Arthur Kennedy - A personal note
It was September 2004, as my wife Eva and I were leaving the funeral service
for Adam Pollock (who himself had spent some time volunteering at Christian
Family Centre), that Davy Hoy stuck his head in the window of our car and said
in his own inimitable way, ‘Arthur, why don’t you come out and see us.’ Little
did Davy know that I had been wrestling with the idea of volunteering at CFC
for quite a long time. 
I
had ‘retired’ the year before but was looking for a job. After a couple of days
I called with the folks at Armoy and offered my services, not really believing
that I had much to offer. I have always been interested in woodworking and especially
woodturning so figured that I could perhaps pass on some of my limited knowledge
to any interested residents. Thankfully Davy and Linda, Paul and Kerry and Ernie,
welcomed me and so began my work at CFC. I started with one or two days a week,
then four days and after a couple of months just wanted to be there every working
day. I was convinced that this was where I was meant to be, a divine calling
if you like. I felt, and still feel, that being available for people at the
margins of society, who are perhaps hurting and vulnerable, is at the very heart
of the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. My days are spent in the
workshop with Ernie, who has become a very close friend, where together we try
to find interesting and challenging avenues for our residents to discover their
God given talents, using mostly 
wood
and metal. Most of our residents initially believe that they have little or
no ability but after a couple of weeks they are usually pleasantly surprised
by what they have been able to achieve. It can be frustrating work and sometimes
disappointing, but the negatives are greatly outweighed by the positives. A
thought which I often quote from a book I read a few years ago encourages both
me and the residents, ‘where there is creativity there is healing’. Since October
2004, I have been privileged to meet and make friendships with a wide range
of people seeking ‘a glass of cold water’ at CFC Armoy. It is just wonderful
to see someone making progress on their journey to recovery and living into
the reality of being ‘a new creation,’ seeing someone growing in their desire
to be a disciple of Jesus Christ – this is what makes it all worthwhile. Of
course it is impossible to be in this environment of love, acceptance and Christ-like
example, modelled by the team at CFC and not be blessed, challenged and strengthened
oneself. God has used my time there to deepen my own commitment and hunger for
a more intimate and real relationship with ‘The Trinity’ and in a way that is
21st century relevant. God has blessed me and my wife in so many ways through
CFC that I could not begin to count. In conclusion, let me encourage anyone
reading this who may have considered committing some of their time to voluntary
work, to listen to your heart for the divine whisper, obedience beings it own
rewards. Blessings Arthur