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
Xander (Panda) and Tuiela(tutu)
