Thank You Desert Song

Pictured: Cheyne Grace with the Desert Song Troopy in the Simpson Desert

The Desert Song Troopy has been a huge asset to our ministry over the past few months. We were able to reach 20 aboriginal communities in Central Australia before and after the Will Graham REALITY event in Alice Springs using this amazing vehicle. Over 6,000 people attended the three day events and 850 made decisions to follow Christ. The Troopy was then used as a key support vehicle on the Crossing Australia mission. We are very grateful to Desert Life Church and Desert Song for the use of the Troopy. There are many more missions up ahead for this workhorse!!! Thank you!

Slim Dusty Tribute

Pictured: Steve visiting the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey, NSW

It’s been a dream of mine to record a Slim Dusty Tribute Album for a long time now and we are believing to do this year!

We know that this album would reach an entire new audience of people across Australia, but we are at a stand still. Our flights are booked for November 23rd to begin recording at Watershed Studio in Nashville on November 28th, but we need to make some decisions in the next few days as to whether we should postpone the project until we have all the funds. It’s always exciting when things are tight financially to see God turn up. We are simply looking to Him for His provision for a vision we believe will reach many. Thank you to those who have already donated towards this album.

If you would like to support this project please email kerrie@stevegrace.com or visitstevegrace.com/donate

Outback Generosity

                                            Pictured: Dave and Sue from the town of Quilpie donated a tank of fuel for the Crossing Australia Harley.

The Crossing Australia expedition brought about many little miracles and many opportunities to share the good news with perfect strangers and pray with people along the way. It was also an adventure in receiving. Not a day went by on the month long journey that our team were not spontaneously blessed with financial gifts and acts of kindness. As soon as people heard about the work we were doing in remote communities to prevent suicide they would immediately want to give towards the cause. I met Dave and Sue as I was about to pay for a tank full of fuel at a truck stop in Quilpie, they had heard about our mission and immediately demanded they pay the bill.

It says so much about the heart of people out in the bush. They don’t have much but what they have they share generously. Thank you to everyone who supported the mission. It was a huge step of faith for the entire team who volunteered to serve and travel thousands of kilometres to complete Crossing Australia.

Our vision for evangelism in country towns and remote communities is stronger than ever and as we look towards 2017 pray with us for wisdom as we begin making plans.

Thank You

Pictured: Steve & Kerrie in Shark Bay, WA at the beginning of Crossing Australia.

 

Our apologies for a long delay between Weekly Updates… The weeks following the Crossing Australia mission have been ones of recovery from exhaustion. To be honest we are still recovering… But ready to get back into the immediate plans ahead. The Nullarbor to Nashville Shed Night Tour kicks off in Perth on Saturday 29th October heading east towards South Australia. Stay tuned for the full tour schedule!

Kerrie and I want to thank everyone who helped out on the Crossing Australia project. It was a huge step of faith for the team involved and we are still getting ourselves organised and following up with so much. A big thank you to Phil and Helen Sprigg for all the behind the scenes work they have also done in recent weeks. 

"Crossing Australia was a historic achievement. The first Harley Davidson to ever cross the deserts of Australia from west to east."

An incredible team of volunteers, lots of prayer, generosity and determination made the mission a great success. The ministry we were able to accomplish in remote communities along the way was by far the highlight of the month long expedition. Financially we have a shortfall of about $5,000 which we are working hard to recoup before moving on to new projects and tours.

We thank God for the opportunity we’ve had to achieve what many said was impossible!!  I’ve now got an appointment with some of the management team of Harley Davidson Australia to discuss ways we can work more effectively with suicide prevention in remote regions of Australia. So pray with us for a great outcome!

Mailboxes, Miracles and Mission

You never quite know what will turn up in the mail… Sometimes it’s overdue accounts and unexpected bills, sometimes it good news and sometimes bad news. There’s always plenty of junk mail and distractive propaganda and then there’s often times a letter from a distant friend. In the modern age of internet and social media there’s still something really special about good old fashioned mail in a mailbox.

I photographed this colourful row of rural letterboxes on a recent trip through the New England high country of NSW. It reminded me that God knows where I live. He knows my address and He knows my heart. He knows that in my brokenness and sin I needed a Saviour… and that Jesus saw so much value in me He was willing to die for me. That’s how much God is concerned about my life and future. And the best letters you will ever get in the mail are simply the promises of His word. The Bible is like a huge love letter for humanity all about God’s grace, mercy and kingdom.

Don’t ever underestimate your value to God. He knows where you are at and He is with you through the challenges and ordeals of life. So keep expecting miracles in the mail and keep desiring to serve Him on the mission!!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
 

Thanks for your support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

UPDATE FROM ASH

Pictured: Ash Young with kids from the Kintore Community.

We are just over half way Crossing Australia and have one night left in Alice Springs, then we head for the Simpson desert! Even before I went on this trip, the impact of suicide back home broke my heart, but out here every single person we've talked to has been affected. There are so many hurting people. Emotionally, it can be pretty tolling but I'm so glad that it's not just a knowledge of what's going on, it's real and raw to us everyday. So I thank God these people are talking about it and thank him for the awakening of our hearts. 

Personally prayer wise, for the first time in my life I don't know what's next for me, I went straight out of school into an apprenticeship and now I'm finished, the work dried up and I'm on my own. It's almost like God has dragged me into the desert for a month just to be still and know he's God. But if you know me you know that I love to have clear direction, and make things happen. So pray that my ears and eyes would be open to what God has for me. 

There's plenty to pray for in the days ahead, prayer for safety through the Simpson Desert is a big one, God has really watched over us the whole way so praise for that and prayer for the road, or lack of road ahead is key. 

My biggest prayer point is for the people we've met and will meet, most of those that have talked to us are ready for the good news, for peace, healing and hope or all of the above. We know that it's often in our brokenness that Jesus does miracles.  So pray that we can just glorify God and be his instruments. It has to be God that meets with people and transforms their hearts. 

A verse that has been imbedded in my mind is Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, I say again rejoice! 

Blessing, Ash Young

Legends and Larrikins

Pictured: Vic Hausler on his giant Pennyfarthing bike a few years back.

We are so honoured to have the legendary Vic Hausler travelling with us on Crossing Australia. Vic is driving his 1942 Dodge Weapons Carrier and is the chief mechanic on this mission. One of Vic’s hobbies is Pennyfarthing bicycles and he has quite a collection. He built this one for local shows and public events a few years back and we just loved this picture. Vic’s bush poetry around the campfires at night and his stories from 73 years on the planet are captivating. Thanks mate for being on the journey with us.

In Memory of #56

Pictured: Ryan Grace and the team comfort Noleen Mongoo at the gravesite of Ashley Page in Meekathara, WA.

Our time in the town of Meekatharra was significant to our mission and purpose for Crossing Australia. We met the amazing Mongoo Family and wept with them over the loss of their son Ashley just over a year ago to suicide. Ashley was a champion speedway driver and a very loveable character. In a season of depression and isolation life all got too much for him and he took his life. We grieve at such loss. Suicide takes more lives in Australia every year than traffic accident fatalities.

We are remembering #56 Ashley Page at every event we do on this mission to honour a young man who had so much to give, yet lost hope. As Ryan Grace shared his story as a suicide survivor at our community event, the Mongoo Family were immediately connected to his heart and dream to help others battling depression. Michael and Noleen will be flying from Western Australia across to Byron Bay to meet us at the finish line of Crossing Australia on Sunday 18th September. 

Thank You Alice Springs

Pictured: The Crossing Australia team in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

There is no other town like ‘The Alice’ on earth. It is a unique, iconic town with so much colour and character!! We want to say thanks to many local businesses and people who have supported our Crossing Australia venture while we’ve been in town repairing vehicles, bikes and preparing to cross the Simpson Desert. A huge thank you to Lasseters Hotel for hosting our fundraising event and to the Alice Springs Tourist Park for accommodating our team. We are so grateful for your support Alice Springs!!! A town in the heart of Australia with a big heart for all of Australia!