Farewell Events

Only hours to go now before we head to Africa.

While we are away Cheryl departs for six months study in China, so we shared with some of her friends as she updated them on her plans for this time. She plans to study for six months, improving her Mandarin so she can communicate more effectively in a land that she loves.

It was good to share with others who have been part of her journey, and ours as well.



Following the afternoon event we had a meal at one of Cheryl's favourite restaurants - one that makes 'real' Chinese dishes. A good night, a good meal, and good to be with family and a few friends. The 'Black Fungus and egg dish' was great, and the noodles were huge.

As always it was good to spend some time with family - probably the last time we will all be together until sometime in 2010. We are going to miss the 'normal' family interactions for the next few months at least.

Of Grass and Elephants

"When elephants fight, the grass suffers...
when elephants make love, the grass suffers."
Swahili proverb

In preparation for our visit to Africa I have been reading a couple of books about the continent, and some Wilbur Smith novels set in Africa. The above proverb was quoted by Giles Bolton ("Aid and Other Dirty Business" Random House 2008, 212). Giles Bolton worked for the British Department for International Development(DFID) and writes in an interesting and readable manner. He cites the proverb in a chapter on trade. You don't have to be a Rhodes scholar to figure which nations are elephants, and which are grass!

Weekly worship 6

Melbourne 614

After being in Melbourne Central Division for the last six years we finally had the opportunity to attend a worship service at Melbourne 614. Having heard so much about the programs offered at 69 Bourke Street near the heart of Melbourne, it was good be be able to experience worship with the '614 family'.

While environments vary the one constant thus far has been music. A couple of guitar players and a drummer provided the music, which included Jack Hayford's "Majesty", "How great thou art", "How great is our God", "Someone cares", "Worthy is the Lord" and "Shout to the Lord". Beginning with "Majesty" helped set the tone and my thoughts were directed to "Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings." So often we 'cruise' along with the Jesus who walks with us, our friend and companion, but he is also God incarnate, who died because of our sins yet rose again. Jesus is God. In the presence of 'famous people' we may feel overawed (think of fans swooning over movie stars or pop idols) or a little uneasy given their public profile and notoriety - yet we Jesus (who was God "in the flesh" for granted and think of him as a "mate". Today it was good to be reminded of the greatness of majesty of God - and to take time to worship him as "Jesus who died, now glorifed, King of all kings".

Down-to- earth testimonies were a feature of the meeting, as was the offering up of written prayers (clearly a regular part of worship). People participated freely, and obviously feel 'at home' in that worshiping environment.

The message was about "What makes a great follower?". We were reminded that great leaders make great followers. Great followers are proactive (they consult, take responsibility and initiate) and accountable. Followers do shape the culture of their environment and we were encouraged to be a positive influence in the various environments where we live, study, work or enjoy leisure.

It was good to share with people from a wide range of backgrounds as we worshiped today in what was once the "Australasian headquarters" of The Salvation Army, and is now an oasis of hope in the Melbourne CBD.