We leave our lovely stay in Australia today and fly to Sydney, Australia's largest city and Botany Bay which Captain Cook "discovered" in 1770. Sydney International Airport is on Botany Bay. 

Interesting history was told us that after England lost the American "Civil War" meaning the American Revolution, that the British no longer could send their convicts to the American colonies . The new location was Australia. This was most interesting.  

Stephen Clark drove us in heavy traffic to the airport in the morning and walked us through check in which was all self-service. Not only did you print you boarding pass, but you weighed and printed your luggage tag to Sydney. We had no assistance (although we could have) from anyone behind a counter. 

Then, Stephen was able to walk through security with us to the gate! Unheard of for YEARS in the US. We didn't have to take our shoes off to walk through security. The computer removal was still necessary. This was all so easily done and quite progressive..  

We still had time to have a cup of coffee with Stephen before he continued on to his duties of visiting appointments for the day.

Our one hour flight was uneventful except that exceptional tasty brownies were served on the flight . We note again and again how friendly Australian service personnel are. As mentioned, from the friendly border guards (which in most countries is an oxymoron) to airport, parking lot or whatever personnel there is a native and civil friendliness that is quickly noted. 

After we arrived Bruce Dean was there at baggage claim and we drove a short distance away to Botany Bay and had lunch at a Greek restaurant. with Doug Gray who joined us. 

It is so good to see Bruce Dean again. We had not seen him in the flesh since the Feast of Tabernacles in 2004 in South Africa. We then drove to his home where we are staying for the next two nights. We appreciate him making his home available to us and his friendship He told us that the temperature yesterday was over 100 degrees. It is markedly humid here in Sydney. Today, though, it's a bit cooler with the temp only reaching just above 80.  

We went on a walk in his neighborhood . A very pleasant neighborhood through which there ware walking paths and views of parks, including Royal National Park, the oldest national park in the world, we are told on the other bank of the Port Hacking River. On the walk it was interesting to see and hear various unfamiliar to us birds, flowers and trees. We are thoroughly enjoying it. 

Then back to the Dean's home and getting ready for Bible Study about 45 minutes drive away at the Community Centre where services and other meetings are conducted. Traffic was very heavy at this time of evening and it took us nearly an hour to get there. I was wondering how many people really would be able to come to a mid-week Bible Study in a busy city on a work day. I thought maybe a handful.  

Not so.  

There were many who came! There was a most enthusiastic and diverse group of people in attendance. First, we had a finger food potluck . That works so good because you can move around and visit with many people in the time you are there. I met the Tongan's (including meeting my Facebook friend Sam Ha'angana). I met with Mr McDonald who is brother to former Desiree McDonald at Ambassador College Bricket Wood who is wife to Martin Watson who is now retired and lives in Calgary, Canada. Then David Archer and his American wife formerly a Capo. Then Zoe...and many others such as Craig White who also came.

I was at somewhat a loss as to what topic to cover for Bible Study as there are so many things that can be said and I wondered what would be most interesting. 

I did talk about the transition to new, younger leadership in the Church, including pastoral succession. I also talked about the topics we covered in our deacons and elders meeting in Melbourne. They also wanted to know about our LifeNets humanitarian reach which I did. And, we had a question and answer period as well with GOOD questions . I always like good questions. 

Then we must have talked another hour or so afterwards. And, we were not the last to leave. It was good meeting the other pastor in this area Matt Seiff and his wife and three children. A very pleasant family very engaged in the life and service of this congregation. He is a pastor in the neighboring church but also helps Bruce in the larger Sydney congregation. 

Before we went to Bible Study Bruce Dean and I had a very good discussion about Hong Kong, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.....all areas that are serviced from here and from New Zealand. I found it so good to talk about these matters in person as I really understand the perspective, passion, procedure. Above all, I appreciate the hard work and dedication of my fellow ministerial workers who are fulfilling their ministry as a calling....far above any "job" and who are truly serving the people God has given them to care for. 

Another long but wonderful day in Australia!