G'day all!
How are you? I must apologise for my lack of correspondence this year. Its been a dramatic year, as you'll find out below. New countries, new jobs, new lifestyle!
I hope you are well, and enjoying this wonderful Christmas season where we can reflect on God’s gracious gift to us.
Well, first things first. I am now back in Australia!
I've been back since May, but have been keeping a fairly low profile as I readjust to Australian culture! People warned me of the reverse-culture-shock that one can experience after a long time away. So I came home expecting to have to start a new life here again. So for those people I haven'ft contacted yet - sorry! It�'s nothing personal. I just wanted to get settled first...
So, I'm back in Newcastle, and working for a new company called ResTech. My role is as a research and development engineer, but as it is a brand new company (I am employee number one!), my responsibilities have covered a lot more than just research - business admin, recruiting, marketing, project management, business development... Our office is on-campus at The University of Newcastle, which is a beautiful place to work. My hours are flexible, I have a big office all to myself, I have total independence in my work. So in many ways, it is completely opposite to my job in Japan. (Don't get me wrong - I really enjoyed my job at Mitsubishi Electric, but there were a number of things about it that were significant frustrations.)
I知 attending a great church here in Newcastle � Hunter Bible Church. But I am really missing my old church in Japan (Hope Chapel Osaka).
Leaving Japan was tough. I have a whole bunch of wonderful friends there - both Japanese and from around the world. It was pretty hard to say goodbye to them, not knowing when I’d catch up again. However I did get that chance to catch up in September when I went back to Osaka for the wedding of my friends Taka and Kyoko. That was a wonderful week, where I could just relax as a tourist!
My other international journey this year was to Myanmar (Burma). This was my third trip there. Each time, we visit orphanages, churches and bible schools to encourage the people there. This year was special because my Dad came along too! We traveled up to the Chin state, close to the Indian border, as well as to Mandalay in central Myanmar.
I really feel a strong commitment to helping Myanmar. There are 2 or 3 million Christians there, out of a population of 45 million. But in terms of foreign support (financial, prayer and mission), some of us call Myanmar 'the forgotten country'. My friends Nick and Laura and I are hoping to continue our support, and I’m going to start a website to help raise awareness and support. Keep your eye on www.rememberburma.com.
I mentioned in my letter earlier this year that I had met a girl. Well, that was truly a blessing. Yumi and I met at my church Snowcamp last January, and we started going out in February. She is a wonderful girl and has taught me a lot, and supported me through this transition year. Unfortunately, we decided to stop seeing each other in October, as Yumi wanted to concentrate more on her studies. (She is doing a Discipleship Training Scheme course with YWAM.) Our relationship was somewhat more brief than I anticipated, but I really value the time we were together, and I'm confident that God's got great plans for both our lives.
With regard to the rest of the family...
Mum and Dad have just finished building their retirement home at Warnervale (on the NSW Central Coast). They are still at Parkes at the moment, and will be for another year or so before calling it quits.
Steve and Helen are at Eleebana (Newcastle) and are busy running a Bed and Breakfast as well as Steve's full-time engineering job with Energy Australia. Their kids Tom, Megan and Leandah are all growing up quick and enjoying the BnB pool and tennis court!
Bron and Rob are living at Anna Bay (Port Stephens). They are also running a business full-time. 'Krateo' is their unique furniture manufacturing company that they set up with another close friend. They now have 4 kids! Noah, Caleb, Tianna and the newest is Levi.
Mem and Drew are still in North Epping (Sydney), although they now spend a fair bit of time at their new holiday house at Nabiac. They have 3 kids - Sam, Jessica and Toby (born this year).
Well, that's about it. If you haven't visited already, check out my photos here.
I hope you have/had a great Christmas, and all the very best wishes for 2005!
Cheers,
Ray
Links of interest:
My new work: www.restech.net.au
The University of Newcastle: www.newcastle.edu.au
My new church: www.hunterbiblechurch.org
My church in Japan: www.hopeosaka.com
Steve and Helens BnB: www.baysidebnb.com.au
Mum and Dad: www.milman.uniting.com.au/AboutAlanPalmer.html
My Myanmar support page (to be): www.rememberburma.com
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