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.
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
This photo was taken last week as we launched our year here in Zambia with all our teams from across Zambia, Malawi and DRC. These are all the amazing men and women I live, serve and work alongside of to serve some of the most vulnerable children in Africa. I still wake up some days wondering how I got here, and what qualifies me to work alongside such spiritual giants in the faith. Its an absolute privilege and all of these friends are very dear to my heart.
I saw and experienced Jesus that night in a way that I have never seen or felt before. That little boy sleeps on that cold hard floor every night. Broken, painful sleep is his normal... Along with a constant lack of food that is and will be his life for however long he gets. But he wanted to care for me...
Hands at Work in Africa (Australia) want to thank you for your support. Without your prayers and generosity, orphaned and vulnerable children across six communities in Africa would not have access to 3 Essential services to their development: One nutritious meal per day, Education and Basic Healthcare.
Within the first few moments of sitting and speaking with George Snyman, he assured me that during my few months in Africa, I would be sure to find ‘diamonds in the dust’. The following few weeks saw journal entry after journal entry filled with questions of ‘What are these diamonds?’ ‘Who are these diamonds?’ ‘Why dust?’….
