In early June, I had the privilege of visiting some of the Northern communities in the Central Desert region of Northern Australia with Mal and Chris Good from Casuarina Baptist Church in Darwin. They serve with and alongside the community through Baptist Mission Australia. We travelled from Darwin to Kalkarindji on the first day. While Mal, Chris and Matt had a quick meeting, I walked about ten minutes out of town with Shannon, where we stood by the cross and war memorial, looking out over the town and the Victoria River.
The next day we drove to Lajamanu, our base for the next few days. It didn’t feel like we were ten hours south of Darwin, far from city conveniences and mobile reception. Lajamanu has a strong sense of community. People look out for one another; they know who’s in town and who’s away. I was invited to join a women’s Bible study in the bush, next to a billabong. As we studied God’s word, I learned about the pressing need for education around gendered and domestic violence in the community. I visited the art centre and listened as different generations of artists shared their stories while painting. At the church, I was humbled to hear Wapara (God) praised in song and prayer in Warlpiri language.
After church, we began the journey back to Darwin. We stopped again in Kalkarindji, where kids were playing cricket in the BMA house yard. That evening, we visited a singalong service in Daguragu. As we sat around the fire pits, I heard singing and praying to Nudji (God) in the Gurindji language.
I may not have left Australia, but I travelled across cultures. I’m richer for having joined with sisters and brothers—whose skin, language, and cultural history differ from mine—in praising the one God together.
Words by Lisa Cornish
Baptist Mission Australia
