Thank you to all of our friends and family who were able to see us off before leaving Australia. We were deeply encouraged by your love; evidenced by your effort to make it to our send off, your kind words, prayers and monetary support. We particularly would like to thank and acknowledge those who helped out on the day cooking that magnificent brunch. We enjoyed the relaxed time and generally came away feeling very loved and supported.
Thank you.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Jehovah Jireh - Our Provider
Let me start by giving you a bit of background...
Several months ago, when Clayton started studying full time he applied for AUSTUDY, a government support pension for full-time students. His application was denied. Reason given: even though he had never been a recipient of this benefit, his highest qualification was already a Masters level and this, for some arbitrary reason, disqualified him. He was advised by Centerlink representatives (who seemed to take pitty on our financial situation) to apply for Newstart, (a job seeking allowance) as soon as his student status was no longer deemed full-time, i.e. as soon as the semester was out. So upon this advice he made this application.
We had considered at the time that this form of support (all be it a government pension) could be the source of some of God's provision. To make an already long story, slightly shorter, Clayton's eligibility to receive any financial assistance was severely compromised by the size of our available funds (savings put aside to help pay for this venture). The outcome was that we would not be eligible to receive any payments until mid Feb 07, by which time Clayton would not be looking for work, but rather packing up to move overseas. When time came to fill in the paperwork to finally receive a payment, Clayton was faced with the question, 'Have you been actively seeking employment during the period for which the payment relates?' Clayton had not been, so dutifully reported this fact to not one, but three Centerlink telephone representatives, who each independently, advised him to, essentially lie, in order to qualify to receive this benefit.
Okay, now on to the part about God providing...
Since having made our decision to 'lay on the alter' all of our assets in order to finance what we believe to be a 'Kingdom Investment', we have been deeply encouraged by the generosity of those who have given as the Lord has led - not out of compulsion, coercion, manipulation or any form of begging, but simply out of a heart of generosity and a desire to support us in this move. A couple of significant ongoing pledges have been made to support us over the next two years, and numerous one off gifts have been made, from not only the Young Adults group, but also a number of friends and family in the lead up to our departure.
One notable gift came from someone that we didn't even know. At our final church service, we were asked to stand up to be prayed for. It was briefly explained to the congregation that we were moving to the US for the next couple of years while Clayton studied at a bible college over there. After the meeting a man came up to Clayton and introduced himself to him and said that the Lord had impressed upon him to give us some money, and asked how he might be able to do this. A few days later, $1000 showed up in our account with the reference 'study gift'. Thank you Lord.
One thing that we can testify is that God's provision is significantly more than the one off payment that we might have received had Clayton been prepared to compromise his integrity and lie on a form. We roughly calculated that we will have already received (including pledges) what we might have received in the one off Newstart payment times 100!
God is really good! We continue to be grateful for his provision and the generosity of His saints.
Several months ago, when Clayton started studying full time he applied for AUSTUDY, a government support pension for full-time students. His application was denied. Reason given: even though he had never been a recipient of this benefit, his highest qualification was already a Masters level and this, for some arbitrary reason, disqualified him. He was advised by Centerlink representatives (who seemed to take pitty on our financial situation) to apply for Newstart, (a job seeking allowance) as soon as his student status was no longer deemed full-time, i.e. as soon as the semester was out. So upon this advice he made this application.
We had considered at the time that this form of support (all be it a government pension) could be the source of some of God's provision. To make an already long story, slightly shorter, Clayton's eligibility to receive any financial assistance was severely compromised by the size of our available funds (savings put aside to help pay for this venture). The outcome was that we would not be eligible to receive any payments until mid Feb 07, by which time Clayton would not be looking for work, but rather packing up to move overseas. When time came to fill in the paperwork to finally receive a payment, Clayton was faced with the question, 'Have you been actively seeking employment during the period for which the payment relates?' Clayton had not been, so dutifully reported this fact to not one, but three Centerlink telephone representatives, who each independently, advised him to, essentially lie, in order to qualify to receive this benefit.
Okay, now on to the part about God providing...
Since having made our decision to 'lay on the alter' all of our assets in order to finance what we believe to be a 'Kingdom Investment', we have been deeply encouraged by the generosity of those who have given as the Lord has led - not out of compulsion, coercion, manipulation or any form of begging, but simply out of a heart of generosity and a desire to support us in this move. A couple of significant ongoing pledges have been made to support us over the next two years, and numerous one off gifts have been made, from not only the Young Adults group, but also a number of friends and family in the lead up to our departure.
One notable gift came from someone that we didn't even know. At our final church service, we were asked to stand up to be prayed for. It was briefly explained to the congregation that we were moving to the US for the next couple of years while Clayton studied at a bible college over there. After the meeting a man came up to Clayton and introduced himself to him and said that the Lord had impressed upon him to give us some money, and asked how he might be able to do this. A few days later, $1000 showed up in our account with the reference 'study gift'. Thank you Lord.
One thing that we can testify is that God's provision is significantly more than the one off payment that we might have received had Clayton been prepared to compromise his integrity and lie on a form. We roughly calculated that we will have already received (including pledges) what we might have received in the one off Newstart payment times 100!
God is really good! We continue to be grateful for his provision and the generosity of His saints.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Judah the Chiro
Thanks to those of you who let me know that this video clip was not playing. I have tried to rectify the problem. So please let me know if it is playing ok now. This clip was taken around Christmas time.
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