Even now, as I create this post, I’m sitting by the window seat (always book the window seat) as we make a return trip from time spent in New Zealand and Australia–meeting with church leaders in both places, encouraging and equipping missionaries, connecting with family serving in New Zealand, and reconnecting with familiar faces from a trip to Australia 17 years ago.
Seventeen years ago.
I'll never forget my first glance of Australia from my window seat as our plane made its descent into Sydney on July 4, 1996. After the long 14-hour flight from LA, the coastline that edged the city was a welcome sight.
Dennis and I had often talked and dreamed about taking our family on a short-term mission trip. We hoped to instill into our kids a sense of the world beyond the context of our own little world in Holland, Michigan at the time. Dennis is a risk-taker more than me, but I’ve always said that I have that extra portion of faith that enables me to step out of my comfort zone, trusting God in the unknowns. I would have never met Dennis had I not taken a risk years ago when I uprooted myself from my upbringing in rural Pennsylvania to go to college. It’s a chapter in my life story when I took a risk on myself, and the risk forever changed my life.
Risk-taking, adventure, stepping out, trusting God–whatever you want to call it, it was something we wanted to give to our kids. Upon Dennis’ resignation from a wonderful staff pastor position of nine years, we sensed the timing was right for such an adventure. Originally we thought such a trip would be no more than a couple of weeks, but as it turned out, it was ten and a half months later when we returned to the U.S. Seven and a half of those months were spent in Australia–three months in Queensland, two months in New South Wales, six weeks in South Australia, finishing out our time in Melbourne.
As I gazed down on Sydney that July 4th day, there was part of me that wondered what in the world we were doing. We had included our four children in on the process of the journey. I can remember gathering around our bed, three on either side, kneeling in prayer as we anticipated and prepared our hearts for the adventure that was before us. At the time, our son Josh was sixteen–a sacrificial decision for a teenager about to enter his junior year in high school. Jamie (14), Joni (12), and Julie (10), though somewhat naive (as we all were in some ways), felt the weight of such a decision. Just like Josh, they felt the inner tension of leaving friends behind, life as they knew it, knowing upon our return that home would not be home anymore.
What kind of impact would a trip like this have on us, on our kids, I wondered. What would be the significance of such a trip for the Kingdom’s sake–not only for our kids, and us, but also for the body of Christ that made up the Wesleyan Church of Australia? In more ways than one, God made it clear that “down under” was where He wanted us. Upon initial contact with the Australian Wesleyan Church, we were overwhelmed by a quick and sure response that it wasn’t a question of whether or not we should come, but when and how. Lots of details and preparations later, we boarded a plane in Grand Rapids, MI, with a beautiful send-off from friends and family.
Seventeen years later.
What is man that you are mindful of him?
Tim and Stef Hibschman. Early on during our years at Spring Lake Wesleyan, Tim and Stef came on as year-long interns. They ended up serving a couple years in Australia, thanks to rubbing shoulders with Troy and Jenni at SLW. Currently, we get to serve with Tim who now fills the role of Director of Member Care and Development with Global Partners. In fact, Tim was in AU with us on this visit to encourage and care for our missionaries, as he does so incredibly well. Invest deeply, those interns may come around to serve with you some day. :)
What is man that you are mindful of him?
Greg and Linda Luckey. Greg and Linda were a part of Spring Lake Wesleyan church and greatly engaged in the surrounding community, but God began working on their hearts for the country of Australia after connecting with Troy and Jenni. Their whole family made the move to Australia several years ago. Their kids are grown now, but Greg and Linda remain in Australia, serving along side of Troy and Jenni at Axis Church. What a delight to catch some time with them and be in their home.
And, last, but not least.
Clint
and Jamie Ussher. Our Jamie married Clint eleven years ago. It's quite
the story, but Clint and Jamie would have crossed paths on that 1996
trip. You see, Clint is Australian, and his family was deeply engaged at
the Everton Hills Wesleyan Church in Brisbane. They met again stateside
a few years later, and well, now we have two grand-daughters part
Aussie blood. Currently, they are launching a church plant - The Well -
in Christchurch, NZ touching a city that has been devastated by
earthquakes over the past few years. And, somehow I think there will be more stories to tell when it comes to that adventure we took 17 years ago.
So thankful for wonderful visits in NZ and AU, the connectedness of life, and the God of the universe who is mindful of man.
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