Phil Eagling Newsletter November 2000

Volume 1, Issue 6 November 23th, 2000

Please pray for the apathy to stop, and pray for a desire to know God, in those we are trying to minister to.

G’day from down under. Hey did you all see the Olympic Games? Sharon and I were wondering if you all were looking at the Games and thinking about us? I ask that question because if you saw the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games you would have seen some of what we are dealing with here. You may have seen what the aboriginal people believe in the shape of the spirit of the earth. You may have seen the emphasis put on the animals, of which is very much a part of the animistic belief system of the aboriginal people.

You certainly saw what the Australian god was, sport! Just after the Olympic Games there were ticket tape parades for all the Australian Olympic team. An interview was given to a gold medalist, and the question was asked, "how does it feel to be worshipped," and the Olympiad in response said, "it feels great to be worshipped."

Now I am certainly not putting down the Olympic Games, but what I am putting down is the response that people have given these Olympic winners. This kind of attitude flows over into the reason for the apathy that exists in people, when it comes to anything that is related to Christianity.

Please would you pray for the same enthusiasm that was shown and given towards the Olympic team and the games itself, to be given to God. Please pray for the apathy to change when it comes to the ordinary Aussie considering their eternal future.

We have several people in the church that have not made a decision to follow Christ through the waters of baptism. These people have certainly heard preaching and teaching about following Christ, but the problem comes in when the call comes to further commit.

Recently I preached a sermon on prayer, and in my studying of prayer I found some passages of Scripture that helped me to see prayer in a whole new way. In Colossians 4:2 it says that one should be devoted to prayer. In Luke 18:1 it says that one ought to pray always, that it is God’s will that we pray.

So I would ask you to pray for us as we run the race marked out for us. As we seek to do the Father’s will. What is His will? To reach the unsaved for Him. Nothing you have not heard before, but now that you know the struggle that we have with the apathy that exists in the general Australian public, we would ask you to pray that God would change people’s hearts, that the apathy would be taken over by a desire to know Christ as Lord and Savior. We know that if you pray for us God will open up doors to people. Please pray for the following people, Kristy, Sarah, Neil, David, and Terri.

Thank you all once again for your continued prayers and support, God bless, yours in Christ,

Philip.

Sharon's Desk

Greetings to you all once again. I know I said it last newsletter but I’ll say it again the time is flying by. Savannah is really keeping us on our toes now, if I thought she was into everything before, I was really mistaken. She is such a joy and delight. She is saying some words now and talks all day long. She is such a little girl dragging clothes, dolls and bags wherever she goes. She is too cute!

We had a great week of camp with much fun had by all. We had some wonderful studies by Philip’s Dad and the people really enjoyed the week [except for the food, but we won’t go there]. It was a good chance to get to know the people on a more personal level. It was a relaxed week and I think the people really appreciated it.

The ladies group is going well. They have come up with the idea of supporting a local women’s shelter as a mission project. We will be supplying some care packages for ladies that are in need of emergency accomodation. When this shelter was suggested to us, I was astounded at the figures they quoted. Murwillumbah has the population of around 7,000, and they help out 250 women a year. I was really shocked at that figure. We are holding a street stall this coming Thursday in the main street to raise funds to help out more at Christmas. It is so encouraging that the ladies are looking outward and wanting to help in the community.

Please pray for the youth of this place, we recently have experienced vandalism in the town, with shop windows being smashed and trees destroyed as well as gardens and such. There is a very real problem here with the youth, and drugs have a lot to do with this, so please pray for them, that we would be able to reach them.

Well, that’s all from me for this month. I’d like to thank you again for your support and prayers, they mean such a lot to us.

God Bless. Sharon.

Savannah's learning page for kids

How to speak Australian and other information about Australia

My daddy said that his face fungas (beard) has some grey hairs in it because of the bean counters (accountant) assesment of his tax return. My dad says to tell you that it is okay to cack (laugh) at that. There really is no worries with his tax return. My mum said that we are going to the beach next week and I will get to try on my new cossie (swimsuit). Mum also said that that while we are at the beach we will get to have some grouse (good) tucker (food). Also Mum said that I must put on my sunnies (sunglasses) while in the sun. Do you know that when my dad called the dentist the other day he said to mum that he had called the fang carpenter, does my dad sound funny or what?

You know what, I also think that sometimes I wished those grown ups would not put so much lippie (lipstick) on my clothes, because my mum says it is hard yakka (hard work) to get it off.

My mum says that I really like goog (egg), and I also have to fess up (confess) that I like snags (saugages). Dad says that Joe Blow (Mr. Average) likes a good old Barbie (Barbeque), with plenty of snags on the menu.

Dad said that there were some people at the Olympic Games that went really berko (crazy) when an Aussie won a gold medal. Well I need to choof off, hoo roo (see you later) hope you kids are all well, may Jesus be the light in you, Savannah.

• Franklin Christian Church
• Franklin Christian Church Missions
• Philip Eagling in Australia Missions
• The Mission field: Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia

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