We've had a couple of days with complete agendas- different activities in various locations, but a common thread throughout. Let me share a quick rundown...
Friday's highlights included prayer for the city, as we prayer-walked in the downtown area around Ann St. Church of Christ. We learned about the city's history, along with challenges and opportunities that come with ministering in an urban location. We also attended a Brisbane Broncos rugby match. You need to be at an Australian sporting event to truly understand the passion people have for games here!
Today we drove 22 km. (about 13 mi.) to the suburb of Redcliffe to spend time with a bunch of the Ann St. youth and young adults. We fished (more fishing with little catching!), played touch footy (rugby) and Skittles, a Torres Strait Islander game. Great fun! Our lunch together was good, even with high winds and cold, cold temps.
We returned to Ann St. in the late afternoon to prepare for their monthly Community BBQ. Modeled after our own Community Supper, the BBQ is held on the front steps and sidewalk of the church, and many walking down the street stop for good food and sharing. There were several international students from our previous Wednesday, many homeless and a number of others from various walks of life. We had great conversations at many levels, with chances to share our faith with receptive listeners.
The commonality we sensed throughout our activities is the need of many to connect in significant ways. One of our team admitted an internal desire to complete tasks on trips like this, making sitting and listening to others' stories a tough job. But we all agreed that taking time to share life's journey together may be the most important task God will assign to us. For through these times and experiences He builds into peoples' lives the lessons He wants them to learn. One young man here told me he still has pictures of some of our team from three and four years ago in his room, and they encourage him in his walk. Others are eager to reconnect with those of us who've come before, picking up where we left off last year. Regardless of the particulars, the desire to share life in a significant way makes our time here of great value.
Please pray for us as we drive to Eidsvold (6 hrs. away) tomorrow following church. Pray for continued chances to connect (and reconnect) with many there, encouraging them and sharing the good news of life in Jesus with those who have yet to know it. We'll update you as we're able, connecting with you even as we do with those in our immediate view. Meanwhile, some recent pics...
Brittney, Mary and Daun at the Broncos game; our rugby match in action; Kyle and the guys getting ready for fish; Edgar posing with frozen friends; the team in prayer mode; many gathered for the BBQ; passing out the evening meal for our community.
Location:Brisbane, AU
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