18 April 2007 - Bible Work Melbourne

Since I last wrote anything substantial (February), quite a lot has happened. Earlier this year, Candy (Thai) shared her story on how she found God, decided to give her life to God and was baptised at the North Fitzroy SDA Church (which is the first SDA church in southern hemisphere, built 1886). Photos of Baptism day.

During mid-February, the Youth Conference 2007 was held in Melbourne. The conference aims were to train young people to share their faith effectively, and to encourage and inspire Christian youth in their walk with God. Over 300 young people from around Australia (some overseas: eg. Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Asia) met for a 4 days, experienced God in a real way, and now desire to reach out to people, and offer them eternal life. It was at the youth conference last year, that I decided to commit 6 months to sharing with people about God and life. I'd have to say the youth conference is the most spiritual event I've been to. Extremely inspiring. Photos of conference.

Most of my work so far, has involved finding people who are interested in learning more about spirituality, God, life, the future, Jesus etc, and then studying what the Bible says about these topics. Have been meeting a whole range of people, including atheists, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikh, Aussies, Chinese, Indonesian, Middle eastern, American, Indian etc. It's quite an experience, and something I like, to discuss with people from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. My faith has been challenged at times, but I continue to come back to the world view that makes sense from the evidence I know. God is real, dependable and loving. Our work (as Bible workers), in not simply to study the Bible, but involves spending time with people, eating together, doing some sport or activites, etc. It's great to be able to get to know them, and not just study the Bible together.

Some of the challenges involve: not feeling "good enough" to teach the Bible; irregularity in eating and sleeping; irregular work hours; plans change frequently; working together as a team has challenges that need to be worked through; sharing living space with church events; cultural differences. But all of these are outweighed by the reward of sharing with people how to know God better, and doing Bible work.

There's a real great group of young people at church (Gateway Adventist Centre), and it's just fun to hang out. So many good friends there. CAREgroup is really nice each Friday night... it's like family away from family. Camps are always fun. Seeing people keen to learn about the Bible. Receiving appreciation from some people we shared God with. Having wise, spiritual leaders. Singing and making music together. Expeiencing and learning new cultures. Sensing how much people care for me. Seeing someone choose to follow God with their whole heart... It's really worth it.

Weekends are usually full of activities, church etc, so Mondays are our days off. Back in February, I spent one Monday at Mount Dandenong, about 1 hour east of the city, on the edge of the suburbs. The view was excellent, and could see the CBD, Port Phillip Bay, and the suburbs. The next Monday, Roy (my flat mate) and I threw our bikes in the back of the car, drove to Mornington Penninsula, and rode our bikes to Point Nepean (entrance to Port Phillip Bay) and enjoyed lunch there. We went through some of the old army bunkers there and spent some time at the beach nearby.

The second weekend in March (Labour Day weekend) our Caregroup (small group from church) went to Marysville and stayed at Johnny and Tina's house. It's about two hours north east of Melbourne. We had dinner, shared stories around the camp fire, walked to the waterfall, did some fishing and enjoyed each other's company. Was great to get out of town and enjoy the countryside with some of my city friends.

The 17 youth Bible workers from around Melbourne had a mid-term retreat at Jumbunna Lodge, which is between Lilydale and Warburton. We spent time reflecting on the previous 3 months, relaxing, meditating with God, allowing quietness into our lives, building strong friendships with each other, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. It's a really nice lodge (everything you need) in a green valley with clear skies. Photos of retreat.

Johnny (SK) and I took a trip the other Sunday on the Great Ocean Road. That was really great. Some of the coastline has some fascinating rock formations. We saw such places as: Geelong, Bells Beach, Apollo Bay, Otway National Park (had to pay to get to the cape and see the lighthouse, so we didn't see it), Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, London Bridge, The Arch and Peterborough. Went for a quick swim at Peterborough (Southern Ocean was cold!) and the town looked really nice on sundown. Then travelling back through Colac, I began to feel a little back home again, with the grass, trees, bush, quiteness, etc. Then made it back to the city. Photos from Great Ocean Road.

Easter Camp was also a heap of fun. Drove my car out to Licola (small town about 1 hour north of Traralgon in Gippsland area). Takes about 3 to 4 hours from the city. Most Gateway church members came. The theme was health, and we all learnt about healthier living. We spent time exercising, seeing cooking demos, walking, sport, health talks, devotions, eating (of course!), and acting out a health principle. We spent 4 days out of the city in beautiful country Victoria. See the photos for your self: My photos, Henry's photos.

We've had so many good times... too many to talk about. Gaby joined our church the other week [photos], and shared a powerful testimony of living for God. Spending time with people, serving God, I think, are the best things about the last 3 months. I'm indebted to God, Gateway, and many others for the chance to come here.

But for now...

Tomorrow Mark Finley presents a special lecture at University of Melbourne entitled "Ancient Cities, Buried Temples, and the Bible". This is a one-off lecture for uni students and precedes the main "Discoveries 2007" seminar. Adventist Students On-Campus (ASOC) is the registered club at Uni of Melb, and is hosting the lecture. We've been doing a lot of promotion at the uni (last week and this week), giving out brochures, setting up promotion tables, inviting people etc, and many people are asking us if they are able to come. We hope tomorrow goes well, and that people will want to hear Mark Finley in the main seminar.

Mark Finley (arrive in Melbourne on Monday from USA), author, TV personality, international speaker (in over 70 countries), and Vice-president of SDA world church, will speak at the "Discoveries" program on topics such as: "Prophecy predicts the world's next superpower", "How near is the end?", "The Jesus Myth". These talks will form part of the "Discoveries" program. Mark Finley will be speaking 21 different lectures over a 7 week period. This will be repeated in the Eastern and western suburbs. This Saturday afternoon, at North Melbourne Town Hall, the central site will host Mark's first talk. Because over 1000 people have registered for the first talk in the central site alone, the first presentation will be repeated twice, to meet the demands! The program has been advertised on TV (channel 7), in newspapers, 300,000 letterboxes, and personally, and is going to be broadcast on Hope Channel in Australia, Pacific, South Asia via sattelite.

It's exciting to see how many people are interested in knowing what the future holds, and how we can have peace. I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to people in all different places, preparing them to hear the message from God. The world is in a situation it has never been in before. People are wanting answers. It's a real privilege to be able to promote, assist and help out with this program.

I'm well and truly past halfway through my contract. Less than 11 weeks left here in good ol' Melbourne! I hope to be able to write soon. I think of my friends at work at USQ in ICT, of my church friends at Esk, Toowoomba, Brisbane and around southeast Queensland, of my relatives in NSW, overseas friends, but most of all, my brother Jared in Sunshine Coast, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Beckie in Mackay, and Mum and Dad in Meringandan. Mum and Dad are coming down in 3 weeks to see me in Melbourne! Can't wait :-)