FOCUS Report and Support

This is a short video that promotes the ministry of FOCUS. It also reports on some of the highlights for 2006. The front promo is 5 1/2 minutes long, and then there's 3 minutes of extras. Enjoy!!!


Fellowship of Christian University Students
University of Tasmania

www.focusutas.org

December 2006

M T S


Joe finished up his MTS apprenticeship with FOCUS at Tas Uni on the 30th of October. He spent his final weeks putting together a promotional video (or DVD) clip to help promote the Christian group. He worked so hard on this and (as his wife) I can say, I think it is a great resource for FOCUS. Early next year it is hoped that students from different churches can present the clip at their church in order to raise awareness for coming uni students of FOCUS and hopefully prayer and financial support. If you want to check it out, click here.

God has been very good to us during Joe's time doing MTS. We have learnt so much about the challenges and joys of ministry, about ourselves and about God's goodness. It isn't without great sadness that Joe turns back to full-time work having decided that despite our enthusiasm, now is not the right timing for us as a couple to go into theological training. It is hard not to feel we have failed, but, as we are trying to remind ourselves – ministry does not only happen in a full time capacity. This is not the end...merely the beginning! We look forward to being used by God in ways that as yet, we cannot see and we thank Him for all that he has shown us, grown us and given us over the last 2 years. In our thankfulness, we remember you, who through your prayer and financial support made doing MTS possible and kept us going.

H O L I D A Y S

After Joe finished up MTS, we headed off for a few days in Scamander (east coast tassi) with my parents. Top spot. Great company and card games galore. For the card players out there...Joe called 8 hearts in 500, and won the round and the game without winning a single trick (thanks to a helpful partner – Dad!). He he he. We had a lovely time away. Then it was back to our new place for a few days organising the house. Then, off again, for 3 nights on Maria Island. In the end, it was one night in the pub at Triabunna and 2 nights on Maria Island. You see, Lij fell over while exploring and hit a rock. He got a nasty bump and a deepish cut on his head. So, after being on the island for 4 hours, we packed down our tent and all our gear and had to head back to the mainland to get it checked out by the ambo. All was ok with the head but now it was 9.00pm. So we stayed in the local pub and caught the ferry back in the morning to continue our adventures.

O T H E R B I T S & P I E C E S


On the 13th of November, Joe started work at the Department of Health and Human Services. He's doing something i don't really understand. Something to do with physics, radiation and researching the use of solaria. It's a temporary position, ending in early February, by which time we pray he can find a permanent position. At the moment there are some exciting possibilities lining up. We'll keep you posted.

Onto other news. I have finished the uni year and hope to complete my teaching degree in Summer School come January. I can't wait to finally put down the books.

Elijah is currently on the greatest vocabularly adventure, learning new words everyday. His latest words include: tracter, Dodo (Django his best mate), bubble, bombat (Wombat), oooo (Roo), dodin (dolphin) and yes! (with a well pronounced ssssss and the arm action to go with it – thanks to one Nick Gross). He loves his balls and is quite a good kick and loves throwing and catching with any willing individual. He loves hanging with mates Xavier Lynch and Django Richardson. And...soon... he'll be hanging with another...his own little bro' or sis'. That's right. I'm pregnant! Woo hoo! Bubs is due May 25th ish, so Lij and baby will be almost exactly 2 years apart. Nickname for bubs? Joe's favourite coffee label of course – Illy. Very fine. We are so thrilled and thankful to the Lord for his goodness to us.

Love, best wishes, prayers, hugs and hopefully coffees in the not too distant future,

Cath, Joe and Liji Beau (Elijah). And Illy.