Food Market in Sydney

This quarter's On the Scene was a very interesting, inspiring read for me. Check it out - I think the ideas presented in it would work (maybe I should say 'do work', because I'm sure there are similar programs elsewhere already) worldwide. I especially love the Food Market. I suppose it helps that one of my favourite Aussie Salvationists is involved in it!

Evangeline

Praise report

Just thought I'd put this in as a bit of a celebratory note. I am currently staying at the training college in Sydney and on Friday nights the cadets go out and do pub ministries. Just wanted to put in a praise report of what happened. The comment was, "God was on the prowl tonight." People were back late, because their pub runs were getting longer, not because they were visiting more pubs but because they kept getting engaged in God-related conversations! Between the three cadets we have here in the single women's hostel, there was a total of 10 significant God conversations held last night! So praise God for the way He opens the door for our message of the mystery of Christ. Please also pray for continued opportunities and continued connections with the people spoken to last night. Pray that the seeds that have been planted will not be snatched away but will take root and be nourished.

bec

Underneath the Veneer

I was talking to someone at church the other week (I honestly forget who - sorry!) and they mentioned something about the suburb we're in (both the church and us) being middle-class... in the context of saying that it was removed from the inner city homelessness, drug problems and general squalor. Well... that's what I thought when we moved there. Then I noticed the famous homeless guy who lives on the footpath outside a church on a huge pile of plastic bags. Then I noticed another guy (who stopped hubby and I for a chat because hubby was wearing a Salvo t-shirt) who, while not homeless, struck me as teetering on the edge. Then I noticed his mate, who sells the Big Issue. Then I noticed a number of other elderly men who quietly wander the streets between the white 30-somethings heading home from work and the international students. Our suburb has quite a few homeless and disadvantaged folk. It's just that they're very easy to ignore.

So... I've been pondering a game plan.

1. Get some hexifoam (an antibacterial foam used when soap might not be available). I know it sounds horribly elitist of me, wanting to avoid being 'infected' by these folk. But I'd prefer a discreet squirt of hexifoam round the corner than avoiding touch. One guy in particular really seems to 'click' with shaking hands with us. Maybe people don't do that so much.
2. I've invited a couple of these guys to church, with the entirely predictable result of... no presence at church. Can't say I blame them, it must be a pretty daunting proposition. So... do we take church to them? I'm not sure I'm up for that just yet... so I'm thinking maybe leftovers from morning tea would be accepted. Hmmmm. Gotta work out how to avoid offense.

My game plan's a little thin atm. All suggestions and advice considered (not necessarily followed, but considered!).

Evangeline

Glimmers of Hope

We run a Youth Alpha course, and youth club at our corps - and I have to say that sometimes I listen to the things that are going on in the lives of our young people and just feel like crying. I know they need God, but it's getting them to realise that too that's the tricky part.

This post, however, is not meant to be depressing. I want to give thanks to God for the glimmers of hope we see. I thank him for the questions the young people are asking about faith. I want to thank him for the fact that they are comfortable with us reading the bible in the "God spot" at youth club. I want to thank him for the maturity and sense of justice that I see in some.

The front line sometimes moves very slowly, but it is moving.

Chris

PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens

So this slightly deviates from the specific purpose of the site, sorry, but I think it's worth putting in here, and does have some definite links.

I'm part of an email ministry group and we have a weekly newsletter that gets mailed out to all the people committed to praying and they also have the opportunity to submit prayer requests. If you are interested in getting involved, you can check out www.push.salvos.com for the website or email phil@push.salvos.com.

Looking forward to this getting up and happening!

bec

Upheaval

As you can see, StreetWar is in the middle of converting over to a community blog! If at any stage you want to become a regular contributor - or if you have a one-time report that you'd like to see included - give me a yell! If you're feeling shy, please keep in mind that this blog isn't designed to give us glory, but to give God glory and others encouragement. Oh, and to get a little encouragement for ourselves at times, I'm sure.

PS. I'll add in a link to my personal blog once I've gotten it up and running.

Street War in Toronto, Canada

A month ago we had a major youth night appropriately called STREET. We challenged each of the youth to come forward to the mercy seat and dedicate themselves to serving Christ on their home streets. From all across the city people wrote down their street names and committed themselves to serving there. It was a powerful night.
Please pray that as a month has now gone by that those streets have truly felt God’s presence. And that those teens have made an impact in their community. Youth rallies only become powerful when they are followed by action and dedication.

With you in Battle,
Peter

StreetWar Frontline Updates

So far we have three people interested (including me) ... anyone else?

HUGE NEWSFLASH

I'm thinking of moving all my personal stuff to another blog and devoting this one to the war on the streets.

By that, I mean opening it up as a place where various Salvationists can report on what God's doing in the 'dodgy neighbourhood' areas in their part of the world. You'll need to be a StreetWar team member to post.

What do you think? Would you be interested in posting - or for that matter, reading? Do you know people who might like to participate?

My reasoning: I love reading all your blogs. There's a lot of info on them, and while that's great for me (speed-reader extraordinaire), it could be difficult for someone looking for ideas or specific inspiration to find it. So... one place where people can come for both when they're looking at getting involved in this sort of work?

Please post your thoughts, criticisms, etc. Worst case scenario, things will stay as they are.