Recently we went up to Brisbane to take part in an Aboriginal Orientation Course. This course is the first of its kind and it was our privilege to be a part of it!

 

The course ran for 10 days over January. We spent half of that time in a rural area called Beaudesert and the other half in a suburb called Logan, where we were educated by local Indigenous people in so many ways!

 

We highly recommend this course to others, as each of us found it to be a huge eye-opener and we made new friends which will hopefully last a life time.

 

We discovered new ways to connect with God and creative ways to engage with Indigenous people.

 

We were spoiled by sitting at the feet of a number of cutting edge theologians such as Pastor Ray Minniecon and Uncle Rev. Graham Paulson. We also had the honour of hearing precious stories from other local men and women, whom we have so much to learn from.  Plus so much more…..

 

You may be wondering why we did this course?

Currently we are part of the UNOH Melbourne team where Deb has lived for 6 years and Paul for 4.

We are considering moving to Logan later this year to begin another UNOH chapter and when we were invited by an Indigenous leader to participate in this course, we were totally on board with the idea!

 

The invitation for us to move to Logan came some time ago, from a number of churches and groups, due to the enormous need that is found in the area.

 

We have visited Logan a few times and God has drawn us each time to the poverty- and also beauty- that is found there.

 

We are inspired by the local heroes we have met, who continue to give SO much of themselves to see justice prevail. We are challenged to join with the local Indigenous people, as well as others from many diverse backgrounds including Burmese, to see those who have been denied justice for too long, empowered to live as Christ intends!

 

What did we learn through the Aboriginal Orientation Course?

Where do we begin?! We won’t let you in on everything because we want you to do the course yourselves in your own state- and don’t want to give it all away! J

·     * The 3 L’s: Look. Listen. Learn. This is a key teaching in Aboriginal culture. Learning is mutual- we can all learn from each other. When journeying alongside Indigenous people it is most important to go in sensitively and follow the 3 L’s.

·     * Pastor Ray talked about the rapid change he’s seen just in his lifetime- from living in a mission surrounded by an Indigenous community to now living in a global community, helping others come to terms with our Australian history. He shared about Terra nullius and the challenges of Aboriginal Leadership as well as the challenges for survival of Indigenous people.

·     * The effects on the Stolen Generation of: forced removal policies; institutionalisation; abuse & denigration; sexual abuse; racism.

·     * We discussed many things such as what it takes to do community development well.

·     * We heard about various aspects of the history of Logan & the Indigenous church & had time to visit groups working amongst the marginalised & hear their needs including local MP’s. 

·     * Seeing the difference between Aboriginal values and non-Aboriginal values & how these line up with scripture.

·     * Hearing what it takes to make social change.

 Go To The People

 

Go to the people

Live among them

Learn from them

Work with them

Plan with them

Start with what they know

Build on what they have

Teach by showing

Learn by doing

Not a showcase, but a pattern

Not odds and ends, but a system

Not relief but release

But of the best leaders

When their task is done

 The people will say

“We did it ourselves”.

 

                                   A Chinese Poem

 

We were blessed by the generous hospitality of this Indigenous Church in Logan, where we camped and based ourselves. It is a real hub of activity and a significant place for locals to gather and know they will be loved and cared for. Pastor John visits the nearby detention centres weekly where he is a chaplain and mentor to young men. Other local un-sung heroes work in the local schools as well as feed and provide activities for many neglected children and street kids, showing them the love of God.

 

We feel so much richer and blessed through this course due to the quality locals we met and heard from, as well as the many very talented people who ministered to us through song and music.

 

A BIG THANK YOU to all who organised the course and the sacrfices made to teach us what we really need to know as beneficiaries in this land called Australia.

 

What can we do to actively engage with the struggles of many Indigenous people in this nation?

·     * Pray for change.

·     * Join the Indigenous Prayer Network to pray for your local Christian lndigenous leaders.

·     * Organise an event to mark the 1^st anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s national apology to the Stolen Generation on FEB 13^th 2009.

·     * Email Federal and State politicians to ask for the constitution to be amended because indigenous people are continually discriminated against.

·     * Financially support Indigenous ministries as many are under-funded.

·     * Offer your time & skills to local Indigenous groups ie mechanic lessons; camping trips; driving lessons etc

·     * Read “Ministering Cross-Culturally” to understand the dynamics of cross-cultural settings.

·     * Join the ‘Make Indigenous Poverty History’ campaign.

·     * Stand up for and support Indigenous people in positions of leadership.

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on this entry!

 

Thanks for reading thus far.

 

Love Paul and Deb.