What a great day...

What a brilliant morning, the culmination of 75 years of a Church presence in Yirrkala.

A laid back, three hour service which included, Bible readings and skits from the five ethnic groups represented. The morning was followed by a super "pot luck" lunch.

It was a packed church with about 130 children and adults from a number of nationalities, all squashed into the Yirrkala Uniting Church for their 75 year celebration.

The Yirrkala children performed a dance to a Christian song and then read the first New Testament reading in English.

A special message from a Tongan Missionary who gave us all a history lesson into why the early Methodist missionaries included Tongans.
We were then treated to a Bible reading in his native language.


Further bible readings in Yolnu Matha and a couple of other regional languages and skits followed.

It was such a lovely day, where God truly was at the centre of the service.

The whole morning was a celebration of God's faithfulness in providing the workers 75 years ago to bring the Gospel to Yirrkala, and His contining provision and calling of new workers. One of the oldest missionaries still in the village came 45 years ago.

It was also a really positive representation of Christian unity and a great witness within Yirrkala.

With nearly forty indigenous people at the Celebrations, the event also acted as a reminder of our personal calling to share the gospel.

Rev. Hala Tupou, the support Minister for the Yirrkala congregation, ended the celebrations by leading Communion.

What a great day, shame we won't be around for the next celebration in 75 years time!



All our love



Rachel, Charley, William, Alexandra,

Georgie & Freddie.

XXXXXX