Col and Evan Peet with Jim

We’re sat in the rarefied atmosphere of Sydney Airport’s Qantas Lounge – courtesy of a very pleasant hangover from Stu’s Apple days – after two busy days in sweltering Sydney. We had the pleasure of meeting several of HEAL Africa’s Australian partners yesterday as we flitted across the city in the hanging, humid heat. We heard wonderful stories of people being challenged and changed as they stepped out to serve the people of DRC.

And now, we’re ready. Off to Jo’burg tonight, then Rwanda, and our African adventures begin. Looking forward to sharing our experiences, frustrations and joys with you as we do this.

Once again, we thank the good folk of CNEC who have trusted us with this assignment to tell the ‘good news’ of HEAL Africa’s remarkable work: healing people and helping kickstart the transformation of a nation.

Join us as we journey!

This is just the first instalment of news about our involvement with CNEC PI. As we continue our research phase prior to travelling early next year to D.R Congo, we will be asking partners to contribute, comment and provide feedback to our questions. If you’ve had any involvement with HEAL Africa we’d love to hear from you.

Love in Action : HEAL Africa will be produced by Stu Harris Photography and will use the services of visual storyteller Stu Harris, Christian communicator Jim Collins, researcher Lynn Darwall (CNEC) and graphic designer Alix Morse.

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

One of the highlights of this book tour is meeting new people in our community. Many have been involved in Manly-Manado for some time. Some people from All Saints Balgowlah have also travelled out to Manado and visited the communities that we’ve written about in Love in Action.

The message preached on Sunday was relevant for us, the rich. How hard it is for us to enter the kingdom of God. Mark 10:23. How difficult it is to let go of our dependency on the wealth that we enjoy, and yet that’s exactly what Jesus is challenging us. He reminds us that we can’t serve two masters. Do we try to serve both God and the god of money?

Thank you to Clif and David for your support and providing Jim and I a place to promote Manly-Manado Love in Action.

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