Our Dreams for 2020 😊
Happy New Year! It's 2020! What a year it's already been. How has 2020 started out for you?
Here in Australia the bushfires have been going for about 3 months now. I feel like there are almost no words for the devastation rippling through so much of our country. We've toured through so much of the affected areas and our hearts just break at what so many are suffering through. The people, the wildlife. We're up in NNSW right now and so aren't close to any of the fires. All we can do is pray, donate and plan to support these communities as they rebuild in the months and years to come.
STEPPING OUT IN FAITH
I've always found it so hard to step out in faith is when the next step isn't visible. Standing at the edge of the cliff of decision, knowing the outline of God's direction, yet the map is still hazy and filled with blanks.
Has this happened to you?
In our 10th year of music ministry we are stepping out in faith again. Does it get any easier? In some ways yes, in others no. I think that this is just all part of the human experience and our own individual spiritual journeys with God.
As you know (maybe?), we bought and moved into a 20.9ft caravan in October last year. We are also pregnant with our second baby, due 6th March. We have felt led for while to go into a caravan to be able to tour throughout all of Australia spreading the Gospel through Word & Song. Australia is a huge country! It might not seem like it on a map, but it's as big as mainland USA. Over the last 10 years we've toured over a fairly large chunk of it, but because of just the expansive size we haven't been able to even touch so much of it. There are so many communities that we can't wait to visit and share encouragement, and the love and joy Jesus gives. We feel this is even more important with all the crazy bushfires that have and still are going through our country at the moment.
Is this scary? For sure! The further you go into the outback the more expensive food and fuel is. I heard recently that in north WA somewhere the fuel price as $2 p/litre (with 3.7 litres per gallon that's AUD$7.4 p/gallon). But regardless, we have seen so many times God making a way in the past and we believe He will continue to guide us as He already has been opening so many doors so far.
"Wait. Aren't you having another baby?" Yep, we sure are! That's why we're going to take it slow and start up the whole east coast this year, before heading West in 2021.
You can check out our current proposed tour routes for 2020 and 2021 below (the 2021 plan isn't complete at this stage).
2020 Tour Plans
2021 Tour Plans
We are happy to visit churches all along these routes and a couple hours drive from the route. Are you in any of these areas? Or know of a church or community who'd love us to visit? Have you done the Big Lap before? Have any ideas or tips? Email us and let us know.
COME WITH US ON A JOURNEY
Support comes in all shapes and sizes. How can you come with us on the journey around Australia?
#1 - PRAY. This is a definite first one. Currently as we plan and book the tours please pray that the right doors will open for ministry, for safety as we continue to travel and good decision making.
#2 - Follow along on Social Media. We have our ministry profile @ericandmoniqueon Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and our personal profile @nomadicseason on Instagram and YouTube that we are doing as our family travel memories.
#3 - Join us over on Patreon. A way you can financially help us is being a patron. This can be on Patreon (it is in US$) or on our website donation page (AUD$ and other currencies) - both of these options give you access to behind-the-scenes, new songs produced as demos each month and more! This monthly patronage will directly help us as we go into these communities while still helping us to produce new music.
#4 - Listen to our music. Whether you love Spotify, Apple Music, a good ol' CD or digital download - listen, buy and share our music to support this journey.
#5 - Help us get tour dates along our route map for 2020 or 2021. We do the message during a church service, schools, concerts, and even come to people's houses for a living room concert! Let us know if you have any ideas of places or would like us to come to your living room for a concert for your small group, family and friends.
