Julie Armstrong (in blue shirt) with her 'family' Graham and Alison Mason. Many years ago, Alison went to Australia from Scotland and got a job in a school in 'The Mallee', which is synonomous for the back of beyond. She wondered what on earth she had come to, and prayed that she could be of help to someone! She invited a fellow teacher to the meetings and they went for a while but then quit. Then Julie got curious, so Alison asked her. Julie wondered why the other teacher had stopped, so went and asked her. She replied, "oh, I know it's truth but I'm not willing!". Anyway, to cut a long story short, after many months of meetings, and intrigued by these people who had clean cars in the back of beyond, she came to the conclusion that the only reason why they would go out there to those meetings was because God was there - there was no other reason! She made her choice to serve God, then began the battle to not give her life to preach the gospel...anyway she got there eventually, and this year she and Rhonnie Larsen are the first ladies to go to East Timor on a fairly permanent basis (they share the Darwin field with Ian Taylor and Mike Wenham) i.e. when the girls go to Timor the men come out and go to Darwin.
This is a very special man called Bobby Telford. He was raised in a home where God was served, but wasn't interested, led a pretty hard-case life. Two years ago he came back to meetings and made his choice, he couldn't wait to be baptised, he had a real urgency about it. Incredibly, not 6 months passed when he become unwell and was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. So here he is in his wheelchair. He managed a day at convention and was so happy. His attitude toward his future was so positive, he constantly assured people to not feel sorry for him, he was going on to something much, much better! He died about a month after this photo was taken, his life encouraged and inspired many.
The gorgeous Shirley Telford. She calls everyone Darling, and Gorgeous. She and her husband Terry have been an amazing help to the mission amongst the Mongolian community this year. They even bought a rumpty old people-mover to be able to transport them to and from the meetings and convention. I had a night between the last meeting day and the worker's meeting, so stayed with them, they spoilt me rotten.
Wendy Cornthwaite and I crossed paths for one night! At Kapunda just before I left for Brisbane. It was weird seeing her face in Aussie! It belongs in Argentina ha. But her accent certainly belongs in Oz!
Rowanne Wenham, about to leave for Kazakhstan again
Wendy and I with Claire Mason, a maths and chemistry teacher, about to start in the work. She's Bev Loechel's niece.
Wendy and I with "Armie"
Sad saying goodbye! Leaving Kapunda grounds, next stop Brizzie
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