Kenzi Update - Video 2

Kenzi Update - Video Summary

Connor Update - Video

Connor update - Justin Bieber

We went to the Mega Mall in Manado and two girls followed me through the WHOLE entire shopping centre. I think because I'm white and looked older because I was taller than these two indonesian girls that we think are fifteen. Kenzi wanted to go to these three shops that Da and I didn't want to go into at all, pretty jewelry, all that sort of stuff that you would never, ever buy for a boy. We were at the last shop and one of the older teenage staff (I think she was staff there) said something in Indonesian, and then said in English, "That's 'I love you'", and then repeated it in Indonesian again slowly and then said, "Can you say that?" Da went Tidak (no) immediately. While all this was going on the two girls were whispering and then they asked me for a photo and I hate being the center of attention in strange places. After the photos the first girl that had spoken asked me if I was JUSTIN BEIBER! 

And we've done two new thing's in Manado - crossed the road and rode in an open door taxi.        

iCal Notification: Fly Home

Today is the final flying leg of our trip. 

Yesterday both the children had a meltdown. For Connor he had reached the end of his ability to cope with all that has gone on around him and the things he has had to cope with. This expressed itself through him being sick of sharing beds, that he wanted to be back in his own bed. As the one who has had to share with him in all places except Bunaken, I can understand! 

For Kenzi, twice today it was just a breaking down in to tears saying she "just wants to go home". 

Our children have done so well. I have done these sorts of trips with adults and teenagers and have seen some of them respond much, much poorly. We are both very proud of them, amazed that there has not been more meltdowns, and praise God that He has sustained them. 

Our 4am kick off and traveling through three times zones would not have helped yesterday. Add to this average food on the planes and it was a recipe for exhaustion. I then added to the mix by having us stand in line for immigration, only to discover we should have gone through another line for visa on arrival. 

I have no idea how well or poorly I have looked after my family on this trip, but I will be looking forward to not making sure I have passports, money, tickets and I will not miss filling out immigration cards. 

It was amazing to walk through immigration, collect our bags, and then see someone from the Orchid Garden Hotel waiting for us. Why? I was imagining having to find a shuttle bus that goes to the Hotel. Let me contextualise this. We had just come from the Novotel in Manado where the service was so poor. We just received an overall sense that we were more of a bother to the Hotel than guests. The room was bad with many problems, not to mention there was only one bed for four of us. There were lost of other problems at the Novotel as well, but, the reality is, they were all 1st world. 

The contrast for us has been a galaxy size difference. Michelle Chrimes had asked Royal Brunei Airlines to provide a Hotel for us as they had changed our flights. And what a breath of fresh air this has been on our last stay overseas. They were so organised and welcoming. They initially only gave us one room (we were meant to have two), but their care for us meant we were happy to just have one room with two beds and share one more night. But we received food and drink vouchers, when I asked about an adapter it wasn't a problem. Then, when I asked after dinner about the best way to get to the airport, they advised that they would again provide transport AND they remembered that we were meant to have two rooms. So last night Triniti and Kenzi slept in their own room, in two separate beds, whilst Connor and I shared a large bed to ourselves. However, I had to move Connor twice over to his side as I was getting sick of being hit in the head or having his legs kick against mine. Eventually I placed a wall of pillows down the middle of the bed to keep him over there. I too am sick of sharing beds. I too am looking forward to home. 

However, I have been richly blessed to have shared every flight with my son. We have talked and laughed about many things. But yesterday we had a conversation about '1st world problems' and 'real problems'. Now we have a frame of reference. We can delineate between the two and manage life in a new way. 

We currently have the option of where we live. We currently can afford to do many things. We currently have many luxuries and toys, if not as many as others. We have enough. 

As Compassion says, "The opposite of poverty isn't wealth. The opposite of poverty is enough."

We have enough. We have friends. We have family. We have Christ. We return home asking the question, "How can we do more with what we have, to help more those who have less?"

Once more unto the breach! 

As we arrive home, most of you know the next challenge we face before driving home. Pray for Connor and Kenzi as we work through that. 

Goodbye Bunaken. I think the bottles are the floatation devices!

These feet are made for burning! GAH! We all put sunscreen on!

On our trip back to the Novotel. Connor crashed! 

4:50AM at Manado Airport! These three are troopers! 

Connor update - me and little kids

I always knew that I was a little bit of a kid whisperer, but I never knew that I could kick a ball around with a little Indonesian kid with him and me feeling comfortable, despite us not knowing what each other was saying. I also never knew that I would be walking down a little dirt track with with a different little Indonesian kid holding on to three of my fingers, with me holding an umbrella with roses on it!

What Is Said, What We Hear & What It Means

Today was a classic example of how conversations can go as a foreigner in Indonesia, operating with a western mindset. 

What was said: Would you like to go on a Dolphin And Snorkeling Cruise tomorrow? 

What we hear: Would you like to be taken out on a cruise looking for Dolphins, by one of our experienced team members, who knows you haven't been snorkeling before. We will provide the gear and training. It will be completely professional and adhere to all OH&S standards that apply in Australia, in relation to boat safety and staff. 

What It Means: I know this guy, who knows this guy, who owns a boat. Oh you need snorkeling gear? You can hire it here. Oh you have never been snorkeling before? Well do this. Good luck! 

However, despite the boat being dubious, and heading out with two guys we have never met or even seen before today, we got to see a pod of over 100 Dolphins with NO ONE ELSE around AND snorkel and spend some amazing time together as a family. 

This has been an amazing adventure. At times funny, at times devastating, at times sad, but always a great adventure with one of the great gifts God has given me, my family.  

This Moment...Handball

While I am still struggling to put into any coherent sentences just what we have been seeing and hearing and smelling and feeling I am looking through photos. I see happy kids. I see kids who are so appreciative of being given a $2 handball and shown how to play the great Aussie school yard game.
These photos remind me that it is the simple things in life that really matter. Give a kid a ball and a chalk line and some friends and their surroundings matter little.

girls orphanage

samuel

joshua

manado project

This moment...the simple things.

The Joys Of Language

At dinner tonight, as with most meals, we were joined by the resort manager. Some conversations have been more flowing than others, but tonight was superb. The conversation ranged between such subjects as Indonesian Politics, China, Chinese Indonesians, Indigenous Australians, Tasmanian Aborigines, The Stolen Generation, The Sorry, and many other subjects. It was great. 

It came time for Connor and I to head off, as Triniti and Mackenzi had left. In closing, Y asked about how we were going with the wasps and if we needed help. We have had the odd wasp flying in, around and then out again. I replied that it was not that big a problem, it tends to just fly in through one window, into a cupboard and back out another window, and we (dramatised actions included) tend to just avoid it till it flies out. He then said, so do you need my help with the washing machine? We then all cracked up laughing as we realised we had all been talking about different things. Needless to say we assured him that we had sorted it out. 

Tomorrow we are probably going snorkeling and commence the process of journeying home. 

Kenzi has crawled in our bed tonight letting us know she wants to go home. She is sick of motel rooms and the heat, as it makes her feel sick. She can't actually decide whether she wants to go home or stay. 

Anyway, to all those who love us back home, we will see you soon. To all those who love us here and we have come to love even deeper, Salamat Tingal. 

This Moment...Icecream

no words....just delightful, blissful faces.

For The Teachers Out There

We will never complain about the classroom environment for our children. 

Some of the children we have spoken to walk 45 minutes to receive an education, and sit through insane heat, to receive their education. Not every child has access to education in Indonesia, and for those who do, even for those who are sponsored and part of a project, the family can place pressure to leave and find work, of whatever kind. 

We asked the families we visited, what their dreams were for their children. 

For Mega is was that she would finish school and go to University. 

For Samuel is what that he might become disciplined and finish school. 

For Joshua it was that he would become a Doctor. 

For the last two boys we saw, it was that they would become Pastors. 

We want to make a bigger difference for here. Triniti received a rejection from an employment application just before our departure. We wondered if that was an indication that we were one day meant to actually live here. 

Jakarta confirmed it was definitely not Jakarta, but Manado left us wondering. However, we feel more strongly led to come back to Australia and simply make a bigger difference for here. Although we did wonder about the prospect of learning more Indonesian and maybe working for Compassion here. But we have made the right decision coming. Connor and Kenzi have a new world view and have a better center for their compass. We want to bring others here. Others who don't sponsor any children, to show the difference you can make. But Compassion in Indonesia need more staff. We need to pray for those people to step up. We also wonder if The Salvation Army is a part of that answer. We are putting that seed away to explore further on our return. 

For us as we relax at this resort, Triniti and I have a chance to actually talk about what has happened and what we want to do with what we have. 

I asked Mackenzi what she thought God was saying to her through this trip. Her response was along the lines of being happy with what she has and not wanting more than she needs. 

Connor responded that he would never complain about a church service length or the heat in Australia again. But when probed for a serious answer he replied, "The same as Kenzi." 

Already we have it in our minds that we must come back. We will do things better. We will space out our visits and time with Compassion. We will try more food (Although each one of us has been adventurous but also wise). We will pack less clothes. But one thing we can not do more of is savour every moment, every conversation, every sight, every sound. We have drilled deep in to Indonesia. It has been a wealth of experience and resource. We have drunk deep. 

LOL - My Mistake

That was just the island's electricity going off for a few hours :)

Bummer News

Well, it looks as if my Mac power supply has given up ghost, so the rest of the trip may have to be done via mobile. This just means our pictures will be poor quality, but there are of course bigger issues in the world to deal with.

Connor Update - Boats, Sunsets, Lanterns and Volcanoes

So, yesterday we went out to the harbor to catch a boat to Bunaken Island. We were all a bit dubious about the boat that we went in, plus we had to make it to the boat by climbing over other boats.

We had seen the volcano from a distance by plane and by land and I have been wanting to take a picture, but now we are literally right next to it, well, thats how I feel at least.

I have seen very pretty sunsets in Australia but this sunset was stunning. I have never seen the sun so orange in my long, wise life. The way the volcano was framed         against the sun and the orange cloud.

The electric lights don't fit in with the old fashioned huts so they have put glass lanterns up. It looks really good.

Whilst Everyone Sleeps

I am laying here reflecting on the trip this has been. What a whirlwind! At times I can't believe what we have done and I am blown away by how well Connor and Kenzi have done in the face of poverty. How Connor has allowed himself to be hugged, have his personal space bubble popped (and it's a big bubble!) and have 100's of photos taken of him, even by complete strangers in malls or the street. 

Both the children have processed differently. Connor has hated saying goodbye to people. Kenzi wants to get home and start a club at school where they pay 5 cents a day and can sponsor children. Both however have been pushed to their limit and they have done so well. 

We were blown away in the weeks leading up to this trip by other people's desire to contribute financially or give particular gifts. Whilst helping one class out at my school, one boy, K and his teacher T, gave us his picture of a wombat. We gave one of the two pictures to our sponsor girl Mega. Thanks T and K. 

This Moment....Mothers

This moment I am blessed to have met these incredible women. Every day these women are challenged to feed, clothe, house and educate their children.

This moment I am glad I have experienced their joy in the midst of some fairly BIG, CRAZY challenges. One Mother had to watch her little boy not respond to medical treatment and die. Another only just survived an ectopic pregnancy because funds came through for her surgery at the very last moment. They choose JOY. Truly inspirational and inspiring when sometimes all my challenges amount to are untidy bedrooms and grumpy kids because they have not had enough sleep! I CHOOSE joy.

This moment I am remembering all the other incredible Mum's I know and how everyday they are challenged (in many different ways) and how everyday they dream BIG for their kids and how everyday they care for their kids and how every day they love their kids, just like the Mums I have met this week.

This moment I am so grateful for my kids and for giving me the opportunity to be able to say, "My name is Triniti and I am a Mummy."
This moment I am also grateful that we can support these Mums by providing a small amount of money each month to help with food, clothing, education and housing.

This moment I am thankful.

Another Great Evening Of Blessing

Last night we were expecting a fantastic night seeing S. When we found out that G & S(O) were coming as well, there are no words for that. 

We also were able to, with the help of O, identify an Indonesian word we have been trying to identify  our whole time here. I should have written it down, but no doubt O can get back to me with it. 

It was also a great night in that O, who I did know that well, is a kindred spirit in faith, passion, heart, mind and ministry. As we got talking, well, we could have just kept going. It was one of those nights where time and the real world kept interrupting the conversations! We pray for more in the future and ongoing electronically! 

It was also a fun night walking to the local mall, crossing the road a few times and riding in another open taxi! You will see below that some of theses taxi's are more a mobile club than a taxi! 

Poor Mackenzi is exhausted and had a meltdown last night, about something that with a clear mind allowing perspective she would have processed better. Poor thing! 

Last night was the last night we asked the kids to push through and stay up late. Today we head to Bunaken Island and it will be a good five nights from here of just me and my family. This will be a valuable time. We also all get our own beds tonight. 

The nights in Jakarta I shared a bed with Connor, and Trin shared with Kenzi. The first night in Manado Kenzi had the single bed, Connor and Trin the main bed and I tried both those and putting three chairs together. The second night I got the single bed and the other three in the main. Last night Trin got the single. 

A Very Different Day

God's timing is perfect. 

The last five days have been full on. We received news today that rocked our world, and had we received it at any point in the last five days would have made these days even harder, and perhaps even a distraction. No access to email until today has meant that an email sent a few days ago only was read today. So on the same day we decided to take it easy, the news came through. 

So after breakfast we stayed at our hotel until midday, and then decided to hire a driver and we went out to just relax and take in some "familiar" settings for lunch. We did try a new restaurant, and without a translator took a punt with the food. 50% of what we ordered was what we were expecting. As result I ate two plates of nasi goreng that had chilli throughout. 

Mackenzi thought she would be brave last night and tried some chilli. We warned her against it, but if you know Kenzi, she is strong willed and not always easily swayed. Needless to say it wasn't pretty. But she is still alive and no permanent damage. 

I took the children and Triniti to see the monument to Christ. 

Today has been a very relaxing day before heading on to Bunaken Island. 

I get to have dinner with another old Manado Compassion friend, S, and have the family enjoy her. Tonight S is joining us to go look for material with Triniti. Again, timely and a blessing. 

Speaking of meals, we are all pretty convinced we never want to go out to dinner in Australia again. A meal in a cafe in Australia can cost over $100 for six people. Three times now we have had the privilege of being out to dinner with sponsored families and friends here in Indonesia. One was a meal for 8 people and cost less than $32 AUS, another with 10 people less than $30 AUS and on Tuesday night with 7 of us for less than $22 AUS. We love being able to be in community and also bless in this way. However, we do not want to spend money we don't need to in Australia so we can save up and come back, do it again and more often. The conversations and bonding over meals is priceless. The people we eat with, a blessing and gift to us! 

An even stranger thing is petrol. We have worked out that petrol here costs .47 cents AUS per litre! WHAT IS THAT ABOUT!?!

 Mega, her Mum and our Compassion staff member Y.

Whoops - Happy Birthday Mum ... for the 22nd!

Connor update - traffic is crazy in Jakarta

You know how in Newcastle a line of twenty cars is our traffic jam? Do you think you're unlucky when you are stuck in a thirty car line up? Do you think you're unlucky when you get beeped at? Well, especially at cross roads in Jakarta, you get beeped ... you maybe should just watch it for yourself ...

Manado Visits - The Return

Three years ago I visited a family with a very sick little boy called Marvel. You can see photos of Marvel in an earlier post. Marvel died about 6 months after that visit despite our attempts to provide some extra medical care for him. 

Today, with my family we returned to the family. Things have changed. The road to their house has been paved by the Government. Through some sponsorship money they were able to lay some cement and provide a shaded area at the front. However, almost everything they had previously in their front room is now gone. 

However, the other four boys are doing well. The Mother has been granted a small kiosk (nothing grand and very basic) by the government because the land they live on (which is not their own) has been so well looked after by them. 

The father also has a job at present in construction, but things change so quickly here. 

We gave them some gifts on behalf of their sponsor, L & M. 

As we walked to the house, memories came flooding back. I was not sure whether Marvel would be discussed. 

It was after Connor, Kenzi and I taught Joshua, his brothers and various other children around how to play handball, that the parents gave me two small photo albums which were photos from the funeral. These were heartbreaking. All the more so as it was an open casket. I can not write more about this. It was just a big day of returning to place of sorry, knowing that through sponsorship and Christ, their is hope. 

Following this, we went and met a family who are currently not sponsored, but the boys are currently attending the project. They need sponsors and so if you are challenged to sponsor a child, this may be the way. Let me know if you are so challenged. 

My Amazing Non-Kinesthetic Son

We have just had amazing day, again. But today again was very demanding on the kids. Today I have been the most emotional so far as waves of exhaustion reached their peek. 

We returned to one of the schools/projects from 2009. 

Four things that have blown me away with Connor this trip: 

1) We sat down in our economy class seats on the first leg of the flight and Connor commenced checking out the chair, the screen, the in-fight entertainment and said, "Man, I can't imagine first class!" 

2) Connor felt bad that people from the hotel would come and clean our room and make the beds etc so set about making both beds as best he could so they wouldn't have to do that. (Now if we can only get him to apply that principle at home!) 

3) Despite being non-kinesthetic, Connor allowed heaps of children today to hug him (this has been the case over the whole time) and take photos with him. He has allowed himself to be pushed. 

4) He has even tried lots of different foods, for example at breakfast today. He asked me if I knew what something was and I had no idea. But I suggested he try it and if he doesn't like it then don't eat the rest. So he did! 

Anyway, we are all in bed. Amazing day. Long Day. Testing Day. But none of us would have it any other way. More tomorrow on how the last 5 days have been! 

Connor Update

I have seen our sponsor kids homes and a community built around a rubbish tip, been to a water park, hotel and a big mall. I am going to compare these now.

Mega's home - happy, small, no beds vs a hotel, big beds, hot breakfasts, polished floor, good view.

Kampung Sawah - happy, dirty, dusty pathway, unhygienic, rats, small or no shops vs shopping mall, big, polished floor, lots of big shops.

Samuel's home - happy, small, tiled, only fan to cool them down vs Atlantis Water Park, water to cool  every one down, good sound system, climbing stuff.

I have also been inside a girls orphanage and I can't compare that to anything because it was quite clean and all the girls there are happy.

All the things on the left hand side all have something in common. They are all happy people in or around them.

Where In The World Is ... Triniti?

Some of you may be asking this question. Those of you who know Triniti may not be as you know exactly what she is up to. 

For those a little lost, let me explain. Triniti and I are different ... rudimentary I know. But I am always up for resolving issues or processing thoughts immediately. Triniti on the other hand needs 24 hours to process before engaging in such conversations. Once she has that processing time, she is set to go. 

So, with that in mind, when you consider the last four days of exposure to the environment of Jakarta, the conditions and situations of our sponsor children, their families and neighbours, the injustices of extreme waste and opulence versus poverty, Triniti has been verbalising some of it with us, there is a great deal of processing going on. 

You then throw in to the mix Triniti's mother heart, her passion for teaching and I have seen her at times do all she can to stop from breaking in to tears. She is amazing and I love her. 

Even as I write this she is organising our children for the day, and responding to Connor's latest comment. Connor said this as he woke up this morning, "I am beginning to like this part of the trip less and less. I wish we could have brought Mega and Samuel with us and have them come with us and stay with us."

Connor is also feeling bad about the people who serve us in the hotel we are staying at present, e.g. carrying our bags, cleaning the room etc.