July 30th

Today went really well.- thanks to all who were praying for us! God really used our ministry throughout today and it was clear He was at work as everything each person had planned individually worked together with a clear message coming through it all.

We spoke to a lady called Joy, her husband had e-mailed Ian and offered us the use of their flat while they are away (they are travelling for 8 weeks). We have agreed to go and visit this week and it looks like we will go and stay in their place. It should save us some money! (Shame they aren't going any earlier!)

This evening we went along to the evening service that happens once a month. It is called The Living Room and they had an aboriginal didgeridoo player, Billy Williams, as the guest. The whole evening was brilliant. We had a great time of worship with some Australian songs that we didn't know as well as some songs we did know.

One guy from the church sang us a song he had written - really cool. Billy Williams gave his testimony which was very powerful and played the 'didge'(!) Jon had an opportunity to have a go and was reasonably successful!

July 29th

Jon got up early to go and help at the garage sale at church which started at 6.30am! The weather was glorious compared with yesterday – complete opposite – with cloudless blue skies and strong sunshine. I did more preparation on my sermon and the girls amused themselves. Jon came back late morning and after lunch we went along to South Bank so the leaflets advertising The Living Room could be handed out. We stopped off at the beach to keep the girls happy. This evening has been full of preparation for both of us – I preach tomorrow while Jon has the childrens talk to do as well as lead devotions before the church's AGM.

July 24th

I worked on my sermon this morning while Jon took the girls to the park. Ian then came over and we discussed the proposed plan for the week. He seems to think there may not be enough to keep us busy – but I think there will be, as there are several things to prepare for this week. Proposed activities include: conversational English, visiting people, Home Group leading, University Student Ministry, Bridges Group, Garage Sale, event advertising and all that Sunday will bring with Ali preaching and an event called 'The Living Room' in the evening.

This afternoon we went along to the Museum of Queensland which was really interesting. They had so much to look at we didn't finish so we are planning a return visit next week sometime. There were exhibits of stuffed animals (never seen a polar bear so close) and lots of information about animals under threat of extinction. The girls really liked it too, especially Beth - who loves polar bears.

This evening Jon went along to a deacons' meeting while I carried on working on my sermon.

Tomorrow is our official day off, but as we have already planned to go out on Thursday to celebrate Rebekah's birthday, we are hoping to get some planning done for events later in the week that we will be involved in.