Port Hedland Mission Trip 2009
On Saturday, 19th September a group of 12 excited but rather nervous people set out from Melbourne for the distant shores of Port Hedland on the northwest coast of WA to support the church of St. Matthew’s and to proclaim the good news of Jesus. As we all found out, God had prepared the way for us and we witnessed many doors opening in amazing ways.The people of St Matthew’s Port Hedland kindly opened their homes to us and received our group with such warmth that we all felt at home very quickly. We began our mission visiting a primary school to lead some scripture seminars with songs, a drama and a puppet show which were all centred on the parable of the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13:44. The central message was “the greatest treasure in the whole wide world is peace with God” (the last three words to be shouted at the top of your voice!).
During the week we visited five primary schools in Port and South Hedland and Marble Bar occasionally doing the scripture seminar to two separate age groups. Later in the week we were privileged to be invited to do the puppets at the local shopping centre. Through this the gospel was preached openly to a large audience of parents, children and passers-by.
When not visiting the schools the group split up to participate in different events organised by the church for the week. A men’s BBQ was organised for the guys in the group to meet men in the Hedland community and to challenge them to think about what it means to be a Christian man as part of a family and in the workplace. The following day a few went door knocking along ‘Battle Street’ and surrounds in South Hedland to meet people and speak with them about Jesus.
All would agree that this was one of several unforgettable experiences throughout the week and that God is shining light into the darkest corners.
Other special events were interviews on the local radio station where we were able to share our faith publicly, dialogue dinners that reached out to people searching for God, the ladies’ cooking demonstration hosted by the outstanding local cook Sonya who provided delicious lunches every day and the ladies’ bible study which was a great encouragement to the local women.
A particularly memorable activity was helping out people from the local Youth In Crisis group digging out and levelling of a small plot of land at the South Hedland shopping centre. From this, a group of four of us were invited to visit their after school drop-in centre for local Aboriginal children which was a wonderful experience. After meeting with some of the organisers we met some of the children for a game of basketball. A few of the children recognised us from our school visits which was fantastic. We were really happy to make good connections with the group there and be witnesses of Jesus among them.
Our deepest and most sincere thanks go to the church of St Matthew’s in Port Hedland for their wonderful hospitality and strong partnership in the gospel. Thanks especially to Phillip and Elke Knight, and Bill and Jocelyn Ross for their friendship, leadership and excellent organisation of the mission week. God has greatly blessed us through our visit to Port Hedland and I pray that He may continue to nurture the seeds that He has sown.
I give thanks and praise for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Port Hedland and I pray that God will bring to completion the good work that He has begun in them. To God be the glory forever and ever.
Vaughan Barras