Update - 4 March, 2011

Greetings everyone,
Since our last update a few things have developed, so I thought it was a good idea to bring you up to speed. Let me start with the praise reports:

1. After much prayer and waiting on the Lord, we’ve changed locations for our Saturday evening service. We’ve moved into Mona Vale and will be meeting at the Mona Vale Memorial Hall. It’s a great location, in the heart of town, surrounded by retail shops, café’s, restaurants, parking, a park, and plenty of foot traffic. We’re really stoked on the facilities and how it all worked out, God did a bunch of neat things in the transition from Beacon Hill. Our first service is tomorrow at 5:30pm (Saturday).

2. We’re still awaiting a decision on our visas. The decision is on hold pending the outcome our FBI background check. Once we receive the report from the FBI, clearing us of any criminal activity, then we submit the report to Australian immigration and they make the final decision. In the meantime, since our original visa is expired we’re legally in Australia under a bridging visa (a visa that allows us to remain in the country until the final decision is made on our application). I’ve developed a bit of a relationship with the officer processing our application, so he instructed me on how to apply to change the conditions of our bridging visa, which would allow me work. I overnighted him the application yesterday, he called me today to inform me that I’m now able to work in Australia while under a bridging visa, as well as Christy and Malena (if they want to). Praise the Lord!!!! I’ve been working at St Matthews church since January and have not been able to get paid, now I can finally get paid. Super stoked!

3. Jason and Tina have been with us now for about 4 weeks. Jason is aggressively looking for work and making contacts. And they’ve been leading praise and worship for the past couple weeks. They’re also volunteering some time at Baptist World Aid, hoping this will open doors for employment. We’re really blessed to have them with us and are enjoying their fellowship.

4. The kids are enjoying school and making new friends and they’ve all been able to get onto teams for sport; the girls are playing soccer, Jesse is playing basketball. School and sports have made a huge difference for them in settling down. We’re really thankful to God for this. Christy is helping out in Nina’s class with reading groups, meeting with some ladies for bible study on Monday nights, running the kids to this/that practice, and finally settling into a groove here.

5. My work at St Matts and ICMS (the college where I’m chaplain) is in full swing. I’m leading an international bible study on Thursday nights, it’s a group of around 15-20 people from all walks of life, some of which are students from the college. We’re currently studying through Mark’s gospel. On Wednesday afternoons I lead a bible study at the college in one of the classrooms, both students and faculty are attending. We’re currently studying Ephesians. I’ve also been given an opportunity to write a weekly column in the college newspaper (200 words), its titled ‘the parable.’ Its really an amazing opportunity; to write a column about Jesus and the bible for a secular college. God is opening some neat doors with people at ICMS, please keep praying that these relationships result in salvation.

Prayer needs:
1. Visa approval
2. Moving to a new house. We don’t have to get out of our place, but there are some circumstances that make our current situation really frustrating. So we’re waiting on the Lord, hoping something else opens up.
3. Favor and fruit in the new location. We’re hoping God gives us favor with the neighboring establishments at the new church location and that God brings people to the church. Also that we have clear vision and direction for outreach in Mona Vale.
4. For Jason to get a job.

Many blessings,
Love the Halls