In the middle of 2014, a man from our Karen congregation, named Hsa Pu Lu, told me “we need to do something for fathers in our community, so that we can minister to them and also help them out to be free from drinking”.
Almost every weekend Karen families have thanksgiving, where they provide food and have a service at their homes. If the fathers are able to help out in kitchen, they are contributing, and the family that is having the thanksgiving service at their home is able to partake in Mary’s ministry by listening to God’s words at the service, free from the busyness of hospitality.
Werribee’s Karen kitchen ministry began in early 2015 in a garage and sometimes at homes, to cater for family’s thanksgiving. This year, they have been able to acquire a shop front in the main street of Werribee where they now operate Martha Karen Kitchen.
Why name this Martha Karen Kitchen? Martha was always busy in the kitchen. This is a good thing she has done by hosting guests. We believe that God brought our Karen people here to Australia with a purpose.
While we were in refugee camps, we had no idea of resettlement in other countries, until the Australian government took us out of Thailand refugee camps and welcomed us here. We believe that God has called us to minister not only to our community but also to others. We believe that Martha ministry is the staring point of our ministry to wider communities and also shows our gratefulness to the Australian government for the opportunities we have here to work and to be a part of the community.
This restaurant is like a home to the Karen community in Werribee CBD. Currently we haven’t employed anyone, all are working as volunteers. We soon hope to employ four people but also we hope that people will continue to give their extra hours voluntarily.
The key reasons Werribee Karen Baptist Church is engaging in their Martha Karen Kitchen ministry are:
- To create work and training opportunities for the congregation
- To use the profits generated for church ministries locally and internationally
- To be able to work with wider communities, welcoming strangers and sharing Christ love
- To create opportunities for evangelism
- To serve people with busy lives
Why not visit Martha Karen Kitchen for some great food and a warm welcome? You can find them at:
30 Station Place, Werribee, and they’re open Mon- Sat 10am-9pm
By Rev Gail Moe Dwai
Source: BUV News