Getting ready for MAF orientation

This morning I went for a bit of a drive along the road north of Cairns, to visit a beach, since I probably won't be doing too much of that after I move to Mareeba next week!

Just after lunch I met up with the other new MAF people who are also staying at Treetops, and we drove out to Mareeba Baptist Church for our welcome service. It was a pretty low-key affair - a few songs, a short devotional from William Nicol, then each of us shared our testimonies, before breaking off into separate groups to be prayed for, followed by afternoon tea. It was good to recognise a number of people from my visit in January, even if I couldn't remember some of their names.

Orientation starts tomorrow and runs through to Friday. I'm looking forward to it!

The beach at Trinity Park, which I had all to myself!

MAF welcome service at Mareeba Baptist Church

View from the lookout on the drive back from Mareeba to Cairns. Treetops is on the flanks of the hill in the centre

Jehovah Jireh: God my provider

Before I left New Zealand, I was looking into where I could be a reasonably-priced second hand car. There are a few dealers in Cairns, but pickings under $5000 were pretty limited. Plus I wanted a manual...

I have been assigned a 'link family' at MAF Mareeba to help me settle in. They had told me to feel free to ask any questions. So I asked (among other things) if they knew whether anyone was selling a car - Toyota Corolla or similar (i.e. not too small, not too big), manual, max $5000. They replied no, but offered to forward my message on. Within a few hours Luke and Monica had contacted me to say they were trying to sell their Toyota Corolla, and would be staying at Treetops over the same dates that I would be!

Trading this car has been a blessing for all of us, and being able to get it sorted before coming to Cairns took a big weight off me.

On top of that, before I left NZ, my accommodation in Mareeba was all sorted (the same MAF unit I stayed in back in January), my car in NZ sold (to a family from church), and someone from work was keen to rent my house in NZ fully furnished.

This whole episode has taught me that God cares about me and He will provide whatever I need - both the big stuff, like cars and houses, and the little stuff. It's wonderful not having to worry about things!

Arrival: Cairns

I have arrived in Cairns ahead of MAF orientation starting next week. My parents and some of my home support team came to the airport to see me off; it was good to pray together one last time (in person).

Yesterday I spent some time doing homework for line pilot standardisation, then headed out to the city to (a) buy a phone and (b) start sorting out paperwork. I wasn't able to do anything about transferring the rego for my car (more on that here) or my drivers' licence, as I don't have all the necessary documents in hand yet, but I was able to apply for Medicare. After that I went for a bit of a walk along the promenade to take everything in. This afternoon I have an appointment at the bank to collect my cards etc.

So far I'm feeling at peace about being here. I'm just taking things one day at a time at the moment, until I get to Mareeba and can establish a routine.

The promenade in Cairns

One last (s)trip

Greville Harbour airstrip, D'Urville Island

Last week I took a friend down to D'Urville island for a picnic lunch. The only ways to get to the island are by boat or small plane. As it turned out, we started a trend - aircraft from both Nelson and Wellington Aero Club turned up later in the day! The weather was perfect and we had a great day out.

This airstrip will always be special as it is the first real airstrip I went to. I vividly remember getting out of the plane after we landed, looking around, and thinking, 'This is what flying for MAF is going to be like!' My instructor was saying something (probably an informal debrief) but I wasn't really listening... Anyway, I digress.


Here are a couple of videos, one of me taking off and one of me landing.

Commissioning service

My commissioning service was held last Sunday, 17 March. This was a momentous occasion where my church 'officially' acknowledged that God has called me to serve Him through MAF and send me with their blessing. I also had the opportunity to say a few words, so I gave an update on what it is I'll be doing when I go, what God has been teaching me, and thanking key supporters. Mark Fox then shared a bit about MAF and spoke about 'Our Assignment' as Christians - which is to share the good news about Jesus with others.

The service was recorded; you can listen to it here.

We finished off with a potluck lunch, which gave everyone a bit more time to hang out and celebrate with us. It was great to have family and friends present (including some who had come all the way from Auckland!).

It was a really great time; as you will hear in the recording I was a little emotional, but that's to be expected. I think what got me the most is when Mark said, 'The time has come.' It has indeed - next Wednesday is the start of a whole new chapter in my journey.

Worship

Sharing a few words

A pretty full house!

Being prayed for by the elders, MAF staff in attendance, and my home support team

Mark Fox sharing from Acts 20:18-27

Presentation update

The last few weeks have been really busy with presentations and other events - all while I'm trying to get ready for moving to Queensland on 27 March! But it's all good - raising support is important, and talking about God's call on my life also helps keep me focused on why I'm doing this.

Here are some pictures of what I've been up to:

Presentation at St Mary's Anglican church, Whitby, 17 Feb

Marton Bible Chapel, 24 Feb

MAF 'Touch and Go' promotional flights at Feilding, 1 Mar

Presentation at Capital Vineyard Church, 3 Mar

If you haven't been able to make it to one of my presentations, the service at St Mary's was recorded. You can watch the video online (my section runs from 22:00-53:00).