Amid the vast landscapes of Central Australia, thousands of kilometres of dusty red roads draw travellers towards distant hazy horizons. Along the way, there’s time to think. To wonder. To be. People who come out here feel a deep connection with God or with creation, often for the first time in their lives. For many, a trip to the Centre is an awakening of their spirit. For the people who have lived here in the Centre for thousands of years, the spirit world has been as real as the red earth and the scorching sun. Long before white people ventured out here, the Aboriginal people were passing down their sacred stories from generation to generation. They have always known there is more to life than what they can see and touch. So, when Lutheran missionaries arrived at Finke River in 1877, the Aboriginal people were ready to hear the new stories about God the Creator, and his Son, Jesus Christ. They had always seen God in nature, but now, at last, they could know him in person. Today, there are around 7000 Aboriginal Lutherans in the heart of Australia. Christ is in the Centre.
FRM board meets in remote community
In May a convoy of Finke River Mission (FRM) vehicles headed for the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia to establish a base for meetings and community engagement.
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Joy over the one who has come
Confirmation class at Alcoota. Often I announce it in the church services. The parents, especially the mothers, ask me to write down the names of their daughters and sons to be confirmed this year.
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Talking about family: the bush course at Areyonga
The Finke River Mission (FRM) bush course took place from 14 to 17 April. It was held at Areyonga next to a dry riverbed in an area frequented by horses, donkeys, flies, black cockatoos and the occasional aeroplane (it was close to the local airstrip).
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Conservation treatment for precinct watercolours
Art conservator Eric Archer is working on a project to unframe, photograph, document and prepare 18 watercolour paintings for new museum-standard mounts and frames.
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Pepa at dusk
Pastor Rodney and I visited for Pepa (devotions) only late yesterday, but the lady asked, ‘Can you come again tomorrow afternoon?’
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Docker River faith leader honoured with OAM
On 5 April, Pantjiti Unkari McKenzie from Docker River was presented with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM.
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Learning and connecting at Living Waters
Living Waters (Kwatja Etatha) Lutheran School has strong Christian values, supports students to learn, and acknowledges and understands students’ connections. The school has a great tradition of supporting not only the Indigenous students but also the Indigenous people who are employed at the school
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Remember your leaders: Psalm 133 in an Aboriginal context
Psalm 133, which has been translated into Pitjantjatjara, had a big impact on people when it was preached on in 2018.
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Ministering in word and song
Every Thursday the Aboriginal ladies from the Alice Springs Lutheran Congregation meet at the church for Bible study and choir practice. They are known as the Mission Block Choir (or Kwatja Etatha).
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God’s Christmas gift for Titjikala
On 23 December 2018, Janie and Margaret Campbell were installed as church workers by Pastor Phillip Wilyuka and Malcolm Willcocks.
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