Sunday, March 8, 2009 – Sydney – A personal day….

Had a wonderful day with my dear friends Richard and Tickey Frost. His engineering is going well….as he leads a team of 250 from his firm constructing a 75m dam and multiple pumping stations near Canberra. Despite the cross-cultural challenge of transplanting themselves from Zimbabwe 7 years ago, he and Tickey are blessed that their kids all live within a few miles of them….Carrie and Rob…and little Rachel (Curlique I called her cuz of her hair), Julie and groom to be (April 17) Tim, James and Becca with their son Isaac who was dedicated in church today, and Ashleigh who is studying nursing.

After church, they had James’ in-laws for lunch…20 of us altogether I think…and Carrie and Julie and Ashleigh showed me wonderful pictures of us all together in Zim 20 years ago! My how time flies!

R&T took me to the airport….snapped a fleeting shot of the Opera House as we drove by. Had to check my suitcase (L) which now weight 18kg instead of the limit of 10kg for carry on. But frankly I saw many that I’m confident were larger and as heavy that went on. It’s annoying after 30 days to have some clerks seemingly act so arbitrarily. But heh…after the 3 ½ hour flight the bag was there…and Jim Innes picked me up and delivered me fine to Laidlaw College. They have about 250 students, most of which (95%) are Christian…and a small campus in Christ Church (South Island) and a growing distance program. He’s working on a Masters in Theology…..10th century Simon. The name was change from NZ Bible College because it disadvantaged some grads in this very secular culture. The do have a link with Moody’s and Mark Strom their president has visited the US recently to make additional linkages like that which will bring students here from the US.

It was sad to say goodbye to R&T….but we planned a possible trip to the US (their first) for after Christmas next year…..I hope I can show them CA and then bring them to my place in VA too! Had a nice talk with Kit after arriving here….and now have to hit the hay since I’ve jumped ahead 2 more hours (GMT+12) so while I’m not tired now, I will be tomorrow at 7am…when I have to get up! I’m 17 hours ahead of home, and 20 hours ahead of EM…which means I’m only 4 hours BEHIND CA now! The 24 hour loop around the world is nearly complete…..