Check out their family blogs to get more details and to hear their progress in their own words.

• Mullins Mission
• Nicole’s blog
• Jason’s blog

Please continue to pray for the hearts of those in Wollongong, for God to send people to the Mullins and Whaleys to connect with, and for the Griffith’s visa to be processed soon.

Corey and Emily just updated their family blog with a detailed post of some recent events.  Jump on over to hear their side of the story.  They’ve even posted some great pics! 

MullinsMission

After being in Australia for only two weeks,  both the Whaley and Mullins families have found houses to rent.  This is exciting news as the housing market is very competative in Wollongong at the moment.   The Jason and Nicole should be able to move in this weekend, while Corey and Emily still have a couple weeks until their rental becomes vacant.    Although both families eagerly anticipate the moves, it won’t quite feel like ‘home’ until they get some furniture and their shipment of boxes arrive. 

Please pray for:

• a continued smooth transition for both families
• blessings on the families who welcomed the team members into their homes
• the safe arrival of each families’ shipments
• first meetings with people in Wollongong
• peace during this time of change and culture adjustment (or re-adjustment)
• movement on the visa processing for the Griffith family

Thanks for continuing with us on this journey through prayer and encouragement. 

 As soon as pictures of the new homes are taken, we’ll try to share some here. 

 ”Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  -Joshua 24:15

…actually, it’s the Mullins and Whaley families that have, but that title just wasn’t as fun or catching.

 Both families enjoyed a long but uneventful flight across the Pacific and landed safely in Sydney.  They’ve spent several days acclimating to their new surroundings and time zone.  Thanks to the families who have taken them in and allowed them a place to rest as they take care of relocation elements.  

The Whaley and Mullins families have taken a few trips down to Wollongong and are beginning to settle in.  Please continue to pray for their adjustment, that all will go smoothly, and they will see God’s hand at work around them.

Nicole, Jason, and Ella at a harbour in Wollongong.

Corey and Emily overlooking the city of Wollongong.

So after they had fasted and prayed, the placed their hands on them and sent them off.  ~Acts 13:3 

On January 7th, the Griffith family met the Whaley and Mullins in Nashville for a final visit and time of prayer and praise.  Then they traveled to the airport along with some family and friends to send off the first wave of the team.

   Our last picture together before Corey, Emily, Jason, Nicole, and Ella head off to the land down under.  It was a precious time.  We are eager to begin the next step in this journey.

       Checking in at the airport.  All the bags were carefully packed and weighed before heading to the airport.  Many other boxes have been shipped across the ocean and should arrive in a couple months.

           Some last minute visiting before our team is separated…  the Mullins and Whaley families off through airport security and the Griffith family back to Jackson to wait for their visa.      The Whaley and Mullins families have now arrived in Sydney and are currently spending their first day fighting jet-lag and attempting to stay awake until at least 6pm Sydney time.  Hopefully we’ll have an update on their first days soon.

With great excitement for the upcoming departure of the Mullins and Whaley families, we gathered for a special time of team togetherness.  We spent the past weekend in a cabin near Pickwick, TN.  It was a time of renewal and encouragement.  Time to laugh, play, praise God and enjoy being together.   The adults had a special time of sharing and prayer.  We all enjoyed a great time of worship to close our retreat. 

Fun times playing games.

Please continue to pray for a safe flight and smooth transition for the Whaley and Mullins families.  Also continue fervent prayer for the approval of the visa for the Griffith family.  We’ll soon share about the Mullins/Whaley departure.  Thanks for joining us in this adventure.

We’ve got some very exciting news!  One month from today part of our team will be departing for Australia.  We are thrilled with this progress.  The Whaleys and the Mullinses are counting down till their big move.  Their boxes are packed, and they’re beginning the goodbye process.  The Griffiths are still waiting on visa news, but are encouraged that the vision is soon to begin.

 Please continue to pray for our team.  Pray for the final stages of visas, smooth and peaceful transitions out of the states, and the hearts of the people of Wollongong.   Please also pray for the time that we’ll be together again on the other side of the ocean.   Thanks to all of you who have blessed us with your prayers already.