Vietnam reflections

My first impressions when arriving in Vietnam were of heat, humidity, and the chaos and noise of motorbikes everywhere!

However visiting “Bright Solutions” was like stepping into an oasis of peace. It was not simply the absence of horns, engines and moving chaos; it was being somewhere where women were happy to work, and where the peace of God seemed to rest. We had the opportunity to watch the work and to interview the women. It was lovely to hear:

“I love the company because it creates jobs for the poor”

“It helps me in learning new skills”
”What we learn is very inspiring”

  We also had the opportunity to meet with John and Lan Dean. They have been involved with building adequate housing for a formerly nomadic people group who have been ordered to settle in an area. They have been involved in drilling over 60 wells for safe water supply, and have set up toilets and water supplies for schools that have lacked both. They are beginning a project that will involve training 500 women in rubber tapping and 200 in rearing chickens, as well as with further building and sanitation work. We were able to hear Lan’s story of coming to faith, and were inspired by the peace and joy on her face as she shared about the Lord’s work in her life.

  

Finally, we were also able to share with Pastor T about her work with the church in Vietnam. Despite the many difficulties she has faced in life and ministry, her face was all lit up with the joy and the love of the Lord as she shared her life story. (I have not included her photo for security reasons)

 

 The impressions I take away from Vietnam are of faces: Fiona Brier’s animation as she shares each morning, the women working together at “Bright Solutions”, John and Lan Dean sharing their stories, the evident presence of God shining through the face of Pastor T. I feel I have been blessed beyond measure to meet these amazing people, and that God has sown something precious in my heart as a result. I would certainly encourage others considering visiting Vietnam to contact the GMP office, and find out whether they might be able to make some personal connections with Churches of Christ representatives in Vietnam. I am reminded of Paul’s heart as he wrote to the church in Rome: (Romans 1: 11 – 12 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.) I have certainly been deeply encouraged by the faith of these Christian leaders in Vietnam.

Janet Woodlock 

I work for Churches of Christ Vic/Tas in women's ministry and leadership coaching. I blog (occasionally!) at http://secret-womens-space.blogspot.com/ have two silly fluffy little dogs, two adorable boys and (mercifully) only one adorable husband.

PATTERNS… IN HIS PATTERN

Humility… Thinking of patterns and humility I thought of Jesus and his humility in his pattern of life all those years ago…

My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me…

John 7: 16

Jesus didn’t seek glory for himself, and he didn’t teach his own ideas, Jesus did only what the Father commanded as he sought to bring glory to God.  He followed God’s pattern for His life as short as it was.

In His teachings He taught how to live a humble life. As creatures created by God we should strive to glorify God and praise him in our everyday pattern of life.  As we continue along life’s journey we may as individuals see or experience different creations but there are none greater than God’s creations…

  

Reflecting on this and thinking of other patterns and the gift of creativity I thought of my eldest daughter who is a beautiful knitter. Living outside Wollongong in NSW where it is very cold, up in the mountains she spends a great deal of her time knitting sometimes working from a pattern but most times making up her own. She has made me very eye catching garments and even a knitted bedspread!! And each time I wear these pieces so many people stop and ask me about them… “What beautiful patterns, so much work and colouring.”

  

The finished product has done nothing worthy of praise it is simply one of my daughters creations. Each time I wear these garments that are admired I give thanks to God for the gift of creativity that He has bestowed on her, and so it is with us, in the pattern of life, God created us… He made each of us differently. Any praise we receive should go to Him.

Humility is for us to acknowledge that anything good comes from God.

For me, I have learnt to have more humility this year than last year; I have learnt to have more patience in the dark and trying times.

In the New Testament ‘humility’ is shown to be personal dependence on God and respect for other people.

We need to show humility, as we interact with people who may come into our lives as we travel through the pattern of our lives.

Elaine Hales

Walking with Farmers - Emotions

  Keep Your girth straps tight

They were mustering cattle on the property near the highway when the accident happened. They were near the end of a long hard morning and just doing the last few. The girth strap was loose on the saddle and needed another hole to be able to tighten it up on this horse, as it wasn’t the usual saddle. Dad was going to go back to the shed and get what was needed but decided to leave it and finish the job. He was heading a few weaners (young cattle taken off mothers when they are old enough) when a loud noise from a semi spooked them and as the horse turned to stop them the girth strap slipped and dumped Dad on to a piece of log, on his lower back which resulted in (4) fractured vertebrae and (2) bulged discs. The result is extreme pain for a long time and no work. It also requires heaps of patience. The treatment is medication and time. This also means he will be limited for the rest of his life. He made a decision to risk the strap and get home for lunch. Lunch didn’t happen that day for Dad.

As I was thinking about this, I thought of putting on the ‘whole armour of God’ and to guard yourselves against the enemy  -  satan. We need to have ourselves prepared at all times for whatever may occur (as much as we are able) and follow God’s instructions in His word  -  the bible says keep our girth straps tight and in place so we don’t fall into temptation and take the easy way out, which can result in us being hurt both physically and spiritually. By reading your Bible and daily readings / devotions we will be able to learn how to equip ourselves for our daily walk.

‘I am very very careful never to compromise with the people around me and I do not follow their evil ways.’

Exodus 34:12 (TLB)

Thought: Shortcuts in the Christian life don’t pay

Wishing you all abundant blessings!

Priscilla Gaston

“Love Unfailing Women’s Conference”

Bundaberg Church of Christ

 “Love Unfailing Women’s Conference”

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25

Sam was invited to attend Twyford Street Church of Christ’s Women’s Conference and rocked up along with 125 other ladies from 6 denominations and from towns from Caboolture to Rockhampton. She attends Coral Coast Baptist Church and had this to share about our special day…

“The whole day was filled with a real sense of God’s presence and I believe this was evident not only in the speakers but also in the worship and even over that delicious piece of cake at morning tea.  It was amazing for me to be in a place where there didn’t seem to be any judgement or criticism going on, but instead just a real sense of acceptance of all those women who walked through the door – regardless of where they came from.  I didn’t feel overwhelmed or “lost” like I quite often do when I’m out of my comfort zone, but I felt a real sense of peace and acceptance.  This was evidenced as soon as I sat down actually.  A lovely lady (Mrs Howard) came up to me and even though I’d never met her before, she wrapped me up in a huge hug like a grandma would give her granddaughter.  It was real, and I felt this overwhelming love just pouring out of her.  God’s love.  And wasn’t that what the entire day was about?  Unfailing Love.

Krysalus

The worship team “Krysalus” was outstanding!  Renee, Carolyn and Ludeen did such a good job and amazingly enough, some of the songs they led us in were songs that I had been specifically asking God for that week.  God is so good!   Every bit of their time with us was so wonderful.  It’s so good worshiping our Creator when you have such amazing women leading the way. 

Pam Hine was so real, it made it a pleasure to sit and listen to what she had to say.  Her offering of a flower to each of us representative of God’s love was so powerful and beautiful.  Her explanation of how we are God’s beloved was something that I haven’t heard a great deal about but it makes absolute sense.  Looking around the room while she was speaking, everyone was captivated.  I could see that God really used her to penetrate deep into people’s hearts.

 Donna was also great to listen to.  Here is a woman who is not afraid to reveal her true self to anyone.  It’s because of this that God uses her so amazingly. I really believe that because she has no walls up - no “pretend” Donna - that God’s love is able to just pour through her and out to everyone who has the privilege of knowing and hearing her speak.  Her love of God is evident in all that she says and does.

Having Claire Hazzard and Rebecca Devlin come to sing for us was a bonus!!  These are 2 really beautiful women who God is also using to speak out to the world in a way that we can all relate to.

The fact that we had more than we could eat the entire day (I’m sure I put on at least 5kg’s!!!) on top of all of this amazing music, fellowship, worship and teaching was just the cherry on the top.  It was great to see an entire church family getting behind such an amazing opportunity to reach out to the community to show God’s love.  The people (men included!!) who waited on us did such an awesome job and it was an absolute blessing to not have to worry about a single thing for the whole day. The food (breakfast, lunch & dinner!) was incredible and I know everyone was so thankful to have been blessed in such an amazing way.

We all left with a renewed sense of God’s love in our lives and will definitely be there again next year with a bunch more people that didn’t know about it this year but are DYING to come next year.  I think Twyford St Church of Christ might have started something huge!!!  So thank you Church of Christ for being sensitive to “hearing” the voice of God and for “doing” what He has called your church to do.”

Sam Thun

Sam is a volunteer chaplain at Bundaberg Christian College and has a heart to reach young people who have lost their way. She has a great husband and two beautiful boys and loves to see God working in peoples lives. You can read more from Sam at www.samanthathun.blogspot.com.au

Evelyn’s Update from Centrifuge

I have just attended the second Centrifuge Gathering and once again was so encouraged to hear what is happening in our State through the men and women within the Churches of Christ. It is such a great way of sharing in an informal way. The two guest speakers were Hazel Lauridsen from Mount Isa sharing how with her simple drawings she is able to share God’s word to the Aboriginal people. Jeff Lawrence the other speaker from Brisbane North Church of Christ shared his articulate way of narrating the Bible Stories. Congratulations to the team of ladies from Redlands Church of Christ for the wonderful job of catering the many delicious meals we enjoyed on the day.

I also want to commend Stella Williams for her tenacity in making over 30 knee rugs since the floods last year, that have gone to people in western Queensland.

Thank you also to all the people who have been saving used stamps for Missions they are becoming scarcer these days but please they are still needed for the support of missions.(More on the history of the used stamps in next months conXion) AICF are always grateful for any used clothing, curtains etc so please take the time to collect from your church to help this vital ministry.

Hazel Lauridsen told us there is a Revival happening in the west. She has sold 200 bibles since Easter. These bibles are simple enough for the Aboriginal people to read , have been ordered from America. Please keep praying for the Aboriginal people to grow in their faith.