Our time in Australia has been filled with many experiences of the open arms and hearts of the Community of Christ across the country.  One of the places where we have been assigned to share is an urban community centre called Daybreak in a suburb of Melbourne.  Daybreak welcomes many community members who may not have anywhere else to go.  At Daybreak, these people find a safe place where they can come and talk, make new friends and learn new things.  The centre’s activities are run by volunteers – and they give selflessly.  Each week they give hours of their time, and pieces of their hearts away to those who come through the doors.  Whether it’s sitting down to have a cuppa, playing a game of Monopoly, or just sitting with a visitor, we have been deeply affected by the love of this community. 

The people of Australia have made us feel at home, halfway around the world.  From the instant we arrived, the church people became our family.  As we approached the crucial time of ushering in a new family member, as my wife was pregnant with our first child, we found the support and blessings of the local church people to be astounding.  The sense of love and acceptance that we felt is something that we will cherish for many years to come.  What a blessing to be part of this Community of Christ.  A worldwide family in the truest sense. 

Daniel Hartford

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