Since taking possession 16 February 2011 the Laguna Quays Respite property has seen many improvements and celebrating missionary visits by those serving with:
SIM, WEC, BCA, TEAR, CSM, SU, YM, CM and those in independent missions.
Chairman of Well-Being Australia Mark Tronson is not new to respite ministry as he developed respite facilities for elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport in both Moruya on the NSW south coast (Basil Sellers Moruya) in 1992 and in Tweed Heads on the NSW north coast (Basil Sellers Tweed) in 2006.
The third respite project was set aside for missionaries as Mark and Delma Tronson themselves have been faith financed missioners for 30 years and travelled extensively as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years and in Olympic ministry.
Mark Tronson, a Baptist minister (Ret) explained that having been ministering to those under pressure all these years, it seemed to him that there was an opening to serve our own Australian missionaries across the mission agency spectrum.
A grant from Mr Basil Sellers AM saw the house furnished along with internal painting, particularly the doors, sills and ceilings. Hanging blinds were placed throughout the house along with two air conditioners and new lino for the kitchen.
It was the external areas that required some work. The veranda was repainted, especially the lattice with the paint being donated by local developer Garry Poole. The drive way was concerted and 10 fox tail palm trees were planted, five 20 foot palms along he front and five 10 foot palms along the east side of the house. The Mackay Council approved the building after some additional cyclone protection and additional plumbing tasks.
There are onshore breezes throughout the day and it is particularly pleasant on the wide long front veranda with its view of Repulse Bay. The high ceilings and ceiling-fans keep the house remarkably cool, day and night, although in the tropics.
Mark Tronson noted that the mission agencies have been particularly helpful in ensuring their people received the e-flyer and as a result many enquiries have been received and bookings have been steady throughout 2011 and through to May this year. A further booking in July is very pleasing. Some are home after overseas mission stints, others have been home missionaries and needing 'timeout'.
There is no cost to visit. Should missionaries fly to Proserpine airport, a dual cab is available for local grocery trips. A driver collects them and leaves the dual cab with them, then after their stay, he drops them off at the air port.
Mark Tronson explained this is a love service to those on the front line and as we've been involved in respite ministry all these years, it seemed logical to ensure missionaries too, had an ear marketed respite facility.
Missionary respite includes resting, reading, DVDs, exploring, beach walks, visiting the Whitsundays, shopping at Proserpine or Cannonvale, enjoying a coffee at Arlie Beach, fish and chips at Midge Point or the best of all, a very tasty and fulfilling meal at the Midge Point Tavern.
Contact Well-Being Australia on 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