Lightning Ridge-Hot as "----"but the Spirit Reigns '08

Lighting Ridge – Hot as “----”,but the Spirit Reigns
MIKE & CHANTELLE KEITH

The mercury was pushing above 40c and the humidity was high as we arrived in Lightning Ridge. I thought “it’s like being on a tropic holiday” except it wasn’t the tropics, and it wasn’t a holiday. It was hard work and it had only just begun.

Mike & Chantalle Keith with Rachel

We arrived early December just in time for the Christmas rush. In three short weeks, we unpacked, settled in, met lots of people and started ministry in the Ridge. In those few weeks we had a meet and greet Christmas lunch with a significant number of farmers whom BCA had helped with drought aid. We had a Christmas service at the hospital, community Christmas carols in the Ridge, as well as for the first time ever at Cumborah. Percy the Puppet was a great hit with the children (and adults) as he helped share the real message of Christmas.We have certainly hit the ground running.

Arriving before Christmas also meant that we were able to get our face out and about in the community. Then of course there were the Christmas services held at each of our centres (The Ridge, Cumborah and Goodooga). On the second Sunday of each month there are services at all three churches, a 250km round trip when I’m on the go from 8am getting ready for church in the Ridge, and don’t get home till after 10pm.

Percy the puppet

Since arriving we have appreciated a very warm welcome by the people here, and feel very comfortable. We are beginning to develop some relationships with folk both inside and outside. The Ridge attracts all sorts of interesting people. Some are attracted by the idea of finding colourful little rocks in the ground. There may be material wealth, but it certainly doesn’t show and there is much spiritual poverty. It is a place where broken people abound so there is great opportunity for the spiritual healing of the gospel. One of the big lessons we are learning is to expect the unexpected. We are trying not to be surprised by anything.

The population is unknown, fluctuating between summer and winter, (anywhere between 2000 and 10,000), but even this quiet summer seems very busy. As Easter and the cooler weather approaches we expect an influx of people swelling the population. Even at this early stage, I see great potential for gospel ministry, especially in the area of children’s ministry and building bridges into the indigenous population.

I’m well aware that I am the new kid on the block and am conscious of my limitations, especially considering the area to be covered. I am grateful to those lay people who help and plan to continue equipping our people for productive ministry. But the reality is that as I look out, it reminds me of Matthew 9:35-38 when Jesus looked on the crowds and said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. Indeed in the Ridge, like so many places in regional and outback Australia it seems that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.

Please join us in thanking God for the abundant opportunities to share the message of salvation, and pray that workers will be raised up for the task of going out into his harvest field to share the life saving message of Jesus.

Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Webmaster