Lightning Ridge Parish
A sign on the way into Lightning Ridge reads: 'Population ?’ Many people in town don’t answer census forms because they want to hide or escape. Guesses at the transient population range from 1500 to 7000, but no one knows for sure. Opal mining and tourism are the main industries bolstering the local economy. The local school has almost 450 children, 40 percent of whom are Indigenous. The area is also highly multicultural with some 60 nationalities represented.
Rev Mike and Mrs Chantalle Keith
The Keiths’ ministry in Lightning Ridge is among a wide variety of people such as farmers, miners, Aborigines, the mentally ill, addicts, and families. Mike sees it is cross-cultural mission. “I don’t have to go very far to have opportunities to tell people about Jesus,” he says. “Scratch below the surface and there are oodles and oodles of opportunities.” Mike and Chantalle are hoping to expand their ministry to families in the Ridge as they see it as an area of need.
Click here to view the Keith's latest prayer letter.
Children: Rachel (2006)
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