We say good-bye to Bill and Jenny Bradford today after six days at their home in Parkinson, suburb of Brisbane. It's a been a wonderful visit where we've had lots of time to visit and share our lives with servants who have given nearly half a century of care and love to people whom god has called to repentance.. They have a fine legacy and the people of their congregation speak highly of them. Not the least of their legacy are their five children...sons Bill, and Randall and daughters Leeann, Jeanie and Jenny. They all have fine families and we were honored that Jennie and her husband Joe Rivers and Jennie and Brad Huthnance were able to be over Friday night with all the children. 

Bill and I enjoyed having discussion about doctrine, preservation of Truth and the real Jesus Christ . Biil is actually the principal author of UCG's Jesus Christ, The Real Story. The booklet is available from Amazon books on for the Kindle.  

Bill has served in Australia twice as well as assignments in the United States. My first real contact with him was in 1984 when I was pastor in Minneapolis and Bill came up to Orr, Minnesota regarding Camp matters at that time.  

We left for Brisbane airport at 6:00 am. Jenny came along also. Bev and I checked in and flew on an Emirates flight that originated in Dubai and continued on to Auckland on a flight that lasted a little over three hours across the Tasman Sea.  

Dan Porteous was at the airport to pick us up. New Zealand is fortunate to have a native son Kiwi for a pastor. He and his wife Linda are of high integrity and faithfulness and have been wonderful and caring servants to the Church here in New Zealand.  

Before driving the 40 minute distance to their home int the NW suburbs of Auckland we drove up One Tree Hill, an overlook over Auckland Harbor. Auckland has harbors facing the Pacific to the east and the Tasman sea to the west. A spectacular view. I am awed by the geography given to the English-speaking peoples. Truly spacious, protected and spectacular. 

U2 has written a song about One Tree Hill. Just a point of interest..... 

From One Tree Hill we drove out to Kumeu where the Dan and Linda Porteous wiith their children Bree and Keith live. 

They have a very pleasant home and we spent the evening with their family. We also took a walk through their neighborhood.  

Our first day in a new country for us: New Zealand.....