Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 8
Hi to all
This is our last Newsletter for 2005.
Tuesday 9.11.05
Well here we are camped over night at Fraser Range Sheep Station Caravan Park. It is very hot, 35oC in the van when we arrived so on went the air conditioner, it is now 30oC in the van and the best use of my time is to write this to you.
Let me go back in time briefly.
Friday 14.10.05 the church’s night market was indeed an occasion to experience. You will have to ask us for details on our return as I would be writing for ages. Ian and Judy cooked sausages, hamburgers and sold drinks under the most primitive conditions that would have made the health department squirm. The end result of the night was that the church cleared $2400. David Kim (Martu Christian Fellowship missionary) thanks to Ian’s initiative went to bed that night with a mound of second hand clothes in the middle of his driveway. It was enough to have filled a 1 ton truck with 1meter sides. He was happy as he is always looking for goods for his Fellowship members. We still had to repack into the sheds 4 packing boxes of stuffed toys, 30 of clothes and 15 of household items. The next Monday the goods started arriving at church for the next night market in which will be held in about 6 months.
Saturday 15.10.05 Mine Open Day. It was a good day, Ian and Judy served sausages and drinks again. This time it was for the Lion’s club and the health department would have been proud. There were many displays from mine companies at the tourist centre and regular bus tours of Mount Whaleback Mine. We went on one such tour but it was not as good as the personal tour that Brad had given us earlier in our time in Newman.
Tea was with our friends David & Esther Kim and children. After tea we sat around the piano and sang Christian songs. It was so heartwarming with children of today being happy to be involved in such an activity on a Saturday night.
Sunday 16.0.05 Kelita’s Princess 5th Birthday party went well with Judy icing her 1st little girls cake, it was a crown.
For the month of October on Tuesday afternoon, Ian and I were on the roster to feed the Lions Club’s animals at the animal park. This involved picking up scrap fruit and vegetables from Woolworths and giving it to the animals. At the park we have; horses, goats, sheep, very large pig, emu, chooks, geese, ducks, bantams and a ram that thinks it is a goat.
Friday 21.10.05 Our last Adventure day with Annie & Brian was to Weeli Wolli Water Hole a place they had always wanted to go to but couldn’t as you it need a 4WD to access the area.
Saturday 22.10.05 it was dinner with a family from church, 1st farewell. It was a very pleasant evening but also sad as we really got to know them that evening and enjoyed their company, yet we were soon to leave town.
Sunday 23.10.05 after church a large group went to the local pool to witness Benson’s baptism. Benson is from Christmas Island and is married to Teresa from the Philippians. They have 4/5 children and up until recently he was a Buddhist with his wife a Christian. You can imagine what joy it was for all when he chose to follow Jesus. Ian and I left after lunch and drove 200km to Karajini where we camped over night and walked Joffery Gorge early the next morning (this is to beat the heat) having a swim at the bottom of the gorge in the waterhole. The climb in and out stretched my legs to their limit but it was good to do.
After packing up camp we drove to Hamersley Gorge which we visited 2 years ago, this time we had a swim in the water hole. It was amazing so clean and cool; we were the only ones there so it was like paradise. The climb in and out was steep and hot but the swim was again worth it. It was then onto Mt Sheila which we had also visited 2 years ago but the view, oh the view, nothing for as far as the eye could see. Well that was not so this time as Hamersley Iron are placing another rail line in, therefore there was a workers camp and an airstrip that could land quite a large plane on the road to Mt Sheila. I guess one day it will be back to its raw state.
The difference between our last visit and this one was not only the arrival of the camp but last time we were earlier in the year and the air was crystal clear this time there was a blue heat haze. We drove home through Tom Price cutting across to the Great Northern Highway and completing a circle arriving at the van very late and very tired but refreshed.
The weather is now very hot (41oC in the annexe, approx 33/35 oC in the van without air conditioning). We need to hibernate in the van with the air conditioning on; this brought the temperature in the van down to 30 oC. In Newman people hibernate in summer not winter as in Sydney. This makes ministering for us very difficult with only a van and limited space. It would be different if we had a house with Air conditioning paid for by BPH. Judy was also starting to suffer cabin fever having to be shut in the van most afternoons.
Thursday 3.11.04 it was dinner with Brad, Wendy and the girls. They also are very special people. Please remember them in your prayers as Phoebe, 2yrs old was born with a cyst on the brain and as a result, as yet can’t speak. They will have to make decisions next year regarding the best for Phoebe and where they should live. It is hard as Newman is home.
Friday 4.11.05. The church put on a farewell barbeque which was very special and also quite emotional to have all those we had come to love together in one place.
Saturday 5.11.05 was a trivia night at the recreation centre for the Catholic Church; it was their annual fund raiser. Judy, who doesn’t usually win, won $40 to spend at the local fish and chips shop. Our table came 2nd at the end of the night and received more vouchers for food. Of course none of these were of any good to us as we were leaving on Monday. Oh well it was good to give them to others at our table.
Sunday6.11.05 After church was one last meal with the Fyffe’s at the Capricorn Roadhouse our favourite lunchtime escape.
And so we come to Monday 7.11.05, we left Newman at 6.30am.
Our last week was spent residing at the Reg & Rebecca’s place as they were away with the family and kindly offered their air conditioned house plus pool for us to use. It was so lovely to be able to exercise and cool off in their pool. We were also able to use our days cleaning and organizing our goods for travel. We have accumulated a bit during our time in Newman, even the washing machine is coming home in the back of the car. Sadly the shoe rack Ian made out of pallets had to stay behind.
Out first night we spent with Bill and Jackie France, BCA team at Mt Magnet, we had met them on our way to Newman.
Our entry into Perth was not the best as we arrived at peak time and with the road works happening it was bumper to bumper and we were very tired after driving 710kms that day.
The Days in Perth were to be taken up with Judy icing the cakes she had made for Margaret’s wedding in December, catching up with friends plus Jannette and Scruff’s wedding on the Saturday. Although the wedding was very different to what we are used it was great to see our friends so happy to be marrying.
It seems we left Newman just in time before it really heated up. Yesterday it was to be 43 oC.
Perth is finally warming up with 35 oC predicted so we are still coping with heat.
Fraser Range Station where we are staying tonight is 105km across the Nullabor, tomorrow is Eucla and Thursday is Ceduna the SA side of the Great Australian Bight and the Nullabor.
By then we will be due for a couple of days rest.
In Adelaide we have 2 families to visit and then it is all roads lead to home.
Well, this email hasn’t been sent yet. Reception has been a bit hit and miss across the Nullabor and with the time changes we keep missing our free hour on our mobile for email sending.
On our trip across the flies have been horrible and the heat oh the heat. To top it off today we have had strong winds. However the highlight in our day today was that we ended up traveling behind a 5.5 meter wide load and 2 escort vehicles with another 4WD towing a camper trailer. We traveled together for 50km even after they had called us both through. We all had our UHF radio on channel 40 as you do out here and conversation took place until we all needed to stop for fuel. In the lead escort vehicle was the wife of the truck driver. They had been talking to Rhonda, the other 4WD driver at the last fuel stop, we recognized her outfit (i.e. 4WD and Trailer) from our last 2 stopovers. It turned out we were all from NSW, Penrith and Merrylands to be exact, so conversation prevailed interspersed with the lead escort saying “5.5meters coming your way” to oncoming vehicles. This sharing of life and travel experiences certainly helped the time to pass for all.
We have now stopped for 2 nights in Ceduna after 4 days traveling and 2000 kilometers under our belt. It is still hot with lots of flies and now we also have a plague of moths and tiny bugs to cope with. We also had to part with a small amount of fruit and salad at the Border check point; we had misjudged our consumption.
Prayer points from the Neals on Wheels
- For those we have left behind in Newman especially Rebecca and the children, Wendy and Phoebe, Annie and Brian.
- Continued traveling safety, for the jet lag you can get when traveling so many days in the car, also continued good health.
- Praise God for his goodness at all times and in all things.
- Give Praise and thanks for the Sydney Anglican web site and the sermons Judy has downloaded, we listen to 1 or 2 each day in the car.
- God bless all of you for your love and support, continue to pray for all those who serve in remote areas, it is so hard not to have the people and resources we take for granted in the city.
- Praise God for the joining together of Jannette and Scruff in marriage, pray that they will come to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour.
- Pray that as Kane reads his Bible and his copy of the children’s 2 ways to live (‘Who will be King”) he will also come to know Jesus.
This certainly has become lengthy again so I best stop.
God Bless, see you soon.
Love from Ian and Judy
Neals on Wheels
BCA Co Workers Newman.
Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 7
Firstly it is good to report that Judy’s health is good. It seems that she has adjusted at last to Newman.
Sitting writing this to you, it is obvious to us that many things about our life in Newman have changed. Not only is the weather much hotter and we struggle to cope, but the focus has also changed in our work for God. It seems to us that it is now supporting a couple of young families that have come to town for work. It is so hard for the wives as they adjust to life in Newman without any support with their children from extended family, there is a feeling of isolation and entrapment.
It has been said by one of the young mum’s that it is 24 hours a day with the children with no chance of a break. It takes time to build relationships to a point where you will trust leaving your children with them and if your husband is working long hours and you have a young family where is the time and energy to build those relationships.
The changeover in Ministry for the church is well under way with Brian having had conversation with the Archbishop in Perth during the recent school holidays and will be working as Assistant Priest in Maddington [with Ray Arthur]. Prayer is needed for their accommodation as it is hard to find houses close to Maddington.
Matthew Johnson has accepted the call to Newman and will arrive late January 2006 with his wife, Naomi and 2 young children (2 & 4yrs). The church will only be without a minister for a matter of weeks which is great. Please pray that all will go well with their plans to move here and that Naomi will cope with the change, heat, and the fact that she too will need to get used to not having family support close by.
I find it easier to write in diary form so here we go it is another month since our last Newsletter and life again has been busy but as was said before different.
13th Tuesday we had tea with Ric and Narrissa, a couple from church that we have wanted to spend more time with.
14th Wednesday saw us having lunch at Capricorn Roadhouse which is 15kms south of town. It has become a bit of a routine to go about every 2 weeks and as a result of this we have become friendly with a couple who work there. We also see them in Woolworths and have a chat.
Woolworths is the social center of town as everyone needs to go there to buy food. We usually have to queue at the checkout as staff is scarce; this is exasperating when people from mine camps and properties out of town come in to stock up. It is possible for these people to spend $3000 and have many trolleys full of all kinds of needs.
The rest of the week involved the usual activities
17th Saturday was Lunch at the van with Ric, Narrissa (yes, the couple from Tuesday night) & Margaret. We had no idea how the afternoon was to unfold. It was hot so we moved from the annexe to the shade of our neighbour’s bus inviting them to join us for coffee, then Rebecca turned up with her 4 children and as it is with young children it became busy as Judy endeavored to entertain them. Next to arrive were the Maude’s from Broome with their daughter who were on there way to the Clergy Conference in Perth and to top it off the car seat cover couple came (this is a couple we had met previously when they were in town selling their wares) and also stayed for coffee. What a wonderful afternoon of fellowship, we had with such a variety of people. God’s hand was there as usual as David the seat cover man who doesn’t attend church met Michael Maude and connected that they knew each other from younger days at a church camp.
[An interest point; we have traveling sales people come into town for a few days to a week selling all kinds of items. This is good as it give us some variety of goods to buy in town.]
18th Sunday again it was time with Ric and Narrissa as they took us it to the bush, to Poonda pool. This required relying on our GPS and driving through bush which opened up into a lovely waterhole where we had afternoon tea. On leaving the pool at 4.30pm we remembered we had to feed the animals at the Lions park, needless to say we were late.
19th Monday the weather is heating it was time to swim. Today’s swim was in the caravan pool.
20th Tuesday was a swim at Rebecca’s place; this meant entertaining 3 of her children in the pool. Ian makes a great dolphin for them to cling to as he dives. Judy was able to entice the youngest, a boy into the water and have fun with him as his confidence grew. Lions meeting that night, we had a casserole evening as we said goodbye to the manager of Woolworths who has been of great assistance to Lions and the work they do.
21st Wednesday it was a swim in the council pool which is lovely for swimming lengths. At Lions the previous night we had been asked to house care for people who were going on holidays for 2 ½ weeks. This means you water plants, feed animals and just keep an eye on their house. Well again God’s hand was obviously in the midst of this occasion. [I say this as we sometimes are not aware of God hand so vividly in things that happen in life]. Jacinta, the lady of the house was not home from work so we spoke with Scott. Scott had a story that I won’t go into at this time except to say that God through lifeline had pulled him up from the depths to where he is today, yet he still seems not to have made a commitment. After much conversation we left 1 ½ hours later with the arrangement made for Judy to read a bible story to the two children [age 7 & 5years] the next night, again she used 2 ways to live for kids. They seemed very interested with the boy asking some very good questions. e.g. How do you know God made the world? They do have a bible in the house but it is an adult’s NIV and the bible story book the little girl showed Judy was of Catholic saints. We left with Judy committed to making sure the children have a Bible and book of bible stories. The other incredible part of this story is that we had only just met them but they were very happy for Joan Vale, who was coming over from Sydney for a holiday in Newman, to live in their air-conditioned house with a pool. It is amazing how God provided for Joan as when we went to cancel her booking at the park they hadn’t made one and accommodation is hard to get in the park.
22nd Thursday we escaped to the bush for the day, driving to Weeli Wolli Pool where Judy took some great photos. Hmm, Judy and her photos she has taken 3269 to date, isn’t it good she has a digital camera. She also has them all filed on her computer in folders as per event, and yes she has backed them up after an early scare. We missed bible study that night as we felt the reading of the bible story with the kids more important.
23rd Friday it was home all day.
24th Saturday we caught up with friends made through Lions for dinner. Dinner is always a good opportunity to talk at a deeper level.
25th Sunday people from church came for lunch and we fed the animals again at night, this time we were not late. We are now looking after 2 houses, our caravan and 3 cats as people go away for the school holidays.
26th Monday whilst Judy was at craft Ian mowed the rectory lawns and tidying up the yard by chopping down more dead bushes
27th Tuesday we were called on to assist with a children’s group that was visiting the Lions Animal Park. They had a great time as Colin sheared the 3 sheep we have at the park. Judy had her 1st time of catching and carrying a Kangaroo. It was quite hilarious until George showed her how to carry the Kangaroo.
28th Wednesday our car was in for service. We went for lunch with 2 of the young mums and their children spoken of earlier in this newsletter.
29th Joan arrived in Newman on a plane that was 1 hour late. It is an experience to go to Newman airport when a plane is due as it is a hive of activity with the fly in fly out miners. They’ve actually had to put on a bigger plane from Perth. Of course we took her to Capricorn Roadhouse for tea.
30th Friday looking at the local sites with Joan.
1st October Saturday we took Joan to Karijini for the day. It was a huge day, very long as we looked at all the gorges.
2nd Sunday it was Shobai’s turn to come for a visit, she is the eldest of Rebecca and Reg’s 4 children.
3rd Monday at craft, Kelita reminded Judy that it was her turn to come for a visit. As Judy was leaving with Kelita, Josiah the 2nd youngest stood at the door pleading to come also. It would be his turn on Tuesday to come with us when we feed the animals.
5th Wednesday we took Sharon, her 3 children and Joan on a day adventures around Newman.
It started at Mt Newman, a morning tea at Silent Gorge where Judy and the children climbed the rocks and took lots of photos in various poses. It was then off to Ophthalmia Dam for lunch and finally Round Hill South of town. It was a very hot day and thus was good to be in the air-conditioned car. The children were so good we treated them to an ice block at Capricorn Roadhouse before returning home.
6th Thursday was to be a quiet day but instead it started with an SOS call from Rebecca, so she and the 4 children came over. We left the children with Ian whilst Rebecca, Joan and Judy went to the shops for some girl time. Ian coped very well with them finishing with the distraction of an ice block when the kids got bored. On our return we had a barbeque lunch of “Cheerio’s” (cocktail franks). Rebecca bought a bag ice for our drinks which ended up being used for a lot of fun as the children tried to see how much ice they could stuff down Judy’s back. We all ended up very wet but a good time was had by all. In fact the children slept for 2 hours upon their return home.
6pm was the opening of the refurbished Tourist Centre. It was quite a classy occasion for Newman.
7th Friday was time to take Joan out for some more adventure – and adventure we had. Ian wanted to see Giles Point and the old Airstrip so Judy plotted our course with a map, but as is the case out here there has been so much exploration for ore, that there are roads going everywhere. After many attempts to find the right road and ending up in the road that disappeared, we found a bull dozer driver doing rehab work for the mine. He set us straight and we had late lunch at the old airport.
We then decided to return to Newman along what on the map looked like a major dirt road. Well it wasn’t and after driving for some time on an ever deteriorating dirt track we came to the end and could not find where the track went so turned around in a dry creek bed returning the way we came finishing our journey on the main highway, arriving in town at 6pm.
Next Friday is the Night Markets at the church. We have heard of the night markets since our arrival in Newman so today Sunday 9th was the start. After church we cleared out the back of the church and brought all the many boxes from the shed into the church building. We then started sorting the clothes into groups. This apparently carries on for the week with Friday being the emptying of the 2nd shed of household items into the car park and selling begins at 4.30pm.
Saturday is open day for the mine. Sunday afternoon is Kelita’s 5th birthday party, busy weekend.
Monday it will be 4 weeks until we leave Newman and start our journey home. We have a wedding to attend in Perth for Janette and Scruff, our mining friends, and then it will be all roads lead east. We will return in time to attend our daughter in law Lea’s, brother Dave and Sarah’s wedding on the 3rd December.
I will try to make time to write once more before we leave but if I don’t, thank you to all who have kept in touch also keeping us up with events in the East.
Judy & Ian
“Neals on Wheels”
BCA Co-workers Newman
Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 6
Thank you to all for your prayers and support. We have had questions as to how the congregation took the news of A & B leaving. We believe it went well! We felt the move will be helpful for A & B as they will grow in their ministry skills. A is struggling a bit with the whole thing. B is being positive about it, although change is always hard. Remember A in your prayers that the transition will be OK and she will receive nurturing from L in Perth, WA. Pray also, that a house will become available for them to live in.
The weather is consistently 30/31oC although as I write this to you there is a nice breeze and the day is lovely. Yesterday we had no breeze so we spent some time in the van with the air conditioner on to cope. Unfortunately Judy is sick again, it seems that Newman does not agree with her health at all, Fortunately Ian has been OK. Please pray for improved health for Judy so we may use these last weeks well in serving our Lord.
Sunday 4th We left after church for our time away in Port Hedland. It went well although the CWA house was different to what we had in our minds eye. We spent three nights and 2 full days in Hedland attending Church on Sunday at 5.30pm in South Hedland and tea with the minister and his wife. It was good to do some shopping for ourselves and others in Newman. The rest of the time we rested and threw ourselves into salt water. You can’t call it a swim as it was a deserted beach and we were not sure of currents and such so decided to just get wet. It was great to have this time of refreshment as we were coming home to a busy time.
Wednesday 7th September we left Port Hedland and traveled to Wittenoon Gorge expecting to spend the night in our tent but on arrival discovered that it was different to Karajini as you drove into the gorge therefore there was not the hiking to do, also asbestos is quite evident on the ground, just interspersed with the stones on the waterhole edges not to mention the very large pile of asbestos tailings that have been left after mine operations were stopped. Still we had a picnic by a lovely waterhole and left. On our way out of the gorge we chose to follow a disused road up a dry creek bed. It was very exciting as we explored our way. After about 5klms we got out our map and with the use of our GPS realized that we were going the opposite way to the way we needed to go. Ian also heard our daughter-in-law, saying “does anyone know where you are” and the answer of course was no, so we turned around and headed for the road out of the gorge. We love to explore the unknown in our car so the GPS Judy bought before leaving Sydney has been very useful. Wittenoon is where we saw a wonderful show of Sturt Desert Pea, Old Convent and Church.
On our way home we called into Wanna Munna Waterhole to look at the aboriginal art that is found there. We left there on dark so when we arrived home it was late so we emptied the car and went to bed.
Thursday 8th saw us tidy up, wash and get ready for the arrival of (B & J) the minister and his wife from Port Hedland also M & N from Sydney. We were to host M & N for the weekend as they looked at Newman with a view to ministering here next year. They are a young couple with 2 children, girl 2yrs & boy 4 yrs. B & J arrived at lunch time for 24hours & were also here to meet M & N. After picking up M & N off the plan we had tea at “AC Diner” this is the mess in our camp for the mine workers. The next day was the morning with R from Hedland for them and the afternoon with B from Newman. B & J left for Hedland after lunch. In between the 2 commitments the Neals put on Lunch for one and all.
Friday Night 9th we were invited along with our neighbours to another neighbour’s 59th birthday party at the local Chinese Restaurant. Ian and our Neighbour, where the only men to have Australian wives. All the rest were from Thailand. There are a lot of women from Thailand who live in Newman
Saturday 9th we decided we should give M & N a good look at Newman and its surrounds. First it was Mitre11 that is the recycle section of the tip, all who visit Newman should complete their education by a visit to the tip. Then it was up to Radio Hill to get a bird’s eye view of Newman
Then off to Mt Newman, Silent Gorge, Ophthalmia Dam, Round Hill and home. Quite a trip but they seemed to love it, especially the wild flowers that are all coming out. Unfortunately we broke a windscreen 5 km out of town. Saturday night was a wonderful dinner at the Seasons Hotel/Motel with the BCA Tour bus group.
Sunday 11th we had the pleasure of having our congregation swelled by 45 people, the BCA Tour bus group. A smashing good morning tea was put on by the ladies of the church and great fellowship was had by all. After church M & N felt rather tired and in need of some R & R so we took them to Kalgan Pool for a picnic lunch. It was a lovely relaxing time but unfortunately on the way home we shredded a tyre and the boys finished changing it in the dark. After a quick tea of soup at the van M & N went home.
Monday 12th it was up early to take M & N to catch the 8.05am plane. It was then off to say goodbye to the BCA Bus Tour group. Then off to the chemist for Judy as her gut has not been right since she had the tummy bug a couple of weeks ago. It was very interesting as the chemist explained that sometimes these bugs can cause a Lactose intolerance afterwards so it is no Cappuccinos for Judy for a while to give her gut a rest, in fact it is no dairy for three weeks. The rest of the day was trying to recover from what was a very busy few days.
Tuesday 13th our car went in for a new tyre and came home with 5 new tyres. Apparently we had run out of tread on all the others. During the morning Judy was to go to R’s place for craft and Ian his usual weekly time with B, but after falling of her bike and Ian accidentally putting the pedal on the wrong way (instead of at 180o they were at 270o which makes it impossible to ride) Judy decided that perhaps she wasn’t meant to go and so stayed home with Ian & B.
Wednesday 14th Unfortunately Judy woke up sick with a head cold and so stayed home all day with the air conditioner going. It was hot and there was no breeze.
And here we are Thursday 15th Ian has been keeping himself busy with a variety of things, Welding, washing our very dirty car, visiting G from Lions, Mowing lawns around or van. Judy did go and visit with A today as she was having 2 other women from our church for a cuppa and a chat. One of the ladies has just moved into town with her husband and children and it was a chance to get to know her. Tonight Ian is at Bible Study but Judy is has stayed home as she plans to go to bed early after she has finished this letter to you.
Could you please pray for us as the end of our time here comes quickly that we will be able to complete all that God wants us to do. Pray for improved health for Judy and that Ian will not succumb to Judy’s germ although he has been feeling fatigued from the increasing heat.
God bless you all
Judy & Ian
“Neals on Wheels”
BCA Co-workers Newman
Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 5
Finally there is time to write you of our happenings in Newman.
Firstly we wish to thank you for your support, prayers, letters and emails. It is also so good to hear of news from home. It will help us when we return to fit back in. We are now ½ way through our time here and as we look ahead at all there is to do we realize that time will run out on us fast…
Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 4
(My apologies for this being so long but we’ve been busy)
Here we are 7 weeks into our time and what have we achieved? Well this question we will need to ask God one day as will we all, none of us truly knows what impact our Christian walk and service has on those around us. All we can do is take each day as it comes, moving forward, each step we take being for the Lord.
... more