Transforming Young Lives Through God's Love
June 2026 Newsletter | From the Desk of Murray Parr
What Would Happen If We Didn't Show Up?
Dear Friends,
I would like to ask you a simple but challenging question:
What would happen if Isaiah's Home of Love did not exist tomorrow?
Who would care for the abandoned babies who arrive frightened, hungry, and alone? What would happen if Lighthouse Christian Academy closed its doors? Where would children from some of Bulawayo's poorest communities receive an education, a daily meal, and the opportunity to dream of a different future? What would happen if the Children of Grace property sat idle and unproductive? Who would help vulnerable families learn sustainable ways to grow food, provide for their children, and build brighter futures?
These questions may feel uncomfortable, but they remind us why Our Neighbours exists.
Every day, because of your generosity, children are fed, educated, loved, protected, and given hope.
For that, I thank you.
As Director of Our Neighbours, I often reflect on God's faithfulness. Time and time again, He has provided for this ministry through ordinary people who have chosen to do extraordinary things.
Today, I would like to share some exciting updates, celebrate recent victories, and invite you to become part of what God continues to do through Our Neighbours.
Celebrating God's Provision
Before sharing our next challenges, I want to pause and simply say:
Thank You.
Over the past few months, we have witnessed God's faithfulness through the generosity of churches, businesses, and individual donors who have stood alongside Our Neighbours.
No matter what your belief system, love in action, kindness for our fellow brothers and sisters, is key here, and that shows our vulnerable kiddies that changes lives forever.
New Printer for Lighthouse Christian Academy
Thanks to your support, you know who you are. Lighthouse Christian Academy now has a brand-new printer.
While it may seem like a small purchase, it has already become a valuable tool for our teachers and students. It enables the efficient production of lesson plans, worksheets, educational resources, and school documents, helping our teachers better serve the children entrusted to their care.
Borehole Project Completed
We are also delighted to celebrate the successful completion of our borehole project.
Reliable access to water changes everything.
It supports our children, our staff, our gardens, and the future development of the Children of Grace property.
Water is life, and your generosity has helped secure this precious resource for the ministry.
To every church, and most recently, Pittwater Church, Church of Christ in Ballina and L3 Church in Muswellbrook, donors, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to these projects:
Thank you.
Your generosity is making a lasting difference and helping transform young lives through God's love.
A New Window Into Our Mission
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the launch of our newly redesigned website:
I would like to publicly acknowledge two remarkable people who generously donated their professional skills and countless hours to make this project possible.
Our Heartfelt Thanks To:
Tyrann Burger and the team at BigBrave (South Africa)
Indy Driver from Barge Creative (Australia)
What they have done is far more than redesign a website. They have helped us tell our story. They have created a platform where people around the world can learn about Isaiah's Home of Love, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and the Children of Grace project.
Most importantly, they donated their expertise completely free of charge.
Their generosity reminds us that not everyone gives financially.
Some give their time. Some give their skills. Some give their creativity. Some give their professional expertise.
Every gift matters.
We encourage you to visit the website and see the wonderful work they have done.
Winter Is Coming: A New Need
As winter settles across Zimbabwe, another practical need has emerged. Anyone who has raised children knows that laundry never ends.
At Isaiah's Home of Love, we care for babies and young children who require constant washing of clothing, bedding, blankets, towels, and other essentials.
Our current washing arrangements are becoming increasingly inefficient and place additional demands on our carers.
Our Next Goal:
An Industrial Washing Machine
This investment would allow us to:
Wash larger loads at one time
Reduce the physical workload on our staff
Save valuable time
Reduce water consumption
Lower electricity costs
Improve hygiene standards
Allow carers to spend more time caring for children
This is more than a washing machine. It is an investment in stewardship. It is an investment in efficiency. Most importantly, it is an investment in the children we care for every day.
Would you prayerfully consider helping us achieve this goal?
Looking Towards the Future
One of the greatest lessons I have learned through many years in business and ministry is this:
Sustainability rarely comes from one large donor.
It comes from many people doing their part.
We have just introduced our “Little Givers Club”, which you will find on our website.
Small gifts from $5/month can have a big impact. This is perfect for families who want to make a difference while teaching their children the joy of generosity, kindness and caring for those in desperate need
Imagine if: 100 people gave just $12 per week.
That's approximately the cost of two takeaway coffees. Individually, it may not seem significant. Collectively, it would create a strong foundation that would help secure the future of this ministry and the children we serve. As I look ahead, I continue to believe in the hearts of people who want to make a difference.
Perhaps you are one of them.
Become a monthly supporter
Make a one-off gift donation
Introduce Our Neighbours to your church
Share our story with your business or community group
Whatever that looks like, I encourage you to listen carefully to His prompting.
An Invitation to Churches Across Australia and in Zimbabwe.
One of the greatest privileges of my role as Director is sharing stories of what God is doing through Our Neighbours. Stories of abandoned/orphaned or abused babies finding the love and care they need to thrive and a sense of belonging. Stories of children receiving an education, two hot meals a day, and mentoring programs to climb out of poverty Stories of families finding hope through growing vegetables on our 7-acre property at Trenance, with our new borehole and solar-powered irrigation system, which will supply water year-round. Stories of lives transformed through God's love.
For this reason, I would like to extend an invitation to churches across Australia and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
I am willing to travel anywhere to share the story of Our Neighbours.
I am available to speak at:
Churches of all denominations
Men's ministries
Mission events
Business breakfasts
Schools
Community groups
Special gatherings
To keep costs as low as possible, I am even willing to sleep in my van (in Australia) rather than become a financial burden on a congregation.
My purpose is simple:
To tell the story.
To honour God's faithfulness.
To invite others into the life-changing work taking place in Zimbabwe.
If your church, school, or organisation would like to hear more about Our Neighbours, I would love to hear from you.
A Story Worth Telling
At the heart of everything we do are children.
Children who did not choose the circumstances into which they were born.
Children who simply need someone to believe in them.
Children whose futures can be transformed when ordinary people choose to care.
The truth is that Our Neighbours is not really about:
Buildings
Boreholes
Printers
Washing machines
Classrooms
Budgets
It is about people. It is about a baby/toddler finding safety. It is about a school-aged child learning to read and write. It is about a family discovering hope through adoption. It is about God's love being demonstrated in practical ways.
Every one of those stories exists because people like you chose to become part of the story.
Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Thank you for believing. Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you for helping us transform young lives through God's love.
With heaps of heartfelt gratitude and faith,
Murray Parr
Director, Our Neighbours
+61 414 399 658
heal@murrayparr.com.au
ourneighbourszim@gmail.com
www.ourneighbours.org