I am such a mix of emotions right now.
Today started with a 3.30am wake up call to be at the airport by 4.30. James was such a trooper and got up and was excited to be awake when it was still dark. Arriving at the airport in Perth I discovered a secret that was kept from me - my best friend Esme and her husband and two little boys in their pj's were waiting to see us off! What amazing friends we have that they would get their whole family up to drive 1/2hr to the airport at that time of morning!
The flight to Malaysia was pretty good - James did so well sitting for 5.5hrs! The activity packs I made up worked a treat and were received with awe and excitement. Having the portable DVD player was also fantastic!
At the Kuala Lumpur airport we had a couple hours wait. Just before we were about to get on the plane James walked into the back of a chair which had a pointy bit just at eye level. Poor boy got a shock and a little sore just under his eye but thankfully it hasn't bruised or puffed up.
Sleep finally took over for all three of us in the 2 hr flight between Malaysia and Phnom Penh. Our first taste of the friendliness of the Khmer people was the lady sitting next to James and Nick who promptly adjusted James to lie over her with his head on her knee after he fell asleep. Everyone here seems taken by our little man :) They love his cheeks!
We were met at the airport by the Director of Sunshine Cambodia, Channy, with a big smile on his face. After piling all our luggage into the waiting taxi we were off! James learnt his first new word of the day - tuk-tuk. He is fascinated! He pointed out everything of note talking rapidly so that even we couldn't keep with him. "tuk-tuk, tuk-tuk, ohhh! More tuk-tuk!"
After meeting Adam (director of Prison Fellowship Cambodia - the organisation that uses the building we are staying in) we settled in and it all started to hit home.
We are in a country that we don't know the language of. We are confronted by different smells, sights and sounds. We are sweating like crazy (30 degrees and humid is awesome!) We don't know anyone here. I am still feeling sore from my tooth extraction and a bit fragile with my diet post gall-bladder operation.
We headed to the mall just down the road (there are 3 in Phnom Penh and we just happen to live just near one!) and stocked up on milk, bread, spaghetti and nappies. Trying to figure out what to buy in a supermarket where most things seem full of sugar and/or don't have English on them is difficult. James loved riding in the tuk-tuk however!
And so, we are back at our home base. Sitting in our bedroom with the air-con on. Wondering what we have gotten ourselves into. We miss home. We miss our friends and family. We are scared.
Today is day 1. The last time we were here it took a few days to get into the swing of things and to settle down. We are going to take it easy this week, easing ourselves into life here in Cambodia. We want to be here. We believe in what we are doing here. Now is the time when we get to the end of ourselves and rely on God's strength, comfort and guidance.
Please pray for comfort and peace. Pray that we will meet some great people who we can connect with. Pray that Nick and I find rest in God. Pray for our supporters and the support they have pledged to give us - both in prayer and financially. Pray that we all have a good nights sleep. Amen.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
T minus 9hrs...
I am about to close my eyes and try to get 5 hours sleep.
We leave Australia to move to Cambodia in 9 hrs!
We had an awesome send-off at church this morning and more than a few tears have been shed today. We have really been blessed by prayer, both the prayer we were given on stage at church this morning and the intimate prayer time spent with my parents and sister and brother-in-law this evening. How it has blessed my soul! I am so thankful that my family have come to know Christ and that we can now pray together and support each other in this amazing way.
To all our supporters, thank you! We are 100% funded now which is amazing! If anyone still would like to support us financially, we would use the amount raised over and above our target to provide for needs we see over there. You will be amazed at what $20 can do!
And so ends our last blog post from Australia. Stay tuned over the next few days for our first post from Phnom Penh, Cambodia!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
9 days to go!
I can't believe in 9 days we will be on a plane heading to Cambodia.
Two months ago we made the decision to follow God's leading and head to Cambodia for 6 months. Within the last two months we have been repeatedly blown away and amazed at how faithful, generous and amazing God is! We have seen so many miracles and answers to prayer already and we haven't even left Australia yet! I once heard a missionary say that the fundraising is half the lesson of a mission trip as the actual mission trip itself. We have found this to be true as we have had to rely on God and others to provide for this work we are about to embark on.
Since I last wrote a post we have gone for $2600 left to raise to just $280! We are so close to getting 100% of our funding and we are just so thankful to all those who have given of their prayers and finances. We can't wait to see what God does in our supporters lives as we truly believe God blesses those who give.
And so with only 9 days to go - I want to encourage our supporters - both those committed to praying for us and those who are committed to providing us with the funds for the trip.
In one of Paul's letter to the Corinthians he write about giving to those who are doing God's work.
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality"
2 Corinthians 8:13-14.
Paul was writing to the Corinthians to encourage them to be faithful in what they had promised to give towards Paul's work as what we would now call a "missionary". He encouraged them to first give to God's house (the church - our tithes) and then give to others. He says:
"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you."
2 Corinthians 9:12-14
When you give to missionaries - you are partnering with them in what they are doing. When they help those who are poor and desperate, you are helping too. When they are telling others about God and what Jesus did when He died and rose again, you are sharing with them too. When they are providing clothes, food, health care, education; you are providing it as well.
In Matthew 25 we hear Jesus talk about what will happen when we meet God on judgement day. Of those who knew God and followed him he says they feed him, clothed him, visited him in prison and when he was ill.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:37-40.
You may never know how you helped them. You will probably never meet them. When you reach heaven you will have a host of people who will be there to testify of how you made a difference in their lives, simply by supporting missionaries and aid workers in their work.
Thank you for joining us in making a difference.
Two months ago we made the decision to follow God's leading and head to Cambodia for 6 months. Within the last two months we have been repeatedly blown away and amazed at how faithful, generous and amazing God is! We have seen so many miracles and answers to prayer already and we haven't even left Australia yet! I once heard a missionary say that the fundraising is half the lesson of a mission trip as the actual mission trip itself. We have found this to be true as we have had to rely on God and others to provide for this work we are about to embark on.
Since I last wrote a post we have gone for $2600 left to raise to just $280! We are so close to getting 100% of our funding and we are just so thankful to all those who have given of their prayers and finances. We can't wait to see what God does in our supporters lives as we truly believe God blesses those who give.
And so with only 9 days to go - I want to encourage our supporters - both those committed to praying for us and those who are committed to providing us with the funds for the trip.
In one of Paul's letter to the Corinthians he write about giving to those who are doing God's work.
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality"
2 Corinthians 8:13-14.
Paul was writing to the Corinthians to encourage them to be faithful in what they had promised to give towards Paul's work as what we would now call a "missionary". He encouraged them to first give to God's house (the church - our tithes) and then give to others. He says:
"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you."
2 Corinthians 9:12-14
When you give to missionaries - you are partnering with them in what they are doing. When they help those who are poor and desperate, you are helping too. When they are telling others about God and what Jesus did when He died and rose again, you are sharing with them too. When they are providing clothes, food, health care, education; you are providing it as well.
In Matthew 25 we hear Jesus talk about what will happen when we meet God on judgement day. Of those who knew God and followed him he says they feed him, clothed him, visited him in prison and when he was ill.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:37-40.
You may never know how you helped them. You will probably never meet them. When you reach heaven you will have a host of people who will be there to testify of how you made a difference in their lives, simply by supporting missionaries and aid workers in their work.
Thank you for joining us in making a difference.
Monday, May 14, 2012
$2600 to go!
We are so humbled. We are in awe of God's provision and the willingness and generosity of people we know!
We received a further $2100 this last week - $300 in a one-off donation and the rest, $1800, in commitments for monthly donations for the 6 months we are away!
We have also had someone offer to pay for our flights! We are booking them this week! Our departure date is tentatively set at the 10th of June at this stage - less than 4 weeks from now. Nick's last work trip gets back on the 8th of June so it needs to be at least this date.
Things are getting very real for us now! We are starting to pack up our house and get it ready for the girls who are going to be looking after it for us. Ali has been getting her passport up to date and we are having our vaccinations later this week. Thankfully we are all up to date so we only need Typhoid for Nick and I and Typhoid and Hep A for James.
We realised on Sunday that we only have got 3 more Sundays here at our church! That is so sad for us! We hope to be able to see everyone to say goodbye in the next 3 weeks before June (we will be mainly spending time with family in the last week we are here as my sister and her family arrive from NZ on the 1st of June). If you want to catch up please facebook or give us a text and we will make sure we catch up :)
So. We have $2650 left to raise. $2400 of this is able to be monthly support with the other $250 needed by the weekend we go (to get visa's when we arrive and for last minute things to take with us for Sunshine Cambodia). There are several ways this can work:
4 people supporting us $100/month - total $600 each.
8 people supporting us $50/month - total $300 each.
16 people supporting us $25/month - total $150 each.
If you are able to support us in any of these categories - please email us at dightfamily@gmail.com or contact us via facebook. We would love to have you on board!
If you would like to make a one-off donation that would also be great!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We are really feeling you behind us and are getting so expectant for what God is going to use us for in Cambodia!
We received a further $2100 this last week - $300 in a one-off donation and the rest, $1800, in commitments for monthly donations for the 6 months we are away!
We have also had someone offer to pay for our flights! We are booking them this week! Our departure date is tentatively set at the 10th of June at this stage - less than 4 weeks from now. Nick's last work trip gets back on the 8th of June so it needs to be at least this date.
Things are getting very real for us now! We are starting to pack up our house and get it ready for the girls who are going to be looking after it for us. Ali has been getting her passport up to date and we are having our vaccinations later this week. Thankfully we are all up to date so we only need Typhoid for Nick and I and Typhoid and Hep A for James.
We realised on Sunday that we only have got 3 more Sundays here at our church! That is so sad for us! We hope to be able to see everyone to say goodbye in the next 3 weeks before June (we will be mainly spending time with family in the last week we are here as my sister and her family arrive from NZ on the 1st of June). If you want to catch up please facebook or give us a text and we will make sure we catch up :)
So. We have $2650 left to raise. $2400 of this is able to be monthly support with the other $250 needed by the weekend we go (to get visa's when we arrive and for last minute things to take with us for Sunshine Cambodia). There are several ways this can work:
4 people supporting us $100/month - total $600 each.
8 people supporting us $50/month - total $300 each.
16 people supporting us $25/month - total $150 each.
If you are able to support us in any of these categories - please email us at dightfamily@gmail.com or contact us via facebook. We would love to have you on board!
If you would like to make a one-off donation that would also be great!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We are really feeling you behind us and are getting so expectant for what God is going to use us for in Cambodia!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Masque, surgery, accommodation
Wow. Again - how great is our God!
First thing first - our Masque for a Cause night was a hit! We had around 35 people attend and had a great time transforming our house into a party venue! The ladies were all dressed up to the nines and the guys didn't look too bad either! We sold all items in the silent auction and everyone enjoyed the amazing food and music. We managed to raise about $750 for our trip and the same for our friends Toby and Esme Clarke who co-hosted the event with us.
First thing first - our Masque for a Cause night was a hit! We had around 35 people attend and had a great time transforming our house into a party venue! The ladies were all dressed up to the nines and the guys didn't look too bad either! We sold all items in the silent auction and everyone enjoyed the amazing food and music. We managed to raise about $750 for our trip and the same for our friends Toby and Esme Clarke who co-hosted the event with us.
Ali (blue dress) with her sister Lou
Ali had surgery on Monday to remove her gallbladder which was full of gallstones. It went really well and she is recovering at home now although is in a bit of pain. James has been making us laugh by following Mummy as she slowly walks around the house holding her stomach and pretending he has a sore tummy too. Such a cutie.
Ali after surgery in hospital
We received amazing news today! We have been allowed to stay at the Riverview Guest House for the entire 6 months we are in Cambodia! This is a total answer of our prayers and is saving us around $4200 as we were budgeting $800/month for accommodation/utilities and we are only being asked to contribute $100/month for utilities at the guest house! Our whole accommodation for 6 months for only $600! Thank you God!
We are just so incredibly blessed by this and with our fundraising efforts we are now at around $3000 out of $8000 raised. We have around 7 individuals/couples who have indicated they would like to support us so we are getting in touch with them this week and hopefully will be much closer to our goal of $8000 by the end of the week! Praise God, Praise God, PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
7 weeks to go...
Wow. 7 weeks to go.
7 weeks until we move to a third world country.
7 weeks to pack up and organise our house and lives.
7 weeks to raise $12,000.
7 weeks to make sure our travel plans, passports, insurance and vaccinations are sorted.
7 weeks to finish off sewing projects I have on the go.
7 weeks to prepare James.
7 weeks to spend with our family and friends.
7 weeks to see God move in the most amazing way.
7 weeks to go. Wow.
7 weeks until we move to a third world country.
7 weeks to pack up and organise our house and lives.
7 weeks to raise $12,000.
7 weeks to make sure our travel plans, passports, insurance and vaccinations are sorted.
7 weeks to finish off sewing projects I have on the go.
7 weeks to prepare James.
7 weeks to spend with our family and friends.
7 weeks to see God move in the most amazing way.
7 weeks to go. Wow.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Starting the support raising journey...
What a busy couple of weeks it has been for us!
We have been putting into motion the plans we have to head over to Cambodia and are now at the support raising stage. To be honest, this is the stage that has me most nervous. From childhood we are taught not to ask for money but to get out there and earn it ourselves. While we are saving ourselves for any costs/bills/debt we have here in Australia - we are trusting God to provide what is needed for our time overseas. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the missionary way of raising support in order to live. Trusting God for this is a big thing and is the second big step of faith we are about to take - the first step being making the decision to go.
We have worked out the figures and have come to the realisation that we need $12,000 in order to live and meet our costs in Cambodia for 6 months. Looking at the big picture, $12k is really not that much to need to live when we compare our cost of living here in Australia! I think it's just looking at that large figure as a whole that gets me nervous!
Our first step in this support raising journey is to hold the "Masque for a Cause" with our good friends Toby and Esme Clarke. We are so excited for this event that is shaping up to be a great night! We have room for 250 people to attend and are aiming for 200.
We have now put together our support raising letter which will be sent out this week. We are trusting that God will provide for us and also allow others to be a part of making a difference by supporting us with prayer and financially. If you would like to receive this letter please send me an email - dightfamily@gmail.com - and we will send one out to you.
Our prayer needs at this stage are:
- For God to bless the staff, children and families of the Sunshine Centre
- For financial support to be raised and start coming in so we can start looking at flights, insurance and immunisations
- For Nick to get plenty of work at his new casual position at an environmental firm which will allow us to save for our costs here in Australia and also contribute to our costs in Cambodia
- For a full turn out at the Masque for a Cause and a full 10 items/vouchers to put up for auction on the night
On a more personal note, things have been going well with our family these last two weeks. My Dad and sister, Gabby were baptised on the weekend which is an amazing answer to prayer! Their testimonies on stage during the church service left barely a dry eye in the house as they were open and honest in sharing their faith and the change God has made in their lives. I now have seen my mum, dad and 3 sisters and a brother baptised! Praise God!
Dad's baptism
Sister Gabby's baptism
James is doing amazing with his toilet training. It has only been just over a week and he often goes the whole day with no accidents. This is an answer to prayer as we were really hoping to have him toilet trained before we go.
We hope you are all well and would really love to hear what is happening in your lives too!
xx Alison
We have been putting into motion the plans we have to head over to Cambodia and are now at the support raising stage. To be honest, this is the stage that has me most nervous. From childhood we are taught not to ask for money but to get out there and earn it ourselves. While we are saving ourselves for any costs/bills/debt we have here in Australia - we are trusting God to provide what is needed for our time overseas. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the missionary way of raising support in order to live. Trusting God for this is a big thing and is the second big step of faith we are about to take - the first step being making the decision to go.
We have worked out the figures and have come to the realisation that we need $12,000 in order to live and meet our costs in Cambodia for 6 months. Looking at the big picture, $12k is really not that much to need to live when we compare our cost of living here in Australia! I think it's just looking at that large figure as a whole that gets me nervous!
Our first step in this support raising journey is to hold the "Masque for a Cause" with our good friends Toby and Esme Clarke. We are so excited for this event that is shaping up to be a great night! We have room for 250 people to attend and are aiming for 200.
We have now put together our support raising letter which will be sent out this week. We are trusting that God will provide for us and also allow others to be a part of making a difference by supporting us with prayer and financially. If you would like to receive this letter please send me an email - dightfamily@gmail.com - and we will send one out to you.
Our prayer needs at this stage are:
- For God to bless the staff, children and families of the Sunshine Centre
- For financial support to be raised and start coming in so we can start looking at flights, insurance and immunisations
- For Nick to get plenty of work at his new casual position at an environmental firm which will allow us to save for our costs here in Australia and also contribute to our costs in Cambodia
- For a full turn out at the Masque for a Cause and a full 10 items/vouchers to put up for auction on the night
On a more personal note, things have been going well with our family these last two weeks. My Dad and sister, Gabby were baptised on the weekend which is an amazing answer to prayer! Their testimonies on stage during the church service left barely a dry eye in the house as they were open and honest in sharing their faith and the change God has made in their lives. I now have seen my mum, dad and 3 sisters and a brother baptised! Praise God!
Dad's baptism
Sister Gabby's baptism
James is doing amazing with his toilet training. It has only been just over a week and he often goes the whole day with no accidents. This is an answer to prayer as we were really hoping to have him toilet trained before we go.
We hope you are all well and would really love to hear what is happening in your lives too!
xx Alison
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