The Ringwood Welfare Committee seeks to lead Good Shepherd congregation in providing assistance for the needs of fellow members, the local community and also the wider community. As a part of our ministry to the wider community, the Board for Mission of the Lutheran Church of Australia has provided Good Shepherd Congregation with the opportunity to support the Margarita Orphanage in Pematang Siantar, Indonesia.
Pastor Stephen and Glenice Hartwich display the "oolos" cloth which was presented to the Ringwood congregation. Indonesians use these on special occasions, such as weddings, to welcome people into their family.
On April 27, 2008, Glenice Hartwich, Project Officer for the Board for Mission, visited Good Shepherd congregation to lead a presentation on the Margarita Orphanage and officially launched this partnership. Glenice enthusiastically shared her thoughts and experiences on the changing nature of overseas mission.
A few decades ago the LCA had 160 mission workers in Papua New Guinea; currently the church only has 2 full time workers overseas. However, the growing realisation of how we are blessed by looking outside our own borders to serve, has seen a new mission awareness and involvement emerge.
The LCA through the Board for Mission can help to provide opportunities for partnership with other Lutheran churches in South East Asia and Papua New Guinea, identifying special projects that need extra support. The local churches are able to help establish links to places of special need and also ensure that any financial help is directed safely to these places. Congregations and communities in the LCA can enter into direct relationship with church communities and bodies in Asia, linking the people of the church here with brothers and sisters in other countries.
One such place is the Margarita Orphanage where currently 33 children are cared for by 7 full time staff. Many of the children have been left orphaned by an earthquake on the small island of Nias and the local church, having been gifted with land, then knew how God was calling them to use it.
Pastor Stephen, in his sermon at the launch of this partnership preached on John 14 (the Gospel reading set down for that day) where Jesus said to his disciples “I will not leave you orphaned”. God loves us and does not leave us alone. These 33 children are now being cared for lovingly by the heavenly Father, through these special carers who share Jesus’ love with them. (See Pastor Stephen’s sermon.)
The Ringwood Welfare Committee is inviting the members of the Good Shepherd Congregation to actively support the Margarita Orphanage, both financially and through prayer.
At this stage the Welfare Committee has committed financial support of $1,000.00 and would like to provide a further $1,000.00 to be raised from Congregational activities throughout this year.
In the future, there will be an opportunity to become a Prayer Partner to one of the children residing in the Orphanage. The Margarita Orphanage will be providing photos and information regarding each child, to assist in this undertaking.
Some of our helpers at the "Indonesian Morning snack"
Hands-on volunteer help, organised through the Board for Mission, will also be a possibility for those who wish to get involved further. Maintenance on the building and spending time with the children (particularly during school holidays) are ongoing needs.
The celebration of this new venture continued after worship with a special morning tea provided by the Welfare Committee, in the form of an “Indonesian Morning Snack”.