Welcome to the Spinifex Ministries Photo Album for 2008.
Remember: to see photos in full size, just click on them and then click "back" to return to this screen!
We began 2008 catching up with the mission and
our supporters throughout NSW and Vic. At one of our visits, Cath ended up
repairing a ruptured water tank - from the inside (she was the only one who
could fit!) 
Joshua, now 11 1/2 is growing rapidly, and
turning into a young man. In grade 7 and doing well.
When we got back to Vic (after leaving the van
there and just taking the truck to NSW), a good friend of ours (with Phil
helping) put air bag (helper) suspension on the front and rear suspensions to
ease the harshness of the truck's ride and also to prevent the front suspension
collapsing a third time.
We also had the rear of the cab air bagged as
well, and this has made the ride so much better, or should I say - bearable!
Thanks Terry!
After our promo was complete in NSW and
Vic, we headed back to the farm for a couple of days of shearing
before flying out to Perth to catch up with supporters there.
Josh spent a full day as rouse-about and we were impressed
with his endurance to keep up!
On our return from Perth and with the caravan aircon still not working properly, we couldn't head back up north until a new aircon
could be ordered, so, to Phil's utter and complete enjoyment, the
boys went to the Clipsal 500 - V8 Supercars!
After picking up the new awning for the caravan, Cath headed to the Adelaide
Airport to pick up our short term Governess - Jennifer (from Sydney). She was with us for two months as Cath
was needed full time on the job site as we had
2 big building jobs first up.
While Jennifer was away with us, three of her
brothers and one of her sisters made a scale lego model of the Spinifex Perentie
rig! With only the photos off the web to go by, they did a beaut job! (Check out
the stickers/logos on the rig!) 
Back out bush again after 3 months of promo,
our first visit was back at Coober Pedy Anglican. (Peter Palmer is now
the minister there with his wife Joy. We used to look after them at Wyndham).
Our main job here was to rip up the old concrete slab out the front of the
rectory and re-pour a new one (the water used to flow into the house instead of
away)!
After finishing up at Coober Pedy, it was back to AIM Alice Springs and it was like coming home. Our job here was purely practical (not pastoral, although Phil did preach one week) and it involved an almost complete interior house renovation! Walls, ceilings, kitchen and doors to be painted, the carpet ripped up and tiles laid, and a bathroom and laundry complete renovation as well! All in 4 weeks! Fortunately, we had help from Bob and Joy Wells who tirelessly painted for the entire 4 weeks!
Before...
During...
Check out the size differences between the
tiles. This happened regularly throughout each box! This made for interesting
laying!
After...
A Wednesday evening church service.
One weekend, we had took a drive out to
Chambers Pillar and ended up camping the night.
Check out the spinifex ring - it's the biggest
we've ever seen!
After we left AIM Alice, we dropped in to see the Hadfields (AIM) out at Epenarra Aboriginal Community, we then went on to AIM Tennant Creek and then finally on to Darwin to drop Jennifer off at the airport.
After a week of shopping and vehicle services,
we headed back to Katherine for the annual Katherine Christian Convention (KCC)
where the 'mother ship' (Spinifex rig) docked and set up camp awaiting the
arrival of the little ships (including the Wonder's 'bar fridge' from Gapuwiyak
(MAF))!
Joshua loves coming to KCC each year to catch
up with his friends, including his best friend Aaron from Ngukurr Aboriginal
Community.
From Katherine, we headed west to Kununurra to
Bethel Aboriginal Community to help True Vine Ministries. One morning we went
for a walk back up the hills behind Bethel.
Earlier on in the year, the Marshall boys made
the Spinifex/Perentie rig out of lego. Well this time they have made the Troopy
as well. Well done!
Moving on from Kununurra, we made our way to
Fitzroy Crossing to see the Smiths (AIM) of the Junjuwa People's Church. While
in town we had to catch up on some serious paperwork and vehicle maintenance.
One weekend we finished off the kitchen we started making for the Troopy.
After church on Sunday, we all headed down to
the Fitzroy River for lunch.
A friendly little visitor.
One Saturday evening, we went out with our
friend Tim on a boat ride up the Fitzroy River.
Time was up, and now we had to head for Looma
Aboriginal Community. While there, one of our jobs was to help Natasha Short
(Pastor's wife) in her new job. She had to organise an Iron man competition for
the community to get the locals, the government workers and the school kids
together.
A good ol' Kimberley sunset.
From Looma we went to Derby where Phil was to relieve at the Derby People's Church for a couple of weeks.
Even when you tarp the bikes, the red dirt
always gets in!
Check out Joshua's new hat. He grew out of his
last one.
After our time at Derby, we had some time off
with friends and did the Gibb River Road. Here are just a few photos of the
trip. Enjoy.
Well that's it for now! 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 2008 with Spinifex Ministries.
Stay tuned for more photos soon!
