CANBERRA

The main purpose for our recent travel to Australia was due to the invitation of Pastor Ian Stevens and the Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church to preach for their annual mission's conference.  What a privilege and blessing for us!  We found Pastor and Sister Stevens and each member of the church to be most gracious hosts.  God truly blessed each aspect of this center part of our trip with each service and with the whole stay.

We were also able to see a few of the sights of Canberra as well.  We toured the Canberra History Museum, as well as the War Museum.  Pastor Stevens also took us to several look out points where we were able to get a overview of the whole area.  Of course Canberra is the capital of Australia and we were able to tour the capital buildings.

Our thanks to Pastor Stevens sons for their hospitality towards Ezra.  These young men are brilliant examples of godly young men and their potential for the Saviour is unlimited.  They take an active part in serving the Lord Jesus Christ and were an encouragement to both Peggy, Ezra and I. 

We did not lack in any way during our stay.  We ate well.  The meals at home, at church and in various restaurants were tremendous.  The lamb was amazing!  We were also given some terrific gifts which will be timeless treasures and memories of God's goodness in Pastor Stevens and Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church invitation to us.

And we finally did see Kangaroos in Canberra. 

 Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church

 The Down Under Egg Toss Championship

Enjoying the lamb!

 Visiting the War Museum

Kangaroos

Honor Paislee

We interrupt our trip updates for this breaking news:


Congratulations to our son Simon and his wife Autumn on the birth of our second grandchild.

Honor Paislee was born yesterday at 7:07 PM weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces at 19 1/4 inches.
Both mom, baby and dad are doing very well.  Peggy had stayed in Bullhead City awaiting Honor's birth and to help Autumn for a few days.  It was thought that there might be some birth complications but God has seen fit to confound the wisdom of man and all was normal.  Autumn's family was also able to be in town but are scheduled to leave tomorrow.

Anyway - CONGRATULATIONS to Simon and Autumn.  Grand baby number two for Peggy and I!

Our Recent Travels -Part One

As I am sure you are aware of Peggy and I along with Ezra had the privilege to travel to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.  We had a great time and enjoyed our time there.  This will be the first update of many as I will take the trip step by step.

SYDNEY

Our invitation to be in Australia came from Canberra but we started our stay in Sydney.  We left Bullhead City after Sunday evening service and flew from Las Vegas, Nevada arriving in Sydney on Tuesday evening.  We were scheduled to be with Sherwood Hills Baptist Church and Pastor Don Stewart.  One of the men of the church picked us up at the airport and took us to a motel for a much needed rest.  Wednesday we spent the day with the several of the church folks and then were part of the services that evening.  God had given me an unusual approach to a "missionary" message but the folks were able to understand the thought of the reality that how we witness defines what we really believe about God.

Brother Steve Thomas generously took off a day of work and took us into Sydney proper on Thursday to see the quintessential sites of Sydney.  We toured the Opera House, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Governor's house, walked under the Harbor Bridge and other parts of the downtown and harbor area.  Brother Thomas is a photographer and I am sure that many wondered who we were as we evidently had our own paparazzi.  Brother Thomas was a great blessing and I thank him for his desire to be a help to us.  The pictures in this selection are taken by him.

We had a great time in Sydney.  We enjoyed getting to meet the kind folks at Sherwood Hills Baptist Church and were blessed of God with a great service there on Wednesday night.  On Friday Pastor Ian Stevens of Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church in Canberra drove down to pick us up and we spend the next week with them but we'll save that for the next blog update.

Riding the train into Sydney

Harbor Bridge

Opera House

Royal Botanical Gardens

Governor's House

Taking a break