All funds raised from walkers today are going to Compassion’s Child Survival Program – an exciting initiative that supports young mums in Manado and their kids. And as I’m sat here typing away, I’m reminded just how privileged we are to be part of a movement that makes a difference.

This is the fourth year of the Manly-Manado walk, and families love taking part in something that matters. It doesn’t have to be hard to help!

Something for Tony Abbott

Jane laughing with Nicole and Beth

Children paining

Jim Blogging

Ever since I can remember I have loved new books: the crisp feel of unopened pages, the promise of stories yet to be discovered, the possibilities of future, restful musings as you slow to ponder over what you have read. Even in this digital age, I’m still convinced that a good, ‘old-fashioned book’ does something to you. It somehow enters your bloodstream as you absorb its content and mull over how it might change the way you see things – even the way you live. A good book moves you. My hope and prayer has always been that Love in Action, the first book to contain my writing, would do just that. That it would move you, the reader. 

Our tale of community action isn’t designed to be a static, one-off viewing. We hope it will inspire you to “do likewise” and put love into action. 

What is love in action? For me its many things. Let’s start with what its not. I’ve discovered over the years that taking action doesn’t always have to be hard work: begrudgingly ‘doing good’ to meet some self-imposed guilt, or to satisfy a need to feel significant. It may cost me – in time, in effort, in what I need to sacrifice to take action – but it can be a joyful experience. As I’m able to recognise blessings in my own life, I can then overflow blessing towards others.

For me, my writing has enabled me to put love into action. There are many other ways I could serve others, but using something I truly enjoy makes it easier to take those first steps. Steps away from our ‘me first’ culture; steps towards a lifestyle where others matter more. Love in Action tells the story of how Stu and I have journeyed and grown. It shows how lives can be drawn into close relationships and community fostered – formed through love being put into action.

Like the smell of a new book sets off a positive response in me, may the photos and stories on the pages of Love in Action stir something in you. May you be moved!

Written by Jim Collins

“Love in Action is opening a car door for an elderly gentleman; carrying a pram down the steps for a new Mum; offering a meal to a homeless man on the streets; stopping to check that a child running on the street has not lost her parent; surprising your wife with some flowers and saying ‘I love you’; dropping a meal round to a couple with a new baby; offering to tend the garden of a widow; painting the toilets of a local primary school with few resources; putting on a birthday party for someone who struggles with depression.

Love in Action is seeking justice for the oppressed; caring for the orphan and widow; offering a poor family an opportunity to get their dignity back through a microloan; providing education for children who have none; rescuing a child from a rubbish dump; purchasing fair trade products; speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves; lobbying our government to increase their % GNI of foreign aid.

Love in Action is sharing the love of Jesus, the one who can inspire all these actions and more to flow from the heart of an inherently selfish human being, because of His unfailing love for us.

Love in Action is Jesus.”

About Jim Goddard. Jim is the founder of Global Community Partnerships and the original architect of Manly-Manado. You can learn more about Jim and Global Community Partnerships on the GCP website.