Harvey USA

From snow to sun!

2011-09-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

This year has gone so quickly! So much has been happening, I'm bound to forget to tell you about something!

Snow in February? Even for Redding it was a rare and special occurrence. To have snow covering your backyard and street was quite a novelty. We enjoyed a day or two playing in the snow. Bit hard to believe now that we are in 40 degree heat!

Dave's second year of school ended in May - with quite the surprise! Dave was awarded the M.Earl Johnson award. This award is for the person who has the lifestyle of a revivalist. It's considered (probably cause it's really the only award) the highest award of the class. There were many people in Dave's class that could have received this award, so it was a real honour (and surprise) for him to have been chosen.

June saw us traveling north once again to cross the border (and take a little vacation) on Vancouver Island, Canada. Thankfully, due to being given 5 years visas last year, we didn't have to make a visit to the consulate :). It was just a matter of crossing and re-entering. We travelled with our good friends, and fellow Aussie family, the van Tinterens, and stayed on Vancouver Island for about 5 days. The kids explored the rock pools along the coast, catching crabs and other sea creatures! As for the adults - we spent as much time as possible reading and relaxing by the fire, taking shifts for arvo naps! We toured around the island a bit, and ventured into the city of Victoria. Beautiful place, but glad to have only spent 2 nights there. On our journey home we travelled along the Oregon border. It reminded me a bit of the Great Ocean Road. Not as windy or famous, but still very beautiful. We stayed a night right on the beach before landing back in Redding. After sleeping 4 of us in small hotel rooms, it was quite relaxing to return home where we had lots of space! Our housemate at the time had also cleaned my house for me! What a bonus!

Unfortunately during our time away (and for a few weeks after) Dave was suffering from shingles, and I had slight morning sickness! Thankfully we both weren't sick for long, so we have been able to enjoy the hot dry summer here. The weather is very similar to Bendigo - perhaps a little hotter! Again we've spent the summer in our gracious neighbours pool, and ventured out to the beautiful Whiskeytown Lake a few times also. Our wonderful neighbours also bought a pontoon boat and have taken us out a couple of times - once for my birthday dinner. So amazing! I've never seen so many stars! We still continually brag about and thank God for our amazing neighbours. They have been such a blessing to us and become great friends of ours.

Dave has been picking up the pace a bit with his internship. He is privileged to be interning with Steve Thompson. Some of you will know him from Morning Star church (Rick Joiner) and some may even know his book, 'You All May Prophecy'. They are developing some new things with Steve - but I'm going to have to get Dave to expand on this himself. He'll be able to tell you what it is they are doing! I can tell you that this past weekend he has been in Portland, Oregon, ministering with Steve at a local church. The church treated them like kings! Even though Dave had to give out, I think he'll be returning quite refreshed. :)

Recently we found out that our little baby is another little boy! He will be born in January - and yes, he'll be born in the USA and be an American citizen. We will have to pay to register him as a dual citizen with Australia. Lots of advantages for this little man to have dual citizenship! We are very excited and feel very honoured to be given the privilege of raising 3 godly men! When I think of all boy families I think of the Harvey's (of course), the Geerlings, the Bergins, and the Chuds (I'm sure there are others but just the ones that come to mind now). I think of the men in these families and pray that we too can raise our boys to be just as amazing for the Kingdom as these men are.

Our other exciting news is that in just 30 days we'll be leaving to visit Australia!!! I am totally excited about seeing everyone - especially our family. Two years is a long time between hugs with your dad :). We are counting down the days til we leave (gotta love calendars and stickers!) and planning for some quality time with people we love and miss. We're still finalizing our plans as we have to work around Dave's ministry time with Steve Thompson while we are there.

So Australia - we'll see you soon!!!

"Your Destiny is Found in Nicaragua"

2011-07-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

It was January, and months earlier I had chosen Mexico City as my main missions trip. I wanted to see the power of God and crazy miracles! However ever since I'd booked it, God had been whispering in my heart "Nicaragua" "Nicaragua" but I wasn't sure why He was saying it... I knew He was a good Father, and wasn't angry at me choosing Mexico... I just knew there must be something special about Nicaragua!

School was to finish soon, and I hadn't been on a Bill Johnson or Kris Vallotton trip the whole year! I only had a small window to get on a trip, but it wasn't looking good. Then I got accepted on a 10 day Kris Vallotton trip to Mexico and Ecuador! I was soo pumped! This was Friday and I only had to find $2400 US by Monday!

Then I had a dream. In the dream Eric Johnson picked me up in a 4WD and said "Come on, I'm going to help you find your destiny." I jumped into the 4WD and cruised around with him, up highways, then off road into jungle tracks. We stopped at village markets. He would pick up clothes and other articles and say "Is this it?" (meaning my destiny) and I said "ummm nope that's not it." So we would keep going, and then I eventually "found my destiny". Then I woke up.

The next day I was riding with some friends, and they began talking about a trip that Eric Johnson was leading to Nicaragua. I got excited and told them that God had been calling me to Nicaragua, but I wasn't sure how it would work. They told me the trip team was already picked, which meant it was pretty much impossible to get on. I looked at the dates of the Nicaragua trip and it overlapped the end of the Kris V trip... which meant I would have to choose one or the other!

I wasn't sure what to do, and then Monday morning, as I opened my eyes, straight away I heard God say "Your destiny is found in Nicaragua with Eric Johnson!" I had never heard God so clearly and consistently! I had to make some phone calls!

So I called my amazing revival group pastor Kate Eifert and she told me to get to school early Tuesday to chat to Eric. She also told me she would go into bat for me!

So Taff dropped me off at school early Tuesday morning, however Eric was no-where to be seen! Then I found out He was on Jury duty! This wouldn't have been too much of an issue, it was just that today 11am was the cut off, for accepting Kris V's trip or not. I called his secretary and shared with her what was happening... she gave me another 30minutes.

I remember walking outside to the front of our school, and as I stood there pondering what to do next right in front of me was Kris Vallottons Lexus convertable parked right next to the exact 4WD that I saw in my dream about Eric! It was like I was prophetically standing at a cross road, a choice between the two trips and God's plan or my plan.

I thought to myself "there is no way in the natural that I am going to get onto this Eric Trip, but I can't do anything but choose it and say no to the Kris trip... after all that God has been saying!" Faith rose in my heart and I called Kris' PA cancelling my spot on the trip. Now God had to come through with Nicaragua!

Later that day Eric came to school, so I walked up the back during a session and asked to chat to him! I was very nervous, because I had never spoken to him before now. Eric was lovely and heard my story and request to come. He told me that he would speak to Ben the trip leader with him.

Sure enough, within 30minutes, Ben came to school and spoke with Eric. But it didn't go to plan. Ben came to me and said that there is no way that I could get on the trip, because I had been on too many trips already! My heart sank a bit... I had cancelled Kris' trip for nothing. Just as I was about to give up hope, Kate Eifert walked up and said "Davo! Hows it going what is happening?" I told her that Ben had just said "it wasn't going to happen"... but she eyeballed Ben and said "No, No, Dave has to get on that trip." So she went directly to Eric.

I sweated that night... not sure of what was going to happen, but fully knowing that I had done my best and that my daddy in Heaven was better than I thought and could pull off anything!

The next morning Ben texted me, Eric had decided to let me on the trip!!!

Miracles in Mexico City 2011

2011-03-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

This trip would have to be one of the greatest trips of my life! I have never seen Jesus heal so many people!

From the time we landed, we were go go go! On the first day (Sunday) we had over 8hrs of ministry over 3 meetings, during this time, we saw over 80% of people healed! I had the honor of praying for a little boy named Chris who had a genetic defect. While I was praying the pastor walked past said he had kidney issues. I looked into his eyes and he said he felt fire all over his belly! I also prayed for a lady who had stomach issues. Fire came on her stomach then God started tickling her! Then her husband came and he got hit with the joy too! All her pain left. During the night meeting a lady with severe nausea from hospital was brought to us, doctors couldn't help her. As we prayed for her pain left her stomach. My friend Michael then took her for a walk. As she came back, the Holy Spirit said "forgiveness". We asked her to ask Holy Spirit if she needed to forgive anyone...and He said Yes...so she forgave and then was completely healed of nausea and vommiting!

The next day was Monday, and we went sightseeing, taking a bus into Mexico City. Some of the highlights were, toilets that we had to pay for! (I shouted all my friends!) and just the beauty of the City of Mexico, like the new high-rise buildings everywhere and the fresh gardens being planted. These were some things that I didn't expect.

While we were out, we visited one of the biggest Catholic churches I'd ever seen!

In there I saw my first deaf ear healed!

I was walking along and was asking God "i really want to pray for someone" . Then a lady was highlighted to me who was looking at the dead bones of an old saint. She walked away, so i grabbed an interpreter and my mate Nathan Anderson. We asked her if she had anything wrong with her and if she would like prayer. She said she was partially deaf in her left ear. So we prayed once and then asked her if it changed. She said no. Then we prayed again, this time i walked further and further away asking her to repeat my words. I only got 5 m away and she couldn't hear. So we git her to thank God for what was happening, and prayed again. Again i walked away... This time getting 15m away and she could hear me! I told her to look around and she was amazed!!! She was healed!

Then we prayed for her missing gall bladder and she felt heat on the area! She wanted to know about church and exchanged numbers. We also prayed for a new job for her. She left totally rocked! The interpreter then went on with Nath and saw another lady completely healed of neck problems and knee problems!!! He was totally rocked too!!!

The next day we had outreach, which involved me leading a team and us being dropped off outside a school and market. So we divided up with Mexican interpretors and went for it! Jesus performed many many miracles and salvations! One highlight for me was how, we would pray for people, Jesus would heal them just with a few words like "Jesus heals you", and then they would go away and bring their family and friends to be healed! Before long we were ministering non-stop, seeing everyone healed for over 2hrs! A memorable one for me, was an old grandmother who had severe stomach pain and was instantly healed. Later she came back to me with her two grandchildren wanting me to pray for them, explaining "Red Pepper Red Pepper!!" I thought she was still having pain, but the interpreter told me that she had eaten 2 Red Peppers and was completely healed! I laughed! Another memorable miracle was two little girls who had conjunctivitis in their eyes. I prayed for them to feel the 'fire of God' in their hands - and they did! Then I got them to put their hands over their eyes and their eyes began to clear up! Then their mother explained she wanted to feel the fire of God too! They all had a massive encounter with Jesus that day!

On the Wednesday I led a team to a church plant over 50minutes away from the main church. It was in an area where "if you go outside you will get knifed!"... so we stayed inside! Our first meeting was with the women of the church... and it went for over 5 hrs! We began by calling out words of knowledge and healing began to fall on the people! We go them to pray for each other and 95% them were healed instantly! Then I gave a prophecy about a new wave falling on the church... and a spirit of joy fell on the whole group! It was amazing! I was blown over on the stage by the presence of God! And even our interpreter Betsa, was knocked out under the power of God and unable to interpret for some time

The night meeting in this church was awesome too! We activated the whole church in hearing the voice of God and prophecying over each other. There were also some crazy miracles like metal dissolving in a ladies hand and wrist! She came up moving her wrist backwards and forwards and making a fist exclaiming that she was completely healed! As she shouldn't be able to do that!

On the next day Thursday I saw some of the greatest miracles! We arrived at a school and I walked up to 4 older teenagers who didn't know Jesus and told them to follow me, because they were about to see Jesus perform a healing miracle! We walked across the street to a man on crutches, who'd had 3 knee operations and pain in his hip and other knee. I got one of the boys to pray "Jesus heals you!" over the man and touch his knee! All pain left his knee and then he pointed to his hip! I got another boy to join in and all pain left his hip! He got completely healed through the prayers of some boys who didn't know Jesus yet! Then all 5 of them gave their lives to Jesus!!!

The best part was walking back to the van and seeing the man back at work at his food stand, crutches leaning up against his van, no longer needed! He yelled out to us "Gracious! Gracious! Gracious!" Jesus is soo good!

The miracles continued throughout the rest of the trip! I saw 100% healing down the street that night! and a girls deaf ear opened in under 2minutes!!! An old lady with a deaf daughter met me as I was running to get on the bus to leave...I had to go, so I said "ok we have to be quick", I grabbed another lady and said you pray and heal! So together we quickly prayed "Jesus heals you!" check it out...she shook her head and said "no". So we prayed quickly again... "Jesus heals you" and she let out a sound and smiled as we tested it out! She was healed! Jesus opened her ear!!!

On the Outreach of Friday night I saw a lady with cancer, have all pain from her body leave her completely after a little boy Alex prayed for her! I saw a picture in my mind of a sperm entering her heart, and so I said "Gods seed is entering you now!" She then replied "yes I feel it! All pain is leaving my body!"

I also saw a lady with stomach pain get prayed for by two non Christian teens! All pain left her instantly and the boys decided to get saved!!! They then went home and grabbed their parents who all got encountered by Jesus!

A beautiful little girl and her brother were brought to us on the street at the end of the night... The little girl had a cold and sore chest, her brother flat feet. I got the brother to touch her hands and say "Jesus heals you" and her face lit up, as the sickness and pain left her! Then she touched her brothers feet, saying the same, and his face lit up as pain left his feet. Then the little girl stood up, white like a ghost, motioning with her hands that Jesus had created new arches in her brothers feet!! Gloria a Dios!!!

At one of our last meetings, we prayed with blind man who had something like cataracts for over 2hrs... We watched in awe as God began to create a new blue IRIS in his left eye! And he began to see shapes and images! He didn't get fully healed then and there...but during it he said he "felt like a cloth got taken off his face" (which his wife told us later that she'd had a dream about a cloth being removed from his eyes years earlier!) He also felt a whole lot of baggage lift off of him when he forgave tonnes of people!!! The best part for me though, was his tears of joy as he also got re-connected to Father God and could feel his love!!!

This trip totally changed my life! I am going to have to make this an annual event!

Thanks to everyone who contributed financially and through prayer for this trip! Together we all changed many many peoples lives!

The little things matter

2011-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

We've told you many stories of how God has provided for all our needs while we've been here. And he continues to do so! We are so thankful to everyone who has supported us while we've been here. We couldn't have done it without you! We have had people support us week to week, and many one off donations. One of our prayer requests in an earlier post was for our travel insurance to be covered. We had people give us $1500 which was more than enough to cover our insurance. We've had people donate money towards Dave's school fees (which are paid off :) ) and donations towards his ministry and missions trips. We also had unexpected money come in just before Christmas - perfect timing!

But today we want to tell you about how God has also blessed us with the little things (actually they are more 'wants' rather than little things :) ).

Firstly, when we came to the USA my GHD hair straightener was an older model, so didn't convert to US power. So I bought a cheaper straightener here (every girl needs a straightener :) ). Well, it lasted a year. We were telling some people about it and how I wanted to save up for another GHD. The next week, we had some friends present me with a jar to start my savings! However, they had put a cheque inside the jar which was enough to cover the whole GHD! Not only that, they had a friend who could get one at wholesale. So now I have my new hair straightener and I love it! It will work anywhere in the world too!

Not long after that, I said to Dave that I would love to get away for a couple of nights without the kids. We worked out that there was 1 weekend that we could do it, or it possibly wouldn't happen for a long time. We waited until the night before to book our accommodation. We had been praying about it and felt that God would provide for it. We had lined up people to come and stay to help look after the kids - Tim and Anna needed somewhere to stay for a few nights while someone else was using their house. It worked perfectly. Within minutes of booking our accommodation, I received an email from someone saying that they had just put money in our account! The money was to go towards Dave's tuition, then on a holiday or whatever we chose for the remainder! We were able to finish paying for his school fees, and cover our trip away! How blessed are we! We spent 2 nights in San Fran in a room with wall to ceiling windows with views of Bay Bridge and the city. And we had the most beautiful weather (which is a rare thing!).

The most recent surprise we've had....well, Dave's birthday was Christmas eve, and I cashed in on his birthday gifts! Dave and I were both given iPhone 4's!!! We were astounded! We had been looking into them as a possibility, comparing the prices of what we were spending on phones to what it would cost. One day Dave was sitting in a cafe and was trying to research them. None of the websites would work for him. He felt God say that he would give him one. Sure enough, we got 2! They are linked with some other people on a family plan which makes it cheaper, so we're not paying much more than we already were for our phones. They are really handy - especially to record all the prophetic words that people speak over you! (Not to mention accessing skype and facebook when away from the computer :) ).

I think it's just amazing that God not only cares about what we need, but the things that aren't such a necessity. We have been blown away by God's favour on our lives. His grace is for all areas of our lives! His love is abundant and his generosity unending! We live in the Kings house and have access to all that is His! What an inheritance (more on this another time :) ).

Just a few months ago...

2011-01-22T12:49:00.000-08:00

So, we've been a little slack with the updates! Apologies to anyone who might happen to check this :).

What's been happening? Some of the fun things we've had is having friends and family from Australia come to visit! We've had a ball showing people our life here in Redding. Back in early September, Colleen & Mason Thomson came to visit. We enjoyed the end of summer with them hiking, swimming and eating lots of food! Colleen came with a group of ladies to do the Trees Of Life conference. Mason came along for the journey and he's been convinced that this would be a great place to come to very soon.

For the month of November we had some of our closest friends staying with us. Jase, Rach, Judah, and Kahlan spent 5 weeks in the US, most of it spent with us. The house was definitely full but we really valued this time with them. There is something special about being able to share your 'new life' with 'old friends'. During their time here, we spend 4 nights in Yosemite National Park. It was the most beautiful winter wonderland I've ever seen. Absolutely spectacular! We also had a special Thanksgiving dinner (one of three that were hosted at our house :) ). A good friend of ours loves to cook...and I love to have people in the house. So we made a deal - I'll open the house and she could cook the food! Far deal to me :).

During December, I (Taff) was asked to play for the Choir for their Christmas events. I also had the opportunity to sing a couple of songs, including one of my own Christmas songs. I had so much fun playing piano for them! Also during this time, I was asked to play & sing at a community outreach event. While I was playing, I watch a man get healed as people were praying for him right in front of me. His leg grew out, his back and knee were healed, then later than night he went to the house church in the neighbourhood and was filled with the Holy Spirit! Wow! Come on Jesus! His life has been radically changed. What a privilege to be a part of what God was doing.

I've been surprised at how much I play and sing these days! I have hardly done it in the past, but felt that I had to practice....and now everywhere I sing, I play also. I'm really enjoying. I'm still leading worship for the parenting group I'm involved in, home group at our house every wednesday, and I co-lead once a month at Healing Rooms. I'm continually being stretched, and I'm excited about what I'm going to learn this year.

Just before Christmas, my sister was on a business trip to the US but I wasn't going to be able to catch up with her. While she was here, she ended up having to change her flight home. In order to get the cheaper flight, it meant that she had to stay a week longer in the US - so guess where she spent the week! With me! I was so excited to have her here, especially around Christmas time.

Our house was full of people again on Christmas day. It was a really nice relaxed, 'family' day. There were 8 kids that were beautifully behaved, and about 16 adults. So nice to be able to celebrate with friends that have become our family here.

We had a very relaxed New Years Eve - for once we didn't host anything which was really nice! We spent the night with a few friends...and were totally excited when it began snowing at 11pm! It was amazing! We stood outside watching the snow and the fireworks...counting down about 10 times...weren't sure of the actual time :). I was most excited when our yard was still covered in snow in the morning! It was such a beautiful experience (when you haven't had many snow adventures). The memories (with the help of photos) will stay in my mind forever!

God Heals Through Prophetic Art!

2010-10-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

For my first ever prophetic art painting during worship at church, I painted a picture a silhouette of a mans face and the Holy Spirit like a lion roaring into their ear. The person was holding 'the harvest' and had a bracelet with life around their wrist. I remember at the time feeling that Holy Spirit wanted me to pain a wave of water going up and touching the persons ear. I felt that God was going to heal peoples ears.

After worship, I presented this painting to an elderly man named Earnest and he was prophecied over by another team member. Then at the end of the meeting A lady named “Gramma” who I had met at the front desk, came up and said that she suffered from Tinnitus and ringing in her ears.

So I released the testimony of a friend who had been healed of that condition and said “I think God wants to do it again!” As we began to pray, what was like a huge wave of the spirit, literally surged upon us and dumped on us! JUST LIKE THE PAINTING!!! It felt like a huge wave was crashing over us! I was holding the womans head as she arched back…(I have never seen a granny arch that far back!) I was getting knocked over too! She was like 65-70 years and arched back so far, that a teenager luckily caught her before she fell to the ground.

While she was down, God kept pouring over both her and me!. Then she got up, and I asked “how are you feeling?” she said “I cant tell until I go out of the room.” So I told her to come back and tell me if she hadn’t been healed because God wanted to heal her. She came back later to tell me “Guess what! I have been completely healed!” I didnt realise how cool it was, until I spoke to a few friends who told me that Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) is right up there with deafness as being incurrable and that people have suicided because of it!) Anyways God is AMAZING and he wants to heal today!

Zeke's Business & Trampoline Miracle!

2010-10-03T20:30:00.001-07:00

Zeke came to me (Dave) during the summer and said "Daddy, I want to get some more toys!" So I said to him "Ok, well then you will have to start a business!". Zeke (3) looked at me with those big gaping 'Why' eyes and said "Daddy, what's a business?" So I told him how it worked and then he said "Daddy, I want a trampoline!" I drew up a chart (that he could colour in each time) and we made a goal of how much we wanted to make roughly. Then we proceeded to see what opportunities were around him to make this happen?

Zeke and I ended up negotiating with Mike and Bec (our amazing Aussie friends) for Zeke to move some wheelbarrows of bark (at the lucrative price of $1 per wheelbarrow) from one part of the property to the other, so they could plant turf.

So for the next 2 weeks roughly, Zeke and I got up early, had a quick bite for breakfast and headed out to aim to shovel 10 wheelbarrows (before the hot sun came out!) Zeke also managed to con-vince Mikes two kids to work for him. So the four of us shovelled (the kids used broom and shovels) After all of this, Zeke ended up shovelling 45 wheelbarrows, with the help of his cheap labour and dad!

Then we prayed for a miracle... and God came through! On Craigslist (a second hand on-line community selling website) we found a brand new trampoline (without a mat) for $45!!! This was an incredible price, as they retailed for $280 new with a mat (the mats were $90) So we grabbed this one... but then we had no mat.

Then a friend of ours Satch, dropped in one morning and announced to Taff and Zeke that his friends had heard the story and given him $150 for a mat!!! So Zeke had more than enough to buy a mat, pay his Tithe and his cheap labourers! Praise God that he is a generous God!

Zeke's Resurrection from the dead!

2010-10-03T20:29:00.001-07:00

A friend of Dave's began to teach him about planting a vegetable garden. So Dave took up the challenge and made a garden with strawberries, basil, oregano, lettuce, tomatoes and a capsicum plant.

All of these went well, except for the lettuce seeds (which Zeke washed away in the early days!)

and the capsicum plant. It shot out 2 capsicums, but then died suddenly, withering into a yellow semi dry organism. Dave thought "Oh well! there we go again! maybe I am just not a gardener after all!" The plant was like this for weeks.

Then one morning while Dave was undertaking his usual ritual of watering the plants... Zeke came out in his pajamas. He then walked straight up to the capsicum plant, bent down and began to extend his hand and pray over the plant! Dave just stood there watering mouth gaping wide open! Then Zeke walked back inside! Dave said "Zeke did you just pray for the plant?" and he replied "Yes". Two weeks later the plant re-shot out of the top and has now produced two new capsicums and some more on the way!!! Praise God that He is a God who raises the dead! and does it through a child! Go Zeke!

life is relationships

2010-09-30T23:21:00.001-07:00

I know that Dave has already shared about the power of community, but I (Taff) wanted to share about some of my personal journey with this.

Prior to coming to Bethel, I thought I was a fairly transparent person. I have since realised how much I wasn't. Rather, I was trying to fit into the idea of what I thought was expected of me - as a person, a friend, and especially a leader. I felt I always had to be strong; that despite tough times I could still keep it together. I felt I always had to have something to say, something to share or teach. But I've learnt that it's ok to show your weaknesses and allow other people to see what's going on in your life. It's ok not to have something to say, but to just be with people and share life with them. Let me try to explain more.

Many times back in Australia, we would joke around with our friends about 'living in community'. I always rejected the idea. Who would really want to live with other people? Sharing everything? Even the messy times? Not me! However, I eventually got to the point where I said to our closest friends that I could POSSIBLY live with them. Little did I know that these conversations were preparation for what we would be doing here in the US.

As we were looking for housing, Dave threw out the idea of having people rent with us to help cover costs. I didn't take to the idea initially due to the size of the houses we were looking at. When we found the house we are now in, I just knew it was perfect - and even perfect for having roomies! (Admittedly, the size of our house in Australia was not good for extra people so I think the idea of living with people in a small house really didn't gel with me!) So it was an easy decision (one that had a lot of grace on it) to have people live with us.

The first person to join our house was Tim. He and his girlfriend (now wife - yay!) were the perfect people to have around. They became amazing friends - and have had to put up with my transition into loving community! They've seen the good, the bad and the ugly - and they still seem to love me. They, and our other roomies, have endured the journey I have been on about being real with people and being ok with people seeing the mess in my life. They've also helped me to learn brave communication (openly talking about concerns etc).

We also have other amazing friends that have journeyed through this with us (me in particular). Our house became the place where people hang out - and we love it. Many of our close friends are Aussies - so good ol' Aussie humour was never left out at any gathering. At times I felt like some of my 'stronger and perhaps not so likable' characteristics became the brunt of many jokes. Ones that have been brought to my attention plenty of times over the years. After a while I had to check - was this really an issue or is it simply a joke (and I was a good bite :) )? I couldn't just hold it in anymore. I had to find out. This is where relationship really started...I began to open up and ask questions. I learnt that yep, at times I over stepped the boundaries, but I was still loved for who I was. I could be around these people, show my weaknesses, and still be accepted and loved. I didn't need to be strong and in control. We have learnt more recently in our Love After Marriage workshop, that when nothing is hidden - no secrets - that's when there can be a deeper relationship. I have taken this concept on as a strength for any relationship. I can share what I'm struggling with and know that I am only going to get support, love and prayer. I can speak to a person directly about a thought or issue I may have with them, and know that that friendship will only deepen and be stronger for it. I know that by me being open and honest, allows them to feel safe and do the same. People can relate to realness! They can relate to struggles. Then, they can celebrate with you when you have success! They become a part of the journey. Every relationship - even people I just meet - I feel like I can offer more of me (the good and the bad) which will help that relationship go deeper, even just a little. Not everyone in my life will be my best friend, and I'm not saying I share my deepest darkest feelings with a person I meet for the first time, however being real just makes people feel more important (at least that's what I think).

I now look for opportunities to go deeper with people. I get a little restless if the relationship feels stagnant. And I am constantly still learning how to make this a part of my life more and more. I just read 'The Shack' (yep, finally!) over the last 24 hours (hubby away on camp!) and it just confirmed everything I'm learning about relationships. I've been wanting a 'love encounter' with Jesus, and I think I'm in the middle of it - but it doesn't look like what I thought it would. Father has been showing me his love through people, through relationships, through life! I haven't been shaking or laughing or doing anything 'abnormal'. But I have felt the love of God through relationship with people. I feel so loved right now. I have amazing friends and roomies (now we have 2 girls - but that's another story) and I am learning not to try and earn God's love by doing what I am supposed to (cause I can't), but rather just capture his love for me by being in constant relationship with him, and learning to know the voice of Holy Spirit.

My only sad point is that I wish our close friends and family were all with us to be more a part of it! Skype (and time differences) make it very hard to catch up regularly and be able to share all that's going on. I now long for greater relationships with these people.

As for me as a leader, well that's still to be tested. I've just been given an opportunity to oversee the worship for the parenting group I've been leading worship at. There's only 3 of us at the moment, but I've got a lot to learn and practice so that's plenty for now! :)

We have the amazing opportunity to sit in a culture where everyone is learning similar things about their identity and relationships, so it does make it a bit easier. There is definitely a grace for that here. However, it's not limited to here. I don't intend to leave behind what I've learnt here either! Life is relationships. With people, and God (three in one). And life is so much better this way!

One Year On...

2010-08-27T21:48:00.001-07:00

Today it is exactly 1 year since we first set our feet on American soil; and what an amazing year it has been! Following over 14 different messages from God (like visions, bible verses, prophecies coincidences and miracles) which told us to move our family to America, has been well worth it! Our minds have been renewed and transformed, our hands equipped with powerful tools, our hearts poured into with love, and our lives filled with friendship and blessing! It certainly has been a significant year of our lives, and we wouldn't trade it for anything.

Along with this, we have seen God miraculously provide through friends and community. Last year He provided over 30,000!!! which enabled us to not only live in a country in which we were not able to work, but we have also been able to give more than in any other year of our marriage gone by!

This year we are believing for God greater intimacy with Him, are praying that we live an even more supernatural lifestyle and empower others to do the same.

Taff & I are going to be involved in the following ministries:

Love After Marriage Course (18 weeks) our vision is to grow our marriage into a supernatural one!

Leading the YMCA youth mentoring program weekly.

Serving in the healing rooms on Saturday mornings – Taff leading worship and Dave praying for the sick.

Feeding the poor on Saturday afternoons in South Park Redding. Taff and others will be doing some live music.

Running a prophetic home group – teaching people the power of prophecy and intimacy with Father God.

Travelling with Bethel leaders – activating places around the world in prophecy, healing, evangelism and revival culture.

Resourcing Australian families and churches for revival.

Taking on another year does come with its new challenges. Again, we face another year of no full time income. Dave is still able to work 1 day a week for SU Victoria as a resource writer, which we are so thankful for, however this doesn't come close to covering all our expenses here. The start of another year brings in quite a few large expenses also. School fees, travel insurance, missions/ministry trips, car rego, month to month living expenses etc. Now we are at a place again where we are trusting God to provide the finance for the big expenses we mentioned above. We don't like to ask for money, however we feel God wants us to show you our areas of need so you can either pray or contribute. As mentioned above, there are 3 main areas that we are in need:

1. School Fees

Dave's school fees are required to be paid in full prior to his commencement on September 7th. Already we have had a generous donation of $1000 towards this! Wow! That means we still need another $2700 to cover the remainder of his tuition fees. On the left of our blog we have listed a website that you can go to to give directly into this. (Just type in David Harvey when you're in there). Every dollar that is given through there is put directly towards the fees. However, be aware that there will be international exchange fees added to your total from your bank. If you want to avoid this, you can put money into Dave's Bendigo Bank account (also listed on the left) and we can make a transfer of a larger sum of money which limits the fees :). If you choose this option, you can send us an email or mark it on the transaction what you want the funds to be put towards

2. Missions/Ministry Trips

This year Dave has the opportunity to travel with Bill Johnson, Kris Valloton and other leaders from Bethel on Ministry Trips. However these trips cost money, for travel, accommodation and food etc. The trips he is hoping to go on will bring healing, revival and Gods power to countries around the world, as well as give Dave incredible training and mentoring with some of the worlds best travelling ministries!

3. Daily Living Expenses & Travel Insurance.

Our monthly living expenses are around $2500. We have been given enough donations over the last year to cover our daily living expenses and we are truly grateful! This is another area that you can help us with if you feel led in the coming months. Also, our travel insurance covered us for one year in the USA. Now that year is up, we need to renew our coverage ($1400 for another 12months.)

Again, please do not feel under any pressure to give. We just want to give you the opportunity to pray or sow as you feel led, knowing exactly what you are giving in to.

We keep hearing stories of people reading our blog updates and passing it on to other people to read because they are so encouraged by it. Our prayer is that over the next few months, we will be able to write about how good God has been so you can be encouraged and believe him for all your needs also! We like to release testimonies to build your faith.

Thank you again for supporting and loving us! Keep writing to us to tell us what's going on! We miss people dearly! So we like to hear about what's happening in your life! Please let us know how we can support you too - what can we pray for? how can we resource your or show you more about what we're learning? Whatever we learn, we want to pass on to you!

The Power of Community

2010-08-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Recently we had Banning Liebiesher (Jesus Culture) preach at Bethel on the subject of the Power of Community. He talked about how Westerners read the bible through an ‘individualistic’ mindset. We looked at the bible as a list of promises and quotes to help us. But he challenged us that the bible was a ‘story’ and multiple ‘stories within stories’ of communities living with s supernatural God. Then he began to challenge us that the gospel was never designed to be worked out between ‘you and God’, but it was always designed to be worked out between ‘you, God and community’. He said that “the dreams that God has for my life and yours, are soo big, that we cannot do them by ourselves, even with God. But in order to receive the supernatural grace required to do all that God has called us to do, we need to live in community!”

Our victories are in your hands, your victories are in our hands. He went on to tell how he and his wife had been in a restaurant on ‘date night’ and were talking about his wife’s mother who had been having a difficult time at work for months. As his wife was sharing about her mothers recent battles, a spirit of faith came over Banning, and he said, “Honey, I feel like we have been given favour right now to change the atmosphere over your mothers workplace.” So as the waiter brought out the bread they began to take authority in prayer over the mothers’ workplace. Two days later, his wife called her mother, and asked “how is your workplace going?” She said “Its really strange, but two days ago, it was like the whole atmosphere changed!” God works through Community.

Your breakthrough, and mine, are in the hands of friends and family in a restaurant somewhere. As we share our loads with one another, God’s grace is poured out. Not me and God, but God, me and others.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

It is on our hearts to journey with community and see the Gospels power released in people’ s lives. If you have would like to enter into community with us and others, we would love to hear of any situations we join with you in prayer for. Please email us on davetaff727@att.net and we would love to pray the prayer of faith and see breakthrough.

Miracles are for Today!

2010-08-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

“As He is, so are we in this world.” This Scripture echoes the heights to which EVERY Christian or Christ filled man or woman is created to soar! It doesn’t say, “As He was”… even if it did, that would be an incredible improvement on all of Christianity today! But it takes it even further… “As He is”… Risen, Victorious over the whole earth, over all sickness, over all death. Nothing is in His way, all things are under His feet. Complete Dominion. This is how we are called to live “in this world.” Not when we get to heaven, but our position in Christ has bought for us an authority and power to bring Heaven to Earth in every circumstance, every time. Here are just a few of the miracles we have seen over the Summer as we have pursued Him.

House Purchase & Sale Miracle!

I was praying with a friend from Australia in his car (while we waited for our Chinese to cook). He was wanting to purchase a house in the US. All of a sudden, I felt faith arise and I said “God we ask you for a house within 3 days!” (it felt weird but right). Anyway within 3 days they had found a house! Which they later purchased!

Then He came to me and said, “I need to sell a property in Australia, can we pray again?” So we prayed and within a few hours he had a phone call from Australia, His house was sold!

Internet Man & Knee Healed!

We had a man from AT&T (phone company) come over to fix our internet which was playing up. While he was working on our router, I was looking after the kids, and all of a sudden I realized that I was having the words “he has a sore right knee” flash across my minds eye. So I ignored it… but it stayed with me for 20min! I realized God was wanting to heal this man, so I said “Hey, do you by any chance happen to have a sore right knee?” He turned and mouth agape said “How did you know?” I said “Oh God told me, I think he wants to heal you! Can I pray for you!” He said “Sure!” Then he opened up about how he’d been the ‘salvation target’ at an all Christian company and that he was an Atheist. I said “Hey that’s ok, lets just see what Jesus does.” So Taff and I prayed for him, and he said “It feels much better! It feels much better!” He left and thanked us soo much for praying for his knee!

Back Instantly Healed in Australia!

Recently we had some friends from Wollongong Australia visit us in the US. The wife began to share one morning that her husband was suffering from a really sore back, and was having to do lots of sitting and travelling which was causing him great pain. She asked if we could pray. So we did. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as people prayed.

2 days later she was on the phone to her husband and she asked him about how his back was going. He said “Yeah, it has been great, ever since a few days ago!” His wife asked him what day it was, and it was the exact day that we prayed! Praise God!

3 Girls Prophecied Over on a Bench!

We were out on a “Treasure Hunt” (where you ask the Holy Spirit for clues and then go out onto the streets to look and pray for the people you have been given clues for) We were drawn across the Sundail bridge towards a group of three girls sitting in the bushes overlooking the river. After talking with them, we realized that we’d had their clothing “black shirt” and “pink shirt” on our treasure map. Another clue we’d had was depression, hopelessness, giving up on life etc. Then I felt God ‘highlight’ the girl in the pink shirt, and so I asked if we could prophecy over her. She said “Yes sure”. So I prophecied as God gave me, and she said “You nailed it! Everything you said was right on!” Then she said “Can I give you a hug?” So I did. Then we prophecied over the other two girls and they were incredibly blessed too! The girls were beaming when we left, we knew that God had done something powerful in their lives.

Wedding Party Miracles of Provision…

Recently Taff and I worked out our bills and bank balance, we only had a few days before we had to pay rent and utilities and we were $100 short. So we prayed and declared God’s favour over our lives. Within a few days, some incredible boys from a mates Wedding party emailed us to tell us to look in the top drawer of Zekes wardrobe. In it was $340!!! Then we had other people dump a whole lot of food into our cupboards, and then a friend asked if he could store 50lbs of Alaskan fish and seafood in our fridge saying “help yourselves to it guys!” God truly is our source and support!

Tennis Elbow…long term healing!

I had suffered with Tennis elbow for over 2years in Australia. The doctors couldn’t tell me what was wrong and all they could do was give me a cortisone shot, which only covered the pain for a few months. Anyway I went to the healing rooms when we first arrived a year ago. But there was no improvement initially. Just recently, tTaff asked me “How is your tennis elbow?” I had to think about it, and said “I think its better!” God hears every prayer we pray, and every prayer goes to work to bring heaven to earth.

Black Man & Woman Holy Spirit Encounter…

Recently we went to South Park in Redding to feed the poor with Bethels Saturday outreach teams. I met a man in a wheelchair named CW, who needed to take a meal back to his wife Beatrice. I said “I will walk with you” On the way I asked if I could pray for him and his wife. He said “sure”. So when I got into his little run down unit, I prayed with his wife. The presence of God filled the smelly little house and his wife began to cry. God touched both CW and his wife powerfully and now they want to come to church!

School of Worship

2010-08-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing opportunity to attend the Bethel School of Worship for 4 weeks over June/July. I was unsure of how I was going to pay the fees to get there, but about 2 days before they were due, someone gave me the $750 I needed and a letter of encouragement! Again, I was completely blown away and amazing at how God provided. Why should I ever doubt?

From the outset they dealt with issues of the heart. One key was to get rid of the root of jealousy by encouraging the person, and prophecy over them. Kris Vallotton talked about what makes a disciple, saying it is the ability to receive correction. In order to receive more information, we need a structure to hold it. The structure is the ability to receive correction and and follow instructions. He also talked about moving to the stage of 'friend of God'. It's about relationship.

Bethel has a huge culture of honour and again this was brought into focus. They talked a lot about honouring your pastor or leaders. I really see how this works in worship teams. Honour builds relationship, which makes working with pastors and leaders much easier.

There were a few session of the science and power of sound. They showed experiments with sound that cause sand particles to form symmetrical patterns and how they change and become more intricate the higher the frequency. Everything is held together with sound vibrations. It's quite amazing to think about the power of your words, or your song, your music. It literally can cause things to change, or things to come into being. Speak, sing, make a noise about the things you want to see happen - and watch them happen!

Dan McCallum shared on the Prophetic Song. It was one of the more practical sessions. We were given keys for our walk with God. Singing in the spirit, singing with your mind, and singing with your heart. When you sing in the spirit you are singing mysteries, and the secrets of the kingdom. When you sing spontaneously with words, that revelation starts to come out. You realize what the Holy Spirit has been teaching you. When you sing no words, just sounds, you are singing with your heart. This is just a taste of what we learnt! I also learnt a lot from Christa Black in regards to songwriting, and being a worship leader and artist.

During the school, many of us had an opportunity to lead a song in an elective called Band Sessions. I was the last person on my day, and I got some great feedback from Kathy Vallotton and Will Matthews (worship leader at Bethel). This led to Kathy asking me to do a Creative Expression. I was pretty excited at first, then the 24 hours before I was riddled with nerves! I chose to do one of the songs I written and had my amazing friend, Bek, play violin with me (she is very well known in Australia for her violin skills!). It was such a privilege. It was a great opportunity for me to practice singing and playing in front of people.

I felt challenged in many ways during the school, and felt God speak things to me and lead me in the next step for various things in my life. I will definitely treasure my time at worship school.

Activating a family...of 11

2010-08-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

On our journey back to Redding, from Canada, we stayed with an amazing family, the Lienau's. The dad, Michael, is a film maker, who is know for his film on the eruption of Mt St Helen's. Michael had got the whole family involved in the business, and they continue to produce films. Look out for a film - Joshua Clay - possibly coming out next year. (Global Net Productions/Send Rain Films).

The Lienau's have many stories to tell. They have 4 natural kids, and 5 adopted kids. They are all incredible people! They remind us a lot of the Gibbs family. Every person in the family has things that they love to do, and are encouraged to do them. They work incredibly well together and are very polite and hospitable. It was such an encouragement to see a family that loved each other, empowered each other and loved God with all their hearts. We had so much fun with them, we ended up staying 2 nights rather than one.

On our second night, they were really keen for us to prophecy over them. So, instead of us just prophesying over them, Dave decided to activate them. Dave shared a bit about what he'd learnt, and how easy it is to prophecy - just listen to the Holy Spirit and share the first thing you get (making sure it's exhortation, edification, comfort - basically just positive :) ). Everyone in the family got involved, and they prophesied over each other. It was so beautiful to see this! They were so encouraged. It's amazing just how easy it is to be activated. Just to understand how much God loves his people and wants to share all of himself with us. He wants us to encourage and build each other up. One of the best things I've learnt is if friends, family, or people in your team/church need encouraging or unifying - prophecy over them! Instantly relationship is built and unity is formed.

We loved our time on Camano Island with the Lienau's and look forward to seeing how we can help this family more in the future.

Canada & Visas

2010-07-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

We are officially in the US for another year!

Instead of heading back to Australia to get our visas for the second year here, we decided it was easier and cheaper to head into Canada. (It also meant I could be around for worship school). So we planned a week long flying visit to Vancouver, BC with the 'other' Aussie family here, the Van Tinerens.

Contrary to my usual character, I didn't complete paperwork until a day before we were due to leave. After completing the visa forms for all of us, I then went to pay a fee (called a SEVIS fee). I realised that we hadn't been given a new SEVIS number - which is needed to pay the fee. This meant we had been given the wrong 1-20 forms (which are the forms that come from the school stating why we are in the US). After what was one of the most stressful and embarrassing days of my life, we finally got hold of someone (on a saturday) who could give us our new forms! Initially we had decided to go for a visa extension, but then changed our minds and decided just to go and get the full visa. So they had processed 2 different lots of forms for us, and we had got the extension forms rather than the new visa forms. Ahh! So it was a miracle we got it the forms. And we were able to leave for Canada the next day as planned. What a relief!

Our first day we drove to Portland where we stayed at our neighbours sisters house (have I told you just how amazing and generous our neighbours are???). We then continued the next day up to Belcarra (Vancouver) BC, Canada. Again I had made a mistake by not bringing our consulate appointment confirmation form! The border guard said we were the first people had even encountered that had not brought their form. Whoops :). Lucky he was nice; he let us through :).

On our way to our accommodation (friends of friends) we saw a baby bear hanging his paws over the side rails along the road. According to the locals, its the bear they are trying to catch cause he is getting into peoples houses - including the house we stayed at (but not while we were there thankfully!). The house is located in the most spectacular place - right on the waters edge, with the surrounding mountains in full view. Being further north, we experienced quite a late sunset (not as late as Alaska, but still late for us). It didn't get dark until around 9.45pm. The family we stayed with were beautiful! They welcomed us (as strangers) into their home. We were truly blessed.

Our visa appointment went very smoothly, and with that off our minds, we were able to enjoy the local attractions. We walked along the waters edge, went to Stanley Park, and the boys went into the Aquarium. Our conclusion - Vancouver, BC is beautiful! We look forward to returning again some day.

We had a lot of grace at the border on the way back into the US. Both families were processed together (by the nicest border guard), and we had no trouble. We celebrated our return to the US with dinner in the border town, Blaine. It was time to relax!

2010-06-27T21:10:00.001-07:00

Graduation and Earl Johnson Nomination!

2010-05-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday 16^th May I had the privilege of graduating 1^st year BSSM with a nomination for the ‘Earl Johnson award’ (an award for people who exhibit the lifestyle, character and qualities of a revivalist). It was an honor to graduate first year at this amazing college (along with 740+ fellow students) but an extra honor for me to be recognised by my classmates and pastor as a nominee for the Earl Johnson award! I was really humbled when I received the email from Crystal (my revival group pastor) because of the calibre of revivalists in my class of 80. Crystal also asked me to preach at our last revival group meeting for 10min which was an incredible honor and also a lot of fun! I preached on "Intimacy with God" and the River from Ezekiel. Taff and Jaden even came to support me, which was soo good! Thanks baby! I feel a lot of favour from God in this environment at BSSM, and I know that we are here for a purpose. Check out the graduation photos on Facebook too!

Zeke & the Miracle at the Park!

2010-05-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I took Zeke to my Thursday 'Treasure Hunt' outreach. This is an outreach where we all get together, pray and ask God for 'words of knowledge' and then head down the street to bring the Kingdom of Heaven. Before hand, I really felt that we should go to a local park, where a lot of the homeless people hang out (I wanted to meet up with a man name Billy who had been healed the week earlier at the Pub) As I was praying I also saw a picture of a leg/knee and so I knew that God possibly wanted to heal someone with a sore knee.

When we arrived at the park, Billy was no-where to be seen, however I saw a beautiful elderly black man limping through the park. So we knew that we had to go and pray for him. We approached him and he told us that his name was KW. We asked him if we could pray for him. He had a paralysed left leg and said he would love our prayers. So we prayed for him and commanded his nerves to be healed and come alive, and he said “Wow something is happening! It feels a lot better!” So we got him to walk and he said “Yes its improving.” So then I asked Zeke to come and pray for him. So Zeke just said a one line prayer like “Jesus I pray you come and heal KW’s leg…make it better.” And instantly KW rocked backwards a bit (under the power of the Holy Spirit) and then exclaimed “Oh my goodness…all the swelling just left my knee! All the swelling just left my knee!” We were blown away by God's goodness! And then as all this was happening a guy who was standing in the distance wandered over to us, his name was Chris.

We asked if he would like for us to pray for him, he had a sore jaw and swollen gums and also was drugged out from the drugs he was on. He said "Yes!". So we got KW to pray for him and instantly pain began to leave his jaw and the Holy Spirit fell on him in the park! We then prayed for him again and he instantly became sober! Then I felt led to ask him about his father and if he had a father who abused him... he said "Yes" So we prayed with him to forgive his father and then did some SOZO with him, so he could encounter Jesus. We stayed with Chris for another 20minutes praying for him and blessing him, he eventually gave his life to Jesus right there on the spot! He said to us "I have been wanting to make this decision for 7 years!" I got another word of knowledge about a "Lucy" When I asked him, he said "I have a daughter named "Lacy" I said "close enough" so we prayed for his daughter and blessed him some more!

School of Worship

2010-05-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm in!

This week I completed my application for the School of Worship. Within 2 days it was processed and I had my confirmation letter saying I was accepted. I'm totally excited about it!

The School of Worship is a 3 week course beginning on June 15. It's an interactive and hands on course for musicians, artists, dancers, sound tech and more. I have applied for the Worship Leading/Prophetic Song elective. I am looking forward to learning all I can and being stretched. It's also a great opportunity for me to work a little bit with other musicians from around the world.

So only 5 weeks till I go to school! (Provided my fees are paid, and that they let us back into the country early :) - please pray!)

Woohoo! Love you all.

Financial Miracle $1200 in 60 minutes!!!

2010-04-18T21:43:00.001-07:00

As school is almost over, Taff and I began talking about our plans to get new visas without going back to Australia over the holidays. After applying for second year, we now had to work out travelling to Canada and purchasing some more visas for 2010/2011.

Anyways, Taff (the best wife ever!) had been at home all day working out visa applications etc and had reminded me that we needed to come up with $1200 pretty well straight away to pay for them!

I said "Baby, God has not let us down in the past. Let's just pray and leave it in his hands, He will look after us!"

So we joined hands at the table and prayed briefly, thanking God for his amazing generosity in the past, and asking him for the $1200 for our visas.

Anyway... within 60minutes there was a knock on the door. When we opened the door, there was someone standing holding a cheque for $1200 exactly!!!! It all happened so fast that I was dumbfounded!

We were both blown away by God's goodness and the persons obedience!!! God does provide for all your needs! You can trust Him for sure!

Pub Ministry Miracle!

2010-04-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

I was at church just two nights ago, and a mate came looking for me and asked me if I wanted to go out on Friday night strikes (a weekly evening outreach ministry of Bethel into the community) I was soo honored and excited to go, so I asked my Revival Group Pastor and she said "sure go for it!"

So I joined the Pub ministry team (who didn't go out until 10pm) and we ended up at a local drinking spot that was absolutely packed full of people! (The guys on our team who were more experienced had never seen it this busy ever!)

As we entered, the music was pumping really loudly and the smell of tobacco, alcohol and weed was in the air! We were all a bit intimidated by the atmosphere and thought "how do we do supernatural ministry here?" But then we switched on. I thought to myself "well God, I'm here, I am just going to give it my best shot and go with the first thing you give me!"

Just then I noticed two men walking past me and I felt God say "The little guy has a sore foot"

So I approached the men, who were now standing at the front of the pub and said "Hey guys! My name is Dave!" After some small talk, I then proceeded to tell them "...this might sound weird, but God sometimes gives me clues for people who he wants to heal. I was wondering if either of you guys have a sore foot?" They both looked at each other and then me and replied "Nope". So I proceeded to tell them the testimony of the woman from Trader Joes whose knee was instantly healed. Then something happened.

The little guy (whose name was Billy) said "are you from Bethel?" I replied "Yes" with a smile. He then said "I do have a sore foot, its my right big toe, I have had surgery and I have lost feeling in it."

I was pumped! "Cool as!" I said excitedly "I think Jesus wants to heal you tonight! Can I pray for you?" He said "Sure" with a hesitant look.

So I knelt down and placed my hand on his shoe and prayed that Jesus would bring feeling back and restore the toe to normal. While I prayed I was amazed at this guys faith as he wiggled his toe up and down during the prayer! After I prayed he said "it feels like something is happening... it feels alot better!" So I prayed again and he said "It feels heaps better! thankyou!"

Then I asked God for a word of knowledge and then I asked "Are you good with your hands? Are you a carpenter?" To which he began to tell me that he actually was a carpenter, but because of the American recession he had lost work and was now dealing drugs, just so he could buy food for his 3 yr old boy! He said "I hate doing it! But I don't know what else to do"

So I prayed for him again and released a financial blessing over him. I am planning to meet him in the park this week, and hopefully take my 3 yr old Zeke to scooter ride with Billy and his 3 yr old! Please pray that he gets saved!!!

More Miracles! Back Healed!

2010-04-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Taff and I had our friend Brad come over, who is one of the guitarists at church. He was complaining of a really sore back that night and seemed to be in a lot of pain. To be honest I was feeling a bit flat and tired, as we had been coming under some attack since being back from Mozambique. I thought "I still shouldn't let my feelings or circumstances dictate whether or not I pray..." Just then, Taff piped up and said "Hey we should pray for you before you go!"

So we put our hands on his back, and commanded all pain to leave and heaven to come.

Straight away, Brad said "Geeze, its feeling a whole lot better, and I dont normally have anything happen when people pray for me! Its feeling pretty good!"

We were both amazed too! and said "Thats cool as!"

Taff spoke to Brad in the morning and he said that he'd had a pain free night, and that his back was completely better in the morning!!!" Praise God!

Miracles Breaking Out Since Coming Back!

2010-04-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

Shopping Trip & Woman's Knee Healed!

It was Thursday (about 1 week after mission trip) and I was on my way home.

I called Taff and asked her if she wanted me to get anything from the supermarket. She said "can you grab some milk?".

So I headed to our store called 'Trader Joes', and on the way I felt to ask God "Who do you want me to minister to God?" He said "There will be a woman with a green bag, and a sore left knee.". It was fairly clear, so I thought "lets go for it!"

But then when I entered the shop, I switched into shopping mode, and completely forgot about what he'd told me to do!

It was only after I'd exited the shopping centre with my bottle of milk, that there right in front of me, was the biggest green bag I'd ever seen! and it had a lovely lady attached to it! :)

She was enrolling to vote, so I waited kind of awkwardly for her to finish, then as she got up to go into the store, I raced up to her and said "...excuse me...this might sound kind of weird, but God sometimes gives me clues that relate to people because he wants to heal them..." She smiled at me and said "yes". Then I said "well, when I was in the car God told me, that I would meet a woman with a green bag, who would have sore knees... do you have sore knees?" She said "Sore what?" Then I replied "Sore knees" with a smile. She said "Yes I do" and I replied "Would it be your left knee by any chance?" And she said "Why yes it is!". "Cool" I said "I think Jesus wants to heal you today!"

So I asked her if I could pray for her then and there, and she said "Sure". So I took her out of the way of traffic and prayed for her knee to be healed. After I'd prayed, I asked her how it felt. I said "Can you test it out?" So she did, and to her surprise (and partially mine) she said "All pain is gone! I had a really bad cramping pain in it, and its gone! Thankyou soo much!"

I walked away, so full of joy and so excited about what Jesus just did because I asked him a simple question and had a go!

Divine Business Opportunity

2010-04-18T20:47:00.001-07:00

Before going to Mozambique, I prayed I felt to pray for extra finances, so that we could establish some long term influence in the region. Just before the trip, God had blessed us with $4000 extra money for the trip!

This meant we could purchase Tracey Evans a new guitar for her worship outreaches, a camera, so she could begin to take photos of her ministry and raise awareness, and also some money for some bibles for the pastors and leaders who were getting saved.

I had an idea before I left that just stayed with me, about investing into helping a Mozambique local to start a business, with the goal of them paying it forward and helping someone else achieve their dream.

So I prayed and said “God if you want us to invest in a local business person, give me a divine appointment.”

Sure enough, the divine appointment came 5 days before the end of our trip. Shiela (our new interpreter from Zimbabwe) and I were talking at a market when she began to tell me about a business idea that she had. Her idea was to start the first Mozambique Peanut Butter factory! Because no one in the whole of Mozambique makes peanut butter! They have to get it imported from South Africa.

When I told Tracey Evans of the idea, she said “That’s the best idea that I’ve heard in ages! We could farm the peanuts for her and employ the prisoners who get saved from the prison ministry!” She also said that Shiela seemed to be a suitable candidate because she was well educated and had business experience.

I was soo excited! So we left some money and a prophetic word with Tracey for Shiela. Tracey will take Sheila for a drive to South Africa to purchase the machine that makes peanut butter!

Please pray for God’s favor on Shiela and Tracey. Pray that they get a great deal on a peanut butter machine, and also that they get a good connection with jars! Pray also that the business succeeds to a point where Shiela can sow into another Africans life and help them achieve their dream!

To confirm this whole business idea, on our trip, I bumped into a Zimbabwe evangelist (who appeared from no-where) while we were praying for the sick on the streets.

He said to me “Dave, the people in Mozambique don’t need any more handouts from white people. What they need, is to be helped to stand up on their own two feet! They need to be empowered to start businesses and build industry!”

Prisoners Getting Saved From Painting!

2010-04-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Paint Multiplies in Prison!

Kimberly, one of my good friends on our team, was praying before the trip what ‘extra item’ she should bring. She felt God say “Paint”. So she went out and bought 4 small tubes of paint.

When we arrived at Africa 180 base in Mozambique, Tracey heard about it, and said “Hey I wonder if you could do a mural in the prison when we go tomorrow?” Kimberly was ecstatic at the thought of using art to bring transformation in one of the darkest places on earth!

So Tracey checked up with the prison warden at the prison we were going to, and the answer was “Yes!”

So Kimberly got with God that night and drew up an amazing sketch of stairs leading up to a doorway in the wall, leading to a landscape and beautiful ‘freedom’ sunset!

We were amazed and knew that God was going to use this picture powerfully!

So the next day, we went into the prison to minister and to paint.

The only issue we were going to face was that the painting was about 2.5m x 2.5m but Kimberly only had enough paint for half of it!

So as the paint began to run out, Kimberly began to pray. And God did something incredible! The paints began to multiply! So much so, that we had exactly enough to finish the painting with some left over! It was a miracle!

After the painting was complete in the prison, I reflected on how we all layed hands on the wall and prophecied things like “freedom” “healing” “salvation” “sonship” etc. by writing on the wall where the paint was to be applied.

I also remember being in a car with team mates, during a car trip home and us all breaking into a spontaneous rap song: “be healed, look at the painting, be free, look at the painting, be delivered, look at the painting...”

It was like God was causing us to speak things into being.

Since returning from Mozambique, I received an email from Katrina, a team member who had stayed on for a further two weeks after we had left.

It was about the painting in the prison, God was moving powerfully through it!

She was so excited as she wrote

“... i'll be getting a hold of you when i get home so we can swap some videos. p.s. guys gettin saved after looking at the painting!!! ...ah yes. :D”

Prisoners were now getting saved just from looking at the painting! Then a few days later, she emailed again saying “The prisoners have named the painting “Pathway to God” because so many of them are finding God through looking at this painting!”

The doors to the prison are only opened to let the missionary team once a week. So the only vision of the outside world and a greater reality is this painting!

Please pray that God continues to use this painting supernaturally for years and years to come!

2010-04-17T21:52:00.001-07:00

Dave's Mozambique Final Letter

2010-04-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Mozambique was the most incredible time ever! Now I know, God is really in a good mood!

One of the biggest things I learnt on this trip was about the authority and power that we carry as believers to bring heaven to earth!

From the moment we left God was impacting the world, from the airplane trips, to the village markets, to the weather and environment, mud huts, churches, prisons, schools and soccer fields (in the middle of nowhere) Everywhere we went, we released heaven into earth!

Flight Attendant Healed!

On our first flight, our airhostess ‘Gail’ complained of an injured shoulder and was in lots of pain. So some of our team went into the back of the plane and released healing over her! She was completely pain free in minutes! Then our team prophesied over her and the other airhostesses!

Villagers 100% Healed!

On the way to the “Africa 180’s” base we were stopped because of flooded roads for a few hours.

So one of our teams got out and began to play music. A crowd of villagers soon gathered, to which they began to ask if anybody needed healing? A man stepped forward (the chief of the village) who had chest pain and he was instantly healed! Then all the villagers lined up for prayer, and 100% of them were healed!

Bad Weather Stopped!

God even moved on the weather! Mozambique had just experienced 3 weeks of torrential rain. To this, our leader Kate told us that she carried a “sunshine anointing” and all would be well. So the first morning I heard the slight patter of rain on the roof I said “No rain! Stop in the name of Jesus!” It stopped straight away! Then a few days later I was out praying early in the morning and dark clouds were rolling in ominously over the base! So I just began to worship Father God and then I looked up, and there was a hole 50metres wide directly above my head! So I moved to another part of the property to see if it would follow me… and it did! The more I prayed the clearer the clouds got around our base! Our prayers really are powerful!

Worship Service Breaks Out!

On our first day at the base, we had a great time of praise and worship, releasing the Kingdom of God over the land. After we worshiped for a few hours, we looked to our right (through the barbed wire fence) and there were about 10 children poking up through the cornfields watching our every move! So we went over to them and worshipped with them! Then we went around the fence and began to release God’s presence and joy into the villages! We saw one lady instantly healed of a bad headache, and were also ministered too by the singing of these beautiful people!

Prophecying Life

Throughout the trip, I had lots of opportunity to prophecy over people from airhostesses, to long-term missionaries, to prisoners and to teammates! It was incredible what the Holy Spirit does through you when you take a step of faith!

There were a couple of prophecy’s that blew me away!

The first was on our way to Washington DC, I felt to prophecy over the airhostess who had just been healed. So I asked God and began to draw what he told me to draw. He showed me a fine porcelain jug, which was covered over with a silk sheet and placed on a stand in a graveyard. God said, “she has a gift, that she has buried for many years, and I want you to tell her that I know, and I want her to begin using it again.” So I wrote the message and handed it to the airhostess. Little did I know that Kate and JP had prophecied the exact same word over her life only minutes prior! She was so excited when she read it and came out and thanked me with teary eyes! God is good!

Another time I saw a picture of a baby, when I asked God about a word for not overly helpful manager of the airline (when we were held up in Johannesburg airport, with no place to sleep, because of an error which their airline had made!)

So I drew a picture of the baby and wrote what God told me to say on it “I feel like joy is coming into your house, that God is giving you a gift because he loves you etc”. Anyway, after an hour and half, Kate came back, from being with the man, and saw that I’d done a prophetic picture for the man. She said “show me that Dave!” and I did, and she said “Come on Dave! You are not going to believe this, but the man just was bragging to me how he and his wife had just given birth to a new baby girl!” I was soo encouraged that God was going to lead that man closer to Jesus.

Church People Activated in Healing!

We had some incredible church services with whole villages of people some who had walked for miles just to be there! Tracey has done an incredible job at planting these churches and turning them over to the locals. She told us that when she first goes into a village, she could possibly grow it to 30 people maximum. But then when she turns it over the local people, they grow it to 200-300 people!

At the churches we saw God do incredible things. The best part was seeing the church activated in supernatural healing!

We had reached the end of our trip and were at a church about 1hr away from Tracey’s base.

Kate our leader asked the congregation if anyone was sick, to which the whole church stood up!

Kate then led the church in a prayer for healing, and then she asked if anyone felt better?

No-body responded! They all just stood there!

Kate then, got them to put their hand on the part of their body, which was sick or sore, and then asked them to pray for each other.

So everyone began to pray for each other with one hand on their ‘sore spot’ and the other on the person next to them. It was incredible what happened next!... Kate asked again for anyone with a testimony and then one after the other people came up to testify that Jesus had just miraculously healed them! It was so amazing seeing them uplifted and empowered to pray for each other!

Street Outreach

One day, while our team was visiting a larger city, Kate (our leader) and I went for a walk to a paint store to purchase some more paint for the ministry in the prison. On the way we bumped into a blind lady begging on the street. She was about 70 years old and sat there quietly and humbly with her hands out. We couldn’t speak her language, so Kate and I sat down and began to pray for her in tongues. I wish I could say her eyes opened up immediately, but they didn’t. But what happened next was amazing. A crowd soon gathered, and a young boy walked another blind grandmother to us for prayer. Then other people came up and asked for prayer! Kate began ministering to a young girl who was unable to have children and wanted to be healed. So as she prayed the young woman felt Gods presence strongly in her body! Kate then talked to her about what she was experiencing and if she wanted to know Jesus. To which she replied “Yes!”. So Kate led her to Jesus then and there!

Supernatural Smuggling!

During our stay, I was selected to go on a trip with Tracey Evans to Zimbabwe, to smuggle supplies for the clinic back into Mozambique!

I was so pumped! I love danger and a challenge! But also, it was an incredible honor to be with one of the greatest missionaries on the planet for two whole days!

Tracey was so much fun to travel with! She was just like an Aussie, and loved a good laugh and just having fun!

She was incredible to listen to, we sat there engrossed in her stories of how God had gotten her out of life threatening situations like guns pointed at her head (and triggers pulled, but nothing happening) being shipwrecked and captured by communist gorillas and escaping! And her meetings with a billionaire in Canada (whom when asked by him “how much money do you want?” she replied “I don’t want your money, I want your heart!”)

It was like sitting with Jesus :)

Anyway, the smuggling was also incredible!

*Tracey has a friend in Canada who can ship her food and medicine for the baby clinic (which feeds 550 children weekly) for free, because of the corruption in the Mozambique ports she has to spend two days smuggling supplies into Mozambique from Zimbabwe!

Anyway, we met a Christian surgeon in Zimbabwe, who took us to his friend’s factory on a commercial chicken farm. There we loaded so many boxes onto the 4wd that we had to go to another rendezvous to repack the good (so it didn’t look like they were there!) I packed biscuits and oatmeal packets into a huge tent on the roof, while Tracey and the other guys packed the rest into other parts of the car.

When we were finally ready to cross the border, the car looked great! The goods on the roof looked like a bunch of camping gear, while the medicine in the back looked like luggage covered under a blanket.

Getting past the guards was such a God thing! When we arrived at the first guard, he just happened to be a Christian who desperately wanted a bible! So I gave him my bible of 15 years (as we only had a small book of John).

The next guard opened the back and found the medicine... but then Tracey told him about the clinic, and he began to warm. He then realized Tracey was ‘medical’ and asked her to diagnose an allergy problem he was having with his eyes. So he let us through no worries, as Tracey was going to bring him back some anti-histamine on her next trip.

Then at the Mozambique border there just happened to be two women and a boy (who Tracey knew from the base!) So they jumped into the back of our 4wd and made it seem as though there was no ‘unnecessary luggage’ entering the country!

God is so good! He faithfully looks after his children and his kingdom!

Bad Flights and Activating a Whole School in Supernatural!

At the end of our trip, we had some flight difficulties, which forced us to miss our Washington DC connection and stranded us in Johannesburg South Africa overnight with no-where to stay!

But God had a plan!

Bethel church helped was connected with an amazing South African family, who put all 14 of our team up overnight!

This family ran a Christian school, which had been going through some hardships recently from religious leaders. So they asked if our team would come and minister to the students. We gladly accepted.

Our teams got to split up into teams of 2-3 and minister to all both primary & secondary students. My team took grade 3&4 kids, and we began to teach them about prophecy and then proceeded to activate them in it!

It was incredible seeing them realise the power that they had to call out the gold in each other! And they began to understand how this could change their whole school, by calling people upwards into Gods vision for their lives.

The best part was at the end when students were activated in prophesying over the teacher! She was really blessed and began to cry!

The whole school was rocked by Gods presence and all young people had supernatural experiences that day!

2010-04-05T11:39:00.001-07:00

So what's the plan?

2010-03-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

It's only 2 months till Dave will graduate from 1st year at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries. So what's our plan?

Well, initially we thought we'd be coming back to Australia...but only to get our visas and head back in time for 2nd year. We've realised, after much discussion and differing information, that we can go into Canada and apply for our visas there. We have also found out that we can enter back in the US anytime (opposed to just 30 days prior to school starting), due to the fact that Dave is returning to the same course of study. As much as we'd love to see friends and family, it is much more efficient financially to do it this way. It also allows us to enjoy some time exploring the country and enjoy a SUMMER! Woohoo! :) Not too keen on the idea of leaving winter here just to face winter in Australia. So we'll travel into Canada with some Aussie friends and perhaps spend a couple of weeks exploring Canada, Washington and Oregon. We'll also enjoy the HOT summer here in Redding, spending time at the lakes, and in our neighbours pool! :)

The other reason for not returning to Australia is so I (Taff) can attend the School of Worship. This is a 3 week intensive over the summer (obviously the US summer :) ). I am so excited to be able to spend those weeks soaking up all I can, so I can continue to grow in the area of prophetic worship. I so believe in the power of worship and what it can release into people's lives.

We're also looking forward to visits from family and friends while Dave's on the summer break. We'll possibly try and rent out our spare room (currently occupied by our boarders) during the summer, or at least during the school of worship, just to help cover the rent. (We love our house and we don't want to lose it! It's such a blessing in so many ways - to us and all who consider it a second home :) ).

With all this info we'd love you to pray for us! Firstly, we need the finances to be able to pay for visas and 2nd year school fees, as well as the fees for the school of worship. (I'm also believing that God will provide a digital keyboard for me! I'm biting at the bit to be able to play and worship at home, and record songs onto the Mac.) Secondly, pray that the visa process will be quick and hassle free. Thirdly, we'd love you to keep praying for us to continue to learn and grow, and see God use us supernaturally to see MANY lives saved, healed and delivered. We can't wait to pass on what we are learning!

We love you all and thank you sooo much for your prayers and support! We are learning so much and changing continually! The love of God is soooo amazing!

Mozambique Update

2010-03-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

Here's an email I received yesterday updating what the team have been up to already! I also spoke to Dave this morning (he called for Zeke's birthday) and he is very excited about what's been happening!

Just a quick update from our Bethel Mozambique team to say hello and
thank you for all your support and prayers! We arrived in Mozambique
yesterday after some lengthy but wonderful travel together- much fun
and bonding and ministry as well from flight to flight! We are all
healthy, happy and well adjusted.
The solid three weeks of rain they’ve been experiencing in Mozambique
stopped as soon as we arrived, and we’ve certainly been enjoying the
beautiful African sun-you can join us in agreeing that the sun will
shine throughout our whole time here!
We have a wonderfully musically inclined team of such worshippers and
we have already seen the life and joy and refreshing brought to the
people and even the land itself as we worship together! It’s also a
great ministry tool- the universal language indeed!
We’ve already had some beautiful spontaneous times of ministry in
local villages where we have enjoyed playing, singing and dancing with
the people and children, praying for anyone who is sick and rejoicing
as people who came to us saying they had pain throughout their whole
body light up as they report all the pain is gone. One woman asked for
prayer because she wanted to be free of her alcohol addiction, and it
was such a privilege to watch Jesus lift the shame and heaviness off
her, and minutes later to see her leading others in songs of worship
with such light radiating from her eyes! One man was completely healed
of the pain and constriction in his chest—and then those who received
healing began praying with us for others who needed healing! We got to
prophesy life and leadership into a couple of the men and afterwards
you could see in their disposition that they were rising up in their
identities as protectors and leaders among their community.
We’ll be ministering at the clinic, prisons and churches in the days
to come- teaching, praying for the sick, feeding the people. We
appreciate your continued prayers for ministry that yields lasting
fruit, people to come into the kingdom of His marvelous light, and
radical transformation in the lives of us all- our team, the
missionaries here, as well as the people of Mozambique!

Thank you so much for you love and prayers!
Bethel Mozambique Team

Departing for Mozambique

2010-03-03T21:06:00.001-08:00

Dave's departure for Mozambique began at midnight last night. The group left full of anticipation about what God was going to do through them on their trip. Again we want to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone who is supporting this trip. Dave was able to purchase a steel string guitar, a digital camera, soccer balls, a whole stack of art supplies and other activities to bless the mission in Mozambique. On top of this, he still had around $1000 to donate to the mission. He hopes to implement a lending system with this money so local people can borrow an amount of money to start a business. They would then pay this money back as the business generated an income for them. He heard of this idea from other missionaries who had set up a similar thing in Africa that worked amazingly. It's very exciting to think that we can sow into the community over a long period of time.

The idea of Dave being away for 2 weeks could be a little daunting, however I am blessed with amazing kids and so many offers of help! Lots of people have offered to help look after the kids, cook meals, or just hang out! (Oh, and the amazing generosity of our friends lending me money as Dave left with the bank cards which is our only access to finance!! :) ). I feel very loved!

Things to pray for over this time:

Dave left feeling a little unwell - please pray that he arrives refreshed and healthy, and with no jet lag!

Pray for miracles of salvation, healing and deliverance while they are there! Pray that God would work through them in ways that would have a lasting effect on the community.

Pray for myself and the kids that we would have an amazing time together to help the time pass quickly! Also pray for health, for Jaden in particular. He's has the start of croup which I'm believing will not progress, but instead leave his body.

Thanks sooo much for all your support and prayers! God is amazing!!!!

Back Healing Miracle!

2010-02-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I was in my second week of a new outreach called "Treasure Hunts". This is the outreach where we are split into groups and pray to God for clues that will lead us to have divine encounters with some people. These clues range from - colour of clothing, names, sickness and location etc. Anyway, this day I was split up and put with 2 other first year girls and a 2nd year and 3rd year student. Before we left we all got together to pray, and during this prayer time, I saw an ex-ray of a back. In the ex-ray, the middle of the back was black, like a disc was damaged or hurt. So I told the group as we were driving down town to begin looking for people to share the Kingdom with, and especially a bad back. While in the car, the 3rd year student said "What do you guys want to see today? God loves to answer requests!" We said that we wanted to see a healing! He said "Ok for sure you will!"

After prophecying over some people in an Op-Shop, we saw a black man, sitting on the side of the road at a set of lights. So we crossed the road and began to chat to him. His name was Alex, and his left foot was at least 40cm shorter, with the difference being made up by a large black soled shoe. So we began to pray for his leg to grow out and his hip to be healed. As we prayed, we could all feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. After praying, he felt God's presence and was instantly sober! Then the 2nd year student started to ask him if there was anyone he needed to forgive? To which the 3rd year asked him "What about yourself Alex? Do you need to forgive yourself?"

Alex froze and nodded his head, then we led him in a prayer of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit touched him some more! Then we asked him to say "Holy Spirit, what do you like about me?". After waiting a while, and then asking him "What did he say?", he replied "He said "everything!" To which he began to cry some more.

Then the 3rd year asked him if he had a sore back and how bad the pain was? Alex replied "Yes, right in the middle of my back, its 15/10 sore too!" We were all excited because we knew we were about to see God heal this man! So we prayed, and he got half better, then we prayed again to see it completed. I prayed this time, and said "God I just reach up into heaven now and grab a new back and place it into his body." Instantly the mans back started to pop and crack! The 2nd year said "Ohhh do you feel that? Its popping?" to which Alex replied "Sure thing I feel that! Can you feel that too!"

Alex was completely healed of all back pain! He left rejoicing and praising Jesus for his miracle!

We are hoping to have Alex over for dinner to continue to love him and share Jesus with him

(Pray that we can get in contact with him, thanks!)

THANK YOU!

2010-01-31T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ever since we decided to make the move to America, God has provided all of our needs every step of the way. Over the last five months, we have been amazed at the generosity people have show towards us. We want to say a huge 'THANK YOU' to everyone that has supported us both in prayer and in finance. We have people that are regularly sowing into our lives and others that make amazing donations when they feel led. We could not be here without your support, so we truly want to make it know how appreciative we are and what a difference it is making in our lives! Prior to christmas we also had an INCREDIBLE donation anonymously put into our account. To whoever that was, THANK YOU! It brought tears to my (Taff) eyes. To others that blessed us during the financially trying season of christmas - thank you! We were totally blown away.

To everyone that has made donations towards Dave's mission trip to Mozambique - again - THANK YOU! People have donated enough funds to cover his trip and more! The extra funds will be sown into the trip and into the lives of people in Mozambique. What an opportunity to bless that country!

God has been faithful and over and over again he is showering his love upon us! We are learning some amazing truths, which we will continue to update you with. Thank you again, and we pray that you will be bless ten-fold for all that you have given both in finance and prayers! We love you all.

Christmas, New Year, Aussie Day

2010-01-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas day was full of excitement! First, spending the morning opening presents with the people in our house, the sharing Christmas lunch with about 20 people - all in our house! We had our Aussie friends with us, our housemates, and a few American couples who also had no one to share the day with. Everyone brought something to share, so it was easy to cater for. It was really nice to have so many people around.

New Years Eve was also a night full of people in our house. We had a movie theme, with everyone coming dress up as a movie character. Again, it was lots of fun being with lots of people. I (Taff) realise more and more just how much I enjoy being around people and having people in the house. Life is much more fun when shared with people!

In between Christmas and New Year we took a drive up to the snow. It was the first time that I had seen or been in real falling snow. (I think once in high school there were a few snow flakes falling, but nothing significant). We tobogganed on the slope for a few hours and enjoyed the 'Narnia' environment around us. If you are on facebook - check out the Video called 'Daddy Don't Jump' posted on our walls. Zeke first experience of a toboggan was not necessarily a happy one! :) However, we've been to the snow again and he now loves going down the slope on his own! :) No harm done.

We celebrated Australia Day at our house with a BBQ and a bunch of Aussies (and adopted Aussies :) ). The Aussie flag was hanging, green and gold war paint on, handball comps happening (all leagues), and good ol' Aussie products displayed around the room. We also spent the arvo praying for and prophesying over each other and Australia.

So we've had lots of things going on with a whole bunch of people. It's really nice to have such an amazing house that we can host so many people in.

Update on Zeke, Jaden & Taff

2009-12-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of an update on the three of us not in school! :)

Zeke is growing quickly and seems to be more intelligent by the day! He's managed to work out how to operate the computer and navigate around Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine websites, completing all the puzzles and activities as he goes! While I don't like him playing on it for too long, it does help in those moments where you just need some time to get stuff done! He loves the kids church here. They teach them to listen to the Holy Spirit and prophecy over each other. The spend time worshipping and soaking in the presence of God. It's such an encouragement to know that your kids are being taught what you are being taught! How much more will they flourish in life being taught this stuff now! Zeke also loves to play with his Aussie friends Luca and Amaya. Luca is turning 4 in January and Amaya will be 2 in the same month. So Zeke is right inbetween which suits him well. He loves to play with those a bit older than him as he can communicate with them. Zeke is very excited about Christmas. Christmas is so much more enjoyable with children around!

Jaden is now 6 months old and has just cut his first tooth! Even in the process of immunisations, teething and learning to digest food he still is pretty much a placid and smiley kid! He's also been prophesied over in the child care room at church. It was about him being peaceful and bringing peace to our house. It's so true! Over the past week Jades has been practicing getting up onto his knees and rocking. Lots of development to come in the next few months! I'm looking forward to him being able to move around as I think Zeke will enjoy playing with him more. Zeke is beautiful with Jaden. Loves to include him in story time at bedtime, and loves to roll him around on the floor! We look forward to watching them grow up and play together.

I (Taff) have been doing a parenting group called 'Raising Tomorrow's Leaders'. The material used is brilliant - taken from many different authors and experts in the field. It's been a good way for me to get to know others mums and a chance to get out of the house! I plan on doing a bit of a summary of some of the material we're looking at, so if you're interested in it, let me know!

Recently I've had a few opportunities to sing. I've starting worship leading for the parenting group I'm involved in. There are about 100 women, so it feels like leading at a small church. I'm loving the opportunity to work with another mum who's been involved in the Bethel Worship Team. I've also joined the Bethel Worship Choir (I know, I can't believe it either). It's been a great way to get with other 'worshippers' and catch some of the culture of Bethel myself. The choir sings every sunday morning, and we've just finished a month of Christmas events. We've sung in the mall (shopping centre kinda like the Bendigo Marketplace or small Westfields), the Holiday Feast (community christmas lunch put on by Bethel Church), and a couple of events for the elderly. As part of this, I've also had the opportunity to sing a few solos. It's so nice to be able to do what I love to do. I had come here prepared not to sing for a year or so, but God has provided opportunities for me - and oh how I needed it. I was feeling a little restless not being a part of worship or singing! :)

Recently Dave surprised me with a new car! When we initially arrived in Redding, we purchased a cheap small car in a hurry. The car wasn't the most reliable car I've had, and it wasn't big enough for Dave to sit in the passenger seat! We'd been keeping our eye out for Subaru Outbacks on Craigslist (online classifieds). Dave saw one and got it checked out, then brought it home for me! It cost about the same as the first car we bought as it we purchased it for half its value! The car is in brilliant condition! We then sold our first car for the same price we purchased it. So we basically upgraded our car for $150. Very blessed! Now we all fit in the car and can take a day trip to the snow!

Now Christmas is upon us and we're really enjoying a winter Christmas. Something really special about it. We'll have about 15 people in our house to enjoy Christmas lunch with. But before that, as is the case every year, we will put Christmas on hold for a day to celebrate Dave's birthday on December 24!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Lassen, Redwoods, Winter

2009-12-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

As previously mentioned, we've been enjoying some of the natural surrounds of Redding. Lassen National Park is a dormant (yet still active - don't ask me why they call it dormant), volcano. We managed to head up there (about 1 hour away) before the main road through the volcano was closed for winter. Zeke had his first touch of snow which was pretty cool :). For the main part of the day we hiked into 'Bumpass Hell' (great name hey!). You hike in, then walk around on a boardwalk built over hot bubbling, steaming mud pools. It was quite an experience. The smell took us back to Bendigo - the dreaded sulfur smell of the Bendigo Creek, only intensified! We spent the day with our good Aussie and Kiwi friends! Lou and Shane are a couple from Taree, NSW, that we've loved hanging out with. And of course, Tim, our Kiwi boarder was with us - but he's lots of fun too :).

The students all had time off over Thanksgiving. Again we used the time to explore! We travelled with Lou & Shane, and Mike, Bek and the kids - all Aussies! The northern coast of California is famous for it's large Redwood trees. The size of the trees was amazing. The most spectacular drive that we took was though an untouched part of the woods. It was magical! Something mysterious and breathtaking about it. The coastline was just as spectacular. Similar to the Great Ocean Road in parts, but the rocks are grey in colour. Just beautiful. We also enjoyed our first west coast sunset! A pod of whales decided to show off their spouts of water too! My (Taff) first sighting of whales. Unfortunately they didn't want to show off their jumping skills!

We returned to Redding on Thanksgiving so we could enjoy our first Thanksgiving with an American family from the church. Lots of delicious food and great people to enjoy it with.

These days we are enjoying sitting by the open fire as the days are colder. So far, all our wood has been provided free of charge! Today our landlord gave us a truck (ute) full of pre cut wood! It's perfect! Apparently the last couple of days have been unusually cold. I would say the weather was on a par with Bendigo. Doesn't seem to be any colder than what we're used to. The good part is the snow is only half an hour away! Our neighbours have another property there which we have been invited to spend some time there whenever we like.

So our christmas tree is up (with our home made decorations) by the open fire and for the first time all the christmas songs make sense and it feels like a 'real' christmas. We even has christmas stockings hanging from the mantle piece! We'll be celebrating Christmas with the people in our house and some other families from Australia who have no one else to share it with. Although we really miss our family and friends at this time, it should be a beautiful Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!

Partner with Dave's Mozambique Orphans & Prisoners Mission Trip

2009-12-11T00:02:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, I went to a church in Queensland and was prayed for by a man (who I didn’t know from a bar of soap) who said “I see you in a village preaching to black skinned people and God is doing mighty things!” When he said this (15 years ago) I felt like “well I can’t see that ever happening! I don’t ever want to go to Africa!” and yet here I am in California America at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries and God has asked me to go to Mozambique and I cant wait!

We will be joining Bethel missionary Tracey Evans (who sees over 600 children fed by faith each week!) She is amazing & has survive un attacks, witchdoctors & even seen corn raised from the dead! On this trip we will be getting opportunities to minister in a local prison, in the markets, to village children, at local and bush church plants!We will also pioneer an open air church with 150 people from Tracey’s clinic!

We are believing to see people healed, set free from demons, people discipled and people resourced. I can’t wait to prophecy into people’s identities, see them healed, see them saved and see them set free! I was told today that 99% of people we pray for will get healed!

I really believe that this trip is God ordained and that he is going to bring together a strategic team of people who will spiritually and resourcefully support this trip and ensure its success!

For all who would like to partner by praying, I hope to be giving regular feedback during the trip, so that you can pray specifically into what God is doing! To sign up as a prayer partner email me at daveh@suvic.org.au.

If you would like to give into the trip (I need about $3700, plus am aiming to take a gift of $1500) you can make a donation through our bank account below:

Bank: Bendigo Bank

Account Name: David S P Harvey

BSB: 633 000

Account No: 104861463

If you make a donation please also email me at daveh@suvic.org.au as I would love to send you regular updates too.I really appreciate your belief in me & in the power of the gospel of our amazing Jesus Christ! Thanks so much for your gifts, prayers & partnership! I look forward the lives that our team will see changed!

God Bless Heaps!

Dave Harvey

2009-12-02T13:01:00.001-08:00

Powerful Encounters at School

2009-11-29T16:57:00.000-08:00

Photo top: Olive Branch I was given during first encounter.

Photo below: A Students photo of fire over our heads during FREEDOM shout encounter!

Since I have started God has been really enlarging my understanding of Him and as renewing and redeeming my self image. He has been highlighting areas where I have needed to repent, (lies I have believed, 1/2 truths about Him and me) He has also been showing me people I needed to forgive and has been showing himself new to me.

In one encounter recently God set me up during the week... on the Monday I lost my wedding ring (then I told a mate... he prayed for me...and I immediately remembered where it was)...then on Tuesday in my time with God at the prayer chapel I saw the bright colour RED and when I asked God what it meant, he said "I am passionate about you!"...the next night during a sozo class God we were asked to ask the Holy Spirit to give us a gift...he gave me a girls wedding ring and a clothes rack with kids clothing on it! I had no idea that these were connected until the next day when my Revival Group pastor Crystal was preaching on intimacy with God... I responded and then during worship she felt led to come down and give me the olive branch she had used to preach with. Instantly God hit me... I balled and laughed... then I saw a vision of Jesus and I... except this time I was a bride! then all of the weeks events (my wedding ring, the red passion, the engagement ring and kids clothes) began rushing back to me...then Jesus said to me "where do you want to go today?" "what are we going to do?" It was in such friendly intimate husband wife talk that it blew me away. You see I had always struggled with Jesus and me. I had struggled to intimately connect...I always thought he was on a mission and I had to help him get it done! It was a business relationship and there wasnt much intimacy. What I was now realising, was that I AM his lover! that He passionately desires me! that he wants to go on adventures with me! That he wants to have fun with me! Now when I have my quiet times it's different, it's more intimate, more personal, I'm out of control and never know quite what is going to happen!

The best and last part of the vision was when I saw my boys smiles (Jaden massive ear to ear and Zeke's cheeky smile) and Jesus said "This is how I look at you all the time!" I burst into tears and laughed too! He rocked my world!

Another encounter only a week or so later was when our leaders felt God wanted to set some of us free. So after preaching he set up the open mike and asked for anyone to come up who felt God wanted them to get free, and to shout "FREEDOM!" into the microphone. So the stage was swamped... and I was one of them. After about 40min or so, it came to my turn, and I was shouting for myself, for my parents and for my family. So I let it rip "FREEDOM!!!" before I knew it I was jumping like a Kangaroo! yelling it over and over again... and then I ended up on the ground 15metres away knocked out under the power of God. I got so drunk in the Holy Spirit (2nd time now) that my Aussie mates were paying me out for another 30min and I didnt realise! I feel freer ever since that encounter, and am more susceptible to Gods presence in meetings.

Dave's new miracle bike!

2009-11-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

WOW! I never would have thought it!

A mate of mine asked me to go to the bike store with him and help him pick a mountain bike (so we could start riding to get fit!) (I had already been given a girls mountain bike (1980's style) which was ok (sort of)) So we went to the local Giant dealer and checked out a heap of the bikes. While we were there we checked out the cheapest ones, right up to the top of the range in the front suspension models. It became clear to me, as I rode them that the better bike was the more expensive one. So he asked me "Which one do you wreckon I should get?" And I said "well for sure the Giant XTC2" Then he looked at the shop owner and said "We will take two of those ones then thanks!" I looked over at him with a confused look...and he said "You don't mind if I get you a bike do you Dave?" I was GOB SMACKED!

Then I remembered how 3 weeks earlier, I had been in my prophetic class and a young girl was asked to give me words of knowledge. She said "I see a coffee machine"... I replied "well I have been enjoying getting into drinking coffee"(a few weeks later I got loaned a coffee machine)... then she said "I see a bike"... I said "I really want a bike, but don't have one yet" (the girls bike didn't count) And then 3 weeks later God not only gets me a bike, not even the cheap version, but he gets me the best! God is sooo GOOD!

Fun, Family, Friends...life

2009-11-29T15:40:00.000-08:00

We've been having so much fun that we haven't managed to get around to updating our blog! Our apologies for those who have been regularly checking for the latest update!

Some of the photos below show what we've been up to. After settling in to our house we connected with quite a few fellow Aussies at the college. So what else were a bunch of Aussies going to do on Grand Final weekend? Eat meat pies and watch the footy! Thanks to our neighbours who recorded the final for us and then supplied the house with the LARGE screen TV, we were able to enjoy watching the ALF final - and what a final it was!!! We were very excited to still feel a part of the footy culture! I can't say all the Aussies enjoyed it, but the Victorians sure did! They did all enjoy the Four n Twenty pies we had shipped up though (found a distributor somewhere in California that we ordered from)!

The Redding Airshow was on the same afternoon. Tim, Anna, Dave and I, and the boys enjoyed our free viewing of the Blue Angels from the traffic intersection outside the airport! Zeke was stoked to see the planes - as were all of us actually! We were amazed by the pilots abilities!

We've enjoyed being able to use some of the free days that Dave has had to enjoy some of the beautiful surrounds. We have enjoyed waterfalls with Nat and Yvonne Parsons, spent a night camping with Tim & Anna, and another couple Jonathan & Rachel, been swimming in waterholes, watching sunsets with our neighbours, and more recently visiting Lassen National Park and Redwoods National Parks (more on them another time). Dave and I have managed to spend a few date nights together too, thanks to Tim and Anna babysitting!

Our first experience of Halloween was quite tame. Zeke dressed up in a pumpkin suit (thanks to our neighbours) which he kept on for about 5 minutes! Our neighbours held a small kids party with Jumping Castle, food, and lots of little kids activities. We had 3 places to be that night, so we didn't send Zeke 'Trick or Treating' which we were glad about after seeing the massive bags of lollies (candy) our neighbours kids collected!

Another American culture thing we have tried is 'Biscuits and Gravy'. We were assured it was great...however I (Taff) didn't find that to be the case! Their biscuits are what we would call scones. The gravy is a white sauce with sausage in it. Not my cup of tea. Some enjoyed it though! Following 'Biscuits and Gravy' we went out to the shooting range - which is just outside along a road - aiming up at the hills! So I had my first go at a shotgun and pistol - shooting pumpkins left over from Halloween!

We have also had a couple of other visitors to our house. Our friend, Suzy, who lives in New York spent a few days with us. We haven't seen her for over 6 years, so it was good to catch up and see her enjoy our boys! Just last weekend we had more visitors from home (Bendigo). John and Judy Mott also spent a few days with us and didn't fail to bring some Aussie supplies for us! The vegemite and weetbix and very precious items in this house! It was so nice to have people from 'home' in our new 'home'.

So we are enjoying ourselves and the surrounds as much as we can before the weather turns too cold! Lots more to tell, but we'll break up the post so it's not too long!

2009-11-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

Zeke has his first Vision!

2009-10-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

As a part of their culture, kids who attend kids church are encouraged to do "soaking time" - where they all lie down and listen to some worship music and ask the Holy Spirit for pictures. Anyway, yesterday when Taff went to her "Raising Tomorrows Leaders" class, Zeke went to kids church and had his first vision (well that he has told us of!)

While driving home, Taff asked him "So how was kids church Zeke?"

He said "Good!"

"So did you guys lie down and listen to some music today?" she asked

"ummm yes!" said Zeke.

So Taff pressed further"Did the Holy Spirit give you any pictures?"

"ummm yes!" said Zeke again.

"Well what did you see honey?" asked Taff excitedly

"ummm I saw a big strong horse, with a big tail and it had 5 eyes"

We are not sure about the interpretation of this yet, but it is SOO COOL to be part of a culture where your kids are naturally opened up to the Holy Spirit and His voice. "Imagine what Zeke will be doing at our age I thought!"

School is AMAZING!

2009-10-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

Wow! I (Dave) have been at school now for 4 weeks and I feel like my brain and my heart are getting ripped open and cleaned out every day! This school is AMAZING!

To give you an idea of what my week looks like, I have classes Tuesday to Friday 12:45 - 5:30pm. We have a name tag which we have to wear, and these have to be swiped into machines (like credit card swipers) to clock into classes. We also have to be at 2 church services (which we are rostered into) be part of an outreach, small groups and AMT's (Advanced Ministry Training (I have chosen Prophecy for my AMT)

We have over 800 first year students on our campus (which is the church) and around 650 second year students at another campus called Twin View. We cant meet all together because we are too big for the facilities! From these large groups we are broken down into 'Revival Groups' of 80 people and then from there we are broken down into small groups of 5.

I go to class usually with Bob (a 20 yr old first year student from North Caroliner who loves Tie-dye and skateboarding and is living with us) in his pickup truck, or I ride a girls bike! which we were given or Taff drops me off. We also have started walking sometimes with the kids too now that we have a pram which is cool as we have been blessed with a house not too far away!

The last 4 weeks have been so packed, I feel like I have done 8 weeks of schooling! I have read 4 books in 3 1/2 weeks and about 50 chapters of the bible! (which is a miracle!) (I have 3 more books given yesterday to read!) On each of the books and bible chapters we read we have some questions and reports to answer to help cement some of the learning.

Some of the best things about the school for me so far have been, the amazing presence of the Holy Spirit! I also am finding I am getting more visions here than ever before (which they have told us is because of the open heaven!) God really is speaking soo much to me! Also the theme for first year is understanding 'who you are' in Christ, and this teaching has been phenominal! I have felt like my heart is getting a makeover, it has answered so many questions about why many Christians are powerless and struggling so much and encouraged me that everyone can live a supernatural life and is called to change the world!

Another thing which has been amazing is the apostolic leadership of the church. They are truly here to empower revivalists! They are encouraging us to take risks, that we will make mistakes, and they are giving us the tools that we need to change the world! They literally really believe in training, equipping and sending out world changers! Even the church runs stacks of equipping and empowering courses, of which Taff is doing one called "Raising tomorrows Leaders" - about parenting revivalists.

Sometimes with all the amazing teaching (Sons not Slaves, Righteous not Sinners, Prophecy, Intercession, Sensing God etc) it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to 'digest it', but I feel like the Holy Spirit is doing a download on me to help out. It is such practical and yet supernatural teaching, I am soo blessed to be here!

I have just chosen my mission trip for March next year. I felt God put some places and leaders on my heart like Mozambique, Chile, Mexico etc I am excited about this and cant wait to see people saved, healed and set free from the works of the devil! In some of these mission trips students have stepped out in obedience to God and seen miracles like - babies raised from the dead, hospital rooms cleared out and hundreds instantly healed in meetings!

The cool thing is also that in our weekly outreaches into Redding the teams are seeing the same thing! I will finish with a story I heard yesterday from the leader of our outreaches. He talked about how he and a team had been out on outreach for almost 2 hours, and seen nothing happen, all their prophecies were off and they saw no-one healed. So as the team moped back to the car to leave, one of them felt the Holy Spirit tell him to go over to a group of youths sitting nearby. He thought "no, nothing is working tonight we will just leave it." But the Holy Spirit convicted him and he decided to walk over the the young people. Anyway he walked over and said "is there any way that we can bless you guys, did you need prayer for anything?" (expecting no real response) And then one of the teenagers takes his shirt off and says "Yeah I have scoliosis (curved spine) can Jesus fix that?" "Sure he can said the leader" So they prayed a 5 second prayer (its not our prayers that heal, its Jesus!) and the top half of his spine straightened instantly! The young people were amazed! So they prayed again, and the bottom half instantly straightened! Then another boy came up with a broken ankle and they prayed for him and he was instantly healed! Then another with a huge bruise from his shoulder to his elbow came up...they prayed...and it shrunk to a 10 cent piece size...then disappeared! More young people got healed and then they led them all to Jesus! HOW AWESOME IS OUR GOD!

And all this in a parking lot of a shopping centre in the afternoon!

I cant wait to see what God is going to do this year in our lives! I just want to thank everyone for making this a possibility! Love heaps! Dave

2009-09-29T15:28:00.001-07:00

Home Sweet Home

2009-09-15T13:45:00.001-07:00

So much has happened in the past week. It's been an amazing adventure!

We really enjoyed our stay (3 nights) in the shared house. The family were lovely, as were the people that were in there with us. It was such a relief to be with people and know that we weren't chewing at our savings. During our time there we spent countless hours searching for a house and a car. We were offered a 3 brm place in a great area, however the house was really small. It wasn't worth paying the money for the size of it. Prior to being offered that house, we had looked through a massive 3 brm place with a massive yard for only $100 p/m more. We applied that day and were called up at 9am the next morning with the good news that we could rent the house! The great thing about the house is that it is big enough that we have been able to have 2 borders move in to help with rent (more on them later). The house also reminds me (Taff) of my 2 homes in Bendigo. The carpet and the size of the house (and the era) remind me of the house I grew up in in Spring Gully Road. The bathrooms are big and long with really big mirrors. For those who saw our house in Flora Hill, we had a massive mirror in the bathroom. So we feel right at home here. The yard has lots of grassy area for Zeke to play and kick a ball (without it traveling down the hill to a main road!). We were able to move into the house immediately - just had to buy a couple of beds to do that :).

So we have slowly been filling our house with furniture. We have been incredibly blessed! We went to some yard sales on Saturday and got some amazing bargains; 2 swivel/rocking chairs for $15, and a couch for $15 - all had just been steam cleaned and are in beautiful condition. We also got given a single bed with sheets etc which was amazing. We also picked up a swing and slide set for Zeke for $10! Nothing wrong with it! Just needs a coat of paint to make it like new again. We also picked up a big fridge with ice maker for $60. So the place is starting to feel like home.

In the process of setting up, we met the neighbours. It's a really friendly neighbourhood - in fact I would say that Americans in general are so friendly and hospitable and willing to help out. We love it! Dave met our next door neighbours and immediately got an invite over for tea. Their whole family went for dinner also so we met quite a few people that night. The added bonus - they have a beautiful pool with a waterslide, and a tree house for Zeke to play in. Their daughters, Cassidy and Maciah, are 8 and 10 years and Zeke has taken to them quite quickly. Their extended family includes 2 boys aged 3 and 4 which has also been great for Zeke. Corey (our neighbour) kindly helped Dave put Zeke's swing set together and lent him the tools etc to fix it up a bit. They have also given us their password for their internet while we wait for ours to be connected. After knowing them for 24 hours, they offered to look after our kids while we went out for dinner to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. Very kind of them!

As I said, we've also had 2 borders move in with us. One of the guys, Tim Parr (from NZ), is a good friend of my sister & brother in law. We'd had a little bit of contact with him prior to coming, then when his accommodation fell through we were able to offer him a place to stay. We then got another guy Bob Carr from Virginia to share the room with him (it's a decent sized room). Both guys and their friend/girlfriend are easy going and lovely people.

Last night we had an extra 2 people in the house! Some of you will know Lindsay Stokes (Mark Stokes dad) from Kyabram. He has connections with Tim Parr's girlfriend Anna. So he rocked up on our doorstep last night and will be staying until he finds a place to live. We also had another girl, Rochelle (friend of Bob) crash on the couch. Thankfully the house is big enough that you don't feel like you're getting in each others way.

We also managed to buy a car. Dave still hasn't gone for his license, but will do that next week (found out is wasn't as urgent as we thought). The lady we bought the car from has been very helpful to us also. She's fixed up a couple of things on the car for us and made sure that we've got a reliable car.

We have been blown away with how many great people we've met - neighbours, housemates, borders, friends, people who helped collect our furniture, car seller etc etc. It's definitely made our transition a whole lot easier.

Sometime over the next couple of days we'll make a short video of our home and post it to the blog so you can see where we're living. If you're interested in our address, just shoot us an email and we'll email it to you.

Dave started school today. I'm sure he's going to love it. I'll miss not having him around all the time like he has been the last couple of weeks, however he only has school for half a day each day so I can't complain! :)

We are all well again. Zeke has settled in to his new home very well. He is much happier now that he's not battling sickness and we've stopped in one location. Jaden - still the same - very easy going and taking it all in his stride :).

Hopefully we'll get the video of our house done soon for you all! Thanks for your prayers, emails and skype calls! It's been a roller-coaster ride but we're enjoying the adventure of it!

Best Western to Community Living!

2009-09-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

So today we made a move. Not a move to our house, but to a house where there are about 12 people sharing the facilities! Best Western was becoming quite expensive - 6 nights was enough. We found this couple that rent out beds to people needing short term accommodation. Nice and cheap - $15 per night per bed. So now we at least have a proper kitchen to make use of so we don't have to buy meals or cook with only a microwave. There are people sleeping in a bungalo out the back, people sharing rooms in the house, people sleeping in caravans out the front and us; we are sleeping in the garage (yes a car garage), but it's not as bad as it seems! They have made it quite homely in here for us. There are other advantages too - lots of people to talk to and find out local knowledge, acres for Zeke to play with, animals and toys for Zeke, piano for Taff, some handy man work for Dave if he so desires, a nice deck area to sit on rather than being stuck inside, and just being around people who love God and care about you. Tonight we shared a BBQ with heaps of people (extras came) to celebrate Labor Day over here. It was really nice to finally meet some people.

We will be staying here until we find a home. We have prospect of one available on Thursday, and another that isn't available for another 30 days. We'll also be looking for others the remainder of this week. Dave was reminding us today of the message we heard at Planetshakers the sunday prior to us leaving Australia; Neil Smith was talking about Jacob and how he wanted to dig a well but was being blocked by the locals. But he persisted because he had such a conviction about doing it. That's how we feel right now; trying to lay foundations down in the form of a home, but nothing is coming up. We'll keep persisting because we have such a strong conviction that this is where God wants us at the moment.

We attended Bethel Church for the first time yesterday. We went to the 11am service which was so packed that even the overflow room was overflowing! We were in the overflow room for the service. It was a great time of worship - totally free, and a great message. The 6pm service was also full. We had to leave early as it hit 8pm (yes, long service, but totally worth it) and the kids needed food and bed. We're looking forward to getting involved more in the church rather than just walking in and walking out.

So tomorrow Dave will be going for his license, so we can legally drive a car that we will buy (haven't found one yet, but hire car has to be back on Thursday!). Please pray for him! He's a little worried. :) Taff will go for hers at another time. We only need one person to have it in order to buy the car.

Thanks again for all your emails! Keep sending them through. xx

2009-09-05T23:03:00.001-07:00

San Francisco

2009-09-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

This post is a bit delayed due to the busyness of trying to get set up in Redding! But anyway, here it is!

As we said in previous posts, the trip to San Fran was long and hard due to Zeke not being well. We stayed in a beautiful place - had to start getting used to tipping everyone. Kind of a strange thing, but we have asked a few people and think we've got the hang of what to tip! We were staying in an area called 'Union Square' (the heart of SF that doesn't sleep!). The shops around there were beckoning Taff! But she resisted...at least for now. Will head back down once the baby fat is gone :). Who's coming over for a shopping trip???

We explored the hills of San Fran - just like what you'd see in the movies (ie girls, like in Princess Diaries! Boys, like all the cool car chase movies). They are amazingly steep. We walked across (well half way across) the Golden Gate bridge. It's an amazing structure. Lucky for us the half that we walked was fairly clear - even blue sky. The other half was covered in cloud - a common thing apparently. There are many Piers in San Fran; the most famous being Pier 39. We looked around there; saw 1002 sea lions sleeping on wooden boards in the bay (wild, loud and smelly). Quite an interesting place. We drove past a store called 'Big Dogs' which we found amusing as that's the nickname Dave uses for Zeke :) - and every other male he knows. Unfortunately Taff didn't stop the car to take a photo of it :).

We are looking forward to heading back to San Fran someday. It was a really beautiful and interesting place - only downfall is that it's cold!

We've now been in Redding for 5 days (stripped down to the shorts again). We are staying in a Best Western while we look for a house. We've finding it hard to know what to do first. You need a social security number for a credit check to get a house, but to get a number you need ID, but to get ID you need an address. Same with a car - you need to get a license, but to get that you need an address. Bit confusing, but we'll get there. Please keep praying for a house, car and our health!

We will head to our first Church service at Bethel this sunday. Will be a bit bizarre walking into a place that you will call home for the next little while when you've never been there. We're looking forward to meeting some people though! Missing you all! Please keep sending us comments and emails! We love to hear from you. xx

Family Sickness - Prayer Request

2009-09-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who has been praying for us over the last week of our journey, we have really seen Gods strength and favor at many times along the journey!

Around 4 days ago Zeke and Dave both got sick, Zeke had rashes all over his body, a sore throat and a fever, Dave had a sore throat and a fever. Zeke battled through and thanks to God, he has come out the other side not needing a doctor and is almost completely well. Dave had to go to the medical centre and was diagnosed with Strep throat, where he was given some antibiotics to take over the next 10 days. But just last night Taff has come down with a bad fever and nausea! So we were wondering if at all possible you would be able to stand with us in prayer to see this attack broken! We really feel like the enemy is having a go at us at the moment! But we know that "greater is He who is for us than he who is against us!". We would really appreciate your prayers too for a house that we could move into this weekend (Hotels are fun for a while!) We love you all and thank you all for standing with us during this battle.

Arrival to the USA

2009-08-30T21:35:00.001-07:00

Our journey to the USA so far just feels like a bit of a holiday. We've spent 2 nights just outside LA, now we're in San Franciso for 2 nights before driving to Redding (where we'll live).

I must say that we are very proud of our boys! We dragged them from cars, to planes, to buses, walking through airports, with little time to stop and eat and they were beautiful for us! Zeke especially had to put up with us getting him to move quicker, or be carried. Jaden was his usual placid self which made life easier. People in the LA airport were very helpful seeing that we had 2 young children. Just as we were about to exit the airport, I realised that in picking up our tonne of luggage, we'd forgotten to pick up the porta cot and car seat! So while I waited half way up the exit ramp with 2 trolleys of luggage and 2 tired kids, Dave went back and got someone to collect them for him (which took a long time as they only picked up one thing the first time!).

Eventually we were out of there and in our big American car! We had to upgrade our hire car from a sedan to a Crysler Aspen - kind like a cross between a 4WD and a Tarago. Big! But nice to drive - easy to drive when you're learning to drive on the wrong side of the road! We're enjoying the challenge that it brings. (We won't mention the fact that today Taff backed into a car behind us!). America seems to be the land of the big cars. Quite bizzare.

We spent our first 2 nights in Anaheim (just south of LA) - directly opposite Disneyland. Felt a bit odd being so close to Disneyland and not going!!! It's just not worth it when the boys are so young. Save that one for a few years down the track. Our accommodation had a little water park which Zeke (sort of) enjoyed. :) Unfortunately he was starting to get unwell. He has a rash over his body which we think is a combination of heat rash and ezcema. Possibly a reaction to an additive but we're not really sure. He's getting better so it's nothing serious thankfully. We would love you to pray for our health - Dave and Zeke both a bit unwell. Taff stupidly had some pineapple in a smoothy tonight (something that made her extremely sick during pregnancy).

The landscape around LA seemed to be barren and concrete! Lots of road/bridges going over each other and the hills seem very dry (it is the end of summer though, so probably to be expected). We didn't actually head into the CBD (or Downtown) LA. Not enough time. It also appears that 'Dennys' is more popular than 'McDonalds'. Their servo stops along the highway are more like little shopping centres too!

After our 2 nights in Anaheim, we made the long drive to San Fran. The trip was hard as Zeke was really not well that day. It breaks our heart when he says he wants to go home. So hard to explain to a 2 year old that we actually don't have a home right now. Trying to explain what's happening to him, but when you're not well all anyone wants to do it go home.

So now we're in San Fran and we head to Redding tomorrow. We'll fill you in on our San Fran stay next time. Thanks again for praying for us! Please pray that we'll find a place to call home very soon!

Final Day

2009-08-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big move. We are now officially 'homeless'. We moved out of our house last Friday and have spent our last few nights with Taff's family in Torquay (hard place to stay, I know). We're busy trying to do the last few little jobs - and we're sure we will have missed something - including the final packing of our bags and making sure we're not over the weight limit!
We are very excited - even slightly anxious now - about moving over. Life is about to dramatically change. It will be a big few weeks as we try to settle in before Dave starts college on Sept 15.

We want to say a HUGE 'THANK YOU' to everyone who has helped us with the move. Thanks to those who physically helped with the move; thanks Rach for helping Taff; thanks to those who have encouraged us along the way. A very special thank you to everyone who has helped us financially. We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity shown towards us. We can't thank you all personally (cause some of you we don't know) but please know that we are very grateful for your support. Thanks also to those who are praying for us as we take this adventurous step! We appreciate your prayers.

Might be a while before we are connnected via the internet, but we'll let you know how the transition is going as soon as we can!

Thanks again! Don't forget to shoot us an email to keep us up to date on what's happening in your life! :)

The final weeks in Aussie Land!

2009-08-12T03:51:00.000-07:00

Two weeks until we fly out of this beautiful country to invade the land of the yanks! We have mixed emotions about the move - excited about the journey ahead and the challenges that we will face, but very sad to be leaving friends and family behind. Thankfully the world of technology continues to grow and we can chat to people on skype! (Add us to your contacts: taff.harvey or dave-harvey). There is also the part of us that is just 'doing' things in order to move - plenty of little jobs that need to be done in order to make the transition smooth.

We have so many wonderful friends and family members that make it hard for us to leave. Thank you for being such a huge part of our lives. Thanks for your love, support, prayers, help, and fun! We hope that this can continue - for the most part (at least for the next two years) this will just be from a distance!

So just over 1 week til we leave the house that we designed, built, and have lived in since we were married. (As much as we love the house, it's getting far too small with 2 kids and no backyard!). A frantic week and a half ahead, then a few days to relax before we fly out on August 27th. The next part of our adventure starts...