Ministry this week has looked a bit different. Our teams were supposed to switch out ministry locations and then we decided not to so we would be honoring of what G-d wanted. Choosing obedience doesn’t mean there isn’t disappointment. I personally wanted to activate the exploration side of me to go and be a part of what was happening there. Also the teams there have been posting about their G-d adventures and it’s hard to not be there too. However, there is something beautiful about staying where you are and not running away from what’s placed in front of you.
A group of us at Killen Falls
We went out to Nimbin a couple times this week which is known as the drug capital of Australia to do community barbecues. Talk about a time jump back to the 1960s. This place is a transient community made up of locals and indigenous people as well as travelers who come through for all kinds of reasons. Tie Dye, Cannabis/Hemp, Bob Marley, Black Lights, Social Justice, Activism, Taking Care of Mother Earth, Handmade Items, etc. are everywhere and people leave a conversation by saying “Love & Light”. The local leaders even refer to the people living there as hippies. Around the city are all kinds of monuments and murals depicting idols of some sort. The conversations with people have kept us on our toes and presented opportunities to simply love them in the midst of their confusion. I think they also challenged us too on what we truly believe as we conversed.
My favorite ministry moment of the week though was serving at Liberation Larder serving the homeless community in Byron Bay. We helped prepare and serve breakfast and it was simply nice to do something tangible to brighten someone’s day.
Liberation Larder Community Center Outreach
Praying over the different cities in Byron Shire such as Bangalow and Mullumbimby was a neat experience too. Each one had a different yet similar feel. While going throughout these areas I came across a painted quote from Leonard Cohen which I think represents the brokenness of the area in a beautiful way. Light can’t come in if we don’t let it or if there isn’t a way. We are here to bring light into the cracks and other areas of brokenness throughout the places we travel.
