We are now officially stuck into our mission. We are getting to know each other better and today we got to spend our first meal together (salad and cheese sandwiches, so you know, with some particularly well cut tomato if I don’t say so myself).
As we keep looking at the week ahead, we are each starting to carve out times to prepare for various talks and lessons. Today I got to spend a little time in a café planning tomorrow’s scripture seminars with a bunch of my fellow first years. What a great time of encouragement!
Besides sharing stories of terrible engagements (one involving the Hog’s Breath Café), I also got to try the store’s chocolate cake. I feel compelled to tell you that should you ever drive past Lithgow, you MUST duck into the Tin Shed Café and try the cake! I have never had such moist, rich, dense, nutty, chocolate-y greatness before, and suspect that after this week I shall never taste such delights again. Marvelous!
Today the team split off to do quite the variety of different acts of service.
A couple of us got to observe a scripture lesson that really hit ‘home’. Kids were reflecting on home and belonging, and how Jesus satisfies our ultimate need to belong. I was personally really encouraged by the way these students were opening up and engaging with such raw ideas.
We helped out with 2 services at aged care facilities. A short talk was given, some musical performances given and some encouraging time for fellowship.
Many of us stepped out of our comfort zones today and did some door knocking. We were inviting locals to church on Sunday and offering to pray for them. There were some really good conversations had and many invitations we are expecting to be accepted. Please pray that we would be guided to the right homes over the next couple of days as we continue this ministry.
We have begun surveying shoppers on the street on their opinions of God with the hopes of publishing our data in the local paper. WE are witnessing some hardness toward God so please pray for a softening of hearts in Lithgow. We have also noticed the angst that many locals feel about the suffering in their lives. Please ask that Lithgow Anglican can continue to find ways to speak the truth of Jesus bringing hope and restoration to this town which needs to hear it.
Tonight and through the week we will be making home visits to different families with the aim of mutual encouragement. I got the chance to hear how God has brought a lady through a trying 18 months of cancers and death of loved ones with a stronger faith and assurance in God’s good plan. Please pray that we will continue to have edifying and gospel centred conversations and that we will be able to build up the body of this church through these visits as much as we ourselves will be built up.
Things you can be praying for over the next couple of days are:
Tuesday
- Seminars running at Lithgow High (10-11am) and the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to kids who rarely hear it. All of our members will be involved in discussion groups, and Scott and Callan will be staying up late tonight to organise short talks.
- A nursing home visit (2pm) in Bowenfels and the opportunity to preach yet again to individuals at the end of their race.
- Scripture classes running in local primary schools (1:30-3pm) run by our students.
- After-school kids club (3-5pm) and the opportunity to encourage many non-churched primary aged kids in the gospel.
- More doorknocking, street questionnaires, and home visits happening throughout the day
Wednesday:
- A fellowship Lunch for women and dialogue meeting for men in the evening. Please pray that many men and women would be able to attend and be encouraged, and for Mike B and Helen as they finish their talks.
- Some of us will be returning to Sydney in the evening for our Thursday rest day. Please pray for safe travel.