Bushfire Relief

G’day all,

it’s a pleasure to be writing to you and telling the story of what we as YWAM Australia were able to do as a response to helping those affected by Black Saturday.

We assisted two groups in the 13 weeks we were in the affected areas.

We worked hand in hand with Global Care in Kinglake, from helping build storage sheds and sheds for families to call home for some time, to clearing of trees and debris, this almost became a full time job in itself. Another great opportunity we had was to set up a coffee machine in the local makeshift laundry mat. Offering coffee, help and a listening ear. Being able to share Gods heart with these people in their greatest time of need was a privilege and honour we could never take lightly. The clearing of many fallen trees and other trees considered dangerous were all cut and spilt into much needed firewood for the cold winter we are just coming out of. I believe the lasting affect we have left in the town of Kinglake was very positive and a blessing for years to come.

The other organization we worked closely with was, Blaze Aid. Blaze Aid was started by a couple of local farmers who saw the need to give their burnt out neighbours a helping hand. To help them get their stock locked back up, their fences stood and their hope rebuilt. All the volunteers would turn up to Kev Butlers wool shed early in the morning, be assigned to a team and a job and off they would go to help farmers rebuild their fences and their lives. We estimate that in 14 weeks, 600 km of fencing had been rebuilt. The majority of the volunteers were grey nomads travelling around Australia. Everyone jumped in and had a go. Through stinking hot days, to rain and even on occasion, snow.

Again, I believe YWAM played a significant part in blessing all the people we helped, as well as all those we worked and rubbed shoulders with along the way. We have built lasting friendships throughout all the towns we worked and left our footprint.

We would like to thank all those that gave and made this possible. It made it possible to pay for the enormous amount of travel and fuel, to buy food for all those that volunteered. It kept our chainsaws running and our fencing tools running hot. It blessed the men and woman with Lattes and cappuccinos in a place that would have been otherwise hard work and mundane.

Thank you and may our Lord God bless you beyond all you could imagine.

Chris Pettigrove, YWAM Melbourne.