The Newsletter of Heather, UNOH Mt Druitt Sydney

Jazmin doing her thing

“You say I took the name in vain.
I don’t even know the name…
There’s a blaze of light in every word,
It doesn’t matter which you’ve heard:
The holy or the broken hallelujah.”

I sat as still and quietly as I possibly could as I watched teenager Jazmin and UNOH worker Adam pour their hearts into the recording studio’s microphones. I’d heard them sing Leonard Cohen’s ‘hallelujah’ many times before, but this occasion was special: a friend of UNOH had offered to help them record the track in their recording studio. “Don’t cry, you egg!” Jazmin laughed at me as we heard the first playback in the editing booth. I couldn’t help it; it was so beautiful.

Though she’s had to face some hard stuff (for example, at 17 she’s lost both parents), Jazmin’s life breathes a hard-won ‘hallelujah.’ As in the Cohen verse above, this is a hallelujah that blazes with light: despite all odds, Jazmin’s is a life full of laughter, courage, determination and care for others. (Email me if you’d like the song file; heather@unoh.org!)

Ours is a beautiful God, who honours both the holy and the broken hallelujahs, allowing His light to blaze through each. As a UNOH team in Mt Druitt I know our hallelujahs are often broken, and we reflect God’s love and light poorly – but somehow He still manages to shine through us. Whether we tell them or not, our neighbours seem to know that we are Christians, and that we choose to live somewhat differently from the prevailing norms around us. I was recently at UNOH worker Adam’s house where a meal was being shared by a large and rowdy bunch of people. I overheard a mother threatening one of her children in the corridor, but then heard the father reminding his partner that “this is a non-violence house! This is a very non-violence house!” I’ve never heard Adam (or anyone else) use that phrase, but somehow this family knew who we are and what we stand for. But we are by no means the only ones to be mumbling hallelujahs, broken or otherwise. Many people in the Mt Druitt community wouldn’t necessarily ‘know the name’ – they couldn’t talk theology with you and they might not fit well in a mainstream church congregation – but they clearly exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, and their broken hallelujahs still blaze with light. And the ‘holy’ hallelujahs of the church speak loud and clear with beauty, too.

The Finished Product

In fact, in this vocation I often get to hear the hum of hallelujahs everywhere! I see my neighbour ‘Claire’ getting a card to send to another neighbour in rehab, and taking it round the community for everyone to sign. I see my neighbour ‘Gary’ helping my house-mate Pax with her car. I see Jazmin taking care of me when I’m sick. I see teenager ‘Hannah’ making a birthday cake for Adam. I see local men pitching in to clean up a single mum’s yard. I see good Christian people offering their homes to us and our community members. I see the Owens being incredibly generous with the little they have. I see my own friends – in a different country – giving generously of their resources to support the work here. I see churches embracing our (sometimes difficult) community members. I think I see glimpses of the Kingdom of God! What an incredible privilege. Thank you, so much, for your part in making this all possible.

As a quick update, I’ll be moving to Manurewa mid-August and would love you to join me for a story-telling/photo-sharing/plan-updating lunch around that time – tentative plans are for Sunday 28th August but watch this space.
Can’t wait to see you then!

xx..Heather

Please Pray…
Praise for the start of a worshipping community in Mount Druitt – kicked off with an Easter service/celebration shared with neighbours.
Praise for the wonderful start made by the Tims in Manurewa, including starting a community newspaper & a youth leadership program. I’m excited about joining them in this work soon!
For teenagers being bullied at school, struggling with assessment demands, and generally grappling with tough circumstances.
For a few more supporters to stand with me both financially and in prayer.
Thanking you, Heather