down under

Country living :)

It was not God's purpose that people should be crowded into cities, huddled together in terraces and tenements. In the beginning He placed our first parents amidst the beautiful sights and sounds He desires us to rejoice in today. The more nearly we come into harmony with God's original plan, the more favorable will be our position to secure health of body, and mind, and soul.--The Ministry of Healing, pp. 363-365

Instead of dwelling where only the works of men can be seen, where the sights and sounds frequently suggest thoughts of evil, where turmoil and confusion bring weariness and disquietude, go where you can look upon the works of God. Find rest of spirit in the beauty and quietude and peace of nature. Let the eye rest on the green fields, the groves, and the hills. Look up to the blue sky, unobscured by the city's dust and smoke, and breathe the invigorating air of heaven. Go where, apart from the distractions and dissipations of city life, you can give your children your companionship, where you can teach them to learn of God through His works, and train them for lives of integrity and usefulness.--The Ministry of Healing, pp. 265-267.

Rod's place in Rolland's Plains

Playing with Ella, Hannah and

Having a special breakfast together, thanks to the girls!

the beautiful river in Wauchope

we went for an orientation hike

having a break :)

an areal view over the eastward property and surrounding hills

on the property

Eastward is situated about 30 min to the next town in a beautiful country side. It was really a privilege to stay there for some weeks and to experience more country living!

A day at Avondale

On the 20th of July we drove down to Avondale. First we met up with Dr Allan Lindsay who showed us around there and could tell us a lot about the history and many interesting stories!

this is one of the first buildings of the college

the famous swinging bridge

inside the Ellen White Research centre

Dr Allan Lindsay shows us a copy of the book Ellen White received when she left Australia. Many friends draw and wrote in that book which must have been really special for her!

Amanda, Kate, Christie and Kezia in front of Sunnyside, the house Ellen White lived for the longest while she was over in Australia.

the students in front of Sunnyside :)

This is a really nice sunny spot in front of the house

Ellen's writing desk where she wrote for many hours

inside the south sea museum together with some wild bush people from PNG ;)

an old traditional boat from the Solomon Islands

feeding the kangaroos in Morrisset

the males are fighting

At eastward missionary college :)

In July I finally made my way up to Eastward missionary college situated in the beautiful and peaceful Rolland's Plains west of Port Maquarie. What I found was a beautiful, little school and a beautiful group of people who welcomed me into their "family".

In this shed we had the classes. In winter sometimes it got really cold in there!

The students with Carol, a guest teacher from the US, and Rod the school principal

Practical work in the garden. A good work out :)

A beautiful mandarin tree close to the boys house

Leah, one of the students, preaching at the aboriginal adventist church in Kempsy

This was a community health presentation and cooking demonstration

At Cannot Be Hidden another time

After coming up from Melbourne I spent another two and a half weeks at Cannot Be Hidden College near Sydney. I was attending classes as well as helping out in the health center up at Bilpin. It was really a blessing to spent some time there and to meet up with the students again!