Sydney -Armidale

Last weekend was spent in Katoomba, the Blue Mountains, at missionaries' conference. This is where all the CMS missionaries currently in Australia, and a number of staff, get together for fellowship, teaching and interaction. It is wonderful to chat to other missionaries as one can learn so much and be encouraged, and many conversations put our own experiences into helpful perspective. We especially enjoyed catching up with the families with whom we went through St Andrew's Hall, in 2005. Caris and Étienne loved seeing old friends and making new friends. It was very good for children to mix with others who are in the same of situation (what is called these days '3rd culture children').

And now, after almost a month in transit, we have safely touched down in Armidale. Armidale was our first home when we emigrated to Oz in 1998. Both
children were born during the 4 years we lived here. On our first foray
to the shopping centre of Armidale yesterday, we bumped into 4 people we
knew! That is one way you know you are 'home'!

Culture shock?
Well, our eyes are feasting on the greenness, and our olfactory and visual
senses are enjoying the forgotten pleasure of flowers. Caris said, when
walking in the forest in the Blue Mountains, outside Sydney, 'In
Ongwediva I saw sand, sand, sand. But here, all I see are trees, trees,
trees!'. (See their blog for photos.)
A shock was the car sickness encountered in Sydney - most probably because
we are used to flat, straight roads!
Instead of having the choice between one kind of brown or one white bread, there are more varieties than days of the week!
Another shock is the climate change. Although we are still in the Southern
Hemisphere, our first morning in Armidale dawned a chilly 3 degrees!
Caris went outside and saw her breath. 'What is this white stuff coming out
of my mouth?', she asked! I think 22 degrees has been our maximum so far! This
cooler weather means David is sleeping much better. David is also enjoying
the cricket.
A surprise for the children was seeing snails; with less than 10% humidity,
snails are unknown in Ongwediva.

We joined the library yesterday. The children could have sat and read in there
for hours! Having books to read is such a privilege, isn't it.
Caris had her ears pierced in Sydney and is thrilled with them. She is champing at the bit (pun intended) to go horse riding. Horses are her passion. She is out at her first session even as I type this. David has also decided to have a go with her. The last – and only other – time he has ridden a horse was a surprise birthday present from me here in Armidale, for his 31st.

Étienne is hoping to meet someone here with a Wii (and who will let him play!).
He saw his first one when in South Africa and was instantly a 'convert'! He and Caris played 10 pin bowling on it. We took them to play the real thing this week; a bit harder than on a Wii, but fun all the same.

Étienne really needed new sandals when we got here. A shock to Mum is that his new sandals fit ME! He was a bit reluctant to chuck his old ones as he said they carried memories of frog hunting and other adventures in Ongwediva with his friends. So we said he could keep them for a while, if he wanted to. He thought about it for a few moments and said, ‘No, I think I am ready to move on.’!

David took me out last night for dinner in town whilst the teenaged children of friends – who ‘happen’ to live 3 doors’ away – babysat. Our children had a fantastic time playing games they have never played, such as Twister. They want us to go out soon so that they can be babysat again by Analise and Mickey.

We have been to look at their school, which they will attend for 1 term in 2009. Étienne is excited by a computer room full of Macs, and Caris at the prospect of riding horses there. I am not sure how easy it will be for them to adapt to 5 full days of schooling instead of 4 mornings, but they are keen to go and make friends. Caris will be learning German. I am not sure what language Étienne ’s class will be doing.

In January 2009, commencing with Summer School at Mount Tamborine, near
Brisbane, we will embark on about 16 weeks of visiting churches, Bible
studies, conferences, etc, to talk about what God is doing in Northern
Namibia. We would appreciate your prayers. You will soon be able to see a
list of our link (supporting) churches and a monthly itinerary on our
website (www.stpetersarmidale.org.au/greeff) so that you will have an idea
of what we are up to at any given time. We look forward to catching up with
- and meeting - many of you over the next few months.