Australia: NAIDOC is Here!

What's that, you say? You don't know about NAIDOC? Well, you should! NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration, and is celebrated throughout Australia this week. Our team spent the better part of the day at a festival of sorts at a park near the Central Business District (CBD) and we were overwhelmed with blessings, fun, joy, and opportunities to both learn more about the indigenous situation and share our own faith and mission here.

The celebration was a positive outlook toward the future of the indigenous population in this country. People connected with each other as they came from throughout the area for the festivities. There were booths that sold arts, handcrafts, clothing, and all things aboriginal; booths that showed the services and opportunities being offered to the indigenous communities; and booths that sold great-tasting foods of all kinds. There were cultural dances, singing and bands that played throughout the day. There were old friends who resumed long-standing friendships as they met once again.

We not only purchased enough to assist the local economy for many months, but we struck up conversations with vendors and passersby alike, conversations that allowed us to share our reason for being here at this time. And people could not have been kinder or more open as we shared. It was almost as if they were as moved by our presence as we were by theirs. NAIDOC was an unparalleled experience that gives hope for the possibilities for this small but significant part of Australia. And we (and now you) know what it means to people here.