In This picture are all the delegates who flew from Western Australia! How big of a change is this! 4 pastors, Phil's wife Karen, and then delegates from our churches.

District Conference Sept 22-25

This past weekend we had the privilege of participating our district conference. Since Chris and I are the pastors of the church plant here in Western Australia we are required to attend. But, for the first time every our church sent a delegate. And, this is EXCITING! We had a women who is the head of our LAC, Glynis who was willing to come with us. Not only did she come, but she brought her son as well, which was exciting.

To make this weekend work, much planning and organizing had to go into it. School was not out yet in Western Australia so, we needed to leave our kids here, as well as it cost too much money for us to take the kids with us. We had 3 families, and "Auntie Dana" ( The other Australian pastor Perth's daughter) watch the kids over the 72 hours we were in Melbourne.

Thursday night we all went to the airport only to be delayed three hours, while they towed a plane from the international to the domestic airport, because the first plane was not big enough. :) Then we flew 4 hours and landed in Melbourne. (Australia is about the same size as the US). Then we had to be towed in Melbourne because the plane was not parked correctly! :) Then we finally were able to go get a rental car and drive 2 1/2 hours to Phillip Island where the Conference was.

District conference is Different in Australia in the fact that we did Business, on Friday afternoon and evening, then we had a worship service. Business All day Saturday with a worship service at night, and and then on Sunday we had a worship service with ordination service, and then communion. IT was a very busy weekend with heaps of things to be doing.

We actually didn't get any free time this year, as we also voted in a new DS and did some other big pieces of business.

Sunday afternoon when the conference ended, we drove back to the airport and flew home! WE were exhausted, but met lot's of lovely people and were rejoicing with everyone over what God has done in the Southern Australia District.

The Southern Australia District covers all of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania! So, the district is over the size of 1/2 the USA!!!! That is why God has called us here to plant churches. In America we get in the car and drive 30 min. to district conference. and we are done and on our way within 4 hours.. Less time than it took us just to arrive where the conference was! God is Amazing, He is working through the South District, and people are being drawn to him here in Australia!