Friday, March 25, 2011

East Timor and the results of the job interview

We have finally walked away from the work in Lismore.  Of Course Samuel worked right up to the last moment before hopping in the car to go to Brisbane.  One of the more notable accomplishments in the last week (in Samuel’s mind) was the construction of a composting toilet complete with solar powered exhaust fan.  I hope it works.  The most notable accomplishment was really Cynthia holding things together, organising final appointments and getting supplies ready to leave Australia for an indefinite period.  We are really going out on a limb here.  We do not have enough money to do any more than just arrive in Dili and hope we get this job.  And we certainly don’t have enough money to come back again if this fails.  Still Samuel is adamant that you only live once and every once in a while you should take a little risk.
Stephen from CRC Churches graciously picked us up in Darwin in the middle of the night so we could sleep in a bed for a few hours.  The kids loved their dogs.  Thanks for everything guys. 
We arrived in Dili Wednesday morning  and were very happy to see old friends and East Timor.  We were welcomed back to the little family cluster and are able to stay in the original shared house arrangement from last year.  We spent the day relaxing, swimming, sleeping and Samuel studying documents and acronyms for the job interview.  Serenity and Israel got a little sick with fever possibly due to all the changes in aeroplane aircon and tropical humidity but seem to be ok now.




We checked out the new mission base and its looking great.  The boys are doing a good job and laying the blocks for the upper floor.  It even comes with a jump ramp out the front (which the builders are using to barrow up concrete for now).




 
Thursday morning I sat for the interview with a panel of 4 men – 1 Australian from the University of Western Australia and 3 Timorese.  The Australian didn’t know much Tetun and the 2 key Timorese didn’t know much English so I answered a set of English questions briefly in English, then translated the questions into Tetun and then answered them extensively in Tetun.  Interesting way of doing things.  You might be happy to know I shaved, bought an opshop paisley tie and Cynthia even ironed my pants (quite a feat in Timor).



Dumb job, who wants a job like that anyway.  Grmbl *;;###’^^  grr, grmmf.

When Cynthia realised I was not succesful in getting the job she went inside and broke out in tears.  What a disaster.  Samuel is ever the optimist and figures God probably has some other plan in mind.  Cynthia is not sure if heaven exists.  It was probably the paisley tie that did it.
So now what? Go for a swim.  Its a nice beach here.

5 comments:

arlene said...

thats very disappointing! its a shame they couldn't have interviewed you from australia considering they had an aussie on the panel. what were they looking for if you didn't fit the bill?

Deborah Joy Bacon said...

Hahaha! Yes its that paisley tie alright! Heaven does exist God just wanted you back there sooner.... good Sam is having a break! A miracle! See heaven exists on the beach. I wonder what exciting things God has planned for you now??????? Wow! wish I was there. :-) real excited. I know the conditions are hard but as you once said Sam..."Location Location!" Love you all Grand/ma

Unknown said...

Thinking of you guys!! I know this is a set back, or might seem like one, but God has you in His hands. He wouldn't have worked it all out like this if it wasn't going to work. Keep your eyes focused on Him and not what you see around you. Circumstances change - God does not. He is faithful always, even if we can't see it coming together.
Rom 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Love you and praying for you!
eliza

. said...

We are thinking of you all and praying for you here at Lismore.
Just a thought to throw your way. at the Lismore soup Kitchen we are starting a '100 club'campaign. 100 people give $10 a month to the soupie. How about a '100 club' for the Bacons. 100 people set up a monthly direct debit into the Bacon's account. How about it people. Who is on for it.
Bronwyn

Anonymous said...

Hi @ Bronwyn - What a wonderful idea!

Everything happens for a reason!