Wow, what a weekend we had on the long weekend in June, the Queens Birthday, I hope the Queen enjoyed her Birthday as much as we did. Jackie and Stewart Waterman, from Ballarat, Colin Maxwell, from Albury, Alan & Margaret Dixon, from Port Lincoln, Robert Riemann, from Greenock, and Roberts son Elton from Wagga Wagga, all travelled  on Friday and called in  at Noel & Kayes place during the evening, some had a light meal while others were just here for the fellowship.

Saturday morning the early arrivals all did their own thing, Barry and Margarite Day arrived early in the morning, and everyone came to Noel and Kayes for lunch, plus Noels Dad, Auntie and Uncle. Early afternoon Glenn Prentice, Phil Mellor, Tony, DeArn, Tamara and Melissa Smith, Peter Sampson, John Vanessa and Daisy, Iain Naomi and Patrick Milner, all arrived from South Australia . After a late lunch, and getting settled in their accommodation, we all headed to the river and enjoyed yet another trip down stream on the paddleboat, this year we did a sunset ride down stream, in chilly but otherwise perfect weather conditions. The evening reflections on the river were magic, as was the fellowship. We also celebrated Iain Naomi and Tamara’s Birthdays, over some afternoon tea. (We forgot to sing to the Queen for her Birthday, but I’m sure she is none the wiser.) After another wonderful trip on the IMPULSE, we all ventured to the Golf Club for dinner, collecting Tom on the way, after dinner we all ventured back to Noel & Kayes for tea/coffee and dessert. A great day Praise our Lord for the safe travel, the good weather and the opportunity to get together for the weekend.

Sunday we assembled at Noel & Kayes before riding the 30 kms out to Dareton in NSW, where we participated in the combined service, (combined because in Dareton they have an ecumenical service Uniting, Church of Christ, and Indigenous, in the one Church) Peter ( Sambo) and Kaye  gave their testimonies, and Barry gave the lesson. We all enjoyed a lovely morning tea and fellowship with the locals before going out to the Mission for lunch. This was a real privilege, as most people only enter the Mission, by invitation, or for council work, the local indigenous people have had many bad experiences with the authorities, and other ‘whites’ and generally do not allow them on the mission site. Since John & Ruth Saulo have been in ministry, with the indigenous people in the area, (about 6 months) he has made some progress, and it was John that invited us out to the mission. I personally was extremely touched, when after lunch John called us together and shared that it has been on his heart to have a group of Christians on the grounds and pray together, to bless the site, and that he felt that it was necessary to forward his work at the mission. Wow, what a privilege it was to be a part of that.

After we left the mission, some of us went to Wentworth and looked at the old goal, and the junction of the Murray and the Darling, before returning to Mildura, for a short rest, before a slap up casual dinner at Noel & Kayes place, and more time to enjoy each others company.

Monday everyone drifted off in their respective homeward directions, except Allan & Margaret who stayed in Mildura for an extra night, and we had the opportunity to show them some of the sights of Mildura, before we enjoyed lunch together then ventured out to Red Cliffs, via the spider web, a favourite bike road, looking in at Woodsies Gem shop and Kings Billabong lookout on the way. We really had a lovely day, thanks Allen & Margaret for spending the extra day, we felt our weekend was complete then, and not cut short by everyone having to go home, with us going from a big houseful to being by ourselves.

Thanks everyone who came, you all made the weekend the special time that it was.

         Just an extra note:- as a result of Kaye giving her testimony at the church service on Sunday, one the regular members of the Dareton church asked if Noel and I would go to the Trinity Luthern College, on our SPYDER, and share our testimony with the year 8 Christian Studies Class, which we did last Thursday morning (11June) and enjoyed. We feel that it had some impact, going by the answers we got to questions after our sharing. We just trust that if the seeds are sown the Lord will do what is necessary to grow them. The Spyder as usual draw a few extras including the Principle, who came out for a chat, and thank us but mainly to check out the Spyder, which was great and very encouraging.