The slum has been torn down, the challenges are over, rice and daal is off the menu (unless by choice), hot showers are once more permissable. The 10 Slum Survivors at Blackstump 2006 have survived. And can I say, your involvement was a beautiful thing: full of griping, smelliness, hard work, hospitality, competition, cooperation, Spirit-filled reflection, and a challenge held out to every participant at Blackstump to engage more deeply with poverty and faith.

I’ll be updating the gallery soon, with photos of Slum Survivor 2006 in all its glory. In the meantime, follow the link to see what the Sydney Morning Herald said about Slum Survivor.

I’d also like to share the wonderful note of encouragement that was left for us by one of the Blackstump festival-goers:

To all those who are in Stump’s slum challenge. I just wanted to write you all a letter of encouragement and so you know that I have been thinking and praying for you.

I haven’t been around when the challenges have been on, but I see you as I walk or ride past. I don’t know what it must be like to be you, but God knows exactly, so I ask him to please keep helping you. He hears all your crying out and feels all your pains, even on the inside. You are not alone, he is carrying you.

And when this little section of your lives has reached the end, I pray you may be able to say ‘It wasn’t easy - but it was worth it.’

I thank God for what he is doing for you. Love ur sister in Christ, Lizzy.

Ben, Carlyn, you guys are amazing! Your insights and stories from previous experiences really added to the Slum Survivor experience this year. Your tireless ambassador-ship for Christ and the poor has been duely noted and a dispatch sent to head office, where your reward awaits! Love and God Bless, John.

Wow! What an experience! I got home last night and slept on the floor instead of on my bed, ‘cos I didn’t want to stop thinking about all the stuff God and my fellow Slummers have challenged/ encouraged me on; and what a challenge…

But the cool thing is, this is exactly where Jesus wants us to be: challenged and out of our comfort zones concerning issues in the world, but responding lovingly; united as the Body of Christ (aka, the Church).

Something I didn’t expect has happened as a result of Slum Survivor ‘06.

God has really increased my passion for Church unity. After all, when we’re living in a world that God has commended us to love, feeling very underprepared and “challenged” (onya Muppy!!), we need to “come together,” don’t we?

In the Slum, we had different ages and denominations - both Catholic and Protestant (Father Jim, you’re a legend!) and the sense of community by the end of the weekend was B E A ut-i- ful!!!

We started off being split into families, each building their own shelter and cooking their own meals, etc- much like the “real” Survivor show, complete with tantrums (and there were some biggies, believe me…. chocolate and a lack of pillows can do strange things to a man). Then, we had our first challenge and it was quite competitive, but things began to change….

Throughout the Saturday, people were going ’round, talking, offering each other help, greeting fellow Survivors ’round Stump and welcoming visitors to our homes. THe sense of togetherness was growing. On Saturday night, the rest of my family went on hunger strike (or Dahl strike, anyway), so I was eating alone, until the house adjacent invited me over for a meal. Some visitors came by and I ended up being one of 11, all sharing in a meal that brought different familes together as we shared food, thoughts and the pleasure of one anothers’ company. That, for me, was a real turning point in the dynamics of the group.

From then on, we did most things ’round Stump together, seeking one-another out at worship, teaming up to go to seminars and enjoying chai with visitors in he middle of the camp. We abandoned the seperate family mealtimes and simply brought all the Trangias, crockery, etc, together for one common eating experience.

So how does all that differ from any other Stump experience?

In the lead up and throughout the weekend, each of us were seeking God’s heart for the poor in a very deliberate way. As we entered the Slum, there was a sense of nervousness and expectation for the physical challenge, but also a desire- voiced by many- for this to be a time of heart changes.

Going to bed on the first night, having (somewhat) completed our dwellings, there was a sense of aprehension and exhaustion. Would our slums hold up on the wind? Would it rain? Would we be able to sleep at all with the noise and light streaming in, on hard floors?

Yes, our dwellings stood firm and, thankfully we didn’t get rained out. Yes, we DID get to sleep, but then, at about 1:30 am, our slum was attacked, by a group of younge people, who pelted our huts (and those inside them) with Stink Bombs.

I woke up, very hazy, thinking someone was letting off fireworks or throwing rocks at our dwelling. It was actually a bomb that had been thrown through the door and burst just next to my head. The attack only lasted about 3 minutes and the smell was largely gone by midday next day (tahnk God for matches!), or we’d gotten used to it, but the sense of vulnerability that we felt remained throughout.

Many of the visitors who cam to our slum were encouraging, stopping to chat, sharing our food and generally “journeying” with us; some had either visited or lived in slums themeselves- in Australia and overseas. However, there was also a surprisingly large contingent who made no effort to hide their disgust, loudly decrying the “filthy” nature of the Slum, how “filthy” it’s inhabitants were and refusing invitations to join us and discuss what we were actually on about. At first, I was offended, because this was my home! The people being criticised were my self, my family and the community I was growing to love! They didn’t understand that we WERE’NT neglecting to wash, or clean within the limitations of our environment, but that this is how much of the world lives, day in day out; year in, year out.

Then, I began to understand a bit how Jesus might feel, for those who have no choice but to live in slums, who are passed by everyday by people- much like us- who have the power and the time to effect change.

Jesus was “despised and rejected.” He had “no place to lay his head.” He was “familiar with suffering,” but he chose all that, including the cross, “for the joy that was set before Him,” ie: the salvation of the whole world!

So who would he sit with? The beggar? The landlord? The orphan and widow? The rich?

Of course, Jesus went to the lepers, the widows, the cripples and the blind: to those considered “rejects” of society and of God (in society’s eyes), but he ALSO went to the tax collectors, the politicians, the military overlords and the corrupt religious leaders, who were perpetuating injustice.

What does that mean here and now? I don’t completely know. I’m still asking God how to respond to what I have seen, learnt and experienced, but I know that this is fundamentally important- crucial- for all Christians. We cannot deny the call of Christ to “love your neighbour,” whether that person be rich, poor, black, white or whatever.

Jesus actively sought salvation, not only for the poor and oppressed, but also for the rich oppressors, but most often, it was the poor who responded positively, ‘cos they knew more urgently that they needed Him.

“Your battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities; against the powers of this dark world…” (Ephesians 6). “Love one another.” (John 13; Romans 12:7-9; 1 John 3). “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8)

We are not alone in this world, especially as Christians. We need to remember the people who haven’t got the freedom, health, security or opportunity we enjoy. We need to “entertain strangers,” “love our neighbour” and “seek first the kingdom of God,” but we need also, to remember that God is with us, and so are our brothers and sisters in the faith! We can do more togther. Probably the toughest challenge of the weekend was to break rocks into small pebble/ sand and build a path. We had only a short space of time and the rocks were very big… However, unlike all the other challenges, which pitted family against family, this one threw us all in TOGETHER, to work towards a common goal. What a picture for the Church in our world! Whatever our differences, we are all together. The church ought to be an excellent place to practice outward focussed community, loving one another and sharing that love with those we meet.

God Bless!

OK, I’m finished, now time for a bucket shower!

Well it’s all over, and Slum Survivor was incredible experience.

Together we built our shelters, cooked rice, daal & chai, and lived as community for three days.

We made paper bags from newspaper to simulate the poor paying jobs which many slum dwellers subsist on. We broke rocks into gravel to make a footpath, in solidarity with people whose roads are continually washed away in monsoon rains, and we carted water in buckets on our heads to learn that this is how 1 billion people access their water.

I met some wonderful people, and entered into a life of simiplicity, poverty and stillness which has profoundly infliuenced me and my fast paced high consuming lifestyle.

As I reflect (even now, waking up in the middle of the night) I realise that God has taken me to a new and interesting place in my life because of this. Thank you, fellow survivors - I hope to see you again somewhere around the Kingdom of God, and thank you, Ben & Carlyn.

God bless you

Jim McKeon

It’s on. Watch this space for pictures, stories, and reflections from Slum Survivor 2006.

And while you’re watching, tell us how you respond to global poverty in the new poll.

The nervs have offcially kicked in!!

only 2 more sleeps till the kick off of the event!!

Its all thats been on my mind!!

Im not sure how ill survive…it says to substitute shampoo with soap..do you realise how much damage that can cause to ones hair?…I wouldnt dare use soap on my hair…even as a last resort..id rather start dredding my hair than using soap!!

Any way..ill see you at Stump and keep us in your prayers ahahaha..!!

Peace and GB!

It’s now only 3 sleeps until Blackstump!

It’s also only one sleep until vacancies close for Slum Survivors. All applications to be a Slum Survivor must reach us by 7pm on Wednesday 27 September. We’ve got a great group of survivors so far. It’s your last chance to be one of them.

John.

Hi all, John here.

A couple of years ago, I visited a friend working in the slum areas of Manila and came away with a deeper understanding/ passion concerning God’s heart for the poor amongst us, but it’s scary how quickly it fades if you don’t nurture it properly!

So I’m looking forward to connecting with, wrestling with and having my heart changed (ouch!!!) by God during this experience. I’m not looking forward to sleeping on a hard floor (never been a strength of mine), but “sayang*…”

When I’m not at Stump I work as a teacher’s aide with kids who have various disabilities/conditions (including autism) and challenging behaviours.

You might see me ’round the village stage working over the weekend, otherwise, feel free to drop in for a chin wag at my place!

Here’s a thought for the weekend: “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering…” (Heb 13:1-3)

*”Sayang” is one of the few Tagalog/ Filipino words I know. It basically means “too bad, but what can you do?” or “such is life…”

It’s Cara… aka, um, Cara:

My name is is Cara Bonser, I go to Cumberland High School and I’m in year 11.

I’m really looking forward to the Slum Survivor Challenge, I reckon it will be loads of fun to get disgustingly feral… while making awareness of poverty.

I am vertically challenged, but I don’t see it as a disadvantage it just makes me a bit different (so don’t get anymore short people). I LOVE Lord of the Rings, and I feel a special connection with the hobbits, especially Samwise.

I look forward to seeing everyone there! It should be loads of fun!

It’s Milanka aka Manks…

Hay hay, My name is Milanka, but you can call me Manks =)

Im currently studying at high school in yr 11. I live in the Parramatta region.

I’m really looking forward to the Slum survivor challenge!! I spent 3 months in Serbia in very similar conditions, it was Gr8!!

I think it is vital to bring awareness to people of the standards of living, unfortunate people are subjected to. Something has to be done.. and I’m ready to see change!!

I take too much for granted as im sure most people do.

I’m pretty sure one of the only problems I’ll have in the Slum is that I’m a massive germ-a-phobe, I can’t stand saliva and sharing utensils, drinks etc.

Catch ya round!!

God Bless!!