Camping in the City!

Okay, for some of you this may seem like an oxymoron but for a non-camper like me it's a compromise almost to the extent of adverting a national debt crisis!  This past weekend we took a little get a way with another family.  When we first started conversations about this get a way we talked about going to Kangaroo Island (just off the coast of south Australia).  Once the price of the get a way exceeded $1,000 plans quickly switched to a more economical get a way.  Before I knew what was happening camping became the selected event. 

However, the location was Adelaide, a bustling metropolis of over a million people.  Things were looking up.  The event started with a trip to the Adelaide zoo where the only two panda bears in the southern hemisphere are located.  In the afternoon we made our way to the "camp".  The family that traveled with us pulled their caravan (RV).  As we pulled into the "camp" no tents were seen only caravans and nicely situated cabins!  YES...running water, queen sized bed, heat, full kitchen and bath...my kind of camping.  What we discovered was in this large city was a place to feel like you were out in the middle of nowhere.  The rest of the time we spent hanging out, playing games, and doing a little exploring.  What we did discover was beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails, a lone koala hanging out in a tree, and a nearby Woolworth's store with a great deal on chocolate!  Not to mention the memories we made with good friends!  All in all, two thumbs up on camping in the city!

Come With Me...written by Ruthann

The last 24 hours have been a journey…Three events, intertwined with last Friday night’s outing, have made a huge impression in my heart.  Come with me…

First to a bonfire hosted by Natalie’s employer—Natalie was excited to introduce us to the people she’s been working with.  How wonderful to put a face with the people in her stories.  Graeme, Natalie’s employer and elder at our church, and Mandy, his wife and keyboard player in our church band and my hairdresser, dug a pit near the bonfire where they placed foil wrapped potatoes and threw on hot coals.  The menu was YUM…cooked potatoes with tons of toppings and marshmallows roasted on the fire.  It was also bring your own drinks…which translated to BYOB (bring your own beer) for the majority.  Mandy shared with me how her heart aches as they live for their weekends with alcohol.  (The government here shares her concern, evidenced by a massive TV ad campaign as to the realities of alcohol abuse.)  Natalie has shared with us how BIG alcohol is to her friends…and her dismay as to their bondage to the stuff—even when its bringing lifelong consequences and reaping havoc in their lives.  Yet, we see three families, all employed at the farm whom are prayerfully asking God to show them how their work can be their mission field—which is why the bonfire happened in the first place. Also, we see a certain young woman, whom we happen to know very well, who is trying with all her might to introduce her new friends to Jesus during her summer break.

Next, will you go with me to my one-afternoon-a-week volunteering at the Open Door?  They have converted the parsonage/manse (place the pastor used to live) in to a community center that provides a toy library, a food pantry, rooms counselors may contract, a branch for a clinic, etc.  The Open Door is now under construction to expand so we can provide ministry for Divorce Recovery, Journeys through Grief, Parenting Classes, and such.  The vision is that this place is an Open Door for people coming to know Jesus through practical ministry to the community.  What a joy to see their passion first hand.

Come with me later in the evening and go with me to the cinema with five other friends.  Rhoda gave the invite—her future son-in-law directed the photography for an award winning, Australian film, Mad Bastards.  (Rhoda gave much of her life to ministering as a teacher and principle in an aborigine community).  This movie depicts the lifestyle of those enslaved to alcohol and the despair, the drunken brawls, the frightened children, the dysfunctional families, and the poverty that is so prevalent.  The main character searches for his son and begins to hope for escape from his despair when he realizes the price he’s paid for the life he has lived.   My friends were amazed at the incredible job done of a realistic portrayal of life among many.  They mentioned it was so good to watch to remind them of why they do what they do—teach, sit through frustrating staff meetings, volunteer, lead mission trips, go to Monday night prayer meetings, etc.  So amazing to get a glimpse into their passion.

Finally, can you picture yourself going with me to the local public, primary school where volunteers participate with Christian Option—which is a  quarterly presentation they are allowed to give to present Christianity as an option.  There is a careful distinction made…no evangelizing allowed, but clear Biblical presentation allowed.  The government understands that there is much about Christianity that can assist with issues in their country.  Chaplains are also allowed on campus—and even in many cases partially funded by the government.  Sit with me and be completely mesmerized…not so much by the presentation, although it is done with great excellence, but to watch as a room full of 7th graders watch and participate without so much as a whisper or talking out of turn.  Not one time did a teacher from the school or a volunteer from Christian Options have to say “SSHH” or “Be quiet” or pull a kid aside for disciplinary action.  The volunteer team did an amazing, five star job of giving a Biblical lesson on forgiveness with dramas, video, Scripture presentation and a game.  Somehow I felt honored to belong with these people!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this experience with me.  Words cannot describe the blessing of  moving in to this community of believers.  They love Jesus, they love each other, and they are devoted to being missional.  They seriously organize their time and their lives around serving and reaching those without the hope of Jesus. Thanks, God, for bringing me here.

Meet my friend Paul

Meet Paul.  Paul is a 92 year old father of 5 boys, former WWII spitfire fighter pilot, pastor for over 50 years, follower of Jesus!

Before we came to Australia I had decided I would ask Paul if he would be interested in being prayer partners.  This idea was sparked when I first met him.  It was on a Friday morning following the Traditional service at church.  I had finished speaking and off to the side of the church sat a little old man with a big smile on his face.  As he stood I knew he was intent on talking to me.  Sometimes you can just tell by looking at a person they are fully devoted too and in love with Jesus.  It was that way with Paul.  He approached me, shook my hand, and proceeded to tell me what a good message I had just given.  He then went on to tell me how much he appreciated Adam, how blessed he was to have such a godly young pastor who was doing such a great job of leading the church.  As he talked the conversation turned to how he had come to faith in Jesus.  He was a young man in the Australian Air Force who loved to fly.  One weekend he had some time off and decided to go to a Salvation Army gathering.  The rest was history, he met Jesus there and his life was forever changed!  As he shared his story tears streamed down his face and his smile never faded.  He said the moment he decided to receive Jesus as his savior was the best moment of his life.  Paul shared that once he'd met Jesus he had no more fear of engaging the enemy in dogfights..."I knew where I was going if I died!"  This peace permeated how he led his squadron.  Typically, when the enemy would be engaged the squadron leaders would fly at a higher, safer altitude while the rest would fly lower with guns blazing.  With Paul's new found faith he would insist on flying the lower position in order to protect his non-believing comrades.  He said, "if anyone was going to die in battle, it may as well be me than someone who didn't know Jesus!" 

Paul has a resiliency and purpose about life.  He has had several life threatening strokes, brought back from death three times by paramedics, and has a constant prayer request: "I need to know from God what he wants me to do today!" In some respects, I think he may have been the inspiration for the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going and going.  He reminds me of my Grandpa Longcor and Uncle Ade Roth.  He has an uncanny sense of humor mixed with Auzzy sarcasm and an unmistakable love for people and life.

I meet with Paul on Wednesday mornings at his home.  His wife Audrey has water on for coffee and we spend time sharing what's going on in our lives, then we pray.  When Paul prays it's like I'm sitting in the presence of a Saint, who is talking to his God...wait, I am!  Just after the first time of praying together I knew I had made a great decision to meet up with Paul.  I just hope I can keep up with him!

30 Years and Still Counting

June 6th, 1981 I married my best friend, Ruthann.  It doesn't seem possible that 30 years have come and gone.  But, when I think back over the years we have shared, the awesome memories remind me of the life we have lived together.  If I were to sum up the last 30 years in 3 words, it would be: a Grand ADVENTURE!  We have had some really cool adventures over the years.  We've traveled together, raised a daughter together, been involved in ministry together, built homes together.  There is a lot of fond memories we've built over the years.  Over the last 30 years we have seen God time and time again provide for our needs and even some of our wants, comfort us through disappointments and painful situations, hold us when life seemed to be falling a part, and remind us over and over again that he loves us and has a hope and a future for our lives.  We've been blessed!

Happy Anniversary Ruthann.  I love you dearly.  You've been such a wonderful friend, lover, and companion over the years and I look forward to the next leg of our adventure together.  Thank you for the best years of my life!

Living on Retail Overload

When we began this journey of moving to Australia I didn't realize the tremendous amount of hard work it would take.  I underestimated the amount of time sorting through every possession and deciding what to do with it.  And, I underestimated the energy it would take on the other end (down under) to replace some of the usual items.  (Secretly, I was kind of looking forward to this)  When I was in the mobile phone store the manager jokingly said: "you must be on retail overload!"  This has become no joke!  I'm so grateful for the house and contents we moved into shortly after arriving.  I can't imagine what it would have been like if we would of had to adjust to living in another country and try to find a house, furnish it, buy cars, and eat!  I think the eating part would have taken priority.  The amount of stress in all the shopping could have pushed me over the edge...or further down the hill!  We have learned we have at least 3 months before we need to find a more permanent place to live.  In the mean time, we can move at more relaxed pace of accumulation!!!  I'm hoping this next week to locate another car.  Then move on to more important things...xbox, home theater system, TV, etc! (kidding) One thing I hope I am learning; to be content no matter what the circumstance!  Time will tell. 

I have a feeling that there are some of you who would just love to have this "problem" and would be willing to help, well, we have a guest room and you're welcome anytime.  Just let us know when to pick you up at the airport! Any takers?

P.S. The picture has nothing to do with this post other than I thought our friends from the US would enjoy it.  BTW, we already have our pet Kangaroo!

TV in the Land of OZ

Okay, when we moved to Australia I didn't think we'd have so many American TV shows.  I thought I had left the land of CSI, CSI Miami, NCIS, Bones, America's Next Top Model, 2 1/2 Men, The Big Bang Theory, Wife Swap, and on and on and on!!!  We even have our choice of: Australia's Got Talent, The Amazing Race Australia, The Biggest Loser Australian, Dancing with the Stars, and of course the AFL (Australian Football League).  We have ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Company and another broadcaster uses the NBC theme music for their nightly news.  At any given time we can watch German news casts, Italian news casts, Indian News Casts, Romanian News casts...you name the country or language and we can watch it (can't understand it, but we can watch it) even Urdu!!! It's amazing to realize how much the US has influenced the land of OZ.  For the most part Australian's get the understanding of America and Americans through TV and Movies.  Hmmm, we just hope that doesn't become an issue for us...would hate to find out people here think I'm like Charlie Sheen!

A Royal Evening!!!

OK, this post may just mean I need to hand in my man badge...!  Last Friday night here in Australia was the wedding of Kate and William.  It's interesting being in a country that is a part of the Common Wealth and experiencing such an event.  Being a male and from a former Colony, I didn't really see what the big deal was.  I knew it was captivating a lot of attention here by the commercials and TV specials being aired WEEKS before.  Then, Ruthann announces to me her desire to host a Royal Wedding Party!  WHAT???  This meant I needed to find refuge somewhere else.  So, I thought I had plans to eat out with a friend and then go to his house a "play" Mac computers (he had just seen the light and entered into ownership of an Mac desktop).  Earlier in the day I rang him to find out more details and when I asked about tea time (supper) he replied: "Well, we're eating at your house!"  Unbeknown to me the plans had changed.  I was about to experience a Royal Wedding!!!  

Shortly before the ladies and one guy were to arrive I sensed Ruthann getting ready to explore a possibility!  As she came out of the bedroom, I gazed upon not the normal run of the mill, we're having people over attire, but Ruthann dressed to kill: Pearl necklace, dangling earrings, sleek blue dress, and high heels. (Sorry to burst some of your bubbles that thought this is the way Ruthann always dresses for tea!)  She was stunning!  At that point I looked down at my tattered jeans and T-shirt and wondered if my life was about to change?  As you can see from the picture I was able to locate the tuxedo shirt and tie with very little effort...the tiara was a little harder to find!  I still had on my jeans.  As people arrived I was designated as the doorman and soon the party was off and running!  In the crowd were two ladies who immigrated to Australia from England, two Canadians, and two Australian's.  The one thing that really did save the night was the food.  Each lady brought a "plate to share." Fortunately, each lady loaded some awesome food to each plate!  Shortly after the meal and the wedding had commenced it became exceedingly clear that my personal commentary on the whole Royal Extravaganza wasn't appreciated...so Ralph and I made our exit.  When we returned to the house, we arrived just as the wedding was over and dessert was being served: SCORE!  Seriously, I am really grateful Ruthann had this time of sharing this event and making some good friends.  My closing comment to this post is very simple and directed at Prince Harry:  ELOPE!