November 2006

G'Day from Australia!

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matthew 6:25-26)

These are the words that have echoed with me since beginning this journey down under almost a month ago.

It all began at the Louisville airport with mix-ups on tagging my luggage. They could not tell me which to airport my luggage was heading, but they said, "It's no big deal (to them). You just trace it when it doesn't arrive." So I started the trip with a 50% assurance of no luggage.

Then as the plane was heading into Honolulu the pilot came on, "Folks, need to let you know…a large earthquake has just hit Hawaii. We think we are going to be able to land, (Hello? If you can't land in Hawaii, where CAN you land???) but we're not sure what conditions we'll have. Well, we landed after the largest earthquake to hit Hawaii in 30 years in an airport with no power--no flights, no jetways, no lights, no food, no water, no bathrooms. I had to get over to Maui to a retreat house, but rockslides had closed some of the main roads I needed to get up into the hills. Without water and rest, my illness began to flare up and I had two near fainting episodes while waiting for hours for a flight off the island. The prospect of spending the night on the floor of the Honolulu airport trying not to pass out seemed certain. Welcome to your vacation!

But I was one of the lucky ones who made it over to Maui that night. Power was restored and I was able to get up to the house, and settled in for a few days of snorkeling all day, working on my talks all night. Monday, the trade winds stopped and the first rainstorm in almost a year began. Rain fell in sheets, flooding roads and kicking up the surf. I was told not to go near the ocean, due to rip tides and sharks.

Wednesday the rain stopped and I ventured into the water. And spotted my first shark. Thursday I was picked up by a wave and thrown against a coral reef. The horrible pain made me think I had cut my leg on the reef. But no, I had tangled with a large sea urchin, and there were 4 inch barbed, venomous spines sticking out of my leg. I looked like I'd lost a fight with a porcupine. Some marine biologists on the beach were able to break off the spines (the barbs have to work their way out) and neutralized the venom, with a warning to get to the hospital if infection set in.

Friday there was high surf all around the island. After finding two equally insane men to spot each other and search for live bodies after each breaker, I went body surfing in 10 foot waves. What an adrenaline rush! As if I needed more. When I returned, I found that thieves had stolen my credit card, my cash and my laptop. Thud. I have been praying that it would be God's words--not mine--that people hear from up front, and I suppose that's one way to accomplish it. But maybe not the route I'd have chosen.

Saturday I seriously considered giving up and heading home, but my parents raised me to honor my commitments. So I boarded the first of three flights to New Zealand. Yes… (you can see this one coming around the corner, can't you?)...mechanical problems. We were grounded in Honolulu for a while, then we could not land once we reached Sydney. Qantas was determined not to pay for hotels for us Kiwi-bound folks, so they had us running down the aisles through all 75 rows as soon as the plane hit the runway, flight attendants freaking out, and ran us up the stairs and onto another plane as soon as they could pry open the doors. So I did make it Auckland by 2 AM. Leaving my luggage back in Sydney. There are few things more unsatisfying than to finally get a shower after three long flights, only to put your old dirty clothes on again.

Thus began my ministry down under.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31)

And through it all, the birds. I've been watching the birds and marveling over the divine diversity of size, colors, personalities and antics in Hawaii, in New Zealand, in Australia--and they are not worried. They are not concerned over lost luggage and stolen laptops.

God has protected me. God has provided for me. God has prepared me. God has used me. God has held me. God has loved me so lavishly on this trip through His Spirit and through His people.

His eye is on the sparrow…

"I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2)

And Friday, November 17, we head out to the Blue Mountains to do the Refresh Retreat. Two years in the vision, planning, praying, coordinating. So many answered prayers already. See http://www.refreshretreat.com.au

Please pray:

For God's words to speak deep into every heart, whether people are not yet sure God exists, or have been walking with Him for decades That people will be challenged to know God, and to grow in intimacy and obedience For God to give me His words, His illustrations, His direction as I prepare For all of the decisions, logistics, finances, timing, travel, nuts-and-bolts of this event For a ripple effect across Australia and the world--we have people from the UK and Africa as well! And for a safe journey home for me…

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I could not do this without your support, prayers, finances, kindness, friendship, and encouragement. Never a dull moment along this road!

In His love,

Linda

P.S. ...with special gratitude to the Psalm One and Oz/ZN Prayer Teams, who have kept me going!