Australia GO! Team Takes Off Today

Our Australia GO! Team leaves tonight at 10:26 p.m. for two weeks down under. It's a long flight (12 hrs+ to Sydney, then a jump to Melbourne before arriving in Brisbane), and there will be some jet lag adjustment. We actually land on Wednesday, July 2- crossing the International Date Line always messes with our heads! But we are ready and excited to see what God has waiting for us as we step out in faith.

We will partner with the Ann Street Church of Christ in Brisbane, a small, multi-ethnic congregation in the heart of the city. Ann Street is a fascinating mix of long-time members, Aboriginals, Pacific islanders, students, homeless, young professionals, and others who are making a difference in the center of Brisbane and beyond. At one time it was the flagship of Churches of Christ in Queensland. Now numbers are smaller and the church battles to remain a relevant force in a secular culture.

And Australia is quite secular. Although churches dot the landscape, only about 4% of the country's population of 22 million attends any kind of weekend service. There's a self-sufficiency about the typical Australian that doesn't necessarily look to God. That's not to say that they aren't spiritual people (they are), but they don't look at Christianity as they've known it for answers to life's needs. Our hope is to serve the local church in helping people see the hope, joy and purpose in lives of those who have chosen Jesus- not that we have it all down, but (like our friends at Ann Street) we're working on it!

Please pray for us during our trip- pray specifically:
- that we will be safe and strong in all our travels;
- that God will knit us together in unity as a team;
- for people to come to a saving relationship with Jesus;
- that Jesus will be seen in us as we share our lives;
- that our brothers and sisters in Australia will be blessed and encouraged in their faith because of our time together;
- that God will open our eyes to lessons he wants to teach us;
- for the growth and strength of Ann St. Church of Christ.

If you could pray for one of these requests each day, we would be covered in prayer throughout the time we are away. Thanks, and good on ya!