New Knox Camp!

January saw the culmination of almost a year of planning, praying and working to see a new Southern Cross Kids' Camp come into being. A new camp launched in the Knox area, making seven camps now happening in Australia plus one in New Zealand. Colleen (pictured here with me and Bluesea) joined me in directing the camp and did a great job. We had 24 first-time buddies and staff members, who joined with experienced workers to give these kids an unforgettable camp experience. Bluesea didn't do too badly either in her very exacting job of watching for campers displaying good attitudes and kindess. Check out SCKC at www.sckc.org.au

GOODBYE 08 - WELCOME 09

One year drawing to a close....the turning of a page to the opening of a new, blank space. 2009 is approaching fast, and it is usual to reflect on what has gone before and to anticipate what might come. I don't know about you, but the page for 2008 was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster - lows (loss of dear ones,added pressures and expectations of others.. highs - news from a far land, unexpected blessings (my red Forester!) travel to people and places I love (Thailand, Cambodia, USA)....good friends, Southern Cross Kids' Camps... along with the aching of joints that used to work smoothly. What will 2009 hold for all of us? World finances topple....nations continue to war....millions starve or subsist...children are still in enslavement and deprivation. I don't have the answers - I do know that all I can do is my bit. To help where I can. My Compassion boy "Ton" will be educated, fed and given some spiritual input this year, because God faithfully provides for me so that I can provide for him. There is an old song that says "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives." [Bill Gaither] It pretty much sums it up - as the psalmist says "My times are in His hands." Psalm
31:14. So I choose to look forward to the year ahead with its challenges, blessings, unexpected surprises. I look forward to deepening relationships, to new friends, new travel experiences and new growth. (Inward growth that is, not a widening girth!) :) To everyone who checks on this blog from time to time - may 2009 be a great year for you and for the ones you hold dear.

The Great Gift Exchange

Christmas in Australia means many things - family time, food, decorations, church, shopping...shopping....shopping. The giving of gifts has overshadowed the greatest gift of all - that of God Himself coming as a child to live among us, experience the challenges, joy, tears and fears that is life, and finally to give Himself to take our punishment, to give us the gift of life. Life now and life eternal. Now that's a big gift! Yesterday I had the privilege of sharing on this aspect at Northside Christian Church in Bundoora. I had two 'bad news readers' come up to read the headlines of today - mostly doom and gloom, tragedy and loss. Then chose a child to be the angel reading the Good News of Luke 2. Finally I chose two boys to represent the two groups of people who knew of the event of Jesus' birth before anyone else - shepherds (the lowest of society of that time, often scoundrels, rough and ready) and wise men (I had this young man wear a mortarboard and hold a diploma - the Bible says they were "wise' not necessarily kings). The two extremes - rough, uneducated, to highly intelligent and capable. One of the messages of Christmas is that God's gift if for everyone and all who will accept it. He offers unconditional acceptance, unconditional love and through His Son, eternal life. WOW! What on earth can I give to match that? The simply answer to this - I can choose to live to serve Him, to live life through His eyes, to accept others, to curb selfishness, to make a difference in this world, not to earn salvation (acceptance of the gift does that) but to seek to see others discover the same gift. Christmas - Christ in our world, our life. Consider this quote from Charles Swindoll: “Emmanuel. God with us. He who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.” 

Fund-raising

Southern Cross Kids' Camps benefited from CityLife Church's Christmas production "Finding Christmas" which ran last weekend. Krispy Kreme Donuts and SCKC Calendars helped bring in some much-needed funding for the new camp starting in the Knox area and I got a chance to spruik. "Getcha calorie-free calendars here!"

A RARE SIGHT IN MELBOURNE...

When my friend from Singapore called to say she was in town, it was a great chance to catch up in the city, and I took this photo while waiting to cross the road. The glorious rain sent me (and hundreds of others I am sure) scrambling through closets and car boots (trunks) to find an umbrella, remove any spider webs and then enjoy the sound of rain splashing all around apart from my own personal cone of dryness. With rain scheduled on and off for the next week, there is a chance of good falls in our water catchment areas. At time of writing the dams are just 34% full for the greater Melbourne drinking supply. Water - the most basic of needs, now treasured as something precious. I am reminded of the story in John 4 where Jesus talks with a woman at a town well. She comes from a background of promiscuity, and of great need, and Jesus cuts to the chase when he tells her "I have water that will satisfy. Drink from me and you will never thirst again." Sometimes it takes something as natural as a rain shower to remind me that I do have a well that goes deep and is filled with living water - and I need to dip into that to fully satisfy the thirst within.

Friends.....

Today I lunched with two "old friends" - old not so much in years, but friends I have known since they were University students, and who now I see only occasionally. However, whenever we meet it is as if we have never been apart. It was good to reminisce, to catch up , to anticipate each others' future plans. It made me reflect on other friendships - some I am unable to contact, others who fail to respond when I do. I do not take friendship lightly and my thoughts are spelled out below.

FRIENDS...
Faithful......consistent
Realistic....accept you as you are, no undue expectations
Interested...in your life and what makes 'you' you.
Enjoys.....your company, communications, opinions
Natural....no pretences, masks or 'game-playing'
Determined....to fight for a relationship that is valued
Share...hopes and fears, aspirations and dreams, heartaches and joys

SOUTHERN CROSS KIDS' CAMPS CHARITY GOLF DAY

As you know, SCKC is a cause close to my heart. These camps seek to assist children within the social welfare system, many of whom are in foster care. A new camp is starting in the Melbourne area of Knox and I am heading up the new team there for this first camp. There are 7 camps now in Australia and one in New Zealand. If you want to know more, check out the camp website at www.sckc.org.au

The first golf day, while not as big as we had hoped, did raise significantly the profile of the organisation and the kids we hope to reach with a hope for the future. I am pictured presenting an award to our third place winner.