In the old day, my eyes used to glaze over when someone talked about Community
Development. Now a days, I am usually on the edge of my seat when someone is
talking about it. I think the difference is that now I understand that working Community
Development from a worldview is just a project, but from a Biblical worldview it can
transform not only the community and the people in it, but change it on a national level
too. 
These last couple weeks we learned about Paternalism. Thatʼs like if you just give
someone a gift you think they need, even with good intentions, they can end up being
dependent on you, and not do the things that they should be doing themselves. The
recipient doesn't grow like they should, or maybe they never really wanted the gift, but
took it anyway. This is the same for community development. There are lots of
expensive equipment scattered about the third world, that was given in good faith with
great intention, that sit idle, rusty or broken. The community remains the same, or worse
off, because they figure someone else will fix their problems. Instead of going in and
giving gifts they may not need, find out what they need by talking with them and learning
from them. Find out what their vision is. Lots of times, well meaning people who have
good goals, have their own agenda, and filter out what they donʼt want to hear. Walk
alongside people in the community, and you can learn a lot from them. You can find out
what they really need, and maybe you can help them in making it possible. They in turn
can help others in their community. You can help move them towards Godʼs intention for
their lives.
YWAM Perth is a very busy place, with packed schedules of good stuff. Monday
mornings we have base worship, Tuesdays we have some brief announcements on
events for the week and Friday nights we have an evening service open for everyone. In
between all these times are classes, work duties, intercessory prayer, worship, eating
lots of bread, meetings, homework and getting to know one another.

Since this is Winter in Perth, there is rain. It could be clear one minute and pouring
buckets of rain the next. It usually stops after a few minutes, just enough to allow you a
false sense of security as you scurry off just to get caught in it again.
Love,
Rick and Gail