Floods in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

 

Ken Fitchew has been in touch with Mrs Rillis Kilmartin, secretary of Ipswich Baptist Church, Queensland, who has given an overview of the situation and things for us to pray for. She writes:-

 

 “Our church facilities have been unharmed, but there are many homes in our local area that have suffered flood damage. There are also one or two families associated with the church who have been affected directly. The rest of us just had to put up with the inconveniences of suffering power loss, and having problems purchasing items like milk, bread and meat, which really is nothing when you consider what many have lost!

 

Fortunately the Queensland Government and Australian Government have been quick to respond and have provided on the ground support.

 

If you would please pray for the many families that have lost their homes and all their furniture, clothes and valuable items that cannot be replaced.

 

Also pray for those families that have lost loved ones through this disaster.

 

Please also pray that we as a Christian community might know how best to assist those in our communities that don't know the Lord. How can we best help them in a real way that demonstrates God's love at this time?”

 

Ashley Saunders, Senior Pastor of the church, has added:-

 

“Thanks for being in touch. Although our Administrator indicates she has already replied to your email, I thought I would also reply, as your expression of support from so far away means so much to me.

 

Our church property was spared water over it, but we have had a handful of our members directly affected. In truth, the entire city is affected indirectly - our children in particular, who have been living through uncertain times and have been overly drenched in news footage. One night last week, our 5-year-old woke up hysterical - she had dreamed we were caught in a flood and while my wife and I had been able to save her siblings, she had been washed away.”

 

With reference to contact from Ipswich, UK, he comments “It means a lot to know that, for all our faults, we really do make up a large worldwide family of God.”