Packing Again

Well here we are, last night in Oz, bags roughly packed, last minute paperwork, and 4 tired bodies.  Cynthia has been putting together a heap of materials for her sewing project and hopes to pick up some important material from Brisbane on the way through to the airport.  A wonderful lady has donated her own almost brand new sewing machine for Cynthia's project which is very exciting.  Other ladies in the community have donated enough money for 2 treadle sewing machine and an overlocker so this project is well and truly up on its way - thanks heaps for all your support.  We hope to soon send photos of a small sewing industry in action!
Samuel has been working flat out on a building project here in Lismore as well as fielding calls from East Timor for the Los Palos Training Centre.  The American, Lon who has been working on it for 3 weeks has raised the walls ready (pretty much...hopefully) for the Salvo team from Tweed to put a roof on with Samuel.  It's been a hectic 3 weeks and we haven't had nearly enough time to gather materials and research on the net for things we want to do.
The kids have had heaps of fun hanging out with the grandparents, jumping on the trampoline and riding bikes (on a thing you call concrete) as well as watching lots of cartoons.

Pray for us as we return to East Timor with our first team.

Fun Run

We are half way through our 3 week visit in Australia.  Cynthia has been enjoying being able to use the internet.  She has been researching products for her sewing project.  She also had a great talk with a group of ladies who were very supportive of what she is doing.  Samuel has been working hard on a building site in Lismore. 

We have just visited Tweed Heads Salvation Army who are sending a team over with us for 2 weeks.  Its amazing to see a whole church get excited about helping people in East Timor.  On Sunday afternoon they arranged a fun run as a fundraiser for the team’s project and also to raise awareness of the work in East Timor.

Angela Cairns (who organised the fun run) with Samuel

Every sponsored entrant had to carry 2 litres of water! to experience a little of what it is like for the poorer members of our world. 

Some youth supporting the cause!

Cynthia  and Leanne, getting to know each other.  Leanne is one of the women coming over with the team.

Sylvia - the other intrepid woman brave enough to visit East Timor!

We look forward to getting back to our home church in Grafton next week before heading back to East Timor with the team.   We plan to take them to Los Palos to put a roof on the Training Centre.

Mayhem and Tranquility

1 sleep to go!

My brain is in overload... take this, do that, go there, see them, pay this, ring him, don't forget to.... ah...  um...what was it again?

These are some of the more positive things i can look forward to...

Peaceful sunsets admiring Gods gorgeous exterior colour schemes, sifting through pastel coloured pebbles, making small piles of white ones, finding the odd shell, watching the hand dug outrigger canoes land after a days fishing, chatting with fellow foreigners who may be visiting the beach, watching Serenity and Israel play for hours with the kids from next door.   

Also have to mention the lovely neighbours, the constant supply of fresh tropical fruits available (including yummy coconuts picked by the young boys next door whenever we request one).

Hmmm sounds nice hey.. 

I might just keep these thoughts forefront at the moment. ;)

A piece of tranquility.

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.