Looking Back on My Time in South Australia

There’s such an irony about what we know as, ‘the pain of parting’. On the one hand, it’s a horrible feeling, because you’re leaving something/someone that you love very much, and on the other hand, if you didn’t feel that pain, then you obviously didn’t enjoy whatever it is you’re leaving behind.

As I sit here in Perth, having now said our goodbye’s, and left what has been our home for the past 17 months, I can’t help but think of everything that has happened during my time on the Eyre Peninsula, and as I do so, there is an evident feeling of sadness.

I had absolutely no expectations before I arriving; and I had no idea what was going to happen. But, as I look back, I’m glad to able to do so with gratitude. God’s promise to grant me an awareness of His presence and help (Josh 1:9, 1 Cor 1:27), was, to me at least, consciously known.

Pastoring in a foreign land

It is no mean task to go to another country, possessing a different culture, with different ways of thinking about things and doing things, and be a spiritual leader.

Every pastor knows the weight of pressure upon him, living his life before many watching eyes. You’re consciously aware that you have to be the very best example possible, or else you may be guilty of being a stumbling block, and hindering the spiritual progress of others.

With the cultural differences, you may find you’re being offensive without even realising it. You also have to be careful to not fall into the trap of trying to persuade people to be culturally the same as you. Just because people might wear shirts and ties to church in Northern Ireland, doesn’t mean you should enforce such on another culture (unless of course, you can find a legitimate scriptural argument).

My biggest difficulty

However, personally, my biggest battle wasn’t living up to the expectations of others, or trying to adapt to another culture. Those things can be difficult, but God gave the necessary grace. For me, the greatest difficulty was living up to my own expectations, and also the expectations I feel God has for those that preach the gospel. In this area, I feel like I failed — let me rephrase that — I know I failed.

It’s not something you talk about much, but, I wept over and bemoaned my failings every now and again; yet, not half enough. The need to be holy, Spirit filled, loving, humble, wise, and earnest, was ever before me, and yet a never attained the level I should have.

What I have learned

I can’t begin to tell you. I have learned so much that I’m aware of, and probably far more that I’m not aware of. The experience has been literally life-changing.

I still don’t know the full reason why God sent me out to Australia, but, I know it hasn’t been in vain. He has taught me things I just couldn’t have learned in Northern Ireland, no matter what I may have been doing. Even my mistakes, I trust will be profitable for me in the future.

Thanks

I must therefore, as I look back over the months, give sincerely thanks to;

• God, for all His help. It goes without saying, it would have been impossible without Him.
• Family, for support us while we’ve been away, and not making us feel too guilty for moving away from them.
• The leadership of FPC, for knowing the mind and will of God to send me, and specifically to my own Pastor, who has supported us in every way possible.
• The people in South Australia, who embraced us, loved us, and supported us as we sought to minister among them, and to them.

One other word of thanks goes to my wife. I don’t say this lightly: I’m am truly proud that she’s my wife. Her support, wisdom, and help to me was, as far as I can tell, pretty much flawless; and her public testimony shone throughout the 17 months, as a true example of biblical womanhood. A preacher couldn’t ask for better!

My next post will give you the three things I’ll miss most about our time in S.A. Anyone guess what they might be?

P.S. Over the next two weeks, Internet access will be limited. I may not be able to respond to comments or emails very quickly.

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