Melbourne Australia

Friendships are so special. I've met with "lots" of old friends here
in Melbourne over the last few days. I was invited to a wedding last
Saturday where I was able to reconnect with many people that
otherswise would have been impossible to see. Over 450 people were
invited to this wedding and it seems like all showed up. Sunday was
also a full day of ministry when I've preached twice at two different
churches as well as speaking to a group of young people on Sunday
morning. Sunday lunch and afternoon was spent with family and friends.
I've spent significant time with Nathan, a young man involved in
"Young Life" ministry at a school in Footscray, a suburb not far from
Downtown Melbourne. Nathan and his fiancé just got engaged and are
making preparations for their wedding sometime in September. I've
known him ever since he way a toddler and is great to see him develop
into a responsible young man involved in ministry. On Sunday night
I've had the privilege to make a new friend, a pastor that grew up in
Indonesia from a Muslim background and now serves the Lord in world
missions. It was also good to reconnect with people, especially men
that I invested a lot of time during the years prior of our moving to
the US. Most of them are involved in ministry in one way or another.
This week I will be travelling to Brisbane, a city two states away on
the east coast of Australia where I have a scheduled meeting with
pastors from the area as well as preaching engagements and personal
visits. I've spent 4 years in this city in late '80s and early '90s
where we've planted our first church where I was invited to preach.
More updates to come. Thank you for your prayers.

I have arrived in Australia

Just to let everyone know that I have arrived in Australia. The travel
was eventless and very smooth. A very long flight though each way
you're looking at it. Left Atlanta on Monday night for Los Angeles.
Stoped over and took a flight to Sydney. Changed airplane in Sydney
and have arrived in Melbourne on Wednedsay morning. You get the
point!! Immediatelly I was scgeduled to visit some elderly ladies that
I knew from way back when and thanked the Lord for their faithfullness
over the years. One in particular was Miss Dorris Fletche, she's 84
and lives in an old people's home. Phisically very frail and yet very
vibrant in the Lord. She was instrumental in the resettlement of many
refugees from Southeast Asia such as Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian
families. We prayed together, had devotions and encouraged one
another. We've also visited Mrs Annie Pop, another 84 year old lady
that I knew from my days in Australia in early 80's. at her home and
did the same. She was very glad to see me after 17 years. Her husband
is not a believer and she asked prayer for his salvation. She is still
strong and active in a local church not far from her home in
Canterbury, a select suburb of Greater Melbourne area. We've prayed
together and encouraged one another in the Lord. Each day I encounter
people at the local McDonald's where I go to send updates using their
free wifi. I was asked to participate at a wedding on Saturday at a
local church where the father of the bride asked me to share with at
the church service. I plan to share the Gospel. What a great
opportunity. I appreciate your prayers. I plan to send updates on my
blog. Please visit: http://impactglobal.blogspot.com