Christmas Card

Christmas Card

Just want to wish everyone a happy Christmas. Thank you for all your prayers and support over the last year.
It was great to meet up with so many people when we were down in Victoria this year. We hope to meet up with the rest of you in the near future.
God bless
Dennis & Glenys

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

What a disaster!

Oh no, we made a big 

mistake!

We put the wrong account number

on the shrapnel boxes!

 

While we were down in Victoria,

 we handed out some shrapnel boxes

These boxes were to be used if people

wanted to put their loose change (shrapnel) in them.

We use this shrapnel to make bible stories
Turning Shrapnel into Stories!

The BSB number was correct

The Account number is wrong!!!

DUH

If you use the wrong number, the bank wont recognize it, so fortunately it does not go into someone else's account.

The correct numbers are:  

BSB  032 388     ACC 222 860

I feel better now!

If you would like some boxes, please let us know and we will get some to you

Nellie will kill me when she sees this!  (lol)

Our Trip in Victoria

Tranting around Victoria

After 2 months on the road and 10, 327 kms, we are finally home. We arrived home on Monday 24th October.  It was great to be back in the warm weather, sorry Vic, but it was cold  and wet!

We drove through Dubbo, Forbes and Hay to get to Mildura. It started raining in Dubbo, and we followed the rain for the next 7 weeks!

This was an omen for the rest of the trip!

Never mind! These come with rain .

It was our aim to visit as many country Victoria churches as possible. So many people have faithfully prayed and supported us over the 20 years, and we wanted to catch up with as many as possible during our time there.

Old Methodist Church-Rainbow. (Glenys' family church back in the dark ages!)

Often we struggled with time. People we would dearly loved to spend more time with, we only saw for a couple of hours, or maybe just a few minutes at church or meeting.  This was disappointing, but we will be in glory forever, so we can really catch up then.

Going to different churches is so encouraging. So many people have ministries in  different areas. While we are serving in remote parts of Australia, so many people are serving God and evangelizing in their own communities. We did enjoy hearing what people were doing, and how they and their churches were still working on the Great Commission.

It was great to share about the 5fish app. As GRN has not been much in the public eye for a number of years, people had not heard what GRN was doing.

More country areas are having people come in from different countries now, so it is great that GRN can be used to help share the gospel with them. Please pray that God will soften the hearts of people to listen to God's message, that people will be willing to share the story with them and that the 5 fish app may be a useful tool for people to use.

This trip was mainly in Presbyterian churches. While we did get the opportunity to share in some other denominations, there are so many churches out there that could be using the 5 fish app but don't know about it.

Some churches have a ministry in some of the Universities. We were able to show them the 5fish app. This was another tool they could use for the students who have come to Australia to study.

Many farming communities also have workers coming in to work on the farms. This is another area of ministry that people are working in that was not there a few years ago.

Country people have lived up to the reputation of putting on a 'good spread'. Our kids had to go to the meetings with us, and it was often boring as they heard the same story over and over. Trevon would ask if we were having 'a feed' at the meeting. If the answer was 'yes', then he would patiently put up with the meeting as a reward was offered after. He was always happiest if there was something with chocolate flavour on the table. Chocolate redeems all elements of boring meetings!

Katie Broad & Trevon

We are also very grateful to the many people who went out of their way to engage with the kids, make them feel comfortable and important in the whole scheme of our work.

They loved it so much when people took an interest and spent time with them, or included them in their lives.We don't have photos of every one who helped make their time on the road enjoyable but we still appreciate those who put time into the lives of the kids while we were away.

Geoff Broad & Kids Rochester

Dave & Trevon prospecting for gold

John & us at Strathbogies

Shirley & alpacas

Every time the kids had an enjoyable time at a church, or with a group of people, Trevon would ask if we could move to that area/church and stay there because he had such a great time.

We would love to hear from you and what you are up to. Shoot us an email occasionally so we can share in your lives too.

Home Made Tourist Attraction

Home Made Tourist Attraction

While we were away, we did not just do meetings! We tried to show the kids what we could in Victoria. (between rain and floods!)

One such outing stuck in our minds as quite funny.

Trevon really wanted to see koalas. A number of years ago we had been to Cape Otway and saw the many koalas there. We thought we would go there and show the kids the lighthouse and koalas as it was on the way to Geelong North, our next destination.

It was surprising to see the damage to the trees, so many were dead. We assumed this was from too many koalas in the area.

The kids were double disappointed at this stage. We planned to visit the lighthouse, but it was too expensive to go in, and there were not the huge amount of koalas in the area.

To compensate for this, we decided to stop along the road at a safe spot. We would have a cuppa, and the kids could wander in the bush and look for koalas there.

stopping for a cuppa

Dennis went in to make the coffee, and the kids and Glenys wandered about looking for koalas. It did not take them long to find some. The koalas were in the trees just beside the road.

Trevon & Nellie were looking around and counting the koalas. While they were looking, a carload of tourists came around the corner. They saw the kids looking and pointing up into the trees. Next thing we knew the car stopped, an out poured a car load of tourists. They ran over to where the kids were and started looking at where the kids were pointing.

first lot of tourists crowding around Nellie and Trevon

The kids showed the tourists where the koalas were, and they wandered off looking for more. The 2 kids pointing out the koalas to each other caused other cars to stop.

While we sipped on our cuppas, we watched as more and more people stopped to check out why so many people had stopped.  This really tickled our sense of humour.

After about 20 minutes this was the result:

13 cars and numerous tourists looking for koalas

Nellie made the comment: 'Look, we have made our own tourist attraction!'
We should have been selling cups of coffee to everyone!

A few weeks later we went to the Charlton show. Dennis was pointing out a branch on a tree that was very unusual. I told him that if he kept pointing, he would make another tourist attraction. Sure enough a lady came up and asked what we were looking at. She was so disappointed  that it was only a branch!

Deputation Trip

Well, its time. Tomorrow we will leave warm Newcastle and embark on the unknown weather of Victoria for 2 months.

Van in front driveway ready for traveling

We will be visiting 34 churches, bible study groups, and small groups while down there. That is an average a 1 meeting every 2 days!

Nelita and her brother Trevon are coming down with us. They will be schooled while we are away.

A couple of days ago Nelita and Glenys came down with very severe colds. Please pray they will be well before they start meetings. They don't want to be spreading NSW germs all over Vic.

Our first meeting is with Mildura Pressy. We plan to take 2 days to get there and arrive by Saturday.  We are praying that Dennis does not get sick, as Glenys can tow the van, but does not like driving through towns yet.

mud map of our travels

We are trusting God for a safe trip, and a chance to share about the work of GRN to those we meet.
See you all soon!

Solar Panels

We are very grateful to Presbyterian Women's Mission Union (PWMU). They gave us a grant of $2,000 to put solar panels on the caravan.

This is a bit out of Dennis' league to install himself. He was not confident to do this himself as he has not done this sort of electrical work. We looked at quotes from a few different caravan solar panel installers. It was going to cost between $4,000 to $5,000.

What a blessing it is to be with GRN. So many talented and experienced people. Graham Schabel and Darren Cooper were such a help.

Graham was able to work out all the things that were needed for the complete installation. He ordered the parts. It all came to $2,500. What a saving!

These guys are working hard in the background at GRN. Graham is the go to person for computer hardware problems. Darren is in the workshop and works on developing SABRES and keeping up with emerging technology to be used by GRN

Graham Schabel

Darren Cooper

Dennis took the caravan to GRN and spent the week there working with the men to install the solar panels and wire up the van.

GRN has a very impressive workshop so Graham and Darren were able to construct items needed to install the panels

This also helped keep the costs down.  It is interesting that being a 'missionary' full time work for God is not always going to some far flung part of the world.

These guys are living by faith and serving God right in the middle of Sydney, helping others to go to those far reaching places.  God uses us all and the gifts he gave us.

It looks easy.  not quite!  The first just put the panels on the roof of the van and all is good....no, not quite! The men spent the first 2 days working out plans and how to do everything.  Cupboards had to be pulled off for cabling to be installed, Heaps of wiring, switches, sealing up holes made, dodging the rain!

batteries & inverter installed

Darren putting cables through the cupboards

2 ladders are better than 1!

Make sure those things dont fly off down the road!

For all the hard work the men did that week, There is not much to see. The panels are on the roof; too high for  people to see, and all the workings are hidden in the cupboards and panels. We could not be happier with it.        Great work Guys!

Panels on the roof

What does this mean for us?

When traveling, we do not need to stop at caravan parks. This is a huge saving, especially during peak tourist times.

Many communities are powered by huge generators. Fuel is transported great distances to power them. This obviously makes power very expensive. We will be able to cut costs by not having to tap into the power there.

Some communities do not have power, or only a small generator used only at night time for lights and powering their fridges etc.

With our panels, we do not put pressure on their generators and still have our own power.

The solar panels will power our lights, fans, computers and any other smaller electrical items. It will not power the air conditioner, heater or microwave. These use a huge amount of power.

We are very grateful to everyone who works together to get the gospel out to others. It may be the person who prays for the workers and the unsaved; the person who helps put solar panels on vans, others who give generously to enable this sort of thing to happen. 

God works through us all, and together we work for His glory!

Return from the Gold Coast Trip

Going to  Ipswich was an interesting time. Alex and Sybil Shaw, and Yousef Kunda (GRN co-workers) and I met with the Salvation Army's Major Ben Johnson.

We  had a very interesting talk to him about their work in Ipswich. They are doing a huge work with people from many different cultures.

Ben was very interested in the 5fish app as a tool to share the gospel with these people.

Another person we met was a lady called Aunty Narella. She was becoming involved with the Salvation Army as the church she was attending recently closed down

We had quite a bit of discussion with her about recording the gospel in some of the languages there, and whether we could do some in Aboriginal English recordings as well. Time will tell as to what these contacts will lead to.

It was great to stay with the Dillons on their boat, The Shining Light. This was the family I sailed back to Australia from Vanuatu. We had a great time with the Dillons, and it certainly brought back great memories

Faith and Laura at school on the Shining Light

Going to the public toilets is risky in Qld!!

Trip to the Gold Coast

This is sudden notice, but it was decided by GRN that Glenys would join Alex Shaw (another GRN worker) to meet with some Indigenous People.
Alex has been traveling do different parts of the country sharing about the work of GRN. He met Major Ben Johnson from the Salvation Army who has been seeking to work with the Yeripo tribe in that area.

He is meeting with the elders on the 23rd June where the elders will officially approve or welcome the Salvos to minister with their people.

Attending the ceremony will be elders from different clans, and elders from neighboring tribes.

After talking with the elders, it has been agreed that we will  meet with the people too. This will be a significant time to meet with people and talk about the needs in their particular communities.

More details will be shared when Glenys comes back.
Please pray for this time, for the elders in these communities, the Salvos, and GRN.

Tranting Tales

Our trip around parts of Victoria went well.
We took 3 kids with us. Nelita and her brother Trevon and our grandson, Xander.

For those interested, this link will show you where we went. Just copy the link and put in a new tab.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=15-6b4GetXRVrrtRMw1AhdrpRlg8

Trevon had not seen much of the country, so we felt this would be a good time to show him how diverse this great country is.

They sailed on a paddle steamer, went to a gold mine, camped in an extinct volcano, stayed on a farm with alpacas, played in sea water in various freezing beaches, went to museums, and walked many bush walks and reserves.

Apart from seeing and panning for real gold, Trevon said the best thing was the numerous morning/afternoon teas and suppers he had around Victoria. This was his highlight!

Xander fell into a patch of 3 cornered jacks.

 One sad puppy

Goulburn  Giant merino

Junee Chocolate factory

First Victorian cold morning

Mt Franklin- camped inside in the reserve

Can't they feel cold?

Gum nut playground - Canberra Arboretum

feeding alpacas

Paddle steamers- Echuca

Our first port of call was to stop into a sticker factory in Sydney and get a sticker put on the back of the caravan. Now when people are stuck behind us for hours, they do not need to get mad, they can read the sticker, download the 5fish and be blessed!!!!

Sticker ready for its new home

Never too old to play hide n seek!

nearly there

Our sticker for all to see.

We visited a number of churches in Western Victoria and Gippsland. It was such a blessing.
We met with people we first met before we on to the mission field along with old friends and made many new friends and acquaintances along the way.

As we mentioned, our kids did love the food at the churches. They still talk about it.

Since coming back, people have contacted us and shared how they have used the 5fish app to reach others with the gospel.

Many others were excited that they had a tool they could use as the need may arise.

We need to conduct another trip to Victoria. We were hoping for September/October, but we are not sure about dates and fitting it in with what we have already committed to.  Schooling for Nelita is a problem as she is getting special education for learning difficulties, so are reluctant to take her out of school while we travel around different churches. Please pray we find a solution for this as we strongly feel the need to do another trip.

We were asked to visit an Indigenous Bible College at Cootamundra, Bimbadeen. It was great to finally go there and see a place we heard about over the years.

While we were at GRN, we were approached to help with the curriculum development of the Bible College. It was running as a college a number of years ago, but stopped running. The Indigenous Christians are looking at getting it running again.

It is exciting working with those who are so keen to help others grown in the Lord and be equipped to help others to grow in the Lord as well.
 

Bimbadeen, Cootamundra

Plague remembering the girls at the home

Bimbadeen was originally a hospital, then the government turned it into a girls home for indigenous girls.  Now it is a place to teach and encourage Indigenous Christians in the Lord

3 score & 10

As many of you know, we feel that God would have us travel to different communities sharing God's Word, recording and distributing recorded Bible stories.

We have not been able to travel yet as we do not have the prayer and financial support we need to go.

After talking to several people, we have come up with a campaign. We are looking for 3 score & 10 (70) people to commit to support us.

There are a couple of ways this could be done. We are looking for 3 score & 10 (70) people who are willing to pray for us on a regular, if not daily basis. If 70 people commit to praying just 2 minutes a day for the work of GRN, our role in that, and the people we will be working with, then 140 minutes of prayer daily would be offered up.

The other area of the 3 score & 10 campaign if for 70 people commit $70 per month. This would cover our travel and living costs with the existing support we have already.

We will have icons on the blog and in our newsletters showing where the prayer and financial support is up to.  Each time we get and additional 20%, we will colour in another icon.

coloured finance icon representing goal reached

finance icon representing goal not accomplished

prayer icon representing goal not accomplished

coloured prayer icon representing goal reached

Family

Not really GRN news, but still very exciting to those involved in our family.
We welcomed 2 grandchildren into the world in Feb.

One on the 18th and the other on Glenys' birthday, the 22nd

Our second son Daniel and his wife, Shayna had a little girl on the 18th.

Shayna-pregnancy photo

Daniel and Xander

Xander and Tuiela

Tuiela

Our youngest son, Benjamin and his wife Jessica had a little boy on the 22 feb
Maximus Herbert.

Benjamin and Maximus

Benjamin, Maximus, Jess

Maximus Herbert