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.

Safety and Snags

On Wednesday a few of us had a great time helping a Safety Group of the Maroondah City Counsel do a survey about the perceived safety in Croydon.  They put on a free barbie and asked passers-by to complete a survey.  For the barbie bit they had asked us whether we could lend them our barbie that we use every Friday at the 'corner house' and maybe also be around and help with the survey.  We had a real fun time mingling with and getting to know people that we normally don't spend much time with, because they like offices and we like fresh air. ;)  People that are part of our 'family' or we would hang out with on Croydon Main St. would come over and start a conversation with the nice policeman or other safety people that normally they would have nothing to do with, or would run away from for that matter.  We are continuing to see walls come down in our community and are very excited to be apart of it.  We now have a wonderful relationship with The Shire, the local Police, and many of the Traders, thankyou to all that make up our special community and to those that continue to support us and pray for us.  It was just beautiful to see such a variety of people mingling and having fellowship together.  And the snags were 1st class.  Thank you Father.  Ulf