Late last month we established contact with a church in Alexandra who are working in Marysville.  They have asked if there are a few folk from our congregation who would be interested in supporting them as they do some door knocking and canvassing those folk who are on site in the region. Preferably Monday, Tuesday Afternoon, Thursdays and 1st and 2nd Fridays of the month. 

Door knocking in this context means meeting folk who are in the process of rebuilding their lives.  Some are still working through significant grief and anger and for them someone to have a coffee with, who’ll spend the time and not get fazed by outpourings of anger is what they really need (you’ll need to listen till your ears hurt).  Some are looking to get on with the physical work of rebuilding their home.  They don’t need a whole lot of chat, they’ve got a job to do, so as we find those folk, if you know you have a skill (tried and tested) that would be needed in putting a house/business buildings together, you would be able to add more value than those who are great listeners.

So, if you want to get involved, drop me a line (maurice.benington@cccw.org.au ) and we can begin the conversation from there.

On Monday (20 April) Ted Waterman and I travelled up to Marysville.  We met pastors from the Alexandra Life Centre, Richard and Jeanette Lovett.  Richard and Jeanette have working with those in Marysville who have stayed on and are looking to rebuild their lives. 

Whilst there they introduced us to one of the guys (for the purpose of this post we will call him Jack) who is in the process of rebuilding. It was an humbling experience to be standing there talking with Richard, Jeanette and Jack.  Richard and Jeanette have this incredible heart for the people of Marysville. 

They spoke with compassion, respect and understanding.  Jack in trying
to rebuild is juggling work commitments, caring for his young family and all the while keep the construction on his new house moving.  And this is whilst living in a caravan and washing in stream at the bottom of his property.

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