Turkana, in North West Kenya, remains the major focal point for The Salvation Army Kenya West Territory's drought resopnse activities. Short term relief programmes are being delivered for struggling communities suffering the direct effects of the drought.
A Salvation Army International Emergency Services team has been working in the area for a month. The situation remains fragile as communities wait for the anticipated seasonal November rains in the hope that they will begin to replenish the dwindling water table. Water continues to be delivered to many primary schools and outlying village communities around Lodwar, and teh community of Lokitaung which is around 200km north, close to the Ethiopian border. The water deliveries are providing much needed relief for communities that are considered vulnerable to the effects of the drought.
The Salvation Army is also assisting a local school to drill a bore hole in an area where neither the school, nor the local villages, have access to regular water. The bore hole is almost completed with the water tank stand ready and already built.
The Food for Fees project remains the main focal point for the IES team, whereby The Salvation Army has partnered with 19 local secondary schools to provide food to boarders enabling them to continue their secondary school through the drought. This is a major investment in the future of Kenya.
The team are now working with local NGO's, other international NGO's and government authorities to plan for 2012.
Monday 31 October 2011
Haiti Update
It's always good to hear an update from Haiti, especially given the place it has in our hearts since I served there for a while last year.
It's great to see progress, albeit slow, as reconstruction and rehabilitation continues, almost two years after the devastating earthquake of January 2010.
Today we've received news from IHQ that nearly 700 students have started the 2011-2012 school year in newly repaired or rebuilt school buildings owned and operated by The Salvation Army. Four of the six schools slated for completion by The Salvation Army in 2011 have been opened.
Not only have the schools been reopened, but as part of the rebuild a local maintenance team have been trained in the upkeep and ongoing repair of the buildings, building local capacity and providing more local employment.
By the end of 2014 20 schools will be rebuilt. The Salvation Army is a major provider of education in Haiti, operating around 45 schools in the country, over half of which were damaged in the 2010 earthquake. Please continue to remember the people of Haiti in your prayers.
It's great to see progress, albeit slow, as reconstruction and rehabilitation continues, almost two years after the devastating earthquake of January 2010.
Today we've received news from IHQ that nearly 700 students have started the 2011-2012 school year in newly repaired or rebuilt school buildings owned and operated by The Salvation Army. Four of the six schools slated for completion by The Salvation Army in 2011 have been opened.
Not only have the schools been reopened, but as part of the rebuild a local maintenance team have been trained in the upkeep and ongoing repair of the buildings, building local capacity and providing more local employment.
By the end of 2014 20 schools will be rebuilt. The Salvation Army is a major provider of education in Haiti, operating around 45 schools in the country, over half of which were damaged in the 2010 earthquake. Please continue to remember the people of Haiti in your prayers.
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Walk Together, Talk Together
There has been a group operating in the Brighton area now for 50 years known as the "Brighton and District Churchmen's Interdenominational Fellowship".
Notwithstanding the crazy, long name, 50 years of church men praying together and fellowshipping together is worth celebrating.
So on Monday November 7 at Holdfast Baptist Church (formerly Somerton Park Baptist Church in Harrow Road), they are celebrating. Tim Costello from World Vision will bethe guest speaker - he is worth listening to and has had an amazing history as minister of a Baptist Church in Melbourne, Mayor of St Kilda (Vic) and now the World Vision CEO.
The dinner (BBQ!) will cost $15 and you can get your tickets from Colin Wood or Brian Hunt.
Notwithstanding the crazy, long name, 50 years of church men praying together and fellowshipping together is worth celebrating.
So on Monday November 7 at Holdfast Baptist Church (formerly Somerton Park Baptist Church in Harrow Road), they are celebrating. Tim Costello from World Vision will bethe guest speaker - he is worth listening to and has had an amazing history as minister of a Baptist Church in Melbourne, Mayor of St Kilda (Vic) and now the World Vision CEO.
The dinner (BBQ!) will cost $15 and you can get your tickets from Colin Wood or Brian Hunt.
Nathan and Jenny
Lieutenants Nathan and Jenny Rowe have arrived in South Australia and we welcome them to the Marion Corps.
Nathan and Jenny have a wealth of experience in Salvation Army ministries. Many of you would relate Nathan to his music, either through Paradise or Soteria (in his recording days). As Lieutenants (under the old non-commissioned system) they also served in youth and children's ministry. As cadets, they concurrently held the appointment as Corps Officers at Semaphore Corps, and since their commissioning and ordination have been the Corps Officers at Shepparton in Victoria.
Nathan and Jenny are very genuine, warm people and bring a love for others and a creativity that we are going to relish here at Marion. Nathan starts work here next Wednesday, and they will be installed and officially welcomed during the 10am service on November 6.
Nathan and Jenny have a wealth of experience in Salvation Army ministries. Many of you would relate Nathan to his music, either through Paradise or Soteria (in his recording days). As Lieutenants (under the old non-commissioned system) they also served in youth and children's ministry. As cadets, they concurrently held the appointment as Corps Officers at Semaphore Corps, and since their commissioning and ordination have been the Corps Officers at Shepparton in Victoria.
Nathan and Jenny are very genuine, warm people and bring a love for others and a creativity that we are going to relish here at Marion. Nathan starts work here next Wednesday, and they will be installed and officially welcomed during the 10am service on November 6.
Kathleen
This week we farewell Kathleen. As I type, she is in Melbourne, enroute to her new appointment as the associate Corps Officer at Ulverstone in north eastern Tasmania.
Kathleen identified on Sunday the steep learning curve that she was on in her first appointment here. Many of us can identify with that, but at the same time hold a special place in our hearts for the places where we first served as officers. She contributed to our lives and our Corps during her time with us and we will see that in an ongoing way through many of the designs and publications that she put together for us.
Please pray for Kathleen in her new role.
Kathleen identified on Sunday the steep learning curve that she was on in her first appointment here. Many of us can identify with that, but at the same time hold a special place in our hearts for the places where we first served as officers. She contributed to our lives and our Corps during her time with us and we will see that in an ongoing way through many of the designs and publications that she put together for us.
Please pray for Kathleen in her new role.
Marion Life Community Festival
The Marion Life Community Festival was a great day where different community groups came together to advertise their services, their community groups, and, where applicable, worship services and the like.
Sally Varidel and her team did a great job representing our Corps. The display looked amazing. We had some good fair trade items for sale (there are still some available if you would like to call into the office). Many people took information about our Corps activities.
Thank you Sally. Well done team. Let's pray for fruit from the contacts made.
Sally Varidel and her team did a great job representing our Corps. The display looked amazing. We had some good fair trade items for sale (there are still some available if you would like to call into the office). Many people took information about our Corps activities.
Thank you Sally. Well done team. Let's pray for fruit from the contacts made.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Global Leadership Summit
Each year leaders from our Corps, and hundreds of thousands of churches around the world, attend the Global Leadership Summit. This Summit is recorded each August in Chicago, USA, and then simulcast over subsequent weekends to hundreds of cities in 75 countries over September, October and November. There are 13 Australian sites.
Over the course of the two day summit we heard 10 speakers speak about a range of leadership and church related matters. Bill Hybels spoke to the group about the critical questions that leaders must ask, such as "When was the last time you examined the core of what your organisation is about", and "What is your plan for dealing with challenging people in your organisation".
John Dickson, from the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney, spoke about humility, reminding us that humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking less about ourselves. He added that true humility is embracing our powers but using them for the benefit of others. Patrick Lencioni, a catholic business consultant from California, spoke to us about being transparent with our constiuents. The Hon Corey Booker, mayor of Newark, USA, challenged us to stand up for what we believe in and make a difference in our communities.
Wess Stafford, the President of Compassion International, told us the story of Ethopian pastors that were persecuted under the communist regime (now fallen) and how their persistence and prayer grew the church five-fold during those hard years. Mama Maggie Gobran of Stephen's Children's Ministry in Egypt gave her testimony about how she was called to leave a prestigious teaching post at the Cairo Amercian University to serve the poorest in her city.
Leading Psychologist Dr Henry Cloud taught about working with wise people, foolish people and evil people. He not only described these groups but gave helpful tools for dealing with each should we encounter them. Michelle Rhee, the former Chancellor of Schools in Washington DC, most famous for closing 23 schools in a day and sacking a third of principals in the schools for underperformance, spoke about tough decisions - obviously something she was familiar with.
The final two sessions had Erwin McManus from LA speaking to the group about the church reclaiming its place as the epicentre of artistic creativity, and Stephen Furtick speaking about audacious faith. Stephen, at 26 yo, had got together with 3 of his friends, sold everything and moved to Charlotte, USA, to start a church. Five years later they had grown to a massive size - baptising 1500 people in one Sunday alone.
You can imagine that sitting at the summit is like a fire hydrant of information blasted at you. It will take us all a few weeks to sift and process what we have heard. Maybe you can help by approaching one of the Corps leaders and asking them to tell you what their highlights were (for me it was John Dickson and Wess Stafford).
Over the course of the two day summit we heard 10 speakers speak about a range of leadership and church related matters. Bill Hybels spoke to the group about the critical questions that leaders must ask, such as "When was the last time you examined the core of what your organisation is about", and "What is your plan for dealing with challenging people in your organisation".
John Dickson, from the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney, spoke about humility, reminding us that humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking less about ourselves. He added that true humility is embracing our powers but using them for the benefit of others. Patrick Lencioni, a catholic business consultant from California, spoke to us about being transparent with our constiuents. The Hon Corey Booker, mayor of Newark, USA, challenged us to stand up for what we believe in and make a difference in our communities.
Wess Stafford, the President of Compassion International, told us the story of Ethopian pastors that were persecuted under the communist regime (now fallen) and how their persistence and prayer grew the church five-fold during those hard years. Mama Maggie Gobran of Stephen's Children's Ministry in Egypt gave her testimony about how she was called to leave a prestigious teaching post at the Cairo Amercian University to serve the poorest in her city.
Leading Psychologist Dr Henry Cloud taught about working with wise people, foolish people and evil people. He not only described these groups but gave helpful tools for dealing with each should we encounter them. Michelle Rhee, the former Chancellor of Schools in Washington DC, most famous for closing 23 schools in a day and sacking a third of principals in the schools for underperformance, spoke about tough decisions - obviously something she was familiar with.
The final two sessions had Erwin McManus from LA speaking to the group about the church reclaiming its place as the epicentre of artistic creativity, and Stephen Furtick speaking about audacious faith. Stephen, at 26 yo, had got together with 3 of his friends, sold everything and moved to Charlotte, USA, to start a church. Five years later they had grown to a massive size - baptising 1500 people in one Sunday alone.
You can imagine that sitting at the summit is like a fire hydrant of information blasted at you. It will take us all a few weeks to sift and process what we have heard. Maybe you can help by approaching one of the Corps leaders and asking them to tell you what their highlights were (for me it was John Dickson and Wess Stafford).
East Africa Appeal
We reported a little while ago about the East Africa Appeal which continues to support the ongoing work of the Salvation Army, particularly in Uganda and Kenya who are suffering amid the worst drought in memory.
We are pleased to gratefully announce that our Corps has so far contributed $816.10 in personal contributions, not including the amount raised by the CAMEO fundraiser. Together we have raised over $1000 for this effort. Thank you and well done.
We are pleased to gratefully announce that our Corps has so far contributed $816.10 in personal contributions, not including the amount raised by the CAMEO fundraiser. Together we have raised over $1000 for this effort. Thank you and well done.
General's Vision
General Linda Bond recently spoke of her vision for The Salvation Army. This wise woman has worked with Salvation Army leaders from around the world to listen to their priorities. We can listen to her articulation of these at:
http://sar.my/one
http://sar.my/one
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Jetty Road Treasure Hunt
Well done to Lynn and her team for a brilliant community outreach through the Jetty Road Treasure Hunt last week.
Over 500 children came through our Glenelg centre to recieve a treasure (they received a Kidzone magazine, a craft kit, some information about our church and a thrift shop voucher that could be redeemed at either of our Seacombe or Ascot Park shops). The genius in the day lay behind two things. Morning tea was put on so that parents stopped and enjoyed our centre. While other shops had people come and go, we were able to engage some of these families in our church for up to 2 hours. The other genius was the vouchers that bring people back into our centres again.
Already some families have attended our Seacombe Gardens playgroup as a result of the inclusiveness, welcome and community feel that was presented. We wait with baited breathe to see how many people connect with our Glenelg playgroup also. Well done Lynn! Well done Wendy and Angela for the conceptualisation! Well done to all of our volunteers at the centre that portrayed the welcoming community we want to communicate to our neighbours!
Over 500 children came through our Glenelg centre to recieve a treasure (they received a Kidzone magazine, a craft kit, some information about our church and a thrift shop voucher that could be redeemed at either of our Seacombe or Ascot Park shops). The genius in the day lay behind two things. Morning tea was put on so that parents stopped and enjoyed our centre. While other shops had people come and go, we were able to engage some of these families in our church for up to 2 hours. The other genius was the vouchers that bring people back into our centres again.
Already some families have attended our Seacombe Gardens playgroup as a result of the inclusiveness, welcome and community feel that was presented. We wait with baited breathe to see how many people connect with our Glenelg playgroup also. Well done Lynn! Well done Wendy and Angela for the conceptualisation! Well done to all of our volunteers at the centre that portrayed the welcoming community we want to communicate to our neighbours!
Gideons
It is good to be exposed to other organisations that complement and work alongside our mission. The Gideon's is one such group. We thank them for their visit last Sunday morning.
We also thank Loris for giving her testimony about how the lady she shared her hospital ward with was saved through a combination of her witness and access to the helps in the Gideon's Bible. It was also great to hear the video testimony from the pastor who was suicidal before finding the hotel Gideon's Bible.
Thank you to those that gave to the retiring offering. Our generous church gave $180.90 spontaneously to support the ongoing work of the Gideons.
We also thank Loris for giving her testimony about how the lady she shared her hospital ward with was saved through a combination of her witness and access to the helps in the Gideon's Bible. It was also great to hear the video testimony from the pastor who was suicidal before finding the hotel Gideon's Bible.
Thank you to those that gave to the retiring offering. Our generous church gave $180.90 spontaneously to support the ongoing work of the Gideons.
Euthenasia
This week the South Austrailan parliament will be reconsidering the Medical Defences Bill which would allow a defence for a doctor who euthenases a patient at their request. Both the AMA and the Law Society have expressed concerns about this bill, however the majority of parilimentarians seem to be in favour.
Some ammendments have been made to the bill since we last posted. For example, two specialists may now be called in to verify the request. However, any investigation of the legitimacy of the request will still only occur following the death of the patient.
There is pleny of reports about people that have been at a low ebb, wished to die and later were glad that was not possible. There are also plenty of palliative provisions that could be considered by doctors and patients that may be overlooked when this legislation is passed.
Please contact your member of parliament as soon as possible to express your concerns, if you have any. I have spoken to both Chloe Fox (the member of my electorate) and Alan Sibbons (the member representing the electorate where our Seacombe Centre is) to express my concerns. Both have graciously responded in writing. I believe that if enough South Australians are concerned and speak up, we can make a difference to the outcome of this vote.
Some ammendments have been made to the bill since we last posted. For example, two specialists may now be called in to verify the request. However, any investigation of the legitimacy of the request will still only occur following the death of the patient.
There is pleny of reports about people that have been at a low ebb, wished to die and later were glad that was not possible. There are also plenty of palliative provisions that could be considered by doctors and patients that may be overlooked when this legislation is passed.
Please contact your member of parliament as soon as possible to express your concerns, if you have any. I have spoken to both Chloe Fox (the member of my electorate) and Alan Sibbons (the member representing the electorate where our Seacombe Centre is) to express my concerns. Both have graciously responded in writing. I believe that if enough South Australians are concerned and speak up, we can make a difference to the outcome of this vote.
We're back
Well, we've been back almost a week, and we have heaps of things to report, but haven't got to it yet! Sorry.
Over the next few days, expect the blog to be filling rapidly with reports that need to get out there.
First, but by no means most important, is a note to let you know that Brad will be 'appearing' (speaking, I suppose is more accurate) as the guest on "Encounters of a Community Kind" on Coast FM from 6pm this coming Monday. Tune in to 88.7FM.
Over the next few days, expect the blog to be filling rapidly with reports that need to get out there.
First, but by no means most important, is a note to let you know that Brad will be 'appearing' (speaking, I suppose is more accurate) as the guest on "Encounters of a Community Kind" on Coast FM from 6pm this coming Monday. Tune in to 88.7FM.
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