Community & Church Display | Ararat VIC
Wednesday: 03 December
Sunshine and Stories: Our Day at Ararat Woolworths
We arrived in Ararat nice and early after a comparatively short drive from our previous stop. Our first port of call was the local church, where we parked our caravans and plugged in for the day—keeping everything fresh and ready.
Setting Up with a Helping Hand
Next stop: the Woolworths car park! As we began unloading Bubsie on the roadside, a tall young man appeared and kindly offered to help us—what a blessing! Once unloaded, we drove Bubsie into the car park and set up under the shade sails, grateful for the protection from the sun on what promised to be a warm day. We were also joined by Pastor John Gibson, who worked alongside us throughout the day.
A Morning of Meaningful Conversations
The morning flew by as people stopped to chat and hear Bubsie’s story. We had some wonderful, heartfelt conversations with curious visitors who wanted to know more. When lunchtime rolled around, we took turns grabbing a bite to eat, making sure someone was always available to welcome guests.
The Afternoon Rhythm
The beautiful sunny weather kept drawing people our way, and the steady trickle of visitors continued. At 2:30, Glenda headed back to the caravan for a Zoom Board meeting, juggling ministry and responsibilities like a pro!
Wrapping Up the Day
As 3 o’clock approached, it was time to pack up Bubsie and make our way back to the church. The day wasn’t over yet—we had an evening presentation to prepare for, complete with soup and buns at 6 pm. What a full and rewarding day it had been!
An Evening of History and Farewell at Ararat Church
Preparing for the Evening
After our busy day at Woolworths, we returned to our caravans for a well-deserved rest before the evening’s presentation. Refreshed and ready, we unloaded Bubsie at the front of the church, positioning our historic treasure where everyone could admire the beauty.
A Journey Back in Time
Church members began arriving, eager to see the car up close. Kevin launched into his presentation, taking everyone on a journey back 100 years to when the first car circumnavigated Australia. You could see the fascination on people’s faces as they imagined the adventure and challenges of that pioneering trip.
Tag-Teaming and Supper
While Kevin shared the story, Glenda stayed by the car to answer questions and chat with curious visitors. Meanwhile, David, Pieter, and Veronica enjoyed the delicious soup and buns that had been prepared for supper. Once they’d finished eating, Pieter and Veronica took their turn by the car, welcoming community members who had come to see Bubsie and snap some photos of this piece of living history.
Saying Goodbye
When the presentation wrapped up, it was time to carefully pack Bubsie back into the trailer. We gathered together for prayer, cherishing this last evening with David on this journey.
As we headed off to Ballarat and our various accommodations for the night, we said our farewells to David. His time with us had been such a blessing, and we were grateful for every moment of his company and contribution to the journey.
