Hi guys,

For something a little different and probably not on most people’s radars. We’re in the middle of Fair Trade Fortnight. What is Fair Trade I hear your ask?

Is it fair that children work in unsafe conditions, get paid next to nothing, miss out on an education – just so we in the West can enjoy our lattes and splurge on chocolate?

Is it fair that men and women work extremely long hours in poor conditions (with no OHS and injury compensation) to produce teas that are sold at large profits and get next to nothing in their own pockets?

Its FAR from fair!

Fair Trade is a program that ensures producers of the products we enjoy like coffee, chocolate, teas etc… are paid what they deserve, so that they can reinvest the funds back into their communities, expand their businesses and can do things like send their kids to school, eat nutritiously and enjoy buy medicine when they need to.

This is a call for those with money in their wallets (that’s most of us!) to make the swap. Swap your usual coffee for a Fair Trade one (e.g. Gloria Jeans and McDonalds serve Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee… coffee with good conscience). Cadbury now produces Milk Chocolate with a Fair Trade logo. Sometimes you pay a little bit more, but a little bit more from us collectively goes a long way. (And these Fair Trade products often taste better because they tend to be of higher quality and more organic!)

You know, sometimes change doesn’t happen in a big booming way. I reckon most of the time is the collective and accumulative action that each individual takes that makes the world a better place.

Its hard to believe that Friday 16 March 2007 was when Ablaze Service was birthed. Details of that night are still so crisp in my memory. I remember the buzzing crowd outside the Cinema, Nathan Campus. I remember the BBQ attempt in the real ablaze style (literally – thank goodness for Chris’ coat, the truly fire extinguisher!). I remember that night was such a big deal parents came along and filled up the back seats. (Slight row reversal). I remember the adrenalin through my body and the sense of excitement that this was the start of something great. The night was pregnant with anticipation and expectation for what was to come.

That night, a baby called Ablaze Service was born. That night, we joined our hearts and hands for what we knew would be an adventure of our lifetime. What we didn’t know was how incredibly mind-blowing and powerful this adventure was going to be!

Together we’ve had our share of:
- Ad-hoc times (like when our room booking goes psycho and we’re left scrambling for another venue at 3pm – yes, like last Friday!)
- Defining God-encountering moments during service and seeing that infiltrate through our communities in the weeks to come
- Near-cardiac arrests… (‘we can’t start… the bulletins aren’t here yet!’. Sounds familiar? Foyer, PA and programs team especially… we love you)

and of course, countless stories of real change, healing and restoration, purpose-awakening, call-discovering… and hug-normous loads of fun as a family.

At this Friday’s service, we’ll be celebrating our 3rd birthday! Ablaze is what it is today because YOU have all-together nurtured, given to, loved dearly, and sowed selflessly into what you call your spiritual family. This is truly a place that serves God’s call for His glory.

So, happy birthday to you all! Looking forward to the days ahead with you!