I walked the streets of Laverton Village today. Most shops were not open even though it was 9.30 am. More than half the shops had gone out of business! It was rather a depressing scene except that it felt peaceful and still looked clean. There wasn’t much graffiti, the park and public toilet were tidy and there in the very centre of this desolate place was the Lighthouse store shining a light of hope – faithfully still there as one of the very few places that has not changed in the last five years.
As I walked away I began to pray but there were no words I could utter. All I could do was pour out a prayer in a language of heaven. I waited for the Holy Spirit to give me something that I could say in English but little came but “Lord have mercy”. I thought of all the people I have seen come to Christ in this place and then return to their old life. Why Lord? Where is the hope in this place gone? There is but a remnant to show for such love poured out in Jesus name.
I remembered the exciting days over ten years ago when a few of us prayer-walked this same street. We got words of hope and a future and sure enough amazing things did happen. The council upgraded the toilets and park, the first op shop began, we had small groups with many being set free from alcohol, drugs, depression and abuse. It was so exciting but also not easy. Then a church began and the store expanded. There were ups and downs as different ideas were tried and people came and went. Charity Computers was an exciting phase and the weekly Friday night barbecues were action packed.
But things have not turned out how most of us expected. The glory has departed. Strangely the railway station and associated carpark has been upgraded to accommodate the hoards of city workers who simply come here to save a buck with little regard for the locals.
A song came to me as I thought about this which does bring a message of hope to Laverton and so we look to that day when God’s Spirit will brood again over the waters and bring new life to this place. So join me in praying this song for Laverton: “the hope of all hearts” by planetshakers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99-pP-Wzp0k
One final challenge for prayer is that the following 2006 council report paints such a bleak picture and although some this have improved it is obvious that the community has been abandoned. http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Files/Woods_Street_Laverton.pdf