The Korean community visits Ti Tree Station
by David Strickland
A busload of Korean Presbyterians from Caleb Presbyterian Church in Sydney enjoyed fellowship at Nturiya (Ti Tree Station) Community Lutheran Church in July this year. Their leader, Ki Ok, is a retired pastor and the field director of Christian Mission and Ministries for Indigenous Australians (CMMIA).
David and Ming Fang Strickland joined the bus tour, providing some commentary during the trip north. They brought Subway rolls, kangaroo tails, many Korean snacks and a few bags of clothes to hand out, which brought many smiles!
At Nturiya, Ambrose Joe was the first to greet the visitors and introduced the Anmatyerr dictionary, showing how the language had been thoroughly documented. The visitors expressed great appreciation for those who had worked tirelessly to complete it. Many of those involved in the translation are now with the Lord. Ming Fang showed our visitors the Anmatyerr Bible, which was well-received. Many requested to have their photo taken alongside.
Later, congregational leader Serena Presley told the stories of two paintings displayed at the Nturiya Lutheran Church: the Last Supper, painted by Bently B., and the Meaning of Forgiveness, by Seraphina P. We brought the paintings onto the bus so people could have a closer look at them. They were amazed by the paintings and loved her sharing. The group assembled to sing a couple of hymns in English and Korean, which was especially moving.
After returning to Alice Springs, the group visited the Mission Block, where Paul Traeger and David explained the work of FRM and Bible translation in Central Australia. (There wasn’t time to cook the roo tails, unfortunately!) The group offered David, Ming Fang, Paul and Mei-Li Traeger an invitation to share dinner with them that night. Ming Fang shared with them her Anmatyerr painting booklets. Everyone received two booklets and she even signed a few for them.
That evening, the visitors invited David, Ming Fang, Paul and Mei-Li Traeger to dinner. Ming Fang shared her Anmatyerr painting booklets, gifting and signing copies.
A few visitors assured us of their prayers after witnessing firsthand the work we achieve. ‘It is not an easy task, so we will pray for you every day!’ one promised.
This is the wonder of people in Christ – that we can unite together in prayer and know that God is listening to our prayers and that he will answer.
David Strickland is a support worker in the Anmatyerr language area.
