Canvas Chronicles

A new mentoring program called Uplift is already changing young lives at ADRA Logan.

One student arrived clearly wishing he were anywhere else. He avoided eye contact at all costs and barely spoke a word. You could easily have mistaken his silence for disinterest.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and he was laughing out loud and telling his family—and anyone else who would listen—about ADRA Logan. His enthusiasm was so infectious that more students from his school began showing up too.

But the change went much deeper than becoming more social.

One afternoon, while packing potatoes alongside Lisa, he told her how much he had learned and how much he enjoyed being around the people there. Then, with tears in his eyes, he shared something Lisa would not soon forget: this was the first time he had felt valued and believed his life had a purpose.

He now wants to return as an ADRA volunteer.

Then came another piece of news. He had decided not to quit school after all. He was going to stay and complete his education.

During his time at ADRA Logan, he had taken part in the morning “toolbox talks,” with their focus on prayer, purpose, support, direction and values. He also found a safe place for honest conversations with the chaplain. Together, these simple but meaningful moments made a lasting difference in his life.

If you would like to hear more stories like this one, visit the ADRA booth in the Expo Hall and have a chat with Jeremy, the ADRA Logan manager. He will happily tell you how the team seeks to care for the whole person—their spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs.

Be warned: his enthusiasm may be just as infectious.

It was a real blessing to spend two and a half weeks in Port Vila during August as part of Vanuatu for Christ.

Long before the meetings began, the Tupoa church had been preparing the community. For months, members had been running health programs and heading out for street witnessing every Sunday morning from 6:00 to 8:00 am.

The meetings were held on a street corner owned by a local chief, who had given the church permission to use his land for God’s work. The church purchased a new stage and constructed it right there on the corner.

After the first night, one of the deacons decided the sound was not travelling far enough into the community. His solution was simple: buy much bigger speakers.

Before long, the message could be heard kilometres down the road. People listened from their cars, beneath banana trees, in the tall grass and from inside their homes throughout the surrounding community. If they were not coming to the meetings, the meetings were certainly coming to them!

Behind every program was another important group that could not be seen from the stage. Throughout each meeting, people gathered in a prayer room, continually praying for the speaker, the message and everyone listening.

After the first three meetings, the local chief was visited and shared that many people had been asking whether he was going to become a Seventh-day Adventist.

“No,” he replied, “but I do like their messages, and I want God’s work to go ahead.”

But God was still working on his heart.

After attending every night for two weeks, the chief and his wife asked to study the Bible with the local elders. Praise the Lord!

The experience highlighted an important truth: every connection we make with another person can become a link in the chain leading them to Jesus. Some people may form the first link, others may come somewhere in the middle, and someone else may be there when a person finally makes a decision—but every link is vital.

The meetings concluded with a baptism of people the church had been working with during the previous 12 months. A new group also made decisions during the series and will continue studying the Bible in the coming months.

The meetings may have finished, but the chain is still growing. – This was the experience of David Cherry.

Research shows that quality family time boosts kids’ emotional wellbeing, improves academic success, and lowers risky behaviours—and what better way to connect than at Family Fun Day!

🕦 Starts: 11:30 am
📍 Where: Senior Oval (near the lake—walk past the ATSIM tent and keep going)

Look out for jumping castles, amusement rides, stalls and shops—all set up to give your family an exciting adventure and create lifelong memories.

Even Christian literature will be available if you’d like something inspiring to read while the kids enjoy their 14th ride!

Bring the whole family and make it a day to remember.

Society is fast oversaturating with e-books, and people are starting to turn back to what’s real. Even book clubs are back, and what better way to stay on trend with those in society than ABC Second-Hand Sidewalk Sale – 8:30 am Sunday

Give a great Christian book a new home! The ABC Second-Hand Sidewalk Sale is packed with beautiful, high-quality books at incredibly affordable prices.

The rush starts at 8:30 am Sunday—when the gates open it’s first in, best dressed.

Come early to snag the best treasures!

If you’re heading to Big Camp this year, I’d love to see you at the ADRA Champions & Pastors Lunch.

Monday, 21 September, 12pm to 1pm
Women’s Ministries Tent, Watson Park Convention Centre

Even if you aren’t staying at camp, you could still join us for lunch.

This is a chance to catch up, share a meal and chat about how ADRA can support you to serve your community. I’ll share a few ADRA updates and introduce Mission Ready, a practical pathway and platform to equip churches with training and ready made projects.

Please RSVP so we can confirm catering and dietary needs.

There’s a family-friendly change at the 25+ Tent this year! In years gone by, parents would leave their children in the old crèche and head off to enjoy the message. This year, a screen with live video and sound has been added to the old crèche area, so parents can stay with their precious little ones and enjoy the program at the same time.

And because parents can now stay with their children, we’ve discovered that attendants are no longer required. Funny how beautifully that worked out! So yes, the crèche is now a parent-supervised space—but let’s call it what it really is: quality family time, complete with toys, toddlers and a great message in the background.

Everyone wins!

Authentic Traditional Bilums for Sale at the ATSIM Tent

Come and see the wide range of traditional bilums directly from Markham Valley Two, Papua New Guinea, Lae.

Small bilum bag $45

Large bilum bag $100

All funds made through sales will be dedicated to ATSIM sharing the Gospel with First Nations people.

If you haven’t been to Book Hour in the Big Tent, you’re missing out!

Not only will you hear authors share the stories behind their brand-new books—helping you pick the perfect next read—but you’ll also snag exclusive, one-night-only ABC discounts on those fresh releases.

Todays time: 3:30–4:30 pm

Come for the bargains, stay for the inspiration!

Pure. Simple. Simply delicious. BAENANA takes naturally frozen banana, blends it with your favourite add-ins, and serves it up creamy and cool.

This year there are only very modest price rises, making it the perfect way to refresh after a big day in the sun.

Best of all, every scoop supports mission—good for you and good for the gospel!

Check out their menu and prices here: Baenana

10,000 Toes team is doing Doppler assessments for a donation in the Expo Hall every afternoon from 2.30-5.30pm (Sunday – Friday).

Come check your toe health and browse our new Indigenous-inspired socks and shirts, created in collaboration with Mamarapha College.  

bit.ly/4xg73Ya

The new map page on the Big Camp SQ app now features a way to let the dispatcher know when you are waiting at the buggy stop. They have a big map in the office of all the buggy stops, and when you press the red button on the map page to let the dispatcher know they will send a buggy to you. (except for sabbath when the buggies are basically flat out on carpark duty) Sunday-Friday when pressing I’m here will initiate a call to the closest buggy to come and collect you!

For those with mobility restrictions there is still an SMS number, although the numver has changed this year it’s still SMS only.

• New SMS number: 0456762367

Have your say on the time:

If you have heard of attachment theory, you may already know how deeply it can affect the way we connect with others. If you haven’t, this Big Camp workshop, presented by the Association of Adventist Counsellors, is a wonderful opportunity to discover why it matters.

Attachment theory helps us understand how our early experiences continue to shape our relationships and emotional wellbeing. More importantly, it can help us build healthier connections and thrive in life, regardless of our upbringing or where we have come from.

This workshop is for parents, caregivers, community workers, teachers, professionals and anyone who would like to strengthen their relationships or better understand the people in their lives.

Presenter Dr Lela Centinja-Lipohar is qualified in psychiatry (CMO) and psychotherapy (MMT) and has more than 20 years of experience in psychiatry and mental health. Her Christian upbringing nurtured a deep love for others and compassion for those who are suffering.

Throughout her work, Dr Lela has witnessed the devastating effects of domestic violence, substance use, family breakdown and insecure attachment among young people, including some who were left living on the streets. She has been especially moved by the experiences of very young children growing up in dysfunctional environments.

Wondering what would become of these young people led her to study mental health, psychology and psychiatry, and more recently to undertake further academic research into attachment theory.

Come and gain valuable insight into yourself, your relationships and the people you care for—because “the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.”

Sunday, 20 September
10:00–11:00 am
Literature Evangelists Hall