KHESED NEWS #81        March 2010

Inside:

Ngiyaani - “we all” Kamilaroi Reconciliation

New Film Project: GOD's Aussie Fire!

Eagle Rock Training Centre commences

News & Coming Events, including WCGIP8 NZ 2011

A New Day is Dawning  -  National All People’s Prayer Assembly

Erambie Mission   Cowra NSW

Khesed Directors’ Program

Eagle Rock Church Conference - 28-30 May 2010

Ngiyaani - “we all” Kamilaroi Reconciliation

- report from Anne Green, Victorian Indigenous Prayer Network

The following event (see below) is a first of it’s kind as far as we know here in Victoria : ‘ngiyaani’ is an initiative of Indigenous Christian Leaders inviting non Indigenous Christian Leaders (from the full spectrum of Christian denominations and organizations) to meet with and hear from Indigenous Christian Leaders in an atmosphere of prayer and unity in Christ.  “ngiyaani” means “we all” in the Kamilaroi language (Billy Williams).

How can I put into words the happenings of the past weekend at Belgrave Heights, except to say that God surely had His way in our midst?

As one Indigenous Christian Leader put it: “it’s as though a new day is dawning”.  His words were also echoing what is currently happening over in Perth, WA, at the ‘A New Day is Dawning’ National Prayer Assembly!

Throughout the weekend, Indigenous Christian leaders freely spoke out the truth in love, repeatedly calling for a complete change of mindset within the church.  On the whole, their words were humbly received by God’s people.

Non Indigenous Christians from many different backgrounds are now hungry for righteousness and justice in regard to our relationships with our Indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ.  There was a recognition that this is where we must begin - putting God’s house in order first of all.  Then, there can be a flow on to the rest of the nation.

On Saturday morning, local Wurundjeri elder, Murrundindi, wrapped in his possum-skin coat and with fresh gum branches in his hands, performed and sang a ‘Welcome to Country’ in the Woiwurrung language.  In response, a group of young men from the North Coast of NSW danced with boomerangs and clap sticks and sang their appreciation in their local language, to the tune of the didjeridu.  Murrundindi was deeply moved by these young men as he had never experienced such an appreciative response in all his years of welcoming.  His warm embrace of each of these young men said it all.

 On Saturday night, following a dramatic and destructive hailstorm and flooding rains in the afternoon, the Indigenous Christians spoke from the stage in the main auditorium.  Many were moved to tears as God’s people acknowledged and repented over the marginalization of Indigenous Christians within the churches, where there should have been honour, acknowledgement and love.

We hope and pray that for all who attended the weekend this will be an ongoing journey together and not just a one-off event.

‘ngiyaani’- ‘we all’ was the name given to the first session on Friday which set the scene for the weekend.

Barriers came crashing down as God’s Spirit joined our hearts as one and opened up our ears to hear the heart cry of Indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ.

We recognized that there is much unfinished business, but it is good to know that a new day has begun and we will share this journey of healing together in God.

Malachi envisages such a day when he prophesied: “ The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings....”

May the glory of Christ our Saviour and Lord, rise over this land.

VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS PRAYER NETWORK

Monthly prayer on Wednesday at Anne Green’s home in Burwood 
Ph.9888 9873   Wednesday 3.00pm - 4.00pm.