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