In 2016, whilst at a Christian conference in Melbourne, I passed several mission stalls, but nothing really stood out to me. Then on New Year’s Eve, I went to a young adults gathering and met a lovely couple called Daniel and Heather Wilson. They were sharing their heart about Africa and serving with an organisation called Hands at Work that served the most vulnerable children across Africa.
“My first trip to Africa was when I was 20 years old. The stories I heard, the people I met and the things I experienced on that three month trip, are still with me today… I get to serve some of the most incredible, courageous, kind, gentle and humble people that exist on this planet. You will have unlikely heard of many of them, but I get to know them. I get to call them an uncle, an aunt, a brother or a sister.
This morning I looked back on the year with Hands, and the more I reflected, the more there was to be thankful for to God in 2017. As He has done each year, He has once again faithfully provided for all of our 2017 Projects. He has done this through the generosity and sacrificial giving of you, our faithful supporters. So I am very pleased to share this news, so that together we can praise God for this!
From serving dinners to shaving heads to hosting auctions, Hands at Work Advocates are creative in raising support and awareness for Hands at Work and the most vulnerable in Africa. When teams and individuals return from Africa, they often have opportunities to share stories at different events and in their local churches. There are many ways to advocate for the most vulnerable in Africa – sharing stories with family and friends, hosting bake sales or dinners, telling people in your local church about Hands at Work, prayer and inviting others to join you, meeting together with other advocates to encourage one another, sharing on social media. The ideas are endless!
When Jill and Karl Monnick visited South Africa in July with the Sunbury Baptist Church Team, they were deeply impacted by their community visits. The team spent much of their time in Sommerset Community, but also had the opportunity to spend two days in Beeskop Community, near the Swaziland border.
Already now, teams and longer term volunteer plans are beginning to take shape for 2018. Maybe you have been wanting to visit Africa, but for some reason have not yet. Maybe God has just put Africa on your heart recently, and you would jump at the opportunity to go. Maybe you know God is calling you, but you are not sure what the next step to take is. Whatever your story is – come! Be a part of a team, or commit a year of your life.
"This past week we had 27 of our youth leaders from 5 of our communities come and spend Monday to Friday here with us. As some of our Hands leaders shared their stories, the youth opened up and shared theirs. Our hearts were broken over and over again as we sat and listened to the life stories of our young people. Some as young as 12 and 13 years old, sharing of deep loss, rejection, abandonment, unforgiveness..."
Each February, volunteers from around the world meet together at the Hub in South Africa. These are individuals, families, and couples who God has called to serve the most vulnerable with Hands at Work in Africa. In mid-February this year, a new group of volunteers traveled to South Africa to begin or continue their journeys with Hands at Work together.
Judy Riddell has always had a deep desire to serve God overseas, and after waiting many years for the opportunity, next month she will be traveling to Hands at Work in Africa for an extended time. Here, she will be serving alongside international and African volunteers, caring for the most vulnerable in Africa. Please pray for Judy, as she leaves her family, friends, and community in Australia and heads to Africa to serve. Read Judy’s story and how God has shaped her into the Godly woman she is today.
God has brought us through another year, and given us a fresh new year to let Him work in and through us. Reflecting on 2016, God has raised up new volunteers and sent teams to Africa, brought new churches on board, encouraged us through a visit by George Snyman, and showed us more of His unending and beautiful love for His people. It is our hope that you have been able to reflect on God’s goodness in your life, no matter the joys and trials that 2016 brought.
Life changes... Sometimes there are those moments in life when many things in our lives just change and we realise that things will never be the same.
Imagine what it would have been like for Mary when the angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her she would give birth to a baby boy, the Son of the Most High whom she was to call Jesus.
Being a uni student I had little financial ability to do anything, let alone go overseas, but feeling that this was something God wanted me to do, I took a crazy step forward and said yes. Through both friends and strangers incredible –and I mean incredible- generosity, oh and selling muffins every week at my church, I was able to raise just enough for my trip.
In 2013 I wrote an introduction to the 40 Days of Prayer, a Hands at Work event held each year in the lead up to Easter. It was the first year that I really entered into this event. We have 12 days of prayer coming up in December! Day 1 featured a story of a boy damaged and desolate by life, abuse and circumstances.
On the 24th of June a team of 12 will be heading to South Africa for 3 weeks. The majority of these individuals are from Sydney (with one being from Queensland), aged from 17 to 70! A significant portion of the team is young students wanting to spend their university break doing something meaningful.
George Snyman and Levy Mwenda visited Australia in April this year, speaking to groups, churches and individuals in Sydney, in Perth, in Kalgoorlie and in Melbourne. Both George and Levy strongly called many to embrace the call to be beautiful feet: To proclaim God as - the Father to the fatherless and the Husband of the widow.
16th April - 19th ApriL
