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Why Jesus Club meant alot to her
When things took a dramatic turn at home, Jesus Club was the one constant Jill could rely on.

Why Jesus Club meant alot to her

Jesus Club Lower Mountains' member


A quiet lady in her 60s and one of the older members at Jesus Club Lower Mountains, Jill liked to sit with the leaders at meetings. Although she didn't join in too many games, she enjoyed singing, doing Buddysheets and crafts, and listening to the Bible talks. 


Jill started coming to Jesus Club after being invited by Dallas, a leader at Jesus Club. Dallas lived about ten houses away from Jill and often saw her mum and her walking their dog in the neighbourhood. When Lower Mountains Anglican Church started their local Jesus Club two years ago, she immediately invited Jill to go along. To her delight, Jill accepted and has been going ever since. 


Up until early this year, Jill lived a very sheltered life. She spent her days at workshops and then went home to her loving home and supportive mum in the evenings. But life took a traumatic turn when her mum broke her tailbone in a fall and became too frail to look after herself and Jill. The family had no choice but to admit mum into a nursing home and Jill into a group home about 15 minutes away. 


Dallas recalled how despondent Jill felt when they packed up their home and reorganised their lives. Jill could only take a small selection of treasured objects with her, leaving behind many of her precious china dolls.


Amidst all the upheaval, Jill could lean on Jesus Club, and their leaders, "[Jesus Club] became the constant comfort in her life," said Dallas.


Thankfully, amid this tragedy, Alison, a leader of Jesus Club, stepped up to look out for Jill. She invited her to lunch and fostered a special bond with Jill. It always made Jill so happy to see Alison!


Last year, when Jill was accompanied to the Koorong bookshop to get her own Bible, she promptly picked up the same Bible that they used at Jesus Club Lower Mountains. This Bible is now the one she brings to every Jesus Club meeting, which she loves to open and refers to.


Recently, Jill even expressed a desire to go to church. And with the help of Jesus Club leaders, she will get to one very soon!