Adventures in Australia Day 2

Long Live the Faith of Christ in Australia!

Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros in 1606 became the first explorer to lay claim to Australia. He was also a man with a heart for God. Between the 14th and 15th centuries the Spaniards began sending expeditions into the South Pacific.

Their purpose was to carry the Bible to these lands (as well as a quest for riches). This is borne out in a letter from a Spanish diplomat to King Phillip 111: "That no time be lost in discovering that Australia region so far unknown, so these people may have knowledge of the Gospel and be brought into Spiritual obedience." De Quiros gave this continent its name "La Australia del Espiritu Santo" or literally "Great Southland of the Holy Spirit". No other nation has ever been blessed with the name "Land of the Holy Spirit"!

Sailing into the waters of the South Pacific and sighting land de Quiros took possession, calling it the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. His actual proclamation was as follows: 

"Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their creatures and all those here present witness that I, Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, in the name of Jesus Christ, hoist this emblem of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ's person was crucified and whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of the human race, on this day of Pentecost, 14 May 1606, I take possession of all this part of the South as far as the pole in the name of Jesus, which from now on shall be called the Southern land of the Holy Spirit and this always and forever to the end that to all natives, in all the said lands, the holy, sacred evangel may be preached zealously and openly."

After the proclamation the ships' cannons roared and soldiers fired their muskets and de Quiros and his men shouted: "Long live the Faith of Christ!" 

And so we too, as we walk the land and connect with the people, join in agreement with this prayer.

Beechworth on the map

View of residential area of the town

Historical gold mining town from the 1800`s

A typical Colonial style home

Alot of the town names have aboriginal roots

Surrounding countryside- lots of pastureland

Today it was raining so we had a quiet fireside morning.  It was a blessing to rest and catch up with our friend Jacky (our hostess and friend that we first met at the Jerusalem House of Prayer).  After lunch we toured the countryside and had some delicious cheese at a local cheese factory.  We came home and snacked on crackers, cheese, macadamia nuts, and a new taste experience, QUINCE!!! YUM!