Photos '07

Welcome to the Spinifex Ministries Photo Album for 2007.

Remember: to see photos in full size, just click on them and then click "back" to return to this screen!

We began 2007 still at Bethel (Aboriginal) Community where we were care-taking and relieving for the missionaries who run the community. 

During January we headed to Darwin for the opening of the Darwin Presbyterian church. We were also in Darwin for Australia Day. So we went down to the Esplanade to watch the 21 Gun salute.

For years I have wanted to take this photo. Do you have to sit to talk on the phone? 

While looking after Bethel Community, an Aboriginal man taught Joshua how to paint.

In the middle of 2006 Phil built some work benches for True Vine Ministries in Kununurra. Well, due to break-ins out on the Community that they were on, Phil helped remove and rebuild them in a new and safer property (a former dairy) closer to town. Phil then had to turn the old milking shed into a suitable workshop.

In the middle of February after finishing up at Bethel we headed south back out to the Junjuwa Community out of Fitzroy Crossing to help the AIM missionaries there.  

Here we had to paint the out side of the church (as well as preaching as usual)   

After Fitzroy, we headed to Derby to relieve the minister of the People's Church for 2.5 weeks. With Phil preaching 3 times a week, there was much sermon writing to do!

During our time at Derby, we headed off to Looma Community to catch up with the Minister and his family out there (Shorts). At the end of a long day, a swim in the Fitzroy River was called for. And with not much rain during this wet season, this little downpour was a welcomed relief.

On a Day off at Derby, we headed down the Gibb River Road to the May River crossing for the morning.

Our time in Derby was made more interesting with Cyclone George forming. It passed just to the north of us as were due to leave for Port Hedland and then it headed south to Hedland. So we had to sit it out in Broome until the roads re-opened due to flooding. These 2 pictures were of the Storm surge at Cable Beach.

As the roads opened, we were ready to head south until Cyclone Jacob closed them again 2 days later. Eventually we got through to Hedland to help out at the Baptist Church.

We spent the first part of our time there not doing what we came to do, but in cleaning up and repairing the church and manse properties from cyclone damage. After we got onto renovating the front of the church and painting the quite large and high ceiling    Then it was time to become a tree lopper! (the things we do!) Lastly, we started on the manse verandah posts that had rusted away.

A South Hedland sunset. Outside of the NT, they are the best we have seen!

For our Easter break, we headed down to Millstream National Park While there, we spotted this great drinking fountain. Check out the sign above it!

With a few mates, on the way back to the NT, we had a weeks holiday and spent a few days out at the Bungle Bungles.

In Darwin, we caught up on some much needed maintenance on all 3 vehicles. Part of this entailed painting up the truck wheel hubs and rims. The challenge was cracking the wheel nuts! Most of them took 2 of us and a longer bar than in the picture!

It was time again for KCC (Katherine Christian Convention) over the first weekend in May. Josh was also able to catch up with mates from missions all over the NT.  

From KCC we headed out to AIM at Borroloola to finish making the house secure.   Phil was also asked to make a vandal proof coffin stand for the many funerals that are held at the AIM church.

Some friends in the church loo.  

After Borroloola, we headed for AIM at Camooweal, where Phil replaced the verandah floor with a new one.

During our time at Camooweal, we went to the Camooweal Rodeo

It often pays to look behind you. You never know what photo opportunities there are - here is an oncoming storm.

Time to visit AIM Tennant Creek again.

Here we painted the outside of the church! And boy was it cold!!! We had to leave the job at Tennant Creek unfinished as our time there was up, but we would be back to finish it off in 2 months time.

Cathy attended the Katherine School Of The Air 'In-school' in Katherine for a week and then we headed to Kununurra in WA for the KCF (Kimberley Christian Fellowship) Convention.

Back to the NT and off in the Troopy to Arnhem Land to help the MAF pilots at Gapuwiyak Aboriginal Community.

Some off the sights we thought you may enjoy 

While here Phil replaced the roller door on the MAF shed.

We had company on the way out. The Wunder family that we were visiting came out on holidays. The dirt road trips are never without hassles. This time it was a cracked radiator and a staked tyre (Ouch!!$$). Then again what do you expect on 900km of dirt! 

After we returned to Katherine, it was time to hook up the van and head out to Ngukurr Aboriginal Community where Phil repaired the rusted out house stumps on the CMS house! Many were swinging in the breeze!

Josh again with friends. (Josh on right of screen).

Another pressing job was to replace the floor in the church music shed in the middle of the community.

Tanami Transport Road Trains at Highway Inn (Daly Waters), and the photo doesn't show all of them!

Phil's parents joined up with us when we came out of Ngukurr and they spent the next few months working with us.

While at AIM Elliot, we were finally able to replace the truck tool box door that had an argument with a tree in February!

Back to AIM Tennant Creek to finish painting the church and toilets.

A NT bottle tree. ! Ha! Ha

We then visited AIM missionaries at Canteen Creek and Epenarra Aboriginal Communities before heading to Alice Springs for 2 weeks holiday. Then we took over as Interim Pastor at the AIM church for 2.5 months.

At Alice, Josh was able to celebrate his 11th birthday. (It's a Transformers cake).

A family shot. Phil's parents on the left.

Ever seen an electric cattle grid before? We hadn't.

During our time off, we showed Phil's parents around the sites of central Australia. This pic is of Rainbow Valley and this pic is of some of the bees that drowned while we cooked our BBQ! They drowned themselves in the water.

Josh doing his on-line school classes.

Us parked up at AIM Alice Springs for September-November.

Whilst at Alice, we had an AIM conference to attend, but there's never a dull moment out on the dirt roads - yes another staked tyre! And only 1 spare! Some conference entertainment. The AIM NT mob.

Alice Springs

While at Alice, we put Joshua into Gillen Primary.

Our church mob.

Cath's Sunday School class.

One of the town camp houses.

Alice Church mob ladies at Friday's ladies meeting.

Cath leading the girls at Yirara College.

Phil's new toy, his double-swing-out-spare-tyre holder. This allows us to carry 2 spare tyres when we go remote with just the Troopy.

Cath's new toys! Finally our pantry doesn't fall on our heads when we open it after rough dirt roads!

On the way south for a break, preaching engagements and then to start catching up with supporters.

While catching up with supporters and to pay for our keep, we helped our friends (the Thorpes) on their farm in Peake, SA.

After Phil preached at Peake Baptist Church on Christmas morning, we sat down for a beaut lunch with the Thorpe family.

One day while we were out, the wind played havoc with our awning.  

No matter where we go, the heat follows us! max and min temperatures for outside in the shade for one day! This next pic is the temp inside and outside the caravan at the one time! And the caravan aircon was on the blink!  

Well that's it for 07! It is really hard to know what photos to put in and what to leave out. I hope that you have enjoyed a quick trip through 2007 with Spinifex Ministries.