We have just returned from a weekend at Coppercoast [125 years celebration] - here are some thoughts.
We arrived at Kadina Corps on 6th February 1992 to discover that there were in actual fact 2 corps operating - Kadina [we lived next door to the hall] and Moonta - so we looked after both corps - 2 very different corps in culture and personnel. These corps were 18 kms apart.
We left 5 years and 3 weeks later - 27th February 1997.
Whilst we were there - at the request of Port Wakefield families we started SAGALA [girls] in their town [50 kms from Kadina] every Thursday night during school terms - an amazing experience in such a small community - although we travelled there only on Thursdays we became part of that community. The local Uniting Church allowed us to have a church parade in their service - absolutely awesome.
Today Coppercoast is just one corps based at Kadina - the old hall is gone and where it stood is parking spaces - the youth hall is now a work place for men [lathes etc....] - a new hall has been built on the old parking spaces - our quarters has been replaced by a purpose built Thrift shop - the new quarters is further up the road.
Many of the folks we knew have gone to their eternal reward - very few remain from those days - but those who do - it was great to catch up with and walk down memory lane - to hear them share the impact our ministry had on their lives was truly amazing - you just never know how you touch people.
Not long after we arrived at Kadina in 1992 - Campbelltown sections came up to do a weekend [already planned before we arrived] - during this time we met a family - one of the daughters had a baby and brought her along that weekend - she was a real cutie - I had lots of cuddles.
So at 125 celebration I was doubly blessed - the real cutie was there [turns 18 in Feb] wow!!! yeah, I hugged her!!! But once again I held a baby girl in my arms [she went to sleep] - the cutie's little sister and she is just as cute!!! - life is amazing!
We were stationed at Campbelltown Corps from 1999 to 2004 - I'm so glad that Campbelltown corps has folks who are members of "The Red Shield Band, Songsters & Timbrels" [special guests for the weekend] - it was great to catch up with these folks as well - and again to hear how our ministry impacted their lives.
We are truly blessed as officers to move around and be a part of so many people's lives - to share their joys, their sorrows, for that moment in time to walk beside them and be one with them.
They will always be part of us - they are our history - they are part of who we are today!
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