Packing Up & Saying Goodbye...

From Idaho we travelled up to Revelstoke where we spent a final week with my family before we said our goodbyes for a few years. I'll say this much, goodbye's are not easy. It also was our last Sunday to attend the church I grew up in (Revelstoke Fellowship Baptist). Amy and I were so blessed to have the church pray for us and send us out as one of them - part of the body of Christ in Revelstoke. It is such a honour and blessing to represent the churches (including so many individuals & families) back home here who have & will invest so much into what we're doing with MAF.

Please continue to pray for our visas to arrive soon, as our language school in Salatiga starts on Nov. 18th. We would like to arrive at least a week early to settle our family into our new home before school starts for Amy and I.

 Ahhh...stretch! I can't imagine it is much fun travelling for two days with a suitcase stuffed where your legs normally go. Luke & Simon did just that.

 Taking a morning travel break somewhere north or south of Penticton (I can't remember).

 Looks can be deceiving, there isn't an inch to spare inside this van! By the way, the trailer is named "Jeremy".  Don't ask, I'm not the one who named it. Jeremy is for sale by the way.  Jeremy's location: Revelstoke, BC

 Mt. Mackenzie & Mt. Cartier just south of Revelstoke...I wanted to snap a few extra pic's of Revelstoke & surroundings to have with me in Indonesia. 

 Helena enjoying a dirt road ride in Papa's truck!

 Papa & Helena

Our "bags" ready for the airplane...well, we have a couple more suitcases to add to the mix. Thanks to my Dad for delivering them from Revelstoke to Chilliwack. I must say, after all the packing & prep we've done in the last year, I never realized how hard it would be to pack these bins. This is what we'll have with us from North America for our first year in Indonesia. Our crates that we packed in Prince George will be delivered to Papua when we've arrived there after language school.

Turning 3...

The 17th was Helena's third birthday. Pink plates, cups, & napkins along with a "princess hat" made for a very "Helena" birthday celebration. Not to mention - cupcakes & presents!



Luke & Simon have recently decided that the latest and greatest pass-time is playing "Angry Birds" on Dad's ipod. Of course, they only get it in 'doses' if they're good (and when Mom & Dad need a break). How on earth did people raise their children before ipods!? (joke)

Lego...

Playing lego has become one of our kids favourite pass times (no influence what-so-ever from their Dad). To add to what they have with them down here in Nampa, they have a big rubbermaid bin full of it waiting in our crates...a welcome surprise once we arrive in Papua!

Neat Video

Here's a neat MAF Tanzania video I came across a while back.

Wow, not too many more sleeps!

The last week or two Amy and I have been noticing the end to our time here in Nampa is creeping up. And that means not too many more sleeps till a rather long airplane ride...Exciting! Along with that excitement we've also been doing a little "Ok, ok...now, uh, what else do we need to do!?" I think I've made lists of things I need to make lists about, and when I lose them I make more lists. I should make a note about not losing lists. I'm my Mother's boy...My Mom has been known to write a list or two, I certainly remember "chore lists". Now I write lists. Hey, don't judge me. Now where were we, oh yah, getting close to Indonesia:


Yesterdey I could not spel Misionery, todey I are one!
I'd certainly love to jump into working on planes the moment we arrive in Indonesia. But, the first challenge we'll be facing there is learning Indonesian. The reality is, in order to be useful, we really need to be able to communicate. Learning the language (to a half decent level) may the most important and useful 'tool' I have in Indonesia.


And maybe more importantly than myself learning Indonesian is Amy learning Indonesian. I can't imagine running a home with four kids, relating with house help, buying food, taking care of business, & not being able to speak the local language. In fact, some days I can't imagine doing that in an english speaking country. We hope that learning the language will also be an invaluable investment in relating to Indonesians, so that we can better learn their culture and reflect Christ to them in how we live our lives.


This last weekend I thought maybe driving 1.5 hours out of town and going for a good hike would be a great idea...But, since we weren't too prepared for all six of us doing that, the voice of reason came calling and we decided a big ol' park in Boise was a more attainable goal (hike maybe another day). Still great for Dad to pack along his camera & take photos of his favourite targets!

Please pray that our Visas to arrive soon, and that all our "i's" get dotted and "t's" get crossed as we spend the next 5 to 6 weeks preparing to leave. Thank you!