learning continues Kurrajong Baptist Church family

Many thank you’s and goodbyes are being shared in our final preparations for leaving Australia to live in Cambodia. The sharing of words of life and wholesome exchanges will sustain us all in days and years to come. We are grateful for your supports and encouragements.

Griffith Gleanings OCTOBER 2016

Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

GRIFFITH GLEANINGS  OCTOBER 2016 We are humbled by your supportive prayers, encouragements as together work with God’s heart for the nations. Sharing together in his plans and purposes.

Lois Dennett also served cross culturally in Thailand, PNG and India. Deb’s favourite nurse educator. Miriam- Mim (youngest daughter) has been 4 months overseas now. She’s many a story to tell so keep connected with her. Snap shots she’s hiked the G20 in record efforts, is climbing mountains in Switzerland daily, au pair or nannying, learning German, celebrated her birthday there too, and growing in many ways inside out. Port Pirie Baptist Church value in the priorities and service that church family have made over the decades Family and friends day out in the Barossa, South Australia celebrating Rebekah’s- Bek’s (eldest daughter) birthday Meet our Global Interaction South Australian & Northern Territory Team: Anne-Maree Huggett, Lauren Bonnet and Luke Hutchinson. Hackham Baptist Family Church sharing the promise of God. His promises are life giving always. Rejoice together in reaching 80 % 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. God’s promptings to resource his call for the Khmer of Cambodia. We are seeking a completely blue shaded donut before the end of the year.

Rob:  A month ago we experienced prayers being answered as we moved out of the family home. The day came to move all our furniture from our house into a storage shed and the weather forecast was not very promising. By 8 am the weather radar was showing a band of rain just to the west of us and I estimated it could arrive in less than an hour. The shed had already been filling up in the previous months and needed to be rearranged to accommodate all of the rest of the furniture from our house. After a few stressful moments with things not going to plan, something happened to change the whole mood of the morning. It was like a peace descended on us and the rain unexplainably stayed away for several more hours until we had the last load of furniture safely placed in the shed. I can only conclude that prayer supporters had been prompted to pray and those prayers were answered. Thank you for those of you who faithfully remember us in prayer. Please let us know how we can be praying for you. Deb:  Valuing focused time to finish well. I leave my paid employment end of next week. Our studies at Bible college are drawing to a conclusion by mid November. We will pick up subjects each home assignment to be shaped, informed and best equipped for God’s new seasons. In all the changes and new connections there are times of weariness, fragility and all too familiar emotions. Submitting this to him I am empowered by him. Being amazed how God works through my flaws to reflect himself to others. Gifts of sweet slumber, exercise, being a recipient of warm hospitality, encouragements, active prayer life, and relaxing are vital aspects of my restoring, refreshing and completeness.2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Prayer Requests: For finishing well with paid employment and Bible college studies. For good byes to be thoughtful, sensitive and nurturing. To receive refreshment as a family and as individuals Praise Points: Grateful for God’s strength and rest since move out of family home. For meeting deadlines for work and studies. Rejoicing in new share home is like an oasis; assisting us finishing well.

Griffith Gleanings September 2016

Psalm 133:3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

GRIFFITH GLEANINGS
We are grateful for the ways that doors have opened for us to share together with you in God’s mission to the Khmer of Cambodia. Thank you for your commitment in connecting with us and encourage us in so many ways.

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

Rev. Silas Mead (1834-1909) a forerunner in shaping Baptists from Flinders St Baptist Church. Respect for history.

Laura Baptist Church family reminded us of the value of the way God connects with us. Highly recommended is the local Laura Hills Lamb served afterwards from the BBQ.

Seaton Baptist women’s group has been meeting for 64 years great cloud of witnesses. Faithful prayer warriors.

Rob:

Some upheaval is in the process of beginning to say goodbyes to home, friends, family and work. There is much comfort knowing the generous Father who is guiding us and holding us in his hand through this process and the unknown parts of the journey ahead. Psalm 139:9,10 “if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast”.

Alan Turland with wife Gay served in PNG with Global Interaction a great cheer squad for God.

SEPTEMBER 2016

Thank you to those who have already committed to supporting us in prayer, or in a financial way.
Please seek God’s leading in this area of what supporting us means for you.

Our “donut” chart that tracks how our funds received and pledges are going has risen to 68 % 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. God’s promptings to resource his call for the Khmer of Cambodia. We are seeking to have a completely blue shaded donut before the end of the year.

Deb:
God is more than sufficient to be an anchor as the tide ebbs and flows with home, work, personal and family changes. Trusting in him has no limits. He holds us when we humanly waver. Strong in God’s strength and power. Recently in the country around Laura the large trees loomed yet spoke to me of being rooted in him. Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…

John and Marion Wilkins, with Tania and Jessica Rainsford share a heart for Cambodia.

Grange Baptist Church Mission Fair invited many agencies to provide an interactive engagement with church family to continue the focus on God’s call to mission.
Prayer Requests
For God’s strength emotionally and physically as we move out of family home this Saturday.
That Rob will have God’s peaceful focus for demanding priorities currently.
For a settled transition into a share home which came as answered prayer.
Praise Points
Many opportunities to share with church families.
God is sufficient for the many changes for us and our family.
Readiness for Deb to leave work in a few weeks.
Cambodian team members are led by our all knowing God.
Supporters have grown prayerfully and financially.

Griffith Gleanings August 2016

1 Chronicles 29:13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

This update is primarily focused on prayer points, but we start off with an update of our financial support that has reached a significant milestone of passing 50%. We need to reach 100% before we can depart for Cambodia. For those who find it hard to relate to percentages and would like to know how you could help us getting to reaching this financial target, let us explain it in how many cups of coffee would get us to Cambodia! If you are a person who purchases 5 cups of coffee each week, you are most likely supporting a $20 a week habit. If you were to make a pledge to support us with the value of your 5 cups of coffee, we would only need another 35 people to make a similar pledge and we would reach the financial support we need. No we are not asking you to sacrifice your coffee, but we would love to hear from you if you could be one of those 35 people? Any amount that you can pledge would be gratefully received
Prayer Partners
ANSWERED PRAYER

We are singing for joy to the Lord at reaching over 50% financial support. We value all support you have given.
Thank God for Miriam our daughter is up to exploring Europe with both known and new friends.
Praising God for the opportunities of formation that will come during this final semester of Bible College studies prior to leaving Australia.
For opportunities to meet, share, learn and start to build on relationships with team members preparing or already part of the Global Interaction Cambodia team.
The Windus family reached 100% support and are in the process of all returning to Siem Reap, Cambodia to reconnect with relationships, school and life there.

ONGOING AND NEW PRAYER NEEDS

For wisdom of Global Interaction Board, Directors and teams as they manage all business that is God inspired.
Pray for a home sit for Rob and Deb as we plan to move out of our family home prior to departing Australia (from the end of September 2016 onwards).
Continue to pray for our transitions as a family, couple, and as individuals that we will seek and hear God in season.
Uphold Catherine Rogers as she provides team support and builds fruitful relationships with Khmer friends.
Pray with us that God will prompt others to partner with us in His mission to the Khmer of Cambodia from December 2016.

Thank you, once again for supporting us in encouragement, friendships, and prayer as God leads. If you want to know how you can further support feel free to contact us or explore the Global Interaction link: http://www.globalinteraction.org.au/RobDeb

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