Henry’s Story

I’m a Dainggatti man, originally from Bellbrook, New South Wales.

I never thought I’d be going into ministry. I just started going to church to get some help for myself. I’ve got some family who are strong in the Church and I reached out for help there. Pastor Horace Evans would visit me once a week and I was so hungry for the Word. With more studies, I felt very strongly the need to go share the gospel. So I started in my own community. I was doing practical work, mowing lawns, cleaning up people’s yards. Eventually I was asked to take Sabbath school classes and youth ministry.

When I heard about Mamarapha, I just wanted to go learn about Jesus. I could hardly read or write. I left school at 14 and didn’t think I really needed an education. I went to Mamarapha to learn about Jesus, but they helped me so much with my reading and writing. My vocabulary improved. I never knew I’d pick up that other stuff. I was so inspired by what I learned about Jesus.

Mamarapha gave me a better understanding of other people and cultures, and taught me how to share Jesus. I learned so much there, but the biggest highlight is probably the leading Jesus has been doing in my life. And especially the education I received.

I’m now addicted to reading. When I arrived at Mamarapha, I couldn’t read or write. I left with a box of books. Now I never watch TV because I can’t stop reading. They say readers are leaders and I’m now able to become a leader in my community because of Mamarapha.

I love Mamarapha’s connection with ATSIM.

My people, Indigenous people, are a unique people. We have a different pain, a different hurt. It takes a unique ministry to reach unique people.

I praise God for the Seventh-day Adventist Church investing in a unique ministry, to reach out to the first people of this nation.

Story first appeared in the Adventist Record.