In Isaiah’s time, the year of the Lord’s favour referred specifically to the Jubilee year when debts were forgiven and land restored. But the year of the Lord’s favour is also about Jesus being a light to the nations to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Is 49:6,8).
God has brought people from the ends of the earth to Australia to find refuge, peace and security. This is a great opportunity for us to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour to refugees who have endured so much suffering in their homelands. Carewerx is helping refugees and migrants with real life needs and in the process is transforming communities.
Two years down the track and the Carewerx HW Club work culture and environment is well-established. Tutors commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to work one-to-one with students on current HW assignments and study needs. High school kids come in and immediately pull out books and calculators, rushing to book time with their favourite tutors.
“If you guys weren’t here, we’d never get through.”
“I wish HW Club was open every day.”
“I got a B!” and even, “I got an A- for my English presentation!”
That’s quite an achievement for a young person who’s been in Australia 5 years and knew no English on arrival!
HW Club has made a difference in the education and socialization of dozens of young people from refugee background, for whom school in the past was a makeshift experience in a refugee camp.
When we share the good news God changes us and the people we share with.
Julie Way Scripture Union… Amanda doesn’t come from a church background and has never thought of God much. Over the past two years, she’s been through some really tough times and found she was not coping. She was looking for answers. We started having lots of conversations about what God is like and whether he is real. I ended up praying for her, that God would reveal himself to her in a way she would understand. Well...two days later, she had an amazing experience with God whilst hiking up a mountain. She was totally blown away by God’s presence. The next day, she turned up in my office very animated and excited. She said to me, “You should really tell more people about how great God is since you’re a chaplain.” In the past month, Amanda has bought herself a Bible, started attending church and is also looking into Alpha courses.
So many times in these past three years of chaplaincy I have sat in my office with tears running down my cheeks at the goodness, faithfulness and enduring love of God to the everyday people around me.
The Gospel has the power to change lives, and through these changed lives to impact whole communities.
"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him" — Hudson Taylor |