Djambarrpuyngu bible dedication weekend

Bible Dedication Celebration Weekend Galiwin'ku Elcho Island




People waving flags



Welcome signs were hanging from poles along the main street


Translation Center

Thanks to my new job I had the great privilege of Attending the Djambarrpunyngu bible dedication at Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island this weekend. The event marks the completion of thirty years translation work of the New Testament from English into Djambarrpunyngu (a Yolngu Language).

Elcho Island is located in the far North East of Arnhem Land. Arnhem land is an Aboriginal Reserve in the Northern Territory of Australia and the traditional home of Yolngu Clans for 100's of generations.

This was the first time I have visited this part of Australia and it was a rare treat. Due to it's remoteness and the fact that it is in the middle of an Aboriginal reserve (Arnhem Land), most Balanda wouldn't have the opportunity to visit. (Not necessarily a bad thing for Yolngu)

Men dancing with flags (I wasn't sure about the significance of this)


Kids running with flags

The community on Elcho went out of their way to make this event an incredibly moving, intense and unforgettable event for all who attended. Their hospitality was outstanding and the weekend was crammed with colours, music, food and a strong feeling of celebration. The community really came together, and visitors were made to feel welcome and included.


Translation team and contributors

The event was a marathon of services, ceremonies and speeches beginning in the early afternoon on Saturday and running well into the night only to begin again at 9:30 on Sunday continuing until fairly late in the afternoon. There were a lot of people to be acknowledged and each was given an opportunity to share their experience, hopes and dreams. People mingled and chatted as mobs of kids, Yolngu and Balanda played in the sand. Everyone seemed happy and proud of this great achievement.


Silk flags of all kinds of design



It seemed to me that the important thing about this weekend is that people in this community who have been Christians for many years; and who live in a town that came into existence as a Methodist Mission, now have the opportunity to read the Bible in their own language. I am not an expert on Christianity and have no idea how it has been presented to Yolngu people by Missionaries over the years. However surely it must be a liberating thing to be able to read or listen to the stories of a book that has had so much impact on their lives in a language that they truly understand.

Sam's old bike... I sent it over on the Barge and left it on the Island to be of use


Temporary shelter

I chose to camp at Elcho rather than be billeted to someones home. The opportunity to camp out in this amazing part of the world was impossible to resist. I wasn't disappointed! The camp site was on high ground with a perfect view overlooking a fantastic beach! The ground was flat and dry and the elevation and breeze meant there were no sand flies or mozzies! On Saturday night I rolled out my mat and slept comfortably on the ground, with the sound of the Arafura Sea lapping at the shore of a rarely visited beach and no city lights to obstruct my view of a perfect starry night.


View from camp


For more photos see The Flying Bible Man's Photo gallery

A story about The People's Grocery

The future for Australia... Which would you choose?

Busy weekend

This weekend was quite busy and full of cool things to do. I thought I'd post a few words and photos before they slip entirely from my memory.
Since last year when I encouraged my wife (who is a Christian) to become involved with a local Uniting Church I have also found myself becoming more open to the idea of Christianity. I have actually engaged in a course of Faith Formation (just to look into the idea a little further). Through our connection with the rather enlightened group of people at this particular Church we have both found a community of people who we can share our time and thoughts with. For the first time in my life, I actually feel that I can accept this religion for myself.

Faith Formation
On Thursday night we had faith formation which, for me, is turning into quite a nice evening of discussion and practical

Friday?
I've already forgotten what happened on Friday... er... Nope... still can't remember!

Jingli Organic Gardening

On Saturday afternoon I took the kids down to the Jingli organic garden plots for the annual general meeting and met with some of the gardeners there. The Jingli Garden is a cool place and the gardeners are very committed to organic gardening. The plots looked beautifully cared for and there were vegetables of all kinds popping up everywhere. We had some good discussion on the growing desire to create a network of garden plots throughout the Darwin Suburbs and some good connections were made.

Jingli Garden plots



More Jingli garden plots



The Patch

Sunday
Communion

Sunday was the World Environment Day Expo but also the day for Kate, the minister at our Church, to hand back her responsibilities before moving on to another community.
I arranged to meet with a neighbor and his sons and we rode our bikes to Church. It was a fantastic morning for a ride but I keep forgetting that I ride 20km a day and some people don't... (I'm sure the pace was more amenable after I moved to the back of the group.) I even loaded up the old trailer I got from the tip shop and brought a 'Loaner' bike, which is now being used by one of the ladies.
The service focussed on our connection with indigenous communities and there was a strong sense of connection to the mission of our particular community in relation to Reconciliation. Words were spoken about Kate leaving and then it was time for communion. As a rule I have never taken communion. Not being a Christian I have always felt it would be wrong for me to do this. However this Sunday for some reason, I did... After Kate announced the communion. I ate the bread and took the cup (grape juice). Thanks to the way it was offered I felt completely natural sharing in this special meal. Quite a moment for me.


Have wheels will haul

Environment Expo
It was such a busy morning at the Church that I didn't get to the Environment Day Expo until about 3:00 pm! It was very quiet down there and there was still 2 hours to go! The turn out was very disappointing! I congratulate all those volunteers for turning up and making the huge effort it takes to keep our environmental organizations running... But where were the People? Surely environmental issues should be at the top of our concerns right now? What is going on in this country? I had some interesting conversations, paid all my memberships and subscriptions some of them quite overdue. Heard just a little of Shellie Morris, then peddled home for the Toad Bust I'd organized.

Toad bust
At 6:30 a small mob from the NUC boys group and some Friends of The Patch came down to the Leanyer Depot for a Toad Bust! We had a fun night but only caught 2 toads. (Good news really). The kids had fun running around with torches and we discovered a few native frogs which was quite a treat. When the hunt was over we all returned to the undercover area and had pancakes. After botching a few up I left the cooking to the experts and the boys had a great time!

Exhausted I returned home happy and fulfilled... That is the way to spend a weekend!

Fuel

I listened to the debate about fuel excises in parliament yesterday... What a lot of clap trap! I am now convinced that our political system has no means of producing the action or answers to the energy problems our country will be forced to face in the coming years! I can't believe the argument went on so long about making petty attempts to reduce the cost of petrol!
How bloody irresponsible! So what if the Government takes tax from fuel! In my opinion they should tax it even more!
This should not even be an issue! The cost of fuel is going to go up... We need to find solutions to our energy needs, we need to be investing more in research into alternative fuels, transport systems and bolstering our communities against the inevitable reduction in mobility that is bound to result from the Peak Oil phenomenon. Reducing the cost of fuel will only encourage the delusion that we can go on as we have indefinitely rather than allow us to truly see the situation as it is.
Why continue bleating about the escalating cost of a non renewable resource? We are using the stuff at a ridiculous rate... If the true value of things was known the average worker wouldn't be able to afford it at all!

Once again I am reminded that we live in a Fools Paradise!


Company vehicle? (Greenies Organic food store)

Great story about a 300 year old fruit forest

Geoff Lawton from The Permaculture Research Institute has produced a short video about an awesome fruit forest in Vietnam.



Find the article on
http://permaculture.org.au/2008/05/07/300-year-old-food-forest/

To see human beings being able to find an equilibrium with the environment that allows them to produce the food they need while maintaining a healthy environment is very encouraging. I believe this is not a Utopian concept but possibly a plan for a more sustainable future.

The Patch

A fine bamboo construction by Felix and Godfrey
(Down at The Patch the guys are becoming quite handy with the local resources)

Great news. A grant has been awarded to The Patch to help provide training and programs for young people.

There was a planning meeting on Saturday and The Patch organizing committee invited all friends and interested parties to come along and participate. There wasn't a huge response, however the day was quite fruitful and some important issues were covered. It's looking like we a coordinator will be employed which will equate to more days that The Patch can be utilized and further program planning can take place.

Neighborhood watch have expressed an interest in using the large shed on the block for an office and would like to arrange for some clean-up work to be done on the site so that it doesn't appear neglected. This could be a further opportunity to forge firm relationships in the local community.



Kath and Judy sharing the history of The Patch



Kath shares the vision of The Patch and the positive outcomes for the community



Brendin and Judy brain storming


Presenting our ideas to council

We need as many supporters as possible to come along for our presentation to the Darwin City Council on Tuesday 13 May at the DCC. Meeting opens 5:00 pm we present our proposal at 5.15.
Please come and show your support. We need council to share our vision for this great community development before they make plans to subdivide the site. If we fail to gain their support we stand to loose this great location and will need to start all over again somewhere else (if a suitable location can be found)