Give me the Sandover Highway

Pictured: A classic Australia Ghost gum on the Sandover Highway.

"Give me the Sandover Highway, some days it’s the only way to go.. Alice Springs to Camooweal and Mt Isa.. Give me that Sandover Road".

The new album ‘Nullarbor to Nashville’ features a song about one of Australia’s less known roads, but one of my favourites. This road passes through places like Utopia, Alparra, Soapy Bore and Ampilatwatja all the way to Alpururrulam and the famous Lake Nash Cattle station. It’s the shortcut to Camooweal and Mt Isa but takes plenty of extra fuel as there are no guarantees of fuel supply. But the Indigenous communities along this road are among the most welcoming and appreciative I‘ve come across as there is still a deep appreciation from the locals for the early missions work that took place in the early 1900’s. The Sandover Highway… 722kms of classic Australia.

Road to Reality

Pictured: The turn off from the Plenty Highway to Camooweal.. Stay alert for camels, kangaroo’s, cattle, emu’s and washed out creek crossings…

'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you’. Matthew 6:33

There are days when I feel completely misunderstood by the big modern churches in the cities and suburbs… by friends and at times even family. I look back and see the miracles and the milestones over the past 30 years of serving the local church across Australia, The South Pacific and beyond. It’s then I realise not everyone is going to understand or agree with the unique calling of travelling to the remote and forgotten places to share the Gospel. For Kerrie and our three sons it has not always been an easy road. Seasons of separation and school life or seasons of life on the road with Dad in whatever vehicles God has provided. We look back with gratitude at God’s faithfulness.

There are days when I realise my music will never quite fit in with what they call contemporary Christian / worship music. Not many Christian Radio stations play my music because it’s not ‘worship’ enough and not many mainstream networks play it because it’s considered ‘gospel’. So I just smile and thank the Lord for every opportunity to sing my songs and encourage people on the road. I’ve learned over the years to stop striving and ‘people pleasing’ and just get on with chasing after God’s heart for humanity. If we put Him first and do our best to live by the simple grace filled standards of the Bible all the other stuff seems to work itself out.  I am so grateful to a small handful of friends, family and churches and organisations like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association who believe in this work we are doing. Over the month of July we will be visiting up to 20 remote tribal communities and distributing some amazing resources to help the many people who came to faith in Christ at Reality 2016 with Will Graham back in May. Evening campfire Bible studies and Singalongs and cold nights in the desert!

I actually don’t mind these days if I ever get invitations to big fancy churches anymore. I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul and his unstoppable tenacity to get the Gospel out to where it has not yet been heard. There is a broken world out there and we are called to be part of its healing and hope. So wherever God has called you or planted you… stay true to the call. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Godspeed.

Steve Grace

Kombi Repairs

It was a fun few days staying with Cheyne at Lennox Head in northern NSW and working on his 1975 Kombi. The old Kombi gets used as a mobile cafe on Sunday’s at church and needed a little work done to keep it going strong. In the busy tour schedules and projects we all have going on it was great to just stop and focus on practical repairs on the good old bus. 

We really appreciate all that Cheyne Grace does behind the scenes to keep the ministry on the road and keep people well informed. Thanks Cheyne.

Crossing Australia Progress

Just as we are about to postpone the dream of Crossing Australia the hard way on a Harley there seems to be renewed interest in the project.

As a team we have all believed the crazy vision was beyond us financially and physically… But faith is an amazing thing. We still have faith to believe God is with us when it comes to crazy exploits for His kingdom. 

Here is an example of the XR1200 Harley Davidson set up with off road tyres and suspension. To our knowledge a Harley Davidson motorcycle has never been ridden across the inland of Australia from west to east before. So the first attempt will take place in August / September this year on a bike similar to this. Ironically it’s not really about the bike ride but all about people. The vision is to help with Depression and Suicide prevention events. The entire expedition will incorporate concerts, community BBQ’s, music workshops and church meetings as the team treks their way across the great deserts of Australia.

Pray with us that this venture will connect with communities and have an impact on people’s lives. We are still looking for some key sponsors to take the project to the next level. But at the same time we are amazed at the practical support and donations coming in from organisations like Rotary, Speedway clubs, Transport companies and individuals. Exciting days ahead!!!!

Out of the Blue

Pictured: The little miracle car donated last week.

A sporty Red Nissan Micra was donated to us last week. Out of the blue a mate called and said he had purchased a car and wanted to donate it to our work. Not knowing at times Kerrie did not have transport around town it all made sense as to why he wanted to give it. We were honestly blown away with the gesture and so grateful for the generous gift. Thank you. 

The car is a 2011 Nissan Micra with 65k on the clock and in great condition. It will be such a blessing to have as a runabout. We are constantly amazed by the generosity of friends and supporters.

Vision for the Cross of Ali Curung

Pictured: Some of the Ali Curung locals gathering at the large steel Cross that they have a vision to see raised up in their community.

It will be a significant and historic day when the people of Ali Curung community 170kms south of Tennant Creek NT see a large Cross each day as they look west at the setting sun. It’s been a dream of theirs for some time now and along with the help of Paul and Rachel McLaughlin who manage a watermelon farm in partnership with the traditional land owners there, they have a vision to tell the world their land is God’s land. The symbol of the Cross is a bold statement of reconciliation between humanity and God the creator of all things through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Please pray with the Ali Curung community and the Central Lands Council leaders as they discuss the final stages of permission for the Cross to be erected on July 15th - 17th. Many little miracles need to take place in the coming weeks for this to happen. Thanks so much. 

Follow Up Tour for Reality

Pictured: The original mud map for reaching remote communities with an invitation to Reality in Alice Springs. 

We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we reach out to 16 remote communities during July. We will be holding Singalong events, BBQ’s and community meetings and distributing some great follow up materials for people who made decisions during the May evangelistic events in Alice Springs. 

We are very grateful to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for their ongoing vision to connect with churches and people in remote regions of Australia. Audio Bibles have been donated along with Bibles, practical literature and MP3’s of Will Graham’s messages at Reality. We will be presenting a short video narrated by Bill Newman in all of our Singalong events. Pray with us as it is the winter and there are many roads to travel to reach every community. Thanks.

Raindrops and Real Faith

Pictured: Raindrops on the truck windscreen in outback Queensland. A welcome reminder of God's grace.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3

As the nations of Europe implode into cultural and political chaos…As the Middle East and Africa are again ravaged by the curse of extreme Islam... As the USA continues on with the madness of its Presidential campaign… As Australia prepares to vote in a national election this week…. 

I looked at a road with raindrops on the windscreen and gave thanks to God for the miracle of rain. Driving through drought devastated Outback Queensland yesterday was such a joy. To see the colour green again after four long years of cloudless skies and barren brown earth. Despite the mess the world is in and the shallow empty promises of corrupt political leaders… God still sends the rain and with the rain comes hope.

It’s not really about being right, left, religious or atheist… It’s really all about knowing who you are. It’s not about knowing 'about’ God, it’s all about knowing Him in a real way. Jesus made the way for us to be made right through his death and resurrection on the Cross. Knowing that He knows you for who you really are and being secure in the assurance of His promises brings a contentment to life like rain on a windscreen while driving in drought country.

Thank God for Jesus. And thank you Lord for the rains that have fallen in recent weeks in the dry country.

Praying for the national elections this week in Australia. 

The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: To do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

Crossing Australia Progress

Pictured: A Harley Davidson '48 we've been looking at for the Crossing Australia venture.

It has been so encouraging to get the news this week that Coates Hire have offered to sponsor two 4X4 vehicles for the Crossing Australia expedition in August. We’ve knocked on a few corporate doors for support and we greatly value this news!  Time is running out fast for the project to become everything we initially dreamed it would be and we’ve realised the official Crossing Australia on a Harley Davidson the hard way may be postponed until the winter of 2017. But at this stage we are still planning to attempt the crossing and fulfil all the invitations and bookings that have come in. The interest in Depression and Suicide prevention events in remote communities has been strong. There is a great need for encouraging community based events that bring people together and inspire them with hope for the future. 

We found this Harley 1200 a few days ago and know with some alterations it has great potential for such a venture. Pray with us that the right bike will turn up in time for the initial crossing. Stay tuned for more news of this historic adventure.