Ladies' Craft Group

 
I just wanted to share something about ladies' craft group, which has been happening on and off for the past year...

I've really enjoyed getting to know a few ladies in our community whilst being creative together.  It's one of those things that you can't make happen unless you always turn up and spend time with people. 

I have to admit that I'm not the most outgoing social person in the world!  I like being at home and I like having time alone... 

In the beginning I think I was very much focussed on the craft as I was a little uncomfortable being in close proximity to new people.   However, as time went on I found myself caring less and less about what we achieve creatively and simply enjoying spending the time with ladies that I've come to care about. 

I still enjoy being creative with others, encouraging them and helping them to find things to do that they enjoy, but it's the journey in life that we're taking together that matters more.


Emma.

Our Christmas Break-up

Over the past few years now we have gathered at the "cornerhouse", a central place in Croydon to meet those in our community that are looking for another way of life, and wanting to explore this Jesus we talk so often about.

What makes this gathering so dynamic is that we encourage everyone to be involved, from the setting up, cooking the barby, making coffee's, looking after the fire (in winter) or just keeping an eye out for someone that needs a listening ear. I just love watching people connect, feel safe enough to share their lives with us, and then before long are on a journey with us, not quite knowing how it all began or where it will end. Some this past year have changed in dramatic ways without us knowing how or when it all took place.

Our Break-up

For the past few years now we have had our christmas break-up at the cornerhouse, and it has been a real community celebration. Again with so many taking responsibility to set up and contribute to the day (thanks everyone). We had another great turn out, with many we had met from our local community during the year come, as well as some local Traders and those we work with from the Shire, and then the many that have become the elishacare community. It was also really exciting for us to see some that sit on the fringe, and a little hesitant to connect during the year come and enjoy the celebration.

We would really value your prayer this year as we continue to connect with and support some of the most broken in our community.

Geoff

(sorry no pictures of break-up)

Grateful Hearts

I just wanted to write a thankyou to everyone that has been so generous over the past week, helping us replace all the things lost in our container fire. We have had donations come from a variety of different sources, Rotary helped out after hearing what happened, individuals dug deep, and I even got a special email from a friend at our very first church, saying they would love to help out. Another inspiring gift came from our wonderful friends "Betel" , who themselves went through the Marysville fires in 09, losing everything.

It has also been wonderful to watch our community get closer, support one another more and have eyes and ears open to see and hear what our Father has for us through this time.

Thanks you Guys for all your love and support.

From the elishacare community

Burnt Out

A couple of weekends ago, our container full of BBQ gear for Fridays was broken into and set alight.  It was a bit of a shock, but none of us were really freaked out about it or worried that Friday BBQs might not happen anymore just because our gear was torched. 

It's sad that someone would go to so much trouble in order to keep us from gathering in Croydon, but I feel that the quality of our relationships and what God is doing amongst us is so much stronger than the destruction of one angry person. 

Some of the guys in our group simply said, "It won't stop us."

Last week we cleaned out the container together and worked on the lawns and gardens to keep the property maintained.

Amazingly and beautifully, supportive people in our community have rallied around us with support and encouragement.  We've had people donate BBQs, chairs, and funds, and we're well on our way to continuing our BBQ-ing in Croydon!

 

 The burnt out container.

Some charred remains: pages of a Bible; an onion; an urn (back); a mug with some melted plastic on it; and a 4L tomato sauce bottle.

Emma.

Camp Photos

Vashti & Kylie
Dougy and the kids,

check this out Dougy getting salad to eat, you really are a changed man DougThe Boys on the bank of the Howqua river

And yes, the one that didn't get away, well done Damo

Camp Howqua

We have had some amazing camps over the past few years, this one was no exception. A really good mix of people (nearly as many girls as guys), and a real openness to share the weekend with each other. Emma and the team excelled with the meals, there were some amazing conversations happening around the fire and other places, playing sport together, or for most of the time just soaking up the views and incredible mountains around us.

And of course I mustn't forget Damo's trout he caught.

Camp Howqua!

 This is the amazing view from our campsite at Camp Howqua, just south of Mansfield.

And this is the view from the other side, showing the Lodge where we stayed.

 Here's the girls, piled into the van... Vashti, Esther, Kylie and Cecelia.

 Having a hit on the tennis court, and a few guys shooting hoops down the other end.

 There's me in the kitchen... being attacked by Cecelia!

Geoff, Damian, James and Doug...

We had a great, relaxing weekend together.... sitting around the fire, sharing and being together, but we also took advantage of the facilities and played some tennis, basketball, volleyball, had fun on the low ropes, and enjoyed the river as well.

It was so nice to be in such a beautiful, peaceful place together.

Emma.