micah challenge: voices for justice 2010 #3

Here I am, third day in. I didn’t get to blog last night, as I went straight to bed after sessions finished…

The reason for such laziness was so that I could get up at 5:30 to get to Parliament House on time for a session with PM Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. More about that later.

Yesterday was a great day (once again). I did some sessions on Climate Change and Political Policy Making, which were both incredibly helpful. At night we ran a public service of repentance out the front of Parliament House, hearing from Roshan Mendis (our international guest from Sri Lanka) and others about the needs in our world and the need for a personal response in the way w live our lives individually and collectively. It was a powerful experience to stand with 300 others Christians who care about justice, kindness and the political process (it is always pleasant when your leftie views don’t get you labelled a heretic dog…).

This was followed by a vegetarian barbeque. Now, you might be wondering what is in a vegetarian sausage… but let me assure you they taste almost identical to regular sausages, which begs the question; what is in a normal sausage??!!

Anyway, today has been fairly eventful. As I mentioned we began the day with a session which included speeches by Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott. The incredible exposure of Micah Challenge was reflected in this event, and it was an incredible privilege to be a part of such an organisation.

After this my lobby group had a meeting with Sharon Bird MP for Cunningham. We talked about climate change, foreign aid and foreign health policies. Overall it was a highly positive meeting with Ms. Bird, who pledged to be an advocate for the goals of Micah Challenge in the ALP.

So now I’m sitting in the Parliament House Staff Cafe (helps to have an Unaccompanied Visitor Pass – access all areas!). Looking forward to more meetings (have one with Scott Morrison tomorrow and trying to get Dana Vale aswell) so please keep praying for us as we attempt to bring foreign aid and climate change to the forefront of the political agenda.

MCA