Road to Bethlehem Night 4 | Lilydale VIC

Thursday: 11 December

Getting Ready for One Last Beautiful Adventure
Oh, how bittersweet it felt as we arrived for the final night! Our hearts were full of excitement, yet there was a gentle ache knowing this wonderful journey was drawing to a close. After giving Bubsie a loving pat and unloading all our supplies, we made a quick trip to the Adventist Book Centre to return some Overlander books for the Victorian Conference office. Even these little errands felt special, knowing it was our last evening together.

Giving Bubsie Some Tender Loving Care
Our dear Bubsie was looking a bit bedraggled after working so hard to bring joy to so many people, so Glenda lovingly gave her a much-needed bath. The dust had settled into every curve and corner, and those enthusiastic bubble applications had left their mark on her beautiful shiny paintwork. For a glorious moment, she gleamed like new—absolutely radiant! Of course, the evening had other plans, and before long, the dust and bubbles joined forces to give her that “well-loved” look once more.
While Veronica and Pieter savored a cozy meal before the evening crowd began to arrive, Glenda nestled into planning mode, booking our accommodation for the next leg of our adventure to Perth. There’s something so comforting about preparing for the road ahead while surrounded by the warmth of community and purpose.

Welcoming Friends Old and New
By this magical fourth night, we’d become like family with the event! We knew every corner, every routine, and it brought such joy to our hearts to help guide people to where they needed to go. “The tickets are just over there!” we’d say with a smile, delighting in being able to make each visitor’s experience just a little bit easier. There’s something so fulfilling about being a welcoming presence in someone’s special evening out.

Furry Friends Who Touch Hearts
Oh, the petting zoo next to us! What an absolute treasure it was! Children’s faces would light up with pure delight, and honestly, the adults weren’t much different. Veronica simply couldn’t resist—she let her inner child come out to play and spent the sweetest time cuddling and petting these gentle creatures.
The lovely woman caring for the animals shared something that brought tears to our eyes: she regularly takes these precious animals to aged care homes, where the elderly residents’ faces absolutely transform with joy at the chance to stroke soft fur and feel that unconditional animal love. What a beautiful, beautiful gift she gives! It reminded us that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness—a soft paw, a warm nuzzle—can mean the world to someone.
The climbing wall had captured the hearts and determination of the older children. We couldn’t help but cheer along as, one after another, they made it to the very top to ring that triumphant bell! And the food stalls? Oh my goodness, they were absolutely alive with happy, hungry people!

A Night to Remember—Together with Thousands!
Someone whispered to us that Wednesday night had welcomed an incredible 4,220 souls. As we watched the beautiful sea of families, friends, and curious visitors flowing around us, our hearts swelled with wonder. Could tonight be even more special? We held our breath and hoped.
And oh, it was! A breathtaking 4,568 people joined us for this final, glorious night! When all was said and done, an astonishing 15,820 people had walked through Edinburgh College to experience the Road to Bethlehem. Can you imagine? Nearly sixteen thousand hearts touched, nearly sixteen thousand memories made. We felt so incredibly blessed to be even a tiny part of something so magnificent.

The Conversations That Fill Your Soul
We were wonderfully, joyfully busy, but it was the conversations—oh, the precious conversations!—that truly made our hearts sing. One dear lady shared the most touching story: her Pathfinder group had fallen in love with Bubsie’s story, and her daughter had carried that love all the way to Germany, where she shared it as a children’s story in her church. Imagine that! Our little Bubsie’s tale, traveling across oceans, touching hearts in different languages and lands. We were nearly in tears!
Throughout the magical evening, we had the privilege of chatting with beautiful souls from so many different churches, faiths, and cultures. Their eyes would light up as they discovered that our story wove together Australian motoring history with faith—that Bubsie’s original owners were missionaries with hearts full of purpose and adventure!
There’s something almost sacred about those moments when stories bridge our different worlds and remind us of our shared humanity. Standing there beside Bubsie, watching faces light up with recognition and joy, we felt wrapped in the warmth of true community. This is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Connection. Understanding. Love shared across all boundaries.

Tucking In for the Night, Hearts Full to Overflowing
As the stars began to peek through the evening sky and the last visitors made their way home, we slowly, tenderly packed everything away. Our bodies were tired—the wonderful kind of tired that comes from pouring yourself into something meaningful—but our hearts? Oh, our hearts were absolutely overflowing!
We drove back to our caravans in comfortable, contented silence, each of us lost in our own reflections. Four extraordinary nights. Thousands of beautiful faces. Countless moments of connection, laughter, tears, and joy. The privilege—and truly, it was a privilege—of sharing Bubsie’s story and watching it touch people’s hearts in ways we never could have imagined.
As we finally climbed into bed that night, we whispered prayers of gratitude for this incredible journey. What a gift this has been. What a blessing to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

Until the next adventure, dear friends. Until the next time we can share love, stories, and hope with the world. ❤️