Dear Friends,

Another year done - another degree completed. Well actually, the Advanced Diploma of Theology which I have recently completed is my first one and for the time being I think it will be my last. Studying at Bible college was good in so many ways but I am very thankful that it is over.

After college finished in mid December 2001 I hung around in Tassie (see some photos) until New Years day. I spent Christmas with my girlfriend Vanessa Misdom and her family. It was a good time although still rather cold. The days were nice and perfect to be outdoors so after 3 years of living in Tassie, I actually went around and saw a few on the sites and magnificent landscape.

Just before going to Queensland for the month of January, Vanessa and I went on a Christian Surfers camp on the top north west of Tasmania. The water was freezing but we did get out for a few surfs. Experiencing that water temperature helps me to stay enthused and longing to return to the warm waters of Puerto Escondido in Mexico.

For the month of January Vanessa and myself stayed with my parents at the WEC property in Brisbane and used this as a base to travel and catch up with many friends whom I had not seen for many months. The visiting was at times tiring but also very rewarding to hear what has happened in the lives of these friends.

Apart form doing some studies on the Christian Surfers camp in late December we also participated in the WEC youth camp at Mount Tamborine. The topic of the weekend was "Freedom in Christ". I was given the opportunity to lead the study/discussion on the Monday morning. The topic itself was highly effective as many youth were set free of problems that were seemingly stunting their Christian growth. I just love being used by God!

 

After a few more days of holidaying and going through all my stuff that had been stored at my parents home for the past 3 or more years, Vanessa and I left Brisbane for a new life together in Melbourne. She needs to be here to complete her Occupational Therapy degree at Latrobe University this year. Melbourne wasn't a place that I had dreamed of living in but a place like this does grow on you (especially if it is where God wants you).

For the first few weeks I'll be living at the WEC Victoria house in Mt Waverley but will look for accommodation closer to Vanessa's house in Kingsbury. In the next week or so after I get a few jobs done, I'll be looking for paid employment as a carpenter (which they say there are plenty of positions available) but also having a bit of time to continue to develop my computer and web site building skills.

There is a place for me to help out in an advisory role at Diamond Valley Baptist Church in the youth department. Vanessa is already a member here and leads a weekly small group with the grade 12 girls. The church is a growing and vibrant place and I am keen to use as many of the things that I have learned at college.

Our plan is to prepare for a return to Mexico in a few years from now where we would be working with Christian Surfers again. While in Melbourne I am planning to increase my Spanish so that I can get into doing the work in Mexico faster. For Vanessa, she grew up in Spain until the age of 14, so she will only need to revise what she already knows and then help me learn her mother tongue.

In closing, I am keen for this, another year to serve God and follow whatever He says to do. It is GREAT to have Vanessa around too!

Thanks for reading this mailout and please remember to pray for us as we do for you.

Your Friends in Christ,

Mike Allbutt
(and Vanessa)