10, 9, 8...God is great!
Last week was spent in Katoomba at CMS Summer School.I was leading on the Infants team (k-2 kiddies) and had an excellent week!
The mornings were taken up with leading the little ones, entertaining them, singing, learning memory verses, doing craft, and hearing stories from the Bible about Jesus and his friends by the sea. The afternoons we had off, so were either spent down in one of the many coffee shops that make up katoomba and leura or simply just chilling by the lake and getting to know the rest of the team better. And the evenings were spent in sessions, hearing talks from the Bible and/or hearing from missionaries which CMS has sent or will be sending off around Australia and the world.
As I said, it was an excellent week. But hard at times too.
I was both challenged and encouraged.
It is amazing to see these kids as young as 4 know and learn about Jesus and especially be so keen to pray!
It is so encouraging to be in a massive shed filled with Christians from all ages from all across Sydney.
It was great to work with a team of which half I didnt know before this week - all coming from such different areas and backgrounds yet getting along and working so well together simply because we are all united in Christ!
It was refreshing to be reminded of the Truth for which we were all there and we were preparing these kids for - being reminded that all of our days are numbered and while we do not have a culture ready and willing to acknowledge death in everyday conversation, that shileds itself from this fact by busying itself with family, wealth, life... death is inevitable and we need to be ready for it! William Taylor spoke on Matthew 8:1-22 establishing that while the universal condition of humanity is death, Jesus offers a solution for this condition, conquering and reversing it. He CAN and WILL save you and offer you the salvation you need. Despite all that you have experienced and felt this past month, year, 10 years, you can come before God and say if you are willing Lord, maky me clean!
And it was also challenging to hear the great need that exists worldwide to educate others about the Bible and our Lord Jesus. The need is there. The opportunity is there. Is the heart willing and able to go there? Where can you serve and how?
It is one of those things that makes you question what you are doing with your life. And I need to continue to ask this question and not let the challenges of this week simply drift away and out of my system!
Having said that, it was also greatly encouraging to hear the way God has been working in all these cities around the world! And it defiantely puts things into perspective as you realise just how blessed we are to have the Bible teaching we do in Sydney!
One story that stood out to be was that of a small village in Tanzania. One of the CMS missionaries established a Bible study there in a building that would be about the size of one of the rooms in our houses here. She spoke of the amazing desire by these people to study the Word - with at least 70 people showing up but she only having the facilities to lead 20 at a time. Some of them travelled oover 1 and1/2 hrs to get there. Some saved up over the equivalent of $250 Australian to buy a Bible. I dont know about you, but i think there is a beautiful passion there that is possibly lacking in a lot of us who have these things so easily!?!
There is a lot more that could be said about this week. But too much to put down now. I may continue to post as more comes to mind. It was such a full week, but such a blessing to be apart of. I hope and pray the things I have learnt and that were put on my heart this week will remain there and continue to grow!
In other news...Yesterday I enjoyed been back in Sydney and th
e beauty that is holidays, visiting the art gallery, wandering through the botanic gardens, and catching up with friends while enjoying some Jazz in the Domain - South American style (which felt like a continuation of Summer School in a way) So so good!But how easy could it be to fall into the temptation of enjoying events and activities like these and have them take over the thoughts I have just mentioned above! Please Lord, do not let this happen!
(As usual, some photo taking occured as well...check out some more on Flickr)
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