Yesterday we arrived safely in Melbourne, Australia and we were met at the airport by our Team Leader and host Christian. We then met up within and his wife Margarita. Baruch was interviewed for a radio program and then we were taken around downtown Melbourne. We had a lovely meal along the riverfront. It gave us time to catch up on what is going on in Australia and with all of the exciting events they have arranged for this trip.

In the evening, we went to dinner with Enoch and Sarah Lavender and Christian and Margarita. Enoch is the director of Shalom Israel, based in Melbourne. He has helped facilitate the Saturday and Sunday speaking engagements here. They are a delightful couple and we enjoyed our conversation and the meal with which they treated us.

We had left quite warm weather in Israel. Australia is finishing up their winter and Melbourne is cold and windy right now.

We look forward to the Shabbat morning service tomorrow at Beit HaMashiach and then the afternoon/evening event which is co-hosted by Beit HaMashiach and Shalom Israel. Then Sunday evening, Baruch will be speaking at an event co-hosted by Shalom Israel and Bethel Christian Fellowship.

We appreciate the great effort Christian and Margarita and their daughter Vanessa have gone to in order to give us a full schedule of speaking opportunities. Vanessa is finishing up some of her college studies and is not with us now, but she has done a great deal of work for us for this trip.

Today we went to the Shrine of Remembrance, which is a war memorial dedicated to all of the men and women who fought for Australia and freedom. It was such a beautiful building with moving displays and explanations of the various conflicts and peace-keeping endeavours the Australians have participated in.