Hiya all,
I know I've got a lot of catching up to do - you know - fill in the gap between the Barossa and where we are now (Prob Derby area by the time this is out).
BUT !! - I can't wait to fill you in a bit with the last few weeks - Mainly the witnessing trip.
What an experience ! !
By the time you get this we'll be in Derby (North of Broome WA) - but I'm drafting it while on the Gibb River Road.
At the present - we are camped about 1/2 way along the Gibb River Road - at "Barnett River Gorge" having already travelled West from Kununurra then North to Kalumburu and Mitchell Falls.
So.. we are resting here for a few days after what has been a busy cuppla weeks. We left Kununurra just over 2 weeks ago.
We've already done 1150kms on the dirt - so my guess of 1100-1200kms will be WAY OFF ! !
We have no phone/internet service here - nor will we have until Derby - so this will not get to anyone for perhaps another 2 or 3 weeks.
Sorry !! - but ... TALK TO THE HAND ! ! ! ! (or Telstra)
SO - we left Kununurra on Fri 4/07/08 - after a STUNNING VICTORY by Qld ! ! - Go the Maroons ! ! ! !
We stayed El-Questro Station (about 80 kms in on 'The Gibb') for 2 nights before heading off the Drysdale Station to meet up with the other brothers.
I'll put the El-Questro stuff up later (in the main update) - but for now I wanna get on with the witnessing trip bit.
SO - we had struck the Gibb River Rd in quite good order - recently graded - but still some very bad corrugations here and there and some very 'boney' sections (rocky) also.
On Sunday 6/07/08 we left El-Questro after a great cuppla days, and headed West in the direction of Drysdale Station. We camped that night just near the well-known 'Pentecost River' - and NO, it didn't take 50 days to cross. MAN - the stars were awesome that night ! !
Not knowing how deep the Pentecost was (and my diffs would have been pretty hot by then.... AND the sun was going down) it was a good spot to stay.
Mid morning - we set off to Drysdale station and got there mid-afternoon and camped at 'Miners Pool' - the selected location for all the Bro's and Sis's to stay on Tues night. That gave us a whole day to re-pack. We needed it too.
CROSSING "THE PENTECOST" RIVER
OUCH ! ! !
Tues 8/7/08 - almost the whole day was spent re-packing. eg Taking spare wheel of van and re-locating to car roof-rack (2 spares considered MINIMUM up here). Also packing extra water, literature, re-packing fridges bla, bla bla. Also making sure that we ha had no booze in the car - for 2 reasons - (1) Kalumburu is a dry community - although not policed much) and (2) Society guideline that no alcohol on organised 'Outback Witnessing' trips - understandable. All this re-packing was necessary as no van coming with us on the rough road up North.
RE-PACKING THE ROOF BEFORE TRAVELLING WITHOUT THE VAN
About 4:30pm the other 12 Bro's and Sis arrived. About 1/2 we hadn't met before - the rest we had when we were in Darwin and Kununurra.
A Bro & Sis were also there from Melbourne.
We had the Book Study under the awning of our van that night.
Wed morning 09/07/08 - the four of us (ie The Longies) set of 1st so we could drop the van off at Drysdale Station before joining the others.
Some of the road was rough - corrugations -been on a lot worse since - but still a shock all the same.
ZIP TIES AND WIRE TO HOLD UP THE "BASH PLATE" FOR THE FUEL TANK.
These have held for over 1200kms now ! !
PART OF THE ROAD TO KALUMBURU 2 of the 'Stations' were witnessed to along the way (Doongan and Theda) and then we all stopped at Carson River and had lunch before heading to Kalumburu.
JAMES, RICHARD (Kununurra Bro) AND MYSELF AT THEDA STATION
JAMES FOUND HIMSELF A "TREE-CHAIR' DURING LUNCH AT CARSON RIVER
There's a charge of $40 per car for going through Kalumburu- lovely !! Land-rights stuff I suppose - Thanks Mabo.
OBTAINING PERMITS FROM KALUMBURU OFFICE
SIGN IN THE TOWN OFFICE - CHARMING!!!
Then we continued past and camped at McGowans Island (about 20km North I suppose). Nice spot - looking West over the water for the sunsets.
Most of the day travelling - probably averaging 40-50kms/hr.
ALL LINED UP AT THE McGOWANS TURN-OFF
Thurs - The goal of being here is the Ministry - hasn't been witnessed in 7-10 yrs. Catholic Mission etc etc.
I think I'm better off not saying too much on the blog - 'cause it was a kinda 'undercover' op sort of a thing.
Suffice to say here though - it was a great success. The people seem thirsty for decent & accurate information.
Great team atmosphere amongst all. Some even cooking for those that were in the township late afternoon.
TMS & SERVICE MEETING - Thurs Afternoon
A few went in to town ship Thurs am to suss things out before some rv's thurs pm and a big blitz on Friday.
EMMA HELPING TO COOK THE DINNER FOR THOSE THAT WERE IN TOWN SHOWING THE DVD TO AN ELDER etc
On Friday - after packing up - something like 130+ pieces of literature were placed within a couple of hours + conversations and enthusiasm shown by the locals.
WITNESSING GROUP
DRIVING IN TO BLITZ KURUMBURU
We then moved on to the Mitchell Plateau... heading South for 100ish kms then West for 85kms. The road West was WOEFUL !!!. The sigh says unmaintained - no kidding.
We still did it in about 1.75 hrs - only because we were trying to 'fly' over the ridiculous corrugations. One car even lost his number plate.
This was a very full day - having not left Kalumburu until 12:30ish - it was close to dark when we started setting up camp.
Saturday - Day off. So we all did the walk to Mitchell Falls- What an awesome waterfall.
MITCHELL FALLS - BEAUTIFUL
Sunday - Pack up, Watchtower study and head back to Drysdale River Station for our last night altogether.
WATCHTOWER STUDY
A small Aboriginal Community of 4 or so house was also done on the way. A Bible + several books and mags.
We all felt really good having had 4 (and more for the rest) days together and feeling we had contributed in whatever small way to the spread of Truth.
KING EDWARD RIVER - ON WAY BACK FROM MITCHELL FALLS
1/2 OUR BULLBAR SNAPPED OFF ON THAT RIDICULOUS MITCHELL PLATEAU ROAD - THIS STRAP HELD FOR THE 100+KMS TILL I COULD GET THE BRACKET RE-WELDED ($25)
Sunday night - nice communal fire, jokes and a 'Tea-bag' puppet show (Gotta see that to believe it)
Monday - This is where we separated. Us (the Longies) are heading West from here while the others are heading East to their homes.
After speeches, pats on backs etc, most of the others departed at 10ish - although a couple called Brad and Bev stayed on with us for an extra night - wanting a slower trip home.
EMMA AND RICHARD (The organiser of the trip)
GROUP PHOTO
We stayed an extra 2 nights so we could re-pack everything back to original format - and do a heap of washing etc.
PLUS - we (The Longies - yes US ????) have been given the privilege of doing some other communities and stations West from here.
Basically some Bro's from Derby worked from the West some weeks ago... and we have worked from the East - SO there is some territory on the middle not yet done. So it's worked out well that we were heading that way.
We were kind-of a bit nervous about this - but after the experience of the last few days - it has given us more confidence.
The communities that we were to visit though weren't have as much of the political/Babylon the Great guff that existed at Kalumburu - Still some - but it should be a bit easier.
On this day (Monday)- I had the welding done for the bullbar.
Tuesday 15/08/08 -Cleaning and re-packing at Drysdale Station.
Wednesday 16/08/08 We headed west and visited Gibb River Aboriginal Community - all by ourselves. This was quite an eye opener.
After introducing ourselves to the community elders, we got directions to a lady who had previous contact with Witnesses in Derby, and we also got permission to speak to others in the community - Whew !
From there on -We met the lady we were looking for - She was so keen to read scriptures with us - took a Bible, books, brochures etc etc.
THIS IS MARCELLA READING A SCRIPTURE FOR HEIDI.
And the new people we met were not much different. Emma had a lovely chat to a girl her age - and placed a couple of books with her - and it looks like Emma may keep regular contact with her. We then spoke to another 5+ people and all similar results.
It's quite incredible - they seem so thirsty for spiritual things.
THIS IN EMMA - WITNESSING AND PLACING STUFF
EMMA & I OFF TO FIND SOMEONE THAT MARCELLA HAD SUGGESTED WE SEE.
DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE DRESS-MODE OUT HERE ?????In the space of 1.5hrs+ we left 2 Bibles (we ran out), 11 Books, 7 Brochures + 11 mags. Truly unbelievable.
A FINAL GOODBYE TO MARCELLA
And previously in the trip, on circling back through a street we had already visited, we noticed one lady that Heidi had talked to - and she was on her Veranda - reading what Heidi and Michelle had left with her. THAT felt good.
Thinking about the witnessing trip as a whole - As a family - without a doubt - a major hi-lite of our lives - and so different from what we are accustomed to at home in 'the burbs'. Anyway - I'll close one off for now.
Sorry for long-winded bit - but it really has been an incredible experience.
Now..... lets see if I can fill in the blanks.....???? - all 3+months of it.
There are some CRAZY mud-flats up here - all caused by the HUGE tides.
Same -same
This is the sailing yacht. - Accommodation behind.
Aaaaahhh -I wonder what the POOR are doing ?? - I know !!!! - They're out on yachts - Living off the Home Loan ! ! ! 
Aaaahhh.. Here's where we sleep.
In the powerboat - and off to see the falls.
Approaching the wider - and less severe falls.
Here's just part of the effect.
Dinner Time - Fresh caught Red-emperor.
Fish scraps to the sharks.
Just after breaky Tues 5/8/8.
What a shame - they came to pick us up - boo-hoo. It was so lovely here.
Outer and Inner falls from the air.
Outer Falls from the air - Very powerful stuff.
Home safely - and goodbye to our fiends for a couple of days.
