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Please note; updates are not so frequent these days, as the park reports are pretty much consistently wonderful, blessed times. I've also closed the forum, as there are plenty of other places for that kind of thing. Cheers, and enjoy. Some pics and maps here Aceh videos here We bring them a hot dog, and they bring us profound spiritual moments. Jesus was a homeless guy. News 20th January 2007 Well, thanks so much to those who have helped out! We have seen about half the bikes delivered already, and the rest are payed for. Kids have also received letters from their 'sponsors' and are delighted to make contact - with the hope of establishing real relationship over time. For me, personally, this is the big one! To build bridges between people who are 'supposed' to be scared of each other. On Boxing Day, two years after the tsunami, I had the pleasure of personally delivering about 50 girls' bikes with some of the locals who are helping with the project, and with my son, Noah, who came with me on the trip. It was wonderful to see happy smiling faces and we were received back with a wonderful warmth and hospitality. It was also encouraging to see timber and iron clad houses (like a glorified cubby by Australian standards) where there were tarpaulins in April. After Meulaboh (Aceh) we went to Lake Toba (possibly the most beautiful place on earth) for some r & r then flew to Cambodia to help out with some online curriculum building with an organisation called Hagar. Stepping back a little, I took some of my Media Students to Cambodia to make a documentary in October 2006, and they made a very moving film about one of the beneficiaries of Hagar; a 14 yr old girl who is receiving some catch-up education. While we were there I saw the opportunity to help with some online curriculum development, hence our return in January 07. I also spent some time working on a documentary for Hagar. A big part of this trip was to expose Noah, who is 10 yrs old, to other cultures and ways of life. He engaged at a wonderful level. One of the precious memories was an evening in Phnom Penh, where he had fully connected with the street sellers. The night before, he had been playing connect 4 on the street (literally) for hours, and he followed it up by trying to help them sell books. He took one of the kids' basket of books and started asking people if they wanted to buy a book, or a map, or a bag, and he could do a good price! It was really funny, yet really profound at the same time. He learned what it's like to be completely ignored, as the street sellers so often are. However those who actually looked at him, realising he wasn't a Cambodian kid, didn't know what to do with it. It really seemed to rattle some cages in an interesting kind of way. What was beautiful to see, was when Noah did sell a book, he gave the money to the kid, who immediately split the profit with him. Noah tried to make them keep it all, but they insisted each time. It struck me that kids who desparately need a buck (so they can go to school the next day) still value relationship more than money - and they knew Noah didn't need the money! Anyway, that's a very abbreviated version of our trip. Here are a few pics.
Cheers, O 21st July 06 You may remember a post I made a few months ago about going to Aceh. Well, it was incredible! I spent my school holidays traveling to a part of the world that some would emphatically tell you NOT to go! Well, as I suspected, they are NOT to be believed. I was wonderfully looked after by the most hospitable people who have persevered through the probably the worst natural disaster since the flood. They are loving, caring, sharing and I didn't for a second feel unsafe. It was a time of real challenge and reflection for me, and many religious and social myths were delightfully dispelled. All reports when I was there said the tsunami was 20m high and traveled at 800km/h. That's pretty frikken horrendous, right? It washed away kilometers of the coast, and flattened kilometers inland. It is truly an awesome place to be, and I would encourage you to buy a ticket today - go and visit, share a coffee, hear a story, engage with the survivors. You won't be disappointed. One thing was very obvious. Relief organisations and churches are appreciated, yet there's a degree of cynicism. Go by yourself! Without any kind of organisation behind you! Without any hidden agenda or ulterior motive! They will open their hearts and lives to you and you will indeed be blessed. I shot some video and am working on something of a travel journal. I have just completed another edit that includes a couple of interviews with locals and something of a look at the place 16 months after the tsunami. See it here. Updated 12th March
06 Over the last couple of months there's been a really regular crew waiting for us by the barbecues. There have been a couple of guitars, an acoustic bass, didgeridoo and some great bluesy, country-ish music happening on some days. The music really adds a new dimension to the afternoon and a different kind of fellowship. Ronald spent over an hour teaching Noah how to play didge. He was real happy with himself. Wendy and Emma turned up with visual diaries and pencils a couple of weeks ago and did some great sketches. It was pretty special, and a really nice touch to bring something special to those being drawn. Today a woman asked if we could read out some Bible. Not having one handy we started chatting about some Bible verses and quite a conversation resulted. It's hard not to notice how many people living on our streets have Christian backgrounds of some sort. It's been great to have some crew from The Mission in North Perth. A couple of homeless crew have gone along to their services after the park, which is great. I love that Grant and the others are so open to their involvement in that community. It's always inspiring to see so many wonderful people turning up and being involved. I love the way the whole thing just works with no real planning or structure - each person bringing something to make the whole event complete. Some drift in and out, others are there every week, but they are always loving, caring, sharing. There are some wonderful people around who sincerely reflect Jesus' nature. Cheers, O Updated 6th March
06 On April 11 I will hop on a plane to Jakarta, then head over to tsunami-stricken Banda Aceh to help out with some stuff. I don’t really know what to expect, but I believe there are things we can do if we just ask the question. Of course, it’s difficult to ask if we don’t go first. I’ll document the whole thing on video as a ‘hitch-hikers guide to being nice’ for distribution. I’m hoping to do similar things later this year in Cambodia, then next year in Thailand and Africa. I’m also looking at documenting the Park Barbecues and the wonderful things that are happening there. I’d like to communicate the idea that we can choose a disaster-stricken and dangerous place to go on our holidays rather than first-world luxury. It would often be cheaper, and so much more rewarding. I hope these videos are of use to people who would like to actively engage with those in need, but find it somehow inaccessible due to the presumption that they can do nothing without large amounts of ‘training, time and money’. Thee of my ex-students
have heard about the trip to Aceh, and have asked if they can come,
so it will be nice to have some manpower for practical help situations,
as well as more suitcases to put stuff in for orphans and schools
we’ll visit. Kids at school are collecting and making things
for us to take with us… Commission vs
Command The great commission can be done by organizing ourselves, working on advanced strategies, by thinking up great rhetorical questions to ‘guide’ people over the line, by cleverly shaping conversation to corner people into admitting we’re right, by doing nice things for them so they think we love them (good if without the ulterior motive)… and all this can be done without any trust or faith in God. The great command cannot be done without God. We are incapable of loving, sharing and caring without His power. It takes sacrifice of self. It takes faith to let God do the convicting. But! If we obey the command, we fulfill the commission, since the love of Christ is so irresistible to most. Let us find ways of helping each other to shake off the old paradigm. Let us find ways of sincerely showing love. Let us be salt and light. Let us trust God with the results of our labour. Barbecues on
the Rise After lunch we went to Lake Leschenaultia for a birthday party. Friends up there told us they have Sunday BBQs up there and have about 40 people from all join them on a regular basis. Once again, it’s about sharing God’s love. I heard a rumour yesterday about some people in Balga doing a barbecue for the Sudanese in their area. Pretty good I reckon. God bless ‘em. Cheers, and God Bless you. O Updated 18th December
2005 (forum
entry here) Well, It's been a month since I updated the site. Nope, we haven't stopped communing with people in the park, it's just been so busy! We have had a month of diverse and varied Sunday arvos in Hyde Park, with a variety of people hanging out with us. Numbers have fluctuated a lot, but it's always an adventure in some ways, wonderfully relaxing in other ways. In early November a family of Iraqis arrived here as refugees. It's been great to get to know them, and I hope to have them over for Christmas dinner. They're a Muslim family, and love to engage in Carols by Candlelight, and are warm and welcoming of us into their home. They live close to Marissa, and she's done an awesome job locking in with them. During the week Kylie and Lucinda put together some Christmas hampers and we left some with folks who are living on the streets. We'll deliver some more tomorrow to some of them who live in refuges and other places. We are going to miss the park on Christmas, so they reckon they're going to turn up with their hampers and have Christmas anyway. One of the things we're finding is that the folks are opening up in a number of ways. There are various relational issues that some of them need to work through, and they have other physical needs as well. It's a privelege to be a part of their world, to offer friendship, and to engage on a deeper level. In the last few weeks, we have had complete strangers walk up and give us money, and others come to tell us about the reputation we have earned around the streets of Perth. It's an honour to be known as 'The Christians' and a blessing to be told that the people have immense respect for us and love us dearly. They apparently look forward to hanging out at 1pm Sundays. I gotta say; they are a blessing to us too, and I look forward to hanging with them as well. It's very much a mutually beneficial and blessed time. Until next time, O Updated 13th November
2005 (forum
entry here) During the afternoon one of the guys that's a regular had a seizure. Pray that he's ok. He's become a wonderful friend and is dedicated to serving those around him with humility and kindness. It was quite amazing to see everyone rally around him in support, finding ways to help someone they cared about. I'm talking about Christians, Muslims, and others members of this eclectic community, all united to care for one person who is a part of what is happening there. It's deeply moving to be a part of something real, something spiritually profound. To see a Muslim woman in tears as she comforts a Christian woman shaken by an event where a loved one is rushed off to hospital in an ambulance. Next weekend will be the last time we see one family, who are going to Iraq for three months. They are taking photos of themselves in church, in the park with Christians, and we will miss them greatly. Pray for their safety. They are dearly loved. It was once again a privelege to meet wonderful new immigrants; a family from Iraq. He is a famous artist in Iraq, and they were excited about giving us their numbers - inviting us over to their home (does the Bible say something about those who invite us into their home?). Gonna go visit them this week. Cheers, O Updated
7th November 2005 I've decided to put together a new section in the feedfivethousand web. It'll be a place where we list activities that people are engaging in to help the needy and create community. My hope it that you will find something to join in with - help someone who is already helping someone else. Blessed is the giver. If you have suggestions, please email me. I'm hoping to put together a bit of a shindig on the 11th December - perhaps a spit-roast and something of a feast to celebrate Christmas. Any help, ideas, contributions will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, O Updated 2nd November
2005 Caught up with Grant during the week, and he said the day finished really well. They took things further - to those who had mates, food, and were appropriately dressed in current non-homeless fashion. Seems to me people of all walks actually respond really well to the idea of love, care, friendship and community. No wonder Jesus had people flock to Him! The weekend just gone was pretty wet, but we still had a great time! We've bought a coffee percolator urn, and it was good to be able to offer those who already have food a nice coffee. I walked around the lakes and found Johnny with his arms outstretched calling out to God. One thing led to another and he ended up coming to church with me. We played a few songs together - him on guitar and singing, and me on the Gumleaf. It was wonderful to see and hear him worshipping with such passion. I gotta say. Even though there were only a few people there on a cold and wet day, it was still the sweetest fellowship I've had all week. Thanks so much to those who commune with us in the park on weekends. Cheers, O Updated 21st October
2005 Last Sunday, the 16th of October, was a beautiful sunny day, and the park was crowded. This is the first time we've had a really busy park, so we were not sure what to expect. However, once again we were very blessed by those who joined us. Grant has cancelled church for a few weeks, so they all come along to the park. This is the second time this year (and possibly in my whole life) that I've seen a pastor do something really outside the box and very brave. Well done Grant! He's also decided to make the park a regular 'office' during the week, so is making great connections there. Johnny, a regular, thanked me for being there for him for a long time now. Then he said "it's time for me to come back to the Lord". It was wonderful to be a part of that moment. Turns out he's been through Bible College and was once a full-on Christian. We have chosen to NOT go to the park to tell ,verbally, the gospel, but to connect with people, and reconcile with those we have culturally been at odds with. The result is that relationship is built, and the gospel is spoken by deed. This seems to be very impacting, and allows us to work with a clear conscience - that we have no alterior motive or hidden agenda. OK, have a great week, and join us when you can! O Updated 5th October
2005 Sunday just gone the new Brighton Barby began. From all reports it was a real success. Great to see the guys from Upstream getting into it. Check the forums for more details, or flick Herdo a note if you want to get involved. You know, the beauty of having these BBQs is that it really is so simple, easy, cheap, and a great, relaxing afternoon. Australians from all walks are very comfortable being invited to a feed in the park, whereas they may not be comfortable coming into a stranger's home for a feed. Updated
23rd September Overall, a wonderful relaxing afternoon. My kids can't wait until next time, which is nice.
Looking forward to seeing you there, O
Updated
12th September 2005
Afterwards we went to Hyde park for our 1pm regular BBQ. Were joined by family who had come along for Noah's baptism, as well as Rach and Colin. Hassan and Raja came along with the kids, and we were also joined by some Aboriginal folk.
Johnny is an old busker who we knew from the days at the Brisbane Park. Nice guy, sings and plays guitar, would like to quit drinking. He had a bloke with him called Don. Don quit drinking a year ago, and had just met Johnny. Don encouraged Johnny and gave him a few tips as to how to kick the habit, and where he could find some help. Pray for them. Noelene came along with Cowen. She's at a local refuge, and wants to come to church this sunday. Been through some serious crap, and would like to find some local community. Pray for her. Overall it was a great afternoon. I think we might be able to do something special with music in Hyde Park. Many of the Aboriginal folk know some of the more country and old-school hymns, so I am thinking we should bring some instruments and have a bit of a jam. Johnny's keen to join us. Well, that's it for this week. Cheers, O Updated
4th September 2005 A large extended family were near us celebrating a birhday. Turns out some of them were Christian, and one delivers soup to street people in Fremantle on week days. She told me what they do, then said "there are good people out there; lots of good people", which hit a sweet spot for me at the time. Noah has invited an Iraqi Muslim family along to his baptism which is this coming weekend. They will come along to church with us. I'm a bit nervous about how they will be received, but hope and pray that things will work out - love and learning will happen both sides of the religious fence. Happens to be 9/11 the day of his baptism, and he's going to wear his 'Jesus Loves Muslims' T-shirt. All in all, I think the barbecue was worth while. Pray that as the number of eaters builds, so will the number of feeders. Thanks, O Updated
28th August 2005
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