"We found the house clean, tidy and comfortable with pretty well all that we needed. The beds and recliner chairs were very comfortable and greatly appreciated," was their second sentence in that when missionaries take respite, they require whatever is provided to be a little more than satisfactory and pleasant.
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson developed respite facilities for Australian Institute of Sport elites athletes on 1992 in Moruya (Basil Sellers House) and then in Tweed Heads in 2006 (Basil Sellers Tweed) and extended the respite to the Cricket fraternity in 2008 having served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years to 2001.
It was this experience of athletes finding respite of such benefit that he turned his attention to a Respite facility for missionaries and church leaders on the front line and in 2011 unveiled the Laguna Quays property for respite in June of that year after five months of preparations.
Tasks such as painting, furnishings, fitting out the bedrooms, new blinds, new kitchen lino, gardening, concrete driveway, planting 20 foot palm trees along the front all took time.
Since being made available to missionaries an array of mission people have enjoyed the facility including from from SIM, SU, TEAR, CMS, BCA, WEC, GR, YM, CM and independent missions.
Sean and Sue Spencer are the local coordinators. Sean runs an engineering business in Midge Point and Sue runs a scrap booking class on Tuesday's at their Church in Proserpine, where Sean plays the drums, son Luke on the violin and Joel on guitar.
Graham and Becky Bee spent two weeks at the Respite house and they continued: "On the first day we spied out the surrounding area and the second day had a nice morning walk on the beach at Midge Point. The third day the sun was shining and we drove to Proserpine for Sue's scrap booking class and then onto Airlie Beach for a swim in the lagoon."
Mark Tronson said there is a surprising amount of sightseeing around the area from a Research on Chemical Warfare WWII Museum near Proserpine, to the Whitsunday Islands, to a 45 minute drive to Bowen and shopping in Proserpine 20 minutes away and a bit further to BigW at Cannonvale (Airlie beach).
"During our stay we had two meals at the local Tavern and bought takeaways from the local Cafe on two occasions and found the food in both of good quality and reasonably priced. Sue and Sean (Spencer) were very helpful and we enjoyed fellowship with them and their children.
"We came back refreshed and very thankful for the use of the house. We can recommend it to anyone who wants a quiet holiday. Thank you so much!" Graham and Becky Bee concluded.
Moreover if you're a keen fisherman as is Sean Spencer, he will take you out in his tinny to some astonishing fishing grounds. Right now CMS missionaries are at the respite house and a little later in May, Gospel Recordings mission people.
Missionaries (home and abroad) and those on the front line in Christian ministry are welcome to contact Well-Being Australia and speak to Dr Mark Tronson for a respite visit. 0487 245 207 timeout@bushorchestra.com
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
