Foundations – “I can change the world”
“A new way of living so that I can change the world.”
That was one comment from a young person who recently did Foundations in Poatina. The one-week course that looks at living with God, Others and themselves gave all who participated the challenge of being better equipped to find their place and making a difference in God’s Kingdom.
This course had that extra bit of energy this month, with a higher proportion of young people coming from Victoria and Tasmania.
Foundations is a course run by Fusion Australia and has been a key part of the training which is now run all over the world.
For more information about the course CLICK HERE and if you are interested in participating in the future, in your part of the world, check out the contacts: CLICK HERE FOR CONTACTS
Diploma Graduation – July 2011
On Sunday the 17th of July we enjoyed a very special Diploma in Youth and Community Work (Christian) graduation service, with a large crowd of Foundations participants, village residents, friends and family.
It is always a special service as we hear reflections from the students, and how their time of study, field work, growth and experiences have and an impact on their life.
“Going from homelessness to graduating my diploma is no small thing. it was only the Grace of God that could get me to this point in my life.” – Graduate
Gods blessings to you all as you enter the next part of your journey with God.
To become fully human “is not a question of following what everyone else does,
of conforming to social norms,
or of being admired and honored in a hierarchical society;
it is to become free to be more fully oneself,
to follow one’s deepest conscience,
to seek truth,
and to love people as they are.”
- Jean Vanier
Graduation day – the Village celebrates
Two times a year, once in July and once in December the village comes together to celebrate the graduation of students from Certificate IV in Youth and Community work (Christian).
For six months of the year a group of students take the journey through the course, living within the community, studying and having an effect on the wider community with their many hours of field work and community youth work.
Many who do the course go on to do a Diploma in Youth and Community work (Christian). This last six months we had a student from Nigeria and also one from Canada.
On Saturday 2nd of July the village hosted the graduation ceremony and an afternoon tea in the Mountain Chalet Restaurant. Later in the day we enjoyed a fun concert put on by the students followed by a celebratory community tea together.
Our warmest blessings to all the students in the next part of their journey.
“The love and support of community give you the certitude you are loved just as you are, with all your wounds, and that you can grow through all that.” Jean Vanier -From Brokenness to Community
Uluru, and its people is having an impact in Tassie and beyond!
Over the past two weeks the village has been watching the progress of a bunch of people who left Poatina to go on a Pilgrimage to Uluru.
They traveled from Hobart on Easter Saturday on the plane to meet up with a bunch of Victorians, to join together to travel on the journey of 1000′s of km up the center of Australia and back.
Last weekend (Saturday 30th of April) we celebrated ‘the Pilgrimage to Uluru moment’ in Poatina at our monthly ‘Community Tea’. We played some of the games, that they would have done during their time, sang “home among the gum trees” and we also heard a live cross to the base camp in Yulara, where one of the leaders there was just getting ready to help coordinate the festival and concert where over 200 pilgrims has gathered from all over Australia!
Today we celebrated their return. In morning tea they shared the journey and the profoundness of the changed lives they saw as a result.
“It was a personal journey,It was way outside my comfort zoneBut I decided to persevere and overcome my fearsThere was lots going on in my head, like don’t do this, give up.But I kept going, and could get through itIt was about facing fears and overcoming.”
“The all night prayer vigil was a highlightIt was very significant for many young people, sharing with themBefore the trip one young guy was judgmental of us,but by the end was learning to Trust God more”
Here is a poem that one of the students wrote during a reflection time at the beautiful rock Uluru.
Reflection from the Water HoleThere is a coolness beneath the trees,A beauty in the shadeThe water source brings life to the dry and barren land,Many come for miles but miss the true significance,The size is astounding, and the colours a stark contrast.How does it speak to your Spirit?A connection to the land, to the people of this place.The history, the heritage, the traditions and the cultureare a rich source of Joy and Love.Where do you find shelter from the harsh heat of the sun?At Uluru, that’s where God’s Eden in the desert,Refresh you soul and your spirit in the beauty of this place.
“The poor are always prophetic. As true prophets always point out, they reveal God’s design. That is why we should take time to listen to them. And that means staying near them, because they speak quietly and infrequently; they are afraid to speak out, they lack confidence in themselves because they have been broken and oppressed. But if we listen to them, they will bring us back to the essential.”
— Jean Vanier (Community and Growth)
Special day – Eight students graduate
On Thursday 27th January, in the context of the Graduation of 220 people following an intensive week-long “Foundations” Course, eight remarkable people also graduated with Diplomas. Fusion Diploma in Youth and Community Work (Christian) in Poatina.
As one remarked,
“This is not something that comes with completing a few assignments.”
We were reminded that each has had to prove not just knowledge, but competency.
Brigitte Rakow shared her story. She has grown from being one who does what she is asked – to taking on the responsibility of organizing the Awakening Easter program in Sydney, relating to church leaders, and finding her leadership affirmed by the team.
Daniel Tri Handarkha, from Jogjakarta, began the Course in Poatina two years ago and since that time has become part of a team working to establish work in Bali and Sumba, Indonesia. Daniel has accepted an invitation to lead the work in Bali alongside local team. His gift in relating to church leadership and working in mission in Bali and Sumba has been outstanding.
Nigel Doeke, from rural S.A, a qualified mechanic, has worked through self doubt to gain his Diploma. He has been outstanding in mentoring and teaching young people who find school difficult, giving them the mechanical skills necessary to rebuild lawn-mowers and a classic Tractor. He is part of the case-work team in Poatina, caring for young people who come in to find their way through difficult life issues.
Others who graduated have been remarkable leaders in teams doing work across Australia and outreach overseas – in South Africa and India. All have experienced the rigours of leading young people in the Pilgrimage to Uluru – a life changing experience for so many.
In speaking to the graduates, Matt Garvin asked those in the audience how many had been impacted by the lives of those who were graduating. Hands shot up across the hall!
