Preparing to go...

We're now less than 2 weeks away from heading off, and have been reasonably busy with a number of different activities since our last post in early December. To give a brief summary:

• We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary - God's faithfulness to us both has been such a blessing
• Mary (and her wonderful Mum - Jill) have spent a lot of time packing up our home
• We enjoyed the Christmas/New Year's holidays, particularly the opportunity to catch-up with lots of family and friends
• I completed my final term at the Redcliffe Hospital at the end of last week, and am very grateful for the experience I have gained in my 2 years of work there
• Mary celebrated her 28th birthday
• God's provision continues to encourage us (and strengthen our faith) as we now have accommodation in Liverpool with a Christian family 
• We left our home of three years and have bunkered down at Mary's parents place until we fly out

Mary's Birthday Brekkie @ Sutton's Beach

I was recently reminded of a great quote from Dr David Livingstone (who did much pioneering missions work in southern Africa (including Zambia) about 150 years ago) - "It is a venture to take wife and children into a country where fever, African fever prevails. But who would refuse to a make a venture for such a Captain?" Whilst we don't currently know too much of the costs of the African fever, we are beginning to understand what it is going to mean to be apart from our loved ones for a time. As exciting as this adventure is going to be, we are very acutely aware of some of the big events and family milestones that we will be missing this year. However, it is also a privilege for us to be able to serve our "Captain" and we wouldn't want to be found anywhere other than in the centre of His will for us this year. D

Toby cooling off after a hot day.  Brisbane max 36.9C / Liverpool max 11C