World Bible

As a young girl of three, Bea migrated to Australia from The Netherlands with her family – parents and three brothers. It was not, however, a smooth transition into the Australian way of life. The family of six was housed in a small hut in an old army camp “in the middle of nowhere” that had very few playground or socialising facilities. It was just an interim place to stay before families could establish their own way of living, with their own home. For a young girl, the camp was quite frightening as the other migrant families living there had come from different countries with different languages, not just from her homeland of The Netherlands. Communication and forging friendships were difficult. The days at the camp did not start well, with porridge for breakfast that was thick, gluggy, and lumpy, and it often had weevils swimming in it. Bea and her family remained in the migrant camp for far longer than others, because her father was in a serious motorcycle accident soon after the family arrived in the country and this required a lengthy period in hospital, then convalescing. As a young migrant girl, Bea could not speak English when she first started school in Australia, which left her feeling isolated from the rest of the class and very lonely. She had to watch other students so she could understand and undertake the classroom tasks that were set by her teacher. She had a first name and family name that rhymed, and other children took delight in making fun of it and her Dutch lunchtime treats like chocolate spread, chocolate hail, liverwurst or salami (which are now freely available at the local supermarket, though they were ‘strange’ in those days). The challenges throughout her early years were compounded by having no family support network locally, with her extended family still living in The Netherlands. The circumstances caused a young Bea considerable anxiety and frequent migraines, that carried through to her adult life. Bea recognised as a young mother that there are many people in the community who struggle from time to time, just as she had. These people often just need worldly advice, direction and encouragement (though they are not at a stage where they need treatment by medical specialists like psychologists). So, for much of the twenty-first century Bea has voluntarily filled the role of ‘life coach’, where she acts as an advisor to encourage people and help them make decisions, set and reach goals, or deal with personal challenges. Modern and accessible video-conferencing technologies enabled Bea to expand her reach; she provides life coaching across Australia, Europe, UK and USA. Through this, she has left an indelible mark on the lives of many people and has given them a whole new perspective on the power of life. Bea has recorded her experiences and those of some of the people she has helped in this book through a series of poems. These stories start with adversity and overcoming it, through to breaking free and living life. Several of the poems have been converted into songs and then recorded by a local singer. The poems are grouped into eleven themes – depression; clearing; lessons; strength; awakening; prayer; love; people; children; special occasions; and passing over. The groupings are separated by exquisite original interpretative artworks by Christine Sullivan of Christine’s Studio in the Kurrajong Hills, who also provided the artwork for the cover. The poems consider personal wellbeing holistically, by focusing on the mind, body and soul. When these elements are in tune, they provide the personal mechanics … the mind controls what the others feel; the body tells you how and what to do; and the soul controls your reactions from head to toes. "We have a new book, just take a look. The book of old is the story that's told. This book of today is here to stay. The new world is lived and enjoyed this way. Along with some past, you'll know what's to last. It's all here to say the new world way. Come one and all, young, short and tall. The old and the new, we have it for you. It starts with the past, the pain that did last. Now it's the new, they cleared me and you. Happy you'll be when you do see, the you and me When we are all free. Our youth should know where the old have to go. So, help the people to walk down the right road."