I joke that Karen has a big whiteboard at home where my daily instructions are posted. It is not true, there isn't one, though the other day she said,"How about writing a Christmas letter."
A report on the year is a chance for some who only hear from us occasionally
to catch up and know how the outback wanderers are still journeying.
Someone said recently, part of you dies when you travel,
as you leave the familiar and lose the support and stability of a known community.
It is true, yet our community is turning into a global village, just think of where Karen works at the Anyinginyi Aboriginal Health Corporation where she is clinic manager.
Some of the people working there are, Aboriginal, Irish, American, Australian ,New Zealand, Fillpnos, Indians, Russian, Vietnamese and Hungarian.
Daily she is the catalyst to make sure things work and those attending the clinic get a wonderful service.
Her negotiating skills are often maxed out keeping people focused ,their ego's in the background while she balances a diverse workforce of Nurses , Doctors, Dentist, Physio, Drivers and Cleaners into a team providing for some very sick people.
A highlight for us this year was attending Prabhu and Neetha's wedding at Mahubnagar out from Hyderabad.
A wonderful occasion with all the colour, crowds ,ceremony and celebration. A great privilege to be part of as a family.
There was the big lesson of being on the receiving end of giving. Clothes bought for us accommodation and travel paid for, while we were guests in India, a humbling experience of unconditional love which went many second miles.
One of the hard things of being away from home, is not being able in person to attend and honour the lives at the deaths of significant people in our lives.
Frances Hunter and Clare Dempster were two amazing women who have been part of our lives , we thank God for them.
We are glad that Tuiana was able to attend their funerals and speak on our behalf.
Tuiana next year will be in the final year of her Teaching degree of Early Childhood Education.
Joel continues working with Haley for the Multi Media company in Auckland. He has been doing some filming in surgery techniques being live streamed overseas.
This year I have been able to carry the bags for Karen as she attended meetings and conferences in Alice Springs and Darwin a number of times , and even one in Wellington NZ.
Somebody has said to Karen, " If he dies can I have his job..!"
I enjoy cooking and these days, the banjo,ukulele and small pipes get a work out most days.
Karen's father Ernie down in South Westland once asked Arawata Bill if he could play the mouth organ he carried. He replied,
"I just blow, and I blow.!"
My music is a bit like that I just have a go.
I wrote a Christmas song which I have shared with the Sports and Recreation after school programme , getting the kids to act it out, I have also shared it with the Uniting Church and the Aboriginal Church , Carols in the Park (Karen and Neetha playing Ukelele with me ) and Primary school assembly.
Christmas is Mary and Joseph ...and a little baby
the Christmas story is told, the last verse says,
The baby's name is Immanuel God is with us.
God is with us, as as we say goodbye to this year, and step with confidence into the next.
As the old song says....
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
I know who holds tomorrow
And I know he holds my hand
Merry Christmas
Arohanui
God bless
Ian, Karen, Joel and Tuiana
