From Siem Reap, Cambodia our team bused across the
border to Hochi Mingh City, Vietnam. After a brief, but enjoyable stay in that
city, we found ourselves flying to Australia. We landed in Darwin, Northern
Territory and drove over to the city of Katherine. From Katherine we joined
fellowship with two aboriginal churches, one in Benjari and the other in
Walpiri. A few days later we went north-east to Beswick, Bulman, and Weemol, in
the purest Outback setting imaginable.
cattle, donkeys, red and rock kangaroos, wallabies, crocodiles, snakes, frogs
and toads by the dozens and many more birds and animals of every type. Life is
primitive at best. Showers are a rarity, the bugs are rampant, there’s more
rivers than anyone should ever have to cross by foot or by vehicle (not to
mention there’s crocodiles in them), sleeping in tents and in our truck, a
couple of dangerous and life threatening events, and you never know when you
and your partner may be chased down the road by a bull and two cows. The
scenery is absolutely splendid here and the danger and the adventure of the
Outback will never ever be forgotten by my team and me.
Our purpose was to encourage and to help disciple
the aboriginal churches that have been established within these communities.
Our journey would have led us farther into the Outback, but certain
arrangements did not fall through…
The aboriginal church is different from any church I
have ever seen. It is simple, but meaningful, and comprised mostly of woman.
The service isn’t fancy, it doesn’t have special lighting, an outstanding
worship band, or formidable speakers, but it definitely brings with it a
distinct presence of the Holy Spirit. Almost all of the services we’ve had have
been outdoors out in the street or in a public pavilion. The church is open to
everyone and everyone is aware of it being there. The times spent in these
services were powerful and uplifting. I will never forget my time here in the
Outback.
Many memorable moments took place…
For the first time in my life we cooked hot dogs on
an engine, ate water-buffalo and kangaroo, went barramundi fishing, and built a
snorkel for our troopy out of an old muffler from a truck washed down the
river, some tape, a plastic bottle, and some rope all in the effort to cross
the flooding Mainiroo River. That enterprise was successful, but equally
hilarious. I have one of the most uniquely skilled teams ever and I say this
with no exaggeration!
people for the first time in one of the most beautiful springs I have ever been
to and within the process I was able to teach them how to baptize people on
their own. It was a memorable moment for me and for those being baptized that
day. On top of all this I got to baptize my close and amazing friend Trey
Genser. I feel more and more like a traveling pastor as time moves along.
People are giving and rededicating their lives to God, others are receiving deliverance
from bondage and others and are being lead and encouraged into a deeper and
more intimate relationship with God. For all these opportunities I am eternally
grateful.
heart, but I have to talk about one in particular. His name is Anjoby, one of
the brightest young kids I’ve ever met and I know I encountered him for a
special reason. Whenever we’ve been in Beswick, he’s always been around me. He
just starving for attention and you can’t help, but give it to him. I’ve once
again found myself humbled in the presence of a toddler, who has the ability to
teach me more about God’s compassionate heart than any sermon has ever been
able to do. Every time he’s around, I can’t help, but think of every aboriginal
child in Australia. I think of his future and my heart breaks at the thought
that he may become like many of the other Aboriginal men I’ve met, whose lives
are plagued by substance addictions, depression, and despair. But, in light of
Christ I see a bright and glorious future for Him and I hope with everything
inside of me that every time I was around him that he saw Christ and in and
through me.
This month is coming to end and there are only a few
ministry opportunities left for us here before we leave for Malaysia. I’m at a
loss for words and I’m extremely thankful to have taken part in a culture so
different from my own. A piece of my heart will stay here in Australia and I
carry away with me hundreds of memories I will never forget.
God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of
my heart for reading,
Ben Gagne
