…is over and I was just getting used to write those 4 numbers. Looking
back, Deb and I experienced a very good year. Challenging and busy, but good.
We went through a major change which actually meant no change at all… But let’s start
at the beginning.
The
first quarter was full of uncertainties. We didn’t know when and where we would
have to pack up and move. Both of us felt at the right place here in Timor and having to
leave so soon after arriving would have been really hard for us. Another
uncertainty was the wet-season which was in its full swing. The first
wet-season in a mountainous area meant challenging flight conditions,
challenges which I never experienced before… On the positive side we had my
brother visiting us and we surely enjoyed the time together.
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| Hiking to the top of Timor with my brother Jakim. (Mt. Ramelau 9797ft.) |
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| Let's hope no one in this direction needs to get medevaced... |
Summer
brought a lot of clarity and also visitors from Switzerland. My parents and
Sister visited us for 3 weeks and just after they left we received the much
anticipated decision from the MAF HQ. We can stay, our contract got extended
and we don’t have to move in the near or mid future. The pressure release was
huge. Initially we couldn’t quite grasp it. 2016 was about to become the first
year of our marriage where we didn’t have to move a single time. Various factors
caused this decision to happen but let's keep it simple, the Timor-Leste program operates now
with 3 pilots… With a 3rd Pilot we have the ability to
work on our base, plan different outreaches and attend language classes without
having to cut back on our Medical Evacuation flights. Having 3 pilots also
gives us the opportunity to get a ‘real’ day off without the possibility of
call outs. This provides a day of rest for our mind and we don’t have to worry
about weather and other flying stuff.
The
last quarter just flew by. The MAF ladies started with the care packages. Each
patient which gets medevaced by us receives a bag with all sorts of goodies,
depending on his age and gender off course… The locals seem to truly appreciate
that service which is an encouragement for us. (You can read more about that here) We spend
most of November and December with just 2 pilots. One at a time travelled down
to Cairns to receive training or attend meetings and also get a week or two of deserved
vacations. Second half of November was our turn and we travelled to Cairns to
visit good friends and meet new ones. At the moment the MAF Training Centre in
Mareeba is overrun by Swiss folks, which is good thing of course… I even got to
brush up on my instrument flying skills in the simulator, although that was
almost too short to mention ;-)
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| Our Ladies assembled the care-packages |
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| Aldo, our national Staff is handing them out to patients |
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| Cairns and it's beautiful winter weather. (Well they call it summer) |
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| In the Simulator, the sun was not quite shining as bright though! |
2017…
…We are expecting changes in Hera,
that’s where Deb teaches. Deb and Kim are trying to train up Timorese, which
will then take over the classes and the 2 Ladies work more in the background as
supporters.
After 2 years away, we will have our first furlough
in Switzerland, starting sometimes next summer, yay 😊
I hope that once the wet
season disappears, we can start flying to the districts and do outreaches. This
would include sharing the good news, playing games, educate the locals about
behaviour around aircraft and cleaning up the runways. I’m also working on the Bible Box which I think is a great way of
reaching people. 30 Units arrived and a dozen usb-sticks are waiting to get
loaded up. Let’s see how that projects takes on shape.
By reading
through that post you noticed that we get a fair amount of visitors and it’s
always a bit stressful finding the right accommodation. So we decided to build
another extension to our beach house so we can host friends trouble-free… Did
you get the hint?
We are so thankful
for everyone supporting us in various ways and we are looking forward to tackle
2017 knowing, we have a strong team behind and in front of us. Might God bless
you all.
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| What happens in 2017? Who knows... we are excited. |
