Many NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) participants find it even harder than everyone else in the middle of a housing crisis to find a place to live. Many need houses able to take a wheelchair, or a place built robustly (for people who find it hard to regulate emotion).
St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully in North East Adelaide, held a special service last Sunday to open three new houses for NDIS participants the church has built. Three houses were built to the exacting specifications of NDIS, to house six clients of Lutheran Disability Services. A loan from Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL) a Lutheran financial institution, and help from Lutheran Disability Services made the church project possible. The houses have been built on land owned by the church. The church held a special servoce declaring the homes open, last Sunday.
“”There were a few challenges that popped up from time to time, especially early on,” congregation project co-leader Stephen Pfeiffer said of the initiative that was first considered in 2014, in an LLL story.
“But it didn’t matter what happened, someone seemed to be led to us, to help and guide us, and that happened far too often to be a coincidence.
“We feel like we were led along the way by God and to finally get here is great.”
LLL reports that Nathan, the son of Janet and Royce, had moved into his new house just days before the opening dedication, with the move continuing a longstanding connection to the church for his family, with Janet and Royce married at St John’s and Nathan baptised there.
“To get any support housing close to us has been very difficult, so it’s very nice to have Nathan so close,” Janet said.
“We’ve been popping in just about every day.
“Hopefully, he’s set up for the rest of his life, which would be wonderful.
“The facilities are just fantastic.”
Local MP Olivia Savvas posted: “I loved one of the messages from a church member this morning about a delay in their vision… ‘God knew that it’d be good project if we did it then… but a much better one if we did it 18 months later!’ Thanks to Pastor Rolly and members of the congregation for sharing with us this morning.”
“After the work and waiting, it’s an incredible joy to bless our residents with new homes; and to be open to receiving blessings from them,” St John’s Pastor Rolly Stahl posted, giving a taster of life with Jesus as the answer in his Sunday sermon. “By engaging with one another, God will open our eyes to his heart for our community.
“We all know that there are many ways we can get bent out of shape in life. Sadly, there are many in our world who are dismissed, ignored, or left to fend for themselves. It’s like no-one sees them.
“I wonder: Who ‘sees you’ – and cares for you when you’re struggling?
“Whenever we’re broken, hurting, or overwhelmed, we might wonder:
• Does God see me?
• Is God interested in me?
• Does God care for me?
• Can God help me find a way through this mess I’m in?
• Can God give me hope and a future?
“In Jesus, God’s answer to us is a resounding “Yes”!
“In the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry, he sees people who were ignored, dismissed, or despised by others. Since each one is precious in his eyes, Jesus shows them kindness.”