New Church Home

In my last blog I mentioned attending a new church.  Just up the road from mum’s place there is a Baptist Church.  I have passed it many times and thought it might be nice to pop in for a service.  I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone was.  On my first visit, I arrived half an hour early as I thought it was 9am instead of 9:30 that the service stared.  I saw they had a few boxes with fruit at the door with a sign, FREE please take.  So I did.  As I was putting some paw paw in the car another lady was doing the same in the car in front of me.  I waited for her and together we walked back to the church introducing ourselves.  I picked up that Lorna had a British sounding accent and asked if she was from the UK.  I think she said she was originally from Kenya.  Well, of course this opened the door of opportunity for me to ask her more which eventually led to me talking about my up and coming adventures.  I also met Linda with whom I felt such a kindred spirit with, I could have chatted for hours but as she was one of the greeters at the door I decided I had better let her do her duty so bid her adieu with a promise to catch up later.

On this first visit I took an aisle seat on the back row. As some of you know it’s easier to dance and raise your arms when you’re not hemmed in by other worshipers and at the back of the church I’m less likely to offend anyone who may be disturbed by my open display of love for the Lord.  A lovely gentleman sat on the pew beside me and pointed out his wife chatting to another lady.  I think he was just covering himself so it didn’t look like he was chatting me up.  😉  We had a lovely chat, he introduced his wife with whom I chatted till the service began.  Just before we started our first song I asked if it would offend anyone if I raised my arms or did a little jig.  She reassured me that others, but not many, also raised their arms so I should feel free to do likewise.   I also noticed others were swaying to the music so I didn’t feel too out of place but I didn’t really get into full swing… well not on my first visit anyway.

I was pleased that many of the songs I already knew which makes it easier to join in the worship.  In fact the third song that morning the song leader introduced and said it was written by a very special man, Trevor Hodge.   My ears pricked up!  Was this the Trev Hodge from Kirkplace, my home church in Sydney?  And sure enough, we sang one of his songs.  I was holding back the tears.  How gracious is the Lord for making me feel so at home, so welcomed and now to top it off with a song from my old church.  It was truly overwhelming.  The Lord once again showing me the way and speaking to me so clearly confirming where He would like me to fellowship.

Ever since I had returned I had been visiting several churches, all were interesting and all had various things that could attract me to come again but none really had any pull.   I had said to myself that I didn’t really want to get established at one place in particular even though I know the need for prayer warriors to stand with me as I travel.  I just didn’t want to make a home anywhere as I would be traveling and can take time to settle in somewhere.  But when I came here I felt so warmly received, all these who I spoke to about my pending adventures said they would love to uphold me in prayer.  I was told how involved with missions their church is.  Later during the week I returned to speak to the pastor Bruce Brodie, wanting to know more about who they supported.  I was impressed.  Not only with the support for local outreaches but also in Myanmar, India, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.   Pastor Bruce also reassured me that if anyone was offended by my dancing he would personally speak to them about being more tolerant.  He also gave me the church directory which had photos of most of the families who worshipped here.  This was a huge blessing as I was able to look through and find the lovely friends I had made on my first visit.  It also came in handy on sequential visits as I was able to circle all my new friends so that I could remember them by name next time we met.

After this first service I stayed back and met another lady, this time in the ladies toilets of all places.  It’s amazing where you can strike up a conversation.  This led to a long chat over a coffee (a real one not just an instant one).  She came from South Africa and had just come back from a tour of Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.  So you can see we had much in common to keep our tongues wagging.  She gave me a few outreaches and ministries to visit when I’m over there.

I caught up with Linda who introduced me to another woman who went swimming down at Mettam’s pool every morning.  Unfortunately it was a later time to Mum but she said she would keep her eyes out for her if she happened to come down later.  In the end I had to dragging myself away so that we could all go home for lunch.  Wow! I couldn’t believe how many people I had connected with who were of like mind.

On my second visit I once again met people as I arrived who asked if I would like to sit with them.  This time it was halfway down towards the front and although I remained very conservative for me, I did enjoy getting into the music and refused to totally restrict my style.  After the service met some more lovely ladies after the service.   One of these ladies, when she heard the Mum went to Mettam’s Pool at 6am said that one of the pastor’s wives, Helen, also went at that time. Unfortunately she was on holidays at the moment so was not at church.  Later during the week I rang Helen who was delighted to hear from me.  She said she knew Mum well and promised to keep an eye on her and invite Mum along to the services.

On Australia Day Mum and I did a very Australian thing and went out for fish and chips.  Ok I know they say lamb chops are the Australian thing to do on Australia Day but I beg to differ.  I don’t know about you but when I was a child we couldn’t afford chops.  After this greasy, salty meal I drove to the Hillary’s Marina for an icecream to wash it all down.  As we finished off we were just in time to watch the sun drop behind the masts of the boats in the marina.  (see picture above)  The sky was alive with colour while the sea glistened like gold.  It was a perfect end for lovely day unlike the following day which was a heatwave! That week we have had hot days, thunderstorms and rain.  I finally finished all the things I needed to do at the unit and my plants are surviving beautifully thanks to the reticulation.

Our new boarder moved in too.  More about that in the next blog 😉

Pictures

1. Sunset over Hilary’s Marina,   2.  Sunrise over Mum’s back yard,   3. Trigg Beach

Prayer & Praise Points: 

I continue to give thanks to the Lord for His leading and blessings as I prepare myself to go.  For mum’s good health and all the little things that continue to fall into place.

Praise the Lord for the cooler weather and the rain that gave my garden a good soak!

I’m also very grateful the Lord found us a lovely Christian student as our new border.

Not long now before I leave!  Please pray that I remember to do all the things needed before Ieaving.

Thanks once again to all my mighty prayer worriers.  Your love is much appreciated.