The
Schachtels

Andrew (from Australia) and Muriel (from Lisburn, N. Ireland) met and got married in Nepal in 1989. Since then they have worked with Interserve in a variety of countries - in Bhutan for 7 years, Andrew working as a nutritionist. In Cyprus for 5 years, Andrew as the Area Director East, then in Thailand for 8 years, where Andrew was the Assistant Director for a China based ministry. They chose to move to Australia in 2006, when their daughter Sarah was ready to begin University, and now live in a city called Wollongong, 1 1/2 hours drive south of Sydney. Andrew and Muriel have 2 children - Sarah, born in Sydney and Peter born in Lisburn, both on Home Assignments during the time the family was working in Bhutan! Sarah (22yrs) has just completed a commerce degree at Wollongong University and is about to begin a 2 year training ministry on the same Campus, with the Aussie equivalent of IFES/UCCF. Peter is beginning 2nd year of a graphic design course at the same University.  Andrew is the full-time Co-ordinator of a ministry of Interserve in Australia, called CultureConnect, seeking to reach out to people living in Australia from various ethnic backgrounds and other faiths. Andrew and the team of eleven work with refugees, international students and migrants in four Australian states, and also have a role in training Aussie Christians in reaching out to their ethnic neighbours. CultureConnect recently opened a website which both links together Christians working cross-culturally around the country, and provides them with details of resources and materials useful to their work. We believe this helps to fill a real need amongst workers, and expect it to grow fast in the year ahead. Andrew and Muriel together are involved with International students who are studying at the Wollongong University - showing friendship, hospitality and doing Bible study with some. There are about 5,000 international students at the University, but we've focussed on those from Bhutan, China & Thailand. We are also the co-ordinators for support of the recently arrived refugees from Burma in the church they attend. As well as all kinds of practical help, we run weekly Bible Studies in simple English. These are the highlight of our week! Praise & Prayer points: Pray as we develop a program to place Bible college students in internships in cross-cultural ministry. Give thanks for two new team members coming on board in New South Wales. Pray that the new website will prove very useful in linking and resourcing cross-cultural workers around Australia. 4. Pray for sufficient funding for the work to expand.
"I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26 vv. 17-18