Newman gospel worker Amanda Kyngdon is thanking God despite their most difficult year yet of ministry in the remote mining town.
Many long-term residents have left, including about one third of the local school. Crime has spiked and life in Newman is seen as undesirable.
Amanda says it would be easy to focus on the challenges but she chooses to see the blessings and has found unexpected joy in teaching her own children the Bible.
“Ministry in small churches in the North West is not always easy but one of the great blessings is that it means we, as parents, are the ones who must disciple our children.
“As parents we are our children's first Bible teacher and we need to make the most of these opportunities.
“People ask us if our children are missing out because of things like fewer educational opportunities in the Pilbara.
“As a family we have made sacrifices to serve in Newman but it hasn’t been a hinderance to our kids’ faith. It’s actually matured them in their love for Jesus.
“They won’t have access to kids and youth programs like in big churches but they have got to know people in our church from all stages and walks of life. Our nine-year-old daughter Ada still prays regularly for a couple who left our church 12 months ago who suffered a still birth while they were with us.
“Last night she was doing a short devotion on the importance of going to church. In small churches it’s easy to focus on what we don’t have - live music, a kids program every week and lots of kids and youth.
“But when Ada reflects on church, she talks about the kindness of the people and the encouragement she receives in her faith.
“This is what the Bible says is central to church. All we need is to have someone in our life who is interested to open up the Bible and read it with us.
“We pray that our kids can keep teaching their friends at school about Jesus in ways we can’t as adults,” she said.
Amanda and her husband Roger, the Minister-in-Charge at Newman, give thanks for the massive harvest field in their region.