Homeless week

Homeless week was August 1-8 this year in Australia.

It is easy to think that homelessness is not our problem, but the motto for this year was “Will you be homeless in 2020?”

Around 105 000 Australians each year are classified as homeless where no place to sleep. Some people may be sleeping rough or couch surfing at mates places.
I know it is very easy for me to forget about the needs of Aussies in our own backyard and think that poverty is only in the third world. Yes, we should be advocating for people overseas who are in desperate need, but there is also a place to think about people here in Australia who don’t know when their next meal will be. As Christians God tells us to love people and there are many examples in the gospels of Jesus caring for the sick and hurt.

There are practical things we can do to support people in our own backyard doing it tough-maybe helping out at soup kitchen once a month or donating second hand clothes to other worthy organisations.

For further information on homelessness in Australia feel free to check out the below links:
http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/

13:3 Race 4 the persecuted-A race with a difference

On July 3rd 2010, our team 'Awesome Foursome' along with 14 other teams met on a cold winters morning at the front of the Town Hall in the Sydney CBD to participate in an ‘amazing race’. The aim was not to be the first team to cross the finish line to win $1 million dollars (like the real USA Amazing Race)but to raise funds to support persecuted Christians doing it tough in Iraq.

Teams were made up of between 3-8 people. All teams started at Town Hall and were given their first clue. The clues were mixed around so no more than 2 teams were going for the same clue at once, but rather, teams going in a ‘circle’ around the CBD to find various landmarks.


All the clues were in an envelope with the envelopes having different symbols on them to distinguish one team from another. Many of the clues involved imagery that needed to be decoded. At each ‘checkpoint’, a photo was taken of the team along with the ‘number’ of the checkpoint. (SEE PHOTOS) The teams only knew that they were at the correct checkpoint if they saw a person wearing green clothes or green shoe laces. (The checkpoints included the Sydney Harbour bridge, Circular Quey and Hyde Park to name a few)




There were frustrations that our team encountered with finding our clue in Chinatown! Our team just could not find our checkpoint and had to go round and round in circles looking for an obvious clue (just like the real Amazing Race!)
3/1/2 hours later, we reached our final destination, right smack bang in Pitt St, Sydney. It was a relief to rest and refresh ourselves from our running/walking.

A short video clip and presentation followed the race with stories of what Iraqi Christians go through as a result of loving and serving Jesus. It was a great testimony and encouragement to me that they persevere so much despite their awful situation. It made me reflect back on our difficulty in finding our clue in Chinatown and the tiredness we felt after the race…….. Our slight ‘tiredness’ or ‘frustrations’ on this race is NOTHING compared to what the man, woman or child of Iraq who loves Jesus endures. It made me think,“what can I learn from Iraqi Christians about their faith? ”



So why was the race called 13:3? It comes from Hebrews 13v3.
"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. "

Something to ponder and pray about…..

World Cup

The world cup of soccer or 'Football' as many people may refer to it is here. For a month, sports fans will be dedicated to watching the round ball game. There will be lots hype with supporters from all across the world descending on South Africa hoping their team will be holding that prize come July 12th. With all the positive talk of the world cup, I wonder what it is like for the man, woman or child living in poverty in this country ? Yes, jobs will be created as a result of the influx of tourists and will help with a better income, but how about the long term future for the citizens of South Africa?
Maybe something to ponder about and research more about in the future.....

Child labour..........and the impact of chocolate?

Image ref: http://missionmission.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/divine.jpg

There are a lot of kids in happy, healthy and thriving families where they have an opportunity to grow and experience many things. Sadly , however, this is not the case for a lot of kids around the world.

It is estimated that 158 million children aged 5-14 years are engaged in child labour (UNICEF, 2008)

As a result of poverty,family violence and for a means of families to survive(even if it is such a small income), child labour is real and affects many kids around the world. It can have long term impacts and affects the most vulnerable of boys and girls.

Child labour can include children being involved in excessive amounts of work, slavery at its worst and sadly child prostitution.

How can you and I do something to help end child labour? Here are some tips I have suggested:

Firstly as a Christian praying is important. God hears all our prays and is concerned for the poor and destitute of this world.
See how you can advocate for people in third world countries. Maybe you can petition, lobby, visit helpful websites informing you better on how you and I can help bring an end to child labour.

There is one thing though which many people love to eat..chocolate that can make a difference in ending child labour. Fair trade is involved in making a better deal for people in the developing world so that purchases made in western countries benefit and not hinder children.

Below is a website for Fairtrade Australia.
http://www.fta.org.au/


So maybe next time you buy your chocolate, why not check if it is fair trade chocolate?

Homelessness-part 2

Image Ref: http://www.bhsc.net.au/services/co-located-partners

I wrote a previous post about homelessness in our city and my experiences of an upcoming event. Even though on this occasion I didn't see homeless people in this event, I am still very much aware of the need of services to provide for people in need. Services that in the future people we know may need. Through helping on this street count I gain some extra knowledge about where homeless people live and conditions for them. There are a lot of dedicated people wanting to bring about social change and have this issue of homelessness on governments minds so funding can be used to help these people in vulnerable positions.


If anyone is interested in finding out more about homeless people thee is a magazine called " The Big Issue" . Website is:
http://www.bigissue.org.au/ There is also a blog on the website too.

Happy reading!

This is one of a number of verses on the Bible which gives me great encouragement,once which has meant a lot to me recently-

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

Homelessness

I sometimes get very carried away and forget sometimes what is really happening in the suburb,city and country I live in. However, homelessness is real and has been around for sometime. Around 100 000 people are classified as homeless each night. it is a staggering amount-one which I am aware of .Sometimes I wonder what is the best response as someone who wants to care for people in need. Is giving money the best thing, or will that create dependency?
Will write more ( in 2 posts time) as I gain some 'experience' in my own city in the next week of homelessness.

As Easter approaches, it is highlighted for many by a holiday and easter eggs, however this Easter it is great to be reminded of Jesus.
Jesus died for all of us and then rose again 3 days later.