22 October update

G’day everyone,
Been a little while since our last update but we’ve been waiting on the Lord for confirmation before giving a report. We’re excited about recent events and looking forward to seeing how things play out.

I have taken on the role as Missions Coordinator for Christian Surfers in Manly Beach. In so doing we’ve decided to put our Saturday night bible studies on hold until the Lord says otherwise. Christy and the kids are all excited about this new venture with Christian Surfers and looking forward to jumping in and getting involved. We’re starting with a leadership core of about 7-10 people and we’ve decided, for now, to meet at 6:30am Wednesday mornings for prayer and surf, and the 1st and 3rd Friday night for bible study, fellowship, and inviting newcomers. Though we plan to get active with various outreach events, we felt it best to lay the foundation in prayer and the word, then see how the Lord leads in reaching out. Being employed at St Matthews Church in Manly provides a meeting location for future CS events and gatherings which we plan to utilize as the Lord leads.

Aside from Christian Surfers, I was invited to teach devotions to the faculty at the kids’ school. I shared with the staff/teachers yesterday and will again next month. I’ve also agreed to teach bible studies at a local public school (Barrenjoey High School) to year 9 students. This Thursday will be my first time and each Thursday following through the end of the school year. Since we’ve been increasingly burdened for the youth here, I’m really excited about this opportunity and hoping also to start up a youth meeting with Christian Surfers. I’ll keep you posted on when/if this develops.

For those who don’t know, Christy was hired by Covenant Christian School (where our kids attend) to help in the maintenance department, creating procedural manuals and helping organize the department. She works two days a week, this has been a great help financially as well as meeting new people and establishing relationships.

The kids have started Term 4 of their school year and will be finishing up the year at the beginning of December. For Malena, year 12 starts at the beginning of Term 4…so she’s a senior! And her entire 12th year is spent preparing for HSC testing (similar to SAT’s). It’s definitely a different system to what we’re used to in the States. Malena is considering college options for next year…a lot to consider; USA, Australia, Europe??? Her knee is healing up nicely, please continue praying for her recovery…she’s hoping to be cleared by the doctor to start practicing soccer again. Jesse is integrating well at school, playing rugby all the time, coming home with bumps, bruises and all kinds of new Aussie slang. Nina’s made a bunch of friends from school and is very active in school sports (soccer, eagle tag, and periodic biathlon).

The weather is finally warming up, summer is here!!!! We’re heading out to the beach today to meet up with some friends, maybe have some fish n chips! Tomorrow, October 23, Christy and I will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers and support, we’re so blessed to be partnering with you all in the work God is doing here in the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Love, the Halls

PS; lastly, as you pray if you sense God leading you to support us financially 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. You can do so either by check or credit card (via Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Website. Following are the procedures:

A. By check:
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

B. By credit card:
1. Go to: https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH
2. In drop down menu look up “Hall, Brad” and fill in rest of your details.