Semper Gumby!

Margie Mathison and Mario with his "coach"

We were introduced to the phrase "Semper Gumby!" as our motto for the week when we first arrived in Australia and today we practiced it as best laid plans had to go to Plan B, then Plan C, and we sort of lost count! Originally, Mario was going to drop us off to take the ferry to Manly and then pick us up in Manly later in the day. However, there was no power at the Manly ferry dock so the ferry couldn't run, so Mario to the rescue drove us to Manly (about 45 minutes). Then we were going to take the ferry back to Darling Harbour, but . . . they couldn't guarantee it would be running, so Mario to the rescue again as he agreed to hang around and take us back! Times kept changing with each new plan, but in the end, we had a delightful time in Manly for all our last minute shopping and we had a gorgeous view of the ocean . . . and the sounds of the surf . . . it was great. There was even a whale swimming around for a while so a few got to see a whale without paying for "whale watching!"

After lunch, we loaded up and headed back to Darling Harbour for part of the group who had tickets to go to the "World's Largest IMAX" to watch the new Batman movie, while others opted to return to the hotel for more shopping, sightseeing, and packing before heading to Congress Hall for our "Farewell Dinner."


We had a fabulous meal from Ash and his crew . . . again . . . and then we received our last minute instructions to hopefully get us home in one piece! But then we began to share about highlights and experiences and we again affirmed that "Semper Gumby" rules! You see, the ministry parts of this trip have had to be as fluid and flexible as the tourist parts. We left Oklahoma with a tentative plan, an order of worship . . . that we never totally followed! We met some great people and we discovered that God had brought us to this time and place with a real purpose. In every venue we would watch as people's body language would change from the closed off crossed arms to a more relaxed posture to one of out and out worship. The people who spoke each time we sang varied primarily between Steve, as our past-president, and John, as our missions pastor. They never really knew what they were going to say. Everything was fluid, but somehow it was always right. Bonds were formed on many levels based on different triggers. Some were drawn to smiles, some to common interests, some to common hurts, but all were drawn by God to a divine appointment that included us as we all worshiped together.

In the end, I am one who was pushed out of my comfort zone. I didn't even have a passport until about four months ago. I'm not adverturous by nature (and that hasn't changed). I like to hide in my corner and do what I know how to do. But I would not have missed this for the world. God is so good.

Our final request would be that you continue to pray, obviously for us as we travel home on Saturday, but even after we're safely home and far from this beautiful country please pray for the people we have met in Australia. Pray for Pastor Steve Hales and the people of West Ryde Baptist Church here in Sydney. Pray for the efforts of the Salvation Army in Sydney through their weekly worship services; for the individuals at the Elder Care Facility who lit up our lives; for each person at the William Booth Center, the employees, the volunteers, and the clients battling addictions of all sorts. And pray for Ian and Carolyn Altman and the Lithgow Baptist Church. Pray for the sweet lady who had to be rolled in to hear us sing at the Elder Care facility, but came in singing "How Great Thou Art." Pray for the new father struggling with issues in his own father's health and for the young lady who had just returned from the unexpected death of her mother to hear Steve share about the loss of his dad at an early age and the change it had on his life. Pray for each of us as participants in this journey that we will always look back and remember we were a part of God's plan for the people of Australia this past week.