Visit to New Zealand (South Island)

G'day Mates! We are back in Brisbane, having arrived Thursday afternoon, 22 Jan. Gene worked at the hospital Friday, and I unpacked and ironed, so we're settling in. We're staying in the same unit that we've stayed in our previous 7 visits, and this two-room efficiency apartment feels like "home" to us while we're in the Southern Hemisphere.

We had a wonderful 2 week "holiday" in New Zealand before coming to AU. It’s easy to see why NZ was chosen to film “Lord of the Rings” and “The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe” series. It's an absolutely beautiful country with mountains, rolling hills, rain forests, glaciers, sounds, and fiords. Both "sounds" and "fiords" are deep valleys which later fill with water. A sound is cut by a river and a fiord by a glacier. Oh, and did I mention sheep? Five times more sheep than people and the roads were sometimes blocked by "lamb jams". Locals says, "Just lean out the window and yell, 'Mint jelly!'".
We had good weather but wore "jumpers" (sweaters) most days. Below is a picture of a fiord and a glacier.

One of our favourite days was at an Albatross colony near Dunedin. It was a VERY windy day--just the right weather for these giant birds to soar. They have a 10' wing span and soar like a kite in the sky but sometimes have a bit of trouble landing (our strengths are often our weaknesses). We were told the albatross spends the first 5 years of its life without ever touching land--flying around Antarctica.

In Fiordland we connected with our friend Christie. We had met this Kiwi at our church in Brisbane. Then, last summer she visited us when we were in Nebraska, and later flew back to SC with us. She is an RN but worked last season as a Trekking Guide on the Milford Hiking Track near her NZ home. She and her parents treated us like royalty including a boat trip down the Milford Sound, and a trip to a Glow Worm Cave ("Glow little glow worm, glimmer, glimmer...) The larval stage of glow worms glows to attract food to multiple sticky filaments (fishing lines) which it hangs down from the cave ceiling. When it becomes an adult it no longer has a mouth, so breeds and dies within a day or two. God is so creative and we stand in awe of His wonderful creation!

Another "God thing" (aren't they all?) is that we got onto a 350 passenger train at Christ Church (South Island of NZ) and a former Anderson-based Pathologist and her husband and family came up and said, "Well, isn't this amazing!?" They are Christians too, so we all acknowledged God's sovereignty and omnipresence! They were in Anderson 6 years ago--Dawn and Lynn Nichols (both are physicians working for a year on the North Island and were on a 5 day trip to the South Island!). They had twins while in Anderson and one of Gene's partners called the twins "The Dime" (two nickels--get it?) Our last B&B (farm stay) was at the home of a couple who raise deer--not for the meat, but for their antlers! They saw the antlers off annually (said it's like extracting a tooth) while the antlers are still in the "velvet" stage and before they calcify and fall off. Then they freeze and sell them to Chinese to grind up for artiritis medicine. Want us to bring any back? :)
Well, the last 2 days have been very warm in Brisbane (although we're not in the 40+ degree C areas.) We're having to get used to Australia's summers again and Gene back to 40 hour work weeks, in addition to all the church activities we're both involved in.
Our college friend, Sonia, from China is still here. We went to visit her at the Summer Beach Project on our first weekend back. This is a 4-week camp meeting at Coolum Beach where students study discipleship and evangelism.
Well, for now--"Good on you mates!
Gene and Gini

Questions / Answers about Australia

Hey Students (and anyone else who may be interested in "facts" (and opinions) about AU,
a home school student from Anderson wrote up the following questions for a project she was working on and asked for our ideas. We thought the questions were good and, hopefully, the answers fairly accurate.

1. Throughout the years you have lived in Australia, what would you say were the most dramatic of weather events? Please explain. Experiencing Summer in January and Winter in July is very difficult for us to get our brains around; but we both agree that the most dramatic weather event we've witnessed is seeing a water spout in the ocean. I'm sure these happen frequently out in the ocean, but we were blessed at being eye-witnesses--even getting this picture.
2. How do the Aussies like the Prime Minister? What is their response to him? As in America, it depends upon who you talk to. Politicians in general get a lot of fun poked at them here--both by media and citizens-- and are not taken very seriously. (Unfortunately, that is happening even in the US, but that has not always been the case in America). One Aussie told us that was probably because of the country's penal background and that the off-spring of these prisoners generally don't trust anyone but themselves and that respect and submission come slowly. The founding of a country is so important because it affects future generations. I am thankful that America was founded as a Christian nation--even though we're drifting from those roots pretty badly.

3. Of any location in Australia, which has the most poverty? We haven't studied this from a statistical point, but it would probably be in areas where the indigenous people (Aborigines) tend to live--the Darwin area and other Northern regions. They like the heat up there, but the land isn't very productive. Some work on big cattle stations owned by others.

4. In your part of Australia, when is rush hour? We're in Southern Queensland. Brisbane, a city of 2 million, is the city we call "home" when we're here. Rush hour is pretty much just as in the US--7-8 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. Gene walks to work though, so doesn't get caught in it very often. It's about a mile and a half to his hospital and he can get there more quickly walking than driving.

5. What kind of native animals are kept as pets? Budgies, Australian parrots, are the most frequently kept native pet. In fact, the son of a friend of ours forgot to bring in his Budgie's cage one night last week and a snake got into it and ate the bird. After the nice meal, the snake was so fat he couldn't get back out of the cage and he was caught "red handed". Aussies love all animals, including poisonous snakes, so he carefully opened the cage and released the fat snake to return to nature and look for other easy meals . The Blue Tongued Lizards are rather exotic pets, but you must have a license to have those in your home.

6. At the moment, what is Australia's economic status? When we were here one year ago, the Australian dollar was worth about 90 US cents. Now it's worth about 60. Someone has said, "When America catches cold the world sneezes." Australia is debt-free and, just a year or two ago had a 10 billion dollar surplus. Due to the world-wide economic down-turn, this past few months the Australian government has borrowed 40 billion dollars. They are trying to enhance the economy by giving each tax payer nearly a thousand dollars. Obviously they are hoping people will go out and spend that money on things which will sharpen the economy.

7. Which of the beaches is the most popular? The most unpopular? They're all popular. Aussies love the water! Probably only the more daring frequent the areas known for Great White Shark attacks (Australia's Southern coast).

In months whose names contain the letter "r", the northern coast--Great Barrier Reef area--is known to have a lot of "Box Jellyfish" (also called "sea wasps" and "stingers"). They are pale blue and transparent in color and get their name from the cube-like shape of their bell. Up to 15 tentacles grow from each corner of the bell and can reach 10 feet (3 meters) in length. Each tentacle has about 5,000 stinging cells, which are triggered not by touch but by the presence of a chemical on the outer layer of its prey.Their venom is considered to be among the most deadly in the world, containing toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. It is so overpoweringly painful, human victims have been known to go into shock and drown or die of heart failure before even reaching shore. Survivors can experience considerable pain for weeks and often have significant scarring where the tentacles made contact.

8. What is the dominant religion? Atheism. Less than 5% of Australians even attend church.

9. Are there any racial issues? Not openly but I believe there still remains some prejudice toward the indigenous people (Aborigines). If you have not already done so, you might wish to read (Google) about the government's apology to "The Stolen Generations". This took place just last February. May I also recommend renting a video called "Rabit-Proof Fence".

10. What is the crime rate (which is committed the most)? The crime rate is amazingly low. This is not a very materialistic country and most of the people don't carry a lot of money or have a lot of "stuff" to rob. There is also not as much difference in income levels as in America.

11. Can you tell me about Dr.Baillie's practice? He serves as a Pathologist at a huge hospital here known as the Royal Brisbane Hospital. He is licensed in both Clinical and Anatomic Pathology and does both in the US but here he only does Anatomic (looking under the microscope at tissue samples which have been taken out of people's body surgically). He works a lot with Pathology Registrars (residents) and they all love him because he is patient and explains things well. I think their admiration for him has opened many doors to share his faith...they know that he genuinely cares about them.

Bonus: What are your favorite foods to eat in Australia and where (in your opinion) is "the place to be"? Probably our favourite food here is Thai. There are a lot of Asians who live here now. At one time in Australian history (not that long ago), Asians were not allowed to immigrate and the gov't had a "Whites Only" immigration policy. Speculation is that perhaps they feared the Chinese were such hard working people (especially during the Gold Rush) and maybe feared they might "taking over". Australians are generally quite laid back people and their goal in working is to make money so they can have pleasure and, if at all possible, travel--especially to the United States. So, I guess the United States is "the place to be!" Aren't we blessed!?

By the way, three sites with good Aboriginal "arts and crafts" for kids: http://www.paultaylor.ws/pdf/WorkshopKitrightside.pdf (see number 6) and
http://www.millersville.edu/~artsined/fourcorners/lessons/Aboriginal_Handprints.pdf

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/AustralianCrafts.html

Cute story: I asked a 4-year old friend if she had started school this year. She said, "Yes. The name of my school is "Dot Com".

If you have other questions, please email again. Otherwise, we wish you well on your Australia project.

Hugs and love, Gene & Gini

Of Mice and Men!

G'die Mites, (a long a clipped short followed by a long i !)

Well, despite all your encouragement, I did not learn how to (comfortably) drive in Brisbane. About the time I felt at ease with it, the hospital leased a brand new red sporty car for Gene. I was pretty sure they would notice any prangs or bingles, so after a brief country drive or two, I willingly moved to the passenger seat. Now that we’re down to one car in the States I may forget how to drive completely.
An historic event occurred during our visit this time: the government, through newly elected Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an official apology to “The Stolen Generation”. Between 1910 and 1970 about 100,000 Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families by police or welfare officers. Most were under 5 years old and usually of mixed Aboriginal and European descent. There was rarely any judicial process. The main motive was to “assimilate” Aboriginal children into European society over one or two generations by denying and destroying their Aboriginality. Between 10-30% of all Aboriginal children were removed. They are known as the ‘Stolen Generation’. You might wish to rent the DVD “Rabbit Proof Fence” to give you a better idea of this traumatic time.

Last week we had our first US visitor—my cousin, Kathy, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa. I think that she will give our little tour “agency” a good recommendation, so book your time soon before we fill up.
One of the highlights of Kathy's trip could have happened any place, but it happened here where the animals are unique and brave. We were driving to a koala sanctuary, going about 60K/hr. when all of a sudden this little mouse appears running on the outside of the car right beside the driver’s window. His little ears and whiskers were blown forward and his fur was standing on end as he somehow managed to get from the front-seat window to the back-seat one before he finally decided it was safer to be a pedestrian (he was wrong). Can’t imagine where he came from!!
After six visits here we’ve learned something new about Australia—EVERYTHING closes on Good Friday!! We had 8 people coming for dinner that night and had planned to pick up some groceries after our “church at the park” service. There were even chains across the car park entrances! We had about decided on pancakes and scrambled eggs when we spied a very small IGA that was open. They had no fresh raw meat, but did have some tasty rotisserie chooks (chickens), which we all enjoyed very much! It was a wonderful evening actually, as Sonia (the Buddhist girl from Shanghai) heard the Gospel told again and again, as our other guests shared what God had done in their lives. All were in their 20’s and most were first-generation Christians, at which she was rather amazed, thinking ALL Westerners are Christian. I think this also helped with her own feelings about, “What will my family think if I become a Christian!?” I have received a real blessing from meeting with Sonia the last few weeks. A “tool” I had nearly forgotten about was presenting the Gospel through The Wordless Book. We even made “wordless bracelets” out of a leather strap and pony beads I had brought from the States a few years ago. Here’s the website if you’re unfamiliar with the “book”: http://berean.org/bibleteacher/wb.html Just buy some blank pieces of colored paper and then tell the Story. A good tool for language barriers or with children.
Gene is also discipling some guys at 6:30 a.m. a couple of mornings each week; helping Sun (from Korea) with English; sharing with Pathology Registrars, and leading the men/boys’ James study in the evening while I meet with the gals.
(to the right is one of the registrars sharing a "Barbie"---most of the food had already been removed from the grill ! )
Our time here has flown quickly (again). We return to Anderson Tuesday night 2 April. We’ll miss all our Ozzie friends, but look forward to reconnecting with old friends in the Northern Hemisphere. “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold.” So, for now, you “golden oldies”, g’day!!

It'll be 'right

“This can’t be RIGHT!”
(or as they say here, "It'll be 'right".
“This can’t right because it feels so left!” We just learned that the hospital will now allow family to use the car that they provide for Gene. Soooo… I am learning to drive! Gene’s white knuckled, but a good teacher. The hardest things to remember are which lane I’m to be in after I come off a round-about or make a turn, and that the turn signal is on the right-hand side of the steering wheel. It’s stressful to plan to signal a quick turn and suddenly be distracted by windscreen wipers going full force! Of course, sitting on the right side of the car whilst driving also makes one try to figure out where the middle of the road actually is—but at least it wouldn’t be a head-on bingle! I am covered by the hospital’s insurance but we’d have to pay a $750.00 deductible if I am suddenly forget that I’m not in American any more. This is a little like learning to drive in Atlanta—except on the “wrong” side of the road.
The rains have finally come to AU (praise the Lord!). Now if they would just go further inland so it would fill the “catchments” (dams).
Heard on the news this morning that “Superbowl Sunday” can be viewed live at 9 am Monday and “Super Tuesday” will be aired live on Wednesday. For those of you who think the world will end tomorrow—have no fear—it’s already tomorrow here and we’re still around. J
Our James Bible studies crank up this week. I have a gal from China in my Monday night group. Her parents are Buddhists, but she’s “searching”. Please pray for her. Her name is Sonya. She’s a uni student, so when classes begin next week she will have a good “excuse” not to continue in the Bible study. Gene is also teaching the James study to some men and teenage boys. He would appreciate prayer for their time together also. He’s also had several opportunities to share his faith at the hospital.
Our church here, Christ Community, is a real salt shaker. It’s amazing how many members/attendees have been called to either part- or full-time ministry/missions! Many of the Uni students are involved with Campus Outreach, which really encourages evangelism!
I went to a women’s gathering yesterday and all of us were to “bring a small plate”. I learned last year, through a funny experience, that the plate is to have food on it to share. J Although an experience, we always feel the need to warn Americans not to go hungry to the home of an Ozzie who invites you to “supper”--it’s tea and bikkies about 9 pm.
Gene and I joined the “10,000 Steps” walk for Australia Day, which is January 26th. It commemorates the day in 1788 that Australia became an official colony and it signals the unofficial end of summer (although it’s still in the mid-to high 80’s). All the “kiddies” went back to school this week. The uniforms vary but are very “Old British” including wide-brimmed hats. In fact, no hat, no recess, as there is a hole in the ozone “Down Under”— lots of melanomas, but most are in older people as progressive education of the younger population is reducing the incidence plus very regular visits to the Dermatologist are on everyone’s’ radar. In fact, for outside jobs, no one can work without a shirt.
Since AU Day fell on Saturday this year, Monday was a holiday. So we arrived Wednesday morning (30 hours after leaving Anderson) and he worked 2 days and then had a 3 day holiday. He is enjoying work again, but each time there are a few new requirements in order to keep coming back. For the moment though we, by the grace of the Master Gardener, will bloom where we are planted. Praying you are doing the same.

1770--First Landing of Captain Cook in Queensland

There is a town 6 hours North of Brisbane named "1770". It is the only town in the world (according to their records) to have a number for a name. It is the first place Capt. Cook landed in QLD in the year--you guessed it! 1770!! We joined a group of people Friday morning and took a boat out to sea 32 miles to Lady Musgrave Island, a natural coral cay situated on the Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by a deep water navigable lagoon. The island is known to be a bird paradise and entrepreneurs at one time came there to collect and sell bird excrement. We did enjoy bird watching during a brief "stay on the path" tour of the island. Here is a fascinating pre-historic-looking bird that we saw circling above:

The highlight for both of us was snorkeling in the beautiful blue lagoon.
Hundreds of different kinds of coral and tropical fish and they assured us no tiger sharks. There are an unbelievable number of things that can kill you in AU though--the Box Jelly Fish has tentacles up to 3 meters long (about 120") and they are such thin strands of fiber they nearly impossible to see until it's too late. They're in the warmer waters in the Northern part of AU in months containing an "r" (doesn't leave many does it?). There's also something called a "cone shell" that looks pretty benign, but no time to get it even to the car let alone in a collection.

Here is the pink LARC amphibius vehicle that we went to see the inaccessible lighthouse
We had a ball sledding down a huge sand dune with a bunch of the kids on the boat. Gini said her life would have been very boring if she had married most anyone else. Another sexagenarian also went down with "us kids". Her husband had lost both legs while serving in Australia's army 42 years ago. She said he wants her to experience everything in his stead. They were a very inspirational couple and showed the grit of a lot of Australians whom we've come to love and admire.
Here's Gene putting on foot brakes so he won't slide right on in to the ocean at the bottom of the dune and Gini trying to keep on the straight and narrow!

After this fun 4-day holiday Gene came back for a final week of work at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Today, 22 Oct, is his 65th birthday. Tomorrow we fly to Sydney and then on to Hawaii for 4 days with Carl and Barb, Gene's brother, before heading back to our "up over" home.

Koala Rescue

Ann and David visited us in SC May, 2007. They are Ozzie friends who are part of a Koala Rescue Team effort. We had the priviledge of going out with them last year when a koala that had been treated at Australia Zoo’s hospital (Steve Irwin’s zoo) was released back into his home environment. (see photos)


As I wrote earlier, if a koala is over 4 years of age, it must be returned to the same general area from which it was rescued. Otherwise it is removed to a less inhabited area.

Because society is infringing on the koala’s territory and trees are being replaced with buildings and parking lots, koalas sometimes loose their happy home and/or are injured by dogs or cars while (very slowly) walking across the road.
David and Ann had invited us out for a barbee last night (a very Australian experience in itself!) when their on-call mobile went off. A koala had been hit by two separate cars while crossing the road and was in very serious condition. We all four jumped into their 4 WD and took off! Since it gets dark here by 6 p.m., the whole experience seemed surreal. We arrived to find a female koala who had been hurt quite seriously. Now, koalas in captivity are pretty comfortable around humans, but these in the open are definitely wild animals, as attested by the many bite marks on rescuers.
Ann and David have been wonderful friends to injured koalas and often miss sleep because of rescue missions.They told us a few secrets which we’ll share (just in case you ever come upon an injured koala): 1. If they climb a tree after being injured, put a plastic bag on a very long pole and wave it above them—they come straight down the tree, so be ready with a bag or cage to confine them; 2. Grab a koala from behind and hold their upper arms out straight so they can’t bite you as easily; 3. If a dead mum has an underdeveloped baby attached to a teet, put a safety pin through the teet before cutting it off. Don’t ever try to pull the developing young off the teet or its whole jaw will come out (it’s like an umbilical cord to them). The safety pin is so the “young” won’t aspirate the teet when you cut it loose. (Probably more than you wanted to know, but the “Dr. Doolittles” [vet-wanna-bes] among our readers may find it interesting.)
Anyway, we arrived at the zoo after closing hour, but had called ahead, so security met us at the gate. It was strange to drive by the darkened zoo that had pictures of Steve and Bindy every place. A veterinary nurse greeted us at the hospital and put an oxygen mask over the koala’s face, but it was shortly realised (AU spelling) that this one had been hurt too seriously and had probably died on our way to hospital.

We were able to look around at other patients. A koala that David and Ann had rescued recently was recovering nicely from a broken arm which had been “pinned”.

There are about 60 koalas currently in hospital. Many koalas suffer from Chlamydia, a bacteria that affects reproductive organs and also causes blindness. Extensive research is being done at the AU Zoo hospital to try to discover a vaccination to stop the spread of this deadly disease among the koalas. (By the way, don’t visualize this as a huge animal hospital—it is a very small tin shed, but money is being raised to build a larger, much needed, facility for both care and research).


There were also lots of carpet pythons in hospital (I’d hate to be on that rescue team—even though they’re not poisonous), various birds, echidna, and kangaroos (most of those were outside). They also rescue very poisonous injured snakes (carefully). As we said one other time, all animals in AU are considered precious and so are protected. In our minds, one of the ways Ozzies are so unique is how much they cherish the flora and fauna God has placed here—unfortunately, few recognize the Creator!

Queenslanders

So…we are back in our Southern Hemisphere home. Many of you are under the impression that we own a place in Brisbane. We do not. The hospital rents a very small 2-room (plus bathroom) furnished unit for us in the inner city (Central Business District), which is also walking distance to the hospital.
Our unit is on the third floor with no elevator, etc. but we always choose #37 for the view. We would love to have visitors, but would need to temporarily swap with friends for a house in the ‘burbs…not a problem though. Just let us know when you’re coming and we’ll put the kettle on and we’ll all have tea!
(rare thunder storm—taken from our balcony in January ’07)
(sunrise from our balcony)
The hospital also provides us with a car and all the petrol we use ($1.19/Liter)—no matter the destination. Traffic is heavy at times in the city and I am left-lane challenged, so I walk or take public transportation wherever I go. When I get lost on foot, it’s kind of a “drama”, so when we arrived this time we bought a Tom Tom One XL which is a hand-held GPS system—it even has “walking path” directions. We chose an Australian voice because he directs in the metric system.
A fact or two:
Queensland (the state where we live) is growing by 1600 people/week. Brisbane, our city of 2 million) is the second fastest growing city in the western world (next only to Phoenix, AZ), and receives approx 1000 of those new residents. Many are coming up from the southern state of New South Wales (where Sydney is) because it’s a bit cheaper here. The locals call them “Mexicans”. J

Gene is in full swing at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. He’s been here enough (5 times) that he sort of hits the ground running. He does exclusively Anatomic Pathology (no Clinical) and especially enjoys teaching Pathology registrars (residents). We tentatively plan to return to the States late October and come back here mid January through early April.
Gene has also been asked to sit in on the church’s session meetings and will be teaching/discipling a few men on Monday nights. I will be teaching The Beatitudes/ Sermon On The Mount inductively weekly to a group of ladies as well as a smaller evening discipleship class. Our desire and prayer is that God would use us to encourage the saints here as well as effectively share the gospel message with the lost…(and there are many). We will be officially joining Christ Community Church (PCA church plant) in an associate capacity this Sunday. This church began 3 ½ years ago as an outgrowth of a “uni” ministry and because there was a change in vision within the previous one. We attended CCC for the first time just 3 months after it began, so have watched it grow. (below is a picture of “morning tea” which is held between the singing part of worship and the sermon.)
By the way, Jerry Bridges was here for a conference was such a blessing! Thank you for praying. He is such a humble, godly man! When I first studied Trusting God, I began highlighting in pink places in my Bible where I saw God’s sovereignty. Now I have a pink Bible! J What a privilege we have to call God our Father!

We are here in AU’s winter. My brain can understand a cold July and Aug, but has a hard time getting around actually calling it “Winter”. Never-the-less, it seems our most recent visit (Jan to early April) was AU’s hottest summer in 50 years and now we’re experiencing their coldest winter. It’s gotten to about 2 C some nights—mid thirties F. The air is dry but the gusts are chilly. Many of the Queenslander homes don’t have any heat or air, so I’m sure people living in them are quite uncomfortable.
”Queenslanders” usually have no insulation, are on stilts, and have only the floor boards between their feet and the outside air. They were designed for the hot summer days—not for chilly winters. Winter day-time temperatures are very comfortable—55-75 range. Please pray for rain…worst drought in recorded history. The government has said 150 Liters of water/person/household/day, and there is a significant fine for excess usage. The City Council has even sent little 4 minute “egg timers” to each household to be used when taking showers. The shower heads are designed to put out lots of spray using a minimum of water, and some even recycle the water within the shower system or washer rinse cycle so it gets double use. Our bathroom has no vent, so the bathroom window is permanently open about 4-6” at the top. I am not inclined to shut off the water whilst I soap up and/or lather my hair because there’s a lot of cold air moving around in there! Pretty wimpy compared to those who have no heat in any room.
The water “catchments” (dams) for Brisbane are now down to 17%…so it is getting quite serious.

Regarding seasons, 5 year old grandson Chandler told us goodbye and that he’d see us soon. I was trying to explain that it was summer now (in the States). Did he know what season came next? “Yes, fall!” I was pleased and surprised that he knew his seasons. Since we won’t see each other until Thanksgiving, I asked him if he knew what came after Fall. “Yes!” he beamed, “Flood!” I laughed and laughed and decided the “Walk Through The Old Testament” (Creation; Fall; Flood….) was much more significant than knowing the seasons. J
Well, good on ya!