School Display | Mernda VIC

Wednesday: 19 November

A Warm Welcome
We arrived at Mernda Hills Christian College with perfect timing and set up Bubsie on the lawn. The Pastor/Chaplain and Sandy Wallis, the other chaplain, greeted us warmly as we signed in. Sandy then treated us to a fascinating tour of the school, sharing the story of how it’s grown and developed over the years. It was lovely getting to know the heart of the place before the day’s events kicked off.

Lunchtime Connections
When lunch rolled around, we took turns eating. Students wandered over during their break, curious and full of questions about Bubsie. It was the perfect chance to chat and connect with them one-on-one.

High School Chapel: Captivated by History
After lunch, Kevin presented to the lower high school students, and they were absolutely engaged! We handed out copies of “The Overlander” to those who wanted them, and we were thrilled to see some community members had come along too—it’s always special when the wider community joins in.
The real showstopper? When students stayed behind to watch Bubsie being crank-started. Their faces lit up with amazement—you could tell they’d never seen anything quite like it!

Primary School Chapel: Sharing with the Younger Crowd
When the primary school students came to chapel, we made sure their teachers didn’t miss out. We handed each staff member a copy of “The Overlander” along with QR cards for the Record Breakers and other Incredible Journey programs. As the students filed out, we gave the older primary kids their books and let them experience the thrill of seeing the car crank-started too. The excitement was absolutely contagious!

Home Time Magic
After enjoying some refreshments (always appreciated!), we had a few parents stop by to check out the car during pickup time. We shared “The Overlander” and QR cards with them as they arrived.
One moment made our day even more special: a little girl insisted her father just had to come see the car. He did—and his face said it all. He was completely blown away! Those spontaneous moments of genuine wonder are what make this journey so rewarding.

A Special Connection
Before we packed up, we gave Sandy a ride in Bubsie and shared a prayer together. It was especially meaningful connecting with her, as she’s leading the Youth Rush Team that will be traveling through western Victoria next week, just ahead of us. How wonderful to be part of this bigger movement!
With everything loaded up, we made our way back to our Nunawading base camp, hearts full from another beautiful day of sharing and connecting.

Another school, more smiling faces, and seeds planted. Grateful for every encounter.