(Soundtrack for this post are the wonderful The Audrey’s — Between Last Night and Us)
Been a while since I truely wrote a post or updated on what has been happening, and so much has happened. If you want to skip to my prayer points, please scroll down.
Firstly, I want to thank all of you that prayed for myself and my family last year while I sought support as I underwent training to get my Diploma of Welfare Work/Mt. Lousia Counselling. The wonderful news is that I graduated and have the Diploma! It was a bitterswet moment but I al thankfull that I studied the course and have a much better understanding of the Social Welfare system and of course the additional skills of counselling and dealing with the Australian Social Welfare system.
Secondly, thankyou again for the prayers for my health. As many of the readers may be aware — I had a serious inflammation issue that they (the Doctor’s) could not resolve. Saw a Specialist Doctor in November, just as the inflammation had almost disappeared. He believed it was either a viral attack or a case of Psoriatic Arthritis. So far the swelling has gone completely, as has the pain and other issues. I have given so much blood and in fact have one more blood test to do that requires “fresh” blood taken within the hour. I am seeing the Specialist at the end of February but from all that has occurred I believe it was a virus! But I want to say thank you to God and for all the prayers — it was a very trying and harrowing time — one in which I do not want to repeat!
Finally, some updates on what is going on so far this year — 2009!
- I watched the abbreviated version of the inauguration of Barrack Obama today — I believe that it is a step in the right direction for USAmerica but believe that there may be too much hope and reliance on Obama to “save” USAmerica and the World. But, it definately is fantastic that an African American is now the President of USAmerica. Enough said for the moment on that!
- Armed with my Diploma — I am trying to delicately balance the need for income and serving God at The Dining Room & Vive Cafe where I have been asked to become the Community Development Worker for the organisation. Problem is, I have to write the job description and we have to look for the money! I had a wonderful couple of hours with Dave Zovak last week who lead me through some thinking about the options for the year ahead. Was very helpful but also raised as many questions as it did solve them! So, at this stage I seeking a part-time job in the welfare sector, while writing the Job Description and discussing the funding, while trying to survive on the smell of an oily rag until I can get Unemployment Benefis. I would rather not get them but work! So, again, prayers please! I beleive that I am called to serve this neighbourhood as a evangelist and pastor but believe that it also means serving for the poor and fighting for the social injustice that pervades our society.
- Andre Van Eymeren, from Big House Communities in Dandenong recently asked me to teach a class “Hearing the Voice of Culture” for the training that Big House is leading a couple of interns through. We had an Orientation Day on Monday of this week — it was a fun occasion to meet and hang with the students and other teachers. I love the Big House guys and gals and believe that they are making in-roads into Dandenong and Pakenham for Jesus amoungst the poor, alongside groups like UNOH. The course starts in-earnest in a couple of weeks, each Monday afternoon in Dandenong and we will be watching films and studying newspapers and TV so it should be great fun as well as benefical to the interns.
- In conjunction with the teaching, I am planning on getting my Cert IV Assessment & Training sometime this year — probably through ACOM, but not sure. I figure it will be a course that will become benifical in years to come. When I get it I will strive to upgrade to the Diploma level sometime later.
- This weekend I am going to the 2009 AAANZ Conference COMMUNITIES of the KINGDOM New Monasticism and Anabaptism just 5 minutes away in Mount Evelyn. It should be a great weekend with some fantastic folk passionate for Jesus and the Kingdom here. Some of the speakers include Gordon Preece — Urban Seed, Brother Graeme — Community of the Transfiguration, Paul Wallis — Jesus Generation, Jim Reiher — UNOH, and the Peace Tree Community. I am very interested in aspects of New Monasticisim appreciating things such as 24/7 Prayer and Boiler Room movement etc. I would love to be part of a community as such in this area, and hope to learn and connect with others this weekend who share similar interests. In addition, it will be a great time to explore Anabaptism with the crew. I am not so hot on labels such as Denominational labels but love the principals and beliefs, standards end actions that the present day Anabaptists have. I plan on taking my laptop and hope to post some more while I am there as well as take some pics and share about the conference.
Finally, I plan on becoming more pro-active with my blog as well as what i do this year and seek your prayers for these points;
- The Guests at both The Dining Room and Vive Cafe — Lord, you know them, and their issues and problems. Comfort them and provide peace to them all. Those whom we serve, we serve in Love and pray that our actions, words and lives reflect that Love not only to our guests but the World.
- The Volunteers and team that support and lead the two meals. They are a great team that struggle to raise support and stir the imagination and hearts of your Church out here in Croydon and surrounds. The team serve in Love and I pray that they continue to remember that Love and why they serve, but I also want to thankyou for their hearts, hands and lives. Grow in them a passion for serving you Lord!
- David Knoop — my mentor and friend who leads the team at The Dining Room. David is struggling with his health and lack of sleep — heal him Lord and provide him peace of mind and your presence in the dark times.
- We serve The King, and know that our King provides for his Kingdom — Lord I ask that you open our eyes, hearts and minds to the Kingdom around us and if our work is serving the Kingdom we know that you will provide the resources for it! I think of my role as a Community Development Worker and our work and ask that you bless these with support and finance, and that in turn they will be a blessing to the community and teh Kingdom!
- My family, as we struggle financially to survive with a rent increase this month and our income hampered by no funding or work. Watch over my wife and kids, and grant me wisdom and vision as well as the opportunities to provide for my growing family. In addition, I ask that in turn I can be an example to my family as I disciple them and guide my kids through their young lives.
- I praise you that we survived last year and that I received my Diploma after the struggles with finances and stress. Thankyou for the prayers and support of our families and others, and for pushing me in those moments when it seemed easier to give up.
- Bless this year and make it one that serves you Lord! Thankyou and continue to help our family practice hospitality and serve our local community and Bimbadeen Heights Primary School! You know our needs, the need for income, the need for support, the need for community with the Church, and I ask that you remember them Lord and be with us!
I know this has been a long post! Thanks for reading and I would appreciate comments or feedback!
God bless you in 2009!
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