It all started when Filipino pastor, Rick Orbe remarked to Anne Donaldson: “I wish we could do something to help the overseas people who arrive in Tamworth.”

That remark could easily have fallen to the ground. But it didn’t.

Anne called in two more friends, Carol and Chris, and they chewed it over and this is what they came up with.

Maybe we could get some families in Tamworth who would be willing to open their homes to a migrant family and invite them to come for a meal.

A quick announcement in church provided enough host families to make it work. But how do we contact the new arrivals?

Well, Fiesta la Peel is coming up. What about we set up shop in the park and talk to people there.

So one table, three ladies, three clipboards and 500 Anzac biscuits found their way to the park.

They printed an invitation that read, “An invitation to a meal with an Aussie family. Make new friends, practise English together and experience a taste of Australia. An invitation from the Christian Churches of Tamworth.” 

The happy trio came home with 20 names on their list.

They have now matched host families with guests, taking care to connect families with children with similar host families. Letters have been sent out and the invitation is about to become a reality.  

Chris Robson says, “We are hoping it won’t stop with a meal but will develop into an ongoing relationship. It’s where you get to know people, in their homes.

“One lady said to us, ‘We’ve been in several countries, but nobody has ever invited us into their home.’”

The lovely thing is that this was not a big organisation. It was three ladies who got a nudge from God and acted on it.