Daring to believe, dream and act........

Once upon a time I was sitting on a dirty tiled floor, huddled shoulder to shoulder with people sitting having deep conversations with loved ones, friends, family, parents, children. The air is filled with smoke wafting around us, while a fan rotates ever so slowly that is almost humorous to watch it move, while we all have sweat pouring of us and some make handheld fans out of cardboard. There is the constant hum of conversations to the sound track of men playing drums on a platform in the corner. This was the back drop to the birth of a ministry. A ministry to women in prison. I was visiting with a lady, who began to tell me what it is like and what some women do to get what they need. So many of the women are facing long sentences and do not have money to be able to buy food and other necessities of life and can not rely on poor families to support there financial needs. The prison system supplies them with the basics, rice and veggie mix or bread, papaya and banana. The Prison system allow inmates to buy additional food and other things they need. But if you don't have money then you can't. They are confined to a cell block, with nothing to do. The project aims to give them something to do while they serve their time and help them to buy what they need. At present the women involved are beading sarongs to be used as shawls or wall hangings. I have ideas to expand the range and utilize some other skills the women have. What is vital to me in this project is 'value'. We all make choices that are wrong and have consequences. Some choices have bigger and long term consequences. The Word says that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God and none of us should ever forget this. Yes these women are serving the consequence of their choices but they are still valuable, they are still apart of the World. We are not defined by our past but by what we choose today and tomorrow and the future. I want these women to know that they are not forgotten, they can have a future and can have hope, that they are still valuable.
As I think about these women being valued, I think about how we value people. What does it really look like to value someone? I think about how I had the courage to go into these places, to go and sit on a prison floor with criminals and desire to bring hope? By the grace of God firstly and by being supported and upheld by people like YOU! Yes YOU, if you are reading this then in some way you have impacted my life and are apart of this too. Thank you! I could not have sat on that floor and come up with a project to give women a livelihood if I was not walking in faith and in the footsteps of men and women who have gone before me and have encouraged me. Being in YWAM gave us as as a family the courage to go, that we can do this in Him, with Him we can dare to dream and we can do something. On that tiled floor I was getting a vision of the women doing something with their time and then being sold and the money going back to them. YWAM values visionary, YWAM releases people into their visions, daring young people to dream and take action. I found myself holding a weeping women and having a big vision to impact women's lives. So, I bought some sarongs and some beads with my partner in this, Virginia and they started. There is still many things to work through and sort out, but something was started and it is His work and I thank the values of YWAM for daring me to dream and to act. I value being surrounded by people who have gone before me in daring to dream and act, I feel blessed to be surrounded by you! As I dreamed I had people like Dan and Catrina Pennington of Moselle Clothing, John and Margaret Beaumont, the founders of Destiny Rescue, on my mind, people who had dared to dream and were impacting life's. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Thank you for allowing me to dream and to act and for us a family to dream and act. There is a lady who keeps this all ticking, Virginia and she has a heart so big and a love so big for these women and without her this project would not have started. To her I say thank you for sharing your heart, your love, your friendship and for all the hard yards you do to keep the project going.
Although at times I struggle to step, I keep stepping as my family step in going. We need more than ever your support, to keep daring to dream and act. We need to know that we are being upheld as we step into action. I have been challenged to believe and I will see His glory. I have been challenged by Ephesians 3:20 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..' God can do more than I dare to ask or dare to imagine........... Right now we are asking and believing for all we need to get back.
In my previous blog I shared about the boys and that schooling was an issue, well we have decided on Distance Education through Education Queensland. Which means they will be schooled at home and have more time to skate, surf and focus on their individual talents more. I will admit I am a little bit nervous, but I have sought wisdom from those who have done this and done some reading from the experts and I feel I am a little bit prepared...???... The boys feel more comfortable with schooling at home and the flexibility it gives for them to be more involved in other things we are doing.
I am still dreaming and I have big dreams! I struggle and I fail, but the grace of God covers me and us all. So, dare to dream and take action. We can all do something if we would just dare to believe, dream and act. I was reading Nelson Mandella's 'Conversations with Myself' and in the first bit he had a quote 'A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying'. God offers us all grace but do we really take it, or do we let our failings stop us from changing and shaping life's and possibly change and shape history??? Will you dare to believe, dream and act?
I have some sarongs available for sale for $20, come see me or I can post them, but you will have to pay for postage. And check out http://www.sacrificeind.com/ for all Mark is doing with Sacrifice which helps our income.

The Geltch boyzzzzzzzzz. Inspiring me.

The Geltch boyz are truly rockin, handsome, amazingly talented boyz. This past month each have had major achievements of their own. Firstly, Jye (as he is the oldest). Has spent the past 3 months rehearsing with a Worship band for QLD Baptist Womens Camps and Conferences. On the first weekend in August he packed his gear into the back of the car and mum and dad were his roadies. Alot of leads, guitar picks, spare strings, 2 electric guitars, 1 accoustic, music stand, 2 amps and other 'stuff'. It was a highlight of my 'mothering' of Jye to see him stand before 400 people playing his guitar. Jye could not play a song at the beginning of 2010, and here he is playing lead and alternating so 'cooly' between guitars. On the third weekend Jye and I went to Brisbane for an all day conference where he once again plaid guitar. Words really can not express the overwhelming emotion I had at watching him. He is a gifted musician and he will make it in the world of music! Jye qualified to compete in a Grade 8 inter school maths competition. Although he or his school did not achieve a place, he and his school team were not at all out of there league.
Jesse competed in Tournament of the Minds. The last 2 years he competed in Optiminds. Both these competitions are inter school team challenges which requite thinking creatively and working as a team. Through Jesse doing this he has displayed the traits of a great leader. His ability to see people abilities, involve everyone, listen to others ideas, and value every member of his team has been a joy to observe. Jesse also qualified to participate in the Coasts Language Speech competition, Jesse did a speech in Japanese. I sat in and listened and he did a superb job. His confidence and courage to do these things encourages me to step out and have confidence. Jesse produced a comic 'Little Ninja' which he made up a stall on the side of the road with a sign and he sold his comic for $1. He made $30. Again, speechless at his confidence to put himself out there and sell his work. Truly challenging to me. He is a creative, witty, intelligent kid. If you want a copy let me know.......
Josh was a part of Group Verse Speaking in the Sunshine Coast Esteidford. His group were all grade 2's, they had to recite 2 poems. I have to admit I had tears in my eyes watching Josh and his group. To see Josh standing in front of people reciting poetry, with dramtic effect full of confidence assures me that I am doing alright in raising boys that are confident to be and do what they desire. Of course I thought his group did a superb job! And they were up against grade 5 and 6ers and private schools. They were the biggest group of the youngest kids and they were awarded a Highly Commended, I was a very very joyful mummy. The past few weeks Josh has started to read chapter books which has been a huge step for him. We have been working hard with his schooling and it is paying off. He now loves to read.
This past month of sitting back and watching my boys and their personal achievements I have honestly been inspired and encouraged. They have each pursued these things of their own desire. Of course with the support of us, but not our decision of what they would do. They all have unique talents, creativity and intelligence that astounds me. If you know me, then you know I always say 'I'm not smart'. But my boys are and Mark is, they get it from Mark not me. But, as I think about their achievements and have a proud 'mum' moment or 100000000 I am challenged about my own dreams. What are the dreams that I have that I haven't pursued? What do I not have confidence or courage to step out and do? Because a fear of failure or what others might think. My boys would never have thought about these things. Why as adults do we limit ourselves? So often as a mum I am learning from my boys, learning how to be confident, courageous, creative, funny, smart and to step out. I am my boys no. 1 fan but honestly they cheer me on more then they would ever know.
As we prepare to return to Bali long term, the boyz and their needs is a priority. And schooling is a big issue. They will need to go to an International school, as both Jye and Jesse want to go to Univerisity in Australia. Jye wants to study music production. We need to make sure that their schooling enables them to gain entry into Univeristy in Australia. The cost of International schools is expensive, but not just the cost but finding the right one for them. Your prayers for this would be appreciated as we gather information on the options for schooling in Bali.

Blogging, 'Verb' people and an update.......????

So new to this whole blogging thing. But, I see it as a the new, hip and with it way of sending out the 'newsletter'. Being a mum of kids in this age means that they know more than me about technology and computers and they teach me. But this I have learnt all by myself! We want to keep you updated on our comings and goings and what God is doing. And that YOU would be encouraged and moved into action too, that you would see that ordinary, imperfect people can make a difference, if we are willing to be 'verb' people. Josh is learning grammar at school and having to learn all about verbs, nouns etc etc and I am trying to fit in a TESOL course and so we have been talking about what verbs are and a verb is a doing, being or having word. We need to be verbs, people that do, that act. The World needs 'verb' people. The World is full of hurting, lonely, hungry, dying, desperate people that need 'verb' people to do something, anything, the smallest of things is never small as one person is worth more than we can imagine. Right now, stop, think, what can you do right now for someone else?..........go on think. Now be a 'verb'. And do it. You have made a difference. Do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next and the next and the...you get the idea. Thank you.
Back to an update on The Geltch Family. Mark is heading of to Bali on Sunday with a local sponsored skater, Jack Ward. They will be visiting skate spots and will be running a Skate Competition too. Mark will also be following up with the manufacturing of Sacrifice clothing and building relationships with shops that are stocking Sacrifice. Mark is taking a mammoth amount of Skate products that was sponsored by an anonymous donor to which we are so thankful to. Mark will be taking a stack of Skaters Bibles and Foolishness DVDs too. Mark is pumped for the skate comp and Jack is hanging to skate all the Bali skate spots. (do you like my attempt at the 'lingo' he he). Mark will also go and visit our friends in Prison. If you haven't already please please please go to http://mercycampaign.org/ and sign the petition for clemency for Andrew and Myuran from execution. Death does not bring justice and the death penalty for anyone, anywhere should not be in existence.
Mark has been working on artwork for a band Suicidal Tendencies, for an upcoming tour and Sacrifice is now stocked in 4 shops in Aus and 4 in Indonesia....woohoooooooooooo.
On friday Jye and me, leave Mark, Jesse and Josh again for the second time. Jye is apart of the She Is.... Worship team for the QLD Womens Baptist Womens Camps and Conferences. This weekend is the day conference in Brisbane. This has been an amazing time for Jye of his gift growing and shining for God. It has been a big commitment for Jye and working in a team and he has done an awesome job for a 13 year old. I have a small stall with beaded shawls and cushions made by women in prison in Bali selling for $20 with all the money going back into the Livelihood Project for women.
I have to do some work on the Livelihood Project in communicating it to people, getting it out there. One of the guys from YWAM, Derek is going to do a photo shoot of the shawls, so we can get the website done. I am taking it slowly, firstly, as I have been really ill and two, I want to get it right. It is about the women and their needs, so I want do it right for them. The Livelihood Project is a joint venture with the women and another Australian lady Virginia, who I am so thankful to work with, to know, to love and to grow with.
Until next time..............hooroooooo.