We’ve Arrived in Broome!

After a fantastic 6 week, 12,500km around Australia trip (6 states in 6 weeks) we have safely arrived in Broome. We have moved what we have carried with us into a very unique rammed earth house complete with Dalmatian dog that we will be looking after while the owner is overseas. The house is designed to catch the breeze so it has no glass windows or fly screens, just wooden shutters, that are opened wide to cool the house. Speaking of heat – the Lord has been gracious to us. It has been raining – sometimes tropical down pours – since we left NSW. Although this has left us somewhat damp it has also kept the temperatures down. The Broome weather has also been quite pleasant with temperatures hovering around the mid 30’s, and not too bad humidity.

Tim and Emily have started at school. Emily’s teacher is very impressed with her reading skills and is giving her advanced work to do. Tim’s teacher is also great, and he too is excelling (proud father in me), and is getting to know a few boys.

Tuka (our dog) arrived 4 days after us by excess baggage on a plane from Perth with the Mildenhalls (The new rector and his family). She was very excited to see us, and seems to get on well with Bella the Dalmatian.

Bec is a busy as ever getting us all settled, as well as getting to know the ladies of the church. She has taken on the crèche on Sunday morning, the publication of the bulletin and the rosters for the church, as well as singing for the 8am and 10am services.

Lachlan hit the ground running, now having preached two Sundays in a row. We are currently doing a series on Genesis 1-11. Coinciding with the sermon Lachlan produces a bible study sheet which each of the 5 different bible study groups seem to have taken up. Monday evenings he leads a men’s Bible Study which has been a great joy; Tuesday evenings he does the “bread run” which delivers the left over bread from Brumby’s Bakery to the needy in town – up to 13 different locations, and then attends another Bible Study; Wednesday afternoon is a parish prayer meeting, followed by either a vestry or executive meeting every second week; Thursdays is teaching scripture at one of the local primary schools; Friday is helping to run the after school “JAFFA” (Jesus A Friend For All) 5-12 y.o. fellowship group; Saturday is finishing off sermons and spending time with friends and family; and Sunday is 8am and 10am morning services sometimes followed by a BBQ dinner on Cable Beach. In the dry season (April-October) a 6pm contemporary service has been running which Lachlan is keen build up. Lachlan has also been visiting people in Hospital and their own homes, as well as meeting with people who are struggling with evil spirits; or re-discovering Christianity; or who are just at a down patch in their lives.

For your praise

. Our safe arrival.
. A warm welcome by the church and community.
. The sale of our house in Perth and the purchase of a house in Broome (Settlement in mid March) .
. Good teachers for the kids.
. For the previous great ministry teams in Broome who have built this church up so much.

For your prayers

· Adolf – a recovering alcoholic waiting for an operation in Broome before being transferred to a half-way-house in Geraldton.
· Tim Mildenhall’s induction and Lachlan’s commissioning service on 14th February.
· Suitable time off.
· Solidarity as a family.
· Wisdom in how to be effective for the Kingdom of God.