E-BLAST - 26 FEBRUARY 2012

Around The Tables (ATT) on the Gold Coast last Wednesday. Michael Bingham (left) our AIS Respite visitor for SE Qld AIS Sport Units very pleasing ministry. Michael is with YWAM in Brisbane.

The centre persons are David and Margarita Smethurst who have returned from England where David was undertaking training for the London Olympics as an official sherapone and counsellor. David returns to London in April. Mark's associates John Grocott and Ian Carlson are in the background. Later young writer Julia Baber joined them (8 months pregnant with their second).

This weekend Mark and Delma have been in Sydney enjoying the Dedication Service of their grand-son.

THE TRACKS OF THE LORD'S TOUCH

Dawn on Midge Point Beach at the Laguna Quays Respite with tractors hauling tinny's out to the low tide. This illustrates the Lord's touch as we look back.

The Laguna Quays Respite for missionaries has been remarkable, now CMS people coming in May. The young writers being published in Christian Today Australia continue to be such a joy in the Lord. Australian Missionary News IPTV and our other ministries.

Thankyou for your continuing prayer and financial support, this our 30th year of faith finance living for our family and ministry.

E-BLAST - 19 FEBRUAR 2012

ONE YEAR last Thursday 16 February since we took possession of Laguna Quays Respite. We have celebrated numerous missionaries visiting - SIM, WEC, CMS, BCA, TEAR, SU, YM, CM - we have bookings thru to May and another for July.

We've made many improvements to the property including painting the veranda, concreting the drive way and planting 10 palm trees. Internals include painting, blinds, kitchen lino, furniture, washing machine, dyer, beds, air conditioning ....

Special blessings is the dual cab and Chris Chadwick who collects missionaries from Proserpine airport and mows the lawns; along with Sean and Sue Spencer, our local co-ordinators.

Photo - Shute Harbour where the ferries leave for the Whitsunday Islands. Laguna Quays is on Repulse Bay hosting the same beautiful blue.

35 YEARS IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Euan and Yvonne McDonald, Uniting Church Ministers (West Mackay and Calen) lunched with us on arrangement on Monday last week as they were passing through Bloomsbury (20 min from Lagina Quays on the Bruce Hwy).

They celebrated with us our 35th year in Christian Ministry (and marriage). Euan has hosted several Country Town Tours to the region over many years.

Their second son Tim McDonald is one of our young writers. Tim's first 2012 article will be published in Christian Today this Thursday.

E-BLAST - 12 FEBRUARY 2012

Two tractors at 6.15am hauling tinny's to the Midge Point Beach for fishing, photographed by Mark and Delma on their morning beach walk while at Laguna Quays Respite.

While walking they listen to the audio Bible. Steve and Debbie Suba (Launceston) donated a Koorong Books Gift card, Mark got the audio Bible on MP3 discs. Julia Baber one of the young writers loaded the discs to Mark's computer itunes, then transferred to his iphone. Mark plays the audio Bible on the iphone (shirt left hand pocket) and the audio is clearly heard on his BlueTooth (shirt right hand pocket).

Upcoming missionary visits: WEC people in March, SU family in April, even a July booking, CMS family. To our E-Network - for your wonderful sacrificial and precious financial support that Laguna Quays Respite might be offered to missionaries, thankyou.

35th ANNIVERSAY DINNER

Mark and Delma (right) after their 35th anniversary dinner at the Midge Point Tavern with Laguna Quays Respite Co-Ordonators Sean and Sue Spencer. They are delighted that the 10 planted palm trees are looking splendid (5 large at the front and 5 along the side).

PSI young writers - Blaine Packer from Launceston Tasmania studying at the WEC Bible College has his first article published tomorrow (Monday 13 February).

E-BLAST - 5 FEBRUARY 2012

Footplate Padre's article in Christian Today on Monday highlights the past 100 years of Australian Railways. 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin (19 February) - rail yards took a belting. Photo - NT steam engine of the era.

This Thursday (9 Feb) to Laguna Quays Respite for 10 days inbetween missionary respite visits. We're celebrating three milestones: 35th wedding anniversary, 35 years in Christian Ministry and our 30th year - faith finance for family and ministry. Thankyou for your giftings.

February '1 min' video is on our Tasmanian Country Town Tour in January - please click squiggly line on the web site.