Aussie Joy's Life

Last time I was in Theodore I visited this little Lutheran Church.

I just sent up a facebook page called ‘Want to help Queensland Flood victims‘… This is an appeal to fellow Australian’s to help a mate out. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been deeply affected seeing so much of Queensland affected by the floods. They are saying over 200, 000 have been affected in a land mass area the size of Germany and France combined!

I’ve recently had the privilege of visiting and meeting people in many of the towns affected and it’s hard to imagine their loss and how emotionally taxing this experience is going to be.  Many farmers have gone from solid years of droughts to this potentially being their best harvest ever to now… complete devastation, loosing everything.   At least 2o towns have been flooded, evacuated and some still on standbye unable to even come back to assess the damage.

I feel like us Aussies (an non-Aussies!) need to come together and give up some time to help those affected adversely during this time. It maybe as simple as dolling on some spunky work gloves and picking up debris from people’s back yards. The smell will be fowl… and the workload will be daunting… but this is our chance to show our country Queenslanders they are not forgotten.

Massive amounts of sandbags being made to save Rockhampton's CBD

I spoke to the Shire Council in Chinchilla.  She felt local residents are doing well so far but are pretty keen to find volunteers to go out and help the town of Condamine when water recedes.  I just spoke to a local Chinchilla friend and they are keen to get help in Condamine most likely this weekend.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE LET ME KNOW. (about 350kms from Brisbane)

A friend in Rockhampton, who is a pastor is keen to hear from anyone interested in helping out their city.  The river is still rising.  Volunteers have spent days sandbagging to try and save the city.  It will still be a few days before the river even peeks.  He’s concerned the ‘flood hype’ will have run it’s course in national news by the time they need help.

Theodore is still under water.  Local friends there are in communication with me.  If anyone has a time to go out there for a few days I’d love to hook you up.  It’s a good seven hour drive.  Every person in town evacuated.  So everyone will be affected.  So though the town is small… there will be enough work to share around.

Please click here to support the facebook group and to share it with friends who might be available to help.  Please let me know when you might be available.  Please alo let me know if you have any ‘special skills’ that might be of assistance.  Also if there are any youth/young adult/church groups keen to support I’d LOVE to hear from you and put you in touch with people who are in need.
ALSO…. why not even consider having a “Barbie with a PURPOSE” to raise funds.  It really is easy for us who’ve not been affected to go on with life like nothing has happened.  But for these people, many have lost not only all they own but also their livelihood.  I think we’ll see the effect of crops devastated in our local produce markets.  So spare a thought for those who are loosing this income!

Thanks for caring for your fellow Aussies… if nothing else… please pray!