When stepping off the plane in Darwin I could feel the
heaviness of this place weighing down on us immediately. The air was thick and
muggy and made it easy to become lethargic and apathetic. Shortly after
arriving in Darwin, we met with our ministry contacts. This mo
nth we will be working with the
Aboriginal people of Bagot Community.
The community is a plot of land that is smaller than a single
square mile. Trash is strewn all
over the land like ornaments that have been perfectly placed to mask the true
beauty of this place. The majority
of families are living on welfare and have no hope or desire to get jobs. They are battling heavy discrimination
from the government and employers as well. The oppression and sadness runs deep. Wild dogs wander
aimlessly, and hearing screaming of adults and children in the distance is common.
Finding someone who is smiling is rare here.
The aboriginal people battle with generational addictions
that have been passed down through time.
Alcoholism and drug addiction is rampant – resulting in an extremely
high level domestic violence and suicide.
There is no sense of pride or ownership over there possessions. It is common for someone to use a baby
stroller and leave it by the side of the road and not ever remember to retrieve
it. It will stay on the sidewalk until the next person decides to use it. Having no sense of ownership makes it
easy for people to borrow, steal, or abide by the payback system. The payback system often results in
stabbings and ultimately death for many.
The aboriginal culture is very connected to the spiritual
world. The worship a spiritual
being called the “Rainbow Serpent.”
Boys who are entering their teen years are taken into the woods and
circumcised as a traditional right of passage. At these ceremonies they ask
that the Rainbow Serpent give the boy a demon. A Demon that is dedicated to an individual is called their
“totem.” These demons are supposed to guide them and stay with them for their
entire lives. Witchcraft is also preval
ent in this culture. Someone could pay a
witchdoctor to cast a spell or curse over someone’s life, and they have
reported that these individuals will usually end up dying or going crazy from
the curse.
After seeing the people of Bagot, it is very clear that
there are some spiritual and physical strongholds in their lives- But
underneath the layers of generational sins and addictions was a people who were
beautiful and gentle. Children
that just wanted to know they were loved and worthy of hope. The people that we
met were welcoming, kind, and crying out for love. I ask that you pray for the people of Bagot; that they gain
freedom from this bondage and that they are filled with healing, hope, and a
purpose for the future; That they
spread love throughout their community that will catch like wildfire! Their
story matters, and God is here,
These people need to know that they are not forgotten and that our Lord
will never forsake them. I look
forward to being apart of their lives over the next month.
