Farewell Broome

Farewell Broome! So closes a chapter and thus this will be the last instalment for the Edwards in Broome.

November/December proved as usual to be a busy period of time with the lead up to Christmas. This year we had the added responsibility of organising and packing to move.

During November Lachlan preached through Psalms. It will never cease to amaze how a series of songs written thousands of years ago can express the thoughts and emotions of ourselves and the trials and tribulations of life in relationship with God that we experience today. It spurred us to trust anew the promises of God, to remember what He has done and to respond in praise of our God (e.g. Psalm 103).

GLAM had its final event for 2008 – a Christmas dinner on a balmy tropical night. Ladies from the Baptist, Uniting and BCF churches along with friends who do not usually attend church joined us for an Indian feast. We managed to seat all 51 of us in the backyard. Usha Byles from the Baptist church spoke. Usha introduced us to how Christmas is celebrated in India and why it is important for Christians to celebrate Jesus’ birth and worship him even in the face of great opposition and persecution. The Byles family were looking forward to celebrating Christmas with Usha’s family in India. Her joy and excitement was written all over her face – even though she knows the reality that churches are attacked, Christians are hurt and killed while gathering at Christmas. Usha’s faith and experiences of life in India challenged my (Bec’s) incredibly safe experience of Christianity. It was wonderful to be able to see Christmas from a new perspective and to understand how the gospel is relevant for all – regardless of culture and has encouraged me (Bec) to trust in God’s promises regardless of what may be happening around us. If I had any qualms about moving our family and starting somewhere new – the Byles bold faith put my concerns into perspective. It was a night where much food was consumed, new friendships were formed and we celebrated the coming of our Lord Jesus. He who humbled himself from his divine place in heaven to be born into our world – to live the life we cannot, to die the death that we deserve and to provide a new life in Him by God’s grace.

December rolled in faster than ever and we began the beginning of the lasts. Kid’s ministries for Lachlan came to a close. He finished teaching CRE with an overview of the Bible. The JAFFA term wound up with a Putt Putt Golf Party and each of the schools provided an opportunity to put on a Christmas play. The cast was made up of members of the Anglican, Uniting and BCF churches. Even Bec was roped in to play a part. The storyline centred on teaching the gospel through the story of the original Santa Claus. Lachlan played the part of the child slave trader and narrator. He proved to be a bit too nice (the kids know him too well) and it was a laugh to watch him trying to scare the kids. Lachlan was threatening them with being put into slavery and having to work down the coal mines or having to clean toilets. The kids were clamouring to be picked!

Lachlan stage managed the Combined Churches Christmas Carols at the amphitheatre at Cable Beach. Over 3000 people come to this event each year. One of Lachlan’s tasks was to create a sleigh for Santa built on a motorised golf buggy – so he enlisted the help of his mate Colin. The neighbours are now fully convinced of our craziness. The boys just had to test drive the capabilities of the sleigh – including reindeer protruding 4m out the front by driving laps up and down our cul-de-sac when they completed the sleigh at 11pm. It was a sight to behold. The Carols was their last Broome project together. We are going to miss this “can do” couple (Colin and Judy) who have patiently loved us for many years now and have willingly supported (even encouraged) our hair brained ideas with enthusiasm and hard work. They are faith in action.

It was a joy to have the kids involved in some of the Christmas Services this year. Tim and Matilda played the guitar, Emily played the Trumpet and Anna played the piano. In between Christmas and New Year we met with people for the last time. We had the last Thursday night Bible study and were farewelled with a goodbye DVD that had us weeping with laughter. We give God much praise and thanks for this group whose dynamics have changed greatly over the past 3 years with people coming and going. All have enriched our lives and understanding of our Christian walk. However – the core that was at the end of 2008 are a bunch of friends whom we will miss dearly. Bec farewelled the Wednesday morning ‘girls’. What a privilege it has been to be able to sit round a table with these women for the last 3 years – to read and learn the Bible, to pray and to share life with them.

As we were farewelled by the church – both in church and in peoples’ homes we could only thank God for the 3 years that He gave us with an amazing church family. We were loved and spurred on - they really embody Jesus words in John – ‘by this shall all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

In amongst all this God has been turning our minds and our hearts to our new church home in Exmouth – even though it is still an unknown in many ways for us. We are excited to see what God has planned and we are looking forward to getting to know the folk at Exmouth Anglican Church. So please be praying for us as we settle in. In particular please be praying for:

• The Exmouth Anglican Church family as we get to know and love one another.


• Our kids – Tim and Emily, as they begin at a new school and begin to make new friends while missing the old.


• Lachlan as he begins as a ‘minister-in-charge’ for the first time. For wisdom and insight in his leadership of the church, planning, sermon and bible study preparation, and pastoral care.


• Bec as she strives to support Lachlan and help the kids to settle in, as well as finding a home for everything into our new house.

We are very much looking forward to the New Year. May God bless you in 2009. Stay tuned for the first instalment of the Edwards in Exmouth.