God’s Timing

Proverbs 19:21

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Thank you to all of my supporters! Each and every one of you is making a difference in sending me to do God’s work in Australia.

While there, I will be working with refugees, mainly from the Middle East, which includes building friendships, bringing them food and supplies, connecting them with local churches and helping them with the transition to a new country. Another aspect of my field work is helping at the International Teams Australia National Office with tasks such as developing a pastoral care and development program for volunteers and helping plan the ReachOut missions conference. This is only possible with the partnership that I have with generous supporters like you!

You might ask…How are the refugees in Australia doing? What is the Sydney Refugee Team up to? Below is an excerpt from a recent team member’s newsletter:

Sam & Gloria were the first family that we met when we started with Sydney Refugee Team just under 2 years ago. At that time they were the only family living in our local area. When we first met them they had a new-born daughter Nadia. Just yesterday we celebrated Nadia’s 2nd birthday.

Early in our relationship they did not have work-rights and Nadia was not even covered by Medicare so they had a difficult time making ends meet. This was a source of depression for Sam who just wanted to be able to provide for his family but was not allowed.

We were able to provide some friendship and social support at this difficult time. We were also able to assist with weekly food parcels and some good quality second hand furniture. In the middle of last year the government policy changed and they were given work rights. Although this meant that Sam could now work legally it was still very difficult to find work.
Recently Gloria and Sam hosted us for a
traditional barbeque to celebrate that Sam is
now able to work and earn sufficient to
support their family. They asked for us to
stop providing food parcels for them in order
that we can help another family.


Now, for the big question. When do I leave?

Praise God that the nomination from International Teams Australia was accepted! The next step is to finish my support raising while I wait for my federal background check so I can submit my VISA. Given these factors, I do not have a set date for leaving as of yet.

Thanks to my supporters, I am between one-third and one-half of the way to my fundraising goal. I am hoping to get more supporters in the next few weeks as I connect with friends, family and local businesses.

The graphic below shows support that I am praying for!

One of the best and worst parts about following in Jesus’ footsteps is that God may have a different plan than I do for when I leave. It is both infinitely exciting and endlessly frustrating.

Know anyone else interested in supporting me? I am still in need of more supporters, both in prayer and financially, and would appreciate any recommendations for others to contact. I would love to share with more people the passion God put on my heart.

Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me and continue to pray and support me financially. It means a lot! I am amazed and so thankful with how God has provided me with donors and prayer partners.

In prayer,
Oksana