News

Whybrows at Hillston: news update and prayer requests

03 Jan 2012

Linday and Lyn Whybrow

Dear friends in the Lord,

This update comes after the last 6 months of activity and I suppose the expected report should contain all the things we have been through in that time. What I find is, a lot of activities are being repeated as year follows year. They are worthwhile but repetitive. Of course, there are some things which are new to this year, and many an event has its treasure.

Some events took us well out of Hillston. Lyn was blessed in having the opportunity to attend the CWCI Blue Mountains Womens Convention at Winmalee. She caught up with some good friends. At that time I went to the Diocesan Lay Conference, held at Deniliquin. It was a great success with the main talks being centred on the biblical view of mission.

Then we both travelled to Broken Hill with Bishop Doug and Denise, and were present for the induction of the new rector of Broken Hill, Brian Ford. He will have a real job cut out for him there. We also were treated to a good look around that famous city.

Another distance event was the baptism held at Ivanhoe for a family living there. Having already had one session of preparation with them, we stayed the night, and took church the following morning. As the baptism concluded, the young boy came up to me and whispered: 'but what about Dad?'. Only Mum and the kids had taken baptism. What about Dad indeed! What about so many men who leave the religious stuff to the women? Please pray.

This last term we had a wonderful injection of fellowship and ministry as a team of 14 young people from West Pennant Hills came and took a Scripture Seminar for high schoolers at the local school. They also conducted a youth night, and a community car wash on Saturday morning. On Saturday night they cooked a wonderful meal to share with all the churches - at which they shared with us some of the things that are happening in the bigger church scene in Sydney. Sunday worship was also led by the team. An even better impact is being planned by the team for 2012. Please pray. This seems to be the best way of reaching high school aged kids.

Also visiting at that time was a group of 5 BCA Nomads (also from West Pennant Hills) who put in a full week's work on the Parish Centre and Rectory. These kind folks also ministered to our spiritual needs.

Speaking of visits, we were encouraged to exercise a little hospitality to old friends from Wycliffe Bible Translators, who spent a day or so with us. And a great visit from a couple from Winmalee, who drove all the way here to deliver a new computer, and then spent the day with us, visiting the Hillston show among other things. We give thanks for such fellowship.

Approaching the new year, I am tempted to say - 'here we go again'. Let us pray that there will be a freshness in response to the gospel of Christ. May his Spirit change us as we reach out by all means, to see the salvation of some.

And so the regular activities will begin again: Scripture teaching in Hillston and Goolgowi, weekly bible studies, visits to the hospital and Retirement home, prayers and meetings with the other church leaders, the Men's Shed, OMNI meetings, conducting weekly services, and planning for one off events such as: Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner (21/2), A bible teach-in for all the churches (March), Children's Holiday Club coming up after Easter, and the possibility of a BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY at Goolgowi.

We will communicate again, possibly in June, but do not hesitate to call us or e-mail us to expand our fellowship, if you would like to know more, or tell us more.

From Philippians CH.2:14-16:

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to (and holding forth) the word of life..."

With our prayers and thanks
Lindsay and Lyn