Packing!

OK, so we have now officially packed 1 bag.  Its our largest one, and so far it weighs 22kgs, full of Samuels clothing, medical supplies and 1 set of flippers/snorkel.  We were able to purchase a large metal boxed first aid kit from ALDI (Gotta love their prices!).  So we have added to that to make it an awesome first aid kit, and then we have two other plastic shopping bags full of other stuff - like vitamins and mozzie repellents and sunscreen and all my homeopathic remedy's etc.  Im sure we will use a lot of it on our neighbours, and when we do mountain visits (sometimes while we deliver bibles or on water project trips we get asked to help ease a bad toothache or infected wound).  You may be interested to know that i use isocol (rubbing alcohol) on Serenity and Israels skin as a mozzie repellent.  I also use a bit of Vicks or the cheaper Indonesian versions.  they seem to work really well, and are nicer on their skin then RID etc.  We will arrive after the end of the wet season, so i am hoping the mozzies wont be too bad.

We are generally reluctant to use anti malarial tablets, however  Samuel has bought some Doxycylcin and i am going to firmly "encourage" him to take them daily.  I think his body needs a break from malaria.  Although of course Dengue has no preventative medicine, except perhaps regular doses of paw paw leaf and flowers.

So that is where prayer is really important.  Please pray for protection from serious illnes, and strength of body to resist and heal quickly.

I thought you may like to see this cool rainbow leaf smiley face.  On our recent trip south, we camped by a creek in a state forest, and the kids and me collected lots of different coloured leaves - From a pure deep green, right through to red/purple.  Serenity was inspired to create a face with some seed pod eyes :)

Gods creation is pretty awesome hey?

packing and prayers

Oops, i forget to update on Serenity's passport.... It arrived! (Thanks to God)

Countdown continuing...11 days to go.
Yesterday we purchased lots of medical supplies, both for ourselves and for our first aid kit, which is proving quite large.   I am also starting to make more serious "piles" of what we will take.  I'm feeling more relaxed this time in regards to packing.  I know now what things i can purchase over there easily, such as second hand clothing, and ointments similar to tigar balm and vicks.  It also helps knowing we will be home for 3 weeks in June.  It means i only need to take minimal school items for serenity, and i can restock/exchange books etc when we return.

We had our last Sunday at our church (Grafton Salvation Army) this morning. And Samuel spoke at my mum and dads church (Maclean baptist church) this evening.  It was lovely to hear from so many people that they will pray for us!  What a blessing to be supported in that way by so many.

Tweed Heads Salvos

I just found the website for Tweed Head Salvation Army.  They are planning to bring a team over to us in  East Timor in early July.  They have 8 people planning to come.  They are really excited about the whole trip, and the whole church is supporting them, with a fund raising team, a prayer team  etc read more.  They already have $5000 raised and we hope to be able to purchase a small truck.  We could use this to transport supplies for water projects, carry people, bibles and other supplies to remote areas, we could also offer its use to other mission organisations, and even hire it out to help bring in an income.  We hope to employ a Timorese man as the driver.
If you are in the Tweed Heads area you may like to support their latest fund raising  concert.

Wow! where has time flown?

Well, time is really flying now! in 15 days we will leave Brisbane, and arrive in Dili the next morning - the 9th April.  We returned yesterday from a 6 day holiday/trip to Sydney for Samuels brothers wedding.  It was great to get away and camp at some beautiful places, but also very tiring!

Today was back into school work for Serenity.  She will be missing a few days over the next 2-3 weeks, so we are trying to fit in as much as we can.

Last night Samuel emailed Maun Je (Our friend/landlord) to let him know when we arrive.  When i say emailed him, I really mean emailed a friend Rob Williams, (seeds of life) over there with a letter attached, and asked if he could hand deliver it. :)

Tickets purchased!

Well we have finally purchased some tickets to fly to Dili on the 9th April.  We had been trawling the various airline websites over the weekend looking for the cheapest connecting flights.

We are still waiting for Serenity's new passport to arrive, but it should get here this week.

We put together an updated photo/card to hand out to interested people at the churches we visit.  Heres a preview:

The sunrise picture in the background was a photo taken by Darryll Smidt (from the Grafton Salvos) when he visited East Timor last Easter.  The beach is behind the house where we will live.  It really is beautiful.  Your welcome to come over for a tropical relax sometime... snorkelling, swimming, eating fresh coconuts and pineapples...sounds great hey?

Preparing to leave

Well, time is quickly passing.  We still hope to get to Dili in early April, but we havent bought tickets yet.
Samuel has prepared a rough timetable and pricing outline for the team from Tweed heads who are planning to come over in July. 

I haven't arranged malaria tablets, imunisations for Israel, Dental checkups for us all and last minute paperwork.  Feeling just slightly stressed.

We are staying with mum and dad in their lovely house.