GFA NEWS  -  NATIONAL  -  ARCHIVED

 

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NATIONAL NEWSLETTER - 19^th June 2007    -   posted 19/06/2007

 Growing Families Australia - from the National Directors

 

 

 

Pour yourselves a cuppa, relax on a comfy couch and be inspired as you read.....

REFLECTIONS FROM THE GFA 2007 NATIONAL FAMILY CAMPING CONFERENCE

 

 

 

from Anne Marie and Gary….
As we enjoyed our 'cuppa' the morning of April 12th, after arriving back home - our thoughts returned to Australia and the wonderful time we had at the GFA National Conference 2007. Thank you West Australia Team for hosting such a wonderful Conference and extending hospitality to us all. May the Lord richly bless your labours of love and there was a lot of labour involved in preparing Camp Wattle Grove for the Conference.

God answered prayer beyond all we could have hoped or imagined. Bringing families from Zimbabwe, Singapore, New Zealand and all over the continent of Australia. What a blessing for us to see so many seasoned leaders in attendance and many new folks to GFI as well. It was a joy as well to meet Leigh & Marilyn Roberts and hear how God has used them to share the principles of Biblical Parenting with so many over the last 20 years, plus see the fruits of their labour as well.

The theme this year was Relationship, Relationship, Relationship, and that is what life is all about - first our relationship with our Heavenly Father through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit - that then transcends our relationship with one another. This was our 7th trip to Australia and we can see the Lord cementing so many relationships and the joy in seeing your children, who actually knew us!

For those who were not able to attend the Conference for whatever reason, may we encourage you now to start saving for the next National in 2009 - it is probably one of the best investments you can make for your family. To be with and observe so many families working toward the same goals. Now because GFA is 'growing up' you have Teens who are such an example of all that the younger parents are striving for. The Teen Panel this year was 'brilliant' and prayerfully encouraged those coming behind to not grow weary in the well doing, for in due season you will reap a beautiful harvest - if you don't give up!

Until our next visit - we will continue pressing on, thank you for your prayers for us, and please make sure to keep Bill and Joan in your prayers as well as they 'climb the mountain' with us. Love, Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo. Gal. 6:9 & 10.
 

from Shelley Weitenberg….
Thank you so much for putting together such a fantastic conference... we were so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you also for setting us up with the Harbour's... they were ridiculously hospitable!!! We now consider them to be new family to us, they are absolutely wonderful people!
 

from Jenny Abetz….
One of the highlights for me was to see so many children having fun and playing together without the usual fighting you see in playgrounds elsewhere. There were tears when someone was hurt, but not the “he did that” or “she won’t share” type of stuff. It was a delight to see the children patiently waiting to have their faces painted, taking genuine interest in what was being painted on someone else’s face. The other highlight was to see the delightful teenagers on stage! They were so honest and genuine, trying so hard to deal with the lengthy questions given to them. All I can say is congratulations to the many parents at the conference: Your children were a delight to be with! Thank you!

 

from Leslie & Sheree Hobbs (Zimbabwe)….
We would like to thank you so much for the wonderful time we have just spent with you. It certainly was the trip of a life time. The conference was excellent and we would like to congratulate the WA team for a job well done. It has really impacted our lives. We enjoyed meeting so many like-minded and beautiful families, all of whom gave us so much encouragement, love and acceptance. Whilst we thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of your great country, what touched us most were the RELATIONSHIPS that were built. We so loved being able to spend the time getting to know many of you. Eph 3:20. The evidence of God's salvation is seen in your faces, heard in your voices, and reflected in the works of your hands.

 

 

 

 

from Sharelle Colley-Hearn….
I had an absolutely sensational (!!) time at Conference and was blessed out of my socks to experience the great sense of community among such a diverse and widespread group of like-minded families. You truly outdid yourselves pulling that together and I look forward to many great reports of the fruit that is borne out of that time together.

from Pete Foote….
One of my highlights was chatting with some other dads who are thinking “creatively” about how many hours they work, and looking for opportunities to work less so they can be around the family more. For some of them, it means working from home full time, while for others, looking at dropping a day a week. So guys, if you feel the Lord is leading you in that direction, I’d encourage you to go for it!

 

 

from Liz Sykes….
….even though we mostly were looking after grandchildren so our kids could attend, we enjoyed sharing with other families at mealtimes and had the pleasure of the Schrapel family from SA staying with us for a few days afterwards. Lovely to see a family where mutual respect and consideration was a hallmark.

from Melanie Gaebler….
We decided not to attend the National Conference as a family even though we lived just 15 minutes away from the venue and Ben was invited to lead the worship times. Too expensive, managing 4 little children etc.. However, at the last minute we had a change of heart. We were SO blessed, we had never experienced the relationship of family like this before. We are already preparing to attend the 2009 GFA conference!

 

 

     

 

from Kerry Pearce….
Let’s finish our reflections with this precious letter written from the heart during the conference. A Letter from Kerry Pearce to Gary and Anne Marie... (used with permission)

I'm writing to you this letter in the early hours of Saturday morning praising God for your word last night, Gary, on "Godly Passions, Why are we here?" The Lord revealed to me that my "defining moment" in my relationship with God was on a night 10 years ago after being dragged along, (kicking and screaming) to an introductory night for GKGW (AVW).

It was after I listened to Bill and Joan give their passionate intro to GKGW, and then listening to both of you that I suddenly realised that I didn't know much at all about parenting and more so about relationships. At this time my profession was a Sales Manager, and thought I knew all about relationships and how to get what you want out of them, but realised that what I knew about relationships and parenting was all about how the world does things, and not how God would like things done.

10 years on.... (a short time in the scheme of things) I am still a husband to my first wife, a beautiful woman, father of 5 beautiful children and now working as a Pastor fulltime in a church looking after families. Yes, I have God to thank for this, however your ministry revealed my passion and has made my life as a husband, father, pastor and friend so much easier. I heard that Bill spoke about my ordination the other night and I just want to confirm what he said about the family of GFA. The people that surround you today are some of the most passionate, graceful people in this world and I have them to thank for helping both Sally and me see God's way of living a Godly lifestyle.

I came from a very materialistic and worldly mindset, but now through your ministry and the revelation from the Holy Spirit I know money can't buy what a faithful parent will enjoy as they view the Godly lifestyle of their partner and children. As that song said last night, "Money can't, but time can". I pray that God will strengthen your ministry and keep yours, Anne Marie’s, Bill and Joan's passion burning. Bless you and THANK YOU for all you have done for us.

Kerry Pearce, Pastor, Hillside Church, W.A. Joshua 25 v 15 ".....as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

   

 

The Next Conference….
The Growing Families New South Wales Team have much pleasure in announcing the next conference:

Check it out at www.thetops.com.au. Thanks team, we know you are also in "fear and trembling" at the thought of organising something so big (the launch of "The Project"- a secret to be shared in August!) - it will be a booked out convention this time for sure! If you are willing to help in any way, please contact the GFNSW Team via Ian and Lynn Williams, lynnai41@optusnet.com.au to join the team. Also START SAVING NOW!
 

Thanks everyone, and especially our great God, for making it all worthwhile!

From the GFWA organising team:
     John and Tricia Wieske
     David and Charissa Scotford
     Ken and Linda Saul
     Peter and Lisa Wieske
     Ann Jefferies
     Bill and Joan Grosser