Opened in June 2011 after several months of refurbishing the cottage, missionaries from SIM, CMS, WEC, SU, TEAR, BCS, UCA, YM, Wycliffe, BCA, MAF, CM, Global Interaction and independent missions have already enjoyed taking 'timeout'.
Respite has a rich history from Jesus himself and to more modern Christian leaders such as the great London Victorian preacher of the later half of the 1800' C H Spurgeon. In his book "Lectures to my Students" C H Spurgeon spoke of how he suffered from prolonged attacks of depression, and escaped London to "a resting place in France".
http://au.christiantoday.com/article/ministerial-meltdown-part-i/13299.htm
The 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite project was initiated as a project by Well-Being Australia. My wife Delma and I had already established Basil Sellers Moruya (1992) and Basil Sellers Tweed (2006) respite facilities for Australian Institute of Sport elite athletes and their coaches and families.
Fell into place
The process of establishing a respite place for missionaries therefore fell into place. I felt the Lord's touch to get the missionary respite house up and running, as much for ourselves, as for others, as we've been full on in ministry for 35 years.
Mr Basil Sellers AM who has supported our mission activities over many years was once again pleased to assist the project and by June 2011 the facility was ready for missionary and pastor visitors. We've been faith financed missionaries for 30 years.
With a wide ministry network being the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (ret 2000) and with my Olympic ministry credentials since 1984 and AIS athlete respite ministries, the PR process to mission societies and missionaries fell into place with confidence and assurance.
Practical issues
Knowing intimately about missionary finance, we were determined there would be no fee, but if anyone wished to make a gifting they could.
For those who flew into Proserpine, a respite facility's dual cab vehicle is available to them. The driver volunteer after collecting them from the airport, takes them grocery shopping in Proserpine, then after reaching Laguna Quays, leaves the vehicle with them for their use. The driver collects them again to deliver them to the airport for their return journey.
Local respite coordinators Sean and Sue Spencer connect with the missionary visitors over a cuppa and meets any out-of-the ordinary needs, and Sean offers fishing and Sue craft classes.
The Laguna Quays respite has three bedrooms with all the normal household items. When we're there, I wheel the small portable desk to the wide front covered veranda where I connect to the Internet with my 3G plug and enjoy the sweeping view of Repulse Bay's magnetic blue.
Bookings
Laguna Quays Respite is booked through to the 25 January with three mission families from MAF, Gospel for Asia and Global Interaction. There is a mid February two week booking and a June booking next year with medical missionaries from China.
Mission people wishing a visit please contact me at Well-Being Australia timeout@bushorchestra.com or 0487 245 207
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html