Indigenous Christians meet for fellowship and discipleship in a beautiful island location.
MAF has worked closely with the Pioneers in Arnhem Land for many years, and a spiritual homeland retreat at Dharrwar, Elcho Island, is a new chapter in the partnership.
“In 1988 a group of Yolŋu made a big trip to Israel,” said Pioneers and MAF pilot Prabhu Pothula, explaining the origin of Dharrwar. “During their time there, God gave a vision of a place to one of the ladies, Guymun, saying, ‘I have a new homeland for you’.”
The Pothula family has moved from Galiwin’ku, on the southern side of Elcho Island, to the homeland, where they are living off the grid. Many of the supplies for their new home were flown on MAF shuttle flights, and MAF pilots and staff from Nhulunbuy have flown to Dharrwar several times to help with clearing trees and setting up the house for the family.
“We have had a desire to move to a place where we could use our gifts for a Yolŋu retreat, to draw near to God through Bible study, prayer and fellowship,” Prabhu said. “We have noticed that homeland life is a much more restful place in general, but particularly for Yolŋu.”
Describing a recent weekend outreach to Dharrwar, pilot Mel Higgins said, “After a full day of flying and work, we all got in the plane and flew to Gäwa on Elcho Island and then drove down to Dharrwar.
“We did do a little fly overhead, and that, I think, really gives you the perspective that it's a place that’s really surrounded by bushes and trees. There's just three little houses in what feels like the middle of nowhere.”
We have had a desire to move to a place where we could use our gifts for a Yolŋu retreat
Dharrwar homeland was developed by Guymun, her sisters and daughters to be a place of meditation and spiritual growth, where Yolŋu Christians can meet on traditional lands for fellowship and discipleship with other Yolŋu and visitors.
The homeland is already drawing Yolŋu guests, and the Pothulas are always open to surprise visits in a culture where planning is not common.
“A young family of six showed up on Sunday,” said Mel. “They just come in and Prabhu grabs his guitar, Christina (Prabhu’s wife) puts a jug of water on the fire to boil tea. And then they just sit down and do some worship.”
Hunting, fishing and relationships are key aspects of Yolŋu culture, and Dharrwar offers all three.
“We’ve had many a bämara (companion) with us most of the time we have been here,” said Prabhu. “We have already had many wonderful fellowships and visits since we moved, and we've also learnt more about food to hunt for and how to live off the land.”
