We just wanted to let you know we haven't forgotten about you. We have been up to our necks in studies so haven't had much time to work on blog updates. For those of you that have been praying for us as we get settled in - thank you. We have been able to get organized and a schedule is developing. Unfortunately, that schedule includes frequent late nights working on homework. We probably need to do better about making a point of taking a break. Hopefully we will figure out how to do that -and- stay ahead. The hard work is worth it. We have learned so much good stuff that we can already see will be directly applicable to future cross-cultural ministry - and it has only been two weeks!
Until next time...
Love,
The Kenners
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Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Welcome to Australia
We are here and finally up on the internet! We do not have email worked out yet. That will be a few more days. But at least we can get a message to you here. I am going to keep this brief because our monthly update is ready to send out as soon as we are able to get email working. In the mean time we have some pictures to share. First, check out this video...
We were most excited to see the kangaroos so we thought you might be too.
Jim and I have been trying to get into an exercise routine before classes start so we have been going out in the early mornings with Houghton and Laura for a walk/jog/workout. The kangaroos are frequently out early in the morning so we usually see quite a few. Here are some of them...
Heading out for the morning...
See the joey's head popped out of momma's pouch?
You would think that they would jump over the fences, but they go under.
Here is the albino we were told about...
We don't have a car here and are quite a ways out in the country. So we used some of the first week just figuring out the best way to get around. Equip has a car available for student use. The mileage rate is a little steep though so we tried out the public transportation system to see if that might be a better way to get around. Here are some of us at the rain station.
and on the train...
Gracie loves to give a hand with little Addy...
To use public transport we take a bus to the train, then the train into the city, and then back again. There is a bus stop about a kilometer away from the school. The walk is really nice in the morning, but after a day of walking around getting shopping and errands done we are pretty tired for the walk home.
The alternative...
What is wrong with this picture?
Everything is backwards! This is going to take a little getting used to. The cars are on the 'wrong' side of the road ...or on the left side - depending on who you ask. I go to the wrong side of the car every time I go to get in, and flinch every time another car comes around the corner. I have decided not to drive. I am going to leave that up to Jim.
Here are Laura (middle), Sophia (right), and I...
Sophia is from Vanuatu. She is here for the six week summer course. Also here from Vanuatu for the summer course is Peter, a pastor from the island of Tanna. We are blessed to have them here with us. We met them both while in Vanuatu and look forward to spending more time getting to know them while they are here. Plus we get to continue our Bislama practice and they have a few people they don't have to speak English with.
One of the things we are here to learn are skills and strategies to learn a language once we move into a village situation. And it just so happens that Peter is one of the language helpers. Our whole team is in his group so for the first six weeks we will be practicing with his langauge 'White Sands'. What a blessing, huh? We wont be ministering in that language in the long run, but we think it is pretty cool that we get to practice with one of the languages of Vanuatu. Anyway, back to pictures...
We went out for a nice walk and picnic with Peter and Sophia yesterday. Here is she and Laura on the trail.
Well there are the pictures I have for now. We hope to have our email functioning pretty soon. It is just a matter of getting things to work on EQUIP's network (firewalls and such). Skype isn't working yet either but we hope to also have that fixed soon. In the meantime, if you do email us we will get it once the email thing is fixed.
Here is our new address and phone number...
Jim & Tania Kenner c/o EQUIP
70 Graham Road
Kangaroo Ground, VIC 3097
the number directly to our rooms...
61 (03) 9712-2645
We were most excited to see the kangaroos so we thought you might be too.
Jim and I have been trying to get into an exercise routine before classes start so we have been going out in the early mornings with Houghton and Laura for a walk/jog/workout. The kangaroos are frequently out early in the morning so we usually see quite a few. Here are some of them...
Heading out for the morning...
See the joey's head popped out of momma's pouch?
You would think that they would jump over the fences, but they go under.
Here is the albino we were told about...
We don't have a car here and are quite a ways out in the country. So we used some of the first week just figuring out the best way to get around. Equip has a car available for student use. The mileage rate is a little steep though so we tried out the public transportation system to see if that might be a better way to get around. Here are some of us at the rain station.
and on the train...
Gracie loves to give a hand with little Addy...
To use public transport we take a bus to the train, then the train into the city, and then back again. There is a bus stop about a kilometer away from the school. The walk is really nice in the morning, but after a day of walking around getting shopping and errands done we are pretty tired for the walk home.
The alternative...
What is wrong with this picture?
Everything is backwards! This is going to take a little getting used to. The cars are on the 'wrong' side of the road ...or on the left side - depending on who you ask. I go to the wrong side of the car every time I go to get in, and flinch every time another car comes around the corner. I have decided not to drive. I am going to leave that up to Jim.
Here are Laura (middle), Sophia (right), and I...
Sophia is from Vanuatu. She is here for the six week summer course. Also here from Vanuatu for the summer course is Peter, a pastor from the island of Tanna. We are blessed to have them here with us. We met them both while in Vanuatu and look forward to spending more time getting to know them while they are here. Plus we get to continue our Bislama practice and they have a few people they don't have to speak English with.
One of the things we are here to learn are skills and strategies to learn a language once we move into a village situation. And it just so happens that Peter is one of the language helpers. Our whole team is in his group so for the first six weeks we will be practicing with his langauge 'White Sands'. What a blessing, huh? We wont be ministering in that language in the long run, but we think it is pretty cool that we get to practice with one of the languages of Vanuatu. Anyway, back to pictures...
We went out for a nice walk and picnic with Peter and Sophia yesterday. Here is she and Laura on the trail.
Well there are the pictures I have for now. We hope to have our email functioning pretty soon. It is just a matter of getting things to work on EQUIP's network (firewalls and such). Skype isn't working yet either but we hope to also have that fixed soon. In the meantime, if you do email us we will get it once the email thing is fixed.
Here is our new address and phone number...
Jim & Tania Kenner c/o EQUIP
70 Graham Road
Kangaroo Ground, VIC 3097
the number directly to our rooms...
61 (03) 9712-2645
We pray for God's grace and peace for all of you.
Tania (for the crew)
> > >
Tania (for the crew)
> > >
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