Happy New Year!

I cannot believe that I have been home 3 weeks already! I have had a good time while here! I am looking at heading back to Cairns towards the end of January. I am excited to head back and see what the New Year brings!
There is a song by Hawk Nelson called Crazy Love and they sing about how the world looks at us like we are ridiculous, its all because of this Crazy Love! Loved by a relentless God! He(God) loves everyone so much, He has a plan specific for each and everyone of us, my heart is for everyone to know A; God loves them and Jesus died for them, and B: that His plan for them is good and they can get out from under the weight of their past and mistakes!
God is so good!
Love to you all and be blessed this New Year! Look for God in all you do! He desires to have a REALtionship with you, to spend time with you and to lead you in all things!!!

Christmas?? But its 90 degrees out!!!!

I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone this trip, its funny how I always think, " Oh I have plenty of time to send out a newsletter," Sorry to those that have been waiting, looks like it will be a Christmas/missions newsletter.
Things to do when I get back:
Sleep.
Catch up on movies.
visit with family and friends
Taco Bell
Dr. Pepper
Peppermint Mocha
Spread the word about what God is doing here in Australia.
PRAY.
Get ready to come back here.
Not necessarily in that order =D
 I know I say this alot but I cannot wait to see what God has in store this next year. I expect BIG things in 2011, Salvation's, healing's, you name it! Islands!
God is so good and He needs us to move on this earth! I love following God!!
See you all Stateside in a week!!!!
Love,
Deborah

When did I become a missionary??

It has just hit me that my life is not normal =D Crazy I know, but I don't like to think about that kinda of stuff. But here I am on the other side of the world doing things I would have never thought I would do on a regular basis. From helping home school to helping with a catalog delivery route, to praying for people, to teaching in kids class to playing keyboards to going to the homeless shelters....... There is so much more and yet I find myself asking "God there are so much better equipped people for this than me," I am not trying to toot my own horn. I am just amazed at what God has given me! The opportunity to be here making a difference and to be here during all the groundwork being laid down for the next steps in this great adventure that's called Following God!
 Please remember those that are serving on the mission field! If you know of people overseas in missions, if you can drop them a line of encouragement. It is not always easy to be so far away from what use to be comfortable. They are truly a force to be reckoned with and the are facing some major obstacle's to get God's word out there! I love missionaries if you haven't noticed =D We are all called to GO but those that GO all over the world are my hero's!!

Thanks for all your love and support!!

Deborah

truth quotes, needed for such a time as this

"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (creator of all things) but through Me." Jesus, the Messiah speaking in the Christian Bible. John 14:6

The Truth is heavy, therefore few care to carry it.

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. ---Josh Billings

Truth stood on one side and Ease on the other; it has often been so. --Theodore Parker

The truth that makes us free is always ticking away like a time-bomb in the basement of everybody’s church. --Robert Farrar Capon

Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.-- Winston Churchill

To see what is in front of one's nose requires a constant struggle. -- George Orwell

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

We are often unprepared for Truth, which is why Truth is revealed to us progressively. --Chip Brogden

There are few nudities so objectionable as the naked truth. --Agnes Repplier

Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable. --Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Truth: the most deadly weapon ever discovered by humanity. Capable of destroying entire perceptual sets, cultures, and realities. Outlawed by all governments everywhere. Possession is normally punishable by death.-- John Gilmore

Do not fear to repeat what has already been said. Men need the truth dinned into their ears many times and from all sides. The first rumor makes them prick up their ears, the second registers, and the third enters.--Rene Theophile Hyacinthe LaÎnnec

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. --Jim Davis

The truth is "hate speech" only to those who have something to hide.--Michael Rivero

From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth; from the laziness that is content with half-truths; from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth – oh God of Truth deliver us!—Unknown

The search for truth implies a duty. One must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true. --Albert Einstein

God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please; you can never have both. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. --Thoreau

Peace if possible, truth at all costs.-- Martin Luther

In this world, those who seek the truth will also find trouble. --Gary Amirault

One truth out of context can prove very dangerous. –Gregory Phillips

The truth is "hate speech" only to those who have something to hide. -- Michael Rivero

To some the truth is an insult, to others life from the dead. --Gary Amirault

Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it. No ulterior motives. No hidden meanings. An absence of hypocrisy, duplicity, political games, and verbal superficiality. As honesty and real integrity characterize our lives, there will be no need to manipulate others.--Chuck Swindoll

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. --George Orwell

Candor is a double-edged sword; it may heal or it may separate. Wilhelm Stekel

Honesty consists of the unwillingness to lie to others; maturity, which is equally hard to attain, consists of the unwillingness to lie to oneself.--Sydney J. Harris

The ability to lie is a liability.--Unknown

Friends, if we be honest with ourselves, we shall be honest with each other.--George MacDonald

When in doubt, tell the truth. --Mark Twain

Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said.--Mark Twain

It matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth. --CS Lewis

"It's not a matter of what is true that counts but a matter of what is perceived to be true." --Henry Kissinger

Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. -- Vincent de Paul

The folks who know the truth aren't talking…. The ones who don't have a clue, you can't shut them up! --Tom Waits

If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth we must still march on. --Stopford Brooke

First they ignore it, then they laugh at it, then they say they knew it all along. --Alexander Humbold

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. --Arthur Schopenhauer

Truth, the only thing that will change the life of a person from one of death to one of life.

Know the Truth and it will set you free

God moving

I find it interesting that even when you are going about doing what God has called you to, that He is also preparing you for the next step. How great is He that not only can we be moving and doing but also learning and growing for the next level. Think back to how your life has gone. Can you see the fingerprints of God in your life? Can you see where you did something that at the time didn't make sense but know is something that you use all the time? Now I am not saying that God causes bad things to happen to us to teach us. That would be like saying at Christmas you should give knives to kids in order for them to learn not to play with knives. Foolish right :D
The awesome thing about God is He can take something that the devil or someone may have tried to steal, kill or destroy us with and turn it around so we can show God's glory out of it. He(God) is always mindful of us and always watching out for us. The Bible says He will lead us with His Spirit in all truth!
Its our job to listen and respond to that leading.

I find that more and more true each day being here. Talking with new believers and even the unsaved. If I trust the Spirit to lead me in what to say and do then I know that God is working in me on their behalf. Things I would never think to say come out and you see the proverbial light bulb go off in their head! God knows how to best reach everyone that is lost and hurting. There is no one formula that will work for everyone. Just as how God deals with you differently than He deals with me, than it stands to reason it would be the same for the lost right? I am astounded at the vastness of God and His infinite wisdom!! Who are we that His in mindful of us! WOW!

People here are so hungry for the things of God. I was talking to one lady over lunch the other day and it was amazing how much she was pulling, wanting to know and talk about what she is getting from the bible and from books. Such a unsatisfied hunger for God. It compels me each time to evaluate myself and see where I am lacking in my walk with God. He is so good!

Keep us in your prayers and we walk out the new paths God has for this ministry and for the Islands. Please pray for the Church as it grows and expands with new believers. Please pray for doors opening to the North with Aborigine camps and also the Islands! I will be sending out a newsletter soon with more information as soon as I can! Thank you!

Deep thinking late at night!!

I am reading this book ( a true story) and in it this man who is going on the Mercy Ships to the South Pacific Isands has just encoutered a people group on a island and in the book he says " I remember feeling as I had felt from the beginning of this affair- that the whole thing was happening in spite of me. Was I being carried along by the force of God's loving appointment to fulfill these people's long years of expectation?"

I was struck by the power of this statement. God isnt willing that any should perish.
I am reminded that in James 5:7 it says "be patient brethren, till the coming of the Lord. see how the Farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. See how He keeps up His patient vigil over it until He recieves the early and the late rains.
I see first hand and hear why Jesus hasn't returned. He is waiting for the precious harvest of the earth! People! His people that have never heard! Jesus said " Lift up your eyes for the fields are ripe with harvest"
He desires people!!!
He loves them so much! He loves you so much!!!
Just sharing my heart with all you!!!

Give me Your eyes

This song is by Brandon Heath. I love it! It always reminds me to look beyond what I can see. To want to have God's eyes towards people!


Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what?s underneath

There?s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, he's buying time

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I've been there a million times
A couple of million eyes just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well, I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You see the people all alone

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
That I keep missing

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

alot of thoughts

so one  of the guys the is homeless but has been coming to church and gave his life to Jesus. He told Pastor Stephen that this Sunday past he wanted to put something in offering ( he doesnt have a job) a friend gave him $2.50 for bus fare to make sure he could get to church. Well when he got on the bus and got to his stop the bus driver told him it would be $2. So he was so excited to have .50 cents to put in offering! I helped with offering and got to pass the bucket to him! He was so excited and proud to put it in!!!
I was reminded how much fun it is finding out about God and His goodness! This man has never experienced church or God and he is so excited about that whole thing!!


I cannot believe how fast time is going here! I am so happy to be a part of all this! I know God has so much to do here!

Today before we went to the Shelter, we were walking on the street and saw a bat that had hit a powerline with both wings and fried itself. Must say I took a picture because, A. it was funny and B. it was FUNNY!!
Some people may be offended by that but it was so surreal!!

On another note:  I am random tonight but anyone that knows me already is aware of my randomness..
Missions is a big deal. Moving to another country is a big deal. Moving to another country with your spouse and 3 kids is a HUGE DEAL!! My friends are so amazing! Not many people can pull off Ministry full time, work, Pioneering a church and homeschooling and keeping the family unit working!! They are an inspiration to me! They are God's hands and feet moving her ein Australia. Have you thanked your missionaries for all they do? It is not an easy thing to leave all the comforts of your "normal" life and say " yes God, send me!"
I am not tooting my own horn I have the ease of leaving in December  and then coming back. They are here for the long haul. I think of the others I know in Hong Kong, India, Mongolia, The Stan nations and so on.
Each person, couple, family, has sacrificed to be there. They are a different breed. They have a Paul personality of not being satsified. I want to be like that. To put others above my own wants and desires. To see God's kingdom increased with these people that God loves so much! He has plans for them not unlike the ones He has for me! To see them mature and grow into Seasoned christians that know God and follow His Spirit! Thats what I desire. God isnt willing that any should perish and I want what He wants!

Service

So today was Sunday morning. I wish you could all be here to see the changes take place in these newly saved ones that come from the Shelters! We had 3 salvations and 2 confirmed healings today. God is so good!

Its hard to believe that it has been over a month since I arrived. Each week is jam packed with both the day to day stuff and also ministering with Pastors Stephen and Rachel in the Nursing home and Shelter. And then Sunday I do whatever is needed in service, from Powerpoint to praying for people. It is fun to be a part of a ministry in its beginning stages. Its so amazing to see the changes week to week in the new believers. To see an outward change reflecting what happened to them on the inside by accepting Jesus!
I hope I never take for granted how life altering having a relationship with God is!! He is so good and has good plans for all of us!! I want to shout it from the roof tops about how good God is!! There is nothing He cannot do and noone He cannot use are accept!!!!
Rejoice in the knowledge that He loves you!! Rejoice that He saved you! Rejoice that His thoughts towards you are for good!!! REJOICE!!!!

Love, Deborah

(me and Rachel)

Pastor Stephen and Rachel Macri

Freedom Harvest Ministries Int.

forgot!

I forgot to tell you all a big thank you for all who support and supported me to get here. Because of you I bought a box of bibles to give out to the newly saved. THANKS TO YOU THE WORD IS GETTING OUT THERE!!!!
Love and thanks,
Deborah

Dija Meta

We went to the nursing home yesterday, I shared alittle on God's love and Rachel tied it together but then it was just a time to sit and listen, to let these former leaders of their generation share their life. One man was from Germany but left because of the wall, didnt want to raise a family where he was seeing people killed trying to be free..
Everyone has a story and a life. They have or had hopes, dreams, failures, heartache, and love.

The nursing homes here are not like America, they have the "christian" ones but no Aboriginies are allowed there.
So they have this on called Dija Meta where they don't care the color of your skin. You have former Germans and Aborignies, Australians and Islanders.
These people matter to God. The bible talks about doing for the very least of these in His name. Since God knows the number of hairs on my head I am certain He isnt finished with these precious "silver" aged people.  To sit and show you care for someone by letting them talk and not spreading your agenda or making them rush because they are taking your "valuable" time, isnt that compassion? putting someone else above yourself? Again I am so happy to be here and be a part of what God is doing in this Nation./

Other news. I went to the beach yesterday. No matter what is going on the ocean always amazes me. The ocean doesnt respect anyone or anything, it will hit the sand as hard as it hits the rocks. It will knock you off your feet as easy as plastic bag blows around in the wind.
The ocean doesnt care what color or age or sex you are. It justs does what it was created to do. It touches the world.

Just sharing my thoughts with you all. I hope thats okay :-)

Just me.

work....

I have been here almost a month now. Its not without its challenges but man do I love being here! Both being around my friends and helping them with theit ministry, but there is not greater thrill than knowing you are smack dab in the center of God's plan for your life!!!
That being said it has been eye opening here. I do not think I could fully explain what it is like in the shelters where the homeless are and in the nursing homes where the older people are. There is such a hopelessness in both places.
I am reminded time and time again that God has a plan and purpose for them as much as for me.
There is one man who has gotten saved that makes me smile everytime I see him. He has changed outwardly so much! He comes to church with a smile on his face and the nicest clothes he has! ( he is homeless). I am sure God just grins ear to ear when he sees him!!
I am happy to be in a place where I can help the missionaries so much. I am willing to do anything they need me to do. Life is good and I know this is only the start.