This is our quarterly update and thought I would share it with you all......
BD Soapbox
I have had as a personal theme this year "More of the power and presence of Jesus"….still wondering just what that means? Our international conference guest speaker Tim Meyers made much of how "our most defining attribute is to be the presence of Jesus" based on Heb 3:6 "You are god's house". Amazing to hear tim unpack the scriptures of Gods history as he indwelt a tent, a tabernacle a temple, all of which were mere symbols of his ultimate dwelling place……"Christ in you, the hope of glory" Col 1:27. I can scarcely believe it, can you? That the most powerful presence in allthe universe lives in us? What difference should this make? Is your life most characterized by the presence of Jesus? BD
BD travels.
May Just when you want to fly to the European conference, a random Icelandic volcano shuts down the airspace of a continent! The meeting went really well without me, and I enjoyed more time at home.
June "This team has not just built a home, you have helped rebuild a community" Mitch Anderson Chile. Sometimes God gets on your case about something He really wants you to do. I could not resist the promptings re the needs of the southern Chilean surfing community after the devastating earthquake and added a small detour to my North America meetings. I was amazed once I stepped out how the finances flowed for the Homes of Hope project as I fundraised with film and food night and paddle a thon. I was able to fly in, buy new tools, build a house with team to lock up stage, surf 4-6' waves at Punta de Lobos and fly out, all in 4 days. In Florida with Cal Fisher we had training for our emerging national movements with Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador and USA present. "Now I have a road map to help me develop a national movement and I feel so much more confident" Denis Leon Costa Rica.
July "Sorry Mr Davis that flight is oversold and you will not be able to fly to Chile" I was standing there in Auckland airport dumbfounded with donated boards, wetsuits and tools to deliver for the `Homes of Hope' project and sent away check in for next flight - in 2 days time!! Final seconds and I got a miracle seat….not sure why God waits to that final second? You gotta love a team of fired up Brazillian leaders set on an island retreat to dream and plan for the future of CS there. I was able to give some guidance and received much inspiration. Sergio is an amazing pastoral leader, deeply loved and stepping up to his South America role. This trip had some tough features with a sprained ankle, lack of sleep and a cancelled plane on the way home adding another 10 hrs to the flight. "Now we have added a strategy to take our movement forward" Mauri Brazil.
August Indonesian International Conference. "We are a new mission and I never knew just how much God was doing throughout CS globally until now" Nacho Argentina. With 185 leaders from 16 nations this was our 9th conference and first in Asia and in a restricted access country. Highlights included:- cultural welcome by Gamalong music and dancers; amazing worship; Ado and Dave and Shinko Levey testimony of pioneering CS Indo and Japan missions; Tim Meyers preaching; laughing at the Welsh boys accents; laughing at everyone else not understanding the aussie accents of MC Dan and Foz; surfing together at Ulus; united vision about reaching the lost surfing tribes. Lowlights included:- Gill getting sick for 10 days and missing conference; BD missing Gill; constant reminder of idolatry; crowded surf; too many people to catch up with!
BD Romance and Bootcamp. "25 years ago I didn't have any money, I didn't have a ring and you never had a proposal story, but that is about to change". In a rush of romantic spontaneity I surprised Gill with a proposal and 25th wedding anniversary eternity ring before 400 women at a womens' conference she was attending. I am sooooo thankful for her love, friendship and support. "in 40 years of church attendence I have never seen such a depth of men's ministry" Terry Austinmer. Our third men's "Bootcamp" in July with 5 weeks of challenging men's topics to over 80 guys. I spoke on "A Man and His Romance" backed by Gillian the Brave who spoke on "Things Women Wish Men Knew About Women". Plenty of notes being taken.
Gill battles on in Schools. "Miss, why do you hate homosexuals?" It only gets tougher. Ethics course being pitched as an alternative, rude year 8/9 kids, bigoted and biased audience with little facts, teacher opposition etc etc. Still, Gill got to share her heart for Special Religious Education to the entire staff and got a round of applause at the end!
Jackson Vietnam Theatre. "They walk out if they aren't happy, and most stayed, so it must have been ok?"Amazing enough to be given opportunity as a first year to write and perform his own play, Jackson then went on to perform it at a World Festival in Vietnam on behalf of his university. A rush of fundraising and rehearsals and they made it. I think racing around on motor scooters was the most life threatening.
Taylor "I live for Balance" has become his celebrity status? Want to buy a tshirt? He has completed an amazing film project for Drama and musical composition for Music, but still no ideas of what to do next. A gap year is certain and many adventures ahead of the `tdogg' and all the more with his recent drivers licence!! Look out for the "Balance" empire!
India Movements. "I love going to school, it's the BEST!"After much heartache and searching India moved from ICS to our local Bulli High School. She is very, very happy and loves being back with old friends and part of her community. Dancing is her love and she has endless joy, social energy and always a new `best friend'.
Calvin. "9 years and you would have thought I deserved some clothing item by now?" It has been a cold winter and after watching him shivering away, we purchased Calvin's first item of clothing – a coat! All these years clothed in but a collar!? He maintains faithful watch over all and especially any in `sick bay'.
CSI Partners Dinner. Our 2Nd formal partners dinner is on October 23rd at the Manly Pacific Hotel. We have more opportunities opening up than we can meet and so CSI needs more financial partners! Guest speaker ASP chairman Richard Grellman, BD's update, Abe Andrews the ASP chaplain and more all share stories over a great meal and live music. Purchase tickets on http://www.christiansurfers.net/Shop.aspx?ID=34. Come and bring another!
You can sign up as a partner right now on http://www.christiansurfers.net/Partnership.aspx
Leadership Profile. Kelly Patt is our new financial manager. Originally from California now on Central Coast she has a long history serving CS in admin. We are so thankful for her and the skills she brings. You can make her day by making a donation! Go Kelly!
Support of Brett and Gill. You can become a supporter in the following ways by contacting us on brett@christiansurfers.net
· pray more specifically with our prayer update prayer email updates
· join our regular financial support team, we are short 5 partners @$100/month or 10@ $50
· offer some skill in graphic design, IT, administration, local mission help
Come join me on a short term mission in Feb 2011 in Chile
