Wednesday 7 January 2009

I'm Back!

After an uneventful flight across the ditch we arrived in Melbourne to be presented with our new car by our new boss. Life is tough some times!

The highlight of the day however, after being met by family, was our introduction to my new niece Anjali (and visiting her parents was good too), and all this before we celebrated a Birthday dinner (Sandy's) at our favourite Sri Lankan restaurant with family. All this before we jumped in our new Holden and drove 750km to Aldinga in South Australia to spend a week with Sandy's family.

It's nice to have a break before we begin our new roles at The Salvation Army - Preston, The Training College (Sandy) and Headquarters (Daryl). And as I write Alexis is out driving her cousins around in her Aunty's car - the first time she has been by herself with passengers - do they really have to grow up? Releasing people to fulfill their potential can be an anxious procedure.

Friday 2 January 2009

Farewell Aotearoa

Our luggage is gone, most of our possessions are somewhere between New Zealand and Australia, we are cleaning and preparing the house for the next people, and on Sunday we will worship at The Meeting House for the last time.

Our time in New Zealand Aotearoa is almost over. It has been a good three years. The privilege of leading The Meeting House during these years has taught me a lot and the people have become friends. It is always difficult and sad to say goodbye, but that's where we're up to again.

So thank you New Zealand, and The Meeting House; thank you B,P,B,R our Kiwi whanau you made our sojourn down-under so much more special - we will miss you guys deeply.

I will be back at work after January 14 in Preston, Victoria, Australia. See you there!