The one true God who hears, rescues, and provides!
What a week – a week of service, a week of proclaiming the truth, a week of love for God and love for others, a week of Christian community, a week of shared meals, shared struggles, and a shared hope.
As we return home, we come back with great joy from a wonderful week of ministering to the town of Leonora, but also a sadness at knowing there are kids in Leonora who desperately need care. For many of us, our Leonora song (thanks Mr Thomson for taking time to write a wonderful song) has been running through our minds:
Jesus is here, in Leonora
He will never leave
He’s kind, He’s strong, He’s full of patience
As real as you and me
To all of the kids in Leonora
Jesus cares for you!
We rest in the sure hope that we serve a God who does not slumber (Psalm 121), who is high and holy but contrite and humble in spirit (Isaiah 57:15), a God who hears His children and makes a way when it looks like there is no way. He is a God who offers life, and life to the full in Him (John 10:10). Each of these passages of Scripture we dwelt on this week, and they have become our prayer for all those in Leonora that we spent time with this week.
I am eager to return next year and see how God has continued to bring life to those who hear His word and are transformed by the work of His Spirit. There are so many uplifting stories from the week, and I encourage you to come and ask if you want to hear more.
I also want to take a moment to honour the faithful service of our adult team that supported each other and supported our Year 10s. I want to make much of them as they make much of God, to make much of what – through and in Christ – they were able to model and impart and contribute to this mission. Thank you to Pete and Tasma Terpstra, to Sam and Allira Fernandez, to John and Linda Hague, to the whole Thomson family and the Kuiper family, and to my mum who helped us care for our children while Mrs Taylor and I helped to coordinate the trip. Each of you know how deeply grateful we are for what you do and how you do it.
And to our Year 10 team, our brothers and sisters in Christ who participated in God’s mission in Leonora this week, thank you. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
