Last Thursday Bible study for 2015 Dec 10th

Hi everyone,

Today was our last Thursday Bible study for the year. We had a special lunch today.

It was a strange day with a few people not there because they were in hospital.

12 people came through our doors today

One guy who had not been the last couple of months returned today and one new person attended today. Even after we finished someone called me to send their apologies as they were on their way to hospital. Strangely enough I asked if they were going to hospital soon as I was on my way to visit a guy in hospital who also rang earlier saying that he could not make it because he too was in hospital.

A lady who I know from Edward Eagar lodge and has been attending was not in a good mental state today. This was the case for many of them. The group was not cohesive and I believe part of this is the people who have been attending have been changing over fairly regularly.

After visiting the man in hospital , I waited for him to be released and drove him and another guy from Edward Eagar Lodge back to the lodge. Both were glad to return there.

Despite the events of the day praise God that He has brought these people to us today and I still managed to have Bible study with them even though it was quiet and some were obviously having trouble concentrating.

Pray for the people who attend the various groups I organise. Pray that God will work in them to change their lives.

Pray that they may have a consistent relationship with God.

Thanks for your prayers over this year. Please continue you to pray that God will sustain and guide this ministry and SHUM.

Michael

Thursday 26th November

Hi everyone,

Today 12 people came through our doors, this did  not include one who came in right at the end but rang me and asked to come for a few minutes wanted to say hello to everyone. 

I had 3 guys from  Edward Eagar Lodge attend today it was their first time. Unfortunately none could stay for the study . One of them though has met with me every time I have been around in the city this week having Bible study, including Sunday. Unfortunately these 3 had different appointments to attend today.

They all are struggling with issues in their life . 

Pray they will attend on Sunday and next Thursday too.

Another guy came who had not been for a possibly a year. And yet another person just out of rehab also returned today.

Please pray for the group as there are many problems carried by the people who attend.

Thanks and praise to God who provides and sustains all people.

With many people today at different times, praise God that the day went peacefully and people participated in Bible study.

We still have a couple more weeks left for Thursday Bible study this year.

Please pray people will hear, learn and meet Jesus.

Thanks 

Michael

November SHUM - Year end!

Hi everyone,
Thanks to the November SHUM Team for their participation and support during November. I hope I will see you again next year. Our last night at Central Station for 2015 was very busy. People were coming and going most of the night. It certainly would be great to see some of them at Thursday Bible study or at Edward Eagar Lodge on Sunday.
Please continue to pray for them and that those whom the Lord has touched will find their way to us somewhere during the next couple of months.
Thanks for your prayer support during the year
Michael

Thursday 19th Nov 2015

Hi  everyone,

Today was a quiet day at Bible study 6 people attended not including another person whom arrived very late. Our regulars seem to be not so regular as of late. However this could also be due to this time of year too.

We still read God’s word together and most if not all participated freely.

Please pray for one guy who did not attend today but who I have been working with a lot the last couple of weeks. He used to be very regular. He is going through a number of things but is being distracted from God. Pray that he will be drawn back to God and that he may attend on Sunday.

The November SHUM team will be at Edward Eagar Lodge this Sunday.

Pray everyone will be encouraged and we can encourage and learn from each other as we worship together.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 12 November 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 9 people attended Bible study. The day went smoothly and people were in a good state of mind. We still have a number of regulars missing from our group.

They are clearly distracted from the Lord at present. 

Please pray that God will work in them and that they will return.

I have been following them up, however its clear they need God's intervention into their lives.

Please continue to pray for the group

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 5th Nov 2015

Hi everyone,

Today was a day when people were away. Quite a few regulars were away sick. Some called me beforehand that they would not be able to attend. One guy who is the only one to do this has lunch and leaves before Bible study. At SHUM on Tuesday night we convinced him to stay for Bible study and he did so today.

Please pray for him and that God convicts him of the importance of reading His word.

Despite all this 8 people attended Bible study. Bible study was well received today and all participated in our discussion.

After Bible study I saw one of our regulars on the street and quickly pulled over to catch up with him. I had been trying to contact him the over the past two weeks but with no response. It was good to catch him and encourage him again to attend and also attend on Sunday.

Please pray he will attend on Sunday and as the month continues please pray for the consistency of the group and that God will prompt people to attend.

Thanks for your prayers.

Michael

Thursday 29th Oct 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 9 people came through our doors. This did not include one person  who arrived right at the end when we were packing up.

One regular came today but as usual he did not stay for Bible study. The offer of free coffee and cake near the lodge is too much for him to pass up. His nephew was also supposed to be there as I had chased up something for him. Anyway I sent the particulars on with his Uncle.

We also had 1 new person attend. She is a lady from the Lodge and had come to service on Sunday, then had Bible study with me on Tuesday and attended today as well praise God!

Please pray for a few regulars who have now become irregular. They all have been distracted by other things happening in their lives.

Pray that they will return.

This is always such a great reminder to use our time wisely with people as we never know when we will see them again.

Please continue to pray for these people to return and for God to prompt their hearts to read His word.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

October SHUM Team

Thanks to the October SHUM team for their participation. It was great to serve with you and I hope you were challenged and will go back to your Church to continue to share and encourage each other to continue witnessing for our Lord.
It has been a great 3 months with all the particpants for SHUM being provided by the Indonesian FOCUS Church at UNSW.
Thank you all for your support and participation.
I hope to see some of you back next year.
Please continue to pray for us.
I also hope you will use this opportunity to draw closer to God and each other.
Thanks again
Michael

Thursday 22nd October 2015

Hi everyone,

Today was our first Thursday back after 2 weeks recess. 9 people came including one man who had not been before.

Interestingly enough quite a few people came today who had not been for a while. Others will be a little slower to return as it will take them a while to get back into the routine of Thursdays.

Unfortunately from our invites on Tuesday night none were taken up today.

I briefly went to the Edward Eagar lodge before Bible Study to round up some regulars who may have forgotten about today. However they around so I left a message for them.

Please continue to pray for the Thursday group  and the people who attend. They need those prayers. Pray that They will grow in faith in the Lord and realise their consistent need for Him.

Pray also for a guy I have just organised accommodation for tonight, he will check this out on Monday. Pray this works out as the manager, a friend of mine is doing me a favor.  

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

September

Thanks to the September SHUM team.

Thanks for participating in SHUM in September. I hope you were challenged to share your faith and pray with others. I also hope that you learnt new things or maybe rediscovered gospel truths that will help you grow and continue in the Lord.

Praise and thanks to God that the FOCUS Church at UNSW has been participated in SHUM for the last two months and will also do so in October.

Praise God.

Thursday 1st October 2015

Hi everyone,
Today was a peaceful day with people participating well in Bible study.

Today 10 people came through our doors. Two people were new to Bible study. One was from Edward Eagar Lodge (EEL) and I have been encouraging him to attend, the other a fellow, I met 5 years ago or so and he decided to attend today.

The guy from EEL enjoyed today and was pretty hesitant in coming. He was not sure what to expect nor really understood what Bible study meant.

Please pray that both gentlemen will return. Thursday will be in recess now as I am taking two weeks leave.

Please pray that the regulars will return after this break.

One guy who came to see me on Tuesday night, was a regular to Bible study and Church but  has been straying from the Lord and hence missing , for the past month. Today he returned today. Please continue to pray for him, that he will return consistently.

Thanks and please keep us in your prayers

Michael Tang

Thursday 17th September

Hi everyone,

Today was a relatively peaceful day with 8 people attending Bible study. We are missing quite a few regular people, who are quickly becoming non-regulars.

However God, is still good and  those who were there participated and listened.

Please continue to pray for the group as there are those who have been extremely consistent but are now getting distracted by their old way of life.

Pray they will and not stray too far from the Lord.

Pray also for a guy on we met Tuesday night who left a plastic  bag with us and clearly thought he had told us to look after this, but did not. I saw the bag thinking it only contained soft drink but apparently it had his wallet and money as well. Someone obviously took this. Needless to say he was not happy and blamed us for that.

Pray that God will provide for him and that he won’t hold this against God nor us.

Pray that God will continue to work in his life and that we may see him again.

As you can see your prayers are invaluable and much prayers are needed.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 10th September 2015

Hi everyone,

I thank and praise God for today as at least 3 people returned today who had  been straying from the Lord. Another lady came today who has been away due to a change of accommodation.

12 people attended Bible study today.

Please pray for one lady who has been attending regularly on Thursdays and Sundays for the last two months or more . However in the last week I have not seen her. I have tried contacting her but her number has changed. Pray that she is safe and if she has moved away pray that she will find somewhere to fellowship. She was really learning a lot and changing, it is very sad to not see her there. This I feel for many people who come and attend the group. Many do get distracted easily and stop attending.  This even occurs with those who regularly attend for a number of months.

The 3 who  just returned I have been texting and trying to contact them for at least a month in their absence.

Please pray that God will continue to work in those who attend and change their lives.
In these situations your prayers are priceless.
Thank you
Michael

Thursday 3rd Sept 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 9 people entered our doors despite missing a number of regulars.  2 were sick one at hospital and of course  couple of others just not going too well. Today was very peaceful and people participated in Bible study well.

Please pray for two guys who are not going well and have been regular for a number of months until

recently. Pray that God will work in them and that they will return.

Please continue to pray for the people and this group.

Pray that they will be consistent in their fellowship with God.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 27th August 2015

Hi everyone,

It was a very peaceful day with 12 people coming through our doors and attending Bible study. One guy came for the first time but he has been to others things that I run at Edward Eagar Lodge and wanted to attend when he had the chance. Amazingly we had 4 or 5 regulars away today and yet still ended up with 12 people. 

Praise and thanks to God.

Please continue to pray for Tuesday nights and that God will bring people and with that opportunities to encourage them in the Lord.

We are competing with other food vans out there on Tuesday night.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael.

August SHUM Team

Thanks to the August SHUM Team, from the FOCUS Church at UNSW. I know there were some hard weeks for some of you but I hope you found your time at SHUM challenging, learning and encouraging. I hope to see you again another time.
Please pray for us whenever your thoughts shift towards reaching marginalised people.
Thanks again for your participation, support and prayers
Michael

Thursday 20th August

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. 10 people came and stayed for Bible study with another 2 people coming early and just wanting to catch up and pray together. They could not stay for lunch or Bible study but it was great to see them and pray for them.

Please Pray for:

-a lady who has been attending Thursdays and is now thinking of coming and worshipping with us this Sunday as well.

-another couple of people who have gone into hospital from our group under rehabilitation. pray they will be able to return soon in a better state of mind.

-a couple of disputes that have broken out between people within the group. Please pray that God will give people hearts of forgiveness, patience and understanding.

Thanks your prayers are needed and appreciated

Michael

A Small group? Thursday 6th August2015

Hi everyone,

I was expecting today to be quite a small group as I had at least 4 people who had told me beforehand that they could not attend today.

However that was not the case 12 people passed through our doors today with 1 person not staying but coming to see me to talk and pray. Unfortunately she was too depressed to stay for a lengthy period of time.

Added to the 12 were 3 young people from Melbourne who are staying at Edward Eagar Lodge this week. They are here  to experience and be involved with various ministries in Sydney.

One guy who can get in a particularly bad state of mind was exceptionally well behaved today. Praise the Lord for this. He said he only came for the study and he did. He did not eat any lunch.

SHUM Tuesday nights

Other food vans have set up serving hot food around Central station at similar times to our SHUM group.

Please pray that this will not affect those coming to see us and opportunities to share and encourage people in the Lord.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

Thursday 30th July 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 12 people came through our doors. People participated during Bible study. However the day was not without event.

One lady who came for the first time today I have been encouraging her to come and particularly talking to her over the  past few days. This is because she had found out on Monday that her mother and brother were both killed in a car accident. She cannot even attend the funeral as the bodies were flown back to turkey where the mother is from. She is pretty shattered. However she came early today but left early because that was all she could handle.

Pray that she will know God’s comfort and love.

Another lady came today because a man I know from the street who brought her with him, to the Thursday group about a month ago, has gone back to prison. However she has been told by the prison when she went to visit him that he has died. They would not reveal any further information. I explained why to her and also advised I will see what I can find out.

After bible study I went to see man in hospital who I have been visiting a couple of times a week as he does not have much time left to live. However praise God he definitely believes in Jesus.

Then a lady later this evening who was supposed to attend Thursday group today rang me anxious and upset. Her sister in law, whom she is very close to, is in hospital with a blood clot in the lung  and now in a coma.  I prayed with her and we chatted and her spirits picked up. Please pray that she finds accommodation as she needs to be out of the place she is in by Sunday.  Pray also for her sister in law’s recovery, God willing.

One lady  was very upset after Bible study today. This was  apparently because of one of our regulars on Tuesday night.  Clearly she wanted attention the attention from the SHUM team and when she thought it was taken away from her by someone else,  well she saw was angry, at the least.

Please pray for her as she gets aggressive and rude and invents a myriad of nasty scenarios about others, when she is like this.

There is indeed a world of pain out there! Please pray for these people and that God will give me wisdom to speak and point them in a loving manner to Jesus.

Please continue to pray for these people who are clearly in need of a loving, comforting and forgiving God.

Please pray also for the Homeless Memorial service I am organising to be held at Shannon’s Reserve in Surry Hills.

This will take place on August the 4^th 2pm and is to remember those who have passed away in the past years who might otherwise leave this world unnoticed.

Thanks for your prayers.

Michael

July SHUM 2015

Thanks to CREDO who made up the July SHUM team. I hope you enjoyed your time during this month and learnt many things. The people from Edward Eagar Lodge enjoyed your presence last Sunday and told me this again today at Bible Study. I hope to see you again some time in the future. Please keep us in your prayers
.
Thanks again for your participation, prayers and support.
Michael

Thursday 23rd July 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 12 people attended Bible study.

Out of those 12 people, two had not been before. One of the two I have

been following up and encouraging him to attend over the past week. He has a

horrific past. I did not expect that he would attend today

but was encouraging him to attend each day of this week to come. I Think he enjoyed his time today and maybe able to attend the service at Edward Eagar Lodge on Sunday.

Praise and thank God that he attended.

Please pray for him and the other new person, that she too will return.

 

Please continue to pray for us.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 9th July 2015

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers.

9 people attended  and Bible study today it was a relatively peaceful time. People were in

a good state of mind.

One lady who attended has not been before. She seemed keen to return again next week.

Please pray that she will.

We did  have a couple of regulars away today. Please pray that people will attend on a consistent basis.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 2nd July 2015

Hi everyone,

 

Yesterday we had a number of people away. Some were sick and a couple of them were also sorting out their

accommodation. However 7 people attended Bible study. It was actually pretty good as they were all

on the ball and had remembered things from our studies in the past weeks.

It was a peaceful time without any frustrations.

After Bible study I headed to Central to search out a guy who had been regular to all the bible studies each week for a number of months. He had accepted Jesus  but things clearly had not gone well for him and hence I have not seen him  again. I did not find him.

Please pray that he will return and that God will continue to work in his life. I also went to Mission Australia to

drop off a note to another guy under similar circumstances. Please pray for him as well

After this I head up to St Vincent's to visit a man I met on the street 7 or 8 years ago. He has terminal cancer. However he believes and is looking forward to being with the Lord. Please pray for his funeral arrangements which we are trying to sort out.

I then headed back to Edwrd Eagar lodge to speak to one of the staff members. He is quite concerned being diagnosed with emphysema and now being checked for possible cancer. We prayed together.

Prayer is crucial as we often briefly only glance people's live.

Please also pray about Tuesday nights as a couple of other food vans have been set up on Tuesday night and I think this is changing the timing of people meeting with us and whether they will indeed meet with us.

Thanks for your prayers which are always appreciated.

Michael

Thanks June SHUM Team

Thanks to the June SHUM team. It was a pleasure to serve with  you. I hope that you found the month beneficial and will keep us in your prayers.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 25th June 2015

Hi everyone,

Today started slowly and also came with a heavy shower. By 1pm there were only 3 people. However things quickly changed and we ended up with 11 people coming through the doors. This did not include a couple who arrived at 12pm and did not realise we did not start till 1pm. They left saying they would like to return another time. Please pray they do. They had not been before.

We had 1 other new person fellowship with us today. She seemed t enjoy our time together.

We also had a guy attend who had not been for a while. He has caused some problems in the past  and can be very aggressive. However today he was really well behaved and I encouraged and affirmed him with that.

Praise God things ran relatively smoothly today.

Thanks for your prayers.

Please continue to pray for the group.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday - A hectic day 18th June 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers

Thursday began with me spending the morning at St Vincents hospital visiting some people

who had  recently been admitted. One of the people I visited, I found out through a woman on Tuesday

night during SHUM that he was terminally ill. She asked me to go see him because he does not have long left.

 I had met this man on the street many years ago and he had attended various events I run. I rang him on Wednesday and then visited  him yesterday morning. I don't think he has long left, probably weeks. He believes, and is trying to get closure with fractured relationships and family.

Please pray for him

 

I then rushed over to prepare for lunch and Bible study. We had just enough lunch as 16 people

came through the doors. It was very busy.

God was gracious and with such a large group many things can get out of hand easily. However they were

fairly well behaved and listened and participated in Bible study. We also had one woman who attended for the first time yesterday she was brought by a guy who attended for the first time last week.

Praise God.

Thanks and please continue to pray for the group

Michael

Thursday 11th June 2015

Hi everyone ,

Thanks for your prayers

Yesterday we had 13 people come through our doors. Out of this 13

3 of them had not been before. Unfortunately 2 of the 3 left before we began Bible study.

Despite this, the 11 we had for Bible study yesterday partcipated well and most of them were really on

the ball with the study and understanding the passage.

Please continue to pray for the group as quite a number of them are at fragile points in their lives.

Already  a few regulars have stopped coming due to the fragile nature of how they are living and what is occuring in their life. This for me is very sad,but is the reality of ministry in this enviroment.

Pray that God will work in the people who have stopped coming to know that they can return to God and he is there for them.

Pray that they will remember that they are always welcome to return whenever we are meeting.

Thanks

Michael 

Thursday 4th June 2015

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers. Today 12 people attended Bible study. People were in a good state of mind and we had a good time together reading God’s word.

However one very regular lady was missing today. I was fairly sure she would not be there as she was pretty unhappy with me on Sunday. This was due to her rudeness to someone else on Sunday and her wanting my confirmation of her behaviour. From her perspective if you are not on her side you are against her.

Please pray that God will work in her to give her a spirit of forgiveness and patience.

Please also pray for another two guys who have been regular the past few months to many things but now have stopped attending. Pray that satan will not distract them from the real truth.

Thanks again for your prayer support

Michael

28th May Thursday 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 13 people came through our doors. One new guy came today, he attended due to  Tuesday night’s invitations. He stayed the whole time even participated and asked questions. We did have an earlier altercation between a couple of regulars and so I made one of them sit apart from the other. Apart from this everyone was fairly lively today and willing to participate in Bible study.

I also had one other new person attend today. I had met her in the city at Wesley centre. She is in a wheel chair. I was very encouraged that she managed to navigate her way to Bible study today.

It was quite hectic today with 13 people, however God was gracious and we were able to study God’s word together and have communion as well.

Please continue to pray for the group and that those who attend will be in a good state of mind and heart ready to receive God’s word.

Michael Tang

0417455292

May SHUM Team 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks to the May SHUM team. Thanks for their encouragement, prayers and participation.

I do hope the May SHUM team were challenged and encouraged to serve the Lord by sharing the gospel with others.

I hope to see you all again at Shum some time, hopefully in the not too distant future

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 21st May 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today was a relatively quiet day with a number of people away.

6 people came for Bible study today.

Please pray for one guy who  was in a mood again today. He has been fairly abrupt to everyone over the last month.

One guy is extremely regular to Sundays and Thursday Bible study. He lives on the street in Sydney but goes to the Philippines every year and lives for a number of months in a house he owns.

He had just arrived back in Sydney and went from the airport straight to hospital. He had been experiencing heart problems in the Philippines. The social worker from RPA contacted me yesterday and I went to see him today after bible study/lunch.

Please pray for his recovery. He is a believer and its time he stop living on the street . He is 71.

We had a serious chat about this today and I shared a passage with him and prayed for him.

Please also pray for another who has been regular to Tuesday and Thursday Bible study and Sunday Church has just moved out to Musswellbrook. He too is a believer and very intelligent. Pray he finds a place to worship and fellowship.   God willing pray he will return sometime to have fellowship again with us.

Another guy  also regular has also left our group. He has been attending for a number of years but has now had to change accommodation and move to the central coast. Pray that he might find a church and fellowship group to attend too.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 7th May 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. We had a couple of people sick and away today but even so 10 people came for Bible study today.

This was not including one man who came in very early and wanted just to chat with me and then  left before everyone else arrived

This was an amazing example of God working in someone’s life. I had only met this man once at Edward Eagar lodge whilst running the service. Something God said through me connected with him and it stuck in his mind.  This today prompted him to find where I was today as he has never been to a Thursday Bible study before.

And all this prompted from a memory about 1 month ago. On top of this he was drunk but still managed to seek me out.

Please pray that God will continue to work in this man’s life and that God willing we meet up again

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 30th April 2015

Hi everyone,

Today I thought only a few people were again going to attend Bible study as  there were only 4

people there when we began to serve lunch

However by the time lunch had finished 11 people were had arrived for Bible study. This included one new person who had not been before.

Unfortunately today was not without incident. One guy left early because he did not get the attention from someone that he wanted. 

Then another lady as we finished lost it. She became very angry and took this out on a few people especially me saying I dont give a S**t about here. Mind you this is after I had offered to give her bus fare

and dinner from today's lunch left overs.

She called later and I took her for coffee and talked and prayed with her. She really is a child and cannot articulate her anger nor control it. 

I realised the problem was she was short some money, however she could not say this. I helped her.

Her anger takes over  when other people have attention paid to them and she thinks she is getting ignored. It takes a while to figure out why she is so angry because she fires off at everyone else around her indiscriminately.

Please pray for her as people are becoming increasingly  annoyed and irritated at her very abrupt disposition.

Please continue to pray for the group. As you can see the people there need constant prayer.

Thanks

Michael

April 2015 SHUM Team Thanks

Thank you to the April SHUM team. They survived the big wet and wind one Tuesday night.
Thank you for your prayers, support and participation. Although all emembers had partcipated in SHUM before I hope you found it challenging and encouraging.
Please continue to pray for this ministry.
Michael

Thursday 23rd April 2015

Hi everyone

Thursday was a relatively quiet day with some people away sickness and the affects of two heavy days of wet.

Even so 8 people attended including one new guy who has just moved into the lodge and I had spoken to on Tuesday. He also joined us for Bible study on Tuesday afternoon as well as today.

Please pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of the people who attend and that God will change their lives.

Pray also that God will bring people in a good state of mind on Sunday ready to receive his word as the SHUM team will be participating in the service on Sunday.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

Update on Vanuatu, Tanna Island

We had recently raised money to send to Tanna so they could buy rice as aid had still not arrived after 4 weeks.
Here is there response. With the money they sent they were able to obtain rice.

"We all want to say thank you for the rice you funded.

We bought 20bags of rice of 15 kg and 2 bags of 27.5kg, and 3 cartons of tinfish and 2 cartons of soap.

We share it with 45 households.

We will be caught up with him. Thank God for the risen Lord and Saviour.

We haven't had any disaster relief yet.

Tell all who have help we love them in Jesus name."

 

Thank you and may the Lord bless you and keep you.

Thank you for your support and please to continue to pray for the people of Vanuatu.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 16th April 2015

Hi everyone,

Today we returned to the Thursday group after a 2 week recess.

We only had about half our normal group there but this made for an interesting

and peaceful Bible study with everyone participating.

After Bible study I went to the Edward Eagar lodge  to follow up on a couple of people.

The atmosphere over there was completely different people I could sense people were a little tense and anxious. I even said that to the office staff and they agreed. One lady had cut her toe and it was being bandaged up near the office.

Another lady I talked to, was clearly on edge and I prayed with her. However all exploded very quickly, the lady I spoke to took offense at something the lady who cut her toe said and she just went up and let fly a couple of really big punches.

The workers and I came between them blood was free flowing and the police were soon there.  

This is actually what life is like amongst these people.

Thanks and praise God that He watches over us even when we are unaware.

Please continue to pray for the Thursday group and the people who attend and God's presence at Edward Eagar Lodge.

It is clear God is needed.

Thanks

Michael

 

Thursday 19th March 2015 and Tanna Island

Hi everyone,

Today 10 people came to our group plus a student in ministry training plus another person a christian guy who was given a day off by his work for community service.  He had not been to our group before so it was a bit of an eye opener for him.

Out of the 10 that attended today two had not been before.

One lady again caused some trouble and started an argument in todays group with another guy. Please pray for her as I need to find a way to deal with what she does and for her to some how take some responsibility for the way she behaves.

As you are aware cyclone Pam has hit the Islands of Vanuatu. Tanna Island is one of the most severely hit being near the eye of the cyclone. In the past year my wife and I have been supporting and raising funds for  building of a Church there (they are using a dilapidated hut , which cannot be used in inclement weather)

My wife and I, on holidays there,  met and talked to some Christians in some of the villages. After meeting and speaking to one particular guy we decided to raise money to build a church, really a room. Four walls and a roof.

They had built to the roof with the money we had raised. But now of course the cyclone has struck.

Now  there are much more important things to be concerned with. Most live in huts which would have been flattened by the cyclone.  

There is little clean water and not much food from their crops which they live off.

We are waiting till communications to Vanuatu have been restored to find out what is needed in detail. However the situation seems quite bleak at present.

Please pray for their safety and protection and survival.

Thanks

Michael

Thursday 12th March

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was a much quieter day than last week  with a few regulars away.

God was very gracious and things ran relatively smoothly. 9 people came to the group yesterday.

I was expecting someone from from Tuesday nights invitations, unfortunately they did not attend.

I suspect the guy who caused a lot of trouble last week, will not show his face now for a while. I did

not see him on Tuesday night or Thursday this week.

Thanks for your prayers.

Michael

Thursday 5th March 2015

Hi everyone,

11 people came through our doors on Thursday.

One guy who has not been for over 5 years came and brought a friend as well. It was his friends first time with us.

Unfortunately another guy who came and can be extremely rude and aggressive was  not travelling well  on Thursday.

He quickly ran into an altercation with the guy who had come for the first time. The new person walked outside and I talked to him and fortunately he came back into join us. 

However it did not stop there. The guy who was being aggressive began being rude to even one of the helpers who help with the lunch.

I suggested it was time for him to leave and he could come back another day when he is travelling better.

He made all types of threats but fortunately knew I also meant business. He left indignantly.

This happened whilst we were having Bible study. As soon as  he left I prayed and thankfully God was gracious enough to allow everyone to clam down.

We continued and finished Bible study.

Praise and thank God that he watched over the group on Thursday.

Please continue  to pray for Thursdays and SHUM. As you can see we always can do with prayer.

Thanks

Michael

 

Thursday 26th Feb 2015

Hi everyone,

Today 10 people attended Bible study. One new person came along from Tuesday night's invitation.

It was a relatively peaceful day with the exception of again one person who was complaining about someone else yet again. I was also thankful to see one guy who has returned after about 4 months away. He was not well mentally when last I saw him. I have been praying for him and today God brought him in. Praise the Lord.

Thanks again everyone for your prayers and support.

Please continue to pray for the one person who continues to be a disruptive influence

Michael

February SHUM 2015

This week ended February SHUM. The first month back for the year. Our last Tuesday was quite frenetic, with many people attending and us running out of sandwiches, sugar and cups. Unfortunately not as many stayed around to talk to us. However one guy we had spoken to and invited to Thursdays Bible study, attended bible study today Praise God.
I want to thank the group for their participation and hope that you were challenged and encouraged and would love to see you at SHUM again some other time maybe next year.
Thank you for your support and participation.
Michael

Thursday 19th February

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers 11 people came through our doors today.

It was not a peaceful day. Bible study went ok but after that things began to break apart.

One lady whom was bad mouthing someone else in the group very loudly and making incorrect accusations. 

As soon as I corrected her she played the victim saying I don't care about her.

She began crying and left in huff. I could not console her at that time.

I walked outside to see if I could speak to her and found her talking to one of the neighbours in the street I know.

I encouraged her to come with me and we would have a coffee or juice which she wanted and a biscuit. She

immediately calmed down and  was complaining about someone else praying, I told her she can pray next week.

Its hard to manage because in a way I gave her what she wanted , ATTENTION.

Although I do thank God that all worked out ok.

Please continue to pray for Thursdays and the people who attend, there is no one there without some sort of issue. Pray that God works in each of them to transform them, including myself.

Thank you for your continued prayer support.

Michael

Thursday 12th February

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers.

Last Thursday was quite a peaceful day although hot.

However 11 people attended Bible study with another 2 people coming at the end during prayer.

I was glad to see these two arrive as they had come for their first time last week.

However our meetings are rarely without incident. One person is quite abrupt and rude.

Unfortunately this person has a  toxic mouth and lets it fly at others.

At the same I am also thankful that most of the group are patient with her.

Please pray for this as she puts many people off side. 

Pray that this does not disrupt the group.

Tuesday night we had a small incident with one young man accusing us of stealing his blanket, which he had left on the pavement near us. (it was already gone when we arrived) For a while he was inconsolable, upset and swearing at us. However one of his friends calmed him a little as it was clear we had not taken his blanket. I called mission beat and they dropped down another blanket and the guy was extremely apologetic.

God is gracious.

Please continue to pray for this ministry

Thanks

Michael

Update on building a Church at Tanna Island, Vanuatu

 ‘The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed’ It will spread  far and wide even to the most remote places. 
God has guided us to help build a Church, to provide for His people on the remote Island of Tanna, Vanuatu

RIGHT: Lisa standing at the bottom of a banyan tree on Tanna  Island

Last October we asked for your support to raise funds to rebuild a church for a village on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu.

By mid November we were able to send funds to our brother Isso on Tanna  island. Almost immediately Isso ordered materials for the project, most of which were shipped in from Port Vila.

Work commenced in early December. Unlike building here in Sydney where there is access to machinery and electricity, everything must be done by hand on Tanna, including mixing the cement to make concrete for the foundations and digging the trenches for the foundations.

 The building of this Church has garnered much interest from the locals and people of other villages  have come to see the work being done.

This building will be used for ministry as well as providing a meeting place for their community.

This project reminds me of Nehemiah and the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and its walls. This action of working together united God’s people as they placed their hope and trust in the Lord to provide.

Likewise the building of this Church on Tanna has united the people of this community to work together so they may have a secure and sheltered place to worship our God.

 In early January we received news from Isso that “we have built up to the beam” i.e. the walls have been built to the height where the roof can now be attached.

All of this has taken place in just a little over a month such is the enthusiasm and dedication of the community of believers in a small village on Tanna Island.

However this is where the work on the building has now stopped because further funds are needed to complete the project by building the roof.

 We would like to ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this community of believers on Tanna.

For further information please contact

Michael Tang

Michael-tang@optusnet.com.au  

0417 455 292

A big thank you to those of you who have already supported this project and prayed for God’s provision on Tanna island.