Home in Oregon photos

A collection of photos of my time in Oregon with Becky and family.

145 Photos

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After many months BFO has a means of raising funds for the specific needs of individual children. This can be done by sponsoring a child and paying via paypal through a website. Dave Scheier in America, friend and supporter of BFO has put together a website called OrphanList.org. There has been a few delays, one which has been mainly my fault. I took portrait photo’s of the children back in November and December last year. Over the last month have they been edited, a description added and uploaded for Dave to work with. Your monthly sponsorship of a child at BFO will cover their monthly living expenses including food and school fees. 100% of all sponsorships donated goes straight to the Orphanage. Please check out OrphanList.org and prayerfully consider sponsoring an Orphan. Giving them a future in life through Bible Faith Orphanage.

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Flying from LA to Portland, Becky and I made it to her parents place in the early hours of the morning. We already had some activities planned during my seven day’s in Albany, Oregon. However, the main thing was to talk to Becky and ask her for us to start courting. My plan was to do so when we were at the Oregon Coast, her favourite place. But that was not going to happen for several days and we would go with the entire family. Our first day in Oregon was the 26th, Australia Day. So when I had a chance, we sat down and talked. Two weekends prior to this, before I even knew about the trip, God was really prompting me to write a list of things that I appreciated and liked about Becky. During my long speech I was able to share this list and once I had finished, Becky said yes. We both had to wait two days until we had a chance to talk to Becky’s parents and for me to ask for their blessing. They were very supportive and encouraging.

1. Becky’s family & I at Evergreen Aviation Museum – the “Spruce Goose” in the background

We got to do and see a lot during my visit. Visit Becky’s Mum at work and have lunch at Sizzler, visit Becky’s Grandma, dinner with both sides of the family, go to the movies, clothes shopping with three ladies (Becky, Becky’s Mum & her sister Tami), go to an NBA Trialblazers game, visit the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, go to the Oregon Coast, fellowship at Becky’s home church, meet family members, hike the Silver Creek Falls trail, meet up with two band members from Falling Up, more shopping and spend time with family. It was also a time to learn and witness the difference in cultures. I really enjoyed eating out at real restaurant’s. By the end of my time in Oregon I was thinking in American terminology.

2. Silver Creek Falls

One of our highlights was walking the Silver Creek Falls trail. For me after hiking up a mountain through rough bush several weeks before, it was such a nice and easy trail. But the scenery was amazing. It was scenery that I had not seen before, added with the atmosphere of Winter. I had not struggled with the winter cold since being in Oregon, but wearing shorts due to washing that day was a mistake. We managed to make it to see all seven water falls. I had expected after the first big one, they would all be small, but amazingly they were all big and unique. After our hike we had a picnic. I got to drive (on the wrong side of the road) on the way back home for the first time since 2007. I managed to freak Becky out by pretending to drive on the left side of the road (when it was safe to do so). Afterwards we dropped by Becky’s Grandma’s to visit. It was a really refreshing and enjoyable hike together in God’s creation.

3. Dinner at Sizzler – our last meal together

My time in America seemed to last a lot longer than how long I was actually there. Ten days was a really good amount of time, more would have been nice, but it was enough for what time allowed. I was not looking forward to leaving Becky and Oregon. Spending time with her and her family was by far the highlight of my trip. It was a blessing and a great time. A time where God was showing me how special Becky is. It also allowed for the two of us to spend time together and for our relationship to grow, which was a really special time. On my long 32.5 hour trip back to Sydney via three flights, I really got homesick, especially during my layover in San Francisco. This was the first time since being a kid I experienced homesickness. When I was close to leaving Oregon, I did not want to leave. It was the second time in my life that I have been willing to leave everything behind and stay in a new place. The other time was during my short term trip to PNG in 2005. I can’t thank God enough for his goodness and provision for my trip to America, one of the best experiences I have ever had. And the way He brought everything together and led Becky and I.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

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Bible Faith Orphanage’s February newsletter is now available. Please keep up to date with the work God is doing through BFO.  Click here to view or download.

Praise God…

• A website has been created for BFO.
• The older children are beginning to understand the importance of cleanliness and to help wash the younger children.
• The boys’ choir is established and doing well.
• School feels are being provided for.

Please pray for…

• Funds to keep widows and deserted wives busy helping with the BFO children.
• Musical instruments for the children to learn to play.
• Provision for the remainder of the school fees.
• Volunteers to assist the kindergarten aged children.
• Provision of funds to purchase food.
• Aunty Rosa and helpers that God will continue to enable them in the face of many hardships.
• Funds and property to purchase a ‘home’ for the BFO children.

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On Monday a new Turbo GA8 aircraft was ferried from MAF’s Mareeba base in far North Queensland to Mt Hagen PNG. Departing Mareeba at 0930 and arriving in Mt Hagen just before 1600. It is the fourth Turbo GA8 to be added to the PNG fleet in two years. The aircraft was purchased with donated funds, which is essential in MAF renewing it’s fleet in PNG. It is a joy most of the time to work on new aircraft. We are very grateful for God’s provision in a new aircraft.

1. P2-MEW new Turbo GA8

I really like the GA8 Airvan, it is simple, Australian designed/built and good to work on. It has a few things to iron out, it currently does not have the approach speed of the C206 which it is replacing. But MAF have been operating C206′s for forty three years and are heavily modified. MAF’s C206′s have over a hundred MAF modifications (Engineering Orders). Some of these modifications Cessna has used in their newer C206 models. The Airvan is up there not far behind the C206. But It can also exceed the C206 in many ways. It can fly into all the strips the C206 serves, it can carry 200 kg’s more payload, has better take off performance and many other advantages. I believe it is a good fit in replacing the C206. Hopefully over time and some development it will fulfill the role of the C206. And faithfully serve remote communities for many years to come.

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California Dreaming photos

I spent four great days in California with Becky, Jen & Timon.

94 Photos

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The last four months have been very busy and full of developments. We went through a period in Engineering where we were down on our regular number of Engineers. From having three teams and only having one to one and a half in strength. It is such a relief to get a newsletter finished. You can view it or download it here.

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Becky’s March Newsletter is here. You can click here to view or download it. She beat me in getting her newsletter out first, so I’ll post her’s first. God is providing and bringing everything together for Becky to return to PNG on the 6th of April, praise God! Please pray for her as she prepares to return, raises support, time with family and safe travel.

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Before Becky left PNG we both made a commitment to keep communicating and getting to know each other through our friendship. We were keeping in touch via email and Skype. We also were working through a book together on courtship (basic definition – intentional relationship), called Boy meets girl by Joshua Harris. Come late December I was praying if we should start courting. When she was still in PNG, it still seemed we needed more time and then later on it seemed unwise as she was not sure where God was leading her next. I really felt for her, as she had a big decision to make. She was considering joining SIM and serve as a Doctor in Africa or Nepal, or return to PNG. It was during our final week together that I was challenged as I felt like I had it easy. But I realized that I had to pray about if God wanted me to go to Africa. My calling to PNG is a strong one and I don’t believe that I would leave PNG until God told me to leave. But how can I know if I don’t ask. My answer was to wait and I am where I should be.

1. Hollywood

Come the second week of January, God really started to reveal things as He was answering prayer. He closed the doors for Becky to join SIM and made it clear to her she should return to PNG. The following week when I was trying to arrange travel to Sydney to transport a PT6 hot section for maintenance things started to develop all in one afternoon and evening. I was in need of a break, so it worked out I could take two weeks annual leave while the engine parts were in Sydney. I had contemplated in December about visiting Becky in America and meeting up with Timon and Jen, who were on holiday there. I had a free return trip to Sydney and I was encouraged by my superior to go to America. I thought the trip would be too expensive. But some how a week before traveling I got a return ticket to Los Angeles almost for the price of a one way fare. On top of that I had to decide that night whether or not I was going to go. I did not have peace about it and especially going overseas to visit a friend. After praying about it, later that night I was prompted about going to America not just to visit Becky, but to ask her to start courting and ask for her parents blessing. Once I had made the decision I was filled with peace about the trip.

2. Mel’s Diner with Timon & Jen

The late night before departing Mt Hagen as I was packing. I was overwhelmed with God’s goodness. Just reflecting on what He had already done and how He had orchestrated this trip, something I would not have managed to think of in the circumstances I had. To me it was like my D-Day, I was about to travel half way round the world to ask a woman out. I managed to make it through to Sydney on the Friday with no problems. Meeting my parents and sister at Sydney airport, followed by our traditional meal at McDonalds. It was really good to see them, even though it was a brief lay over. The following morning I flew out to Los Angeles, thirteen and a half hours later, arriving before I had left Sydney.

3. Cruising with Johnny – 1939 Packard

I was picked up by Timon and Jen at LAX and shortly after we picked up Becky flying in from Portland. Jen had arranged accommodation with her college roommate’s parents. After lunch we were off to Hollywood, then Beverly Hills and dinner at Mel’s diner, a thirty six hour day for me. The next day we met up with Timon’s friend, Johnny from Aviation training in Michigan. We attended Johnny’s church and then we cruised  in style in his families 1939 Packard and had lunch at a real Mexican restaurant. Then we made it to Huntington Beach, just south of Long Beach. I was determined not to go without swimming on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Timon and I were the only ones swimming in the whole sketch of beach, besides one swimmer who lasted a few minutes. The water was so cold it burned, but after a while it got bearable. That night we ate out at California Pizza Kitchen and watched a movie at Johnny’s place. It was a really good day of fellowship.

4. Disneyland

The next day would be one of our biggest in California, we went to Disneyland. I had heard so much about it growing up and had always wanted to go as a kid. As an adult I was told it would be boring, but I really enjoyed it. I have not been to a fun park like that before. We also managed to get discounted tickets which meant we got free tickets to California Adventure. My favourite ride was the Indiana Jones ride and the California Scream’n roller coaster. The following day we headed to Vanguard University, Becky’s university before going to medical school. Her first time back since graduation and being able to visit some of her lecturers. In the afternoon we went to Newport beach. That evening Becky and I flew out to Portland from LAX, going our separate ways with Timon and Jen. God provided an amazing time in LA and I would of been a fool to miss out on it. We had a busy four days , but a great time together.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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