Jungle News

Coach Dungy's Faithful Witness

I am not a huge super bowl fan, but I did hear that coach Tony Dungy was a Christian.
A pastor friend sent us these links to the speech coach Dungy gave at a super bowl breakfast.
Powerful testimony!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T8fEpvdHC40&mode=related&search=

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K3PUPCR7NFA&mode=related&search=

ASL ("Aussie" as a Second Language)

Many people, especially missionaries, have told us that we were blessed to be in a country where we don't have to learn a new language. Most missionaries spend about two years in formal language school, and many of them tell us of the difficulties and frustrations they go through in trying to minister to the natives in their broken respective languages. Yes, it is true, we feel pretty blessed to not have to be in language school; however, we did/do have to go through our share of minor frustrations when communicating with some Aussies, especially when we drive out of the main Sydney CBD area where the Aussie accent seems to get thicker, and where they use more Aussie slangs. So although we're not being taught a new language in a formal setting, we are learning a lot in a practical way by interacting with Aussies everyday.

Following are some of the basic sayings we have learned:

How you going? - How are you doing?
Heaps - Lots
No worries. - That's all right.
Ta - Thanks
Cuppa - Cup of coffee or tea
She’ll be right! - It’ll be all right!
Bush - Woods
Rubish - Trash/Garbage
I reckon. - I think.
Uni - University
To hire - to rent
Good on 'ya - Good job or good for you
bonnet - hood (of a car)
boot - trunk (of a car)
take away - take out (food)
cash out - cash back (after paying for something with your atm card at the grocery store)

Well, here is an incident that happened to a American expat couple we know. They were at a KFC drive through trying to get his favorite sandwich. Here's how the conversation went:

Aussie: "What would you like, sir?"
Expat: "I'd like the Zinger Burger".
Aussie: " What was that?"
Expat" "The Zinger Burger!" (louder)
Aussie: "What?"
Expat: "The ZING-ER BURG-ER!"
Aussie: "What was that?"
Expat's wife: "Say it like the Aussies!"
Expat: "The ZING-AH BUG-AH!"
Aussie: "Oh, the Zing-ah Bug-ah! Anything else?"
Expat and wife:

Please pray for our language acquisition.

It's a Jungle Out There

After what seemed like months of hectically getting around the busy city to get ourselves situated as dwellers among the other fellow Sydney urbanites, Jim and I decided that we needed to take a break to reorganize our thoughts and refresh our minds by getting away. We decided to take a day trip to the Blue Mountains - about 2 hours west from Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District) by train. It was such a relaxing and refreshing trip! We enjoyed the great weather and the beautiful scenery while taking a walk through some of the many hiking trails. Mostly, we were glad to have been able to get away from the noises and distractions to retreat and spend a day just thanking the Lord for His care for us, revisiting our vision, and reflecting on how wonderful and privileged we feel to be part of God’s plan. On the train ride back home we realized that it was the 1^st of November, exactly one month to the day since our arrival to Sydney, Australia! So, when we got off the train, we went into a café to celebrate. We ordered hot-chocolate and strawberry milk-shake and made a cheerful toast to a “Happy One-Month-on-the-Field Anniversary” ! What a great finish to a lovely day, don’t you think?

Now, you tell me…which of these places seem more like a “jungle”?

Blue Mountains Sydney

G'Day, saints!

Claudia and I will try to post random updates on our lives and ministry here. It'll be a good venue to share some things without demanding audience, buffet style. Visit whenever you'd like, and feel free to write to us as well. -jim-