In the Heart of Switzerland

During a seminar, Michael shared a dream he had. He was walking inside a grand cathedral. In the shadows at the side was a confessional. There he looked up and saw a beautiful woman hanging on a cross. The image became imprinted firmly in his mind as the dream ended.

He explained to me that at the time he had fallen madly in love with a girl. The dream revealed what he was slowly becoming aware of. His girlfriend had taken the place of Jesus in his heart.

The Jewish Talmud says that; An uninterpreted dream is like a letter unopened. God may be speaking to us, but we do not recognise it. Maybe it is because we do not know how he speaks, or perhaps it is because we are just not listening. The "Other Side of the Conversation" seminar aims to help people hear the voice of God and understand what he is saying.

It is wonderful to hear the testimonies of people as they learn more of God's desire to speak personally to them. God longs to speak into the very depths of our hearts and he is a masterful communicator!

In Switzerland I have been graciously hosted by Barbara Wyss, one of our Hillsong College graduates. She has worked tirelessly to build a church in her home village. While quaint church steeples prominently mark most village skylines, sadly not so many are filled with thriving congregations. Kirchberg is an exception! They have been welcoming and open - even as they listen to an Aussie preacher for the first time.

Along with Barbara, a number of other swiss graduates have taken the input and training they received in Sydney and are serving in the churches of Zurich, Winterthur and Lausanne. Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking to them at the 'Swiss Connection'. It is inspiring to hear their God-stories and encourage them to fulfill their dreams.

In between preaching and teaching seminars, there has been plenty of opportunities to enjoy one of my favourite countries in the world... We have walked the cobbled streets of Berne, explored the Emmental countryside and eaten copious amounts of cheese fondue. The Autumn colours are dazzling.

A highlight was our trip to the mountains. Our home for three days was a country chalet nestled in a deep valley with cows grazing at our doorstep. Unfortunately during our stay the cable cars were closed and our amble on the peaks turned into a 6 hour mountain hike. But the aching muscles were worth it for the views.

Handy Tip: Do not go hiking in the Swiss Alps on the day you are preaching - and - always smile sweetly at passing farm tractors...

My first overseas ministry trip ends this weekend after speaking in one of the 'state' churches and a Bible College in Zurich. As God promised it has been a gift and I haved loved every minute of it!

A Pinch of Reality

Have you ever had a promise from God that looks like it will never come to pass? Perhaps you have seen it in a vision or heard it in a prophecy. Or maybe it's a deep desire conceived in a moment of insight.

For the last 15 years I have carried around a little suitcase bulging with exciting promises from God. But through the course of time those divinely inspired words have been threatened, attacked and stolen… There have been times when I have sat alone at night wondering if God really had the power to fulfill them.

This week I began to see my promises turn from inspired words into stunning reality. I am pinching myself. After years of prolonged waiting, is this really happening?

Hong Kong is a bustling international city strategically placed as a gateway into China. For two days I had the privilege of spending time with Pastors John and Sandra from the Vine Church. I trekked through the legoland of highrisers in the CBD, learnt about the city's people and history over a meal of minced pigeon and watched a spectacular display of fireworks across HK Harbour for Chinese National Day. It was one of those very special divine appointments!

From the steamy bustle of Asia I arrived at pristine Zurich airport where Freimut Haverkamp was waiting in the early morning with a welcome Starbucks coffee in his hand… He and his wife Jo lead an amazing church in Konstanz, Germany. It was so wonderful to witness the miracle of God's favour on a church planted from scratch by two of our College graduates. Lakeside Church has the fingerprints of destiny all over it to be a nation changer.

There were lots of inspiring God-chats while driving through the fairytale countryside, eating Black forest cake in the Black forest (it’s only proper) and exploring the historic old city of Konstanz where the legendary pre-former Jan Hus was burned at the stake for his teaching.

But the highlight was teaching a dreams seminar on Sunday evening to a packed church. I had the chance to briefly practise my High School German and then there was lots of self talk; “Speak s-l-o-w-l-y” (how does a woman do that?) as I was being translated for the first time. It is the ultimate privilege to inspire people to a more intimate walk with God and help them understand what God is saying to them.

Yes it is real isn't it? God, you really do what you say…

It is worth the long wait. Keep carrying your promises. God is not a man that he lie. What he has spoken, he will do!