The Hebron Herald

As with the rest of the nation, the rains were slow in coming this autumn but this week we have received a healthy amount of rain and the trees and paddocks are responding well.  So far this month we have received 32.8mm - praise Yehovah!   The top dam beginning to fill I took advantage of the start of the rains and planted the dozen young capers we bought, so it will be interesting to see how they settle in and develop next season.  I've also got about 50 lucerne seedlings to plant out, which I'll begin next weekend.  The progressive plantings of trees, either for shade, shelter or harvest, will be an ongoing activity but one that is immensely rewarding.  Long range forecasts suggest that we should receive normal rainfall this winter, which will refill both dams and give all the trees much needed rejuvenation.  Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Shavuot with like-minded followers of Yeshua in the city.  It is the wisdom of Yehovah...

Today we took delivery of our newest resident, a white alpaca to join Gulliver in guarding the flock.  He's a pretty boy with lovely manners, although I'm not sure he'll be so compliant after running free in the paddock for months at a time. First look at his new home He has settled in quickly and Gulliver seems to ignore him with disdain and the flock have accepted his presence.  I was a bit curious as to what was happening out there earlier this afternoon as I had observed the flock running up and down the paddock.  The newbie was obviously anxious to make friends but the flock were having none of it :)  Jolyon Porter of Yacka Ridge Alpacas Of course the big question will be what to name him.  The name the breeders used for him is Hunter but as he doesn't know this we can rename him if we want.  Brendan's suggestion was Gabriel or David (as in a protector) and Trevor's suggestion was Lilliput (as in the little people in Gulliver's Travels)....

It's not everyday that I get visitors here at Hebron and so unexpected arrivals are always welcome.  Even more welcome are those visitors that make me smile.  Tonight I stepped outside to enjoy the dusk when I was greeted by the unusual sight of seven deer and one billy goat making themselves at home in the driveway paddock.  The photos aren't very good but you get you the idea.  Who knows where this odd mob came from and where they're heading but it was nice to see them passing through....even though they were a bit rough on the fences. I checked the dam and it would appear that Brendan and Trevor's fencing has worked and the flock are no longer accessing it.  Brendan put half a dozen fish in there a few weeks ago but I haven't been able to catch sight of them to check on their progress.  We may be receiving more rain on this weekend and it will be good to eventually see both dams fill and freshen up.  On the weekend I went to a local alpac...

Well there may be no red roses but it surely is a beautiful world here at Hebron. (A Beautiful World by Lois Armstrong) After the bit of rain we had last week the paddocks are starting to green up, which will provide much needed extra nutrition for the flock.   This weekend has been a blend of fellowship, worship, introduction to Hebrew and working bee.  The main purpose of this property is for fellowship, so our shabbat gatherings and meal times are especially enjoyable.  This shabbat Justin presented an introduction to the Hebrew language and walked us through the first five verses of the torah.  Stretching the old grey cells! Today we bowled over a number of jobs on the to-do list, although naturally there's always plenty of tasks on page 2.  The first task was to bring the flock in and give them a good look over and separate the ram and wethers.  The flock and Gulliver are now used to their home and moved to the yards nice and easy, which ...

The rains came today, much to the relief of all South Australians.  Praise Yehovah!  Here at Hebron we have recorded 11mm and although this may not sound a lot it's a good start to the season.  I've even lit the fire for the first time and am enjoying watching the flames as I write this. Christina and the children spent a couple days up here this week and their visit was very timely.  The rebel dozen of the flock had decided to push through the fence again so I needed help to put up ring lock down the fence line to the water trough.  Yohanan was the chief fence holder and Yakira was the dispenser of cut lengths of wire for us to twitch the ring lock to the fence line - we made a great team :)  Unfortunately I woke up to find a lamb carcass had been dragged into the shed paddock.  When I buried it I discovered it wasn't one of ours but a merino lamb, so obviously it had been dragged in from a neighbour's property.  Having said that, we may ha...

Just when I think things are ticking along nicely on this small patch of dirt we call Hebron, my nemesis insidiously takes advantage of my false assurance.  Yes, that's right, those pesky rabbits were just waiting in the wings to slip under my radar. (how's that for a mixed metaphor?)  A few weeks ago we had a big wind go through and it blew off a lot of the bags protecting the capers.  Because I had been baiting the rabbits and had not seen any evidence of feeding rabbits for a few weeks I didn't rebag the plants.  Unfortunately this decision (probably in some part dictated by my lazy gene) allowed the remaining rabbits to partake of the smorgasbord.  Some plants were eaten right down, while others were just nibbled on.  So I rebagged all the plants and set about laying bait again.  If those cute little bunnies want a free feed then I'm more than happy to oblige! Thankfully there are plenty more redeeming moments to restore the spirits, such as waki...

The primary purpose and ethos of Hebron is to be a provision and expression for this small community that Yehovah is developing.  These opportunities to come together to enjoy one another's company and benefit from the synergy that comes from each individual's participation in the spiritual and physical activities are invaluable for our growth and development, personally and communally.  The relationships that are developed during these times are certainly precious.  We came together this weekend for the sabbath, followed by a working bee on Sunday. We then gathered together at Shekem in Littlehampton for a convocation for the 7th day of Unleavened Bread.  It has been a wonderful week of reflection and re-commitment.  What an immense privilege it is to be set apart from Egypt and the ways of this world and be grafted into Israel and the redemptive promise. This weekend's working bee was centred on the wellbeing of our flock.  One of the more unpleasan...