June 2006

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The Apostle Paul's words in the quotes above are amazing! They reveal the height of the Christian hope, a hope that has encouraged millions down through the centuries to persevere in faith and love in the midst of the most difficult times. This is my continual source of encouragement, and I pray it will be yours also: Christ suffered and then entered glory, and in him we are on that same road to glory. And though the road is rough, the destination is certain (Romans 8:30). We don't see our glory now; we see trouble and suffering. And yet our troubles are temporary, but our glory is eternal. That's why we need to live by faith, not by sight. Faith is being sure of our hope of glory.

NEWS

It's been a difficult and rewarding past few months for our family. It's been unusually difficult because added to the challenge of ministry and parenting, Cath began her final 8-week teaching practicum as part of her 4th year as an Education student. During this period we went through the sadness of a miscarriage. And this has come at a time when we are both feeling a degree of anxiety because of the decisions we are making in relation to our future training in ministry. In all of this we have been trusting in God. We are so thankful to him for everything. Cath will finish her prac in a few weeks, and God has enabled us to make decisions that we know will glorify him as we continue to walk by faith, not by sight.

However, the past few months have also been especially rewarding. Elijah began walking a few weeks before his first birthday. And in the difficulties God's caused us to renew our commitment to the priority of our relationship with him and eachother above our plans and situation. And because of this I'm rejoicing. In addition the ministry at FOCUS has continued to be particularly fruitful in the second half of Semester One: Our evangelistic efforts in the recent “Convinced by Da Vinci?” mission were the most successful in FOCUS' history at attracting large numbers to public talks. Also, one of our international students at IBM became a Christian at our last meeting of Semester. And because of this we're praising God.

HIGHLIGHT

Definitely the highlight for me in ministry is seeing God bring people to faith in himself. One of the Chinese blokes I've been trying to read the Bible with since he became a Christian at the end of last year, Sam Wang, has been praying for his girlfriend, Doris, to become a Christian. Many of us at IBM have been praying for her, and trying to bring her in love to understand the gospel.

On the last Friday night meeting of the Semester she decided to come along to IBM with Sam because she had been thinking seriously about becoming a Christian. We had finished John's gospel, and by way of follow up were studing Acts 1-2, with the final study looking at the conclusions of Peter's Sermon. At the end of the study we asked people if they wanted to become Christians. And by God's grace, that is exacly what Doris had decided!

COMING UP

Cath and I have just come back from a short but very needed and enjoyable holiday. With less than 4 weeks before FOCUS' Mid-Year Conference, Sam Green and myself are now putting most of our energy into organising and preparing for MYC and Semester 2. I hope the Prayer Diary is helping you know how you can be supporting us in prayer week by week. Let me know if you want more copies of this.

Further on the horizon, Cath and I have made a number of significant decisions about next year and beyond. The last year and a half of MTS has progressively shown Cath she's not yet ready for me to continue heading into full-time Christian leadership. Although my MTS has been fruitful and rewarding, we've realised that what she needs in particular is time to prepare herself for this commitment, and I understand that. And so while I'm going to enjoy continuing in my present ministry under Sam Green, I'm deciding not to, at this stage, undergo further ministry training until we both feel ready for me to commit to Christian leadership. I plan to continue helping in the work of FOCUS until October, when Semester 2 finishes, when (God permitting) I'll start someother type of full-time work.

SUPPORT

Once again, thank you immensely for all your support: by encouraging us, by praying for us, by your gifts, by giving to AFES who pay us, by serving the work of the gospel along side us. And we ask that you continue supporting us so that we can finish what we have undertaken.

It will be a great help to the finances of AFES Tasmania if those of you who are able do continue supporting me financially for the remainder of the 2 year period of my MTS.

I plan to take myself off the payroll when I commence other paid work in October-November. Continued giving to AFES beyond this point will help towards recovering the debt that I have created for them, who have given me a full MTS wage, even though – up to the present date – I have been unable to raise the entirety of my income from personal supporters.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

What a joy it is to know that in the many different kinds of trials we face as Christians, God is at work bringing us to maturity in him. That's why we know God will always keep us persevering in our work produced by faith, our labor prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1Th1:3). And we pray that you will also.

WITH LOVE – Joe, Cath and Elijah Beau.