how beautiful…are the feet that bring good news

Sunday morning

Kids Club

Youth group

From time to time we have teams that visit Alice Springs and bunk down at our home for a week. Last week 18 young people descended on us- affectionately known as ‘Seaton Mob’. Lots of new faces, including Tom, who has seen the miracles of God flowing in his life, in particular over the last year where he has been recovering from being hit by a truck, whilst riding his bicycle. He really is a walking, talking, laughing (and what a laugh that is:-) ) miracle.
The team was headed up by Sam, a fella who quietly and confidently led the team, even though at times he had no idea what he was getting himself into…
This year saw many changes. In the past outreach teams main focus has been to run kids programs. This time around we wanted to see if there was a way of reaching whole families, and encourage the people in our congregation, as well as do some street outreach- singing and prayer.
The team sung in a few of the hostels that we have relationships with through church and the response at those places was fantastic from both the residents and the staff. The people were so happy to have the team sing for them and were encouraged by their prayers for them. One person even shared how last year he was prayed for and was healed.
There were healings happening when the team were praying this year as well!
What brought me great joy was when the team took our youth out to Telegraph Station and played some games and had a BBQ tea. There were a couple of our guys who chose to start following Jesus that night- priceless.
The kids club was good too. Due to some technical difficulties, the team had to show their flexibility and run the program outside. And to their credit, they held the 40+ children’s attention for an hour. Well done team!
Ben and I love to see young people come and give of their time and grow in confidence with growing and sharing their faith. When I was a young teen, not that long ago really , a Pastor was willing to give me a go sharing my faith and just giving things a go, and he put me in good stead for where I am at today. He birthed a passion in me that couldn’t even be put out when I detoured off the path for a while, and it was that seed planted in me then, that ultimately brought me back on the narrow road as Jesus so calls it. It is our hope that these times in Alice can be the same for these young adventurers. That they are spurred on to go deeper in God, not be satisfied with the status quo, that they will stand out and stand up for righteousness and injustice and be passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, not just with their lips but with their lives as well.

The first day some of the team were quite timid when they went out on the streets, but by the end some of the girls were so excited that they might have another opportunity to pray with someone. Just beautiful. They even learnt a chorus in Pitjantjatjara, which according to someone in the know, was “deadly”- that means good .

Our church were blessed by the time they spent here. (Must mention Jill Daly and Bethany’s food was exceptional once again- wasn’t it Joel?)

Things didn’t always go to plan (but when do they in Alice?) and we faced some opposition, but I do believe it was a fruitful time. I know our family were blessed and laughed a lot and danced a little, bring on the Bollywood.
Look forward to the next team (after hopefully some sleep ) and seeing what God has in store for us and them.
The verse that springs to mind as I think on this team and the others that come our way… “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation…” Isaiah 52:7.

Todd Mall

The Vibe

I was asked what my favourite part of the Easter weekend was…. I have to admit, I found it hard to find ‘my favourite’, it was a really special weekend… so I replied with the only thing that I felt would express it truly: it was ‘the vibe’ of the thing (coined beautifully in the movie ‘the Castle”:-) ).

The whole weekend was about the church being a family, being the church. The services were great: filled with people singing and dancing and artwork that was unbelievable, but everyone who wanted to be involved, could be. And there was such an excitement and anticipation in almost everyone that was there. Love was just oozing out of the place. Even those that like to be grumpy, couldn’t help themselves but smile a couple of times at least.

Were the items perfect? No. Did it run smoothly? No But we had 4 year olds to 70+ year olds getting up and expressing their love for their Saviour Jesus. And it brought tears to my eyes.

The fellowship that weekend was special also. We had lots of unplanned get togethers that were just pure fun. Picnics, BBQs, cricket, walks, Maccas and it was just beautiful. Old and new friends. People we had never met before to family.

I wish you could have all joined us for this time. This weekend was all about our church remembering who Jesus is and why he did what he did. His cause was outworked implicitly and explicitly throughout the entire weekend that Jesus came to give life, and not just life, but life to the full… abundant, full, joyful, in relationship with Him, and His people.

Beautiful dance on Good Friday- Lead me to the Cross

Karen and Rosie

BBQ and cricket fun

Some of the kids singing a Pitjantjatjara chorus

The choir. These ladies are just amazing at singing. Felt privileged to have the chance to hear them sing

Sunday Resurrection Dance. The boys even cut loose with some break dancing

At the young people’s Bible Study we had a foot washing just like Jesus did with his disciples at His last meal before the cross

We shared a passover meal together at Bible Study Thursday night

The boys helped do the background for the cross

Baptisms

Today we baptised 17 people who are a part of our church. To watch the people who chose today to be baptised as an act of obedience to their Lord Jesus was wonderful. The age range was from 7 years old to 60 something!  I am in awe that I have been privileged to be a part of their spiritual journey so far. They come from such varied backgrounds and all have their story to tell of how they came to be where they are today. I could hardly contain my excitement. One lady, who has to use a walker was so adamant she was getting baptised. She had asked me a couple of months earlier and I was so excited when she entered the water today. It was difficult, it was a ‘swallow the pride’ moment as she worked to get into the pool, and yet she was so determined. She loves her Jesus, and you can tell. Her face just beams.

She has become a good friend of mine. She was one of the first ladies I met when I arrived here. Her name is Maggie.

Maggie and I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She lives in a hostel here in town as she needs renal dialysis 3 times a week and so it is impossible for her to return home for long periods of time. She started following Jesus last year, we prayed together on a day in October and she has been a different Maggie since. She is sometimes in a lot of pain, but when we pray together, the pain dissipates. I don’t understand why God hasn’t healed her completely, but she keeps coming to Him, and asks for prayer. These people are my heroes. Many of them face such adversity, and yet they continue on. Their God carries them.

It was a special day today. There were salvations and baptisms. People that had never come to church before but got on the church bus, chose to follow Jesus. And are keen to begin doing Bible Studies. Tears were flowing. Hearts were changing. The Holy Spirit was so strong I could hardly stand whilst I was praying for people. Exciting times. All I can say, is I feel blessed to be a part of God at work and say “more Lord, More!!”

In pursuit of a Saviour

I watch people. Always have. Enjoy it immensely. My husband will always give me the most open seat in a restaurant or wherever we are, because he is aware of my love for people-watching. I love their interactions, their facial expressions when no-one is watching (or so they think), I love trying to guess who they are and what their history is.
I suppose my love for people watching got watered when I was training to be an actor. It was a requirement that we studied people. We were even graded on how we could mimic a person we had watched, and be able to put over not just the right walking position, but their ‘aura’, mood, facial expressions, gestures. Everything.
One thing that I notice the most in people is their constant pursuit for a saviour. Whether it is through beauty, money, career, relationships, religion, music, sport etc people are always on the whole, in pursuit of something that will take them to a place better than they are at that moment. In the end, most of it seems futile. Though I have met a few people that seem comfortable in their own skin. And a couple of people who seem to have ended the pursuit and just are.

They are the ones that rather than being in pursuit of a saviour (whatever their fetish of whoever or whatever), instead were keenly aware of the Saviour in pursuit of them.

These people, were like a young person in love. Except without the insecurity. They are like an Olympian who has won gold.

That Saviour has pursued me, and won. He has wooed me and called me in to drink of his Living Water, He refreshes my soul, He quenches my thirst and my longings. He makes me all I was created to be, and yet loves me when I don’t quite make the cut. He loves me, He loves me, He loves me.

He pursues everyone of us, and is extremely fond of all His creation, but He is a fiercely jealous lover/Saviour. He will not share us with anybody or anything. He wants us completely. And in that He asks us to lay down our own wants and desires, which goes against everything this independent woman has stood for, but I can’t help myself. His love is overwhelming, it pursues me with such passion that I am hopeless to resist and gladly allow my Pursuer to not only pursue but take over me. Consume me. Transform me.

He calls you in too. He woos you. He desires you. His name is Jesus, and He calls you by Name to come and dance with Him. To enter into the most fulfilling love story that has ever been told. The choice, my friend, is up to you.

Tribute to Marlene

Marlene and her niece Marlene

Marlene ready for her birthday trip to the Pizza house

A few weeks back a lady shared with me a vision she had. I knew then, that her time was short here on earth, but that she was going to a far better place… A few of you might have read a part of this on Facebook, but let me recap:

Was just talking with a lady this evening who was on her death bed and she said she saw a large angel standing in the doorway and she was picked up by a man she recognised as Jesus. She was taken during this vision, to ICU where she saw her body lying on the bed. All around her were people singing praises. Next thing she knew she was back in her body and looking up at the doctor and nurse and said she wanted to go back to her home. She said ‘you know my heart’s no good, my kidney they no good either, and my leg and my arm, but one day it’ll be alright. I love Him, that Jesus and he love me proper good one’. I don’t think it’s long til she goes for good to see her Friend Jesus and be reunited with loved ones, I see no more fear in her… though, she could suprise us and live another 10 years… just nice Jesus gave her that glimpse of no more pain, and no more sorrow.

On the 25th December, Christmas Day, she had her last day on this earth. She had a lovely day. She was surrounded by family, her absolute delight. She had children around her (she called the sound of children ‘music’:-) ) then in the afternoon she asked to be wheeled down into the Todd River bed (dry of course) and she had a massive heart attack and passed away.

I had seen her two days before, and she was the happiest and most peaceful I had seen her in a while. She was busy practising a song to sing at church. Well she can sing it with an awful big choir now!

Marlene made a huge impact on our family’s life. She was the one that gave my youngest boy the name Maku which means white edible grub(witchetty grub)- because of his pale skin. She loved him and he adored her. He would pray for her every night “please heal Marlene’s leg”. One day when she was in hospital our second boy went in to visit her and taught her how to play the card game ‘fish’, she loved it. I think she wouldn’t have cared what he taught her, just that he was showing her special attention and laughing with her.

We took her out on her birthday and went to a restaurant and had pizza. She was so delighted. She thought everyone had forgotten her birthday.

Another family and ours went to the hostel where she spent her last days and sung Christmas Carols with her and her mother. I felt like it was one of the most important “concerts” we have ever been a part of, even if it was our smallest audience. I felt the presence of God around and renewed my sense, that this is what it’s all about- the ones, not the crowds.

She always said that my mum and I were like beautiful roses, always make her heart feel joy.

She was firey as anything and sometimes when I would come to visit it would take a while for her to calm down, but as I listened she would quieten, and then when she was finished she would ask me to put some worship music on for her. A highlight for her was when some of the Stirling team came up to meet her and sung acapella for her when she was in hospital, she sung in return to them in language.

I loved Marlene. She was a treasured friend, and she called us her family. “You mob are my family now”. I will miss her greatly, but as Zion said when we told him, “well now she will have both her legs and she will be able to run”!

Marlene loved Jesus. She had pictures up of Him all over her place, and now she gets to be with Him, all day, everyday.

Marlene knew at least five languages, had spent some of her life in Haas Bluff, Ntaria, Papunya and Alice Springs as well as other places. She had many brothers and sisters but a few of them she hasn’t seen since they were taken away when she was young she’d say “you know, they were the light skin ones hey”. Her first husband passed away in Hermansburg and then she lived in Papunya. She loved shopping and was hoping we were going to take a trip to Adelaide to shop my sort of lady! She loved to be outside, and loved music. She would sing up the front at church sometimes.

Tonight was her memorial service. We sung At Home with Thee in Pitjantjara and Ngaanytjara. It was so moving.

She will be missed. Please pray for her niece who was her carer as she is taking it quite hard. She has cared for her for a long time, was brought up by her and is her namesake.

It’s been a while

Just reading a friend’s blog and am finally inspired to write again. If only so one day I might look back and remember where I was, and where I was hoping to go.

It has been 11 months since we moved here with our 3 little boys and embarked on the journey of our lives. This has been a settling, stretching year in our lives, but not one that has felt too hard to adjust to. It is like we were made to be here. It is like all the other things in our lives were equipping us for this moment (as I am sure we will feel about this time in our future endeavours).
It is true that He equips those He calls… The lives we have seen changed by the power of prayer has been beautiful. We are looking forward to God outpouring more in signs and wonders as the church of Alice Springs rises up.

This town is often put on the map for all the wrong reasons, but I believe that we will see the day when the media will be piling in to get the scoop on what God is doing in this town. What does it say? Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more!!

Every time I see the Todd River flowing (which has only been twice this year, it is often a dry river bed) I get excited in my spirit. I see that God wants to flow in this town just like that river, but as a constant flow, not  a now-and-again happening but a well-spring of life, bringing joy, freedom and healing.

You know life here seems pretty normal to us with it’s going on, but Ben’s younger brother and wife arrived recently and they looked a little wide-eyed and culture shocked and I realised that what has become the norm for us (the interesting visits at the gate for one thing) is not everyday experiences in most peoples’ lives.

We have had an interesting couple of months, both Ben and I have been in hospital (Ben with appendicitis and me collapsing and getting my first ride in an ambulance). There has been some interesting people coming in trying to upset what God is doing here in Alice, but our God is faithful and His presence is very real in our lives. The exciting thing for me is that God is speaking to our children and they are feeling/ seeing Him at work in their lives, not just hearing it from us.

Ben has started working a couple of days on The Ghan (Train) as his study is coming to an end. The boys are still homeschooling and playing soccer. Zion had his first game, which was very exciting for him. We have had 3 venues for church this year, which has happened surprisingly smoothly, but are now in a school hall where we have a chance to continue to grow and see God outwork in our community.

Looking forward to seeing exciting things in the year to come, and can’t wait to share with you what is unfolding here.

Maggie, Janie, Nola and Narelle

Faith like a child

My eldest fell sick. He had a horrible rash a headache and bad stomach cramps all of a sudden. He couldn’t get up from bed or it got worse. Zion came up and put his hand on him and started to pray. Ben didn’t know this and was talking to Josiah, so Zion said “would you be quiet and close your eyes, I am praying for Elijah” and then he continued. The prayer went something like this… “God can you heal Elijah so he can get up and play with me and so he doesn’t feel sick in his tummy or his head anymore, thank you Jesus Amen”. Well within five minutes Elijah were up, temperature gone, headache gone, and stomach ache gone, and he wanted breakfast. I can hear him singing and playing in the background now as I write!

Zion is often praying. He is quick to lay hands on people he meets if he sees they are hurt or sick and he always expects God will come through for them. My little 4 year old is a reminder to me of coming to God as a little child. Not with eloquent words, but words from the heart that in turn touch His heart. Our God loves us all, but I think He has a soft spot for little ones…

 

Stirling Mob

We have just said good-bye to another team. They are on the long road back to Adelaide (1500km +) as I write.

A couple of moments stood out to me through the week that I would like to share with you. One, was their willingness to have a go. The team was made up of 6 teenage girls and 4 adults. The teenage girls were quite tentative, but as Steve (one of the leaders on the team) aptly said, once they were told they could do it they were willing to give anything a try even if it was out of their comfort zones.

Another moment that stood out was last night.

We went for a BBQ down at Telegraph Station, a lovely spot where kids can run and explore and older people can mingle and enjoy the nature. It was so beautiful to see these young, tired, peopled-out girls serve again. Especially a couple of them who were more than happy to help the older ladies who had their walkers and could only move really slowly.

I loved the BBQ also because I saw it as a true picture of the heart of our church- as ‘a church for all people’.  There were young and old, indigenous and white fella and all enjoying and mingling with one another. Yes, we have indigneous in our church, but they are not our church. Yes we have white fellas in our church, but they are not our church… we have the very young, and the not so young, the well-educated and those who have never been to school.

It is when all of these people come together, that is our church.  It makes my heart happy. I love it. It is full of people from every walk of life. A smorgasbord of people, loving God and loving each other.

We loved watching the adults work with the team. They were caring, supportive, corrective and believed in their young people. They were not domineering but not afraid to guide. A pleasure to watch.

I would like to thank the team for giving their time and finance to come on this adventure. Some of them were so homesick, but they still gave of themselves. I pray that this is an enriching experience and one that stays with them and reminds them that no matter where we come from or what has happened in our lives that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has a plan, and he wants to outwork that plan through us, we need only be willing.

Sorry the pics aren’t clear, will try to upgrade later….

relief

The following is the lyrics of a song I penned whilst sitting at the edge of  Todd Mall. Every now and then I get this sense that the Holy Spirit wants to share with me something and I’m going to need to write it down. I had been asking God to show me what is going on with the people I had been seeing and watching (I am a people watcher, it is a hobby of mine, I love it. It was honed when I was at acting school). This song is not my feelings, but the sense I got from the people I saw that day as I sat at the edge of the mall. Maybe one day you will hear the tune, and maybe not. An extremely rough version is recorded on my phone so I don’t forget it. I don’t often share my lyrics, but after some events today that I am not at liberty to share, I found them relevant.

Want some relief

But don’t expect me to change

Want some water for my thirst

But not enough to quench it

Can’t resolve to take the leap

that would place me in the River

In that healing place

Would rather drown in my sorrows

Get lost in my pain.

 

Find myself all alone

In a place full of people

In a sea full of faces

Wont take the leap to that flowing water ….

 

It’s just the way it’s always been

It’s just the way I’ve always done

Life

trying to find it

trying to hide from it

trying to

breathe

want to start living

want to start believing

but do I dare to take

a chance

What if I fall

completely down

Who’s going to catch me

if I fall

completely down

I am interested to see how God through His Holy Spirit woos these people. How many times have I been scared to trust or hope because at least I know the pain. When we used to work at Teen Challenge we saw many people who just wanted relief. It is quite often the same here.

 But GOd wants to do more than that. He wants to change us from the inside out and heal the pain and get rid of our excess baggage. He wants us to LIVE not just exist. Jesus came so we can have life to the full.

Her story

Met a lady yesterday who had to tell me her story. She couldn’t help it. I was sitting in the bus waiting for some young fellas I pick up for our youth bible study. People know our buses. They’re not very ‘cool’ looking, but they get people’s attention. She decided I would want to hear her story. She was walking past and waved and smiled. Then stopped and then came over to the bus and shook my hand. And then she began.

The best thing about her story was that most of it was in Luritja. Which I don’t understand. There were some English words thrown in, that helped. But what I needed to understand, I did. She made sure of it. She would repeat it unless I said to her what she had said to me.

She had been walking through a carpark near some shops and had been hit by a car. She had been taken to the hospital, where they said her leg was badly damaged and that she would be a cripple, BUT their Pastor had come and prayed for her. She had a vision of Jesus. She was healed. She wanted me to know. Jesus healed her. She prayed. Her family prayed. Her pastor prayed. HE listened.

When she said the name JESUS her eyes were shining and she was telling me about the God who is near. She has met him.

God is at work today. He loves us. He desires to meet us where we are at. Some of us think that he saves those special healings for overseas missions, but I see God at work very much in the town of Alice and its surrounds. In the short 9 months that we have been here we have seen God touch hearts, heal bodies and calm minds. He is wanting to do it wherever we’re at.

The lady was so excited she had to share her story. I want to be so excited I just have to share my story. It says in the Bible that we should always have an answer for when people ask us of the hope we have in us. In the good times and the bad. In the miraculous and in the dark hours, we have good news, and people need to hear about it.