"Hospitality doesn’t transform people; it creates a space
in which transformation can occur."- Dhati Lewis
We decided a while back that 6 months in to our time back here at YWAM Perth we would take a short break to rest; reflect the go-go-go of the year behind us (oh-boy did it fly!), and respond to our first full year of ministry ahead. I am learning that God cares about these moments behind the scenes as he does about the full-time ministry we share about regularly. This is just an extension of that ministry.
If you would like to hear more of the ministry side of things please, let us know! Just sent out a newsletter a couple of weeks back, and would enjoy getting you up to speed.
A good friend that we have made since coming back to the country Tim, invited us to visit with them and some of their family for a few days, to get a break from the city (Perth) and hustle and bustle of the everyday. If nothing else we knew our cell phones wouldn't work -a 4 hour drive into the Australian Wheatbelt Outback- and Matt had briefly been through once before. I didn't know what to expect, as Matt planned most of it, but had a peace about going from the get-go.
A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. - Proverbs 16:9
Seriously... and I am not exaggerating.
It was one of the most refreshing times I have had as an adult. Matt took a day to practice some music, and I took a few days to work on some personal art projects. But ya know what was the most refreshing?
People.
I am kinda talking about hospitality, but please don't read it that way.
After numerous holidays away from our families, and of course missing them dearly -- we were both reminded of good family memories - everywhere we turned. On top of the strong sense that this home reminded me of the hand full of homes that I felt 'adopted' into as a teen. If you know me well, this a huge area of redemption in my story. People that just said "welcome to our home, here are the water glasses, please help ya-self... Oh, you're coffee people right?" Slow drawn out conversation with genuine care about what you are doing with your life and why... and taking the time to really listen to the heart behind your words. Beautiful people that joyfully share their own stories of personal struggle, life-lessons, and victories.
As a person, you never feel like a task to be checked off, a chore to be completed, a project to be managed... Maybe it's generational. Maybe it's an outback or country thing. Surely a Jesus thing. I honestly don't know. But from the time that we walked through the door, we felt loved and at home - with the Aussie countryside as our backdrop.
Thank you Beckingham Family, for sharing those few days with us, and your home with us!
PHOTOS FROM OUR TIME:
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This was the most common image... from every window, every roadside, every direction I pointed my camera...
Blue sky, yellow feilds, and dashes spots and clusters of dry trees across the flat country side.
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My Dad loves me. I was reminded of so many memories as a little girl, looking up at the sky... Camping with my mom and brother, going to 2 mile run with Matt when we were engaged... just look at that sky.
Western Australia, due to its isolation and flat landscape is the perfect place to take in the stars..
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The India map on the left, and Calender on the right of the front door.
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You can learn much about people by what they have on the walls of their home.
LEFT: Over ten years ago, they were asked to become the directors of an orphanage in India. "We are just simple sheep farmers God, we can't do this." -- What I heard after that was the most beautiful story of how they prayed and knew God was challenging them to take this on... and lean on Him for understanding. They have seen several young people safely grow up there. Some have even been trained in a trade, and go off to have really fruitful lives. Actually, India is where their son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter live.Panneerkulam Children's Home is the main orphanage which has girls and boys. Orakkadu is the boys only orphanage - which is in the midst of being built.
They have not had the administrative capacity to build or keep a website - but if you are interested in more information - they are really easy to get ahold of by e-mail: wialkiscrapper@hotmail.com
PS. I would love to see someone build and/or sponsor a website for them.
RIGHT: A gift calendar from the Official Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Because they are volunteer data collectors for rainfall in the region.
A farm-oasis in the middle of the dry Western Australian Outback.
Robin and Len Beckingham, Tims parents.
Our friend Tim and his teapot. >>
<< Comparing notes about US travels.
Note: If you ever want someone to feel at home, that is from another nation. Show interest in their nation.
The Beckinghams are not the first Aussies I have heard say "I would love to travel around America (again)".
I learned that week that just because you have sheep, doesn't make you a shepherd.And that sheep without a shepherd will just follow other sheep...
