9 week school of Christian Healing & Discipleship

Perth, a vibrant modern city with a population of around 1.4 million. The West Australian coastline stretches for 12,500 km and most of it consists of clean white beaches and clear, blue-green water. The Swan River divides the city into north and south, and the colourful and cosmopolitan city of Fremantle is located 20 km south. Fremantle has its very own character and 'feel' and is a magnet for those who like to sit in the sun or wander the streets and take-in the picturesque old buildings and absorb the fascinating maritime history of the place. I have had the opportunity of visiting the surrounding areas including -

New Norcia, Australia's only monastic town. I joined in a guided tour to discover New Norcia, hear the stories of the last 160 years, visit the monk's own chapel within the monastery, the Abbey Church and beautifully decorated interiors of the College Chapels. Home to a community of Benedictine Monks since the first missionaries arrived from Europe in 1846. Fascinating and well worth a visit.

I arrived at Springhill several days early to help out with preparations for the 9 week school of Christian healing and discipleship which I am attending. My jobs have been cleaning slime from the fish pond, see photo, cooking and gardening. Springhill is situated on 85 acres of land, about an hours drive east of Perth. There is a tennis and volley ball court, swimming pool and even a native animal enclosure with several kangaroo's. I am sharing a room with Sandra who lives in Perth with her family but who will be living on site for the 9 weeks. It was her birthday on the 1st day of the course so the staff made a cake. Sandra has been a missionary in the Sudan in Africa. The nearest town is Northam, which is situated on the Avon River just 98 km from Perth and 13 km from Springhill. The Avon River flows through the town and is fringed by soft grassy banks and shady trees. The teaching content of the 9 week school is designed to give delegates a biblical understanding of the many aspects of healing, deliverance and discipleship.

The course finishes on 14^th December and I fly home to New Zealand that night arriving in Christchurch the following morning, so will be home in plenty of time for Christmas.

Zoom into the Springhill specials to see what is on offer!

'Treeless Desert'

I picked up the re-location camper van as planned but had to return it twice before leaving Adelaide. There was something wrong with the camper that I was not happy with especially as I was starting out on a nearly 3,000km journey of rugged wilderness. After the disappointment of not having a camper van to drive over the Nullarbor as originally planned, I finally took off, a day later, driving a 4 wheel drive car, for $1 a day. This meant that I had no facilities for sleeping or cooking. If you have looked at my blog I mentioned about Luke who responded to my add for a female traveling companion. As I had said that I was not prepared to share a bed with a guy, he had left earlier and started hitch hiking. He was not having much success so he sent me texts asking how I was doing and if I had set off. It became apparent that he was stranded so I said I would pick him up and we could find a back packers somewhere en-route. Zoom in to see what is written on Luke's T shirt. Just click on the picture.

The road from South Australia to Western Australia is amazing, hugging a rugged coastline with dramatic cliffs, deserted beaches and awesome National Parks. The only dilema was how to fit in all the sights of this epic journey without taking several weeks, I had only 6 days! The quiet and endless horizon is known as the Nullarbor Plains - 'treeless desert'. Its name is not derived from the Aboriginal language as many people think, but comes from the latin 'nullus arbor' – no tree. The Aboriginal name for the area is 'Oondiri', meaning 'The Waterless' as it has an average rainfall of only 20cm. After a days driving and getting to know each other we were ready for somewhere to sleep and all the available places were quite expensive and neither of us wanted to pay their prices. We went into this pub and asked if they knew of a cheap place to stay and they recommended the caravan park where there was an old caravan. We found this caravan for $40 per night for both of us, it had all the basic kitchen things although a bit run down. Unfortunately we soon discovered there was no bedding, Luke gave me his sleeping bag and he slept in his clothes! I had the double bed and Luke took one of the bunks. This is not my normal practice to share a room with only one male. Luke had not brought any food for the 6 day journey so we shared what I had. He cooked tea of bacon, eggs, potato, carrot and sprouts and fruit for dessert. As it was raining and cold we decided for an early night.

The next day we stopped off to watch the magnificent Southern Right Whales frolicking in the pristine waters of the coast, viewing them from the 60 metre high, sheer limestone cliffs. We drove as far as Eucla just over the quarantine border and again prices were high and no back packers. So we ended up sharing a room, stepping out of my comfort zone again. I took the double bed and Luke slept on the single one. It was always cheaper sharing accommodation. The accommodation was room only we had to find the showers and kitchen somewhere in the camp site. We discovered the camp kitchen had no utensils, we had food but nothing to cook in or eat out of. Fortunately we were able to borrow some from a young German couple. Luke is 29 years old and a typical traveler. He is a chef, photographer and has just written a book.

The next morning we decided on an early start as we had nothing to make a cup of tea with even though we had the tea and milk. We set off from Eucla at 6.30am. Around 9am we had breakfast, yoghurt and cereal eaten from 2 old paper cups from McDonald's and a plastic knife! Followed by a drink of water. It all tasted good for which we were grateful. Later that day we stopped at Cocklebiddy originally established as an Aboriginal mission in early pioneer days. That day we drove over 700km to reach Kalgoorlie. Kalgoorlie is a modern and bustling regional centre with a unique gold rush heritage, modern mining and an outback environment. Men came in by the thousands to find their fortunes on the goldfields. With the influx of single men, so too came the demand for goods and services. One such service was provided by local brothels. At one time there were at least 25 brothels. There are 3 surviving brothels today as was evident as I walked by.

It was here in Kalgoorlie that Luke and I departed company as he had a job here as a photographer at an aboriginal community. I booked into the Youth Hostel, where the people were very friendly and several 'kiwi's', some of whom were from Christchurch NZ, who were working in the local mines.

I decided to stop over at Northam where I will be attending the 9 week school of Christian Healing and Discipleship as it was on my route into Perth. The course starts on 12th September - 14th November. It is very isolated, a long way from public transport and no mobile phone coverage, although there is internet.

Adelaide

After traveling from Melbourne to Adelaide on a 10 hour train journey on the Overland, I was whisked away to an International Evening at the Uniting Church. A wonderful evening of tasting dishes from around the world and being entertained by Philipino dancers. Here in Adelaide I am staying with Joy who is a SERVAS host. Joy has traveled to many countries around the world, so it has been interesting listening to her stories.

Adelaide is a cleverly planned city with Colonel William Light choosing the site for it in 1836 – becoming the capital of South Australia. It has the charm of a big country town but not the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city. Prior to settlement of Europeans, the area now known as the Adelaide Plains was home to the Kaurna Aborigines. Adelaide is unusual as it was established by immigrants, and has no convict history. Rapid expansion took place during the First World War and after WW11 new immigrants arrived from Europe, including many Italians, bringing with them the Cafe Culture which is now so popular with the people of Adelaide.

Nestled deep in the picturesque setting of the Adelaide Hills, I visited the historic Hahndorf – a little piece of old Europe transplanted into a beautiful Australian setting. Another day I visited Victor Harbor where the local trams are pulled by horses. It was here that I visited an interesting art exhibition where exhibits were from young adults with intellectual and learning disabilities.

From Adelaide I will be driving a 2 berth re-location camper van for $5 a day, across the Nullarbor Plains, which I am told is a mainly desert area. It will be a 6 day journey to re-locate the camper to the city of Perth. I have advertised for a female traveling companion – unfortunately the first one was a male called Luke. My reply to him 'I was not prepared to share my bed with a guy.' I expect to be in Perth on 25^th August, with or without a traveling companion.

Another Amazing Place

I am now here in Gilbulla the headquarters for Ellel Ministries in Australia. It is a magnificent property located about an hours drive south west of Sydney. Set in 54 acres of grounds, Gilbulla comprises an historic main house, conference hall, motel-style accommodation, budget accommodation, chapel, beautiful grounds and recreational facilities.

Ellel Ministries took its name from the first building acquired for the work – Ellel Grange. The name Ellel means 'All Hail' in Old English to honour and worship God; El El means 'Towards God' in Hebrew. In Ancient Cantonese it means 'Love Flowing Outward'. These meanings confirmed it was a God given name for the ministry. The mission of Ellel Ministries is to proclaim the Kingdom of God by preaching the good news, healing the broken-hearted and setting the captives free.

I came here as a volunteer and have been working in the garden – pruning roses, trimming lavenders, weeding and driving the tractor, also cleaning in the main house and baking in kitchen. My working day starts to 9am and finishes at 5.30pm at which time I am ready for a shower and tea at 6pm.

My next stop is Melbourne to visit with Rev Hugh and Dorothy Prentice, fellow missionaries from Tanzania.

Love, honest work and practical Christianity

50 kms north of Coffs Harbour at the foot of a magnificent sandstone cliff I visited some converted railway wagons where I found an atmosphere of love, honest work and practical Christianity. The place – Sherwood Cliffs. Here apart from the daily cooking, cleaning, washing and other domestic activities, there is always the sound of saws buzzing, hammers banging and tractors running. A thriving garden produces a lovely supply of fresh vegetables and the dairy cows produce milk and meat. The orchard increases every year as trees are added. Hidden, but not hiding, in this tranquil environment people have an opportunity of finding real answers for their needs. It provides a family orientated programme for drug rehabilitation where staff and clients live, share and work together. There is also a school for children of both clients and staff. John-Pierre and his wife Honi with God's guidance founded the place 31 years ago. John-Pierre is pictured with sulphur crested cockatoo on his shoulder and Honi feeding the baby kangaroos. The last picture is the new area for women. Staff do not receive a salary but rely on God to supply their every day needs. An amazing place.

Coffs Coast

I have enjoyed my stay with Emily, Joan and their mother 'Oma'. Mother and I went for days out, to the hairdresser, looking for shoes etc. Now Emily has a week off after a busy 2 weeks full time in Vocational Care - a holiday programme for 5-12 yr old children. Joan has a 800cc Kawasaki motor bike and she gave me a ride on it one day. The picture on the right shows Emily at Nambucca Heads where people are allowed to portray their artistic skills on the rocks along this coastal stretch.

Coffs Coast – situated half way between Sydney and Brisbane, there are a choice of over 40 beaches all in their sandy splendour, stretching 90 kms of picture perfect coastline. The beaches offer many different surfing, swimming and beach experiences. Some offer privacy away from the crowds, while others safe surf conditions and are regularly patrolled by Coffs

lifeguards. At Coffs Harbour boats bob about in the marina against an ocean backdrop sparkling in the sunlight as seagulls search greedily for the leftover fish and chips from lunching holiday makers. The harbour is still very much a working port and an important commercial fishing community. The Coffs Coast is also notable for its banana and avocado plantations. It has a sub-tropical climate that averages 26 degrees Centigrade and a minimum of 12 - sounds like an ideal climate to me.Muttonbird Island is just beyond the marina and is home to thousands of migrating wedge-tailed shearwaters (or muttonbirds) that bread on the island each year. Named for their ability to 'shear' the water with their wings. They were called muttonbirds by the early settlers who killed them for their fatty mutton like flesh. At the Eastern end of the island, perched above the surf crashing over the rock platforms and pools below I had an excellent vantage point to watch 5-6 visiting humpback whales on their annual migration. These gentle giants are a spectacle to behold.

Gold Coast

During my stay in Brisbane Tom and Carina took me for a day out to Montville a small village, where there was an interesting clock shop with numerous cuckoo clocks, then a short visit to the Sunshine Coast but alas it rained. After leaving Brisbane I visited the Gold Coast which has 72 kilometres of legendary beaches including Surfers Paradise. The beaches of the Australian coastline are indeed spectacular and rival those found anywhere in the world.

I had an interesting stay at the YHA (Youth Hostel Association) at Coolangata. The accommodation is graded by stars according to a quality standard. 5 star being a very high standard, but this hostel had no 'stars', so I wondered what I was letting myself into. The hostel was quite run down and I was sharing a dormitory room with 7 other people, fortunately all female. However I met some lovely people. I met a Christian couple over a meal, and on return to my dormitory my room mates invited me to share their potato chips and a drink. As we sat on our bunks we shared stories of our travels. The next day I moved onto Kingscliff, a small coastal village further south, where I stayed with another SERVAS host Don and Yvonne who lived in an over 50's village. Yvonne taught the men's tap dancing session.

Monday I traveled by bus and train to Sawtell to stay with my friends Emily and Joan who live with their mother Oma. Sawtell is just a short distance from Coffs harbour where you can see a rolling ocean, winding rivers and sparkling creeks. As my job at Stanthorpe had fallen through they suggested that I come and be a companion for their mother and take her for days out while Emily and Joan are at work. So this is my 'job', similar to HelpX by working to pay for my board and lodging. I plan to be here for approx 2 weeks.

I have the use of a car and today we went to Bellingen and Dorrigo. This cultural-rich community is a magnet for artists, musicians, writers, actors and crafts people. The term 'cottage industry' is taken literally here. It seems every second home boasts an artists studio and the results are on exhibit in a huge array of galleries. Locally made jewellery, ceramic and textile works arejust some of the pleasures available to peruse or purchase.