Fearless, generous hospitality
Hope in the powerful name of Jesus is light in darkness—it breaks the bonds of fear.
Seeing the invisible
First impressions can be deceiving. As I started to get to know the women here, I began to understand that they are only “invisible” if we do not take the time to see them.
By Grace Alone
Suzy is a 32-year-old yellow Suzuki Swift who was loaned to us by friends when they realised we needed a temporary second car. She can be reluctant to start some mornings and she is not as beautiful as she once was.
God shaped me for this
The plane took off and, full of nervous energy, trepidation and excitement, I felt like I was flying to Neverland. For the first time in my life I was headed somewhere totally foreign. Four weeks before, I hadn’t even heard of this country, tucked deep in Central Asia. But that’s how God works sometimes – He brings surprises, a turn of events, the intercession of His children, to break our focus on the earthly, refocus on the eternal and point the way to something unknown. When the seatbelt light turned off, it signified a break from the safety of my culture and my lifestyle.
Why not?
Sometimes I feel we concentrate so much on how we feel His call and asking Him, “why us?”, but maybe a different way of thinking is, “why not?” Why not go and serve alongside those who have no option of living in a safe and materially blessed society as we do. We feel that Father has given us 30 years of abundant blessings, so why not now use these blessings to bless others.
Conversations
We find connection as women. Over cups of tea or a meal, we can converse for hours. Sharing about our lives, our joys and our disappointments.
Leading from the heart: Bishop John Reid
Bishop John Reid passed away on the 2nd January 2016. His legacy of leadership within Interserve is not widely known but is very significant.
Love made complete
I met Jesus the other day. He asked me to come with him to see a man who was sick – dying maybe.
Trusting God when it matters most
"Following God where he leads is not primarily about courage. It’s about a recognition that, ultimately, it is better, richer, greater to walk with him, than to walk away from him."
Incarnational mission
Recognising the other—women who are hidden, unrecognised and marginalised in their communities—is at the heart of women in mission.
Seeing others blossom
“It is for more than a warm feeling or a desire to help these women that I go each week for tea and conversation. I want to show Nasima and the others the love and grace that God has shown me.”
Towards an Unshakeable Kingdom
The team took the opportunity to explain why they, as Christians, were doing disaster relief and explained how many people around the world loved the villagers and had contributed generously.
Healing the brokenhearted
About six years ago, a devastating earthquake caused the loss of tens of thousands of lives in this region. Post-traumatic stress was widespread, and many suicided because they had lost everything, except despair.
The housewife and the shopkeeper
Saule worked seven days a week, twelve hours a day. She worked hard to support her family back home. “What’s your dream, Saule? If you weren’t working in this job, what would you rather be doing?”
Hearts in colours
We spread out paper and simple art supplies. Nothing is complicated or technical, but to these women whose daily lives are shaped by displacement and feelings of helplessness, gentle guidance is necessary as we begin to transform blank pages with colour and form.
OSCaR: a story about software
On the face of it, software development can seem like a stodgy business, and it wasn’t what Chris had in mind when he and his family left Adelaide. But this project has already had an impact on Cambodian society, and the kids Children In Families follows up every day.
Mountains to beaches
"That’s how I come to live near this beach. My brother and I are sort of like Australian teens already, even though the Tibetan community here holds activities to help us remember what it means to be Tibetan."
Second chances
For the first time Sarah didn’t feel despised or discriminated against. Gradually she started to smile more, chat with other parents and, most importantly, enjoy her relationship with her son.
God the Master Craftsman
Before I headed off as an On Tracker for four months, I was told that the experience would change my life. I smiled and nodded; it was just for four months…
God give you strength
At the end of virtually every interview with a refugee who was asking for assistance we couldn’t provide, they would stand and say “Thank you” or “Peace be with you”. And as they left, with frustration fading from their eyes, they would simply say, “God give you strength”.
