Category Archives: Mining

A Sermon by Maya in Winterset, Iowa

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Good morning, beloved! What an honor it is to stand here today in Winterset, Iowa—a place that, like many of you, holds a beautiful story. A charming city known for its historic landmarks, friendly communities, and incredible ties to Hollywood, but most significantly, a city that has witnessed God’s faithfulness and provision for generations. Winterset has been blessed to be on the map, not only because of its role in the movie world, but also because of the legacy it holds from the life of John Wayne, the great American icon, whose birthplace is here. Yet, today, I want to talk about another legacy—one far more important than any film or history book could capture. It’s the legacy of God’s power, His promises, and how we are stepping into a season of bold victory in His name!

Now, as we gather in this place, let me remind you that, just like the city of Winterset, we too are being called to shine brightly, to rise and declare His victory. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. And today, right here, in this beautiful town, I believe God is calling us to walk in that victory more boldly than ever before.

We live in a time where we are often tested, challenged, and at times feel like the world is against us. Some of you may feel like you’re up against mountains that won’t move, or facing obstacles that seem unshakable. But I’m here today to tell you—this is the season where the mountain will move, where the giants will fall, and where the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for is just around the corner!

God’s Promise: A New Thing

Let’s begin by reflecting on the promises God has made to each of us. In Isaiah 43:19, God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” What an incredible promise! God is doing a new thing. Winterset, Iowa—just like the rest of us—is about to experience something new. It may not always look like we expect, and it may not always follow the world’s logic, but God is calling us to step into it boldly.

You see, God is not limited by our human understanding or by the constraints of time and space. He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. We may be small in the eyes of the world, just like this lovely town of Winterset, but God delights in showing His glory through small places, through the forgotten corners of the earth. Winterset, and each of you here today, are placed in this time for a reason. You are part of a divine plan that is unfolding right now.

Just like Winterset became known worldwide because of the filming of The Bridges of Madison County, where Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep came together to tell a love story for the ages, God is writing a new love story in your life—a story of breakthrough, a story of victory, a story where you overcome and walk in His promises.

Stepping Into Our Authority

Winterset is also where the iconic John Wayne was born—the man who represented strength, courage, and resilience in everything he did. How fitting that this town, with such a rich history, would also be the birthplace of such an influential figure in American culture. But today, I want to ask you—what are you doing with the authority that has been given to you by God?

In Matthew 18:18, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Friends, this is not just a nice phrase; this is a declaration of our power and authority as believers. We are not victims of our circumstances. We are not passive bystanders in this world. We have been given the authority to act, to speak life, to bind the enemy’s plans, and to loose God’s kingdom here on earth!

Just as John Wayne took on roles that demanded courage, strength, and authority, you too have been called to step into your role with that same boldness. God has equipped you with the Holy Spirit to take ground, to stand firm, and to move forward with confidence. This is not a season to shrink back. No, we are in a season where God is calling His people to step forward in faith, knowing that His Spirit will equip us to accomplish everything He’s called us to do.

The Wind of Acceleration

As we step forward in this season of victory, there is something else God wants to give us—the wind of acceleration. Just as the winds sweep across the plains of Iowa, bringing change and movement, God’s Spirit is blowing in our lives, speeding up the process of our breakthrough.

There’s a momentum that God is releasing, a fresh wind that is blowing through Winterset today, propelling His people forward at an unprecedented pace. You may have felt like things have been slow or stagnant, but I declare today that the season of waiting is over. God is bringing forth an acceleration of His promises. The divine strategy He has for your life is unfolding rapidly, and it’s time to move with His wind.

This wind is not just for individuals—it’s for cities, it’s for nations, it’s for communities. Winterset, Iowa, is about to experience an outpouring of God’s Spirit like never before. You may have only seen glimpses of what God can do, but I declare that in this season, you will see His power manifested in ways that will leave you in awe. You are walking into your greater days of hearing His voice, receiving His strategy, and moving with His Spirit.

Facing Obstacles with Faith

But what about the obstacles? What about the challenges that seem to stand in our way? You may feel like you’ve fought and fought and still haven’t seen the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Let me remind you, friends, that when we step into our authority, when we move with boldness and trust in God’s plan, the impossible becomes possible.

In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” We may face resistance, we may face opposition, but we have been given divine weapons to tear down strongholds and claim victory. God’s power is greater than anything that stands in our way.

I know many of you here in Winterset are feeling the pressure of life’s challenges, but I want to encourage you today—your breakthrough is on the horizon. As you step into your God-given authority, as you align yourself with His will, you will see walls crumble, chains break, and doors swing wide open.

Living Fully Alive in God’s Victory

As we close today, I want to remind you of one last thing: the victory God has for you is not just about overcoming obstacles. It’s about living fully alive in Him, fully aware of His presence and His power. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God’s desire for you is not just to survive this world but to thrive in it, to walk in the fullness of His blessing, His favor, and His authority.

Winterset may be small in the eyes of the world, but this town is mighty in God’s eyes. And you, each one of you, are mighty in His sight as well. Don’t let the world tell you otherwise. You are walking in victory, and God’s power is alive in you. You are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus, and this is your time to arise and shine!

Let’s pray together: “Lord, we thank You for Your promises. We thank You for the victory that is already ours in Christ Jesus. We declare today that we will walk in boldness, in authority, and in the power of Your Holy Spirit. We thank You for the acceleration of Your promises in our lives, and we declare that we will not be moved by what we see but by Your Word. We are more than conquerors, and we will walk fully alive in Your victory. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

Bless you, Winterset! God’s best is yet to come!

The Hidden History of Weipa: Secrets and Displacement

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In 1895, Reverend John Hay set out to establish a mission along the junction of the Embley River and Spring Creek. It was an idea sparked by dreams of spreading faith and order in what seemed to him a wild land. He named the place Weipa, a word he had learned from the locals, which he thought meant “fighting ground.” Whether this translation was true or not, the name stuck, and so did Hay’s mission.

The early days were tough. The land was unforgiving, and the heat seemed relentless. But Hay pressed on, convinced that his purpose was divine. By 1911, the government passed laws that gave total control over the Indigenous people’s lives. The “Protector of Aborigines,” as the title went, held the authority to confine or expel anyone within the reserve. Families were torn apart. Children were forced under the guardianship of the state, their culture slowly eroded.

Years passed, and in 1932, malaria swept through the area, forcing the mission to move. They packed up and relocated to Jessica Point, about 28 kilometers away. The same mission, under a new sky. But the relocation didn’t make life any easier. By then, different groups had been forced into Weipa. Tensions brewed. Cultures mixed, and a slow simmer of conflict became inevitable.

The Discovery

In 1955, something happened that changed the course of Weipa forever. Henry Evans, a geologist with sharp eyes and sharper instincts, discovered something curious about the red cliffs that lined the reserve. The cliffs weren’t just earth and stone. They were rich with bauxite—the ore that produced aluminum. It was a discovery that sparked a frenzy, one that would ripple through the small town for decades.

The government quickly revoked the reserve status of the land. Mining companies like Comalco moved in, backed by legislation that handed over thousands of square kilometers of land. Mining started in 1960, and by 1965, it had reshaped the town. The old mission became known as Weipa South.

Yet, while some celebrated the new economy, many Indigenous residents were displaced, their homes lost to the mines. It was around this time that the local Presbyterian Church stepped away, handing the community over to the Queensland Government. It marked the end of one era and the start of another.

A Local Woman’s Secret

In the midst of this upheaval, a woman named Esther stood out. Born in the mission, she had witnessed the changes firsthand. Esther was known for her quiet strength. She didn’t speak much, but when she did, people listened. She had worked as a nurse during the worst of the malaria outbreak, saving lives when others had fled in fear. Her hands had held dying children, and her eyes had seen the suffering that came with both disease and displacement.

But Esther had a secret.

Years after the mines began to dominate the landscape, a rumor spread through the town. It was said that she had found something strange buried near the cliffs. Some whispered it was gold. Others thought it was something ancient, a relic left by the original inhabitants long before the mission was built.

One evening, Esther confided in her niece, Mara.

“There are things people don’t talk about,” she said. “Things they bury, hoping they’ll stay hidden.”

“What did you find, Auntie?” Mara asked.

Esther looked out toward the cliffs. “I found something that could change everything. Or maybe nothing at all.”

Mara pressed her. But Esther refused to reveal more. Instead, she left the next morning, heading toward the cliffs as she often did, walking slow but with purpose.

The Mystery Unfolds

The mystery of what Esther found near those cliffs lingered for years. Some believed she had hidden the gold and planned to use it to help the people displaced by the mining companies. Others thought she had discovered an artifact that could prove the land belonged to the Indigenous people, giving them a legal right to reclaim it.

In the end, neither story was true.

When Esther passed away, Mara, now an adult, found a small chest hidden in her aunt’s home. Inside was not gold or an artifact but letters. Letters from Reverend Hay, the founder of the mission. The letters revealed something shocking.

Hay had struck a secret deal with the early mining interests. In exchange for his cooperation and the mission’s continued funding, Hay agreed to allow the companies to exploit the land. The mission wasn’t just a place of faith—it had been part of the groundwork for the future mining operations that would uproot the community decades later.

Esther had discovered these letters during her work as a nurse, tucked away in the mission’s records. She had kept them hidden, not knowing what to do with them. If she revealed the truth, it could destroy the legacy of the mission and the people’s trust in their leaders.

In the final twist, Mara realized that Esther, the town’s quiet hero, had also been its villain. By hiding the truth, she had allowed the mining companies to push forward, knowing full well the cost it would have on her people.

The Truth Revealed

In the end, Mara chose to reveal the letters to the community. Some were shocked, others unsurprised. The town had always been a place of secrets. But now, at least, one of them had been brought to light.

And as the dust settled, the town of Weipa moved on, its history more complex than anyone had imagined.

The Hidden History of Coober: Opals and Secrets

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Coober, a town carved out of the red Australian desert, wasn’t always what it is today. Its history is buried in the same sand that hides opals, those shimmering stones that have lured prospectors for over a century.

The land knew people long before any miner set foot there. Oral history hints that the people who walked these lands understood the earth. They knew where opals lay but had little interest in them. Their concerns were more grounded: food, water, survival. But that would change, and it would be the outsiders who valued what glittered beneath their feet.

In 1915, the first opals near Coober were found by a gold prospector. His name was Robert McKinnon. He wasn’t looking for opals; his eyes were set on gold. But fate had other plans. The rocks he found changed everything. Soon after, opal fever gripped the area.

Word spread quickly, and people came. After World War I, soldiers, hardened by conflict and in need of work, found their way here. Many were drawn to the mines, searching for a new beginning. The world had just gone through a great war, and the promise of wealth—buried beneath the barren landscape—was enough to make men dig.

The town grew. It wasn’t just Australians anymore. Following World War II, Southern and Eastern Europeans arrived in droves. They came with stories of their own, fleeing war-torn homes in search of a better life. They dug deep, side by side with returning soldiers, seeking fortune and solace in the hard desert ground. Refugees and veterans alike lived in makeshift shelters, finding comfort where they could.

Not all who came were men. Among the settlers was a woman named Ella Moss. Ella wasn’t interested in opals at first. She arrived in Coober to follow her husband, David, a miner with grand dreams. He was one of many who thought the land would make him rich. Ella didn’t believe it.

“David, why here?” she would ask him. “There’s nothing but dust and stones.”

“Maybe that’s all we need,” he would reply, eyes always scanning the horizon for the glint of opal.

But Ella saw more than the desert. She spent her days talking to the older women of the town, listening to their stories. She learned the rhythms of life in Coober. While David dug, she observed. She noticed things others didn’t—like how the desert changed colors at dawn and dusk, and how the people of the land moved with it. She wondered about the hidden stories underfoot, stories that hadn’t yet been unearthed.

One day, in 1945, while walking along the ridges, Ella stumbled upon something unusual. She wasn’t looking for opals, but she bent down to inspect the ground. The stone shimmered in the sun. She knew enough from watching the miners to recognize it for what it was. An opal.

Ella told no one. She returned to that spot each day, quietly uncovering more. She didn’t tell David. Instead, she marked the place with a simple pile of stones. She’d wait, she thought. Something in her gut told her that timing was important.

Weeks passed. David’s mine was running dry. The town murmured of a downturn. Miners were beginning to leave in search of better luck elsewhere.

One evening, over a quiet dinner, David sighed. “Maybe it’s time to move on, Ella.”

Ella sipped her tea, watching him carefully. “Not yet.”

David blinked. “Why not?”

Ella set down her cup. “There’s something I want to show you.”

The next morning, they walked to her secret spot. She led him to the pile of stones, nudging them aside with her foot. Beneath them was a large opal. David’s mouth dropped.

“How did you…?” he stammered.

Ella shrugged. “I listened. And I watched.”

That discovery changed their lives. Word spread, and soon the miners returned. The town flourished once more. Ella became something of a legend, though she never sought fame. People would ask her how she found that opal, and she would always say the same thing: “I listened.”

But what no one knew was that Ella had found something else that day. Buried deeper in the sand, far beneath the opals, was a map. Hand-drawn, old, with faded markings. She never told anyone about it, not even David. It wasn’t a map to more opals, as she first thought. It was something stranger. Ella spent years deciphering it in secret. She couldn’t make sense of it, but she kept it hidden, hoping one day she might understand.

One night, decades later, after David had passed, an old miner came to her door. His face was weathered, eyes clouded by time, but he moved with purpose. He sat across from Ella at her small kitchen table.

“I heard you found a map,” he said without preamble.

Ella’s hands trembled slightly. “How do you know about that?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “The land speaks to those who listen, Ella. You’ve been listening a long time.”

She said nothing, unsure of what to make of his words.

“You’re not the first to find it,” he continued. “And you won’t be the last.”

Ella leaned forward, her heart racing. “What does it lead to?”

The old man stood, leaving her question hanging in the air. “Sometimes,” he said, heading for the door, “it’s not about what you find. It’s about what you choose to leave buried.”

And with that, he disappeared into the night, leaving Ella with more questions than answers.