Community & Church Display | Warrnambool VIC
Saturday: 13 December
A Blessed Sabbath at Warrnambool Church
Setting the Scene with Joy
We arrived at the church with our hearts light and plenty of time to prepare everything just right. Together, we carefully positioned Bubsie on the lush grass right in front of the church building – what a beautiful welcome she made! Church members began arriving, greeting us with warm smiles and friendly words before heading into their Sabbath School classes, though a few lingered to admire our special display.
Even before the service began, something wonderful was happening. People from the community started stopping by to see Bubsie! The bus stop is just up the road, and curious passersby from the interchange would pause in their journeys to take a closer look. Kevin and Dennis stayed outside, welcoming visitors and sharing stories, while the rest of us joined the Sabbath School time inside. During the break between classes and service, Kevin prepared his heart for the sermon while we continued sharing Bubsie’s story with those outside.
Touching Hearts Through Story
The service itself was such a meaningful time! Veronica captivated the children with the beloved “Pack your Bag” story – you should have seen their faces light up with each detail! Then Kevin delivered the sermon, and we had the privilege of weaving our journey and experiences throughout.
After the service ended, it was beautiful to watch! The church members who had heard our stories during worship came streaming out, eager to see Bubsie up close and personal. Seeing the car after hearing about her adventures made the whole experience come alive for them in such a special way.
Planting Seeds of Hope
Before we left, we had the joy of contributing to something truly meaningful. The church has a wonderful free book cupboard at the top of their front steps, and we were able to stock it with several Overlander books. The members shared that people have been eagerly taking Bibles from the cupboard to read – what an encouraging ministry! We also added some literature from The Incredible Journey, hoping these resources would find their way into seeking hearts.
Here’s something remarkable about this church: they’ve installed a FaithFM broadcast speaker right into the steps leading up to that free book cupboard. Since people often sit on those steps waiting for their bus, they can listen to uplifting FaithFM programming while they wait. What a thoughtful way to share hope with the community!
Carrying the Blessing Forward
As the afternoon sun warmed our faces, it was time to continue our journey. We lovingly packed up Bubsie and headed back to the park, our hearts full from a Sabbath spent in worship, fellowship, and meaningful connections.
These precious moments fill us with such gratitude. Each person who stops to chat, each story we share, each curious glance at Bubsie – any one of these could be the gentle nudge that opens a heart or plants a seed of faith. We feel so blessed to serve God through this beautiful, unexpected ministry!
A Perfect Sabbath Afternoon at the Park
Gathering Together in the Heart of the Park
We made our way back down to the beautiful park and carefully unloaded Bubsie from her trailer. After looking around at the lovely setting, we decided to position her near the BBQ area – the perfect place where community members would naturally gather and notice her! The church members had set up a bit further over, but it wasn’t long before they packed up their things and came to join us.
Sunshine, Picnics, and Beautiful Connections
We spread out our picnic lunch under the warm Sabbath sun, and what followed was simply magical. People from the community began wandering over, drawn by curiosity about Bubsie. Church members came by to spend more time with us and take a closer look at the car now that they’d heard her story in the service. The atmosphere was absolutely lovely – relaxed, joyful, and filled with the kind of easy conversation that makes you feel right at home.
The glorious sunny weather brought so many people to the park! It was one of those perfect days where everything just comes together beautifully. Pieter and Veronica even took a lovely stroll along the beach, soaking in the coastal beauty. Meanwhile, a steady stream of visitors came to see the car, and we were blessed with so many wonderful conversations.
Forever Friendships
The connections we made with the church members were truly heartwarming. These weren’t just polite exchanges – these were the beginnings of genuine friendships, the kind where you feel like you’ve known each other for years. They stayed with us right to the very end of the afternoon, sharing stories, laughter, and fellowship that filled our hearts to overflowing.
Over these two blessed days, we shared an entire box of books with people – each one potentially a seed planted, a life touched, a heart opened. What an honor it is to be part of spreading hope and faith in such tangible ways!
Heading Home with Grateful Hearts
As the afternoon drew to a close, we carefully loaded Bubsie back into her trailer and made our way back to the caravan park. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in beautiful colors that seemed to mirror the warmth we felt in our hearts.
What a truly lovely Sabbath day it had been – filled with worship, fellowship, sunshine, meaningful conversations, and the simple joy of sharing God’s love with others. These are the moments we’ll treasure forever.
