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.