UNOH Benefit Dinner with Tony Campolo and ‘Just Money’ book launch in Melbourne

UNOH Centre for Urban Mission, Airlie Ave, Dandenong, 6.30pm, Wednesday 12th October.

Come along and enjoy the conversation and the wonderful Burmese food from Free Burma Cafe!

Find out more about what God is doing with UNOH, help launch Wayne Kirkland’s new book and hear Tony speak on the topic “Hope for the future”.

All funds raised from the evening will go to the work of Urban Neighbours Of Hope.

Cost: $25, but places are limited to 80 so please RSVP to unoh@unoh.org by 5th October to ensure your ticket. If any dietary requirements, let Russell know that too.

Here is the latest edition of ‘Finding Life‘ magazine themed around ‘compassion’.

Full of hard won insights, stories and ideas of how to get involved with what God is doing through UNOH.

If you want a hard copy mailed to your home free of charge please e-mail Russ. Click here for Finding Life.’

Thankyou to all of you amazing people who helped make the cooking with Poo Tour a success. We did 32 events in 4 weeks and sold over 2500 books both in Australia and Thailand. We spoke to thousands of people and God changed all of our lives irreversibly. (Last night Poo and Kare came over so that Kare could tell me that he wants to start a community dinner once a week as we are all family. He is so excited and so keen and he decided that it should be the meal before Friday house church as he is now joining !)

I have just landed on my feet back home in Bangkok, (greeted by the sight of a completely naked homeless man laying spread eagled on his back on the footpath!), with an overwhelming sense of gratitude at the many people that were part of this crazy adventure.

Firstly thanks to Bill and Wendy and the wayside chapel crew for being there to ease us into the whole thing.  Thanks Wendy for buying the gas stoves and organizing so much for us. A special thanks also to John (Short Shorts) for looking after the boys and taking them to see the only Australian animals they got to see all trip, and for being there to make us feel so at home. Big thank you also to Gary for the way he helped out selling handicrafts, was very patient with us, and always had an encouraging smile.

A big thank you to the Owens for housing us and making us feel so at home. A special thanks to Lisa for getting all the bits and pieces together and both her and Jon,(jon salat), organizing events. Thanks to Kierra and Kshama for their entertainment especially singing “Chang Chang Chang” and Kare says thanks Jon for the lovely Pizza! Thanks Jazz for attempting to learn Thai and for helping the Thai ladies have so much fun- enjoy your Pumpkin soup! Thanks Adam for lending us the van even if we left some extra poo in it for you!

From there we went down to freezing Melbourne where we were warmly accommodated by the Maher family- thanks Amy for giving up your room! Then on to Oma’s house. A big thanks to Oma who even moved out to let us have the run of her place!  The boys highlight was when Oma made them sit at the table to eat lunch with a knife and fork like high class people! As a result Poo has just bought a table and chairs for her house as they want to eat like that every day!

A huge thanks to Amy Nettlebeck and Ashleigh Newnham for organizing all the equipment and the funds for the women. Another big thankyou to John and Bronwyn Newnham who also moved out of their house to make room for all of us, and to Vicki  who let us take over her lounge room the following week.

There were just so many special times in Melbourne and the warmth of supporters friends and family helped make a cold place warm and cosy. We laughed and laughed, this whole trip and each day I had a real sense that something really special was happening in all our hearts. Seeing the transformation in not just the lives of these women- but also their families and how God has broken down so many barriers is really exciting. In UNOH we have often been heard to say that if knitting classes would reach the poor for Jesus then that is what we would do- well I think Cooking Classes may just have done that!

From Melbourne we went to Perth- warm sunny Perth!! A huge thank you to Irene Farmer who organized all the equipment and the venue and the accommodation! She was truly a one woman Machine and enabled us to have a very relaxing time in Perth even with such a busy events schedule!

Thanks also to Graeme and Jenny Faulkner for the transport especially the VIP bus tour to Freemantle!

In Perth we received the sad news that Doaw a young woman(24yr) from our house church and community was found dead. She has 3 month old little twins, and a 6 year old boy. The Thai ladies were devastated but glad to return in time to help with the funeral, and be a support to her family.

This for us was a tragic reminder of the reality of our lives back here in the slum. Tragedy and suffering surrounds us- and yet for a brief period we have lived this amazing dream- but it is not real- the real bit is a daily struggle to shine the light of Christ in a hurting world. As I sit in the handicrafts room writing this the struggle is almost tangible. There are many relationship dramas between the staff while we were away many of the women quit and AA and Kru Duen who run the room are mad with everyone. I feel like God really prepared me well for coming back to deal with conflict and difficulty and sense that it is in these places we encounter amazing works of the Holy Spirit. I am powerless- God is all powerful- in Australia we can sometimes forget that- here you are reminded daily!

So thank you to all of you who made this possible. Of course I have saved the biggest thank you until last. Liz Maher- what can we say? Without her organizational skills her sense of fun, her passion and dedication to the poor and her friendship it would have been a nightmare. Thank you Liz from all of us!

As I write this Poo and the ladies are running a cooking class of 10 people in the new cooking school which was our home for 8 years. On September the 16th Poo and Noi are being flown to Canberra for a Micah challenge Tear fund event called “Voices For Justice” where Poo is the celebrity cheff cooking the parliamentary breakfast for 300 people on the front lawn of parliament house! What a great opportunity!

Thank you to the amazing Louisa who held the very busy forte back in Bangkok as the bookings went crazy. This month Poo has 177 customers and is fully booked out until the second week of September.

Please pray for Poo and I as there is certainly a lot of drama going on. I really get the sense that while some of this is practical and expected- how to manage staff etc.. I believe there is certainly some spiritual warfare going on. Satan never likes it when people respond to the call of Christ to transform their lives. I sense that God has given me new eyes to see things from a bigger, less personal picture. People here are very damaged and fragile, and that doesn’t go away when they start working with us. Poo has a peacemaking gift that is being put to the test with her new staff, and I feel like I have jumped into a swirling Tsunami of disaster here at the community centre and in the lives of my neighbors. Yet God in His timing and with Grace is somehow in control!

I am encouraged by these words-

“all things of value are birthed of pain and struggle” ” The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength!”
Thank you all of you amazing people who make what we do here possible! May God bless and keep you!

Anji

Hi everyone – I hope you are all well and loving life! It is freezing here in Melbourne these days…. I feel the guilt of using the air con (imagining all those CO2 “black balloons” going up) but I cave in to the temptation anyway! Penance may be sought… perhaps I should buy my modern indulgence by paying for the planting of a few trees…? Hmmm… kind of an “offset indulgence” sort of thing….

Anyway.. that is not what this email is about. This is about what is coming up at UNOH!

“Cooking with Poo” is under way. I am proudly wearing my tee-shirt: “I cooked with Poo and I liked it!”. Poo (a dear Thai friend from the Klong Toey area of Bangkok) is in Australia to launch her cookbook “Cooking with Poo” – published by UNOH. She is one of the most incredible people we know from the Klong Toey Slum. Poo runs a successful Thai cooking school from her home in the slum. If you like Thai food, cooking or hearing a good story or two then don’t miss out on this very special opportunity to meet her. There are events happening all over the place: Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. For all the dates stay tuned to www.cookingwithpoo.com or the facebook page ‘Helping Hands Thai Cooking’. Hear stories of microenterprise in the slum, purchase and have your copy of the cookbook signed by Poo, meet some of our incredible Thai neighbours, check out new designs from the Klong Toey handicrafts, experience cooking with Poo firsthand and taste her delicious Thai cooking.

Other events coming up:

One day intensive: “Spirituality of the Activist”, July 27th with Mick Duncan in Melbourne.

Mick is a New Zealander who has had decades of ministry both overseas, and locally. He is a radical disciple for Christ, who will challenge, provoke, ruffle, and inspire you. Cost: $60 or $40 for those on health care cards (or talk to us!) At the UNOH building: factory 2/6-12 Airlie Ave, Dandenong. Booking person: jim- jim@unoh.org; (Stay around for the evening as well: an “Open night” with Mick at the same location.)

Tony Campolo 2 days seminar: “Putting faith to work”,  October 13th and 14th in Melbourne.

Tony is the well known author and speaker who is much loved and respected in the Christian world. Tony is generously sharing some of his Australia visit with UNOH next year, and we are overjoyed to have him speak in our October seminar. Tony and our other speakers will challenge you to put faith to work, as they explore the Biblical teaching on putting “legs on your beliefs”. Cost: $100 or $70 for those on health care cards (or talk to us: we would rather you come than miss out!) At the UNOH building: factory 2/6-12 Airlie Ave, Dandenong. Booking person: Jim- jim@unoh.org;

Missio Dei discernment retreat

This two day discernment time is a most valuable experience for all who do it. You spend time reflecting on:

-          where you have come from, what/who has shaped you and made you

-          where you are now

-          where you might be headed

-          who you might want to travel with in the days ahead

It is a terrific time of pulling things together as you seek what lies ahead. Ash Barker will be leading the 2 days with those who attend.

Sydney: Sep 30th and Oct 1st   (a Friday and Saturday)
Questions or bookings, contact Jon Owen: jonowen@unoh.org;

Melbourne:August 26th and 27th (a Friday and Saturday)
Questions or bookings, contact Naomi Dekker: naomi@unoh.org;

Auckland:August 5th and 6th (a Friday and Saturday)
Questions or bookings, contact Dave Tims: d.tims@unoh.org;

And open nights at Dandenong, for the next few months:

Hope to see you around!

Jim Reiher

???????UNOH Mt Druitt Sydney

Email: lisapaxo@unoh.org  

When I was 16, Good News was told to me by a lovely Christian lady. She told me that Jesus never lets go of those who love Him (John 10:27-29).

While this was the Good News for me, for some it is forgiveness for all sins in Christ, and for others it is that God has a sense of purpose for their life. I have been given so much and am blessed to be able to pass on the good news to others now. Travelling with people on the road of life means that it becomes clear after a while just what “Good News” is for them.

 Last year my neighbour Kathy was declared terminally ill. With an addiction that rendered her full of shame, she was unable to bring herself to walk into a church. One evening I was visiting, and when we were alone she asked me:

“I know God is real, but he can’t live in me because I’m a bad woman, you know? I’ve done some terrible things in my life, but I want God to be with me. I’m scared”.

I started to cry for her because of the darkness and fear that surrounded her as she faced her final days. That evening Kathy and I prayed and she experienced a peace about death that she hadn’t known before. From then up until she passed, she would ask to be prayed for whenever we were alone.

The good news for her was simple yet profound – she wanted… (continued over)

…to know the love of God so she could die in peace.  Kathy passed away a few months later after a long, hard battle, but I’m grateful for the knowledge that she is now in the arms of God and no longer suffering.

In April we organised an Easter Sunday service for our neighbours. Held in the garage of UNOH teammates the Owens, about 60 people crammed in. Jon Owen started his message (a 10 min sermon) by summing up some of the feelings of the crowd.

“I bet you thought that if you ever walked into a church the roof would fall on you. But it won’t…”

The service was a time of celebrating Jesus rising from death, and the hope and forgiveness that ensues. There were people there who had never heard good news from the Bible before.  It is sometimes odd to think that for a good number of them that day the good news was that the roof of the garage would not fall in on them as judgement!

I’m convinced that those who deeply desire and need the love of God in their lives rarely enter the beautiful and inviting churches that we build. They fear judgement, however the good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness and release from shame.

He came to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free! (Luke 4:18-19)

I am lucky to have been mentored and grown in beautiful churches and am now thankful for the opportunity to pass this love onto others.

Lisa

Heather, Lisa and Jaz (see prayer points)

Please Pray

…

Thanking God for the amazing turn out and reaction to the Easter Sunday service. Please continue to pray as we consider starting a regular worship meeting.

For Kathy’s family as they continue to grieve her passing.

For former housemate Jazmin who has moved to the Owen’s house on a permanent basis. This is an exciting time for her as she looks towards finishing year 12.

For housemate and co-worker Heather as she leave Mt Druitt to join the UNOH NZ team in August, and for myself as I consider future household options.

Thanking you,

 Lisa                                                                                                      

I’m no green thumb so it comes as no surprise to see one of our flowers we recently planted beginning to turn brown. What started as a one-man project, planting flowers at the front of our house, turned into a fun and spontaneous activity with people of all ages. Bright, colorful flowers speak of new life and fresh hope, particularly for those living in an overcrowded concrete jungle, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees day after day.

As we approach mid-year we look back over the past 6 months to see how our year is panning out. While the start of the year, like new plants, brings with it new hopes, dreams and a sense of excitement, it’s seems at times, that some of our plans are interrupted and have started to go a lifeless brown colour; People we love making poor and unhealthy decisions; Projects we run fail to make the impact we’d initially dreamed of; Sickness; The sudden death of a loved one.

Some of the girls on our youth camp at a beautiful national park

We realize once again we are incapable of many things, we have limits and we are not in control. The temptation is to become disillusioned, disappointed, cynical and frustrated with ourselves, and those around us.

But as we endeavor to walk with Jesus here in Klong Toey, learning from him, we have found ourselves caught up in Him. Remembering not to be defined by these external factors of failure, (and also successes), but by Christ alone.

Jesus says,”Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” The mystery for us is that these times of disappointment, frustration and death actually are the seeds of new life, which was ultimately demonstrated in the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus himself. These difficulties become moments of grace if we allow them to be.

Now, when I walk out our front door and see the flowers my friends and I planted, I’m reminded that life doesn’t always turn up bright, colourful flowers as we’d hoped and dreamed. We feel disappointed. There can be disillusionment. But in death there is new life in which we are invited to partake. This is where we can place our hope and not be disappointed!

Thankyou for your love, prayers and support as we seek to embrace life here in KlongToey – regardless of what it serves up.

With love & gratefulness,

Chris & Jodie,
Grace, Ruby & Millie
xxxxx

Second Chance Bangkok:

The store is running well and enabling a number of families the peace of mind that comes with regular income. We are in the “high season” for donations as many ex-pat families are moving…below is just a glimpse of the chaos you will find every Friday as we auction off the big furniture items. There is a sense of excitement and we have hopes of opening a 2nd store by the end of the year.

PRAYER/ PRAISE

Chris visits the Psych ward at Klong Prem prison every Thursday. Pray for energy, creativity & wisdom as he connects with some very difficult and intense poeple.

PRISON MINISTRY    SECOND CHANCE

Chris and the lads heading off on their 3 day hiking trip up to Khao Yai national park. The national park is known for its beautiful landscapes - and wildlife!! By the time this goes to press no doubt there will be some sore stiff bodies, but many great stories to tell!

Pray for wisdom as we seek to find ways to set up a 2nd store.  Pray we will find a new site that will still enable those from the slum access.
Pray for “Toon” as he finds himself in difficult cycles of homelessness and drug abuse
Pray for Toey & Guy & for us as we work with them in the shop

KIDS & YOUTH CLUBS

Praise God for the fantastic time away with 30 people at a national park. we had times of discussions around the meaning of love. Kids club continues every Sat.
Chris, Jim & Adam have taken 7 young guys on a hiking trip this weekend

FAMILY

Pray for renewal and energy as we near the halfway mark of the year!
For patience as we continue to grieve the loss of Jenelle. We will be visiting Aus in July – pray for time of refreshment & rest amidst meetings & church visits.

We have a neighbour who we travel closely with. He is great fun and always gives us a laugh. He is someone who experiences the deepest communion with God, more than anyone I have ever known. He will hear God speaking to him and sees God next to him in many situations.

His background is completely different to a common ‘Christian’ upbringing and so has never heard of the way of life that a follower of Jesus would live. For him it is new to forgive others, to choose options of conflict resolution other than violence, to respect women, to honour his body by abstaining from drugs that damage him.

He is on a beautiful and humble journey learning to see things differently, and it is all starting with him learning that he can be forgiven. Sometimes, if he has done something violent, he doesn’t know why he feels so bad about it because in his life it would have been perfectly justified, he just knows that he doesn’t like what he has done and God himself sits with him and helps him to know that it will be ok. He learns from God himself that he wants to change. All that we do is sit with him and are there to talk about these new changes.

He out of all the Christians I know is seriously wanting to take up his cross, follow Jesus and live unashamedly for Christ (Luke 9:23-27). What a privilege to be on this journey with him.

On a personal note, we are excitedly looking forward to the coming of our baby at the beginning of July! The pregnancy has been going well so far and the baby is very active- kicking and rolling around constantly- which is very encouraging. Please pray with us for our baby, his health and us as we learn what it means to welcome another person into our life.

Prayer-

We would also value your prayers as we continue to immerse ourselves into life her in Central Mt Druitt. We are really seeking who else God would have us walk alongside in a way that truly empowers our community.

We are looking to begin engaging with the Asylum seeker community in Sydney. Please pray for us as we explore how we can get involved.

Praise-

We thank God for the neighbours who have been so welcoming, loving and generous to us, especially the Sudanese and Somalian families.

Thanks so much for your continued interest, prayers and support! Please send us your updates too when you get a chance, we love knowing how you’re going too!

Love,

Matt, Katie and our little bub to be

Hi friends,

We are so grateful for your solidarity with Urban Neighbours Of Hope. Could you stop to pray and connect with the latest developments of what God is doing through us? We hope you will be even more inspired, informed and involved in seeing God’s Good News transform lives because of your prayerful reading of these ‘UNOH Updates’. We certainly need all the prayer we can get!

Thanks again for your love and support.

God bless,
Ash Barker,
UNOH Director

PS Hope to see you together with all our UNOH workers at our annual Commissioning Service (UNOH Centre for Urban Mission, 2/6-12 Airlie Avenue Dandenong, 6pm, July 31, 2011)

UNOH Funding Focus

To pray for and donate to UNOH workers who you know, trust and believe in, is one of the best ways to support UNOH’s work among the urban poor. Its gives workers the support they need to give their best time and energy to their neighbours, reproduce themselves as workers and speak into the life of the broader church. Please click here to support a worker and receive a tax-deductible receipt.

Update from the ‘Hoods’

Please pray for our nine UNOH teams in five cities. In this ‘UNOH Update’ we have recent news from:

Ø  Mae Sot (Thai-Burma border): Rod Sheard and Pete ‘Murray’ Taylor have established their new home in a neighbourhood right near the river, which is the border. Prayer is especially sought for the growing connections with neighbours, teaching roles and Church of Christ in Thailand leaders. Here is Rod’s latest prayer letter.

Ø  South Auckland (NZ): The Tims family have hit the ground running with their new neighbours in Manurewa. Praise God for them joining a resident action group, starting a neighbourhood newsletter and supporting youth work. Pray also for Heather Oulton who prepares to move from UNOH Bidwill to return to her native NZ  to join the Tims there. Here is the Tims latest prayer letter.

Ø  Lock 3-6 (Klong Toey, Bangkok): The needs in this section of Klong Toey slum are constantly overwhelming, yet God works through us in weakness. The Barker family are enjoying their tenth year in Klong Toey as Alisha Faulkner has started her first so well. Here is Anji’s latest adventures.

Ø  Rom Gow (Klong Toey, Bangkok): The MacCartney family have had a tough year, but it’s amazing to see how God uses them, especially through Second Chance Bangkok and the house church.  Adam and Kellie Cross have joined the Rom Gow team this year and are hard at work already. Read more from the Maccas on the UNOH blog shortly.

Ø  Springvale (Melbourne): Work with Burmese refugees has gone to another level in Springvale this year. The Dekker family see the ‘Free Burma Cafe’ shaping up well with a pre-launch catering service going mad. This year they are joined by the Schneeberger family and Laura Florisson, who have started really well. Read the Dekker’s latest news on the UNOH blog shortly.

Ø  Noble Park (Melbourne): Work with Rainbow, Sudanese, children and young people have been especially exciting this year. The Hingley family, Coath family, Jono Bailey, Jane Morton, Steph Litteral and newbie Steph Miller make an amazing team. Read their latest insights and prayer needs here.

Ø  Dandenong (Melbourne): The Blair family moved from Noble Park to Dandenong and love seeing the Rainbow and Sudanese work expanding, and opportunities to serve, including at a local Primary school, taken up. Ashleigh Newnham has joined the team from UNOH Bangkok and Vikki Home and Sharon O’Brien have started well too. Sharm shares her latest prayer e-mail here

Ø  Bidwill (Sydney): Lisa Paxton, Heather Oulton, Adam Booth and the Owen family have had a really challenging year, but God keeps working through them in remarkable ways. Community meals, jail ministry and a Sunday school are all connecting neighbours together. A UNOH Seminar in Bidwill with Shane Claiborne attracted over 100 participants. Here are Jon’s latest reflections.

Ø  Mt Druitt Central (Sydney): Matt and Katie Godfrey moved from Bidwill to Mt Druitt to follow up work with refugees. Katie is due to have a baby next month! Joining them will be Jesse and Chelsea Size, who  started well with Owens in Bidwell, but are now moving to Mt Druitt Central as reinforcements for the Godreys! Read more from Matt on the UNOH blog shortly.  There’s also an update from Heather Oulton.

Updates from UNOH Training

With Sub-merge in full swing and two amazing seminars in Sydney and Bangkok already completed, don’t miss more upcoming UNOH Training. There are two more UNOH Seminars this year in Melbourne July 27 (with Mick Duncan and Anji Barker) and October 13-14  (with Tony Campolo)., plus Open Nights, Missio Dei and Mission Exposure courses with UNOH. If you want to join UNOH next year please contact Jim Reiher ASAP to get your place as a Sub-merge intern. See Jim’s latest news for details here.

‘Out and About’

With all UNOH workers returning to Melbourne for our now bi-annual International UNOH retreat, our special annual commissioning service will be held. Please join us to celebrate what God is doing through us all (UNOH Centre, 6pm July31). Mick Duncan and Jon Owen will speaking. Many UNOH workers will also be speaking in churches around Australia in June and July; not least is Anji and the ‘Cooking with Poo’ cookbook tour in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. They will also be seen on Sunrise TV show.

Updates from UNOH Publishing

Jon Owen’s first book Muddy Spirituality: Bringing it all back down to earth was launched in Melbourne at Surrender and in Sydney at Tinsley annual lectures. Please buy this book and other UNOH books which are now on special for just $15 (plus postage). Why not go to www.unoh.org/unoh-publishing and help inspire and inform your friends with a copy of one of our titles.

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

The Newsletter of Gabriel and Catherine Hingley, June 2011

It was a joyous moment of celebration. About forty adults and children were gathered under a large tree in a park, throwing streamers, cracking coloured eggs, laughing and singing. But it wasn’t someone’s birthday – we were celebrating the fact that Jesus had risen!  Afterwards we shared in some delicious food, jumped in sack races and searched for chocolate eggs under the trees. The joy was tangible everyone could feel it.

This year Easter Sunday seemed all the more meaningful for our Rainbow Church community. I believe this was partly because the Noble Park and Dandenong Teams chose to offer people the opportunity to really live the Easter story out in a tangible way. So on Maundy Thursday we shared a meal together and re-enacted the Last Supper, learning about the significance of the Passover meal for the Jewish people. On Good Friday we walked through Noble Park carrying a large wooden cross and reflected on the story of Christ’s Passion, entering into the suffering of Jesus as he carried the cross as well as the grief and despair of his disciples. In the local railway tunnel we watched as some of our neighbours acted out the story of Peter’s denial. Finally we entered the darkness of the tomb as we all gathered in our friends garage in the dark.

The power of living out the gospel narratives through drama and symbolism is that it helps people access these stories without needing any prior theological, historical or biblical knowledge. In our gathering there were some who had never heard the stories before, a number of whom came from different faiths. There were others who could not read, and others who do not have the intellectual capacity to grasp the stories with their minds. But the beauty of the Easter story is that we can all be drawn into the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection through symbols and creative story-telling, no matter what background we come from.

I believe it was because we as a community explored the hard moments of Jesus’ pain and crucifixion and the disciples’ grief, that we could celebrate His Resurrection all the more joyfully. It’s as though we felt the risen Lord together. Catherine and I praise God that He regularly gives us opportunities to share in the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection with people on the margins of society.