Amy, Dan, Grace and Eli collecting their luggage in Brisbane following the 14 hour flight from LA. 

The entire visitation team modeling some of the "Meri skirts and blouses " made by Mary Kern of Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church in Sedalia,  the home congregation of Emily Greble.  After 30 solid hours of travel,  everyone was a little slap-happy.  Even the guys got in on the fashion show.   

After 30 plus hours of either sitting in an airplane or an airport,  the visitation team of Dan Lilienkamp and Noah Hornbeck of St. Louis,  Emily Greble of Sedalia,  Grace Vannoy and Alex Lang of KC, Gary Teske of Topeka,  and Amy and Eli Truhe of Salina landed in Cairns, Australia.   The trip went well and everyone managed to get some sleep en route from LA to Brisbane,  no small feat crammed into economy class seating.   The group suffered through another 2 hours in the air and disembarked at Cairns, extremely thankful that they wouldn't have to board a plane for 2 days.   After dropping off their gear at the rustic Floriana Guest house,  they explored the waterfront of Cairns and ate lunch at a little Indonesian cafe down the street from the guest house.   Everyone was a little squirrelly from lack of sleep and jet lag and the youngest five had a great time cutting up in the oceanside parks and in the little pool behind the guest house.   Dan and Amy joined them in the pool.   The weather here is beautiful and everyone is looking forward to eating supper, sleeping in a bed tonight and taking a day trip out to the great Barrier reef tomorrow before heading on to PNG.   While I doubt that anyone would describe the trip thus far as "fun", I believe everyone would agree that it has been enjoyable in its own unique way.   There is good chemistry among the team and a great spirit of participation and expectation that bodes well for the rest of the visitation.   And so we go forth in peace to love and serve God and God's people.   Thanks be to God.   (Post by Gary Teske )