So this month was another new experience for me (Bruce).  Off to Mexico City for a Project Officers Conference.

The video clip is a collection of the photos from that trip taken by the delegates. The clip is best played with the background music of Chris Tomlin's 'God of this City' which is available from YouTube.

Also this month, we have visited Buff Bay Corps on the North Coast, visited the Zoo and spent yesterday in Hope Gardens.  Lots of photos on Facebook......

Next month I am of to Haiti again and then we are looking forward to our Christmas / New Year Holiday, meaning I can cross a few more things off my bucket list.  

Weebly is getting more complex so we are mainly going to update via facebook.  If you are not on facebook, let us know so we can email you a newsletter each month instead.

wow how time flies. August is gone and September is nearly over. We are over the half way mark of our service here and we are looking forward to what God has in store over the next half. 74 Sundays to be exact til we see our family again.

Well during these 2 months we have been half way round the world and back again, so that must make it a round the world experience lol. Jamaica - Miami - LA - Sydney - LA -Miami - to home.

What more can we say than we are so blessed, blessed beyond measure, and our gratitude and thanks go to AUE Territory for bringing us home for the Freedom Celebration (Congress). How can we say enough thanks for this gift. A gift that gave us time with our families, and with our fellow officer friends and comrades. It was an absolute blessing to say the least.

For those of you who may not know Simon our youngest son and his wife were due to have a baby on August 26, but God was so good that Tyler arrived on the 14th 2 days before we flew out for Sydney, which meant we had 10 day with him.... of which was so precious. The rest of our family time was with  Tomy and Bryelle and Kas and Mike. What fun we had, and to have Bryelle run into my arms when we arrived and hug me ...wow words cant express. Time with Bruce's Mum and Dad and his family.

Catching up with friends was a highlight as well, especially being able to visit Major Jan Frazer, my dear friend to be able to minister and pray with her, and then be home to praise God for her life at her funeral. Its amazing the little things you take for granted and the things you miss.

Congress was fantastic, a time of catch up with special friends old and new, to share experiences of our journey and to share in theirs. Then it was back to Jamaica.

Well its 2 weeks today since we got back, but it feel like months ago, life is full for both of us, school is back, catching up with the kids and the paper work waiting for me. For Bruce its the mail appeal time again and then off to Mexico City on Monday for 5 days at the project officers Conference.

Today I start a 20 lesson Pastoral Counseling Lectures at College empowering and teaching the 2nd year cadets.......so blessed and such a privilege to be asked to do this, I look forward to this time teaching them and my first words will be what my Education officer and wife told me the day I left college ...... "Just love you people" for 21 years I have been doing that and its true, true beyond words, so thank Phil and Jan Cairns golden words given, great lesson learnt.

Well that's about it for this update, Bruce will share more next month as he will have Mexico to talk about.

Thank you for your love and prayers, your support, we don't take it for granted especially on days that are tough and hard but on those days we just bless the Lord and praise him for his continuous love for us.

tons of Jesus hugs xox B&C

So July has come and gone.  

July is about Summer holidays for the school, less traffic on the road, and the heat.  Just like January in Australia (Cheryl said to add just like January in Cairns, not Sydney). 

The weekend after school finished we went away for a quick break to the north coast and stayed at Shaw Park Resort.  Nice beach and good food.  This was just a chance to leave the school campus as, when school is on, we can only do the odd day trip.

I (Bruce) then went off to Haiti for two weeks again.  Always interesting to visit and work with a great team of people from across the Army world who minister to the Haitians in so many ways.  I admire especially the Haitian Officers and Soldiers that work in their communities sharing God's love.

While I was away, and as there was nothing Cheryl could really do at the school, she went off to THQ and joined the Women's Ministries team and is currently editing the 2014 Women's Ministries Manual for the Territory.

When I returned from Haiti, we again headed off to another resort to celebrate our 35th honeymoon. 

So we are now looking forward to again getting on a plane, many planes, and returning home to Australia for a holiday, the arrival of our next grandchild (Simon & Lauren's first child) and, of course, the General's Congress.

So, check out the photos and we'll see many of you next month.

Hello to you all, boy the year is flying. We have been home for Andrew and Kylies wedding in Darwin, such a beautiful wedding and never seen Andrew glow so much he has found his soulmate in Kylie and we are so happy to have her as part of our family and now it is complete -  3 sons and 3 daughters what more could one ask .

We had  a wonderful family time during our 2 week furlough, it was so special catching up with the grandbabies especially Blake and Matthew as we don't get to Skype them only when they are at Andrew's. I enjoyed my rumbles with them all on the grass and the swimming with them in the pool and the walks to the lake and pond feeding the ducks. What more could a grandparent want or ask for.

The flight was not too bad but long, 6 days all in travel and again we do it in August as we take a few more weeks furlough and attend congress - which we are looking forward to and catching up  with many of you.

We were blessed to be able to attend Sunday at Collaroy at "Back to the Beaches" it was lovely to see DY people and also the evening out with the girls again we were blessed.

Well back to things in Jamaica ...what can I say ...ITS HOT!! As summer (which I consider is all the time just that the humidity gets worse) is here and it will only get hotter, even the pool water is warm but at least it is wet. School finishes for the school year here on July 3 and this will be my 2nd Graduation it will be so special and next year 2014 will be my last graduation here and am sure it will be very special. 

As summer holidays approach, it will entail for me R & R from being on duty 24/7. Doing some knitting for Kas and the new baby and Bryelle plus loads of other things as well as setting up ready for term 1.

Next week we see and attend out second commissioning here in Jamaica and Bruce also attends TEC (Territorial Executives Council) so its a big week for everyone here and an exciting week for the cadets. We have 10 new cadets entering college in September.

As for Bruce he has a Haiti trip coming up in July and is presently busy getting reports etc done

Last Saturday we drove the eastern side of Jamaica to Boston Bay where Bruce and the Melendez's had jerked pork and I swung on the tree swing over the beach and had a swim..so lovely I think this is one of my favourite places.

Again we are so blessed. blessed beyond measure, we are enjoying the journey, having a ball amidst life's frustration ...which is called "life".

So until next month, we sign of with 59 days till we arrive in Sydney...we do live in a beautiful, wonderful country  and sometimes we need to leave it to realise it to its fullest what Australia really has!

Thank you for your love n prayers,  for now, tons of Jesus Hugs.
 B&C.
 

Hi from Bruce first this time (it's because it Mother's Day so Cheryl is having a rest???? - actually Cheryl is on duty and I'm filling in time).

For me April was about organising the mid-year Mail Appeal and sending out almost 4,000 letters throughout Jamaica.

Then at the end of the month it was off to Haiti for my 3rd trip.
I often say that the difference between Sydney to Jamaica is about the same as the difference between Jamaica and Haiti, in so many ways.

In Haiti there are more people, more cars and motor bikes, more street vendors, more of everything, but also a country struggling because of polotics, infrastructure, poverty, earthquake recovery, education.....

However, amongst all this, I don't think I have seen so many smiling and happy children as I do when I visit Haiti.

Cheryl will post some photos from my recent trip.

Now over to Cheryl....

It's been a busy month. Getting everything ready for the end of the school year and for while we are away in Australia for holidays.

The month stared out with mission teams from the US here and one of the ladies was an optomerist which was great for us as she did eye screening. Now some of the children will eventually get glasses.

Simeon, the young boy who's mother died just before easter is doing really well. He comes 3 times a day for hugs and kisses as he has adopted me as his new mum...so nice especially for him that he feels safe and secure with me. God always blesses me unlimitedly.

We had 8 students enrolled as senior soldiers this month and it was a special time for them and for us. Great to see them growing in Christ.
Also we had the swimming carnival and boy, what fun that was.

It was a stinking hot day, but the photos came out great. Check them out.

Wednesday last week I fell on the walkway in the evening from left over rain water, and hurt my right foot. I had x-rays but no break just soft tissue damage. It is still strapped and will be this week just for protection before coming home.

Well thats is for now. 7 sleeps and we are home for 3 weeks.

The kids here are upset as they think I won't be back but I have told them I will. But looking so forward to seeing the kids and my grandbabies and hugging them and playing with them all those sorts of things and especially getting to know Bryelle as she was only 8 weeks old when we left.

Thanks for all the love and prayers and support and looking foward to seeing some on you in Australia....Tons of Jesus Hugs B & C xox

Hello to you all for the month of March, time is flying over here and the heat or I should say humidity is again starting to climb...so very hot..well I think. Unfortunately or fortunately as one would see it, Bruce has climatised very easily to the weather, as for me I still struggle with the humidity, army uniform is very uncomfortable when one is just a wet rag lol. Thank God I dont wear stockings at school.

Apart from the weather, life is still an amazing journey with so many moments of being blessed beyond measure. March was a quiet month for Bruce, no Haiti trips, just 1 trip to Montego Bay for 2 nights where he attended officers council and caught up with some projects and sponsership work.

For me, its been school, school, school. Most of the children have been really well, a few fungal infections and at the end of March a cold/flu broke out amongst them all which ran rampant as we know. March 27 saw the end of term with 10 day Easter holiday break before the new and last school term commences for the school year on April 8.

Over easter this year, we spent time at Treasure Beach  in St Elizabeth, a southern Jamaican coastal village..a fisherman village. Apart from the pot holed roads...John & Pam, John & Kaye , Stephen & Lynn know from experience was a beautiful place to reflect Easter. We attended the Top Hill Corps on Good Friday for the service nearly 4 hours long, but being situated on the top of the mountain (therefore I presume the name Top Hill) the sea breeze was wonderful..

we stayed at "The Cove" a Jamaican resort , very private with its own cove, the views and scenery was wonderful especially the loud crashing of the waves on the cove of a night. It was lovely to go to the fisherman bay part of tresure beach, and seeing the fishing boats ( abit different to ours in Australia) and just reflecting the times Jesus  was with his disciples who were fisherman and then to just reflect on the gift that God gave us each. Again ue are blessed beyond measure.

One big surprise we had this month was to find out that "Flow" our tv and phone service put Australia on the list for free calls to landlines from Jamaica. It has been great to speak with and hear the voices of my dad and my sister for the first time in 14 months. It's been great to phone some dear friends, great long chat with Rosie and Neil, Carolyn & Neil, Trish & Macca, Cheralynne, Debbie and Bruce's family especially his sisters. I will try and phone as many as I can over the weeks and months ahead to say "hello" but we only have 40 hours per month that's 1.2 hrs a day Bruce said ..this again is being blessed beyond measure.

The journey is amazing, but also is knowing that Andrew & Kylie's wedding is in 6 weeks, count down is really on, 5 weeks Saturday we fly out headed for Sydney..so excited to see my grandbabies and especially excited to cuddle them especially Bryelle. (She was only 8 weeks old when we left) Looking forward to picking Tomy and Bryelle up from daycare on that first day...can't wait.

So for now that's it....and look forward to Aprils capers and what we come our way. Thank you for all your love, prayers and support. You will never know how precious it is to us.

Tons of Jesus Hugs....B&C

Hello to you all, it has been an interesting month for both Bruce and I and Bruce will share his journey to Haiti, which believe me has been amazing for him. So this communicapers maybe a little longer than normal, but I dont think you'll mind.

But for me school is humming along nicely. We got over the chicken pox epidemic, 18 children were sent home only 10 had confirmed chicken pox which is good and no new outbreaks. We celebrated Jamaica Day, in which we all wore Jamaican colours and had a big concert all day long at school.....it was a great time nearly like Australia day but different colours...I will put some photo up. We also had mid term break where most of the kids went home for 7 days. I only had 18 kids remain, mainly the choir as they were performing in the Jamaica Gospel Choir Competition and the semi finals were on and they came 1st in all 3 categories. Now we wait for May for the finals..they are so good. Ministry is so great, the children blessed beyond measure all the time and I love everday, well who wouldnt love the hugs I get and the confidences they share with me. So privileged and so grateful to God. 

Our dear friends Col Bernt and Hildegard Ornes looked after me very well while Bruce was away. We drove up the Blue Mountain into the national park and bought freshly picked coffee off the bushes. We also were taken on a tour of the coffee planation...very interesting and guess what, no snakes. I've been cooking in my spare time and guess what Im doing really good. Bernt and Hildegard come over for taste testing and of course coffee.

As you may have heard Bruce and I are going to be grandparents again with Sinmon and Lauren expecting their first little one in August. God has planned this so well, cause we will be home for congress and be able to meet and nurse and love our newest grandbaby.

Well thats from me, I'll hand over to my man to share his wonderful experiences.

So I have just come back from 12 days in Haiti.  What an experience.

The first week was many meetings at DHQ and the Haiti Recovery & Development office set up after the earthquake.

Saturday, I got an ocean swim in.  No sand or waves, but it was salt water and the beach was called; Obahma Beach.

Sunday, I was incredibly privileged to be allowed to bring the Bible Message at the Port-au-Prince Central Corps.  Translated into french, it was challenging, fun and I was blest.

The second week included some day trips.  On Wednesday, I visited some of the houses the Army is rebuilding after the earthquake for people who lost the house they owned.  Yes it is a slow process as we need to prove they were the land owner.  The footprint of the land is not much bigger than a single car garage, and it’s not like Australia where there are house numbers and street names.

I also visited a Vocational College and I felt like I was back in my TAFE teaching days.  We have over 100 young people learning to be mechanics, builders, tilers etc.

Friday, I went to the country where we visited an agricultural project.  Enjoyed some 4WD again.

Of course I’m glad to be home, but looking forward to going back again next month.  

If you have access to facebook, I uploaded the photos from my trip there.

So that’s this month’s journey.

Hello all; and hope you all had a lovely New Year. The new year started with us both going back to work, Bruce back to THQ and Me back to school. Bruce has been busy entertaining sponsership and project guests for most of January, meeting people from IHQ, Sweden, Norway and having a great time of fellowship with new friends. Bruce has also been busy organising this year's trips around the caribbean Haiti, Suriname, maybe Antigua and a few more.

For me, it was great to get all the kids back to school and I have never been hugged so much, and the thankfulness of the parents was amazing for loving their children. Some told me that their kids talk about me..Lord help me! lol, I love them so much they are so very very special. Registration of the kids is a big long job and goes for many days not just 1, but day 1 and 2 are the busiest. My jamaican nurse commenced a new job and the second week ofJanuary found out that she died tragically leaving a 12 year old, so that was very upsetting, hard and a time of grieving for her friends particularly at the school.

After this 4 weeks into school we had a chicken pox oput break and that was an extremely busy time and the clinic was running 24 hrs non stop, I diid all the 12 day shift and Jason my Philippino nurse did all the 12 night shifts so we worked 7-7 for 7 days until all parents had come for their 16 children. Since then no one else has come down with it hoping that's how it stays. The new helath clinic is fabulous, still needing to do and get  a few things still.

The weather has been hot not so humid but still hot,no rain and its very dry, the Jamaicans are wearing track tops etc as they say this is cold, top me it's Australian summer, Lord help me when the humidity starts again. But the pool is getting a great work out by us and our friends Colonels Bernt and Hildegard Ornes from Norweign they are the SBA and LOM Seceretary and we get on like a house on fire and bonus is they live 2 houses up so lots of coffee and suppers.

I covered in the verandah of the house with mossie net, so I can now sit out on the verandah and enjoy the evenings, being very cautious of too many mossie bites after having dengue, dont want to get that sick again, still 8kg under what I was when leaving Australia but well.

WEll thats about it for now, running a bit late with this one, February one will be up in 2 weeks and we will tell you more about our ministry adventures in update 21. Thank you again for you love, prayers and support, we are very humbled and appreciative.

Tons of Jesus Hugs B & C xoxox

December! Our First White Christmas and New Year in New York (but more about that later).

The month kicked off with us being able to enjoy the live streaming of the Australia Eastern Territory's Ordination and Commissioning. Gotta love the technology we have at our disposal today.

Normal Christmas activities were held and Bruce got to spend a morning at one of the large hospitals in Kingston doing League of Mercy visitation and handing out Christmas gift.

Also in the month the Prime Minister of Jamaica visited the School for the Blind and this was a big event.

Then it was a week of Christmas Parties, a birthday, and then we were off to the USA.

We arrived on Saturday, December 22, picked up our hire care and drove for about three hours to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

We left Kingston with temperatures around 25 degrees and landed to temperatures that never really went above zero.

Whilst people kept telling us that it is rare for Lancaster to get a white Christmas, at around 4pm on Christmas Eve it started to snow heavily and continued untl the early hours of Christmas Day.  So we have now enjoyed a White Christmas.

We spent the following week touring covered bridges, visiting Amish Farms and enjoying fellowship with the friendly people from the community. We attended church with our mennonite hosts and were invited to the King family another Mennonite family from their church to visit and asked to stay for tea, it was an amazing time and Cheryl’s feet never touch the ground. Eating amish cooking ..we loved whoopie pies, shoo-fly pie yum! We were so blessed and a dream unfolded to be come reality for Cheryl. It was like living in a one of

A week later we headed into New York.  It snowed again and on our first day we were walking around Central Park in the snow.

Over the week we visited Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, Times Square and cruised to the Statue of Liberty (it was closed due to the after math of Hurricane Sandy).

We did see the New Year's Eve Ball (when they were testing it) but didn't bother being out in the crowds and the cold at midnight.

We did go to the roof of the Williams (Salvation Army Residence) to watch the fire works.

Anyhow, now back to a new year and back to our ministries next week.

More communicating next month.....
 

Well good evening to all. Where dos time fly, November went so fast but probably as I had half of it off sick might explain this. However, Im back at work again now, my blood liver function still is not 100% and I have to have another blood test in 2 weeks before we go on holidays. My immune system is down and the flu/cold/sore throat stuffiness that the kids have all had I have picked up and so has knocked me a bit, especially when the dengue fatigue sets in. Its like a power failure is probably the best way to explain it going great 1 minute and nothing the next...time is the secret here.

While  was off on sick leave our new health department continued to be renovated, and thank you for the generosity of family and friends I have been able to do the furnishings I wanted to do..check out the videos and photos. Its amazing and such a contrast to the old one. It is a lovely place to work, and we have been in for 2 weeks now still just a few little things the builders have yet to finish. I enjoyed designing it, painting it, curtaining it and doing quilts for the beds and upholestering chairs. We painted all the furniture white looks great. But may I say we are blessed beyond measure.

The congress was great with General Linda, and I enjoyed showing her the old health lodge explaining the new one and all the colours, she was great with the kids and the kids loved her, they did their usually thing lots of cuddles and hugs.  

Congress was a great time of meeting people from the 17 countries of the territory and meeting lots of facebook friends for the first time. The meeting were full of General Linda ’s passion, and it is amazing how well she does her ministry seeing her busyness of office.  General Linda preached with passion from her heart, and with the power of the Holy Spirit. It was good meeting up with her again.

Well thats it for this month, school finishes next week 14th for a 3 week break, and we head of to Pennisylvannia (Amish country) and New York for our very first white christmas - I’ve waited all my life for this.
Thank you for your love and prayers while I have been unwell it was a bit scary at one time but I was well looked after.  Thank you to all those who helped me furnish the health department, Im getting great compliments from everyone and about the bright and friendly atmosphere it has for the kids. 

so til next time tons of Jesus hugs B&C xoxox