Christmas Newsletter 2009
The original has pictures. Will try and get them posted here soon.
Well here we are at the end of another year. It has certainly flown by again.
The mowing business in Maryborough has continued to grow. We do a fair bit of work for one of the largest rental agencies and have a good private client base. We haven’t done a lot of mowing over the last 3 or 4 months as it has been so dry. But we are still working doing clean ups (for the real estate), pruning and there are still some customers who like their lawn mowed regularly (even if you are just mowing a few spindly weeds). Nicki did some relief teaching at the boy’s school through Term 2 and 3.
Patrick has finished Grade 10 and is looking to get a carpentry or furnishing apprenticeship. He enjoys going to the gym and is looking at taking up boxing. He has just started casual work at Hungry Jacks and the Walker St Store and is looking forward to having an income of his own. We moved Nicholas at the end of Term 3 to Aldridge State High School. He is loving it, particularly the lunch time sports. His behavior and marks have improved along with his attitude. Nich played cricket again and really enjoyed it. Nicki played netball with a group of ‘old girls’ who were playing for fun. They had an absolute ball and finished the season 2nd (pretty good after starting the season losing by 30 or 40 goals a game). She then had a few weeks at Indoor Netball. We spent most of the year at a small Nazarene Church but are currently wondering around churches. Really struggling to find somewhere with something to offer for the boys, who have no Christian friends.
The first house we were renting sold in March and we moved into town. This house is now also up for sale (possibly something to do with us mentioning that the shower leaks around the bath down through the floorboards and under the house and the tiles in the bathroom are cracking due to floor movement). We have a lease until April 2010 but have told the real estate that if it sells and we can find something else we like we will move sooner.
We had 7 days in Vanuatu in April and 13 days in New Zealand in October. We are planning 10 days in Vietnam in May 2010.
WANTED Study Guides – New or Used. I am starting a drive to collect these to send to Vanuatu. If you would like a copy of the flyer I am putting out to distribute at your church please let me know. We are also looking for Study Bibles and Sewing Machines.
P.S. If you are interested in having a look at Nutrimetics let me know and I will send you out the catalogue.
HOPING THAT YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THAT 2010 IS FILLED WITH THE JOY, HOPE AND PEACE OF KNOWING GOD AS YOUR SAVIOUR. MAY WE REMEMBER HIM THIS SEASON.
LOVE FROM THE HUTLEYS
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Rainald's Passing
Thank you to all those who have been praying for Rainald Feldmeier. He has recently passed away and gone home to his heavenly father. Please continue to pray for the family who are glad that his suffering is over, know where he has gone, but are missing him terribly. Pray for strength for them to carry on without him as the head of their family. Pray for those close to them to be able to support them at this time. Thank you.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Latest Feldmeier Update
Here is an abbreviated version of the last update i received. Please keep them in your prayers.
Well, our family is in a battle again.
Rainald's cancer is back, 8 weeks after we got the all clear! Boy... does Satan know how to wage war. Yes... it was a shock Rainald hadn't been feeling so great, with stomach troubles. But he had just climbed a mountain, flown to Germany for three weeks and we thought it may have had been travel stress. However, the latest scan revealed cancer in his lungs, liver and lymphatic system once again.
(The treatment options were listed here. They have decided not to have chemo and go the alternative route).
This future spoken by a man can be easily overwritten by a God who made Rainald. Naturally, we are praying for his healing, the children and I desperately don't want to see him go home to glory, and neither does countless other friends and family who love him dearly. However, we also have to realise that all of us are only here for a short while and any day could be our last. We don't know God's plan, therefore we can only rest in the knowing that He has our lives in His hands.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
So, with these last words I ask you to talk to our heavenly father and ask him for His best outcome in the Feldmeiers lives. If he should heal Rainald then heal Him but if not ,then strengthen all of us to continue to follow our saviour and have His peace that passes all understanding (Phillipians 4:7).
Also, contiune to pray that God will strengthen Rainald's spirit to fight as he is very weak and finds all of the tonics difficult to take. Talking plainly he is getting tired!
Well, our family is in a battle again.
Rainald's cancer is back, 8 weeks after we got the all clear! Boy... does Satan know how to wage war. Yes... it was a shock Rainald hadn't been feeling so great, with stomach troubles. But he had just climbed a mountain, flown to Germany for three weeks and we thought it may have had been travel stress. However, the latest scan revealed cancer in his lungs, liver and lymphatic system once again.
(The treatment options were listed here. They have decided not to have chemo and go the alternative route).
This future spoken by a man can be easily overwritten by a God who made Rainald. Naturally, we are praying for his healing, the children and I desperately don't want to see him go home to glory, and neither does countless other friends and family who love him dearly. However, we also have to realise that all of us are only here for a short while and any day could be our last. We don't know God's plan, therefore we can only rest in the knowing that He has our lives in His hands.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
So, with these last words I ask you to talk to our heavenly father and ask him for His best outcome in the Feldmeiers lives. If he should heal Rainald then heal Him but if not ,then strengthen all of us to continue to follow our saviour and have His peace that passes all understanding (Phillipians 4:7).
Also, contiune to pray that God will strengthen Rainald's spirit to fight as he is very weak and finds all of the tonics difficult to take. Talking plainly he is getting tired!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Feldmeiers
To Gabriele, Have sent Rainald an email. If it doesn't get through I will ring them. Do you have an email that you can be contacted on?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Vanuatu
Slide show on the next post. Click on View all images and it will bring up the slide show in a new window. Hope you enjoy.
We had a great time. We took a heap of bibles, school supplies and sewing materials with us. Pastor Shem Tema is the head of the Vanuatu Council of Churches and he distributes the gear for us.
We are looking to send sewing machines, study bibles, bibles and study guides over in the coming months.
We had a great time. We took a heap of bibles, school supplies and sewing materials with us. Pastor Shem Tema is the head of the Vanuatu Council of Churches and he distributes the gear for us.
We are looking to send sewing machines, study bibles, bibles and study guides over in the coming months.
Feldmeier Update
Rainald is doing well. He is very fit. He has one small operation for a growth in his lung but it is not considered dangerous. All the rest of the family are doing well.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Easter Newsletter
No, no don’t panic you haven’t lost half a year, it is NOT Christmas. For those of you who are new to the Hutley communication tree most people only hear from us once a year via the Christmas Newsletter. Receiving a newsletter in May will probably come as quite a shock to them.
So why am I writing in May. Well it won’t surprise you to know that it was going to be an Easter newsletter but I wasn’t organised enough to get it done on time. There are 2 reasons for writing – 1. I’m not sure how many people actually got our Christmas newsletter and
2. We have moved, yes AGAIN!!!!
So here is a brief recap of 2008 for those who missed it.
We started the year in Cowes on Phillip Island in Victoria. David and Nicki were both working at Coles Supermarket. Through January and February we were starting to feel unsettled and began looking to move again. Dave was eager to not live through another Victorian winter. In March we decided to head back to Queensland for a few weeks and see where we felt lead. We decided to buy a mowing business in Gympie and live at Caboolture.
The boys both struggled in large State Schools (Nich in Year 7 and Pat in Year 9). The business in Gympie started to grow and Nicki found work at Coles Supermarket at Caboolture. We attended a small Church of Christ close to home. Nicki also started selling Nutrimetics and particularly enjoys giving the relaxation spa.
Around mid year the O’Connor’s (David’s sister) began talking about moving to Maryborough. We decided we would look at it as well and decided that we would definitely all go. After problems at school we moved in November. We found an old place to rent on 4 acres just outside of town.
So onto 2009.
The mowing business in Maryborough has continued to grow. We were fortunate enough to be offered work by one of the largest rental agencies. Gympie has continued to diminish and we gave away our last 8 customers in April.
Patrick (Grade 10) has settled really well into school and has started going to the gym which he is really enjoying. He is hoping to finish at the end of the year and get a carpentry apprenticeship. Nicholas (Grade 8) has not settled as well, he continues to struggle to sit quietly and his quick wit is not always appreciated by teachers. Nich played cricket again and really enjoyed it. Nicki decided to volunteer to umpire netball as a way to meet people but was talked into playing with a group of old girls who were playing for fun. She is loving it (will take a while for the old body to agree with that statement). We have settled into a small Nazarene Church with a good mix of people and ages. Nicki has just become the Treasurer and David is heading Missions.
We received notice that the house we were renting had been sold and that the new owners, whilst knowing that we had a lease until mid May, wanted vacant possession. So we began our search for a new rental. We decided that we would move into town to save ourselves travel time running the boys backwards and forwards and so that their friends could spend more time at our place.
On April 1 we flew out for 7 days in Vanuatu loaded up with Bibles, Sewing and School Materials. We spent a lot of time with Pastor Shem Tema and his wife Elizabeth whilst still finding time to do some of the touristy things. Two days before we were due to come home David became ill. The local hospital diagnosed Malaria. We found an Australian doctor who tested for this which was negative and proposed Dengie Fever. He doped David up enough to get him on the plane and told us to go to the hospital when we got home and get tested. The fabulous Queensland Health system left a lot to be desired. The doctor didn’t actually examine David and told him to go home and have some softdrink with a teaspoon of salt. We eventually convinced him that he might need more than this so sent him home with an antibiotic. Blood tests at GP showed that it was not one of the mosquito born diseases but even though his kidneys and liver showed that his body was waging war against something they were unable to identify what it was. If he hasn’t completely recovered in a month we have to go back for more tests.
We moved into our new rental the week after we returned and have settled in well (still not finished unpacking but the basics are done). We are quite enjoying being in town (never thought I would say that). We are in a quiet area opposite the golf course in a large Queenslander (4 bedrooms and 3 sunrooms). David has mostly recovered but still not 100%. Nicki has started doing some relief teaching at the boy’s school. It works in really well as the mowing slows down in the winter the relief work increases.
Hope to travel again this year. Looking at skiing in New Zealand, meeting friends from Laos in Vietnam and the islands of North Queensland as well as weekends away fishing.
Here are some lessons I have learned that will help you avoid stress.
1. Don’t try and find a new rental house while trying to get ready to head overseas.
2. Don’t move house the week you return whilst your husband is lying on his back half dead.
3. Don’t do either 1. Or 2. Whilst trying to run your own business.
WANTED
Study Guides – New or Used. I am starting a drive to collect these to send to Vanuatu. If you would like a copy of the flyer I am putting out to distribute at your church please let me know.
We are also looking for Study Bibles and Sewing Machines.
So why am I writing in May. Well it won’t surprise you to know that it was going to be an Easter newsletter but I wasn’t organised enough to get it done on time. There are 2 reasons for writing – 1. I’m not sure how many people actually got our Christmas newsletter and
2. We have moved, yes AGAIN!!!!
So here is a brief recap of 2008 for those who missed it.
We started the year in Cowes on Phillip Island in Victoria. David and Nicki were both working at Coles Supermarket. Through January and February we were starting to feel unsettled and began looking to move again. Dave was eager to not live through another Victorian winter. In March we decided to head back to Queensland for a few weeks and see where we felt lead. We decided to buy a mowing business in Gympie and live at Caboolture.
The boys both struggled in large State Schools (Nich in Year 7 and Pat in Year 9). The business in Gympie started to grow and Nicki found work at Coles Supermarket at Caboolture. We attended a small Church of Christ close to home. Nicki also started selling Nutrimetics and particularly enjoys giving the relaxation spa.
Around mid year the O’Connor’s (David’s sister) began talking about moving to Maryborough. We decided we would look at it as well and decided that we would definitely all go. After problems at school we moved in November. We found an old place to rent on 4 acres just outside of town.
So onto 2009.
The mowing business in Maryborough has continued to grow. We were fortunate enough to be offered work by one of the largest rental agencies. Gympie has continued to diminish and we gave away our last 8 customers in April.
Patrick (Grade 10) has settled really well into school and has started going to the gym which he is really enjoying. He is hoping to finish at the end of the year and get a carpentry apprenticeship. Nicholas (Grade 8) has not settled as well, he continues to struggle to sit quietly and his quick wit is not always appreciated by teachers. Nich played cricket again and really enjoyed it. Nicki decided to volunteer to umpire netball as a way to meet people but was talked into playing with a group of old girls who were playing for fun. She is loving it (will take a while for the old body to agree with that statement). We have settled into a small Nazarene Church with a good mix of people and ages. Nicki has just become the Treasurer and David is heading Missions.
We received notice that the house we were renting had been sold and that the new owners, whilst knowing that we had a lease until mid May, wanted vacant possession. So we began our search for a new rental. We decided that we would move into town to save ourselves travel time running the boys backwards and forwards and so that their friends could spend more time at our place.
On April 1 we flew out for 7 days in Vanuatu loaded up with Bibles, Sewing and School Materials. We spent a lot of time with Pastor Shem Tema and his wife Elizabeth whilst still finding time to do some of the touristy things. Two days before we were due to come home David became ill. The local hospital diagnosed Malaria. We found an Australian doctor who tested for this which was negative and proposed Dengie Fever. He doped David up enough to get him on the plane and told us to go to the hospital when we got home and get tested. The fabulous Queensland Health system left a lot to be desired. The doctor didn’t actually examine David and told him to go home and have some softdrink with a teaspoon of salt. We eventually convinced him that he might need more than this so sent him home with an antibiotic. Blood tests at GP showed that it was not one of the mosquito born diseases but even though his kidneys and liver showed that his body was waging war against something they were unable to identify what it was. If he hasn’t completely recovered in a month we have to go back for more tests.
We moved into our new rental the week after we returned and have settled in well (still not finished unpacking but the basics are done). We are quite enjoying being in town (never thought I would say that). We are in a quiet area opposite the golf course in a large Queenslander (4 bedrooms and 3 sunrooms). David has mostly recovered but still not 100%. Nicki has started doing some relief teaching at the boy’s school. It works in really well as the mowing slows down in the winter the relief work increases.
Hope to travel again this year. Looking at skiing in New Zealand, meeting friends from Laos in Vietnam and the islands of North Queensland as well as weekends away fishing.
Here are some lessons I have learned that will help you avoid stress.
1. Don’t try and find a new rental house while trying to get ready to head overseas.
2. Don’t move house the week you return whilst your husband is lying on his back half dead.
3. Don’t do either 1. Or 2. Whilst trying to run your own business.
WANTED
Study Guides – New or Used. I am starting a drive to collect these to send to Vanuatu. If you would like a copy of the flyer I am putting out to distribute at your church please let me know.
We are also looking for Study Bibles and Sewing Machines.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Feldmeier Update
Received this email from Jenny Feldmeier and thought I would pass it on to all those who have been praying for them.
To all our friends & Family who have been praying endlessly for us, Praise God as we continue to see his hand work in our lives. What a marvellous God we serve, though rainald didn't get the healing we so greatly sort, we at all times, felt the work of fellow brothers & sisters holding us up before our creator. Our creator not only got us through this whole ordeal but provided for us, through you all, our financial needs. We have now settled into our home, with our children around us, looking for what's next. While this is happening I am going back to uni, part time, to continue my degree, bachelor of Social Science. The youngest three children are back in school continuing their studies, Jess in year 11, Dean year 8 & Emily year 7. Dean and emily have joined soccer clubs and soon we will be spending saturdays down at the park watching them. Daniel has found full time employment at a mushroom farm till he makes up his mind what his future holds. He has some ideas and no doubt will make something of his life. He has also passed his driving test and now hassles me for the keys. Jess also has a part time job at subway and is saving her money to return to malawi. Rainald is concentrating on getting better and trying to overcome some of the continuing side effects of chemo, rashes, mouth thrush and fatigue. He has committed himself to mowing the church lawns till easter ,this will get him fit, as will his weekly work out program with his friend. His hair has started to grow back & he has to shave daily again! He gets a little low at times as he finds he can not do all he desires but that will get better with time and in a few months he will be running around again. He is not sure what he will do after that but God does and all we have to do is be patient till then. A few weeks ago we took a family service at church where we reflected on our time in malawi. This was a good opportunity to revisit our time there and deal with some of the emotions that we experienced in leaving. It was possibly the first time we sat down together as a family and discussed how we all felt. There was a lot of tears and reminiscing, sharing of what we learnt, what we miss and what we don't. I know it helped organise our thoughts and emotions, realising that though we were taken from there prematurely, it was what God allowed. He knew the beginning from the end. He has our life in His hands and our best interests at heart and it is only when we trust Him totally that we can easily accept what comes along in our lives. Rainald's treatment was taken out of our hands when we knew that he had cancer. We had to leave malawi or we would have been burying him there. Were we acting in faith, that question still remains. What I do know is that we did what we did and though the treatment was not good, Rainald is still with us today and God will use the emotions and life experience we gained through this to help others in this same situation. We still believe God is a miracle working God who could have healed Rainald by His word, that did not happen but other things did. Other miracles took place in the lives of those around us and we grew, our faith in Him was challenged and as i look at rainald today i know he is not the same man that went to malawi a year ago. he has changed as we all have. So again I say thank you to all who prayed and believed with us for God's will in this situation. Rainald is now cancer free, and we are back together as a family. What could be better. Blessings rainald & jennifer
To all our friends & Family who have been praying endlessly for us, Praise God as we continue to see his hand work in our lives. What a marvellous God we serve, though rainald didn't get the healing we so greatly sort, we at all times, felt the work of fellow brothers & sisters holding us up before our creator. Our creator not only got us through this whole ordeal but provided for us, through you all, our financial needs. We have now settled into our home, with our children around us, looking for what's next. While this is happening I am going back to uni, part time, to continue my degree, bachelor of Social Science. The youngest three children are back in school continuing their studies, Jess in year 11, Dean year 8 & Emily year 7. Dean and emily have joined soccer clubs and soon we will be spending saturdays down at the park watching them. Daniel has found full time employment at a mushroom farm till he makes up his mind what his future holds. He has some ideas and no doubt will make something of his life. He has also passed his driving test and now hassles me for the keys. Jess also has a part time job at subway and is saving her money to return to malawi. Rainald is concentrating on getting better and trying to overcome some of the continuing side effects of chemo, rashes, mouth thrush and fatigue. He has committed himself to mowing the church lawns till easter ,this will get him fit, as will his weekly work out program with his friend. His hair has started to grow back & he has to shave daily again! He gets a little low at times as he finds he can not do all he desires but that will get better with time and in a few months he will be running around again. He is not sure what he will do after that but God does and all we have to do is be patient till then. A few weeks ago we took a family service at church where we reflected on our time in malawi. This was a good opportunity to revisit our time there and deal with some of the emotions that we experienced in leaving. It was possibly the first time we sat down together as a family and discussed how we all felt. There was a lot of tears and reminiscing, sharing of what we learnt, what we miss and what we don't. I know it helped organise our thoughts and emotions, realising that though we were taken from there prematurely, it was what God allowed. He knew the beginning from the end. He has our life in His hands and our best interests at heart and it is only when we trust Him totally that we can easily accept what comes along in our lives. Rainald's treatment was taken out of our hands when we knew that he had cancer. We had to leave malawi or we would have been burying him there. Were we acting in faith, that question still remains. What I do know is that we did what we did and though the treatment was not good, Rainald is still with us today and God will use the emotions and life experience we gained through this to help others in this same situation. We still believe God is a miracle working God who could have healed Rainald by His word, that did not happen but other things did. Other miracles took place in the lives of those around us and we grew, our faith in Him was challenged and as i look at rainald today i know he is not the same man that went to malawi a year ago. he has changed as we all have. So again I say thank you to all who prayed and believed with us for God's will in this situation. Rainald is now cancer free, and we are back together as a family. What could be better. Blessings rainald & jennifer
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Going, going gone.
My long hair was driving me crazy. It was always full of knots. I had to wash it daily as it is oily. It was always in my face, which I hate. I molt like crazy and so there was always loose hair everywhere. Because it is so heavy I couldn't tie it up as it gave me a headache.
So I visited the hairdresser and this was the result. It is layered all across the top so that it is back away from my face. There are blonde highlights through the top and sides. There is still a little bit of length at the back but it is all layered.
So I visited the hairdresser and this was the result. It is layered all across the top so that it is back away from my face. There are blonde highlights through the top and sides. There is still a little bit of length at the back but it is all layered.
I am really happy with it. It is a lot easier to wash, dry and style. It is very light and quite cool.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Natural Disaster Update
Missed most of the news today as we were away mowing.
Last count I heard was 173 confirmed dead in the Victorian bushfires. Still a number of blazes burning. If wind direction does not change and containment lines hold there should not be any major losses of property overnight. Still many missing and unaccounted for.
Flood waters receding in North Queensland. Highway opened allowing supplies of food etc through to North.
Still 35 blazes burning in New South Wales.
Currently $30 million has been raised (donated) please pray that it gets to the people who need it and doesn't get tied up in red tape for months (as happened with another disaster's aid in the last couple of years.)
Heading off to bed now. It was very hot and humid today - not great for mowing - and we then had rain come in around 3:30pm. Have a full day of mowing today plus a couple from today that we have not finished. Whilst we love the rain we really need it to be clear tomorrow. Thursday is the boys school swimming carnival so it would be good to have a clear day for that too. Friday is a pupil free day and we are thinking about heading off for a surf in the morning and are hoping not to have to mow in the afternoon but may have to.
Last count I heard was 173 confirmed dead in the Victorian bushfires. Still a number of blazes burning. If wind direction does not change and containment lines hold there should not be any major losses of property overnight. Still many missing and unaccounted for.
Flood waters receding in North Queensland. Highway opened allowing supplies of food etc through to North.
Still 35 blazes burning in New South Wales.
Currently $30 million has been raised (donated) please pray that it gets to the people who need it and doesn't get tied up in red tape for months (as happened with another disaster's aid in the last couple of years.)
Heading off to bed now. It was very hot and humid today - not great for mowing - and we then had rain come in around 3:30pm. Have a full day of mowing today plus a couple from today that we have not finished. Whilst we love the rain we really need it to be clear tomorrow. Thursday is the boys school swimming carnival so it would be good to have a clear day for that too. Friday is a pupil free day and we are thinking about heading off for a surf in the morning and are hoping not to have to mow in the afternoon but may have to.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Victoria
Bushfires are causing complete devastation in Victoria. We woke yesterday morning to the sad news that 25 lives had been lost, over 600 homes and over 300 000 hectares (or maybe acres sorry I can't remember which measurement it was). Fire crews continued to work through yesterday fighting the massive blazes. Police spent the day working through the burnt out shells of homes and cars. By afternoon the death toll was 65, by evening 84 and when we woke this morning 108. This is expected to rise again today as Police continue to search through the ashes. The town of Marysville no longer exists, over 95% of the buildings have been destroyed. Kingslake is similar with whole sections of the town completely wiped out. There are still many blazes burning and many people unaccounted for. There are also large numbers of burn victims in Melbourne hospitals, many of whom are not expected to survive. There are many stories of bravery, near misses, miraculous survival and courage.
New South Wales
There are approximately 50 bushfires burning in New South Wales. There has only been currently one loss of life, a 9 year old child.
Queensland
According to yesterdays newspaper two thirds of Queensland is currently affected by flooding. The town of Ingham has been the hardest hit with much of the town under water. The major highway to north Queensland has been cut for nearly a week. This is stopping all food and supplies getting through. Many western properties have been isolated by floodwater for more than a week and may continue to be so for more than a month. Helicopter food drops have started to these areas. Unfortunately the wet weather is continueing. Inghams flood waters started to drop on Friday but rose again on Saturday. They have started to drop again today but more rain is expected Wednesday or Thursday. Coastal towns were bracing yesterday for a King Tide which would hit - giving you large amounts of flood water trying to get out to sea meeting the ocean trying to get inland. One of the dams was recorded as losing enough water over their spill way everyday to completely fill one of the dams that supplies water to Brisbane everyday. Just massive volumes of water. We have seen many photos on the TV and the water is just moving so fast. They are currently searching for a 5 year old boy believed to be taken by a crocodile and 2 men in their 30's who were washed off the highway.
We would appreciate you joining us in our prayers for these people, those who have lost loved ones and friends, those who have lost everything they own, for the communities whose town no longer exists, for the emergency service workers fighting the fires and those with the grim task of looking for bodies. Especially pray that through this tragedy many may come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Bushfires are causing complete devastation in Victoria. We woke yesterday morning to the sad news that 25 lives had been lost, over 600 homes and over 300 000 hectares (or maybe acres sorry I can't remember which measurement it was). Fire crews continued to work through yesterday fighting the massive blazes. Police spent the day working through the burnt out shells of homes and cars. By afternoon the death toll was 65, by evening 84 and when we woke this morning 108. This is expected to rise again today as Police continue to search through the ashes. The town of Marysville no longer exists, over 95% of the buildings have been destroyed. Kingslake is similar with whole sections of the town completely wiped out. There are still many blazes burning and many people unaccounted for. There are also large numbers of burn victims in Melbourne hospitals, many of whom are not expected to survive. There are many stories of bravery, near misses, miraculous survival and courage.
New South Wales
There are approximately 50 bushfires burning in New South Wales. There has only been currently one loss of life, a 9 year old child.
Queensland
According to yesterdays newspaper two thirds of Queensland is currently affected by flooding. The town of Ingham has been the hardest hit with much of the town under water. The major highway to north Queensland has been cut for nearly a week. This is stopping all food and supplies getting through. Many western properties have been isolated by floodwater for more than a week and may continue to be so for more than a month. Helicopter food drops have started to these areas. Unfortunately the wet weather is continueing. Inghams flood waters started to drop on Friday but rose again on Saturday. They have started to drop again today but more rain is expected Wednesday or Thursday. Coastal towns were bracing yesterday for a King Tide which would hit - giving you large amounts of flood water trying to get out to sea meeting the ocean trying to get inland. One of the dams was recorded as losing enough water over their spill way everyday to completely fill one of the dams that supplies water to Brisbane everyday. Just massive volumes of water. We have seen many photos on the TV and the water is just moving so fast. They are currently searching for a 5 year old boy believed to be taken by a crocodile and 2 men in their 30's who were washed off the highway.
We would appreciate you joining us in our prayers for these people, those who have lost loved ones and friends, those who have lost everything they own, for the communities whose town no longer exists, for the emergency service workers fighting the fires and those with the grim task of looking for bodies. Especially pray that through this tragedy many may come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Update
Think that we finally have our internet connection sorted out. Yah!
Just had word from Rainald's daughter that he is doing very well (PRAISE THE LORD!!) and has just come back from his last trip to Sydney for treatment. Will email Jenny (his wife) shortly and let you know what she has to say.
We are starting to feel quite settled in Maryborough. The boys started back at school this week and seem to be settling in okay. We are starting to pick up some mowing jobs in town so that is good. We think that we have found the Church where we are supposed to be. It is only small, about 30 to 40 people, but they are very friendly and there are some boys there our boys age. We had lunch with the pastors family last week at our house and we are going to their house this Sunday. There boys are near ours in age. We are enjoying the more laid back lifestyle of Maryborough, nothing like Caboolture where we were living.
I am hoping to start to take some photos of the beautiful old homes in town that have been maintained or restored. Spectacular.
Will write again soon.
Just had word from Rainald's daughter that he is doing very well (PRAISE THE LORD!!) and has just come back from his last trip to Sydney for treatment. Will email Jenny (his wife) shortly and let you know what she has to say.
We are starting to feel quite settled in Maryborough. The boys started back at school this week and seem to be settling in okay. We are starting to pick up some mowing jobs in town so that is good. We think that we have found the Church where we are supposed to be. It is only small, about 30 to 40 people, but they are very friendly and there are some boys there our boys age. We had lunch with the pastors family last week at our house and we are going to their house this Sunday. There boys are near ours in age. We are enjoying the more laid back lifestyle of Maryborough, nothing like Caboolture where we were living.
I am hoping to start to take some photos of the beautiful old homes in town that have been maintained or restored. Spectacular.
Will write again soon.
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