On the "Home" front...

Recently I felt God impressing on my heart that we were to come back to Australia for a season. I prayed and felt that God wanted me to go ahead and make some plans. It is quite nerve racking this planning business!

Plans have now been made and we would be happy to tell you where we will be if you email us.    ;-)

It was cold last time when we were in Oz. Really, it was!

 

Jordy LOVED seeing his brother Jai.

Jai, Sam's parents and the lovely Helen and Melissa.

 

 

We get to spend time with our sons.

How cute is this?

 

 

We will be able to celebrate our son Jesse’s engagement to Nikita. Yay!

 

And see our precious No. 1 son, Benj.

Benj and the lovely Malinda.  Can't wait to see them!

Jai, Jordan and Benj making me nervous!

 

It has been an eleven year journey of “living by faith.” Trusting God to meet all our needs. Some needs have been financial, some, staff needs.

Every single time we have left the Children’s Home it has been very “difficult” and we knew that we had to have people in place to oversee the running of the home.

In order for Jordy not to miss too much school, we needed to get him into school in  our home town of Geelong and another school in Port Macquarie.

We heard today that Jordy was accepted into his brothers’ old school (Christian College, Geelong) for the fourth term.
We are thrilled with this development! They have been very kind to us and have offered discounted fees for the term.

We will need to outfit him with a uniform and school shoes. Jordy is shocked that he has to wear shoes having lived most of his life in sandals, thongs or best of all...bare feet!

Shoes are removed before entering any classroom in Thailand.
 
After we leave Geelong we will be in Port Macqurie.

The leadership team at Heritage Christian School in Port Macquarie have waived all fees to allow Jordy to attend Jai and Jesse’s old school! How amazing! Thankyou to all at Heritage.

We are in awe of all that God is doing in the necessary planning to come ‘home’.

Jordy is very excited to be able to attend school in the town where he was born.

Last time we were in Port Macquarie, Jordy and "Jump" were able to attend Heritage school for a week. The other students were wonderful to them, even outfitting Jump in her Chef's gear!

 

 

 

This is WAY different to the clothes she is normally comfortable in!

Here she is in her tribal outfit. Much more like "her"...

We have a car for our use in Port Macquarie. Again - answered prayer!
 Our dear friend will deliver it to Port Macquarie for us. Wow! Thanks so much Sandie!!

Sandie pictured with our "Pippiliscious" as Sandie calls her.

 

We have had TWO offers of accommodation and a car in Brisbane so we are very blessed. Thank you to Josh and Bon Olyslagers. You guys always bless us and we know we don’t deserve the amazing way you love on us!

Bonnie and family with us at Dreamworld, QLD.

Josh building at our Children's Home.

 

Thank you to the lovely David and Chris Fairhurst who always lift our spirits and humble us by their kindness and interest in our lives and Ministry.

The lovely David and Chris at their home in Brisbane.

 

Before we went to Australia, Jordan had asked God if he could go to the beach, pat a kangaroo, see his brothers and Grandparents, spend time with his friend Kiel and to see a Monster Truck!

I encouraged him that all were do-able... but that we would probably not be able to see a Monster truck.

He laughed and said "oh, yes I will because God knows it is important to me and I asked Him!"

We didn't know but our church friends in Chuwar, QLD had organised for Jordan to be chosen to have a ride on (yes that's right... "on" not "in!") a Monster Truck during their church Fair.

They did not know about Jordan's prayer - but God did!

He literally sat high up on the bonnet, hung on for dear life and just about went deaf from the roar of the engine. The driver drove the truck around a circuit, revving the engine along the way. All this was done in front of thousands of people. Jordy was thrilled. A bit deaf afterwards (kidding!), but thrilled!

We were humbled and reminded that nothing is too hard for God.

 

A policeman spoke to the organisers and said that they were not allowed to let him ride on the bonnet (it was amazing to see and terrifying for me to watch!) and that they would get into trouble if they allowed it.           The pastor's wife laughed and said that Jordan was used to riding in the back of ute's and other open vehicles in Thailand and that it would be alright.

Amazingly the older Policeman laughed and said "ok" and the show went on!

A love for "speed" runs in the family!!

And on the "Home" front…

Amy, our 12 month volunteer, has happily agreed to oversee the running of the home for her last three months in Thailand. We are ever grateful to this young and capable lady.

 

Allan and Amy

We still needed someone to fill in from January when Amy leaves until May. I was praying as it is virtually impossible to even know where to start to find someone who can fill in for us. God knew of course of our need but He is delighted when we pray and while I was talking to Him about it - I received an SMS from our “hands and feet” on the ground in Australia, Sandie Stirgess.

Sandie said that she would like to come and stay at our Children’s Home while we are in Australia and would I like her to come in November or January? Oh -  January please!! We are grateful for this special friend of ours and how God is using her in our lives. Thank you Sandie!

We are in need of housing and a vehicle in Geelong so if you are aware of available housing any time from October to the end of January, please let us know. We would be very grateful.

Thank you,

In His care,

The Smiddys.