Only 8 Days left in Cairns!

I only just realized how little time we have left when confirming our plans for the weekend! This time here in Cairns has been so lovely for us. I can't believe how quickly it is all flying by! Dave has been able to enjoy getting up flying almost every day, and the accommodation at Treetops has been fantastic.

We both have been able to get opportunities to visit some beautiful places nearby as friends have given us rides to see the sights (such as the local wildlife and nature) and we are so grateful for each new experience as we go along. We can't help but feel like this part of the adventure is definitely the "honeymoon" stage! 

The weather here is also a good prelude of what is to come, we have been adjusting to the humidity and heat while still blessed to have the Treetops pool nearby to refresh us at the end of each day, it is also an awesome place to have fellowship with the other people staying here, as a few of them are also preparing to go to the same place as us, it's a great time to get to know each other without the distances of different bases between us!

Soon we will be up in the "great dusty yonder" but for now, it has been great to get through the "technicalities" with Dave's flying, and also sorting out some of the legal, medical and financial bumps in the road while still connected with internet and other facilities (like shops, banks and after-hours clinics!)

I have had opportunities to catch up with friends and family online which has been lovely as this first chapter draws to a close... do drop by on Skype sometime, we love to make time... even if we are 3 hours behind you!

In closing, we are looking forward to our final 8 days here and will be making the most of it... but we also are very excited to be looking at the next adventure as it comes along quickly! Stay in touch and we will write again soon :)

Love you all!

I am often reminded that it's the small things that make the greatest impact on us. Whether its the little kindnesses we receive, or the delights that take us by surprise. I certainly didn't anticipate one of those delights being revealed to me as I squealed with happiness to see that there was BUTTER and MARMALADE in the grocery bag that our neighbor dropped into our house before she jet-sets off to Asia. I had a similar experience when my neighbor on the other side left me a small box of loose leaf tea... and now it's got me thinking. Other than the obvious sign that the normal aspects of a good old fashioned British breakfast seem to delight me, there is something to be said for sharing the things that bring you joy, with those around you.

Having these small surprises in life really boost our mood and help us to see life in a lighter perspective. I am making it a personal mission to attempt to find ways to sneak these small bolts of happiness lightening into the lives of those around me. The first step in this is by simply being aware of them and what impacts them, stirring up their joy and what the bible calls "spurring one another on to good deeds" because its really the small things that help inspire us to keep that joy moving onto others.

It is a few more weeks before we disappear up into the back blocks of Australia, and before we go I am determined that there must be a few ways that I can experiment these little lightening bolts before I go. I encourage you, reader, to do the same! Find some ways that you can shoot happiness-bolts into the lives of those around you, and take the opportunity when it comes. It usually is an unexpected person that receives these... so beware of the joy-wielding power that a simple magazine and chocolate can bestow on a tired out mum, or the grin of delight that movie tickets can bring to an overworked bloke... there are of course hundreds of other ways to do this, but as mine consisted of second-hand butter and marmalade, I am sure that you can get creative and find something that equally suits you.

Bless you all,

K

The Cairns Cauldron...

We have arrived safely in Cairns and begin our orientation today... one small step for the Caradus couple is a giant leap in the journey of our life in mission!

Before we left  NZ we had our parents pray for us and speak words of wisdom over us, the verses I will share with you here today:

"God will hold thy right hand and I will help thee" Isaiah 41:13
We were reminded that we have a faithful, never changing God who is in control. IN every moment, He is caring for us and brings His peace and hope into each circumstance.

I had that one strongly in mind when transiting through the airports and encountering a few little hurdles here and there. God does indeed pave the way and we had a relatively seamless journey - so grateful!

Also the reminder from Numbers 6:24-25 "The Lord bless you and watch, guard and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious, kind merciful and giving of favour to you. (AMP)

This next few weeks will be the time of forming and deepening our understanding of the people that we will be living alongside and serving. It is crucial that we maintain a positive, optimistic and loving attitude throughout all of that learning in order to keep our eyes on the main goal - to love our neighbour.

Well I have to get to class, but will be attempting to give a (close to) daily update throughout our time here. This will make the monthly updates a more normal size as I will get all my excitement and extreme word-giving capacity out day-by-day!

Love,

Kimberley
(with David)

Hammer Time!

As the birds chirp us awake and Dave goes off to the Airport I am faced with a day of tasks!

The majority of my tasks at the moment consist of being on hold for a VERY long time while setting up our Bank accounts in Australia... or trawling the Biosecurity websites for any vital information that we need while packing our crates... as well as ordering said Crates and arranging the International Freighting of them!

However in the midst of all the hustle and bustle there is still time to sit and reflect on the incredible journey that God has brought us on. It's amazing to think that 5 years ago I was preparing for overseas travel that would transform my future from one in the Beauty Industry, into one that involves working with the poorest communities, both in body and in spirit... and Dave was in the midst of Flight Training... he was fixed on the goal of becoming a pilot. 

When we fix our eyes on the goals that God has for us and pursue His plan for our lives we are bound to encounter blessing. This is completely due to the character of God, and His dependency. I am encouraged by the steadfastness of our God. In Malachi 3:6 God says to His people that "He never changes..." and again in James, we are reminded that its because of that unchanging nature we receive "good" and "perfect" gifts that we can rely upon as from our heavenly Father. (James 1:17)

I am very grateful that God has been there all along the way, redirecting us when we go off the path, and guiding us when we are uncertain. Sometimes it's hard to know whether or not we are even close to what God had in mind, when we first knew our souls while breathing life into us... and yet we know that when we call on Him, He is never far away.

So, as we prepare to leave "Godzone" land, and take off to the "Great Dry Yonder" we remember that as God has guided our steps along the way, so He will guide them as we step out in faith into the plans He has for us. We look forward to you - our readers - joining with us as we encounter God in the lives of those we serve. When we arrive, we will be sure to update you with photos, stories and a bit our usual hilarity!

~ Kimberley

Fuelled for Flight

We fuel ourselves for life in a variety of ways. What is the food that we fill our minds with? Our souls? Our body is indeed for this physical life but it is also the vessel in which our true self resides.

Once fuelled up, how do we use the life we have? The way we spend our days, hours and minutes is something that has been at the forefront of my mind over this last month. Each day is a gift that we can choose to use in a way that is profitable and enjoyable... if we let them just slip by without notice or celebration we fail to live a life that we are made for!

Using each day to commemorate the small things, to celebrate each other and to look for ways to impact those around us in a positive way is surely a grand use of its many minutes and hours. We visited Wanganui this month and enjoyed a great birthday lunch with our Cox Family to celebrate Mum, which was a real treat. On the following Sunday we had the opportunity to visit Wanganui East Baptist and enjoy the service with our Church Family there. However the time flies by so quickly and now we are back in Hamilton, not long left in October now... which means David and I hope to have some celebrations and events to look forward to very soon!

In November we will have three events, first our MAF Awareness Afternoon Tea Party at Horsham Downs Community Church on the 9th (from 3-5pm) where we will have a chance to share Our Story of how we were both called into Mission Life with Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Secondly, we will join with Hamilton Central Baptist to have a Fun Family Fundraiser night on the 23rd, (starting from 6pm) where there will be games and entertainment for the kids, and for the Adults there will be an evening packed with everything from Bargain Auctions to Quizzes where exciting prizes can be won!
To finish up November we have our Commissioning Service to be hosted by Hamilton Central Baptist in the 10:30am Sunday service on the 24th, followed by a shared lunch with the Church Family there.

We would love for everyone to be able to come and join us for these events, so be sure to pass on the information to friends and family as we would love to see as many as possible.


Until next time!

Kimberley

It all starts...

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

How the journey to following God varies... each one of us has hundreds of stories of how we found our way. Yet also the common thread of God's calling, direction and companionship are there in our circumstances, consistently giving us reminders that we are not alone. Jesus promises that He will 

The simple words "Follow Me" seem to be the regular way that Jesus rallied His disciples. No fancy mantras or complicated technical details... just an invitation to journey with Him, wherever the path may lead.

David and I as a couple heard that simple "Follow Me" both in our own way, and I do believe we could never have imagined what lay ahead... or the amazing journey with Jesus that we currently walk. 

Follow Jesus to Arnhem Land with MAF? Where is that even? I hope that those of you that are journeying with us have the opportunity to be enriched as we have been as we learn more about who we are being called to sit with, listen to and walk alongside.

Here's a handy link to up your geography skills and inform you of the work we will be doing: 

http://www.mafnz.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2062:maf-in-arnhem-land-3min&catid=118:media&Itemid=169

Please feel free to comment and ask questions... 

Wedding details...

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth..." Psalm 96:1 (NIV)

I awoke with the sun this morning - thanks to the very chirpy birds that make up the symphony in our garden... and while contemplating whether or not to fall back to sleep I thought of the joy of living in a world where every living creature is a testimony to the creativity of a wonderful Saviour. The beautiful patterns of life, light and love are reflected through every moving thing... and its amazing.

"The Word was first, the Word present to God and God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through Him; nothing - not one thing!- came into being without Him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was the Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; and the darkness couldn't put it out." John 1:1-5 (The Message)

So today, in this little life of mine, I will busy myself with all the details of Wedding Planning again... creating decorations and planning all the beautiful, small touches that will fill the space that we celebrate in, but as I do so I pray that God is preparing the inside space too. I hope that my heart is becoming a hospitable place, where God can dwell in the richness of His glory without feeling cramped or second-rate. Because at the end of the day, my space is God's space! When asking Him to be the One that brings His Life, strength and energy into my life I need to remind myself that it requires for me to be open to internal house-keeping and to have a teachable spirit. I guess God is just reminding me of His sovereignty in all these things.

God's sovereignty is something that has taken me years to get my head around... and I still don't fully understand it. So far, all I basicly understand is that God is fully just and good, that He loves me beyond measure and invites me to walk humbly with Him day by day in a life that is dedicated to loving others and showing them that love. What an incredible miracle that He brought my wonderful fiance into my life, that I might have a honest, caring, truth-loving and God-seeking man to walk with in my pursuit of God and all His plans for me.

It's quite an art seeking God's plans... we have been praying about scriptures, songs and all sorts for our wedding... we've even been praying for every person who will be able to be in attendance and I hope that even those who can't be there will be able to spend time with us in the New Year. I am so very aware that a Wedding is a day, and a Marriage is a lifetime - so in reality we have thousands of days for people to celebrate the joy of togetherness with us! At the moment however, it's the next 15 days that require some detailed attention!

"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the word of Christ have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.  And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives -- words, actions, whatever -- be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way." Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)