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Tasmanian Anglican

February 2003

 

 

 

 

 


Louise Grant from ABM-A Tas Branch presenting Renee Knaap with a cheque for his trip to the Phillipines.

 

Youth Pilgrimage update

by Wendy Fowler and Louise Grant

 

 

The ABM Youth Pilgrimage to the Philippines in November 2002 was cancelled in light of the international situation.

A note from Steve Daughtry articulated the following view held by the Board...

We had to take into account the way people are viewing the region at present and also the fact that a group of westerners create a potential target for anyone with a particular grievance. Chances are we would have had a great, safe trip and come home with good memories but the small chance that something might have gone wrong was enough to tip the balance. In the current climate any incident would have become a major incident and the entire Pilgrimage programme would have been threatened.

Despite a change of plans Rene Knaap (All Saints, South Hobart) and Steve (ABM National Education Officer) went off to the Philippines in November. Rene was financially supported by the Parish of South Hobart and by the ABM community of the Diocese, following a variety of fund raising activities.

Positive

Part of the planned November Pilgrimage was a visit to the community at Sangbay/Pagui to celebrate the inauguration and blessing of an ABM sponsored water project, bringing piped water to the communities for the first time. Because of our bonds of friendship with the people of the ECP Steve and Rene travelled to the Philippines to attend the blessing on behalf of ABM.

Steve has returned to Australia with positive reports of the welcome they received and the promise of more details and photos when he visits the Diocese in March. For details of this visit contact Fr Andrew Lang or Mrs Louise Grant (6234 8140)

Prayers

Rene remains in the Philippines where he is working with young disabled people in an outreach centre. We look forward to hearing details of the ABM work in the Philippines and also of his work in Manila from time to time.

We commend the people of the Philippines, as well as the work of ABM and of the L'Arche community for your personal prayers.