Reflection on Newtown Mission

As I walked down Kings Street yesterday, and turned onto Brown Lane, I suddenly had a peace in me; a sense of belonging; a sense of home. I always treasure this feeling. I do not often have it. For the last four years of my life, I have moved almost every four months. So when those times of peace come, it surprises me. I like to think of these moments as little pieces of Heaven. Last night coming to Newtown Drop-in was definitely one of those times. Even though the feeling surprised me, I knew the reasons. Here, I was accepted. Here, I belonged. Here, I was given purpose.

I entered the building, and was given, among other things, the job of rolling silverware. It gave me time to reflect some more about the term. When I first had found out that I was going to work at Newtown, I had been in the states. I was so elated, I wrote pastor Brian an email to ask him more about the ministry and to see what I should be praying about before coming over. Apparently Pastor Brian will never forget that email. Last week he asked me to do the chapel service and introduced me to the audience by telling that story. I was very embarrassed, but at the same time it reminded me how much God was in my being here.

That chapel service was one example of God working in me. When I started going to Newtown, I came to serve. At the same time, I knew I did not want to speak, or be in a leadership position. I was tired of being "up-front" and wanted a break. I laugh at that thought now. Last night I was put in position of meal coordinator/group leader for the second time. The week before, I was asked to speak. I never feel like I do well at these jobs. I feel quite insecure and in the spotlight. However, at the same time, I know I gain joy and peace while doing it.

On top of speaking and leading, I have met many other challenges at Newtown. The first night I was there, I met a woman named Kelly. She was a dark thin woman, who never smiled and seemed to be struggling with something. I can not remember how I started the conversation with her, but some how, she ended up telling me that she was about to have an abortion. I pleaded with her to have the baby and discussed the many options she could take instead. I ended up praying with her, and then she left. She had abortion the next day and did not return to drop-in for a few weeks. Pastor Brian must have worked with her and her partner during that time, and they eventually came back. Over the next month, I saw a complete transformation come over Kelly and her partner. They are getting married in another month, and they come to the mission every day to work. She can not stop smiling and has a heavenly beauty that surrounds her every where she goes. Last night we exchanged a good bye hug for the first time.

Another night, during debriefing, we were sharing prayer requests. At this point, I had not shared my parents financial situation with anyone. I had found trust in this group of volunteers and shared with them my family’s struggle. Afterward, one volunteer asked me how much he should be praying to give. I was very humbled and ended up stumbling over words, not knowing really what to say. A week later, I was given an envelope with 1000 AUD to send to my parents. I have never been so blessed in this way by my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Newtown has pretty much been one huge blessing in my life. I have been blessed to be able to watch Kelly heal through God’s love. I have been given the strength to lead and serve when I felt inadequate. I have been shown how the Church as a body should operate through the love and support of my fellow volunteers. Through all of these, I have been given vision. The one thing I pray now is that as I go back to The States, I continue to have that vision.