When God makes a way...

Just to give you a little bit of the background of our journey. Phoebe has had it on her heart for a few years now to do the training course at Ellel Pierrepont, just over a year ago we prayed about going then, but I felt it wasn't the right time for us to go, so we put our plans on the shelf for a while. Then a number of months ago we had a time of prayer together and specifically asked God: "do You want us to go to Ellel this year?" After a few moments of silence and listening to God's still small voice we both had received an impression. Phoebe felt that God said: "I see no obstacles.", and I heard Don Moen's song playing in my mind:"God will make a way, where there seems to be no way..." That was the confirmation for us!

One thing we can make up out of what God said then is that at times on our journey it is going to look like there will seem to be no way. Just the over a week ago we had a moment like that. Phoebe and I went to change our plane-ticket for the return flight to Australia, because when the tickets were booked originally we would only stay in Holland for 3 weeks. I rang KLM and found out the tickets could only be changed at the travel-agent where the tickets were originally booked. So we headed out to the travel-agent and they told us we weren't able to change our tickets and we would have to buy new ones to get back to Australia. We asked them if there wasn't a way around the conditions our tickets were under, but they said 'there is no way.' As we left the office Phoebe said to them: "maybe the rules will change between now and the time we leave." They felt sorry for not being able to do anything for us. Later that week I tried KLM again, but got the same message, that it had to be done through the travel-agent. We also found out that the lady who originally booked the tickets had told my mother they really felt sorry for us. My mum replied that the rules might change and that God would be able to change things around. The lady replied that she would start believing in that God if that would happen. Well... you can feel it coming, on Thursday night the day before the tickets would expire I called KLM again, this time to cancel the tickets. The customer service operator who took the call was very helpful, I explained the reason of my call and she replied that she would look to see if there was a way for us to change the date of our return flight... and after being put on hold several times, as she was finding out if there was a possibility, she told me that it was possible, we would have to pay some extra money, but there was a way! So we changed the date on our tickets, and we won't have to pay the additional costs until the day of our departure.

How great is our God, He is the way-maker! He works in ways we cannot see!

PS: The lady of the travel agent rang my mum, because she was surprised to receive notification from KLM that the tickets were changed. She hasn't become a believer yet, but my mum is going to follow her up on what she said and have a chat with her.

voor de Nederlanders onder ons (for the dutch among us)

Als jullie ons financieel willen ondersteunen, dan kan dat door geld over te maken naar:

Girorekening: 41 41 900
t.n.v: TJ Bakker
Patrijsstraat 63
3291 XN Strijen
o.v.v: Ellel

Dit geld zal grotendeels naar Phoebe's schoolkosten gaan.

Alvast bedankt!

MISSING EVERYONE

OK so I know that we dont see everyone all the time anyway, but there is something about NOT being able to see someone that makes you miss them even more. Today was a day to think about Church...being a Sunday...and all I could think was its not the same. Church is the people I worship next to or see week after week, its not the building or Hillsong or the music or the preaching. Its the Body. The people I love and have become connected to through meeting each week to love God and love life and love people. Thats irreplaceable. You are irreplaceable. Just thought i would say that today.

I'm also missing my family. I knew that when we left we were gong for a while, but now I know how long a week is in another country. I'm homesick, and waking up to the fact that i wont hug my mum at Christmas or her birthday. I wont get to see my sister, or be there for her birthday. I'll miss Fathers Day and seeing my dad this year was one of my highlights. And then there are the milestones I'm missing. I wont see Amielle's first walk or hear her first words. I wont see Ellie turn 2 or watch Rachaels belly grow. I wont get to see Karen off at the airport as she takes her faith step to Canada, I wont be at Melisa's exhibition of all her fabulous paintings, I wont be there for Kylie as she does a life change, I wont be there for Racquels big promotion, and I'll miss all that God does in church life with the Dramatic Arts team and the illustrated sermons...I'll miss Hillsongwomen and seeing what beautiful things God does in SAFE. I'm so pumped about being here, and I'm looking forward to Ellel (although it probably doesn't sound like it!), but I realise I didnt say my goodbyes well enough. I tried, but its not easy to say what you need to in the moment. OK so i'm going to go now because i'm tearing up. Obviously this post is from Phoebe and not Tim. All you guys can just skip it. And if you read til here, I congratulate you on your mushy heart. :)

OK so the main thing is I LOVE YOU

Our Bank Details

A few people have asked for our bank details so they can support Phoebe in doing the NETS course. That was a surprise to us that anyone would want to do that, but we are grateful. For Phoebe to do this course is a step of faith, and we really dont know how its all going to come together. We do know that it will, and that God will make a way.


BSB 112-879
ACC 067261993
St George Bank
Mr TJ & Mrs PJ Bakker


If you feel that you can help us...THANK YOU.

more dutch pictures

I think the Dutch are actually obsessed with cheese, and it is one of the many upsides to this place that a massive chunk is available on a daily basis. They are also pretty particular about it which is educational for me. I tend to go for the biggest for the least amount of money, but here its all about the quality.
Check closer and read the nameplate -is that a joke?
Holland is the largest supplier of flowers worldwide, apparently, and not just of tulips, either. Consequently, there are beautiful blooms down every street, along the road, draping over balconies, climbing over trellises, gliding by on bicycles, or enjoying a cup of tea at the cafe with you.
ok. this one makes me laugh out loud. Where else could you eat chocolate sprinkles and curls of dark chocolate on bread for breakfast without it being some childs birthday? This display is in the supermarket, and is only some of the candy they call food. Some of it is coloured candy, powdered sugar, little balls of white, dark and milk chocolate...quite amazing, really. It feels so wrong to eat it without it being a celebration, so when i do, i celebrate whatever day it is! Happy Tuesday to me....Happy Tuesday to me...
This one is right near Tims house and made me stop and go ohhhhhhhh...wow...... there was another one, also by Vermeer. Dutch window displays go up another level....

Random pics from Oud Beijerland

These are all random pics from our day out on Thursday to Oud Beijerland. It was sunny and beautiful. Couldn't have asked for a better day. We shopped (yay) and drank Ice Tea, people watched (my absolutely favourite thing) and ate Stroop Waffels sttraight from the hotplate. They should be illegal, and they are the reason why today i went for a 2 hour walk!!! Everyone here eats them all the time...and they stay tall and skinny (one of Gods jokes on us). One of the nicest things about being here is how quiet it is. Take all the cars out, and what you hear is people, birds, music. I hadn't realised how much traffic was in the background of my conversations before, until it was gone. Now, when a car comes along, its an intrusion. Its like, why does he have to drive so noisily?
Tim said he hadn't realised how "Dutch"everything was before, but after 7 years, he sees what I see- a whole other culture. They do smoke a lot though, so they have that strike against them. We are spoilt in Australia in that regard. That cafe on the left is where we had our tea, and we looked down onto the old guys...
The waffle in my hand is filled with syrup and is eaten at afternoon tea (usually a bit smaller though). It is surprisingly filling. Well thats all for now...thanks for checking!!!xx

only in the Netherlands

Look closer and you can see the little dog. Here is why the Dutch air is so clean. Bikes dont cause pollution. Who's for a car free Australia? Oh yeah. Hills District. That would be hilly, right? Here you can ride for 40 km and not notice. Today we walked for 2 hours and because it was flat (and so pretty) I only realised later on it was so long. We did the shops and market at a place called Oud Beijerland on Thursday, and more of Tims village today. Oud Beijerland is on the harbour, is chockablock full of old houses and quirky little things, and right next to it is a fantastic shopping mall similar to Strand Arcade but without the prices. I got some major bargains and so did Tims mum. Then we had Ice Tea overlooking the corso and people watched for a while. There are the cutest old guys who congregate in the centre of the town and just watch everyone go by, nattering away, and so i had to get a picture. Unfortunately Blogger has issues with pictures right now so will try again once i stop beating my head against the wall...

Going Dutch

Well here we are, safe and sound on the ground in the Netherlands. Its also called the low-lands, seeing as most of the country is below sea-level. Maybe cancel the safe part...
Its a pretty village-postcard material-with cobblestone streets lined with flowers and typical dutch style houses. Most have a large picture window with a beautiful artistic arrangement designed to outdo the neighbours. The trees are green green green and the land is flat flat flat. This canal is in the centre of Strijen, and while it looks peaceful now, this foreshore is packed with people over the weekends pulling up in their boats to go the cafes. Very cosmopolitan! We haven't had a chance to see much as yet due to torrents of rain we only wish we could get in Australia, but tomorrow we head into the town to sort out plane tickets and mobile phones. Hopefully will get a chance to take some photos near Tims house besides the one below.


This is a path nearby Tims old house that leads to a nice walk along one of the canals that has little wooden fishing platforms all along it which are great for picnics. Its very peaceful as there is hardly ever anyone around, which is crazy because its so nice.
We have spent our days indoors mostly due to weather, also at the campsite. Its great weather for drinking coffee and tea (which the Dutch are great at) and long conversations during which Phoebe zones out after her dutch quota is reached. Phoebe had the chance to see the inside of the emergency ward on Wednesday night, after riding a slippery slide of mud on her bike, right into someones tent! Everyone was okay, but she was embarrassed and has had her arm in a sling ever since. Aside from a hole from landing on a tent peg, a few bruises (and dented pride) and having to navigate spiral stairs one armed, she is fine. Have been trying to upload picture of her in her sling but not working so far.
Its been good to see family, and its like no time has passed at all. Will be spending the next few weeks catching up with my brothers and sister (and sisters in law) as well as showing Phoebe around the countryside. Pray for her Dutch as my mum has threatened to stop using english so she has to learn! Phoebe did do a Beginners Dutch course, but says, no one here speaks beginners dutch!
I was asked to sing some songs in my parents church on Sunday, which was a great opportunity to minister. I did "Fruit Salad, yummy yummy" from the Wiggles. ;-P
The campsite was great, and the caravan we stayed in was surprisingly spacious. When we arrived my mum and sister had a welcome hamper of typical dutch foods (mostly the chocolate kind) and had even done little touches like a pretty bedspread (thinking of Phoebe). We got to meet our newest nephew, Tristan who is pretty cute, and see Phillip grown up and talking! We had only seen him stand for the first time 4 years ago. We also got to meet Anita, who is my oldest brother's bride. And we got to meet my 2 new foster brothers Davy (5 years old) and Jailson (7 years old).
Our stay here in the low-lands is only our first stop on the journey to England with destination Ellel Pierrepont, it feels a bit strange to leave everything behind in Australia and being 'home-less' for a while, but we know it's part of the stepping out in faith and following what we believe is the will of God for us at this point in our lives. Please keep us in your prayers, and feel free to drop us an email timandphoebe@gmail.com or place a comment on this blog-entry (we've changed the settings so anyone can comment).

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.