The parish is located next to the beautiful Karijini National Park. The
two main centres of Tom Price and Paraburdoo, both iron ore mining towns,
lie 300 km south of Dampier. The huge iron ore deposit now known as Mt. Tom
Price was discovered in 1962, after which Hamersley Iron was formed.
The
congregations of Paraburdoo and Tom Price are small groups of faithful
people. Being one company towns we are greatly affected by decisions made by
the company. A major review of staffing has been underway most of '96 and
has increased uncertainty. We have had to say good-bye to some dear friends.
Yet God is always providing us new opportunities to reach out.
In
Wittenoom, the few remaining residents carry on doggedly, in the face of
government decisions intent on closing the town down.
The loneliness,
isolation, separation from family all mean that there is a great need for
the hope of Jesus. Yet the materialism, apathy and self interest mean that
so many are blind to the message. Pray that the Christians will stand up for
what is true.
