Catching Up with The Kims Vol 15

A note from Yong

Time surely goes quickly! We are slowly adjusting to the Derby lifestyle and are enjoying the new friendships we are establishing. Since last newsletter, I have been busy flying into remote communities and working with kids in the schools. They are still shy and reserved but I can see some breakthroughs with the kids. A few weeks ago, I talked with the kids about rejection. Their responses blew me away. They clearly and honestly expressed their feelings when their family members and friends rejected them or put them down. It was real and personal hearing from them about what they were going through. I was very honored that they opened up and expressed their feelings, but on the other hand sadden by their hurt.

New Ministry Places

We have been praying for and talking with Milijeedee and Ngalapita aboriginal communities to start a program in their communities. For various reasons, we weren’t able to meet with community leaders and school principal for while, but a couple of weeks ago Paul White and Jamie Short (other Kingdom Aviation workers) met and set a starting date for these two new communities. These are very small communities with small numbers of kids. We are very thankful for the new opportunities to reach out to the communities. We really appreciate your continued prayers!

First fishing trip….

A couple of weeks ago, I went to fishing with Craig, one of the church members. It was my first fishing trip ever. We went to the marsh area and threw our fishing line into the water. First we caught a sawfish. This fish looked very mean and cut the line itself with his saw. The second one was a barramundi but it got away… The third one also got away. At last Craig and I caught a Threadfin Salmon each. They were about 70~75cm long! I was told that this fish is better to eat than barramundi… Anyway, we brought them home for cleaning, cutting up and storing in the deep freezer! My first fishing trip was successful and enjoyable as well!

A walk with Vicki

On a weekend recently we had the privilege of driving to one of the remote aboriginal communities that Yong flies to each week. It was a rare opportunity for me to travel outside of Derby, so I was looking forward to the change of scenery and the concert being held in the community. One of the best things about this trip was meeting some of the aboriginal folk in the community. Firstly, there was the group of (mainly) women striding happily around the oval, on a mission to lose weight. I caught up with them under a shady tree and took up the leader’s invitation to speak with them about healthy eating and weight loss. Even in remote areas there is still a high usage of convenience foods and sweet drinks. However, it was good to learn that nutritious bush foods are still part of their lifestyle. Another lady told me about her positive experience of growing up on a mission. She also shared about how she believed that the missionaries in the Kimberley have planted many seeds, which, in the right season will bear much fruit. Isaiah 55:11 ‘…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…’

Back at home we had some curious aboriginal kids from the neighbourhood visit us when they saw Caleb playing outside. During a friendly chat I learned that the tap at their house was broken and they wanted a drink of water. I was also told which of the girls (aged 7 or 8) smoked cigarettes and that one of the boys has a brother with swine flu! Kids are so funny in their openness. I wonder if they’ll come again and tell me more stories.

Along with some friends from church I’ve been involved in helping facilitate sessions for parents, using materials from a group called Growing Families Australia. This term we’ve been looking specifically at the 12-18 month age group. While participant numbers have been small I’ve really valued the things that I’ve learned. Thankfully as facilitators we don’t have to know everything! We’re looking forward to next term when we’ll be focussing on the terrific toddler years! Hopefully a few more of the parents in the community will come to these sessions as the materials and discussions are really practical and helpful.

Last month the Derby rodeo was a real highlight for the town! We’d never been to a rodeo, so we went along to see the participants hanging onto their horses and bulls for dear life! Many of the riders came from the outback stations and were very skilled in a lot of events. Even though we didn’t really understand the scoring system, it was still interesting to see.

Caleb’s world

Caleb continues to enjoy the outdoors and insists on having time outside each day to play. Sometimes mum would prefer to be indoors where it’s cooler, but he’s not troubled at all by the heat. He’s a busy boy and likes to try multi-tasking. With an object in each hand he might sit on a rocking toy and while doing that he’s looking for the next thing to do! His favourite toys lately have been a toy broom and rake. Whenever we go to people’s houses he always looks for their brooms and rakes and is so pleased with himself when he finds them!

Caleb has just starte

d using a few words of sign language. He says ‘please’, ‘drink’, ‘more’ an

d sometimes says ‘th

ank you’. Verbally he says a lot, but we have no idea what it all means! He’s also looking more grown up with a new haircut from mum. On close inspection the sides are a little uneven because Caleb got bor

ed and wriggly with the process. It will hopefully get straightened out

next time!