Camp Koojarewon

Global Mission Partners News

Mission Possible – Vanuatu 2012

It was with a mixture of excitement and eager anticipation, combined with uncertainty and just a few tears, that six members of Withcott Church of Christ (WCOC) waved family goodbye at Brisbane International Airport on 21 September for “Mission Possible Vanuatu 2012”. It was to be a 14 day ‘working holiday’ to Central Pentecost, Vanuatu, following on from last year’s visit to the same place, Torlie Central School and Wujenmel Church of Christ fellowship, in the highlands of the Isle of Pentecost. What an adventure we six travellers were in for!

Having two members who already ‘knew the ropes’ was a definite advantage. Vicki Marney had visited Torlie last year and this year accepted the role (challenge!) of being our very capable leader. For Ray Greenwood this return visit was something he knew would occur as soon as he met the people of Central Pentecost in 2011. The other four members of the team were Giff Smith (Withcott COC minister), Tammy Forbes, Stacey Tattersall and Sandy Feldman, each with their own stories of how God had led them to ‘step out of the boat like Peter’ and go where He was leading them, even if it was to be in deep water.

Well, not too sure about deep water (although we did snorkel with the tropical fish at Champagne Beach on Santo) but into deep forest vegetation and unbelievably steep and rutted ‘roads’ we did go! News of our arrival spread quickly with all the school children racing to meet our ute (rather full with nine adults and a mountain of luggage – something one wouldn’t see on the roads in Withcott or Toowoomba!) This welcome set the scene for ten days of wonderful Christian fellowship, sharing and learning, laughing and crying, visiting and being visited.

This community of happy people could not have looked after us any better. God’s love was evident in all of them. From a purely materialist perspective, they don’t have a lot. Their homes are often dirt floors with a thatched roof, no electricity, no in-hut running water, and home grown food. But what they had they generously offered to us and we were very humbled and grateful to accept their blessings.

 One of the many ‘God moments’  (as we termed them) was opening the 33 boxes shipped to Pentecost (many, many thanks to Allen Miller in Brisbane for his assistance – “May God truly bless you for your help”)  all of which arrived undamaged (a miracle!) full of school books, tools, medical supplies, Bibles and clothes. Being able to assist children and adults to have a Bible as well as accessing better education opportunities and improved health care was part of the project WCOC set themselves for this 2012 mission. To date, almost $10,000 has been donated for particular projects as determined by the newly established Partnership Agreement between our two communities. To see what God lays on our hearts for future projects will be exciting.

Whilst visiting Torlie school, the ablutions block (three cold showers and two tubs) was officially opened with grand ‘pomp and ceremony’. We are praying that the construction of this building (and a similar one not yet completed) will provide better health and living conditions at the school and may be a catalyst for higher year levels to be re-established at Torlie school, all of which we in Australia take for granted.

So many more stories to tell and so little space in which to describe them. For me it was a maelstrom of experiences – I was happy and sad, humbled and uplifted, confronted and encouraged. God blessed all of us through this journey and taught each one of our team many things about our relationship with Him and His people in another country. An appropriate way to conclude this article is with the words of a song we heard so often, sung by the children loudly and enthusiastically. Simply put, it reminds us of who God is and how much He loves us all, no matter where we live in this world.

Thank you for your love so full and free

Thank you for your mercy Lord.

For your love is so great to me Lord

Higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans

What could I do without you Lord?”

There will be a team returning to Pentecost in 2013 I’m sure. I wonder though if there are other Church of Christ fellowships who might like to establish their own Partnership Agreements with other brothers and sisters in Christ in another part of God’s world. Listen carefully; perhaps God’s calling you to ‘step out of your boat’ too......

Sandy Feldman

Prayerful Reflections ...

...provides an opportunity to step into the gospel stories and encounter Jesus and the people He converses with.  Here we make a space within ourselves to notice our own reaction to the story being shared.  How are you responding?  What emotions are stirred and what might God be asking you to address in the context of your own life as a result of immersing yourself in this dialogue with Jesus?

Jesus Forgives an Adulterous Woman … John 8:1-11

The Pharisees gripped the woman firmly and violently thrust her towards the man they called Jesus.  The crowd around the teacher withdrew in surprise as the adulteress was forced to the ground.  She winced in pain.  On bended knees and acutely aware that she was only scantily clad, she hung her head in shame, dreading the outcome of this scandal. 

‘Jesus,’ they gloated, ‘we caught this woman in the act of adultery.  The Law of Moses commands us to stone such a woman for her foul behaviour.  What do you say?’ A growling hunger to trap Jesus in his own words and bring him to trial lay at the heart of their interrogation. 

Yet Jesus knew their hearts and could not be tricked by their deceitful intent.  He lowered his eyes to the ground, knelt down and began to draw in the dirt.  Yet they continued to barrage him with questions and the tension rose in their voices.  The crowd grew anxious to hear the outcome of this woman’s plight. 

In his time, Jesus rose in stature and with the voice of one in authority and control spoke.

‘If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’

Shocked, they fell back with deep conviction.  Who amongst them was without sin?  The young men looked smugly at Jesus, but now as the older ones of the group stepped aside and retreated with shame and remorse burning in their hearts, the youngest members of the Pharisee sect also walked silently outside the temple court.  They had no answer to give the man who had again outwitted them with his honesty and simple, but confounding answers.

Jesus drew his attention from the defeated Pharisees to the beautiful woman broken in spirit and weeping softly before him.

 Jesus’ heart overflowed with love, with compassion and with mercy.  She was shaking and he lifted her face to his.  His eyes caught hers and she felt his forgiveness flow through her.  And then he spoke with deep emotion and his words were drenched in kindness.

‘Woman,’ he said gently, ‘where are they? Has no one condemned you?’

‘No one sir,’ she replied.

‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared.  ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’

In this brief encounter with her Saviour, she was forever changed.  Here was the only man who had given her dignity, who had made her feel special, made her feel loved, made her feel clean. He had filled her emptiness, satisfied her longings and in a moment had made her whole.

She would gladly leave her sinful life of shame, and live instead to follow the teachings of the only man who could give her what she had been searching for all along – unconditional love. 

Who did you imagine yourself to be in this story?

How did Jesus appear to you in this story?

What particular attributes of Jesus’s character have you been reminded of at this time?

What might God be inviting you to embrace or let go of?

Jennifer Woodley

Our God is an awesome God

It is so amazing and awesome when we think of how God goes before us in so many ways and in many places.

Sometimes we are not aware of just how much He looks out for us and provides and protects us, until after the fact.

I get excited when I go to shop and being aware of the funds, I am often overcome when all the things that I need are at a special price. When I am spending donated money for the farm families, I am very conscious of this. There are many instances in our every-day lives where God has gone before us. Folk often say ‘take time to smell the roses’, which is good, but I am sure if we took time to realise just how much our heavenly Father is reaching out and putting little special touches right under our noses, we would have a lot to thank Him for every day. I have seen Him at work at a service station, beside a highway, in a department store, on properties.

Let us not think that these things are luck or coincidence when they are really our Father caring for His children. He knows our needs before we do.

In everything give

thanks

Priscilla

Georgianna’s Story

Hi my name is Georgianna Manthey. I am 20 years old. I am a small town girl who was brought up in a very large family (1 of 7 children). I am very people orientated and have always dreamed of working with less advantaged people in Africa. Though I am only young I have accomplished many things that my heart has been set on including completing my Certificate III in Community Services and even following my dream of working with babies in Africa.

In early 2011, I lived in Uganda, East Africa. For three months I worked six days a week at Baby Watoto (a childcare ministry that caters to babies under the age of two, who have been abandoned, beaten, sick and sometimes dying) in the capital city, Kampala. 

My daily tasks included taking very sick babies to the hospital and also the usual feeding (sometimes through tubes for sick children), bathing, dressing, changing and above all giving love, cuddles and kisses that’s the best medicine.

I went through many challenges on my journey such as political

unrest during an election, riots, bomb threats and sadly even the death of a little boy whom I loved dearly. 

For many people, this may be very off putting, and they may never return. However, since I have returned to Australia, my heart has been stirred and my passion for this ministry has only increased.  I left part of my heart in Uganda and I long to return to continue loving these children and helping them find hope in what appears to be a hopeless world.

As soon as I arrived in Uganda I felt at home. I found something I was good at and a place where I was needed. My heart’s desire is to return to Uganda by the end of this year to live and work for two years.

My cost of living in Uganda is approximately $13,000 AUD per year, equalling approximately $250 a week. This covers safe accommodation (ie. with guards) food, transport, any medical issues that arise, and also a fulfilled dream of a young Australian girl wanting to make a difference. 

Georgianna and Cooper

In order for me to follow my dream I need help. I am requesting sponsorship for the duration of my stay in Uganda and I would love for you to be involved. Mathematics say that if I have 10 people to sponsor me at $25 a week or 25 people sponsoring me at $10 a week (though every little bit helps) this will be what I need to step forth in faith and fulfil God‘s purpose in my life.

I am not necessarily looking for people who have money to spare, but people who want to be involved in missions but could never see themselves in my shoes. Or people who have always wanted to take that trip to Africa but life’s directions have changed over the years. I am ready to serve in a country that I love and am really excited about the future, not only for myself but especially for the babies and children who benefit from the work I will be doing.

I am working 3 jobs in my best efforts to raise funds, but I can’t do it by myself.

If you would like to support me in bringing love and hope to these special babies please complete the sponsorship pledge below. You can find more about Baby Watoto at http://www.watoto.com/babywatoto or by contacting me on gmant2@hotmail.com

Sam

If you feel that having me speak to you and your friends in person would be beneficial, I am available to travel and share my experiences and vision with you.

For the children,

Georgianna Manthey

I first met Georgianna when I was planning our Shine Conference this year in Gympie. I was seeking someone to share their testimony and along came Georgianna, who was introduced to me by one of our Shine team members. Georgianna shared her story which touched us all at Shine. Since then I have been bombarding her to give me something for conXion I hope Georgianna’s story has touched each of you as it did at Shine, she is a young girl who is not only following her own dream but God’s.

Andi