Angkula, Molga Bore, Engawala and Hart's Range

This weekend Nate and I went with the missionaries to visit the units of the church out bush. We stayed in Angkula. Angkula consists of 3 houses and about 30 people. The community was empty this weekend. The people were either out hunting or in other communities. The elders lease one of the community's 3 houses. Culturally the people in the community will not live in the third house because a family member once died there. They used to hold church in the house, but now they hold church in Molga Bore's art centre which is about a 10 minutes drive down the road.

The elders have not had electricity for at least 2 weeks. It has been difficult for the senior couple in town to find the organization that would connect their electricity. It doesn't matter much. I think having a refrigerator would be useful, but that is about it. If they sleep inside, they sleep with mosquito nets around their beds. I think they usually sleep outside in their swags. It is cooler, temperature wise. To shower they light a fire outside that heats the water. They make fire at night to cook their dinner. We all sat outside under the moonlight with the fire next to us as the elders talked about aboriginal culture and the work out bush. They slept inside on Saturday night because we slept outside under the stars. Before we went to sleep the elders came out to share with us their nightly celebration. Every night they each say something worth celebrating from the day. The elders were very happy that a family in Angkula hosted their own family home evening the night before. The family sang songs together and played together. Another elder was excited that he met a Maori woman in Hart's Range who had dreamed Lehi's dream. She told the elders that she knows that she has been prepared to receive the gospel. After everyone shared something we sang a song and had an evening prayer.

I tried to sleep that night, but I had strange dreams that night about the stars, bizarre animals and aborigines. When I woke in the middle of the night the stars hung low like a textured blanket/ocean of tiny lights. I have never been so far removed from what we call civilized. It is like sitting on an island, but our ocean is desert.

Sunday morning we first met in Angkula's art centre for sacrament meeting. There were a few teenage boys from another community that were sleeping in the art centre. They were taking a break from men's business. I didn't see them. We are not allowed to see them. They did leave and we did have sacrament meeting on time. Lindsey Byrd is the patriarch of the family. When he told the other men to do something, they jumped to do it. He was the first to stand and share his testimony in language. Before the meeting we admired Lindsey Byrd's garden. He beamed when he spoke of his garden. He was proud of the many pumpkins that it produced. Aside from being a leader in his community, a gardener and a former cowboy, Lindsey is also an artist. Go here to see more. If you received a wedding thank you post card from us, there is a chance that the art work on your post card was Lindsey's.

Colleen Wallace also was at church in Angkula. Colleen painted a picture of Christ's second coming that hangs in the conference centre. I tried to find a copy of it, but the best I can do is send you to this site. Look under w for Wallace. Her paining is the 3rd painting from the left. It is after the baby and before the Jesus, Mary, Joseph painting. She possesses a clear and intelligent demeanor. I asked her if she has ever been to Utah to see her painting and she said no. I wish I had a way to send her there. She has a house in Alice Springs, but chooses to live in the community. She says it is better for her children, and she is probably right.

Next we went to church in Engawala. It was about an hours drive from Molga Bore. Church was in a member's house. They swept it out and set up benches inside. Gary Byrd conducted. Gary is the acting branch president for the bush units. The missionaries are trying to help the units be less dependent on the missionaries. Gary served a mission in Adelaide. After four months he decided he was finished and just walked home. It's a 12 hour drive from Adelaide to Alice Springs. And from Alice Springs it is about 3 hours to Molga Bore. For most missionaries walking home after four months might mean a person failed as a missionary. Gary and his community don't really see it that way. At any rate he understands how the church works and he has the priesthood and a testimony. He did a good job conducting, and I think that that is the first time a community member has conducted. After the 20 minute sacrament meeting the primary met for a song and a 2 minute lesson. All of the children know the song, I Am a Child of God.

Next we drove 2 more hours to Hart's Range. The elders have just restarted church and missionary work in Hart's range. The meeting was small because most of the people were out hunting. It is also the season for men's business. However, I don't think there are many men that come to church. A woman shared a really beautiful testimony about how the church has helped her. She also talked about the fact that it has been very hard. She and I talked afterwards and she said that I could probably attend a woman's ceremony in April that happens in Central Australia. It is a week long and only for women. I don't know if I will be able to go, but I hope so.

So I don't have time to label the photos below. Hopefully you will get a feel for the experience and be able to match photos with the above stories.

Enjoy.




























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