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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

March 2003

 


Some of the BayWest familly and bystanders who helped Sara celebrate her baptism at Nutgrove Beach

 


Memorable baptism at Nutgrove Beach with from L-R Sara
(who was baptised), Christina and Lei

 

 

Do you eat seagulls?

by Emma and Tim Wherrett

 

 

Do you eat seagulls? Where can I buy a pet lamb? Why do you speak so politely to each other?

These are the type of fascinating questions we get asked by international students on a regular basis. For nearly three years we have worked with international students with three appealing questions of our own:

Do you want learn about Jesus? Do you want to practice English? Do you want to see Tasmania?

These three questions, posted around uni, have brought dozens of students across our path. Some have chosen just to join us on trips to Orford, Tahune, Freycinet and Launceston to name a few, but many have also been keen to learn about who Jesus is and what he has to offer them.

Incredible influence

In December 2002, while bushwalking at Wineglass Bay, we had the joy of having one of our Malaysian friends make a commitment to follow Jesus. Last week, in front of 40 friends from BayWest and bystanders at Nutgrove beach, Sara Chia was baptised as a Christian. Perhaps the most memorable event was when she shared her personal testimony at the church service afterwards. She shared with us her previous experience with Islam, Buddhism, Chinese traditions and Christianity and the incredible influence of her family and culture. She had struggled for some time to understand how she could part of her Chinese culture while also obeying Jesus' commands. It was wonderful to see her make the step of faith knowing that God would guide her through these difficult questions.

Guarantee

Please be encouraged to consider how you may be involved in welcoming international people to Tasmania. They often arrive feeling scared and overwhelmed but are incredibly appreciative if you can offer them a home cooked meal, transport to the local shop, a slow chat in clear English, a trip to the mountain or some tips on how to find things in Hobart. Be courageous, be creative and be genuine. God loves it, they love it and we (almost) guarantee you will love it too.