Already some dates are taken in 2016 for the 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite cottage initiated by Dr Mark Tronson chairman of Well-Being Australia and the ret Australian cricket team chaplain of 17 years. It is situated on Repulse Bay adjacent to Midge Point and which backs onto the Laguna Quays Resort (undergoing a Chinese billion dollar upgrade).
Missionaries and mission families have visited since its 2011 opening - missionaries, school chaplains, home missions of all shapes and varieties, pastors ..... continues to be a joy in the Lord. Sometimes one mission family leave at their set time in the morning and the next mission family arrive that same afternoon.
Such has been its occupancy, September 2014 Mr Basil Sellers AM requested Mark Tronson arrange a meeting with four Missions' executives so as to duplicate the model specifically for those who need more than rest. That facility is being implemented by Missions Intertlink at Aldinga Beach in South Australia sponsored by Basil Sellers.
Then last week Dr Roger and Julie Van Der Veen visited Mark and Delma Tronson at the 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite cottage. Roger has a vision for providing a counselling service to missionaries (titled Iron Sharpens Iron) who need more than rest (akin to the Aldinga Beach model).
In Roger's own words: "Iron Sharpens Iron is a no cost, short-term counselling and respite ministry in Mackay for missionaries and development workers (from any denomination and hailing from any country). The respite is provided so that missionaries can travel to and stay in Mackay for counselling. This is an endorsed ministry of Mackay Baptist Church"
The day Roger and Julie visited 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite they were hosted by Mark and Delma for a morning tea at the on-site 'entertainment area' and then lunched at the Midge Point Tavern.
Booking 2016 for Laguna Quays Respite
The 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite model is based on the Tronson's 14 years ministering respite to the Australian Institute of Sport elite athletes and Olympians at 'Basil Sellers House' in Moruya NSW.
Mission people can fly into Proserpine or Mackay – direct from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. Upon arrival they can collect a heavily discounted AVIS rental vehicle under a special arrangement between Well-Being Australia and AVIS for those visiting the respite cottage.
There is no charge for the 'Basil Sellers' Laguna Quays Respite cottage yet visitors are welcome to leave a gifting to help with its functioning costs.
Over these past five years mission people visited:
SIM, CMS, WEC, SU, TEAR, BCS, UCA, YM, Wycliffe, BCA, MAF, AFES, YWAM, CM, ASEF, Global Interaction and independent missions, and
Ministers / Pastors from a wide variety of denominations - have enjoyed taking 'timeout'. Certainly cruses to the Whitsundays is often on the agenda.
Who can visit Laguna Quays Respite?
Missionaries, home mission personnel, school chaplains and church personnel (pastors and such like) needing respite and rest. It is specifically designed and dedicated to such mission personnel.
The cottage is a three bedroom beach house – many large and extended families have come - they squeeze in somehow. Many missionary families have had family stays before they leave for overseas. Many are simply tired and need rest.
It has also been a wonderful solace for pastors and specialist ministry personnel who need timeout to relax their head space and for those wanting to seriously reflect as their prepare significant messages or writing designations. It's a broad intake.
Enquiries are welcome for bookings - missionaries / home missions / school chaplains / pastors - to contact Dr Mark Tronson for your respite visit to the Whitsundays – timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
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 mentors young writers and 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 http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html