Missionary Gal Update

Just an ordinary gal serving an extraordinary GOD...

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Spring has arrived here in Victoria, Australia, and unfortunately so has my allergies! So much has happened since my last update, so I will attempt to bring you all up to speed on what is going on with the Schroder family.

Sept/Oct. 2011

Yvonnes Mission Trip to the Outback

Late August (when I was about 6 months pregnant) I had an opportunity to visit several of our missionary families. It was wonderful to see all the work that is being done on the property and how the missionaries work together. I was amazed to see the large antenna towers that are raised to communicate the gospel to parts of Asia that are untouched by Christian missionaries. I had the privilege of breaking bread with the various missionary families and hearing how they doing. I was blessed that HCJB Australia sent me up there for a few days to get a better understanding of what are mission organization does.

Yvonne (Felix) Schroder Serving in Australia Schroder Family 6 Scott Court

Echuca Home Bible Study Group

The Home Bible Study group is continuing Echuca, VIC 3564 on and we have just finished our third course. Next week we have a BBQ with everyone who comes and Jono is praying about what course we will go through next. Again, our aim is to reach those who are not directly linked to any church. Jono is confirmed Interim Pastor of Echuca Moama Baptist Church In September my husband was confirmed as the Interim Pastor of the church we attend here in Echuca. This means that he preaches 3 Sundays a month as well as handling pastoral duties 2 days a week. His term is from September 2011 to end of March 2012. He is doing such a good job of preaching but of course I am bias! So I guess I can officially say I am a Pastors Wife. It is funny how my time at New Life Christian Fellowship in the USA prepared me for some of the duties that I help my husband with, such as overhead PowerPoints and slides for Sundays sermons. My friends, I have learned that God never wastes any of our talents from our past. They seem to get interweaved into our current lifes journey.

Schroder Family
Well as you know our family is growing with the new one getting ready to arrive late November. We are all excited about this in our household and it amazes me how our little one has already been spoiled with clothes and all the nursery furniture has been loaned to us from various people.wow! Hannah is doing well in her job and has recently been offered an internship and an increase in hours. She is such a hard worker and already has developed good work ethics. Her 18th Birthday is coming up in February and she is hoping to have a big bash to celebrate with friends. Jono is learning to balance church ministry life alongside his school studies. He seems to be doing well in this as he received another High Distinction on the recent essay he submitted with a comment from the Professor that his essay should be published!

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My last trip into Melbourne to visit the missions office (which is 3 hours from where we live) was in the middle of October. Since I am now in my last month of pregnancy it is not so comfortable for me to travel and stay at various host homes. I am continuing my missions work from home by connecting with both missionary offices via my computer and phone. This seems to be working out well. I plan on taking my Annual Leave from end of November to mid-January. I plan on returning back to missions work after that leave, Lord willing.

Growth
I cannot tell you how I am still dealing with shock and amazement on where God has placed me. It all started back in September 2009 when I told the Lord I was willing to be used. That snowballed into an opportunity to join missions for 9 months in December 2009, then meeting my wonderful husband and getting married in December 2010 and now here in October 2011 I am awaiting the birth of my first child. So much growth spiritually has taken place and I realize I have so much more to grow in. The latest, as I mentioned in my last newsletter, is dealing with missing my family. This feeling has gotten stronger and stronger as each day passes and I am asking the Lord to help me deal with it and process it. Living far from those whom I was raised with and love deeply will always be my reality but Australia is where God has placed me and I can see how I am flourishing here. What an amazing opportunity for me, a simple office worker, to volunteer my talents and gifts at two mission organizations, which effectively get the Gospel out into the world. There are so many ways we can serve in missions, whether locally or overseas. I challenge you to look in to how you can be used. Whether being the person that is going, or being the individual that supports the person going. We all play a vital part in this.

America Visit
We are still planning on coming to America in 2012 for a whole month and I cannot wait! As I mentioned before, unfortunately Hannah will not be coming with us because of other commitments that she has, but the rest of us will be traveling in April 2012. Once Baby Schroder is born we will be able to purchase the infant ticket and obtain an infant passport. I cannot believe my baby will be an Australian Citizen and hold a passport at less than one month old.too funny! We are hoping to connect with New Life Christian Fellowship while visiting to give an update on what is going on with us and our part in missions as well as connecting with family and friends. Please pray that God stretches our time in the USA. We still need to jump the following hurdles: 1. Getting approval from Australia for me to leave the Country, since I am still being processed to be a Permanent Resident. 2. Renewing my passport as well as changing my name to Schroder prior to departure. Sending my documents in this week for processing. 3. Applying for Baby Schroders passport (which cannot be done until after the birth). We thank God for: 1. The healthy growth of our baby. 2. The support we have received through prayer, hosting, and finances. 3. For the opportunity to visit America next year. 4. For the new role God has placed Jono in. 5. Thank you all for your time in reading my update. We appreciate all your prayers and support. During tough times it has helped heaps! With much love,

Yvonne (Felix) Schroder

FINANCE DETAILS OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA Attention: Hilary Thomas PO Box 444 Tyrone, GA 30290 *Write on the Memo: Yvonne (Felix) Schroder /#2274777 OPERATION MOBILIZATION AUSTRALIA PO BOX 32 BOX HILL, VIC 3128 *Write on the Memo: Yvonne (Felix) Schroder

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