- As I write, I am listening to beautiful steady rain, that is threatening to spill over our doorways, and is creating rivers through our carpark and down the roads. It will probably cut the road off to Perth, so the supermarket will get a bit bare. But the cockatoos are white (instead of red) and the breeze is cool, and the kids have the time of their lives running around outside in it! It has been raining all night and all day, thanks to a Tropical Low, and we love every bit of it!
- Thank God for the positive start our congregation has made in 2009. We are growing in faith and in love for each other. We look forward to how God will grow us individually and as a church.
- Pray that we will indeed love one another, pray that we will endure hardship with joy, pray that we will be God's community in Newman.
- Pray for our new Parish Council, with a few 'fresh' faces! This is either the first or second year on parish council for over half of them. So pray that their contribution will be wise and thoughtful, pray for unity and that Matthew will lead them in godliness.
- Thank God for the return of Barry to Newman. He has spent the last year travelling, but has now resettled in Newman with his son and daughter in law, Brad & Wendy. He has also graciously agreed to once again be Matthew's warden. His wisdom and maturity are much appreciated by Matthew.
- Pray for our vision for 2009. Children's ministry was highlighted as an area of focus. Our after school kids club never got going since Esther (the children's worker) left. We also have the possibility of going into one of the primary schools with a SUPA club. As with everything else, it all depends on the manpower! We pray that people will consider sacrificing time or work to fill these needs.
- Pray for our family. Pray for God's protection on us, and for each of us to put our trust in Jesus day by day.
- Pray for two ladies who have begun bible study with Naomi, investigating Christianity.
- Continue to pray for all the pregnant women in Newman and in our church. We have had a new lady, Michelle, join us who is due in April. There is Martelize, also due in April, and Naomi in June. There is also another lady, who's name I can't reveal, who is in the early stages of pregnancy. She has recently suffered a miscarriage and has some medical problems, so please keep her in your prayers. I heard the story of a lady who has recently come to Newman from Africa with her husband and young child. She is 7 months pregnant, and has to face the prospect of going to Perth on her own to have her baby. Imagine being in a new country, new language, new town, new hospital system, and then finding out you have to go 1200kms on your own to have your new baby. (There are no facilities to give birth in Newman).
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