Westserve

'In drought and flooding rains...'

Update: As Countryserve gets underway this weekend, Anglican Media has the story.

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A great ministry that SWAC is supporting and promoting the many people in rural Australia experiencing serious suffering because of the drought.

Neil Prott is a retired Anglican minister. He and his wife June are members of SWAC, and they have had a real burden for our rural brother and sisters. So they have set about doing something to encourage people in the bush doing it tough. Operation Countryserve has already done lots to this end, but the second weekend in March sees a bigger effort, with some 34+ people travelling to Parkes in central NSW with trailers loads of foodstuffs and other goods, and lots of spiritual encouragement from the folk back here.

Neil writes in a recent email:

“Just a short note to let you know what’s happening about the Parkes project. At last count, 34 people will be travelling out there in 12 cars on the second weekend in March. Several will be towing loaded trailers. At the info meetings last week there was a mood of quiet enthusiasm and questions indicated a high degree of spiritual maturity.

We are very grateful for the generosity of God’s people in our parish. Their gifts to those in need are “a fragrant offering” and “pleasing to God” (Phil 4;18).

Along the way we have ‘collected’ some extra volunteers eager to donate goods. They include a Presbyterian Church in Penrith, whose pastor I visited last weekend. There are a couple of schools interested in collecting goods, and some individuals outside our churches. Our “packing day” is at 9am Friday 2nd March in Christ Church Hall.

Penrith Press have interviewed (and photographed me) and another article is likely in the Penrith and Mountains papers. I don’t see myself as photogenic, but if it helps the people in the bush I’ll do it. More goods are already coming from this.

This week, in drought-stricken areas I drove through thunder, lightning and heavy rain. Three times I negotiated flooded roads !! Could this be the start of the finish of the devastating drought?

I would be grateful for continued prayer. Perhaps our greatest need is wisdom in talking to traumatised families. Safety in travel is also a real issue out there with highway traffic, and dirt roads.

Along with some great support for overseas mission work, it really is a great thing to see this project take off and effectively serve many battered and bruised people in rural NSW.

Please pray for Neil, June and the rest of the team as they prepare for the Parkes Project, and for safe travel and effective ministry.