Christian junk versions...

No wise words from me today - just a like to a very amusing post on the Stuff Christians Like blog:

The Christian Version of Guitar Hero

Seriously...why do people make this stuff, secondly, why do Christian bookstores stock it, and thirdly, why do people buy it?

I'll stick to Guitar Hero II & III - you're welcome to come around and dual with my on the Xbox!

Wednesday wrap-up

Wednesday's are the craziest day of my week!

We fed 50 high school students breakfast yesterday - toasted cheese sandwiches and milo. I have help from a couple of year 10 students who do an excellent job - and voluntarily get to school 45 mins early!

Then it's off to mainly music, where I do what Pam tells me...(as if anyone would do that!). At the moment I am operating the PowerPoint and songs - but as soon as I can I am training someone else to do this.

CRE with the Grade 6's at Healesville Primary follows - and it is here that I heard the quote of the year! Now, I know its been around for ages, but I really had to laugh as I walked past one kid who had written the following:

(Transliterated it says "your mamma's so old she sat behind Jesus in the third grade).

Ahh, it made me chuckle...still does. Anyway, that's an insight into my day yesterday. I enjoyed a great tea at friends from Mooroolbark Salvos that night. A delicious roast!

News snapshot

New blog post idea today! Each Tuesday the local newspapers are published. I thought I would give you a few snippets of information from Healesville and the surrounding valley. Gives you an idea of what's going on - and provides a good reference point for myself too!

Doctors:
Front page news this week - the Yarra Valley has a 1:1530 doctor-patient ratio - the 7th worst ratio in Australia - THE WORST IN VICTORIA! If the areas medical classification changes (which might happen apparently), we would stand to lost 6 of the 22 doctors in the area! (LYV Leader, 1 Sept, page 1)

Indigenous Community:
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has the eastern metropolitan area's largest Aboriginal population. (LYV Leader, 1 Sept, page 6)

Fair Trade Coffee:
The Yarra Coffee & Co roaster has Fair Trade Coffee! They are one of two fair trade roasters in the Yarra Valley area. Check out www.yarracoffee.com.au

That's the news this week!

Half birthday's

It's my half birthday today - so I'm using it as an excuse to eat half a piece of cake - just to balance my walk this morning!

Prayer throughout the month

Yesterday we started something new at Healesville (well...new for Healesville but blatently pinched from Mooroolbark!!)

Once a month the congregation members will select a name of another member of the congregation and pray for them during the month. I recommend people stick the name on their fridge - that way they are sure to see it several times a day!

There was a real buzz in the hall as people hugged each other and told them they would pray. It was good seeing some people with fractured relationships re-connect with eachother - all over prayer!

Hopefully this will be an important part of our community in the months to come. If you ever visit Healesville on the last Sunday of the month you will know whats going on now!

Safari Trek School Holiday Program

The Salvation Army Healesville presents "Safari Trek" - a school holiday program that is sure to be on the wild side! Come along for "the mane event", critter crafts, watering hole snacks, jungle faces and wild games! If you enjoyed Power Lab, you will love Safari Trek!

Running 9:00 am to 1:00 pm each day from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 September 2008 at The Salvation Army Healesville - 114 Maroondah Highway. Cost is $5 per child each day, or $10 for all three days. Includes morning tea - finishes in time for you to have lunch with your children!

For more information phone Graeme on (03) 5962 4826, collect a registration form from your prischool office, or download at www.salvationarmy.org.au/healesville

PS> I think I am crazy...but we have the youth leaders from Ringwood Corps coming to run this program!

Winter sleepout

Last night I took part in the Shire of Yarra Range's Winter Sleepout - in aid of Anchor Community Care. For me, however, there was no sleep!!!

The night kicked off with a quiz about homelessness issues. The young people had to respond as to whether they agreed, disagreed or were unsure about a number of statements. How would you respond to the following:

• Young people living in lead tenant housing have more freedoms then at home
• It is cheaper to live in a caravan then rent a house
• Young people who are homeless get lots of money from the government

In reality, people living in lead tenant housing have less freedoms then living at home - they have a curfew every night, they need special permission to stay over at a friends, they cannot have friends stay at their place.

A one bedroom house costs around $230 per week to rent. A caravan can cost $270 per week in a caravan park.

Anchor's research shows that after the purchase of essential items, homeless young people are usually need to spend $30 over what their government allowance gives them - they are constantly behind.

Youth homelessness is an issue in the Shire. This night did a great job to raise the awareness of the young people of the issues surrounding homelessness. A short video clip of a young person from the local community was shown - a very powerful and real story, with images that relate to the young people in the area.

Oh - as well we had sumo suits, bungee run, food (including me taking my coffee machine for 1, 3 & 5 am caffeine shots!), and some movies. We watched August Rush and The Pursuit of Happiness. Man - these are great movies - esp TPoH - when you have a night about homelessness. Very moving movie.

Anyway...I have had far too little sleep, but I need to do something this arvo so that I can sleep tonight! Make a difference to a young person experiencing homelessness - donate money to Anchor or the Salvos to care for people.