Becoming Local Carers

“ . . . so this is part of my ministry . . .”    

Since the last newsletter, our mission has been to focus on becoming locals. As we become locals we still tell people: we moved here because we wanted to plant new churches in Wollongong.

Here are some of the things we do in order to become locals:

1.    Read the newspapers.

2.    Visit the local shopkeepers.

3.    Attend community classes (e.g., Nicole and Ella attend Music with Mummy)

4.    Practice adventure sports (e.g., Jason climbs in local rock climbing gym).

5.    Serve through ecological restoration (in anticipation of the new creation begun in Christ (Jason pulls weeds and and dialogues with creation carers).

6.    Serve through tutoring kids and/or refugees (Nicole is signed up for this community service).

I wanted to share briefly about one of the people for whom we’re praying and caring. I’ll call her “Sara”.

Sara is my supervisor in rainforest restoration. She teaches me distinctions between foreign and local grasses and vines and how to care for the world. And she is an atheist.

I love working in this environment. I feel my faith has been tested and refined in so many ways for this purpose! All my life I’ve been loved, nurtured, and taught by intelligent, passionate believers. Just one example of that nurture is the fact that Nicole enjoyed four baby showers! What generosity and care! We give huge thanks to God constantly for our cherished heritage, mentor connections, and close friendships in the Lord. And we yearn to extend this loving embrace by becoming local catalysts for new births in Christ.

So while she orients me to the rainforest, Sara, who is nearly old enough to be my mother in dreadlocks says something like, “So, you’ll do this for a while and then what are you going to do?” assuming I will find a permanent job or career in ecological care or something. I said, “Well, we’re actually here for Christian reasons. This is part of my ministry.” Sara turns around, stops briefly and says, “Well, I’m an atheist.”

(I think she expected some tension. I gave her permission to be who she was, I accepted her and I think she knew it.)

As we walk and between explanations of tree rescues and plant distinctions Sara says, “I’ve had bad experiences with religion. My grandmother hated that I was never Christened. My Mum allowed us kids to grow up and choose for ourselves. My grandmother refused to give us anything since we weren’t sprinkled Catholic. In all my life, until she died she left me nothing but a [hand-held] cross.”

Sara’s explanation helps to clarify my vision: I’m a minister so that I can lead others in becoming carers of the world that God called into existence. So Sara is not only playing a role in teaching us how to become locals. Ironically, or perhaps paradoxically, an atheist is making me a better carer for the earth and lover of the world. I pray I can teach her something, so that she may realize how much God cares for her and her family and that she may glorify God on the day he visits us.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for service opportunities, for new acquaintances, and for a sense of purpose in our family and team.

Our teammates, the Griffiths, are still in the visa application process. Please let their visa be granted quickly.

God, let us find persons of peace. Let us find seekers. Let us be seekers and persons of peace. Let us find faithful servants and let us be faithful in service. Let us be peacemakers. Let us make friends. Let us bring your Good News. Let us BE good news to unchurched, lost people. Let us care about them like you do. Let us see them as our equals. Let us see you as our Master and Savior. Let us become local as Jesus did. Let your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Like Jesus, we try to pray. Amen.

Peace and Love,
Jason, Nicole, and Ella

www.aussiemission.com.

www.mullinsmission.blogspot.com

www.jasonandnicole.blogspot.com and www.notasbigasiam.blogspot.com

See more videos (I will try to post soon of Jess’s baptism):

www.youtube.com/jasnic06