The long Summer

The change is not here today on the weekend we are told

Been out and about - the heat has come down by about 8 degrees. Mid 30's the norm as I drive round Hermidale, Walgett and Coonamble/Quombone  areas. The mood is getting a bit testy with little to no help from Governments at this time. Low/no  interest loans  are good but the worry is how long will it take, do I meet the criteria. This is 5 years  or more for a lot, some got a break with one good year . Stock and wild life wander seeking a feed .

A mob of cattle looking for a feed 

Roos seek shade at 3 15 pm 

But have they given up? NO! I was given a tour of the Quombone Polo Cross and Picnic Race track as they work to bring them up to standards. Volunteers with a multiple  of life- skills and "just have go" attitude has gained grants and deals and transport to change the site to a place for a great day out . It's like a new Loo!

the winning post viewed from under a shady awning 

Supper room has a mind of its own 

   

from R to L new Bar rooms storage old bar New Showers and Loos !




Look what happened to the Hall - thanks to a grant  we need to run something
 It so much cooler and the supper room Photos shows this awesome space but Photo will not play ball theses small Communities will punch above their weight with support and resources  not hand outs hands up good on you Quombone,

I travel and meet these people and they face all nature throws at them - some are buying water as well as feed. Dams so low they fence them off to stop stock getting stuck in the mud but a smile and a cuppa  meet you and give them a chance to show off the work no problem , But we need rain, O Lord  we need rain. The Drought has left our state tinder dry. The danger of Fire is high and what would we stop it with?  rivers &  dams are dry or almost empty.I know your praying for the bush  - thank you - can you ask God to allow Sydney to have a few dry weekends and come fill our Mud holes with the rain? Thanks for reading, thanks for your messages of support and mostly your prayers . A Farmer greeted me with "You been Bogged of Late"   told him I trying .

Shalom

Rev Phill
PS I forgot to do the Small schools small camp  I do it very soon another blessing City and Bush and Bush to the City 

The time moves on

Hi all. I have been busy with many things - training in Dubbo, Gunnedah and Tamworth - I love it when a week comes together.   Monday I drove over to Dubbo, I picked the Tamworth people up from airport - the Fly in-Fly out folk love a country gathering.The odd 'Roo on way - quintessential Australia. Add SSSSloow talking Simon. Great time was had by all, about 50 made their way, lots of input and heaps of .............   This is the new way, but will it work? To keep the old,or build on the new ways.

On the road i see great views but also dry and failed crops

What’s changing? The RMU (Rural Ministry Unit) has become RMU 2 -  made up of people with proven vision and a willingness to change in the name of God... Supporting Scattered Communities by connecting in a number of ways. Ruminations will go in the mail or your Email  -  if you're reading this then no more drive to the mail box, more time to pray or cook whatever.

Using Uniting Community Engagement workers to grow new ideas of how to, without blowing the budget or your boiler,  grow into a church that connects its community.

We will be looking  at ways  of connecting Ministers in the City to Congregations.  No, not happy holidays  helping you find ways of doing worship that you all enjoy.  We have heard the pain of many with no respite  - even the Lord took time out .

Everyone spoke, some more than others (you know who you are), feedback was good  and then I ran NENW folk back to airport then drove home with my crew - Me, myself and I. I played up,  too much coffee mat eeting in coffee shop - was good.

Sir Ivan fire 12 months on from this picture is still a struggling Community but they still can have fun 

Gunnedah  I took on the role of team Leader. It was a Mock evacuation - Gunnedah was going under during a "big rain" - we wish. This is part of the training we do as Disaster Recovery Chaplains but wow the Red Cross was made up of Church people! It often gets asked:  "what’s your mission"?  nothing! and they're out in the community helping those in moments of need. Great day .

Then onto Tamworth for "Preaching in Corinthians". For my non-church going followers Corinth is a place mentioned in the bible from a long time ago and a great guy named Paul who hung out with and looked after the people. Anyway,  it stated at 9.30 am and I got there at 4 pm - I had a note from "myself" - he is the best writer of the team.

Back to Narrabri so I could preach on Sunday - what a week.

Not enough rain in storms to fill the dams but the nice cool day was great for sleeping in. Then out came the sun - I do like it warm - but not so hot you can't pick up your sunnies off the dash!

5 years ago I took this great call on I thank NENW RMU and Sydney North for their support in the call God had I be going on thanks again Sydney Central Coast Presbytery as has Rev Simon now or Moderator 

Yes thanks to the Presbytery for their care the Local church putting up with me all those wonderful people I have met  along the roads .Rev. Janet Dawson who puts my head back in the right place , My wife who gives me the freedom to do this and support on those days you don't talk about . To go on is my call and thanks God for another year or more  

Christmas time again

 The year that was  - 2017 - a year of mixed results

The First trip out was to Broken Hill - can you see for ever  ?

I was home for a little time when the call came - there was a fire - can you report to The Recovery Centre?  First at Coonabarrabran, then Coolah for a week. I stayed - great team to work with. Below: the storm and the team from Community service.

Farm Visit: great drive ways - always ring ahead 

Then I was in Nyngan, Hermidale visiting and getting around

Back in Nyngan for the Smalls schools Big Camp at the show ground - Monday to Friday. Schools: Bourke district - we had Wanaaring, Engonia, Girilambone, Quambone, Marra Creek Hermidale  & Carinda Public schools and distant Education - 110 children. We also had students from Knox Grammar,  PLC and Ravenswood, plus Next Gen UME star - sadly his GPS took him to Bourke St :(

Could this be rain? 

The RMU Field days -  some came for the first day & stayed for the lot. Good work to those who set it up. It was the end of a great run by Bronwyn Murphy as she passed over the baton to Rev Mark Faulkner -  right - giving his keynote address at the dinner. Powerful words to take us forward. RMU has become part of "Salt Bush" - scattered Communities,  new name, new Vision - forward into the future.

Then down the river with a great bunch of people from across the state - yes even the Moderator -  who is a great supporter of this project .

I finished this trip in Shepperton Vic  and drove to Tamworth for the first of my 3 eye operations. I know I am healing as I can read and write with my $30 readers -they are working well - sorry they have no spell check glasses yet . But I just remembered I did not do a Blog on the Lower MDB tour  - sorry guys but I will get to it. The last 3 months have been humbling - relying on others  for lifts and other care and so much prayer.  I have done much from home and over the phone plus attended some great events -  if you follow my Facebook page you will see lots of Photos.

I once was blind but now I see. So much more to do but 2017 made me take rest like never before  but I found it was needed in allowing others to help, I found new life and God's Love in  the staff of the doctor's rooms and all around me, friends and family. 

Looking forward to new sights to see as God opens his Kingdom  through the lens of my Camera.

Shalom