The GREAT AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT The PIM is delighted at the interest and support shown by our Moderator General, Rev David Cook, for the needs of a large part of our country which suffers under severe drought conditions at this time. We write to add our support to his appeal and to let you know something of our approach to the issues involved. The PIM has been working in these areas and has been the Presbyterian Churchs main organisation for ministering in the ups and downs of Outback life for over 100 years. We have been particularly presenting the needs of these areas due to their severe drought conditions for the last 18 months. Our regulations appoint us to do various things including “the provision of relief from suffering and hardship, conducive to the advancement of religion”. At our last PIM committee meeting in Sydney PIM Superintendent, Stuart Bonnington, confronted us with graphic pictures of the desolation of these desperate areas. Our approach is to provide: 1. Diaconal aid, through our funds given for this purpose or set aside by us for this purpose. These funds are always stretched beyond their limits. In the past we have helped people with grocery bills, education and health expenses, and many other needs that overwhelm them. 2. Ministry to the spiritual and emotional needs of suffering people. Our funding, whether we talk of PIM or the PCA as a whole, is minuscule compared to the funding of some other aid agencies, and the Prime Minister has said that he will announce a drought relief package next week, which we expect will be in the order of millions of dollars. The one thing that governments and most other aid agencies cannot and will not do, is provide funding for the greatest need that these sufferers have - the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In my first year of PIM ministry in WA, I learnt a very important lesson. I visited an area which had been hit by severe drought conditions. The area was not only a physical desert, but was overwhelmingly arid in spiritual terms. As I headed home after one particular patrol I remember feeling extremely discouraged and helpless. The problem was not that people were presenting me with issues that I could not cope with, it was that no-one was presenting me with any issues at all! They were closed towards, and defensive against any outsider coming along to solve their problems before disappearing back to the city. Of course I did not know that this was their attitude at the time - I just thought I was an ineffective evangelist and hopeless padre! After the season broke and the dry land drank its fill, I found myself visiting again in the same area. When I went to properties and commented whoa, it looks so much better than it did 6 months ago! they then opened up and were happy to speak to me as a friend. Some commented, about how they had so many experts coming when times were tough, but that they had all gone back to the city now, patting themselves on the back for the good job they had done, and yet had no concept of the struggles that continued as people tried to put their lives back together. Forgive the length of the story, but I think that it illustrates the point that the best way to help our drought suffering people is to provide them with regular ministry. PIM attempts to do that, along with bringing diaconal aid and often simple and small gifts (toiletries etc) to show the love of the Presbyterian Church for people in the bush. The above story illustrates, I think, that ministry in crisis is tough, and sometimes of limited effect. What we need to do, is to develop ongoing relationships which will be the foundation of much more effective ministry. The areas most affected by drought, are areas where there are no Presbyterian Churches (and few other churches as well). In recent correspondence from David and Kathy Allsop, one of our Queensland Patrol teams, they said: “On the 2 patrols we have done in drought stricken areas, graziers have not shown any need of monetary handouts in the quantities we could give (they need mega bucks) BUT they just want to talk, and talk, and talk without us looking at our watches. They bandy about different ideas they have to drought-proof their properties and are grateful to talk to people who know about cattle farming and the industry. Often it starts with the wife giving us a cuppa, then the husband turning up for a quick break and he stays talking for a couple of hours. We always give the Challenge and a word of testimony of how God has helped us through hard times on the land. In such situations we have always been invited back and ...Camp here whenever you want and … No-one like you has called in for a long time. PIM, as the main agency of the Presbyterian Church of Australia working in these areas, asks you to pray for us, and consider how you may be able to support the great financial needs of ministry in these remote areas? You can give to the Moderator’s appeal or direct to PIM. With warmest Christian greetings, and deep thanks for your partnership in the Gospel of Jesus our Lord, Rob Duncanson | Convener Presbyterian Inland Mission Rainfall deficiencies in the last 16 months ... abc.net.au/news/linkableblob/5260752/data/australia-drought-map-february-2014-data.png
Posted on: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:34:16 +0000
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