Hey everyone,just wanted to give a quick update; for the past few weeks the Lord has reminded me repeatedly that not only is He able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph3:20), He is willing and He does. It has been so exciting to watch God do what He does; providing finances, fellowship, resources, most of all His presence and power. God's comforting touch, His gracious gifts, and His awesome power has manifested His presence beyond all we could have asked for or even thought of.
We had a great trip to New Zealand. It was incredibly beautiful. We stayed at a ranch in Rotorua with Pastor Scott and his wife Jebraun Clifford. Its about a 3.5hr drive south from Auckland. Mark and Gwen Walsh are also living on the property, Mark is serving as director of the bible college, which is in its first semester. Bill and Joy Welsh, with their daughter Starlin (from the Refuge Calvary Chapel; Huntington Beach, CA) came to minister at a one day church workers conference. They have left NZ for Australia for another conference taking place in Western Aus, Nov 19-22. The ranch itself was amazing; horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens...zip line, swings, confidence course, and its own private secluded lake. We got to go horseback riding, feed the animals, hiking, hot springs, etc... But aside from the natural beauty/fun, all the people at the church (CC Rotorua) and bible college were a wonderful manifestation of God's grace. For me, the fellowship and ministry was the highlight! We returned to Australia drenched in the living water of the Spirit and engulfed by God's love. The kids were also super blessed and had a hard time leaving, especially Nina with the horses. Lastly, be going out of the country and returning our visas have been renewed for another 3 months.
Yesterday I received a phone call from the Sr Minister at St Matthew's Anglican church (in Manly Beach), he's really pushing through their beauracratic red tape to get me hired as their evangelistic coordinator and chaplain. He called to confirm that I'll be at an interview/dinner scheduled with the board of directors, Tuesday night (Nov 16). He's already met with the board and they grilled him with questions about me. Mainly their concerns are doctrinal differences and the fact that we're starting a church yet seeking employment with them. What's interesting (kind of comical) is that the Sr Minister and assistant pastors all want me to get the job, so they're going to prepare me to stand before the board (go over the questions they'll ask me) so I'll pass the test, so to speak. Classic God!!! That said, I'm fully convinced that God's will will be done; if God wants me to work with St Matt's, He'll open the door that no man can open. If He doesn't want me to get the job, He'll close the door that no man can shut. For now, I'm just going along for the ride...we'll see how it turns out?
This Sunday will be the first service for the Refuge. This much I know; I have a music stand for a pulpit, and sandwich board sign to point people to the church, we'll take communion, I know what I'm teaching (John 7:37-38; "if anyone thirst let him come to me and drink..."), and at least one other family will be present (the Andersons). At this point, we're planning to sing accapella or follow a praise CD to praise the Lord with singing. But we know if God will's, He can provide a humble/gifted musician to lead us in singing...we're praying for this. I'm super excited to meet and get started and really looking forward to seeing what God does!We've paid for the use of the community hall for the rest of the year and are securing insurance as we speak, also pray we get our insurance certificate by Friday. Today I have to drive into the city (Sydney) to pick up a printer that is being donated to the church. Driving in the city is scary...please pray it goes smoothly, without any catastrophe's.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you richly as you serve Him and labor along side us in His work.
Brad, Christy, Malena, Jesse, & Nina Hall
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Update - October 17th
Greetings from down unda…
Much has taken place since our last update;
a few weeks ago we were blessed to be a part of kids camp (ages 9-13) that ran from Sunday to Friday. 90+ kids were in attendance, many of which do not go to church or know the Lord. Christy and I were house parents for the camp, she administered first aid and served as the camp nurse while I walked around and drank coffee all day. Actually, we were responsible for monitoring cabin cleanliness, help with some of the tough/troubled kids, watch the kids for an hour each afternoon to give the cabin leaders a much needed break, and I taught the morning devotions for the leadership. At the last afternoon with the kids, I shared a bit of my testimony and the gospel message, upon giving an invitation to accept Jesus over 30 kids responded and prayed the sinner’s prayer. It was definitely a highlight of the camp for us.
After the camp we needed a few days to recuperate and stayed at Greg and Simone’s house while they were away on holiday. It was a blessing.
Last weekend we moved into our own rented house AND we received our shipment of boxes from Hawaii. It was a special day opening boxes and being reacquainted with personal items we left in Maui. I’ve got my books!! A praise report regarding our house; our property manager convinced the home owner to hold the house for two weeks to rent to us (losing out on two weeks rent), he also agreed to give us a four month lease instead of a 12 month, and they rented to us without having a job. With rental properties in high demand, this was truly God at work!! And we’re right by the beach! Besides all that people have blessed us with all kinds of furniture and household items. We still need a refrigerator and a washing machine but we’re confident the Lord will provide. God is so awesome!!
We’ve finally got the kids schooling straightened out, we opted to get the DVD’s and do away with the internet feeds. It’s much smoother now. As for visas and work, its still a mystery. We’re still waiting on the Lord for His direction and provision, trusting He has a plan. We have to decide if we’re going to take a trip to New Zealand in the first week of November, to renew our current tourist visas.
I’ve been teaching the last two Sundays at Calvary Chapel Sydney and will teach there again on the 24th. I was asked to teach at St Ives community church on Sunday, Oct 31st and am looking forward to it. As for ‘the refuge’ we’ve reserved the Beacon Hill Community Center and are having our first service on Sunday morning, Nov. 14th. Praise the Lord! We had a core group meeting last night, there were 7 of us present and all the kids. I shared my vision and general plan to carry out the vision, then we concluded in a time of prayer. We’re not sure everyone at the meeting will be a part of this new venture, but all are supportive and excited. We plan to have another pre-service meeting soon.
Please continue to pray for our visas and a job. Also that God would raise up servants who will get involved in the practical needs of the refuge, and confirm who is to be a part of the ministry.
Following are the church details:
Website (the site is not up and running yet): www.refugejc.com
Church email: refugejc@gmail.com
Our mailing address (church and personal):
PO Box 450
Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097
Finally, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to: Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to: Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
Much has taken place since our last update;
a few weeks ago we were blessed to be a part of kids camp (ages 9-13) that ran from Sunday to Friday. 90+ kids were in attendance, many of which do not go to church or know the Lord. Christy and I were house parents for the camp, she administered first aid and served as the camp nurse while I walked around and drank coffee all day. Actually, we were responsible for monitoring cabin cleanliness, help with some of the tough/troubled kids, watch the kids for an hour each afternoon to give the cabin leaders a much needed break, and I taught the morning devotions for the leadership. At the last afternoon with the kids, I shared a bit of my testimony and the gospel message, upon giving an invitation to accept Jesus over 30 kids responded and prayed the sinner’s prayer. It was definitely a highlight of the camp for us.
After the camp we needed a few days to recuperate and stayed at Greg and Simone’s house while they were away on holiday. It was a blessing.
Last weekend we moved into our own rented house AND we received our shipment of boxes from Hawaii. It was a special day opening boxes and being reacquainted with personal items we left in Maui. I’ve got my books!! A praise report regarding our house; our property manager convinced the home owner to hold the house for two weeks to rent to us (losing out on two weeks rent), he also agreed to give us a four month lease instead of a 12 month, and they rented to us without having a job. With rental properties in high demand, this was truly God at work!! And we’re right by the beach! Besides all that people have blessed us with all kinds of furniture and household items. We still need a refrigerator and a washing machine but we’re confident the Lord will provide. God is so awesome!!
We’ve finally got the kids schooling straightened out, we opted to get the DVD’s and do away with the internet feeds. It’s much smoother now. As for visas and work, its still a mystery. We’re still waiting on the Lord for His direction and provision, trusting He has a plan. We have to decide if we’re going to take a trip to New Zealand in the first week of November, to renew our current tourist visas.
I’ve been teaching the last two Sundays at Calvary Chapel Sydney and will teach there again on the 24th. I was asked to teach at St Ives community church on Sunday, Oct 31st and am looking forward to it. As for ‘the refuge’ we’ve reserved the Beacon Hill Community Center and are having our first service on Sunday morning, Nov. 14th. Praise the Lord! We had a core group meeting last night, there were 7 of us present and all the kids. I shared my vision and general plan to carry out the vision, then we concluded in a time of prayer. We’re not sure everyone at the meeting will be a part of this new venture, but all are supportive and excited. We plan to have another pre-service meeting soon.
Please continue to pray for our visas and a job. Also that God would raise up servants who will get involved in the practical needs of the refuge, and confirm who is to be a part of the ministry.
Following are the church details:
Website (the site is not up and running yet): www.refugejc.com
Church email: refugejc@gmail.com
Our mailing address (church and personal):
PO Box 450
Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097
Finally, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to: Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to: Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Update - August 16, 2010
Hi everyone,
We’ve been in Australia nearly two weeks and are settling into life here. I figured its time to give an update and share how things have developed. As you’re aware its winter here and quite cold, but we’re acclimating and it doesn’t seem as cold as it was. Plus, after visiting Kmart and the local mall we picked up some cold weather gear, which has been a blessing.
We bought a car a week ago, registered it with RTA (our DMV), got it insured, and now Christy and I are driving around, exploring the land. We got a great deal on a 2000 Toyota Avalon, with about 58,000 miles on it. It’s a deluxe model and has all the bells and whistles, including a sun roof (and it all works!). Best of all we got the car at a price well under its value. Praise the Lord!
I’ve picked up a wetsuit (fullsuit), booties, and am borrowing a surfboard so I’ve been able to get in the water and surf a few times. Its cold but a blessing and good fun. We had a huge south swell a few days ago but it was closing out everywhere.
We visited an Anglican church last Sunday just to get a feel for the traditional style of ministry here in the Northern Beaches. We met some wonderful people and had a great time. The service was different than what we’re used to but it was a blessing nonetheless. We visited Calvary Chapel Sydney yesterday for their Sunday service and again met a bunch of great people. It was neat to find out they’d been praying for us and knew us by name. After the service we were surprised to find it hailing. Jesse and Nina, along with a bunch of other kids were all outside running around in the hail. Fortunately the hail stones weren’t too big, so it didn’t hurt.
Last night we went to Greg and Simon’s for dinner and bible study. We had our first bible study here in the Northern Beaches, just the four of us and our kids. One thing that was so cool was Malena (15yr old daughter) took all the kids out to the lanai and taught a bible study to them. It was totally spontaneous and unplanned. And the Lord really touched the boys through what she shared! I was more stoked about this than what we were doing, maybe that’s just the proud papa in me.
Today the kids started school (A Beka homeschool), its been a long day for them. Our internet connection isn’t that great here so their video feeds have had delays, pauses and glitches. If anyone happens to have the DVD’s for the A Beka coursework they’re not using, we sure could use it. We need it for grades 10, 8, and 5.
Also today I had a meeting with a man named Greg Clarke of Camp Kidron. It’s a Christian camp that runs camps year round, from a weekend retreat to 3wk events. It’s a beautiful facility and I really enjoyed talking with Greg. He’s a great humble guy who loves the Lord. We met to explore employment and visa options for me. Not sure it will transpire to any kind of long term visa, but we had a great talk and I look forward to working together camp kidron in the future.
We met a really neat family, Scott and Kathy Mclean and had lunch with them last week. Scott’s got his feelers out for us regarding a job and visas. We’ve also been spending a lot of time with Greg and Simone Anderson. Between these two families and others we’ve really been made to feel welcome. We’re excited to see how things unfold with them as it relates to ministry and fellowship.
Prayer needs:
1. The kids get into a smooth routine with home schooling and the internet problems are solved. Perhaps the Lord would provide DVD’s of their classes?
2. Long term visas.
3. A job that would provide a sponsorship visa
4. We have accommodations till the end of September then we’ll have to find something else. God’s direction and provision for this.
That’s all for now, blessings to you all. Thanks for your prayers.
Brad, Christy, Malena, Jesse, & Nina Hall
We’ve been in Australia nearly two weeks and are settling into life here. I figured its time to give an update and share how things have developed. As you’re aware its winter here and quite cold, but we’re acclimating and it doesn’t seem as cold as it was. Plus, after visiting Kmart and the local mall we picked up some cold weather gear, which has been a blessing.
We bought a car a week ago, registered it with RTA (our DMV), got it insured, and now Christy and I are driving around, exploring the land. We got a great deal on a 2000 Toyota Avalon, with about 58,000 miles on it. It’s a deluxe model and has all the bells and whistles, including a sun roof (and it all works!). Best of all we got the car at a price well under its value. Praise the Lord!
I’ve picked up a wetsuit (fullsuit), booties, and am borrowing a surfboard so I’ve been able to get in the water and surf a few times. Its cold but a blessing and good fun. We had a huge south swell a few days ago but it was closing out everywhere.
We visited an Anglican church last Sunday just to get a feel for the traditional style of ministry here in the Northern Beaches. We met some wonderful people and had a great time. The service was different than what we’re used to but it was a blessing nonetheless. We visited Calvary Chapel Sydney yesterday for their Sunday service and again met a bunch of great people. It was neat to find out they’d been praying for us and knew us by name. After the service we were surprised to find it hailing. Jesse and Nina, along with a bunch of other kids were all outside running around in the hail. Fortunately the hail stones weren’t too big, so it didn’t hurt.
Last night we went to Greg and Simon’s for dinner and bible study. We had our first bible study here in the Northern Beaches, just the four of us and our kids. One thing that was so cool was Malena (15yr old daughter) took all the kids out to the lanai and taught a bible study to them. It was totally spontaneous and unplanned. And the Lord really touched the boys through what she shared! I was more stoked about this than what we were doing, maybe that’s just the proud papa in me.
Today the kids started school (A Beka homeschool), its been a long day for them. Our internet connection isn’t that great here so their video feeds have had delays, pauses and glitches. If anyone happens to have the DVD’s for the A Beka coursework they’re not using, we sure could use it. We need it for grades 10, 8, and 5.
Also today I had a meeting with a man named Greg Clarke of Camp Kidron. It’s a Christian camp that runs camps year round, from a weekend retreat to 3wk events. It’s a beautiful facility and I really enjoyed talking with Greg. He’s a great humble guy who loves the Lord. We met to explore employment and visa options for me. Not sure it will transpire to any kind of long term visa, but we had a great talk and I look forward to working together camp kidron in the future.
We met a really neat family, Scott and Kathy Mclean and had lunch with them last week. Scott’s got his feelers out for us regarding a job and visas. We’ve also been spending a lot of time with Greg and Simone Anderson. Between these two families and others we’ve really been made to feel welcome. We’re excited to see how things unfold with them as it relates to ministry and fellowship.
Prayer needs:
1. The kids get into a smooth routine with home schooling and the internet problems are solved. Perhaps the Lord would provide DVD’s of their classes?
2. Long term visas.
3. A job that would provide a sponsorship visa
4. We have accommodations till the end of September then we’ll have to find something else. God’s direction and provision for this.
That’s all for now, blessings to you all. Thanks for your prayers.
Brad, Christy, Malena, Jesse, & Nina Hall
Friday, July 16, 2010
Update - July 16, 2010
Dear friends and family,
as we approach the month of August the page of our lives in Maui is about to turn. It is with much excitement I write but also the stark reality of moving on and leaving friends, family, and the familiar makes it a trying time as well.
Few things to update; our house is still scheduled to close escrow on July 26th, and since the buyers have signed off on the home inspection its all the more certain.
We've purchased our airfares and we depart from Maui on August 2, leave Oahu August 3, arrive in Sydney August 4.
Pastor Sean, his wife Hannah and their baby girl arrived yesterday (July 15) and have begun to settle into Maui and the ministry we've been involved with for the past 12 years. I'm truly blessed and excited for Calvary Chapel Central Maui, the people and the community and believe God is going to do wonderful things.
We've settled on home school curriculum and are getting things in order there, obtained our visas into the country, and God has provided a home for us to live in through the middle of October, in Warriewood (Northern Beaches).
For the next two weeks we'll be packing up, selling everything in our home, and cleaning (not to mention tying up loose ends with the ministry and transfering everything over to Sean). Since shipping and customs is expensive and challenging we're really not taking that much stuff; no furniture or wood items (customs is weird about bringing in wood), basically clothes, photos, some recreational gear, and a few personal belongings...you know those things you just can't part with!
Things for prayer:
1. Escrow to be finalized on the 26th.
2. Selling two vehicles, furniture, and everything else.
3. Sorting items to ship and getting all the shipping details worked out.
4. God to provide 3 decent laptop computers for our kids schooling purposes.
5. Finances; that God would provide.
6. That the transition in the church would be smooth.
As mentioned last time, when you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to: Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to: Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
as we approach the month of August the page of our lives in Maui is about to turn. It is with much excitement I write but also the stark reality of moving on and leaving friends, family, and the familiar makes it a trying time as well.
Few things to update; our house is still scheduled to close escrow on July 26th, and since the buyers have signed off on the home inspection its all the more certain.
We've purchased our airfares and we depart from Maui on August 2, leave Oahu August 3, arrive in Sydney August 4.
Pastor Sean, his wife Hannah and their baby girl arrived yesterday (July 15) and have begun to settle into Maui and the ministry we've been involved with for the past 12 years. I'm truly blessed and excited for Calvary Chapel Central Maui, the people and the community and believe God is going to do wonderful things.
We've settled on home school curriculum and are getting things in order there, obtained our visas into the country, and God has provided a home for us to live in through the middle of October, in Warriewood (Northern Beaches).
For the next two weeks we'll be packing up, selling everything in our home, and cleaning (not to mention tying up loose ends with the ministry and transfering everything over to Sean). Since shipping and customs is expensive and challenging we're really not taking that much stuff; no furniture or wood items (customs is weird about bringing in wood), basically clothes, photos, some recreational gear, and a few personal belongings...you know those things you just can't part with!
Things for prayer:
1. Escrow to be finalized on the 26th.
2. Selling two vehicles, furniture, and everything else.
3. Sorting items to ship and getting all the shipping details worked out.
4. God to provide 3 decent laptop computers for our kids schooling purposes.
5. Finances; that God would provide.
6. That the transition in the church would be smooth.
As mentioned last time, when you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to: Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to: Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Update - June 29, 2010
Hi everyone,
just writing to update you on our progress to Australia;
we've accepted an offer on our house and escrow is scheduled to close July 26th. Praise the Lord!! We've yet to purchase plane tickets, we're still praying on the exact timing to make the move, plus we want to be sure escrow will close as scheduled.
Many have asked about our visas into the country; at this point we're planning to enter with a 3 month tourist visa, then hoping to obtain something more secure once inside. We have peace about this and believe the Lord will lead us and open doors. In the meantime we'll continue to knock on doors by applying for jobs and following any leads the Lord might set before us.
We're planning to home school our kids since the fees for public school (for foreigners) are super expensive. With our current visas the costs would be about $8000 per kid, per year. Crazy!!!
Things for prayer:
1. Escrow to close as scheduled.
2. Selling two vehicles and heaps of furniture.
3. Visas.
4. Clear direction for home school curriculum/online programs; also that God would provide 3 decent laptop computers for our kids schooling purposes.
5. Timing of the move; buying plane tickets.
6. Finances; that God would provide.
We're very excited and looking forward to seeing how God works out all these details. Lastly, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.
Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
just writing to update you on our progress to Australia;
we've accepted an offer on our house and escrow is scheduled to close July 26th. Praise the Lord!! We've yet to purchase plane tickets, we're still praying on the exact timing to make the move, plus we want to be sure escrow will close as scheduled.
Many have asked about our visas into the country; at this point we're planning to enter with a 3 month tourist visa, then hoping to obtain something more secure once inside. We have peace about this and believe the Lord will lead us and open doors. In the meantime we'll continue to knock on doors by applying for jobs and following any leads the Lord might set before us.
We're planning to home school our kids since the fees for public school (for foreigners) are super expensive. With our current visas the costs would be about $8000 per kid, per year. Crazy!!!
Things for prayer:
1. Escrow to close as scheduled.
2. Selling two vehicles and heaps of furniture.
3. Visas.
4. Clear direction for home school curriculum/online programs; also that God would provide 3 decent laptop computers for our kids schooling purposes.
5. Timing of the move; buying plane tickets.
6. Finances; that God would provide.
We're very excited and looking forward to seeing how God works out all these details. Lastly, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you want to partner with us in God's work in Australia, you can do so by sending donations to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.
Following is the proper procedure:
1. Make checks out to Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
2. Mail checks to:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Brad and Christy Hall
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1 update
Not much has changed since previous post (see May update), we're still waiting on the Lord to sell our home and still knocking on doors for visas into Australia. Please keep praying with us for God's provision and direction on these.
A number of people have asked about helping out financially, we've been set up with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa as missionaries and are accepting financial support through them.
If God is leading you to partner with us financially, make checks out to Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
Mail checks to:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Many blessings to you as you seek the Lord; "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" proverbs 3:6.
Brad Hall
A number of people have asked about helping out financially, we've been set up with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa as missionaries and are accepting financial support through them.
If God is leading you to partner with us financially, make checks out to Calvary Chapel, in the memo note: "Brad and Christy Hall."
Mail checks to:
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Attn: accounting
3800 Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Many blessings to you as you seek the Lord; "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" proverbs 3:6.
Brad Hall
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Update - May 2010
This is our first official “newsletter” updating you with our ministry plans. We believe the Lord is leading us to start a church in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, and are heading in that direction.
We've decided to call the church "The Refuge," though we remain committed to the theology, philosophy, and ministry of Calvary Chapel. We're merely utilizing the name (the refuge) to emphasize the 'personality' of the ministry to the people whom God is calling us to.
In preparing for this new season of life and ministry the first big obstacle is selling our house. Once the house sells, we're mobile. If you’re interested in seeing our home go to: http://www.buyahomeonmaui.com/, click on properties and scroll down to the May 18th listings, we are MLS#343246.
The next obstacle is obtaining visas to live in the country. In summary, it boils down to three options; a religious worker visa, a student visa, or a tourist visa.
1. A Religious Worker Visa can only be obtained from an established Australian ministry, which must show it HAS to hire a foreigner (as opposed to national) and that it could provide a fulltime salary (though it doesn’t actually have to provide this salary, it must show the govt it can). At this time there are no open doors in this direction.
2. A Student Visa is fairly simple and straight forward, and it allows me to work for 20hrs a week. It is expensive for a foreigner though, about $12,000 for me to attend. I can enroll in a program that starts in third week of July, but this depends upon the sale of our house.
3. A Tourist Visa is a 3 month visa that gets us into the country, but does not allow me to work. We will go this route as a last option, then hope to obtain something more permanent once in the country.
Prayer requests: God sells the house; obtaining visas; remaining in the center of God’s will, the only place of permanence.
Thank you for your prayers,
Brad Hall
We've decided to call the church "The Refuge," though we remain committed to the theology, philosophy, and ministry of Calvary Chapel. We're merely utilizing the name (the refuge) to emphasize the 'personality' of the ministry to the people whom God is calling us to.
In preparing for this new season of life and ministry the first big obstacle is selling our house. Once the house sells, we're mobile. If you’re interested in seeing our home go to: http://www.buyahomeonmaui.com/, click on properties and scroll down to the May 18th listings, we are MLS#343246.
The next obstacle is obtaining visas to live in the country. In summary, it boils down to three options; a religious worker visa, a student visa, or a tourist visa.
1. A Religious Worker Visa can only be obtained from an established Australian ministry, which must show it HAS to hire a foreigner (as opposed to national) and that it could provide a fulltime salary (though it doesn’t actually have to provide this salary, it must show the govt it can). At this time there are no open doors in this direction.
2. A Student Visa is fairly simple and straight forward, and it allows me to work for 20hrs a week. It is expensive for a foreigner though, about $12,000 for me to attend. I can enroll in a program that starts in third week of July, but this depends upon the sale of our house.
3. A Tourist Visa is a 3 month visa that gets us into the country, but does not allow me to work. We will go this route as a last option, then hope to obtain something more permanent once in the country.
Prayer requests: God sells the house; obtaining visas; remaining in the center of God’s will, the only place of permanence.
Thank you for your prayers,
Brad Hall
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