AUS /

PIONEERS *or CHRIST

ED ANV JEAN KELSEy
FIELD ADDRESS

FORWARDING AGENT

17 Anne St.

Charters Towers Queensland,

4820 Australia

Frank C. Otero
315 Connor Ave.

Jopiin, Mo.

64801

THE TWO DAY TRIP THAT LASTED A WEEK

Actually, this story starts one and a half weeks before the events of this article took place. We had finally come to the conclusion that the only means of transportation we could afford, which would enable Ed to cover any amount of Outback territory, was a motorbike. We still want to get an airplane, but still do not have enough money. Anyway, a bank loan was arranged, the motorbike purchased (a Honda XL250), and several short 200-mile trips taken over beachman (paved) roads. Finally, Ed decided to take a 500-mile trip over both paved and dirt roads to Mt. Isa, a booming miningtown, where there is a small church without a preacher. With special auxiliary fuel tanks and metal saddlebags for extra gear, he left on a Friday afternoon. He planned to camp overnight and arrive at Mt. Isa Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning, 135 miles short ofMt. Isa, disaster struck! The chain cameoffof the bike, lockingthe rear wheel, and before he could bat an eye, Ed was thrown to the ground, hard! The bike sustained mostly minor damage, but when Ed hit the hard dirt, it broke four ribs and sprained his ankle. A pair of cotton coveralls minimized gravel rash and the crash helmet probably saved his life. The greatest financial loss was a camera, which was too costly to replace. Ed was in the hospital five days before flying home. Twoand a half weeks after the accidentwe decided to go pick up the motorbike and try to find the camera. After packingcamping gear, five kids, and two dogs, weset offin our ten-year-old car. Wethought a couple of days should be adequate, plus Saturday available if we needed it. Just in case, though, we made arrangements for one of the men to preach if we did not get back in time. Little did we know! The following is a day by day account of the two-day trip that lasted a week. WEDNESDAY: A very busy day. As always, much was done at the last minute. Ed fussed at Jean for taking so many groceries. "You've got enough for a week" he said (as it turned out, we did not). In spite of our good intentions to leave as soon as the kids got home (about3:00 p.m.), it was 10:30 p.m. before we left. But, a late start is better than nostart at all. Besides, w.e would get an earlier start from our camping spot than from home the next morning. Sowe left. We had borroweda trailer in which to bring back the motorbike. To save moneyand provide emergency cash, we took all our own petrol with us, nearly 75 gallons, plus water, tools, etc. The first night was all on pavedroad, although it is only one lane widein many places. The night was not without its moments, though. We hit a kangaroo (or

rather it hit us), damaging one fender. Camp was made at 3:00 a.m. in the bush, offthe side of the road. We were about 150 miles away
from home.

THURSDAY: Wewere awakened by the sound ofGalans and parrots. We had a simple breakfast and got on the road about 6:30 a.m.
We stopped for lunch at the spot where Ed had camped with the motorbike a couple of weeks before, but the flies were so bad, we had to move on and eat sandwiches whilewe were driving. Even though the creekbed was dry, flies filled our eyes and crawled all over us, got in our food, etc., so we felt it was better to forego our rest, than to do battle with the flies. Mid afternoon found us in the small town of Julia Creek, where free showers are provided for customers, much as rest rooms are

provided in other places. The water was bore water which is quite hot. Many of the bores (which are drilled wells in Australia) produce water that is warm. However, it is usually mineralized, therefore, not good for drinking. By the time we all had our showers in Julia
Creek, it was late afternoon. We had sandwiches for lunch and then drove west out of Julia Creek about 30 miles to where the accident

occurred, and began to look for the camera. Everyone walked along the side of the road, trying to find the camera, except Ed, who drove because he was still pretty sore, and limping from his injuries.

The problem is the country looks so much alike out there, and with no trees, it was very difficult to find the exact spot where the accidentoccurred. We never did find the camera. We had to give up the search when the car began to overheat very badlyand developed generator trouble. We had nochoicebut to head for the next town, which was Cloncurry. Cloncurry was the place where the motorbike was in storage and we plannedto pick it up there. However,becauseof the heating problem, we could not go more than a mile or so at a time, then stop and pour in water. Finally, we ran out of water, and just as we thought we could not go any further, wesaw a windmill off of the track, and Ed drove cross-country to get to it. He dipped water out of a cattle trough to fill up our jugs. It was too dirty to drink,
but at least we were able to pour it in the car and fill our jugs. We reached Cloncurry just about dark and found the station that had towed in our motorbike. (Incidentally, the man there had

charged us $79 for towingin the motorbike, and that was a discount; it should have been $110, he said.) But he would not help us on the car. He said he did not have time to work on it, he was closingup then. The next morning we tried to get him to work on it, but he said he just did not have the time; did not have the extra help. I do not know why he was so reluctant, but at any rate, we did make other arrangements. At first we planned to leave the motorbike there and go on to Mt. Isa. Since it had taken us so long, we thought we would go to Mt. Isa and preach for them that weekend. Then we planned to go back and pick up the motorbike and trailer, instead of having to haul it both ways. At the last minute we decided not to leave it, and as you will see later, it was a good thing. We finally got the
motorbike loaded up, rearranged everything in the trailer, and camped at a rest area (a little picnic area beside the road outside of town,
built by their Rotary Club).

FRIDAY: We came back into town and had to look all over town for about half a day, trying to find a generator. (It is a very small town, but we tried every place in town.) Finally we found aused one. We got the generator fixed, flushed out the radiator, hooked up the
trailer with the motorbike and everything on it, and headed for Mt. Isa. We arrived in Mt. Isa in the afternoon, with the car still overheating. We located the people in the church there, the Ron Rule family, and made arrangements to speak for them the next

down to the lake, we found that no camping or dogs were allowed. We finally went around to the back side of the lake, away from the picnic area, outin thecow paddocks, where there was nothing but spinifex (grass that grows in clumps with shortspikes onit) and a lot ofdirt. There were flies and ants, and thecar was overheating sobadly that the automatic transmission heated up and fluid boiled out of it. We finally had to stop. We fixed supper there and then moved on. after the car cooled down. Finally we found a place on a little river that flows outof town. Actually, it is not a river, but sort of a stream in which the treated sewage is carried out oftown. Although we could not go into the water, at least it was a place where we could get under some trees for the night.
(Theconclusion ofthis story will be printed in the next newsletter. Be sure to read how the hand of God continued to guard them on
their trip home, even though the hardships they endured became more intense. It is evident from this adventure, that Ed and Jean's greatest need is transportation. How can we evaluate what they are doing? Is the country too rough? Are the people too inaccesible to

morning. Then we went out of town tolook for a camp. We found a man-made lake about 15 to 20 miles out of town, but when we got

try to take the Gospel to them? Are the Kelsey's foolish to think God can provide adequate transportation for them? Is anything too
difficult for our God? Ed and Jean have asked these questions and answered each one with a definite, "No!" But what of us here at home?

What will our answers be? We know God works through His people. Will we let Him work through us?)

GOD WILL SUPPLY EVERY NEED

Praise and thanks be to God! Ed reports, however, the family that was largely responsible for the small income they were receiving from the church in Charters Towersis unable to continue, so that income stopped the first of 1975. Ed and Jean are continuing to serve the church there withoutpay. A recent note from Jean reported four baptisms. Again, praise the Lord! Ed expects to have more time for
work in the Outback in 1975.

The.Lord continues to supply the Kelsey's needs. Financial support from the U.S. has increased in the last two or three months

The devaluation of the U.S. dollarcontinues to be a problem. Out of every dollar sent to them, Ed and Jean actually receive about $.68. They never see the remaining $.32. This is a frustrating situation for supporters, as well as for the Kelsey's. The Kelsey's are deeply grateful to and for the wonderful people who support them in their work of spreading the Gospel in Australia. If you support Ed and Jean, please accept their thanks. If you do not support them, willyou please prayerfully consider these
worthy servants of the Lord?

A complete financial report will appear in the next newsletter.

DVBS MATERIALS AVAILABLE!

We now have available slide programs and display materials for V.B.S. programs. If you are interested in obtaining these, please let us know in plenty of time to get them to
you at the following address:
PIONEERS FOR CHRIST

Would you like to remember the Kelsey family on their birthdays?

Their birthdays are:

Daniel - Age 15
Tammy - Age 13 David - Age 12

August 12,1959
March 27,1961 December 11.1962

c/o Frank C. Otero 315 Connor Avenue

Joplin, MO 64801

Carl - Age 10 Joshua - Age 7 Jean - Age 34 Ed - Age 38

January 25.1965 August 12,1967 February 18.1940 May 19.1936

Mailed By CAPSTAN, INC. Drawer Checotah, Okla.74426

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Non-Profit

Organizcrtion
U.S. POSTAGE PAID PermitNo.12 Checotah, Okla. 74426

Library

Ozark
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aible College
tfata Me 64801

JEAN KELSEy

0CT1 0*74

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for CHRIST
ED AND JEAN KELSEV
FIELD ADDRESS 17 Anne St. FORWARDING AGENT

Charters Towers Queensland,

4820 Australia

Frank C. Otero
315 Connor Ave.

Joplin, Mo.

64801

SEPTEMBER, 1974

THE LAND DOWN UNDER: SimUar, but Different!

Australia is a big country...almost as big as the United States of America. A lot of things are similar. For example, the people look the same and dress the same, except for the tropics Wliere most men wear shorts and long socks instead of trousers. This is accepted dress for all occasions, semi-formal or casual, because of the hot
climate.

But, many things are different. For example, we drive on the left side of the highway where you in the States drive on the right hand. By the same token, we walk on the right side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Unusual
as it may seem, however, most people walk on the left side of a sidewalk. In Australia cookies are known as biscuits and biscuits are called scones. Jell-o is called jelly and jelly is called jam, along with the delicious spreads we call jams.

Many of the animals that live in Australia are marsupials, which means that they carry their young in a pouch.
The best known examples are the kangaroo and the koala bear.

Perhaps the biggest difference, though, is in the seasons of the year. Because we are in the southern hemisphere, we have summer when you are having winter. Right now, though many of you are experiencing the
first chilling winds of fall, we are experiencing the first signs of spring.

Although a lot of things are different, there is one thing that remains the same the world over: every man, woman, boy and girl needs to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We want to help people here, or wherever we might go for that matter, to accept Jesus as Lord of their life. You can help us by letting Jesus rule in your heart
and by praying that we can reach many for Him here in Australia.
ISOLATION

The U.S.A. has over 200 million people in it. Although Australia has nearly as much land area as the
continental U.S., there are only 13 million people living here. This means that obviously there are a lot of wide

open spaces. In some parts of the country, especially that known as the out-back, you can go for hundreds of miles and not see another living soul unless you know right where they live. There are people there, alright, but because of the vast distance there are very few towns and many are little more than a small combination service station and grocery store. Even the larger towns, which are still small, usually have no church, and if they do it is usually not one where the Bible is preached faithfully. Most of the teaching the Outback people receive is either from their own reading or the occasional visit of a traveling preacher. We pray that God will help us find the means to travel among these people to minister to their needs, teach them the word more perfectly and encourage them in the faith. No one else is doing this, now. But, miles are not the only thing that separates the people in the Outback. Each year monsoon rains cause huge floods and make outback travel impossible by land vehicles. Perhaps you heard about the terrible Queensland floods this last year on your radio and television news. The big city of Brisbane was really hard hit.

Actually, people in the Outback face this sort of thing every year. It is not uncommon for a river that is dry throughout most of the year to suddenly fill up and overflow its banks flooding land several miles wide, during the

rainy season. There are almost no bridges and the roads become totally impassable. Even trains are stopped from gninir through. During this kind of weather the only way to get through is in a small, light airplane. Whether people are separated by miles, floods or indifference, they still need to know Jesus. If they are not
Christians they need to accept Christ as Savior. If they are Christians, they need fellowship and encouragement
on a regular basis.

Please pray earnestly that an airplane willbe provided to span the miles with the Gospel of Christ. It is surely a ymall investment compared to the many souls that are at stake. We Christians have spent money for many things...can we not spend money now to provide a means for reaching these in need?
In Him,

Ed Kelsey

PLEASE PRAY

As forwarding agents for Ed and Jean Kelsey, we keep noticing two little words in all our communications
from them. These words are, "Please pray."

Ed and Jean live by faith. Their living example of obeying Jesus' words, "Seek first the Kingdom of God," has been an inspiration to us from the time we first met them, about seven years ago. They simply work as hard as they can to build up the Body of Christ, and trust Him to supply what they lack. - "Please pray." "Please pray."
"Please pray." The words echo in our hearts. Will you join us in prayer? There are four main areas where the Kelseys have worked since going to Australia. They are: Cairns, Mareeba, Charters Towers and Cooktown. They ask us to pray for these people.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN CAIRNS

Please pray for Ken and Lesma - Lesma has been a Christian since a young girl, but Ken accepted Christ late in life. They now have two children, one of whom was baptized in 1973 while the Kelseys were in Cairns. Much of the leadership of the Church is on Ken's shoulders, although he is young in Christ. Please pray for Ken
and Lesma.

Please pray for Bernie - Bernie works in the mountains back of Cairns helping a team of loggers. He has had
two years of Bible College, and shares preaching responsibilities with Ken. Bernie needs your prayers, too. Please pray for Fred and Cecily - Fred just accepted Christ- this year, 1974. He has been very faithful, and sees that his entire family attends church regularly. Please pray that Fred will grow rapidly in Christ, and be able to help in the leadership of the church. Cecily has been a Christian for a few years. She has helped to lead several ladies to a closer walk with Jesus. She also runs a Sunday School at her home for neighborhood children. Please pray that God will help her to continue witnessing.

Please pray for Roger Roger is a teen-ager, recently converted, who is on fire for Christ. Please pray that he
will continue to witness and use his life in a special way for Christ. He would make a fine preacher, if it is God's
will.

Please pray for Debbie, Eunice, Nolene and Carol - These are some of the Christian ladies who attend church by themselves. Some are single, some are married and some widowed. Please pray that they will continue to be
faithful to Christ.

Please pray for Cline - Cline is an older man who loves the Lord, but is presently going to church elsewhere.
Please pray that Cline will remain faithful to God's Word.

Please pray for Julie - Julie is over 80 years old, nearly blind, and confined to her home. She was baptized in
1973. Please pray that the people of Cairns will care for her, and keep her from getting discouraged. Please pray that Cairns can get a fuU-time preacher soon.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN MAREEBA

Please pray for Peter and Lorraine - Peter and Lorraine have been Christians for several years. They have largely been responsible for seeing that the Lord's Supper was observed each Lord's Day. They met in their home
because there was no Church of Christ in town. Peter has been in the hospital a lot this year. Please pray that he will get well, and that he and Lorraine will continue to be good servants for our Lord.

Please pray for Mario and Kaye - Both Mario and Kaye were baptized in 1973, and the short time they have been Christians they have really grown in Christ. Mario takes his turn leading at the Lord's Table, and both are eager to do personal work and start a Sunday School. Please pray that their excitement in Christ will help them
mature into zealous, useful servants for Jesus.

Please pray for Ray, Mandy, Trevor and Heather - Ray is a young man who really wants to serve Christ. He moved to Mareeba to help his kinfolks in the church there. Mandy needs your prayers for personal problems. Trevor and Heather recently had the first baby in the small congregation. They named him John. Please pray for all these folks who are trying to serve Christ in this small community where most people do not live for Christ.

Please pray for Pedro - Pedro is a young man who was once very faithful to Christ, but never go.-s to church
anymore.

Please pray that the Mareeba folks can get their Sunday School going. Please pray that they will get the calling program going as they have planned. Please pray that this small group of Christians can reach the community of Mareeba for Christ.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN CHARTERS TOWERS

The Church in Charters Towers has two or three men who are regular attenders, and a few more women. The men are mostly older men and the church was ready to close down when the Kelseys moved there in January,
1974.

Please pray that the people at Charters Towers will not give up. Please pray that the Kelseys can reach the people of Charters Towers for Christ.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN COOKTOWN

There was a small group meeting in Cooktown, but the main family that was holding it together, Nevile and
Nolene and their three children, were transferred to another town with no church. Please pray that those left in Cooktown will continue to meet.

Please pray that Nevile and Nolene will be able to start a church in Biloela, where they now live. Please pray that God will provide the necessary transportation and funds so the Kelseys can visit all of these places and encourage and help the brethren. PLEASE PRAY!! PLEASE PRAY!! PLEASE PRAY!!!
Because of Christ's Love Frank and Alke Otero

315 Connor Joplin, MO 64801

Forwarding agents for Ed and Jean Kelsey

CONTRIBUTORS FOR PIONEERS FOR CHRIST

PIONEERS FOR CHRIST FINANCIAL REPORT

January through June, 1974

First Christian Church, Piedmont, Mo. Jenny York, Sanford, Fla.

January thru June, 1974

Balance on Hand January 1,1974

Aircraft Fund Contributions

109.51
24.50

Church of Christ, Philipsburg, Pa. Laughlintown Christian Church, Ligonier, Pa M/M Leonard H. Woolard, Virginia Beach, Va. M/M Leory Roberson, Virginia Beach, Va. Surprise Christian Church, Brownstown, Ind.
Greiner Ave Church of Christ, Detroit, Mich.

Contributions for Six Months Total

EXPENDITURES

2,225.57 $2,359.58

Nellie Bryan Guild, Mountain City, Tenn. Jr. Bible Class - Church of Christ, Wilmington, Ohio M/M Frank C. Otero, Joplin, Mo. O.B.C. Lord's Reapers, Joplin, Mo. Christian Church of Libby, Libby, Mont.
Martin J. Fisher, Lukachukai, Ariz. M/M Alvin Moss, Newton, Miss.

Operating Fund - Australia Books and Teaching Aids

1,965.00 68.33

Hospitalization
Postage
Miscellaneous

163.48
32.64
9.00

Office Supplies Loan Payment

Total Expenditures

5.00 35.00 $2,278.45

Major & Mrs. Tanksley, Woodbridge, Va.

Ansonia Church of Christ, Ansonia, Conn.

Mrs. Irene Agemy

New Testament Church of Christ, Duncan, Okla.

Mill Springs Christian Church, Mill Springs, Mo.

M/M Arthur V. Howell, Troutdale, Ariz.

Balance on Hand June 30,1974 Total in Aircraft Fund June 30,1974

81.13

$ 610.78

First Christian Church, Elgin, Oregon Sarita C. Lunsford, Tampa, Fla. Mrs. Leon Nicholas, Scottsburg, Ariz.
Sarah F. Cortez, Piedmont, Mo.

Jack E. Bushy, Salem, 111. M/M Jack C. Hays, Palestine, Ohio Mrs. Richard Vegher, McAlester, Okla. Opal E. Young, Greenville, Ohio