LDC 2003 is well under way, with a new Course Director [Walt Tregea] and new Adjutant [Joel Hiscox] and Dave Bell returning as Chaplain. Appointment of Squad Officers is well underway. The location is the same as last year, however the course is now happening in the second week of the July State School Holidays - contact BB NSW HQ for more info - 9896 7255.

I have some images from the camp which will go on the 2002 site sometime over the next week - and I will also put up a video which I made for my Church to show them what happened.

Ed's baptism was an excellent night. Chris Marshall and myself were there and it was a great chance to catch up with the Epping guys.

One of the Boys, Ed, from this years course is being baptised on July 28th - participants and staff from this years course will have been notified through the course mailing list - otherwise call someone to get the details of where and when.

The course finished last night with Graduation, a great feeling was in the air last night as we met for the last time to celebrate the things that God had done and pray about the continued growth of the participants.

The course was fantastic with the participants really focused on working on developing an effective team. We are aware of 2 participants who made commitments and praise God for that. The Thursday night was a very significant time for us all as we marvelled afresh that God loves us so much that he would be prepared to die for us.

Final numbers are 20 Stage 1 and 8 Stage 2. For daily email prayer updates, join the mailing list by following the link above.

Staff are Brendan Daly [CD] David Bell [Chap] Walt Tregea [Adj] Matt Fletcher [Stage 1] Joel Hiscox [Stage 1] Chris Marshall [Stage 1] and Andrew Kingsmill [Stage 2].

I pray that during this week, you too will look around and see God at work doing awesome things - because I know that I will.

Well there is not long to go now until LDC begins. We now have 8 for Stage 2 and 14 Stage 1. All the last minute things are getting done and seems to be shaping up as a great camp - God is really bringing together everything in the right place and time - as he always does.

Stage 2 guys should be contacted by the Squad Officer during this week. If you can't guarentee that you can get the Journal returned to Brigade House by the mail on Friday then it is better to bring it to Course with you, than to have to get to Brigade House on Monday. So if in doubt bring it with you.

Current numbers are 6 Stage 2 and 14 Stage 1.

The graduation is going to be held at Challenge Ranch itself. The letter was left open ended because we had been unable to confirm that there was not a large group coming in on the Friday night. Clearly if there was then we would have to go offsite. It was never meant to suggest that Graduation could not be at Challenge Ranch just that it would be in the general area at a definite time so that some plans could be made.

This close to camp I can feel the adrenalin building. I am very excited that Stage 2 will be running again, and am looking forward to getting to know a whole new bunch of guys in Stage 1. Not long to go now. I will see you all next Saturday.

The numbers now are 13 Stage 1 and 4 Stage 2. Things are firming up and it looks like Stage 2 will be going ahead.

As of Thursday the numbers were 10 for Stage 1 and 3 for Stage 2. These numbers make the whole course look shakey. We need to have forms in as quickly as possible - especially since the camp site has been so generous with the price this year. If we can get a few more Stage 2 then the course will run.