Phil Eagling Newsletter   August 2006

Volume 7, Issue 3 August 2006

G'day from down under. pictures

The last time we were in contact it was with you over there in the States. Thank you all very much for making us feel welcomed and loved while we were there. The feeling is reciprocal.

While we were in the States with you all, Dennis and Wanda Fulton were back home serving the people of Thornton. I am so happy to report that the people were blessed by their ministry, and they are still talking about it.

While we were in the States, young Mitchell Bice was baptized by Dennis. What a joy that was for Dennis to be part of the process of seeing young Mitchell come to Christ. It is always great to hear news of people coming to Christ and being part of their journey to Christ. So we praise God that Dennis and Wanda were able to come here and help us. They kept the momentum going while we were away. They lived in our home with Sharon and were a great source of friendship to her as we were in the States with you.

As you know we were in the States from the 30th of April to the 19th of July and in that time we presented to you some of our goals and what God has done in the last three and a half years. One of the things that I wanted to do was to try and find some one to help us with the youth and Sunday school of the church. We found a young man named Joshua West. Josh graduated from Johnson Bible College in May this year and he is a member of Hickory Valley Christian church that supports us. I have known Josh for nearly 11 years and have heard nothing but good reports from people that know him. If there is anyone who is interested in supporting him please send a letter of interest to our forwarding agent.

We have said to Josh that he should come to Australia for at least a year to see if this is what God would have him do. So at the present he is trying to raise approximately $1,000 us dollars a month to help him while in Australia. Maybe you might be interested in helping him for a short term like 12 months and you might be able to send him 50 dollars a month or 100 dollars a month. If so please prayerfully consider Josh. He would like to be able to raise his support and come over by January 2007, God willing, Josh was ordained recently at Hickory Valley Christian church Chattanooga.

Another reason for Josh coming is the youth of the church. They are growing in numbers. Just two weeks ago we had 19 young people under the age of 22 in the church.

Apparently the very first Sun day Savannah and I were in the States, the band had a new worship leader. Her name is Kathy Limond. Over the last year and a half I had tried to suggest and influence Kathy to step up and help me with the worship leading. Well finally out of necessity and much prayer Kathy stepped up to the challenge. Praise God. I really understand now that it does work, if you plant enough seeds, that God will bring about changes in people's hearts and minds.

Just this past Sunday Kathy gave a mini testimony on how it was great that Philip went away so that she could see that she needed to stand up and serve God. She said that maybe it is time we all decided that it was not Philip and Sharon’s job to do everything. She said that maybe it is time we all decided to do something more for God. WOW I was sitting there almost crying because we are finally seeing people see more of what they can do for God by serving Him. Also just yesterday after noon Kathy came to our house and said she has found new friendships in the church and has started to realize just how much blessing there is to have when you serve God more than the self. Another big WOW came into my thinking and I said praise God! Please pray for Kathy that she will not lose her joy and new found love for God.

Please pray for the worship band. Please pray that Josh will find the support and visa to come here. Pray for the new youth group. It officially starts on the 23rd of September. Please pray for Peter Hipwell as he will be the leader of this new group.

Please continue to pray us.

God bless,
Phil

Sharon's Desk

Hello everyone, I pray that all is well with you all. We have had some challenges and some great times in the past couple of months. As you know Philip and Savannah were with you in the States, while I was back here in Australia busily studying to become a Librarian.

While Philip and Savannah were in the States I had the pleasure of having a lovely couple stay with me to help the church. As Philip said they were Dennis and Wanda Fulton. They were such a blessing to have stay here with me while Philip and Savannah were visiting you.

It was a blessing because I think I would have gone a little nuts as I am used to having company. Wanda was great to have here as she helped take care of me instead of my having to take care of Savannah and Philip. You know what that was such a blessing.

I have thought about that whole time that I had Dennis and Wanda came up with a thoughts about what place.

It was great to be able to have another perspective about the church. It was great to be able to not have to deal with problems as much as I would if Philip was here and he relied upon my input. That was a blessing.

The fact is there are times when we all need a break from ministry in order for us to appreciate it more. There are times when we need to recharge our batteries. I am not saying I did not attend church or that I was not part of the worship and so on, but what I am saying is this that I did appreciate not having to be in the thick of it for a while. I am renewed and now feel like I can do more. So praise God. I know that Philip has come back renewed and rearing to go, so that has been a blessing to him and also to me.

We need your help!

One request we have is this, we do need some extra funds to help us purchase some chairs. The cost for this is around $2,900 us dollars. If you can help us with this project please send your checks to our forwarding agent marking if for chair project. As we are a small church building we don't have any other room to use when we have a function. Also be cause the youth group is starting up soon we need to be able to stack chairs. Lets face it you cannot stack big pews too successfully. Please help us in this area.

Prayer concerns.

Please pray for our health. I have not been well for about a week now, I have the flu. I just pray that Philip or Savannah does not get what I have. Please pray for strength.

love,
Sharon.

Savannah's Learning Page

Savannah's learning page

Hello my American friends, I hope and pray that you all are well.

Hey did you know that it takes way, way, way, way, to much time to get to you all. Daddy and I, as you know, were over with you recently and it was great, but we both could have done without that long, long , long, long, long, long, long trip.

I was so tired that I was a little bit grumpy on the plane, but daddy said that was ok be cause so was everyone else. Daddy said we were all in the same boat. That did not make much sense to me as we were in a plane, ha ha.

Hey my daddy said that my adopted brother, Josh West, might be coming over to help us with Sunday School wand the youth group. WOW! I hope so.

Hey that reminds me, those friends I made while in America, you are still in my thoughts. I especially remember Savannah Abbey, Annie, Ben, and Brenna Mae. I hope you know that I am thinking of you even through I am so far away. I will try to write soon. Or maybe even E:Mail.

Did you know that I had to go to school the very first Monday I was home. I have had so long away from school, but it was also great to bet back to my teacher and friends there.

While I was with you I had the chance to go to an American school. Daddy actually got to speak to the children at this school and read an Australian book about wombats. Of course some of you know that there are wombats in America. Or that is what daddy called those people who did silly things in their cars while we were there. I said to Daddy I can't see any wombats there. He said well there was not really any real wombats, he just called the people silly wombats. I said Daddy that was not really nice, and he said well, I guess you are right Savannah. He then said but they certainly remind him of some silly wombats. Anyway, I still don't understand that.

Hey as daddy said Mitchell Bice got baptized while we were away. He is a friend of mine, and It is great that he gave his life to Christ. Please pray for him as he begins his new life in Christ. Now I know that I don't understand that fully yet, but both Mummy and Daddy said that we need to pray for him because he is like a new born baby. I said how can that be, he is nearly twenty years old. Then they said no it means that he has just been born again in Christ. Now he is going to grow in faith becoming like Christ. Please pray for Mitchell Bice.

Please pray for my friends and some of those kids who I have invited to Sunday school and church. Their names are Bridie, Chantelle, Cloe, Paige.

Thanks for showing my Daddy and I a great time in America.

your little Aussie mate,
Savannah

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