It's 11:30om, and I've retreat to my room after a very busy night.
There's been songs and actions learnt, name tags laminated (or there was a codeword for that I think), games and crafts sorted. And most importantly, a great time of prayer.
Tomorrow morning around 40 kids will rock up for what is hopefully a positively life-changing time at "Power Lab". We'll teach about how Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, the power to be brave, and the power to live forever!!!
Please pray for us - even if you're not a regular prayer - we would really appreciate it!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Salvos best part of year 9 camp!
I was just chatting to one of the high schol teachers, and was informed that the year 9's visit to 614 Melbourne was one of the best parts of their city camp!!
The students visited the casino after their Salvo experience, and commented "why do people spend so much money on this when there are homeless people". How great that the kids are thinking this way.
Should be heaps of fun working with these kids next semester.
The students visited the casino after their Salvo experience, and commented "why do people spend so much money on this when there are homeless people". How great that the kids are thinking this way.
Should be heaps of fun working with these kids next semester.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Hospital visit & year 9 camp
Been an interesting two days.
My lunch was interrupted yesterday by a loud knock at the door. A local women was desperately trying to get her friend to hospital to have emergency dental surgery. She was experience extreme frustration with ambulance and other medical services and was trying to find a volunteer driver to go from Healesville to Carlton. She was desperate, and I offered to drive her friend in to the hospital. Bit of a weird random thing to do, but a great opportunity to show God's love in a practical way.
This morning I hung out with the year 9's from the high school in the city. They are spending a few days "camping" in the city. Today they went to 614 Melbourne to learn about social issues faced in the city through the eyes of The Salvation Army. Kris from 614 did a great job opening up the young people's eyes to the issued faced by people experiencing homelessness.
So it's been an interesting few days! From helping someone experiencing hardship here in the 'ville, to challenging young people about addressing issues of poverty.
Some great news - I have now been endorsed by ACCESS Ministries as a school chaplain!! This provides an additional avenue for serving the community down the track.
Planning day for school holiday program tomorrow. I'm not answering any more knocks at the door 'cause I am running out of time to finish planning!!
My lunch was interrupted yesterday by a loud knock at the door. A local women was desperately trying to get her friend to hospital to have emergency dental surgery. She was experience extreme frustration with ambulance and other medical services and was trying to find a volunteer driver to go from Healesville to Carlton. She was desperate, and I offered to drive her friend in to the hospital. Bit of a weird random thing to do, but a great opportunity to show God's love in a practical way.
This morning I hung out with the year 9's from the high school in the city. They are spending a few days "camping" in the city. Today they went to 614 Melbourne to learn about social issues faced in the city through the eyes of The Salvation Army. Kris from 614 did a great job opening up the young people's eyes to the issued faced by people experiencing homelessness.
So it's been an interesting few days! From helping someone experiencing hardship here in the 'ville, to challenging young people about addressing issues of poverty.
Some great news - I have now been endorsed by ACCESS Ministries as a school chaplain!! This provides an additional avenue for serving the community down the track.
Planning day for school holiday program tomorrow. I'm not answering any more knocks at the door 'cause I am running out of time to finish planning!!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Patting down 6 year olds for stolen goods
So tonight I witnessed something a tad disturbing. I was at the supermarket checkout.
A mother who just finished her transaction had a conversation with her approximately 6 year old son, asking if he had stolen anything. He said he hadn't stolen anything, but the mother clearly said she didn't believe him.
The mother then proceeded to pat down her son checking his pockets for hot goods.
She didn't find anything.
Is this a normal occurance? Is this what I have to look forward to being a parent one day?
A mother who just finished her transaction had a conversation with her approximately 6 year old son, asking if he had stolen anything. He said he hadn't stolen anything, but the mother clearly said she didn't believe him.
The mother then proceeded to pat down her son checking his pockets for hot goods.
She didn't find anything.
Is this a normal occurance? Is this what I have to look forward to being a parent one day?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Volunteers
Tonight we had a dinner for our Care 'n' Wear Shop volunteers. Seventeen volunteers attended, and enjoyed a great meal at Wattle Seed Cafe.
These volunteers work tirelessly each week sorting clothes and other donated goods and selling in Care 'n' Wear to help resource the Corps - as well as provide an important service to the community. We partner with HICCI in providing clothing as part of their emergency relief program.
Without this team - and there were more people who couldn't make it - financially we wouldn't survive. So an annual meal like this is just one small way we can give back to our volunteers who work so tirelessly.
Well done ladies and gents!
I'm off to McDonald's for breakfast tomorrow with the year 10's I've been working with this past term. Should be fun! And, I've been asked back next semester which is even better.
These volunteers work tirelessly each week sorting clothes and other donated goods and selling in Care 'n' Wear to help resource the Corps - as well as provide an important service to the community. We partner with HICCI in providing clothing as part of their emergency relief program.
Without this team - and there were more people who couldn't make it - financially we wouldn't survive. So an annual meal like this is just one small way we can give back to our volunteers who work so tirelessly.
Well done ladies and gents!
I'm off to McDonald's for breakfast tomorrow with the year 10's I've been working with this past term. Should be fun! And, I've been asked back next semester which is even better.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Hat tip to Outreach Workers
Yesterday I did a "tour of duty" of some of the services in the Upper Yarra Region (Yarra Junction to Warburton). To say my eyes were opened would be an understatement.
Seeing housing in streets that literally turn into rivers when it rains (too bad if you want to either get out or in! I drove through and area where gunshots at night are not unheard of! And remember...this is the picturesque Yarra Valley.
By far the most challenging event of the day was going with a worker to a caravan park to check on a resident - with the fear that they might have committed suicide.
It's hard to express the feelings and thoughts going through your head as you enter a situation like this. I really didn't want to be one of the people discovering a dead body - it certainly would have changed the agenda for the day.
So, you can imagine my relief when were were told to "go away" by the resident, obviously still alive within the caravan. I never saw the resident, but their voice was enough to convince us that they were alive!
I need to give a massive hat tip to all outreach workers - who can do this kind of thing everyday! I was very grateful for the eye opening experience, and my respect and admiration has only grown.
Seeing housing in streets that literally turn into rivers when it rains (too bad if you want to either get out or in! I drove through and area where gunshots at night are not unheard of! And remember...this is the picturesque Yarra Valley.
By far the most challenging event of the day was going with a worker to a caravan park to check on a resident - with the fear that they might have committed suicide.
It's hard to express the feelings and thoughts going through your head as you enter a situation like this. I really didn't want to be one of the people discovering a dead body - it certainly would have changed the agenda for the day.
So, you can imagine my relief when were were told to "go away" by the resident, obviously still alive within the caravan. I never saw the resident, but their voice was enough to convince us that they were alive!
I need to give a massive hat tip to all outreach workers - who can do this kind of thing everyday! I was very grateful for the eye opening experience, and my respect and admiration has only grown.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bring it on!
My iPaq has died...couldn't have died at a better time. My old Nokia will cover until the iPhone is available.How convenient that I am holidaying in Sydney in July...just after the Apple store opens!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Is this for real?
I had one of those "Am I dreaming?" moments this afternoon.
We had a great service here this morning. It was lead by Majors Mark & Tracy Bearcroft, and their two children, Matthew and Eleanor. The people here loved them! We will have to get them back again next year. Cafe church is great because the atmosphere is relaxed, people enjoy eating and drinking while the meeting is on, and the message of Jesus is still presented.
I did a kid's spot, reading the story of Jonah and the Whale (or big fish!). One of the boys who attended enjoyed it, and we sang "Jesus Loves Me", to remind us of God's love for us, Jonah, and the people of Nineveh.
After the meeting I decided to walk into town (yep - left my car at home again today, so am keeping on track so far!). I ate a fantastic lunch at Healesville Harvest. This is a great cafe, attached to Healesville Hotel. I was sitting there, in a room packed with tourists enjoying some of the best food around. The atmosphere is really friendly and welcoming. I then walked back to the hall and just soaked in the winter sunshine (not that warm though!), and the myriad of tourists browsing through the shops. I had to think - is this for real - is this where I live and work!?!?
So - God is very good! Life here is very enjoyable. Not without its challenges. Got a new project idea...have to keep praying about it as a few things need to fall into place, but it could meet a need in the community that isn't currently being met. Just have to wait and see what goes! Will pray more about it this week while at officer's fellowship.
We had a great service here this morning. It was lead by Majors Mark & Tracy Bearcroft, and their two children, Matthew and Eleanor. The people here loved them! We will have to get them back again next year. Cafe church is great because the atmosphere is relaxed, people enjoy eating and drinking while the meeting is on, and the message of Jesus is still presented.
I did a kid's spot, reading the story of Jonah and the Whale (or big fish!). One of the boys who attended enjoyed it, and we sang "Jesus Loves Me", to remind us of God's love for us, Jonah, and the people of Nineveh.
After the meeting I decided to walk into town (yep - left my car at home again today, so am keeping on track so far!). I ate a fantastic lunch at Healesville Harvest. This is a great cafe, attached to Healesville Hotel. I was sitting there, in a room packed with tourists enjoying some of the best food around. The atmosphere is really friendly and welcoming. I then walked back to the hall and just soaked in the winter sunshine (not that warm though!), and the myriad of tourists browsing through the shops. I had to think - is this for real - is this where I live and work!?!?
So - God is very good! Life here is very enjoyable. Not without its challenges. Got a new project idea...have to keep praying about it as a few things need to fall into place, but it could meet a need in the community that isn't currently being met. Just have to wait and see what goes! Will pray more about it this week while at officer's fellowship.
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