ADRA Updates
Rebecca Auriant
Published
A Life of Service - ADRA Australia
On December 16, 2021, our volunteer managers received a box of cookies as a token of appreciation for their year of service. The cookies (including an ADRA one) were made with love by the Support 4 Employment NDIS students. Leon is our Volunteer Housing Officer and has housed 30 people in need during the last year; he was overjoyed to receive his cookies and have a break over the Christmas period! At the age of 85, Leon has lived a life of service and volunteering. Previously working for ADRA Blacktown in Sydney, he was awarded the Citizen of the Year in 2014, and he also speaks Samoan. "Thanks again, Leon, yours and ADRA's help for *Luke has been wonderful and has most likely saved him from becoming completely homeless. I asked him yesterday if he'd eaten. He said he had a piece of cheese that another person at the crisis centre had given him. So off we went to the supermarket of course. His centerlink payment was cut off because he was unable to forward them job search details as he had no data on his phone and was in a suburb he was unfamiliar with, so couldn't find the library to access data. With no money, no food and no home, my heart broke for this young man. Sending prayers today that this home will be a success for him. Thank you once again. If no one else sees your kind heart for people, I know God does.
New Found Confidence - ADRA Casey
A lady in her 60’s emailed me requesting food support. When we contacted her she said she sent food request emails to 5 other charities and we were the only team that responded. When she arrived we learnt that she just had a hip replacement and lost her house too. She came sad, depressed and very timid. She started crying while we were talking. COVID-19 and the lockdown turned her into to a person that forgot how to communicate with people. She was embarrassed to ask for food, as all her life she was the one offering help to others. We offered her to come and volunteer and without hesitation she said “yes”. She has been volunteering Monday through Friday. It has been only two weeks, but she has completely changed… she is happy, open to talk and nothing is too hard for her to do. She is a blessing to the team and proof that engaging people in volunteering changes people’s lives.
A Gift - ADRA Ferntree Gully
One of our team members had to leave suddenly to take their spouse to an unplanned doctor’s appointment. When they went to the doctor, the doctor asked about his ADRA top. He explained about our project. The doctor then left the room, came back, and put a wad of notes in his hand. ($2000) The doctor mentioned that he was a Christian, and that during morning devotions, he was impressed to organise a large sum of money to give away today. Our hearts were truly humbled that God had planned this before they even knew they'd be going to doctors. We shared this news with all our team, and it was an amazing witness to our non-SDA volunteers. Praising God for His amazing ways.
ADRA Appeal Update
Thank you to the Western Spanish team, led by Ana and Tony Recinos, for raising over $11,000 for the 2022 ADRA Appeal! The highest amount yet in 2 years – well done! Not only does Ana and husband Tony fundraise every year, but they also support 50 families every week with food and essential items. Throughout the COVID pandemic, the ADRA West team have been a blessing to international students, casual workers, asylum seekers and refugees who have been the most affected by the pandemic. Thank you, Ana and Tony, for being the hands and feet of Jesus.
*Name changed for privacy reasons
