Jarvis Family - Australia
“We cannot imagine wanting to leave the Order as it has brought us community, family and belonging.”
We are Andy, Emma, Sarah and Matthew Jarvis, we live in Western Australia and we followed the Lord’s calling here in January 2007. We were unsure what God had in store for us and are now seeking to move to be near other TOM members in the suburb of Cottesloe, Perth to support them as they lead a church there.
Being part of TOM has given us a continued sense of community and family as we have moved literally to the other side of the world from the UK, away from friends, family and church. We have a sense of home from home when we meet with other TOM members in that we share language and habitual styles of being and working. The Lifeshapes are multicultural and help us continue in our walk with the Lord as we try and settle into a new church community. Without them and the daily prayer structures and Order accountability, it would be easy to backslide.
We anticipate that we will take our permanent vows and be lifelong members of TOM. We cannot imagine wanting to leave the Order as it has brought us community, family and belonging.
I think the vow of simplicity has helped as we have moved here as it would be easy to follow the 'Australian dream' and live close to the beach, at the expense of being part of a TOM church community - it helps to ask, 'would that be living simply', particularly in a western materialistic context. We have also found the learning circle helpful as we have sought to move away from habitual behaviors.
The Jarvis Family – Australia
