As we round the final turn and begin our run toward the finish, our Australia team has been blessed and sometimes overwhelmed with all God has shown us here in Queensland. A good portion of our last two days has been spent with the indigenous (aboriginal) community- observing, interacting with and learning from them as they live out lives straining toward a greater recognition and equality in this setting.
We spent the better part of Friday at NAIDOC(National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) which celebrates the indigenous cultures of the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a festive, carnival-like atmosphere with much joy and thankfulness for the heritages presented. We watched dances, heard singers and speakers, and interacted with organizations and vendors providing social services information for those in attendance.
This afternoon we learned to throw boomerangs (some learned better than others) with Goma Conlon, an indigenous pastor and good friend. He also demonstrated the playing of the didgeridoo (way cool) and talked about what it mans to be a follower of Christ in the aboriginal setting. Following this, we hopped over to the church at which he and another indigenous pastor are working an shared evening service with them. It was a great blessing to gather and worship with them. Josh drummed for their worship team, Don and Alexis shared testimonies and Alexis sang. What a rich history of stories and struggle were present among those members!
I thought you might like to share one more collection of photos of this great team:
Please pray for our last hours here. I'll preach Sunday morning at Ann Street, and Josh will speak for their Youth Church in the evening. We want more chances to share the hope that's within us before we leave these shores. Will you ask God to provide them, and for us to boldly speak of what He's done with our lives and what He wants to do for all who come to Him? Thanks!
We'll see youse soon- good on ya!
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| "Deadly" is a good term here! |
This afternoon we learned to throw boomerangs (some learned better than others) with Goma Conlon, an indigenous pastor and good friend. He also demonstrated the playing of the didgeridoo (way cool) and talked about what it mans to be a follower of Christ in the aboriginal setting. Following this, we hopped over to the church at which he and another indigenous pastor are working an shared evening service with them. It was a great blessing to gather and worship with them. Josh drummed for their worship team, Don and Alexis shared testimonies and Alexis sang. What a rich history of stories and struggle were present among those members!I thought you might like to share one more collection of photos of this great team:
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| NAIDOC festivities in downtown Brisbane |
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| Josh and Luke made a new friend |
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| Papa Fresh in da house! |
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| Time for chocolate fondue at Max Brenners |
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| Don sharing testimony at Saturday night service |
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| Remember these guys?! They were the bomb! |
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| Josh and Alexis with Saturday night worship team |
We'll see youse soon- good on ya!
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