Update - May 15

Good day everyone,
Its been a little while since our last update, there’s a few things to follow up on…

Things have settled down a bit since Easter, Movie night outreach, and the New Zealand bible college team were here. As mentioned in a previous update, though we had a great turn out for our Easter service, we haven’t seen any folks returning. I’m told this is typical for Australia. We’re praying that the seeds planted in people’s hearts will sprout and grow, drawing them to Jesus.

Last weekend we showed “Beyond the Dream” the Joey Buran story. It’s the story of a professional surfer achieving his dreams only to be found empty and still wanting…until he met Jesus and was transformed to become a preacher. There was a group that came from Christian Surfers and a few others as well. Greg Anderson shared his testimony after the film. Similar to Easter, believers were encouraged and seeds were planted.

The team (of 7) from New Zealand shared their time with us and the Reddens over a week (for those who don’t know, the Reddens are friends who are also ministering in the Northern Beaches). The team did a letter drop box in Mona Vale, leaving about 2000 fliers for the church in people’s letter box’s. They also scoured the beaches and invited people to the movie night. But for us, the greatest blessing was hanging out with each other. We really enjoyed the fellowship.

As of now, we’re still four families meeting on Saturday nights. But we’ve all had many opportunities to share with people throughout the community; Christy is meeting and talking with ladies at the kids school, frequently inviting people to church. I’ve had conversations with people as well, so has the Fisher’s, the Anderson’s, and the McLean’s. All that to say, word is getting around about what we’re doing and what we’re all about, I believe the Lord is preparing us, breaking up the fallow ground, and tilling the soil in people’s hearts; the footings for the foundation are being set. I’ve been teaching through 1 Corinthians and really enjoying it, hopefully everyone else is as well???

On a more personal note, Malena’s knee recovery is going well. She’s doing physical therapy daily and riding an exercise bike. And being in year 11 at school we’re now starting to consider college options…pretty crazy! Jesse’s playing soccer and basketball and Nina’s playing soccer on a boy’s team. The kids are enjoying school and making friends, although they do miss friends from Maui. The weather is cooling off, in fact over the past week its dropped into the 40’s…burr!!! The surf has been a little more consistant, last week was “all time!!!” North Narrabeen was going off!!! Was blessed with some big barrely bombs, praise the Lord.

Having been here now for over 9 months, though we’re convinced we’re in the center of God’s will and doing what we’re supposed to be doing, the spiritual battles have intensified. From bouts of discouragement to misunderstandings, confusion, and temptations…the fiery darts are flying. Yet we’re taking up the shield of faith and standing in the word of God. We’re so glad we’re overcomers through faith in Christ (1Jn 5:4).

I listened to a message recently, given by David Guzik at the Missions Conference earlier this year, and was greatly encouraged by it. He taught on Hosea 10:12, ‘Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you’.
He explained that throughout the world there are various types of ministries, some are relatively easy where there is much fruit and reaping of souls. Other places are hard and difficult, where we don’t necessarily “see” a lot of things happening. Metaphorically, the difference is a ripe crop being harvested VS hard soil being broken up and prepared for planting. Both seasons (hard VS easy) are equally as important in God’s kingdom.
One thing David said that really encouraged me is “those places where the harvest is being reaped and many are being saved, didn’t get that way without the hard work of someone first breaking up the fallow ground and preparing the soil.”
I know many have been here in Australia breaking up the fallow ground and I suspect we’re involved in that work as well. Whether we see the harvest or not God only knows, but I pray we’d be faithful to plow, till, and prepare the soil for the Lord, till He comes!

Thank you so much for your prayers, they mean a lot to us. One last comment, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us and you’d like 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 richly as you seek His face.
Much love,
Brad, Christy, Malena, Jesse, & Nina Hall

PS, we hope to send some photos soon to give you a look at how things are here.