Way back in 1992 I wrote some poems about my siblings and recently found them.

Timothy

T is for Timothy an older brother of mine, And it's also to him I dedicate this rhyme.

I is for intelligent, of Tim it's certainly true; Accounting, sport and music are a few things he can do.

M is for manly, "He's growing up so fast"; They said when he was three years old "But let's hope it will last."

O is for options, Tim has only two and he knows; What's more, only Tim can choose the one on which he goes.

T is for trouble, Tim experienced his share; Cars, family, motorbikes, soccer - and herding goats for Mr Blair.

Here I am spending time in NZ with various family members. The other day I was at my sister Priscilla's place becoming acquainted with my niece and nephew. I was 'watching' Jacob in the lounge room and decided to have a tinkle on the ebony and ivory. Some time later Jacob was wanting to get out of the room and I looked down to discover the lounge room almost completely covered with little white balls. Jacob had managed to open the bean bag and spread much of its contents in every direction. Sjoerd and I had fun cleaning it all up and I retain the absent minded professor title.

Good one Uncle Jono!!

Tomorrow is three years since my Gran completed her journey on earth and was welcomed home to heaven.

I want to challenge myself and you from her life. Gran was born in 1911. She lived through 2 World Wars. She emigrated to NZ from England with a husband and 2 small children (my Dad and Aunty). She met some people who introduced her to Jesus. She managed a shop and a library. From the time I remember she was always old. She lived a life that was uncomplicated, that was devoted to God. She showed love to her family and her neighbours. She used to write letters to young people who became Christians at Kids Camps – one girl thought Gran was a young lady the way she used to write to her. My Gran never complained. My Gran always thought of others first – she was always looking to the needs of others. Gran never sought after the spotlight – but could always be found working – helping someone. Gran’s life was not all roses – she had hardships. Towards the end of her life she had much pain from arthritis – yet she still faithfully wrote me letters.

THE DOG OR THE MOON

Recently I was asked “Is the moon bothered by the dog that howls at it?”

Sometimes in life we let little things, or things that we can’t change get us down and bother us. It’s not worth it. Be the moon not the dog.

And as I thought about this concept I’m reminded that the moon is a reflector. It reflects the light of the sun. We should reflect the light of the Son and not be bothered by the little ‘dogs’ that yelp around here on earth below.

The next monthly update will be written from Ukraine. My time in Australia and NZ has just flown by.

On Sunday I shared at Elouera Gardens Retirement Village, next Sunday I will be speaking at a Mother’s Day service in St Clair. The following weekend I’ll be speaking at West Penno’s Missionary Conference. Then I will be farewelled from West Penno.

I travel north to Brisbane, stopping at the farm in Eureka for a couple of days. I will be sharing at Village Ave’s Missionary Conference in Brisbane and flying out from Brisbane on May 30th.

I am currently in NZ with my parents, 5 siblings, 4 in-laws (dubbed the outlaws), 7 nieces and 1 nephew. It's been great to relax, play games til far too late, argue, and watch the cousins interact and enjoy each other's company. As a family we are incredibly blessed in the fact that each member has a personal relationship with Jesus.
We were able in turn to go round the circle and thank God for something. The kids thanked God for horses, for yummy food, and for everything.
My nieces and nephew enjoy Jeff and for some reason seem to think that Uncle Jono is funny. I keep trying to tell them that I am not funny.
Thanks to everyone who prayed for Dad. He has still got a ways to go to be better but has been able to spend the whole time with us just taking it easy.

I managed to catch up with a few more friends before our reunion. Time to catch up for coffee is running out fast.

PRAISE FLASH!!
I received an email from Canberra saying that my VISA has been issued. Praise the Lord and thanks for praying.

Praise for:
VISA issued
Christian family
Dad's recovery

I'm a Guinea Pig!!

Last week it was goodbye Nelson and hello Dunedin. The main reason I was there was to attend one day at the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit (DMHDRU).

Here I was poked and probed and measured and asked 1000s of questions all in the name of Scientific Research. This study actually has world-wide recognition. They have been studying me and about 1000 others my age ever since we were born. So it was great to be in Dunedin again after 6 years and catch up with some relatives. I also had the opportunity to share about the work in Ukraine at a Christian School in Dunedin and at a home group of which one of my second cousins is a member.

I then headed north to Auckland and have been staying with my littlest sister Priscilla, her husband Sjoerd and have become acquainted with my latest niece, Johanna Rose. She is a gorgeous little baby and hardly ever cries.