HYMN AFTERNOON

My Kingdom assignment was a Hymn afternoon with afternoon tea held at our church in November 2008, with a $5.00 entry charge to cover afternoon tea and entertainment. I played the keyboard and DS ably assisted me on his trumpet.

I chose St Bartholomew’s House as the recipient of the $150 raised from the afternoon. This organisation caters for men in crisis by providing accommodation and teaching at risk men life skills so that they are better equipped to gain employment and feel confident enough to move into the wider community.

The organisation also helps men access the financial help they need to re-establish themselves in the community.

In a letter received from the management of St Bartholomew’s House, they indicated that the money would be put towards the development of new programmes aimed to improve the lifestyles of the male residents.

Website: http://www.stbarts.org.au/

St Bartholomew’s House Inc., 78 Brown Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004

CURRY LUNCH FOR INDIAN MISSIONARIES

My $100 from the Kingdom Assignment was distributed to people to buy meat to make curries (to create a taste of India) for a fund-raising lunch to support a family - who are are going to India to work with locals to plant churches.

A collection was taken for the lunch, with $379 being collected. $279 of that was gifted to to further their efforts building knowledge of Jesus on the sub-continent.

The $100 seed money (taken from the proceeds) will continue to be used by the Noranda church Missions co-ordinator for future events in similar situations...

Come, meet and listen to them on 8th March for the latest updates - wish them well on their journey and pray for them.

Update: they will arrive at their destination sometime after the 20th of April.. God willing.

Bail Orphanage + Yayasan Penderita Anak Cacat (LL) (top)

I received my Kingdom Assignment money and for quite some time I didn't know what I was going to do with it – and was starting to think that I would have to give it back when I saw a story in the local community newspaper. ML was asking for donations and was planning to take them to a Bali orphanage - I knew immediately this was the assignment for me.

After checking M ’s authenticity, she advised that there were to be 2 uses for peoples generosity – cash to go to an orphanage for the disabled called Yayasan Penderita Anak Cacat (in English Child Suffering Defect) and children's books / supplies to the Bali Children's Orphanage (who received better funding from the Government).

When she returned, M told me much of the purchased food given to YPAC (from cash domations) was rice, noodles etc that would last quite some time. She also sent me pictures by email of the children and young adults (as shown) and said how very humble the people were, being quite amazed that perfect strangers would want to help them. YPAC shelters young adults that have suffered from polio or have deformities, abandoned by parents and shunned by their village. They receive the equivalent of thirty cents a day each for food from the Government and no funding for schooling. YPAC have a few fairly rickety wheelchairs but they can only be used downstairs and these people have to pull themselves up the stairs using only their arms to access the classrooms.

The story is ongoing, my husband J decided that's where his Kingdom Assignment money should go too, my sister S returned from a visit to YPAC (Feb 09) with another $150 at YPAC and M plans to return in July 09. A school in Esperance is trying to raise sponsorship to provide high school funding for these young people... the it is so exciting to be involved in something that can really make a difference in someone else's life and show a bit of God's loving kindness - in fact it's a privilege!

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Pregnancy Problem House

We used our Kingdom Assignment money to support the Pregnancy Problem House on Wanneroo Rd Nollamara (where?), by particpating in a fund raising walk around the bridges (Perth W Australia) in Sept 08. Using the $100, we invited others to participate, raising $700 with the help of business partners, friends and supporters. My husband and I matched the raised money, contributing $1,400 to the organisation.

Pregnancy Problem House has been run for 25 years, volunteers offering counseling, 2nd hand baby equipment, toys and clothes, free pregnancy testing, medical assistance, post-abortion support and counseling (when PPH can't prevent the abortion from happening), mother craft training and ante-natal classes. They also provide courses in breastfeeding, budgeting, time management and bible study. They operate with no government funding (depending upon donations) in order to maintain their independence (and their ability to evangelise) and minister to single mums, couples and families. They maintain contact with the babies they save from abortion, providing a constant link as they grow up - there are some wonderful and interesting tales to be told, some of people who now passionately serve God.

We are blessed to have been able to be part of this project and have enjoyed meeting the people involved.

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