On Friday we left Byron Bay, and we went up to a caravan park on the Gold Coast. on the drive we saw alot of sugar cane fields spreading across the landscape. We realise this part of our country seems to be the ultimate in materialistic consumerism gone made. The coastal spread of Gold Coast/Brisbane and Surfers paradise makes it a very expansive metropolis with about 3 1/2 million people. There are some amazing homes and big shopping centres, as well, of course, as the theme parks - Movie World, Wet n Wild, Sea World, Dreamworld and Whitewater world.
We found a good deal and decided to go to Dreamworld and Whitewater world as these seem the best for younger children. It was a long weekend here on the east, but even so on Saturday, we decided to brave the crowds and spent our first day at the theme park Dreamworld. There were so many different types of rides, including the Giant Drop, a 120m tower that you go up in a platform, you sit at the top for 40 agonising seconds, before you free fall almost to the ground. When you seem as if you will go crashing straight into the ground, powerful magnetic brakes stop you in a matter of meters. The braking system is so strong, that it exceeds 4gs - yes we all decided we will NOT be doing that ride! But we all thought Uncle Daniel and Auntie Rachel would be in it if they were here!!
One of the favourite family rides of the day, was the Rocky Hollow Log ride. You float down a creek, then you get pulled up to the top of a tower via conveyerbelt, then you slide down a ramp, before hitting the water with a splash! I tell you, we got wet! We also went on the Big Red car ride and Dorothy's tea cup ride which were Molly and Sophia's favourites! And got a picture with Wags the Dog and Dora the Explorer - what fun!
After lunch, which we had in the carpark and met a wonderful christian family who are also travelling around Oz, they were great company and we enjoyed chatting to them about their travels, homeschooling, etc - the people you meet! We spent the afternoon at White Water world, a water theme park just next door the Dreamworld. The park has heaps of water slides and you can go down them on mats or in tubes, by yourself or in groups of two or four. It was cool fun to go down together and get splashed and whirled and twirled along the way. There was also a huge bucket that fills up with 1000L of water, before it tips out on you! We had a great day of family fun and it is probably one of the highlights of our trip so far.
On Sunday, we drove north of the city to hear George Verwer speak. Talk about a contrast in worlds! Here we heard a man of passion and enthusiasm who has dedicated his life to missions and particularly Operation Mobilization sending people around the world to minister and share the gospel. My sister Jen, went on the ship Duolos with OM and we have wonderful friends, Lloyd and Kathering Porter, who continue to serve incredibly with OM in WA - yes, Katherine, and we quote the man himself saying, "Katherine Porter, she's been a jewel in the OM crown!" Of course, we totally agree with him and stand in amazement at all you and Lloyd do in your faithful and dedicated service for the Kingdom, enjoy George's company this weekend, we'll be thinking about you and praying that all goes well!
Knowing we wouldn't get to hear George in WA, it was awesome to be able to hear him here in Brisbane - it was a privilege to hear him speak (with his big world globe), he is such an amazing man, truly on fire for Jesus, he challenged us to be HOT for Jesus making every day and everything we do count for the Kingdom and for the purposes of God. In relation to being HOT for Jesus, he did mention he'd been on the roller coaster rides on the Gold Coast years ago and said he'd much rather go on those than the roller coaster ride of Rev 3:16 - you didn't know there was a roller coaster ride in the Bible did you, well, according to George, it is the "if you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth roller coaster ride" we had to laugh, although we agreed, we didn't want to be riding that one! Of course George is heading to WA this weekend so if you have a chance get along to St Matt's in Shenton Park to hear him, he will be sharing at all three Sunday services. And don't forget, be full of enthusiasm and joy for the Lord in all you do, have a great week.
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