When lines fall in pleasant places...

Ok, we're one week out from our departure date, we're on the threshold of a new adventure. It's an exciting experience to step out in the unknown and discover some new horizons. At the moment we're busy packing the house and we're trying to put all those loose ends together, there are so many things you have to think of when making a big move. I'm glad Phoebe and I are in this together, I would definitely miss some of those loose ends if I would do something like this on my own. But looking at our progress now, the lines do seem to fall in pleasant places. The first line to drop in a pleasant place, was when my parents decided to fly us over to Holland for a holiday, wow, that was totaly unexpected, they are so generous! Another pleasent line was that we thought we might need a few Visas, but after a bit of research we discovered that a European Citizen doesn't need a visa to work and live in the UK, and we would only need a family permit for Phoebe, at no cost, and that gives Phoebe the same rights as me, great news! Apart from that I have been accepted after applying for a job in the Site & Facilities department at Ellel Pierrepont for the duration of our stay, which will contribute in making ends meet. We also have our extended church family within reach with Hillsong London not being to far away, we're looking forward to seeing some familiar faces from years back and getting connected in church life over there. One of the big lines falling in the right place is seeing our family in Holland, and some of my long lost friends (at least that's what it feels like), I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone!
There are still a few lines that need to land in the right spot, but we believe that they will. We are convinced in our hearts that this step in our journey is in line with God's will for us at this point in time. So, we'll be hopping on that plane next week!

Welcome to our blog

"Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom, and healed their sick. "
Luke 9:11 (Foundational scripture for Ellel Ministries)

Well here we are setting up our first blog entry so that we can stay in contact with all of our loved ones while we go overseas to pursue the next stage in our journey with God. In 3 weeks we head off to Holland for a time with Tims family. They have paid for our airfare over, and we cant wait to see everyone and hug and kiss them! First, we go to the campsite in the centre of Holland called Het Beloofde Land (The Promised Land) http://www.beloofde-land.nl where we will stay for a week and experience Dutch Summer. Then we head back to Tims village of Strijen in the south. It is a picturesque, postcard village (aside from being one of the highest drug capitals in Holland!), and we are looking forward to riding along beside the canals, and through the polders. Its a beautiful place, and you really do feel like you are in another world. Which you are. That becomes obvious when you see the size of everyone! Phoebe looks like a Hobbit in comparison, without the big feet. Tim just said, "Phoebe Baggins", which I hope wont stick. :) Family time will be wonderful-lots of long talks over coffee and Dutch treats (no, not that kind). We will get to meet new members of our family that have married in, or been fostered in. Thats one thing we look forward to. Seeing how everyone has grown up.

We also hope to see other parts of Europe while we are there, before we head over to the UK and the Ellel Ministries. Also, we thought we'd volunteer ourselves for the first ever Hillsong Conference in Europe (are we crazy?). Between us we have worked in pretty much every department for conference, so hopefully will be able to help. October 7 is the enrolment date for the NETS course, that Phoebe is attending for 6 months (2 terms). Tim will work on staff during that time, most likely in onsite facilities. We will have our food and accomodation included, and will live on the campus, which is a beautiful Old English estate, complete with Tudor house, grand hall and manicured gardens...it will be like living in a novel, and speaking of, Jane Austens house is nearby I am told. We are also going to be close to Frensham Ponds which is apparently like the Botanic Gardens, and is a lovely and peaceful place for walks. http://www.ellel.org

For those of you unfamiliar with this ministry, we encourage you to check it out. We have been inspired and helped by this ministry since 2002 and I (Phoebe) in particular has received a lot of ministry and support through the Australian base at Menangle (just outside of Campbelltown). Ellel Ministries is ministry of healing to the Body of Christ, and this course is a one of a kind. C.Peter Wagner of Global Harvest calls Ellel the Cadillac of healing ministries.
There are shorter courses that can be done in Australia through their Menangle base, but there is no substitute for a concentrated block of time soaking up the teaching and the atmosphere, seeing the ministry in practise. The course goes for 2 terms with an optional 3rd term which is a missions trip using all the skills learned, and if invited to participate, I can then do the Diploma which is a fourth term.