Well I have been here 3 weeks and finally saw my first live kangaroos. I have seen lots of dead kangaroos on the side of the roads where they have been hit by vehicles but had not seen any live ones because of all the rain. We took a drive and I spotted them in a field we were passing. We stopped and though it is far away, I was able to capture a few seconds of them hopping across the field. They are huge and majestic. I tried posting a video of them but was unsuccessful, but was able to post it for download (to the right). When I played it, it was upside down so I give up! The point is I saw Kangaroos! So now I feel like I have really experienced Australia.
One of the most striking things here in the Aboriginal community is the kindness of the people. They are gracious beyond belief. We went to a prayer meeting last night, which was quite interesting. I was greeted with such acceptance and kindness and treated as an honored guest while at this prayer meeting. The praise and worship was phenomenal and quite enjoyable. I so wanted to sing but can only sing for a few minutes before my voice goes out. When the singing stopped, they started around the circle and each person prayed. The prayers were powerful and for their community. When the prayers were finished, a huge meal had been prepared and everyone who attended the prayer meeting were fed. All the men were seated at the table and served first. It is both Aboriginal custom and Fijian custom to serve the men first. I was then served and all the women were fixed plates and we all sat in the living room and on the floor to eat. It was interesting to see the traditions of both other countries and people. The woman who had invited us to the prayer meeting, Sister Maureen, is considered the woman elder of the Aboriginal community in Moree. She is a precious woman of God. She had participated 50 years ago in the Freedom Rider movement here in Moree that broke the segregation in the pools located here in Moree. Aboriginals were not allowed to swim in the pools and she participated in getting the segregation changed to allow Aboriginal children to swim in the pools too. Today she is still standing against injustice but this time it is spiritually and for the people of her community who are lost and addicted. What a privilege to not only spend time daily with Pastor Angus, the elder of the Kamilaroi tribe but to meet Sister Maureen, the female elder of the tribe. It has certainly been a great week here in the outback. Australia grows on me each day I spend here.
One of the most striking things here in the Aboriginal community is the kindness of the people. They are gracious beyond belief. We went to a prayer meeting last night, which was quite interesting. I was greeted with such acceptance and kindness and treated as an honored guest while at this prayer meeting. The praise and worship was phenomenal and quite enjoyable. I so wanted to sing but can only sing for a few minutes before my voice goes out. When the singing stopped, they started around the circle and each person prayed. The prayers were powerful and for their community. When the prayers were finished, a huge meal had been prepared and everyone who attended the prayer meeting were fed. All the men were seated at the table and served first. It is both Aboriginal custom and Fijian custom to serve the men first. I was then served and all the women were fixed plates and we all sat in the living room and on the floor to eat. It was interesting to see the traditions of both other countries and people. The woman who had invited us to the prayer meeting, Sister Maureen, is considered the woman elder of the Aboriginal community in Moree. She is a precious woman of God. She had participated 50 years ago in the Freedom Rider movement here in Moree that broke the segregation in the pools located here in Moree. Aboriginals were not allowed to swim in the pools and she participated in getting the segregation changed to allow Aboriginal children to swim in the pools too. Today she is still standing against injustice but this time it is spiritually and for the people of her community who are lost and addicted. What a privilege to not only spend time daily with Pastor Angus, the elder of the Kamilaroi tribe but to meet Sister Maureen, the female elder of the tribe. It has certainly been a great week here in the outback. Australia grows on me each day I spend here.