Hope Brings Life Like Rain - Phill Shares His Adventures

The rain that has fallen this side of the range seems to me to be linked with many of my trips.

 Lyn and I recently took a trip back to the coast for a Zone Service (a Zone is like a Presbytery, only it’s an area- the southern half of Mid North Coast Presbytery.)

We left with a bright blue sky.

As we made our way East, a darkness started to cover the land.

We passed Tamworth and entering ‘Middle Earth,” the hills took on a misty look.  When we hit Walcha we stopped for our last chance of food before the Hills. The Nowendoc drums rumbled as we left the town behind, news of us was sent ahead -even what we had eaten! We found out later that the girl who served us was related to friends at our destination. She'd grown up and I hadn't recognised her! Such is the bush and coastal telegraph. Anything can be news. Sometimes people know what you are doing before you do!

The heavens opened as we drove on. The cloud filled valley and tops of the climbs looked good but then all but the front of the car was lost in the dense rain and a truck loomed out, reminding us of the dangers of long distance travel.

We arrived with a group of good friends coming out to meet us. Saturday was a great day. Most of the congregations had come for the event. We started with prayer and song. Using the power point I put together for Synod, I spoke about what had I left here to do on the other side of the range, about the places and people, the wonderful new team and friends who we meet and the Hope that our Church brings to so many.

Evening fun-a dramatic presentation of  "Bush Christening"

 An old friend and neighbour had heard I was in town and came across to hear me. 

 “I get it now,” he said.”
 It is good work you are doing. How is BJ going?”

Another great day was had at Manilla!  Similar to the last; good fellowship, followed by sharing the story of Hope and how our faith helps us when life is unhelpful. Thanks to the Fellowship for their support towards the chaplains work.

 Again the trip home saw the heavens open. We choose to go back through Gunnedah on the tar.

 Who said it was dry out here in the West?

The next week was my first meeting as a member of RMU so off to Dubbo for me, to the dog-a-lodge for BJ. Hard life that dog has!

The RMU team involved in discussion and planning research.

The RMU trip was a time of good sharing of our way forward, planning for the Conference in August.  Hope you can come. It will be good to yarn with you. The people planning this have some great things organised but we need your input on the day to help us all make Rural Ministry alive and our mission strong.

And “Yes” the trip home was wet till 30k out of Narrabri.

 

I love sharing stories with those I meet. Hope brings life like the rain. It might be a bit messy, uncomfortable but like the Luke7: 11-17 reading a while back told of Jesus reaching out in Compassion and bringing life to the widow’s only son, it’s amazing what God can do if we just touch people with Compassion .

Who cares?

                    God cares.

Remember that when you’re feeling alone.

Phill Matthews - Uniting Church Rural Chaplain