At work again!

Tim has been struggling under a mountain of paperwork and near despair as the 3 planes used for Flight Training at ACMA had one problem after another. Each problem proved mega and generated a lot extra work in the hangar and then to get the log books up to date and write the invoices. A few late stays at ACMA and working most of last Saturday got the paperwork under better control. In answer to our prayers on Monday, the planes behaved themselves all week, and Tim was able to catch up on ordering spares and put in some time on the 182 engine change for a customer which has been sadly neglected. He's looking more relaxed, and less stressed.
Today (Saturday) Tim was off to work again, this time to do his tool box! This is a fun activity. Tim's tools had all been quickly stowed in the toolbox when it arrived by sea from Tanzania. He's slowly getting the foam cut to house everything tidily in its proper place. Two drawers complete, three to go.
I (Carol) am reading an excellant book called 'Cat and Dog Theology' in bite sized chunks as it has lots of stuff in it that needs to be chewed over and thought about. On Friday I read about the importance of not doing stuff, even valuable stuff - witnessing, fellowshipping, worshipping, helping others - for the wrong reasons. It's not just about the people we witness to, fellowship with, worship with and help, or about ourselves. It's about doing these things for God's glory and Him only. Sometimes we get too busy doing things for God and miss what God is trying to do in us through it all. A prayer time with Lois, another missionary wife yesterday helped to get the perspective restored. Our first and formost purpose in life is to Glorify the Lord. Father help us to keep our perspectives in line with yor will and plan.

Blessings,
Carol and Tim

'Tis Spring!

1st September! The first day of Spring here. The daffodils and snowdrops are out in the garden. But no, the sun is not shining much, and its been raining most of the day. Funny how perspectives change. In Tanzania we would have loved rain like this. Even here the dams that were down to 30% are filling up, for which we praise the Lord, as it seems Australia's long drought is over. But its MAD day (Mission Aviation Discovery Day) at ACMA in 9 days time, and an Aviation day without being able to fly (they usually have lots of joy flights on offer, model aeroplane and vintage aeroplane displays, lots of fun outdoor activities), is not what we need! Its going to be difficult if this rain keep up - at the moment the available dry parking areas are getting smaller and smaller. This event is our showcase to the wider community and a very important day in ACMA's year. We pray that God who is always in control will give us a dry day on 11 Sept and a few sunny days before then to dry out the airfield.
In the meantime, Tim is busy servicing the fleet of three MAF planes, and trying to snatch moments to work on the Cessna 182 - an engine change for a customer. Carol is a go-fer for MAD day and organising the children's activities. She is spending a lot of time researching accomodation availability for 4 student families in the new year and a young couple soon to have a baby who need another place to stay in a month or so. There's plenty to keep us busy!!

Blessings all!

Boxes, tabogganing & rain!

Our stuff from Tanzania finally arrived on Thursday. We had packed it prior to leaving in early November last year. It's great to see our bedding, books, kitchen stuff, baskets, carvings, tool box and tools. Tim's favourite black chair. And the gifts received in that last week as we were showered with so many kindnesses brought back memories of good friends and dear colleagues.
Amid the chaos of boxes, packing materials, things waiting for homes, Carol's brother and family came to stay for a night and on Saturday we all headed up Lake Mountain, just over an hour from here to the SNOW! We joined the hardy and went tabogganing, had snowball fights, made snow angels and generally had a great time, in temperatures around zero. Bizarre to think we had done the same in snowy Devon only 7 months earlier.
Saturday was a rare dry day - the rest of the time it has been raining on and off, sometimes in heavy downfalls. Australia's drought of the last 13 years seems to have broken. Dams are filling again - now almost up to 40%. Lilydale was hit by storms last week that brought down trees and power lines, resulting in power cuts in some areas. It is green and beautiful, and great to lie in bed at night and hear the familiar sound of rain on the corrugated roof over our heads.
Saturday coming is the federal election when a new prime minister will be elected. Our church will be a polling station on the day and the elders decided this is a great opportunity for evangelism. So we will have a free sausage sizzle, providing sausages and drinks for all those who want them, and taking the opportunity to share our hope in Jesus with those who come. We pray people will also be encouraged to come bakc nad worship the following Sunday as we have a special 'Return to Church' service. Exciting opportunites in Lilydale!

Under the scalpel

After a six month wait, Tim at last got to see the dermatologist with his skin cancers. The doc. cut out three on the front of his head and one on the arm. He's covered in plasters and has a lovely black eye. The story is that Carol hit him with a frying pan when he complained about dinner! We pray he heals quickly. Hopefully regular medical checks from now on will keep Tim's skin under control. Despite the wait, it beats a two day drive from Dodoma to Nairobi for treatment!

Our trainee pilots at ACMA should all start a two week safari up to Arnhem Land today, stopping at various missions and churches on the way. Their first stop is a mission weekend at Horsham, if the weather lifts and they can fly in there!! One plane got in today, the others are hoping for better weather tomorrow.

It's Friday yeh!! Hoepfully we can get some jobs done tomorrow.

God bless.

The Shires are Blogging at last!

We are sitting side by side on the couch before a cosy log fire, on a chilly July evening, sipping peppermint tea. The Stockleys; new MAF mission partners with four delightful children on their way to Arnhem Land; popped in this evening. They are just finishing orrientation and on their way to Nhulunbuy via Cairns. We first met the parents, Charlie and Rachel in snowy Devon in January. Six months on its great to be able to welcome them to our home here. We feel like the not-so-new kids on the block. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!
We've been here long enough to know our way around this little town of Lilydale: where to shop, doctors, bank, library (not that we use it much), and the local op. shops (Charity shops to the Brits).
We are enjoying working at ACMA (Australian Centre for Mission Aviation) but are already finding it hard to fit in all we need to do. Tim has a huge amount to learn (Govn. requirements, where to obtain parts and services), to set up (stores, files, manuals, documents), study (local aviation regulations). This first year is as hard as he anticipated. Hopefully it will get easier.
Carol has a finger in many pies, and is enjoying getting involved with students, staff and academic record keeping, running a camp. Her life of leisure and exploring the area lasted about 3 weeks, maybe 4!
We worship at a great church, where ministry opportunities abound. We are close enough to Carol's family to see them often.
We feel this is the place God has brought us to, and pray we will serve Him well here. Stay with us, pray with us, keep us posted.
Carol and Tim