Why we came to Australia . . .

From day one this trip was planned and intended to be something special. Our choir has never ventured out on this scale and certainly never this far from home. People often wonder why you have to go someplace else when there is always something to do at home. The answer probably lies in the reality that we become bleary-eyed with what we see day after day, and in changing our circumstances, we are able to open our eyes in fresh new ways.

The day started as a free day with additional sightseeing and time on our own. Some of us went to the Australian Museum (primarily natural history), some went to the Tower Eye for the thrill of seeing Sydney from above, some went shopping, . . . just a normal day for people on a trip a long way from home.

For lunch we went to "Cheers" (where "everyone knows your name" . . . especially when you wear your name tag!). The chef had three scrumptious entree options for us (all quite yummy) followed by crepes for dessert with three options to choose from again. No one left hungry, that's for sure! We returned to the hotel (or some still had activities going) until we met just before 4:00 for today's ministry opportunity . . . and from that moment this day changed, we were changed.

One of the ministry options presented to Dan when he kept insisting he wanted more for us to do had been for us to go to the William Booth House to lead worship and share a meal with the residents. William Booth founded the Salvation Army and here in Australia they are alive and well sharing the love of Jesus with those who are hurting and needy. The William Booth House is a residential program for individuals struggling with addictions -- drugs, alcohol, gambling. The program is based on the 12-step program used by AA and others, but it adds to it the element of Christian faith. After our final itinerary had been published, we were informed there was a conflict and to preserve the opportunity to go here, we had to rearrange another ministry opportunity that was on the schedule . . . and it was all because God had an appointment for us this evening. We were told that chapel participation was required. We were given a time slot and told that the residents would start to become restless at an hour because they wanted to slip out for a smoke, etc. Then this morning we were told we would have to work around some elements they had as part of their chapel so our "program" would need to be adjusted. It sure seemed that it wasn't going very smoothly, but then God showed up.

There really isn't any other way to describe it. Between the times of encouragement for new inductees into the program and those who were completing the program, between the songs and the testimonies, God took over. The program ran long and nobody cared. The residents sang their hearts out and we sang our hearts out right back at them. Steve shared a testimony and we experienced the refreshing breath of God's mercy flowing over us and through us.

Before the program we had the opportunity to share the evening meal with the residents. We had to go in two different shifts. We weren't hungry after our huge lunch and would have liked to skip the meal so we wouldn't offend anyone with our failure to eat what they provided. But if we had skipped the meal, we wouldn't have begun the interaction with the people that continued throughout the evening. I sat next to a young lady who only had three months left in her program. She was thrilled with her progress and looked forward to a successful completion.

Visiting with residents at William Booth House.

We have bandanas embroidered with "Oklahoma" to give away at the various venues. I gave my bandana to this young lady. But while we were there to give, residents had been given small boxes to give to us! Each box contained a key chain as a memento of the William Booth House, although I don't think any of us needed anything to help us remember it. Following the service, we joined residents for a few moments of fellowship and sharing before boarding the coach and heading back to the hotel. We were exhausted. But we were pumped, too!

Everyone has a story to tell and this could go on forever trying to tell them all. Check out our Facebook page for insights from individuals in the group. Thoughts are a little disjointed this evening, but it is difficult for words to describe God at work!

Thank you for praying for us. Please continue to pray for the residents of the William Booth House. Pray for their success in overcoming their additions. Pray for their grasp of the Christian faith that is being shared. And pray for us as we set out tomorrow for Lithgow for our final planned ministry opportunity.