Hi, Akita here - Back in Australia. Thanks to my husband who kindly wrote the past two messages during my mission trip to Africa.

Divine Appointment.

On the way home from Africa we had a short stay in Mauritius. We did not stay in the professional resort side of the island, we chose to stay cheap-side and soak up the real local environment. The accommodation that we stayed at was very budget and was two story. On the balcony we had a great view of the water and local markets. That local area was quite basic and was full of dogs roaming the streets.

One day a lady from our mission team had an old croissant that needed to be thrown away. So she took it to the balcony and was going to give it to one of the dogs roaming the streets below. She did not just throw it over... she watched and waited. Then she noticed a stray dog walking beneath our balcony. Waiting for the dog to stroll past and be in the right position she proceeded to drop the croissant just before the dog's nose.

The dog appeared to be in shock, he looked behind him, and looked in front of him... he had no idea where this treasure had come from.... it must have been like manna from heaven. Of course he didn't spend too much time hanging around, as he quickly grabbed the blessing and ran away with it. Some times things appear in our life... and we do not know where they came from.

Most of the time we don't know everything that is going on around us... we can not see ahead of ourselves or know everything that God has in store for us.
Maybe you feel like a stray dog wandering from one place to another searching... not knowing where the next gem will come from ... and then all of a sudden you find yourself in a situation... a place ... for a purpose.

The biblical story of Esther is a wonderful example of Divine Appointment. She did not know what would happen to her people and so then try to become Queen, in order of one day having some positive influence. It didn't happen like that. During the process of her becoming Queen, she did not know how that would be used to save her peoples' lives.

Often things occur and we don't understand the full extent of it or do not know where we will end up.. or how we even get there! But the good news is that we are not required to know everything ... but we should understand that our placement is for a purpose and He will provide.

Although it would be nice to know everything in advance, and have everything mapped out... it is not a requirement.

Maybe you are on a four hour bus journey and someone sits near you.... they turn out to be a great man of God and speak encouraging words into your life and inspire you .... coincidence ...... or a Divine Appointment? Just like the stray dog wandering around, sometimes things are dropped into our lives from above. Although we often don't recognise it at the time.

Blessings,

Akita.
14-3-07

To view past editions of Thrive, click: THRIVE editions

To visit the Oxygen Youth website:

If you have any praise points, encouragement, favourite verses, or short teachings you wish to share... please send me an email (I know there are some out there) and we will try to include.

Study/dinner night - The next study night will be on Sunday the 25th March, from 7-9pm. Please bring something to share with for dinner - yes you!!! Aimed at ages 16yrs - 21yrs. The night includes time of hanging out, eating meal together, and a study/discussion. Venue to be announced at Church.

Vineyard Conference - Go online today and register for the "Naturally Supernatural Conference", being held on the 23rd + 24th of March (Fri + Sat). This conference will assist in understanding and using the gifts of the Spirit, through teaching + workshops, with guest speaker Gary Best. To be held at Bunbury Vineyard Church. Cost: Adults $30, Couple $50, Students $20. Register online at www.vineyard.org.au

Oxygen - Next Oxygen event will be a movie, held on Saturday the 7th of April @ Bunbury Vineyard Church, opp. Silos. Passion Of The Christ will be shown. Due to the movie's MA15+ rating only people aged 15 years and above will be permitted to enter. It starts at 7:30pm and due to finish between 10:30-11pm. We have a few new events occurring as well as regular worship events, think BIG and keep your eyes glued to the website for further info. Note: all Oxygen events will be on the 1st Saturday of each month, so start preparing and write them into your diary.

Power House - Next girl's event is due on Sunday the 18th of March. Hey young ladies.. Bec has planned some activities for you during term one... be sure to catch her this Sunday to find out more. It will be a blast.... get there! Power House planers are pinned on the youth board... they are pink in colour.

Prayer - every Sunday afternoon, 5-6pm @ church.

prayer: for the huge Student Battle of the Bands rally planned for Bunbury young people in March 2007. Prayer for the working team of this project. Prayer for sponsors to respond positively to requests. So far a good response, but still in need of major sponsors - big requests are going out this week, please pray.
Check out the Elevator website: www.oxygenyouth.com/elevator

.... if you have any requests you would like added here, please email me, contact details below.

I am excited about the concept of Divine Appointment.
Here Joseph is addressing his brothers, regarding their cruel act to him.

Genesis 45 v 5-7

Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance..

Please feel free to forward this email-newsletter to friends + family.

Akita Olsen - Youth Pastor
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
Office phone: (08) 9721 3379
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

If somebody has forwarded this email to you and you'd like to subscribe to this weekly message, please visit www.bunburyvineyard.org.au/thrive.htm.