When my brother Jono was 4, he suddenly became very ill. Mum and Dad had taken Fiona, Sharon and Jono to Bulli to run a special beach mission. They looked at this situation with eyes of faith. Mum told me that Dad prayed for Jono and our family, praying that God would use this illness for His good. Mum then drove back to Sydney for diagnosis for Jono and treatment. She was told Jono had encephalitis and that the prognosis was poor. Both Mum and Dad drew on their knowledge and faith in God to guide and strengthen them through this most difficult situation which would continue for many years. Last November, at the age of 57, my brother Jono went home to be with the Lord, forever enjoying eternal rest. Along with my siblings Fiona, Sharon and Benjamin, I learnt many life lessons about God and how to walk with Him through these challenging years. We witnessed how God can use difficult situations to bless and edify many thousands of people while also strengthening those in great need. We saw our parents seek God for strength and guidance. Knowing that Jono was not well enough to attend a traditional schooling environment, they began looking for a place he could fit into for his education. They felt called to establish an integrated Christian school environment, believing that there would be advantages for all students as they learnt together. Sensing that God had placed this call on their hearts, Mum and Dad gathered some friends at their house and asked God to provide the people, place, and the means to run such an integrated Christian school. Two rented rooms of the Lutanda Children’s Home became the first official site of the school and Lynn McCrindle became the school teacher sensing God’s calling, knowing that He would do the equipping. Other people, like Faith and Jim Clifford, often joined us as we had meetings, including board meetings, around the kitchen table. Sadly, Jono never was able to attend Pacific Hills because by the time the school was founded, he was too old to be a participant. However, the aim was to integrate students into normal learning situations and social settings at school and this dream was being realised. Memories of these early years are cherished. With Lutanda Childrens’ Home as the site of the school, the classroom was located in the kitchen with its wonderful flavourful smells and the school library was in the living room. All available space was used very efficiently. From commencing as Pennant Hills Christian School in the Children’s Home, the school grew and grew. I enjoyed being taught by Mrs McCrindle, who always kept us busy with work as well helping us sense we were truly in a Christian school community for all students. Dad was an architect, enjoying his special projects such as when he showed King Charles (then Prince Charles) over the renovated Town Hall. I remember the sacrifices he made in giving up the various high-profile projects to help design the first Pacific Hills buildings on the new site. He loved seeing God’s plan bloom and grow. Dr Boyce became Principal in 1985 and in those days, his office was in the corridor of the old building. When the school moved to the new site, the first building to be built on the new land was the main reception and Dr Boyce’s office was now tucked behind the front reception – a very handy position for the Principal. On reflection, there are a number of spiritual lessons that I learned growing up in the family of John and Robin Odell, the founders of the Pacific Hills Christian School. Mum and Dad’s example taught me that nothing is impossible for God and that if He gives you a dream, He will equip you. Even though my parents didn’t have a background in education, they had a pioneering spirit and imagination which God used, bringing others alongside to help. I have learnt that God uses all things for His purposes, that “all things work together for good” is true – I witnessed it. For example, after Jono’s passing, Mum prayed and gave thanks for him, she acknowledged that he had been a servant used by God – born for suffering. She thanked 9
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1