Shoelaces and Stories - part 2

The shoelace stall was a success! The children raised over $100, raised awareness of literacy needs and spiritual needs in Timor-Leste....and also had a lot of fun in the process.

Shoelaces and Stories

Remember the story of the widow's mite? God's doesn't use just the rich and prosperous for His work. He also uses the small, the poor, the little ones.

This Saturday my children are running a stall at their school fair, selling shoelaces! Yes, shoelaces! Little items that everyone in Geelong uses on a daily basis. They are doing this to raise funds to print Rev Arlindo Marcal's book, Jose Mehidor. Every shoelace sold helps to put another bible-based book into the hands of a Timorese child - a book they can read in their very own language, written by one of their own people.

If you are in Geelong this Saturday, come along to the Covenant College Spring Fair. If you can't make it, please pray for the kids as they help raise the funds needed for printing this important book.

Children and Worship

Grasa Mesak is a ministry aimed primarily at children and their growth in the Christian faith, so it may come as no surprise to you that I am very interested in the topic of children in worship. Especially when the topic is diligently brought to my attention by my friend and colleague, Pieter Stok. Pieter hopes to write a book on the subject and is gathering material toward this end.

What was your experience of church and worship as a child? Have a look at Pieter's blog - he would very much appreciate your memories of church as a child.

(To my Timorese and Indonesian friends - please don't worry about the quality of your written English - Pieter wants your experiences and stories; he doesn't care about spelling and syntax!)

Child in church - photo by Rob Duncanson

My Birthday Bibi

As it is my birthday next week, my beautiful friend Jeana gave me some goats (or bibi, as our Tetun-speaking friends call them.) Of course keeping goats in South Geelong would be rather awkward. But these are not real goats. They are paintings of goats:


Bibi - watercolour on paper, stitched thread.

Aren't they wonderful? I think they will certainly find their way into the Jose book.

 

I shall frame them and hang them on the wall, and seeing them, shall be reminded that I have been a recipient of God's providence for 40 years.

For four decades, He has guided and guarded me.

Challenged me and bountifully blessed me.

Directed me, developed me.

Upheld me by His marvellous, omnipotent hand. For forty years.

 

 If that isn't worth celebrating, what is?