Happy New Year! The year 2019 was a great year for us. I remember when I first thought of doing deputation. I remember sitting in my pastor’s office talking about how the Lord was calling me and my family back to the country of Australia to be missionaries. My initial plan was to pack up all our belongings, move to Australia, work a secular job, and start a church. Little did I know that the Lord would have us go on deputation. My heart sank at the thought of traveling around the country with my wife and three very young children for three-plus years, asking churches to support us financially. A year and nine months ago, we stepped out in faith. I quit my job and went out on full-time deputation. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Lord has shown Himself faithful time and time again. There are so many lessons that the Lord has shown to me and my family that I wouldn’t have learned any other way. The biggest lesson was trusting in God.
This past year, the Lord protected us on the road and allowed us to travel a total of 34,864 miles. Through all these miles, we only encountered one flat tire. By God’s grace, we presented to 53 churches this past year and visited several others. We presented our ministry as far north as Toronto, Canada; as far East as Hudson, Maine; as far south as Melbourne, Florida; and as far west as Del Rio, Texas (not counting Sydney, Australia, of course). We now have 51 supporters, and by the close of this past year, we had raised 51% of our needed financial support. To put that in perspective, that’s about 84% for the average FBMI missionary. Because of the cost of living in Australia, we need to raise 67% more than the average missionary, but I know it’s worth it when it comes to reaching lost souls in Australia.
After a busy season, we had the privilege of being with our home church in the month of December. It was great to see family and friends. I had the honor of working back on my old bus route, and they even let me get back behind the wheel of a bus! I got to teach and preach a few times. Mindy got to sing some special numbers and in the choir. The children got to be with their friends at school and church again. It was a nice refreshing time for the family. Please pray for Australia right now with all the bushfires going on. Many lives of people and animals have been lost and properties destroyed. Please pray that God would send rain to the country and that many would turn to God in this difficult time.
This month, we would like to welcome Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Sydney, Australia; and Hudson Baptist Church of Hudson, Maine, as our newest supporters! Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 50% for this past year! I’ve been scheduling for our calendar for 2020, and we’ve still got a long way to go. Please pray that God will direct us to the right churches and that our calendar would be full. Please pray that many will catch the “2020 Vision” for Australia. Thank you to all our supporters for your prayers and sacrifice! Thank you to all the churches we’ve visited, where we have made lifelong friends. I pray that the Lord will enable us to partner in this great cause to win the lost of Australia!
Your servant in Christ,
Garry Tingson
