Miles, Miracles and Marvellous Blessings! | Esperance - Berri SA

Thursday – Sunday: 1-6 September

God’s Perfect Timing
We turned our noses east, with Balladonia waiting for us at the end of the day. It felt wonderful to be on the road. We hadn’t gone far from Esperance when a kind stranger pulled up beside us, waving us down. A cable was dragging along the ground beneath us! We stopped straight away, and sure enough, it had only just begun to graze the outer covering. A few more kilometres and it would have worn right through, and our journey might have ended right there on the side of the road. We couldn’t help but see God’s hand in it. Of all the people on that road, at just the right moment, someone noticed and cared enough to stop. And once again, the humble cable tie came to the rescue. A quick bit of work, and the cable was safely secured to a clip under the guard, good as new. Thank You, Lord, for watching over us, and for sending an angel in a stranger’s car.

Conquering the Great Nullarbor!
We rose early and left Balladonia at 5:30 a.m. to cross the Nullarbor, a journey often paused by the Prado’s thirst for fuel. The coastline along the way was simply breathtaking, and a wonderful reminder of the Creator’s handiwork. At the South Australian border, we had to eat or give up our fresh food, as though we were entering a foreign country! At one of our fuel stops, I noticed our first flat tyre on the trailer. With the help of an improvised Kiwi jack, I was able to change it. After a long day of regular stops and meals on the road, we finally arrived in Ceduna, weary but thankful.

Hot Under the Bonnet in Whyalla!
The long road had taken its toll and the Prado was showing signs of overheating. The next morning, after checking the cooling system, we made our way to Whyalla and stayed at the Airport Whyalla Motel. It was a joy to connect with the staff and other guests, and we were happy to share half a dozen Overlanders.

A Church Buzzing with Love!
As we were leaving Whyalla, we felt drawn to visit the local SDA church, and we were so glad we did. The place was buzzing with activity, so we wandered in to see what was happening. We discovered a church with a wonderful ADRA outreach running three days a week, with an op-shop, community gardens, a full cafeteria and many programs that serve the community. Helen, a former member of the Salvation Army, and the local pastor, Martin Tanner, have the whole place alive with love and service. A constant stream of people came and went while we were there, and it was inspiring to see the church at work in its community. We spent a lovely time with the members.

Orchards, Grain Fields and Sunshine Power!
As we entered the Riverland region, we once again had to part with our fresh food. It made sense when we saw the many orchards, along with the endless grain fields of South Australia. Along the way, we also noticed how much natural energy is being harvested from the sun and wind, as well as the many mines dotted across the landscape.

Home Sweet Berri!
After a 12-hour journey, we arrived at the home of Warren and Desiree May, just outside Berri, grateful for a safe arrival and the warm hospitality that awaited us.

Mechanic’s Hats Back On!
After a well-appreciated night of sleep, it was time to put the mechanic’s hat back on! We rolled Essie into Warren’s workshop, and with the help of Warren and his worker Anthony, we were able to fix the starter motor fault. We then spent a full day rebuilding parts for the oil pump. Sadly, we could not get her running. Warren diagnosed some serious internal issues with the Essex that will need to be fixed properly in the long term. We are thankful for his generous help and wise advice. We also repaired the flat tyre and did some maintenance on the trailer, the Prado and the Essex.

A Sabbath of Training and Fellowship!
We spent the Sabbath with the SDA church family in Berri. At the invitation of their pastor, Mark Wilson, who is also the Conference Evangelist, I had the privilege of running the three-part Evangelism Preparation Training Program. It was a blessing to share this time with the members and encourage them in reaching out to their community.

Farewell Berri, Hello Victoria!
On the following morning, before departing, we took some photos of the Essex with Bubsie 1. Then we set off across the border into Victoria. God’s creation certainly gave us a cheerful send-off!