Jollt - August 2012

Major movements and significant transitions since June (albeit inadequately) explains the non-arrival of July’s Electronic Jollt Treatment. Lest subscribers suspect that they have been swindled, our public relations consultant counselled us to scribble a summary of things we’ve struck off our to-do-lists over June & July.

  

 1. June-July’s “Done List”

 Farewells & departures: We enjoyed our recommissioning services in Mt. Albert & PN. Thanks for those that came along! The kids finished their school terms well. No charges were laid after packing squabbles, and no flights were missed.

Presentations and conference papers: CJ took a circuitous route back to Southeast Asia, giving presentations based on his book (which is rumoured to have been nominated for the New York Times worst seller list) at three Australian universities, and at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singpore. He gave two papers at two conferences in Malaysia. All  these went well.

Perfect house procurred in Chiang Mai: After only two days of looking, we found a perfect (& affordable) place to turn into a home for our two years in CM. Its just over 2 km from the kids’ school and within walking distance of the dorm where our K & N might shift into in two years. We already feel very settled -- PTL.

Shift & Setup: We shifted ten years of stuff 1,800 kms and started turning a house into a home. This was a loooot more expensive than we thought it would be, but it feels fantastic to feel settled. Although Thankful for God’s provision, 18 months was a loooong time to be have been living in other peoples’ houses. 

Our house is the one on the right with the blue tin roofs

2. August’s To-Do List

☐ Settling into school: K & N start school on August 14^th. We anticipate this to be a reasonably big transition, entering as they will an American curriculum. One of K’s friends from South Thailand days will be in her class, and the parents of someone in N’s class have already initiated getting our 10 year old boys together. We trust this as a sign of (more good) things to come, but is our top prayerority.

☐ Learner support for N: Readers will be aware that while N has made enormous progress over our time in NZ, he will need adequate learner-support to continue to make progress. You’ll see that this is one of our prayer needs. Like churches, schools are imperfect institutions in which some things that should happen, sometimes don’t.  Pray for clear communication with the right people.

☐ Credible academic affiliation: CJ has applied for a couple of academic positions in CM. We are looking for something which is not only credible, but also compatible with our wider calling and commitments. All details must be finalized before our present visa expires on Sept 9^th.

☐ SJ’s Study: SJ continues to read for, and write, assignments. She will also be connecting with others in CM who are involved in spiritual formation. She needs a spiritual mentor, & mentoree.

☐  Shape of specific strategic contributions: We hope that by the end of August we will be clearer about how we strategically contribute to our organization’s initiatives in Muslim Southeast Asia from our base in CM. CJ has a growing list of seminaries where he will teach intensive courses. Taking shape are mentoring relationships with newer workers (for CJ) and involvement in TCK care (for SJ).

3. Movements  

14: K & N start school. Arghhh!

15 & 17: CJ has job interviews in CM.

Sept 7-9: CJ in Bangkok for fieldwork.

Sept 10: C & S apply for one-year visa in Kuala Lumpur.

4. Prayerorities  

a. Top prayerority: For the start of the kids’ year at school.

b. That Nathan’s support needs will quickly be  assessed and met.
c. For contacts and connections with kids at school & in our part of town.
d. That CJ will have a solid job at a credible Thai institution by the beginning of Sept & that our visa application in KL will go smoothly.

e. That we’ll both be led about how we can make a difference from our CM base. Pray specifically for ongoing discussions with SEAsian theological seminaries where CJ will teach intensive courses.
f. For connections in CM that will help SJ’s spiritual formation course.

Thanks for reading this far which demonstrates your interest! Without the prayerful and practical support of people like you, we'd be sunk! Thanks for your partnership...

C, S, K & N