Why Australia?

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Wow God has done great things in Australia! In spite of their indifference, you can see proof of the Lord’s mercy reaching out to a people He dearly loves.

Why did we go to Australia anyway? In 2007, we were recruited to serve at Australia’s Campus Crusade for Christ headquarters in Melbourne. This came about for several reasons. First off, we had longevity in ministry. Christine had been a CCC missionary for over 20 years and previously lived overseas (Turkey). In addition, I (Tez) had several years of ministry experience outside of the organization. Our experience and skills made us perfect candidates for starting up a national communications department. We really have a heart for internationals and a love for creativity and innovation. With only 200 staff for the whole country, they needed workers and we couldn’t help but respond.

After much prayer, fasting and counsel we decided to believe God to provide the funds needed to make the move down under. In February 2009 we landed on Aussie soil and continued our adventure in missions.

The plan was to spend two years building the infrastructure of the new department that would serve the field ministries by providing effective internal and external communications as well as providing innovative evangelistic tools. Ideally, I would find an Aussie to take over and lead the team to the next level. How many years this would take was unknown at the time. ~

A Brief Historyof the Aboriginals

The country’s original inhabitants were the dark skinned Aboriginal tribes.

As England’s prisons became overcrowded they decided to ship their criminals to the remote island called the Great South Land (Australia).

Under the watchful eye of officials, the inmates built their own prisons along with homes and other buildings for the guards.

Meanwhile the Aboriginal tribes were considered non-human and being killed off for sport. Their land was stolen by the white man. Those that survived the first 100 years of the new settlement became the lowest of the classes, usually having their children taken from them to be placed in religious institutions -- never seeing their parents again. They grew up into drunkards with no real sense of identity which caused a hopeless cycle of poverty. and domestic abuse

Much like America, racial prejudice spun out of control. The difference is America tried to correct the situation by the 1950s but Australia remained stuck. In the 1960s the government finally decided to stop recording the Aboriginals as local flora and fauna.

It wasn’t until 2006 that Australia officially apologized to the original

inhabitants publicly, setting new laws in place to ensure the tribes future success and protection.

Division still reigns throughout the country with much debate about the slow progress of reconciliation.

Today the country still struggles with the residual effects of their sins against the natives. In addition the natives have yet to forgive the white man for the mistreatment and terribly overdue apology. Like America it will take decades to recover. Today, the impression we felt was much like America in the 1970s.

The Aussies Indifferencetoward ChristianityOrganized religion is frowned upon with distrust. This may have come from the early settlement years when the Church of England thrust their beliefs upon the inmates. Whatever the cause, today Aussies are not really opposed to the gospel as much as they are indifferent toward it. Ask any Aussie if they have considered Jesus and they react as if you have asked them to consider giving their life over to the Greek god, Zeus. It’s just not on their radar.

In 2009, only 5% of Australians attended church. Today Australian churches lose more people per year than they gain. The average age of church attenders is 60 and older.

When we first arrived we made the mistake of telling people we were missionaries. We noticed people immediately shut us out. We quickly realized we needed to tell people we were here because Tez was a writer for a non-profit organization. They seemed to settle for that answer and let us into their lives.

We shared the gospel many times to our non-Christian friends but never saw one convert in the two years we were there. Many seed were planted and watered but someone else will harvest the souls one day. It is common to spend years sharing the Good News before results are seen.

At first glance you only see traffic driving in the other direction. After a few weeks you feel like you are in the groove and can things are not so different.

Then it hits you. It sneaks up on you from behind because it appears so American on the outside. When you least expect it it, it smacks you down and leaves your head spinning.

I wont go into detail about each and every thing we dealt with. I will say its worse than a non-English speaking country in this way:

When you cant read the signs and understand the language you can tune it out and concentrate on the job at hand. When you can read the signs however, you mind is working overtime trying to decipher and converting everything your eyes are taking in or what your ears are hearing. Its all very sub-conscience and wears you out mentally.

Many time over the first six months we found ourselves getting angry and frustrated at the culture. “Why don’t they do it like Americans? It’s much more reliable or convenient or productive.”

We finally learned to adjust to the differences and embrace them.

In a nutshell the main difference are that they are a socialist country so the government takes care of everyone. There are no severe poor or extreme rich. If an Aussie attempts to raise the bar a little or be successful they are cut back down so as not to think of himself too highly. The “average bloke” is the hero, not the person who accomplishes much--those would be snubbed. Often things are done poorly and with apathy on purpose. Because creating something nice and

polished would be considered flashy, almost arrogant.

Another big difference is while Americans compliment each other, Aussies put each other down to avoid sounding insincere. Authenticity is such a huge value that they go he extreme to avoid flattery.

That being said, it was hard to go two years with no “Atta boy” or an encouraging word from anyone.

There seems to be a severe lack of mercy in the country too when dealing with customer related issues or law enforcement.

On a positive note, it was cool to see the mate-ship there. When things go wrong (although they never turn to Jesus for help) they can always depend on their fellow man to help them in a crisis. Friendship is highly valued and once you’re “in there” with a mate, you are in for life.

They sure know how to vacation well too. we loved the strong boundaries between work and play. No workaholics here! Working long hours or climbing up the corporate ladder comes secondary to having fun with family or friends. The “no worries” attitude really works. I became much more relaxed and relational since living there. It has changed us both.

“It sneaks up on you from behind because it appears to be so American on the outside. When you least expect it, it smacks you down and leaves your head spinning.”

CULTURE SHOCK

Sports is Australia's religion. Nothing is more important than athletic achievement.

MAIN SPORTS: *Aussie Rules Footy*Cricket*Soccer*Women’s net ball and field hockey

Owning a car is a very different experience.

*Registration follows the car, not the owner.

*You cant sell or give a car to another without an extensive road-worthy test.

*Most buyers expect a complete history of every single thing done to the car--including every oil change--for all previous owners. It’s usually provided in a notebook binder.

LANGUAGE

One the hardest things to adjust to was the language. Don’t laugh. Yes it’s English but it’s nothing like America or Great Britain.

Many words have totally different meanings. Some are abbreviations and others just make no sense to us at all.

The worst word were those that were pronounced incorrectly but because the entire nation says it this way, you must learn to say like them. For instance a chicken fillet is pronounced “fill it.”

FOOD They love bread. Theres no lack of it. From dates to ham, you can find anything baked on top of a bun including broccoli.

It was fun to explore new flavors and foods but we often longed for the familiarity of American food.

Just about everything familiar is a bit different in taste because the ingredients are a bit different here.

You must try the Vegemite and the pavlova...but not together.

CLOTHESClothing here was hard to get used

to. It’s very relaxed. When we first got here we found

ourselves overdressed for many occasions but soon learned not to fuss about what we have on. When in doubt go casual and no one will notice or care.

Some of the styles were different. You often still see mullets or rat tails. Woman often don’t fuss with make-up.

HOMES

Home decor is not seen much. Nor is painted walls. It’s just a place to sleep really. They would much rather spend money on a new BBQ grill or a long vacation overseas than waste it on curb appeal or decorating inside. There are always exceptions, but this is the norm.

Fun Aussie Expressions

Swag = a rolled up bed

Tucker = food

Ta = thanks

Cheers = thanks

Bob’s your uncle = SAID when something has a logical conclusion. (Play with fire and Bobs your uncle, you’re gonna get burned.)

boomer = large male kangaroo

AFL = Aussie Rules Footy

Arvo = afternoon

She’ll be right = it will turn out ok

Bickie = cookie

Shark Bickie = someone new to surfing

Ripper = fantastic

Mozzie = mosquito

Fair dinkum = genuine or the real deal

barrack = cheer for a team

How ya going? = How are you?

CUppa = a cup of coffee or tea

morning tea = brunch

arvo tea = snack around 3PM

tea = dinner

supper= a latenight snack

good on ya = good for you, well done

In addition to he seasons being reversed here in the lower hemisphere, the school year begins in February and ends just before Christmas...that was a big adjustment for us.

We started out loving the school we placed Jadyn in. Wantirna South Primary School has a picket fence and live chickens. With only 200 students, the Principle knew every kid’s name as well as the parent’s names. We got involved quickly and became friendly with the other parents. I even headed up a work day where we all dug and created a beautiful frog habitat in one of the courtyards on the school property.

Jadyn thrived well and had a wonderful teacher. In America her grade would be called Kindergarden. But in Victoria, Kinder was considered pre-school. This grade for Jadyn was called “Prep.” So Prep went well and Jadyn would put on her little Aussie uniform each day and we’d drive her to school. Her progress was amazing and her teacher was a sweet single woman with a heart for kids. Jadyn was learning Indonesian too.

However as she entered first grade (or Year 1 as they call it) we noticed a difference. Not only was her new teacher not as relational, but Jadyn was also being picked on by a boy and the school was refusing to correct the situation. In addition, we began to see things we had not seen before as we settled in. Jadyn’s English skills begin to digress and her manners. There was a lack of security at school functions and the use of alcohol at these events. It was clear the Aussies have no problem including beer with every occasion. As we saw the apathy of the school officials and the change in Jadyn’s behavior--dreading school--it was an easy choice to return to home schooling.

Now we home-school and love it. It’s working out well for everyone involved, especially with us traveling so much. Jadyn is re-learning the American way to spell and write and enjoying the format.

Last year Anicah attended Kinder (preschool) three days a week but still joined Jadyn for home school the other days.

JADYN and ANICAH’S EDUCATION

ANNELosing All to Gain Much

Anne  (name  changed)  is  a  dear  friend  we  made  last  year.  She  is  so  sweet  and  full  of  God’s  love.  Chris=ne  and  I  immediately  felt  very  parental  and  protec=ve  of  her...and  she  loved  it.  Here  is  her  story: Anyone who meets Anne for the first time will be impressed by her warm smile and her gentle sweetness. When her family moved to Australia Anne met a classmate whom Anne described as a ‘sold out’ Christian—always talking about Jesus and her faith. Discussions with this new friend was the beginning of Anne’s spiritual journey.

One day this friend began to point out why Jesus had to die for Anne and what it meant for her to have a relationship with God. After a long talk, Anne fell to her knees and prayed to receive Christ.

A New PerspectiveWhen Anne told her culturally Buddhist parents she had become a Christian, they became upset, afraid she would waste too much time in church or reading the Bible. They thought she was involved in a cult that would brainwash Anne. They forbid her from attending church and

reading the Bible at home, so her spiritual growth had a slow start. Moreover, her priority at the time focused on pursuing academic success by studying hard. “In my culture there is a lot of emphasis on doing well. My parents taught me to be successful,” reflects Anne. Success had become an idol for Anne.

However, at university, she became involved in Student Life, our college ministry. A good friend of ours, Jane invested time with Anne. Jane discipled and trained her, keeping her spiritual growth vibrant by helping Anne focus on a more eternal perspective.

Being a Daughter and DiscipleTension at home escalated as Anne sought to live out her faith more publicly. The tension increased at home until it all exploded the week leading up to Mother’s Day. While the family was eating, her mother asked what they were planning for her on Sunday. Anne replied, “Oh, do you think we could [celebrate] on Saturday instead? I have something going on at church.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere around the table changed. Anne’s father remarked, “So are you saying your God is more important than your mother?”

Enraged, her father continued: “Mother’s Day is when you show you’re grateful to your mother. She gave birth to you and put food on the table, but you just chase after this Jesus guy.”

To avoid escalating the conflict, Anne went to her room to collect herself and pray. She also texted her Christian friends for prayer support. “I knew Dad was really angry but I thought he might calm down, Instead, he entered my room and said: “You know what, you don’t have any parents. To you we are dead. You ungrateful daughter. You can just go!”

The CostIn a tearful whisper, Anne told Christine and I, “I had nowhere to go.”

So two friends from Campus Crusade For Christ Australia, took her in. Their home became a refuge and place for healing; Anne learnt a lot from the women. Her time with them helped her to reflect deeply about her relationship with Jesus.

Seven months later she returned home and noticed a softer attitude from her parents. God was answering prayer. They finally acknowledged Anne was an adult with determination to make her own decisions. So she wrote a letter to her father expressing her thoughts about the disagreement and apologised: ‘I love you and God loves you even more. This is not how God wants it to be between us because we’re father and daughter.’ Anne struggled with the pain of rejection but over time and with God’s grace, she was able to let go and forgive her father unreservedly.

For Anne, being a Christ-follower comes with sacrifices. “Jesus is worth fighting for. Even if I have to be disowned ten billion times, I will do it. I just want to cling to Jesus. He promised us a hundred times [as much blessing] if we have to leave our family. Matthew 19:29 says: ‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake, will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’”

Anne’s family still struggles to accept her new faith in Christ. Like many in Australia. she continues to share her faith openly in spite of great personal cost. Please keep praying for our friend Anne.

ARNI

I just love Arni. He’s such an evangelist. We helped send him to Papua New Guinea last year on a mission trip. you need to read his story:

Tez: So Arni, you seem to light up when you get a chance to talk about Jesus. What’s the story?

Arni: I arrived here two years ago from New Zealand to study aerospace engineering. I didn’t know anyone, but I was quite excited about the freedom I suddenly had—no parents around, you know. One of my friends was partying hard and knew where the clubs and the girls were. We partied heaps. About the same time I met another guy who was a Christian, and I was interested in learning from him about God. He and I loved dancing. Sometimes we’d finish at three in the morning and while driving home … we would have deep conversations about life, death and God. We’d go on for hours about creation versus big bang theories. I know a bit about astronomy and we had a lot of debates. He couldn’t always defend his views because he was growing as a Christian. It was his testimony that won me over, not his apologetics.

Tez: How can you argue with a testimony, eh?

Arni: Exactly. So second year arrived, and my passion for studying was in a downward spiral. Sometimes I’d skip the whole week of classes. So this Christian friend asked me if I wanted to do Christianity Explained (CE)—a one-on-one Bible study. I said, “Yes, I want to learn about Jesus and how He works because I’m from a Hindu background.” So he introduced me to Michael Grace, one of your

Student Life missionaries at Monash, who taught me CE.

The ministry of Student Life is still a huge part of my growth as a new believer. But at the time I was like, “Whoa, slow down Michael.” I was uncomfortable because he was asking deep questions, and I really didn’t know him. … I started avoiding him for like a month and finally told him I just needed some space. He thanked me and said he understood—didn’t pressure me or anything. I didn’t hear from him again.

After that I hit rock bottom over the Christmas holidays. I had all that free time at home by myself--with no uni or work stress--to think about all these conversations and all this Christian material I had been given. Over the next nine months I found myself praying about this conflict inside of me between the call of the Holy Spirit and the call of the world. One day I was reading 'A Case for Christ' when I realised I didn’t know anything about Jesus. I had not read the Word, so what was I comparing this book against? I started searching my house for the Bible I got from the Mike. I found it and started reading at the beginning, and it was like wow! My heart just changed, and I believed—just from reading Genesis. (Arni laughs) So I gave Christ control of my life, but I was still thinking the same, and my mind was not renewed straight away … but faith came first. It was like God just grabbed my hand, and I gave in, and I went on to read Exodus. I thought, “Wow what is this?” It’s just a list of instructions from God you know. Make a temple this long and this high. Don’t eat this, don’t touch that. I found myself just reading for the sake of reading. I needed understanding, and I felt like God told me to start on the New Testament and contact Michael. So I text him and say, “Hey man, I just

finished the Gospel of John what do I do next?” He’s like, “Wow you’re reading the Bible, that’s great man.” I started Luke and Mark, and I finished them the next night. I just wanted to read the Word, to keep on reading. I was so excited, and I had all this spare time over the holidays. Then I’m like, “Mike I gave my life to God, but I want to know more about a relationship with Him. I want to meet with you every week!”

Tez: How long ago was this?

Arni: I have been a Christian only since March of 2009. The first two months I was reading the Bible and just asking questions.

Tez: So how has God transformed you since?

Arni: When I helped people I had selfish expectations. What’s in it for me? God has totally changed my life. Now it’s Jesus on the throne of my life instead of me trying to run things. I’m praying, “Use me for your kingdom, Lord.” I just want to love people like Christ, you know? I just share my testimony with folks, and it’s amazing—they actually listen. I know God is using that to work in their hearts like He did with me. I shared my testimony with one friend, and I could just see his eyes were watery. He was listening with such intent. God is doing something in Him.

OUT OF THE ASHESBushfire Survivor Story

When we first arrived in Australia we landed in the middle of a national tragedy; the Victorian bushfires. As an office full of missionaries, we all pitched in our personal money to help the mountain residents to rebuild their lives. It was only 6 months since the fires when I (Tez) finally met Killian and Robyn Fitzpatrick. Once covered with lush greenery, the proud mountains around us sulked under a load of black toothpicks we once called trees.

They lost their homes and everything they owned. The Fitzpatricks barely escaped as fire rained through their house. “We don't know why we survived. We should have died,” said Killian, “but God’s protection doesn't make us any better than those who perished.” Although their voices sounded weary, I could see the joy of the Lord in their eyes. This could come only from those whose hope is in things eternal.

“I believe all this happened for the furthering of the gospel,” said Killian. “We have suffered much, lost our home, our friends, everything. People can’t understand how we can still meet on Sundays and sing together as a congregation. What an opportunity to share Jesus, the reason for our hope!”

The firestorm on Feb 7th, 2009 erased the entire town and claimed more than 40 lives in Marysville. It may be a distance memory to most of us, but to these people it remains very fresh.

Tears formed in my eyes as I listened to tragic stories of friends and neighbors lost. I heard jaw-dropping accounts of God’s amazing protection that can be described only as miraculous. Many prayed but some did not see their prayers answered, like the father who lost his family. He sat in his yard with the fire raging around him, asking God to take his life too. He remained untouched by the firestorm as he listened to the screams of his family inside. The Fitzpatricks themselves, returned the next day to find nothing left on their property except the horrible sight of their pregnant neighbor’s body lying in the driveway.

Most of us have no idea the terrible things these survivors saw and experienced. So a few weeks after the fires, the churches in the affected areas decided to come together to provide support for their neighbors in the way of Christian counselors.

My hosts drove me through the streets of Marysville, meeting some of the residents who remain. They pointed to empty blocks that once held a park, post office, police station, restaurant or grocery store.

Finally I said goodbye to my new friends and sat in the car trying to compose myself. Although the fire had been months ago, ash covered my shoes, and my shirt smelled like smoke. As I drove out of town, I prayed for these people and for us. God forgive me if I get caught up with the business of my comfortable life.

It's now been two years since the terrible event. The anniversary triggered a lot of emotion. Some of the people continue to suffer from depression and relationship withdrawal. Pray for them to seek Jesus as their true Savior.

We were often asked to speak at conferences on a variety of topics including marriage and relationships, evangelism, communication, working with personality differences and how to write a ministry newsletter.

Our audiences included college students, veteran missionaries or new recruits.

Its always fun when we get to speak together.

Your partnership helped make this training happen for many believers and ministry leaders in Australia, surely with ripple effects reaching further than you will ever know.

TRAINING OTHERSType to enter text

WILDLIFEWere not in Kansas anymore

I  love  animals.  Australia  has  more  marsupials  than  anywhere  else  in  the  world  and  you  can  tell.    Here,  everything  seems  to  have  a  pouch!  

We  had  a  possum  that  visited  our  yard  each  night  for  leftover  dinner  scraps.  However,  as  a  family  I  believe  we  most  enjoyed  the  wallaby.  

Wallabies  are  like  a  miniature  kangaroo  and  much  friendlier.  In  Tazmania,  they  had  albino  wallabies,  which  I  thought  were  the  cutest  little  things.  At  petting  zoos  they  are  so  tame  and  cuddly.  

In  addition  to  the  lazy  koalas,  cute  platypus  and  adorable  wombats,  Australia  held  many  dangerous  species  that  are  nothing  like  you’ve  ever  seen  in  America.

The  world’s  most  poisonous  snakes  and  spiders  live  here.  Saltwater  crocs  can  attack  you  from  the  surf.  Dingos  can  eat  you  in  the  desert.  Box  jellyGish  can  kill  you.  The  list  goes  on.  

In  the  suburbs  where  we  lived  we  enjoyed  the  beauty  of  trees  Gilled  with  colorful  parrots.  Cockatoos,  lorikeets,  budgies  and  rosellas  Gluttered  over  us  all  the  time.  Although  noisy,  the  deep  colors  they  displayed  in  the  trees  reminded  us  of  what  an  exotic  place  we  lived  in.

Camels in the outback

Rosellas

albino wallaby

echidna

a dingobush tailed possum

crocs in the Northern Territory

a koala

We had a few opportunities to rest from our ministry and took some long weekends to see a bit of this beautiful country. Here’s a few photos from those trips.

FAMILY TIME and RESTHolidays in Australia

the Great Ocean Road

the Blue Mountains

Sydney Opera House

the wine country

the beach

a footy game with

the Great Barrier Reef

the penguins of Melbourne

visit to Hillsong church

Tazmania

Ayers Rock/ Uluru

camping with friends

I met Rhyse Skelton at a student conference last year. Heʼs a Science student at Monash University (near my office) and heʼs been interested in spiritual things from a young age. His interest came through the influence of his mother: “Mum is very spiritual and [believes] in re-incarnation and practices Reiki; it is a Buddhist form of palm healing as a way to transfer healing energy through the hands.”

When he was twelve, he attended a Reiki course which ended more frightening and disruptive than healing, “I started getting really weird dreams after using Reiki. I seem to invite the worse kind of things into my life and for a while I got into all sorts of trouble at school. My dreams started getting very violent--dreams of killing people.”

He kept away from anyone who was a Christian and became hostile towards them because he thought Christianity was a cult. One day at Monash University, a friend invited him to a Bible study ran by Student Life, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ Australia (CCCA). Although his initial response was –“No way, Christians are insane.”– Rhyse realised his fear was irrational and he decided to go.

He discovered that Jesus was intriguing and Rhyse asked many questions about Him. He also met Harro, one of the othrr missionaries that work with Christine and I. So Rhyse and Harro became good friends and housemates. Harro made a significant difference in Rhyseʼ spiritual journey.

Harro eventually invited him to one of our student conferences. Recalling his experience of the conference, Rhyse said: “At the start, the singing and praying was really foreign. Why should I pray or sing about something I donʼt believe in? Yet I didnʼt want to be disrespectful to everyone there.”

During the conference, Rhyse attended a Christianity Explained course. Through the sessions, he realised believing in Jesus and the Bible came down to an intellectual decision, not what he thought he knew of Christians. “I could see how their lives had changed through their belief.”

One night, during a praise and worship session, unusual things began to happen. “I started singing but felt disturbed and angry. My hands were shaking, and I felt a very unholy presence around me, weighing me down. I couldnʼt stop trembling.”

Meanwhile, friends who were sitting behind Rhyse saw his agitation and began praying. After the service, Rhyse asked Harro to pray for him “Harro was asking God to reveal any demonic oppression.”

”Iʼve never experienced anything like it and was trying to rationalise it with science. In desperation, Rhyse raised his head up and cried out, “I donʼt know whatʼs going on, Jesus help me.”

Instantly Rhyse saw a vision of Jesus putting His arms around him saying, “He is my child now.” Rhyse felt a wonderful sensation of inner cleansing. “I felt all this evil stuff rip away from me. I just wanted to hang on to Jesus for a little while.” After it ended, Rhyse fell limp and at peace. That night, Rhyse prayed to receive Christ and went to bed a Christian.

The next morning, Harro woke him up and asked if he wanted to share his story with others. That was the beginning of Rhyseʼ testimony of how Jesus delivered him from Reiki practices and the spiritual oppression that came from it.

When he returned home from the conference, he straight away shared his unique encounter with Jesus with his parents and friends. Rhyse told everyone who would listen that Christ delivered him from evil.

Rhyse admitted, however, that putting God first in his life was slow at first. “Lusts of this world are still a big issue. I used to struggle with marijuana and drinking a lot, too, but God has really helped me and Iʼm slowly maturing with the input of other believers.”

DELIVER ME FROM EVIL

“I dont know whats going on. Jesus help me!” ~Rhyse

CHRISTINE’S MINISTRYFamily Life Radio

Christine was involved at the office as well. In addition to sharing her faith with many mothers around town, she came into the office to help edit radio shows for FamilyLife Australia.

Thousands across Australia were blessed by the interviews and testimonies that Christine edited. Praise God for one particular non-Christian who listened to the shows and was deeply effected by them.

The National Multimedia Communications Team

CREATING NEW TOOLS FOR MISSIONARIES

Tez wore many hats while serving CCCA. One of the things he did was try to come up with innovative new tools for the missionaries to use across Australia.

One particular tool was the ICE Pac (Images for Creative Evangelism). A group of creative photography used to stir up spiritual conversations. You lay the photos out on a table and ask the person to pic three images that best describe their spiritual journey. The presenter in turn picks three and shares his/her own journey which helps springboard into the gospel in a very relaxed unthreatening way. The ICE Pac is packaged in a CD case and provides instructions on how best to use the tool.

Our team also re-designed the gospel track, Knowing God Personally. It now has vibrant colorful pages and modern images. The updated look was so popular with staff, that an iPhone application was created as a spin off. You can download the app for free by searching ”Knowing God Personally”

Finally they produced a beautiful coffee table book called Imagine Australia. The text was written by Tez with photos by famous Aussie photographer Ken Duncan. This book was sold to the staff of CCCA to give away as gifts for their supporters. Everyone found it a great tool for instilling vision to others for Australia.

THANKS FOR HELPING MAKE ALL THIS HAPPEN!

THE TEAMWith the Lord’s help, the entire team grew from just me (Tez) to 12 very talented individuals. God was so good to me. Even though some of the team was virtual--which made team-building hard at times--we still managed to accomplish much for the Kingdom.

We consisted of: myself as the National Communications Director, three writers, two editors, three film-makers, one graphic designer, a photographer and a historical archivist.

As I was leaving the team was arranging to have a team of professional film-makers from the USA come to terach our staff how to use short films for evangelism.

Some other projects we accomplished are listed below.

Tez had the opportunity to go to the rural villages of Cambodia on a medical mission trip with GAiN (Global Aid Network). Over 1000 people were treated for medical, dental and vision issues. After treatment they all heard the gospel message and 67% responded by asking Jesus into their hearts. Tez saw one miracle too. A crippled boy started walking after he prayed for him. The following is a story he wrote about some of the participants who joined him:

Sydney couple, Martin and Deborah Chan, climb into a crowded vehicle for another long journey into the jungle. They have been married ten years, and this is their third medical mission trip with Global Aid Network (GAiN), a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ Australia. The dirt roads of this country in Southeast Asia are treacherous, rocking them back and forth as they hold on to the seats in front of them.

As an optometrist, Deborah will conduct eye exams and fit remote villagers with second-hand eyeglasses. Martin is handling the logistics of the trip, which includes almost 50 doctors, dentists, nurses and laypeople from America, Australia, Cambodia, China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. The worldwide community of the Christian faith brought them together for one cause— to serve the poor and needy who have not yet heard about Jesus. Everyone on the trip is a volunteer, paying his or her own way.

The convoy of five buses passes by rice fields and homes built on stilts. Many homes are constructed this way due to flooding during the wet season and also to provide livestock with shade during the heat of the day. Deborah looks out the window and starts giggling. “Last year I was under a home doing eye exams when a toddler in the house urinated on me. Piglets were running around my feet, but we still managed to help hundreds.”

Deborah recalls an elderly man almost blind with cataracts. She provided him with prescription glasses, and his face lit up.“He just kept smiling and saying, ʻI can see. I can see!ʼ I wondered if this was what Jesus experienced when He healed the blind man.”

After three hours on the bus, the Chans arrive at the village. Sick and afflicted villagers have started gathering. Martin organizes a chain of people to unload the supplies for the mobile clinic, carefully stepping around putrid puddles and heaps of trash. He pays careful attention to the the team members, making sure each receives all he or she needs for a good nightʼs sleep and nutritious meals. “We work long, hard days—I want to make sure everyone is well fed and rested so they keep up their stamina.”

“Even with the obstacles and difficulties, the desperation of the crowds drives us to keep coming back,” says Martin. “There are many ministries in the world different from what our little social circles might be into. God is doing more than what you think you already know. Heʼs invited each of us to go see what Heʼs doing around the globe—to see the bigger picture.”

“I used to feel unqualified to do a mission trip,” Deborah confesses. “I was waiting for some special training or something. After I returned, I met key people who helped me with growth and training. If I had waited, I may never have experienced that. People should just do it. Just go.”

CAMBODIAMedical Mission Trip

Deborah

We helped the widowed and abandoned

Sophea  Seng  lives  in  the  Kompong  Cham  province  of  Cambodia.  At  45-­‐years-­‐old  she  is  HIV-­‐infected  and  leading  three  house  churches.

She  contracted  the  virus  from  her  husband  before  he  died.  Her  relatives  and  neighbors  shunned  her,  believing  she  would  not  survive.  One  day  a  pastor  visited  and  shared  the  gospel  with  her,  explaining  that  Jesus  could  save  her.  When  she  Girst  heard  the  gospel,  she  did  not  really  understand  it.  

In  December  of  2007  the  JESUS  Gilm  came  to  her  village.  Although  in  a  wheelchair  and  with  failing  health,  she  decided  to  attend  the  showing.  As  she  watched  the  Gilm  with  200  others,  she  became  excited  when  Jesus  healed  the  sick.  This  Jesus  was  powerful!  She  broke  into  tears  recalling  the  visit  from  the  pastor  who  told  her  Jesus  could  save  her,  and  after  the  Gilm  she  prayed  to  receive  Christ.    

“I  will  serve  you  the  rest  of  my  life,  Lord,”  she  said.    She  immediately  began  sharing  the  gospel  to  fellow  villagers.  Despite  persecution  from  her  neighbors,  she  continued  to  walk  with  God  and  tell  people  of  His  healing  power  to  save.  Eventually  her  parents  and  other  relatives  prayed  to  receive  Christ  too.  

The  JESUS  Gilm  team  trained  her  to  lead  small  groups  and  disciple  new  believers.  Now  Sophea  leads  three  cell  groups  consisting  of  approximately  60  members.  Her  desire  is  to  see  more  house  churches  birthed  from  these  groups.  More  than  this,  Sophea  prays  her  life  will  be  a  testimony  of  God’s  grace  to  take  hopelessness  and  turn  it  into  fruitfulness.

Last  year  Campus  Crusade  for  Christ  Cambodia  showed  the  JESUS  Gilm  to  more  than  18,000  people.  Because  of  this,  their  Church  Planting  Movement  yielded  22  new  cell  groups.    

We helped with Cambodian church plantsI  watched  Malcolm  Campbell  kiss  his  wife  and  teenagers  goodbye  at  the  Sydney  airport.  He  was  about  to  Gly  to  Cambodia  with  me.  

A  former  missionary  with  Campus  Crusade  for  Christ  Australia  (CCCA),  Malcolm  now  serves  as  the  pastor  of  discipleship  –  including  overseeing  cell  groups  and  follow-­‐up  evangelism  –  at  Greenacre  Church  of  Christ  in  Sydney.

After  a  trip  to  Cambodia  with  CCCA  he  decided  to  invite  some  key  people  to  join  him.  When  they  returned  and  shared  their  excitement  for  what  God  is  doing  and  how  Greenacre  COC  could  help,  the  congregation  embraced  the  vision.  Today  he  was  on  his  third  trip  and  I  was  going  with  him.  We  became  fast  friends  within  the  Girst  day.

Malcolm  shares:  “Our  churchdecided  to  invest  in  a  long-­‐term  partnership  with  Campus  Crusade  for  Christ  Cambodia.  Our  goal  is  to  support  the  training  of  indigenous  leaders  who  can  organize  new  house  churches,  organically.”

The  use  of  strategies  like  the  JESUS  Gilm  has  proven  instrumental  in  establishing  and  supporting  multiple  cell  groups,  or  house  churches,  in  and  around  Kampong  Cham,  a  province  

northeast  of  the  capitol  city  of  Phnom  Phen.  It  is  in  this  area  that  Malcolm’s  church  has  been  most  active  when  they  visit.

In  addition  to  Campus  Crusade  Cambodia  showing  the  JESUS  Gilm,  which  results  in  new  converts  and  house  churches,  Global  Aid  Network  (GAiN)  also  is  involved.  GAiN  brings  free  medical  help  to  villages  and  allows  Malcolm  and  his  team  to  piggyback  off  their  ministry.  “There’s  even  a  small  movement  of  Christ-­‐followers  within  Cambodia’s  military  who  help  approve  the  supplies  we  bring.  What’s  going  on  at  Greenacre  COC  is  part  of  a  much  bigger  picture  of  spiritual  movements  happening  everywhere,”  says  Malcolm.  “Over  the  next  Give  years,  we  would  love  to  see  Greenacres  COC  birth  several  daughter  churches,  reaching  the  world  with  the  message  of  Jesus.”

Please  pray  for  Malcolm  and  his  church  as  they  seek  God’s  wisdom  for  more  church  plants.

We helped dig wellsSeveral  Aussie  teenagers  raised  money  to    dig  10  wells  across  Cambodia.  I  was  able  to  stay  and  see  the  opening  of  one  of  those  wells  and  the  life,  health  and  prosperity  it  brought  to  a  rural  farming  village.  Thanks  for  helping  make  this  happen.  

Please  pray  for  these  villages.  That  they  would  beneGit  right  away  from  drinking  clean  water  which  saves  children’s  lives  and  helps  crops  grow  for  better  income  and  improved  living  conditions.

Malcolm and me

Gday! My name is Bill Hodgson. I oversee the ministries of Campus Crusade in Australia.

My wife Faye and I have spent much time with Tez and Christine and the girls and miss them dearly. we are good friends and love them so much.

We first recruited Tezza and Christine to come serve with us here, we were not sure if they felt like God was calling them. Needless to say we were excited when they told us they were certain God had called them to minister with us on a short-term basis.

During the past two years the Lord has been so faithful and helped them accomplish much more than we anticipated just two years. Let me just review some of what they have accomplished during their stint:

• Started up a Communications Dept from scratch• Added professional equipment and training for film makers• Edited dozens of radio shows for Family Life Australia• Produced 6 magazine issues for major donors and partners.• Brought medical treatment and the gospel to over 1000

Cambodians• Trained missionaries on how to write monthly newsletters• Counseled university students about dating• Improved and updated our websites and communications• Shared the gospel with many school parents and neighbors • ...and much more

None of this was possible without your support. I just wanted to say “thank you” for making it possible to bring them here to help propel our goals to reach Aussies. Your money and your prayers have had a much farther reach than you will ever imagine. Tez and Christine’s have added capacity to mobilize hundreds of Aussie missionaries, in order to take the gospel to Australians across the country. What a gift you have given to CCCA and to the Kingdom of God!

If you are ever in Melbourne, I invite you to visit our national mission centre here where the Brooks worked, and see for yourself what God is doing around Australia and the world.

May the Lord richly bless you.

Bill

A WORD FROM BILL HODGSON, CCCA NATIONAL DIRECTOR

WHAT’S NEXT?LAKE HART STINT

In April 2011, Tez and Christine will be moving back to Orlando for one year to explore where God is leading for the next chapter of their adventure. It could be working long-term at the International headquarters at Lake Hart. Or it could be for another field ministry elsewhere in America or overseas again. This next year will allow them to hear from God about this.

A Lake Hart STINT is a one-year program for missionaries that are transitioning into another area of ministry. In addition, the Brooks’ will go through extensive de-briefing for reverse culture

shock in order to adjust to life in America as well as some much needed leadership training and even theological training.

Pray for Tez, Christine, Jadyn and Anicah as they continue to hear from the Lord during this time. Thank you for your prayer and support.

THIER NEW ADDY:12084 Lake Cypress Circle #103Orlando, FL 32828(407) 797-4408