Sunday, June 23, 2013

Dear Praying Fiends,
We are enjoying our first full autumn and winter here in Melbourne, Australia.  It is chilly and windy at times, but overall it is not even close to the cold we experienced in the Midwest.  There are several trees that have changed color and lost their leaves, but many still remain.  It is odd to be heading into July and be in winter.  So, we are still adjusting to living on the other side of the earth.
On May 25 we celebrated Australia's National Day of Thanksgiving.  It is not like the United States Thanksgiving Day, but it was a day that reminded us to thank God for who He is and for His wonderful gift of salvation.  The ladies prepared three fruit baskets for different community servants.  Don and I delivered one basket to the local fire brigade, our local police department, and to Watsonia Primary School where we meet on Sundays.  After hearing that some of the groups would most likely refuse to take the gift, we prayed that the Lord would allow us to be a blessing and He answered.  Each group received the baskets gratefully and we shared with them that we were thankful for them and that we would be praying especially for them on Sunday. 
From May 31 to June 2 the ladies went to the Refresh Retreat.  It was held at a camp at Mount Evelyn and several other churches from the state of Victoria participated.  There was candle making, games, food, and Beverly Shoaf was the speaker for the conference.  The ladies came back and shared testimony the next Sunday of the blessing they received from spending time in fellowship at the camp.
June 6 Sara's parents arrived to visit and will be heading home on June 26.  It has been a wonderful time taking them around to see all the things that we have experienced in our short time here in Australia.  We have enjoyed introducing them to our new friends "down under" and showing them the ministry that the Lord has called us to.  They have been able to see the different landscape here in the Melbourne area from the downtown city to the beach all the way to the mountains.  Also, we have been able to see much wildlife both in the zoo and in the wild.  Please pray for them as they travel back to the States and readjust to the time back in Illinois.
We have several upcoming events that we would love if you could pray for.  On July 7 we will be having a church family game night at our house, and on July 12 we are trying to plan a go karting activity and have a barbeque.  Our big activity for July is on the 28 we will be having a group from Creation Ministries in the share on Sunday night.  It should be a very informative time and also a great opportunity to reach out to the lost souls in our area.  There is one more big request for this upcoming month and that is the transition at Grace Baptist Church.  Our friends and coworkers Don and Lola Winans will be shifting over to cover for another missionary couple that will head home for furlough.  This will leave us to lead Grace Baptist Church, but truly we will be led by the Lord Jesus the true head of Grace Baptist Church.  Please pray that the Lord would give us wisdom and that His blessing would be on this local church.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and learn more of what is happening in Melbourne, Australia.  May God bless you for taking part in this ministry through prayer.

In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family