Roberts Family Update

from the NT Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 Dear Friends, As many of you will know, things have almost returned to normal in the NT, as most of our restrictions have eased (borders still closed), with more restrictions on going into the Biosecurity zones being lifted next week, which basically means we can travel anywhere within the NT. Our restaurants and pubs etc are open, churches are back meeting face to face amongst many other things. These things are all happening with Physical Distancing Measures and Hygiene and Health principles. And to some degree, the NT has been spared from the virus. We have only had 30 cases in total, with zero community transmisssions and no active cases. We are very grateful to God for protecting our country, but particularly the vulnerable people in our communities (and the Top End), and we continue to pray that as restrictions ease, that there isn’t a surge in cases and it stays out of our communities and State. We are also grateful that our National and State/Territory leaders have led the country through this very challenging times over these past few months. We’ve known many people who’ve lost their jobs, but we as a family have been OK. As things have returned to a more “new normal” over the past few weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time as a family out walking, as well as enjoying the change in the weather (the Dry season has arrived), which means it’s much more comfortable to be outside in the evenings, less humidity and so it delightful to sit down by the beach and have dinner, which we’ve been trying to do at least once a week over the past couple of months. (we are sorry that we keep bombarding you with pictures of sunsets, but some of them are just absolutely amazing - our God is an amazing artist) We’ve enjoyed having Amber stay with us for several weeks during the past 2 months as she had a couple of blocks of Trade School, which was moved to Darwin from Cairns (due to border closures). Amber was with us for her 20th birthday in early May, as well as when Emma turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. It’s been nice to have our family all together over this period. We are looking forward to going back to our church this weekend, as this will be the first time we can meet with our church family since early March. There are restriction on the number of people who can be inside at any one time (1 person per 4

square metres), so our church will meet outside on the lawn area. I think this has been one of the hardest things we’ve found, engaging with “church” whilst it’s been online. We are looking forward to going camping as a family in June around the Katherine area, relax by a waterhole somewhere and catch a fish or two. We want to thank you to you all again for your continued prayers and support for our family, we do appreciate hearing from you, and hopefully will get an opportunity to catch up with you sometime soon.

Our Postal Address: PO Box 41914,

Casuarina NT 0811 oxandkaz@bigpond.com

A picture taken by Karen of a sunset at Rapid Creek bridge last week.

Fish and Chips on Emma’s 18th birthday at the Nightcliff Jetty with Brad, Simone

and Joash Martin (ex-Bairnsdale Baps) and their friends the “Fairhursts”.

Ox’s update. In regards to SU things, you can read the latest newsletter, a link is in the email. But basically things are getting to a point where are able to resume many of our programs (with Physical Distancing measures and Hygiene practices). So it means things are very busy as we are planning on getting these programs up and running again. Yesterday I got out on the water for a fish with a couple of friends. We caught plenty of fish and I hooked a couple of reasonable size sharks as well, one taking about 40 mins to get up to the Boat (took around 150m of line off the reel before I could turn it around), it was about 6 feet long, and a great fight (see the pic right). Some species caught were Golden Snapper, Red Snapper, Rock Cod, Golden Trevally, a small Spanish Mackerel and other reef fish and several sharks. We had some “fun” with the boat having some issues on the way back, needing to be towed by the Coastguard back to Darwin (after spending 90 plus minutes drifting). I’ve also recently joined a couple of new teams. I’ve joined the Committee for KCC (Katherine Christian Convention), who organize the event held in May each year (cancelled this year). SU has been involved in running the Kids Program for over 50 years, so being a part of the Committee makes sense being more involved into the future.

I’ve also joined a local crew (Youth For Christ) who go into the local Dondale Youth Detention Centre a couple of afternoons each week. (You may remember the name “Dondale”, as it featured on the news/Four Corners a few years ago around the poor treatment of some of the youth). We go in there to build relationships and engage with the youth (aged 13-18), and get opportunities to talk the them about Jesus, and pray for/with them. I’ve really enjoyed it thus far over the past several weeks. This has led to me get connected to another group of people who are starting a Youth Mentor/discipleship program to try and keep NT Youth out of Detention/Jail, and introduce them to Jesus. It is a Christian based program, and the aim will be to get those involved to mentor 1 or more youth over the coming months/years. One quick story of one of the boys in Dondale. A few weeks ago, “T” gave his life to Jesus, and he has been so keen to get into God’s word and loves it when we come in each week. We’ve been able to get him a Kriol Bible as well as other resources to encourage him. He enjoys it when we pray with him each week. We pray that God will continue to grow and strengthen him, so that he can break the cycle when he gets out and able to start a new life on the outside. It’s young men like this that I’m really wanting to help in connecting with Jesus.

Would you consider partnering us as SU looks to impact more lives of children, young people and families in the NT and beyond? I want to say a huge thank you to those of you who have already supported us this financial year, we are thankful for your ongoing support. The Details on how to partner with us (and SU NT) are listed at the bottom of the last page. Thank you.

Karen Kaz continues to be busy at work, and things at the hospital have almost returned to “normal”. She is no longer doing 12 hours shifts, and enjoying being back on the 8 hour shifts. Over the past few weeks, she’s been doing some extra study, which helps her increase her knowledge of working in the ED (emergency department). She also received her “degree” in the mail this week, we are so proud of her for working so hard over the past few years. She is really enjoying her nursing at the moment, and loves working in the ED. We know God had it sorted that we were meant to move the Darwin for her to get the opportunities she has been provided with. The only disappointment was that her graduation ceremony was cancelled, meaning she didn’t get to frock up and receive her degree in person. She recently had a week off work, after she got an infection in her nose. It came up quickly, and one side of her face really swelled up, and after seeing a Doctor and getting antibiotics, it didn’t improve, which meant going to the ED (which she didn’t want to), and being sent home again. We had to go back again the following day and they decided

A reasonable sized stick insect and

Ox with his “Iso” goatee.

to keep her in. 3 days later she came home after having the abscess removed via operation. During the week, she ended up taking 7 different types of antibiotics as the Doctors tried to prescribe antibiotics that would work. She has healed up really well and returned to work a few days ago. On the same day Karen had her procedure, her brother also had an operation in Melbourne (gall bladder removed), and her sister underwent a significant operation to repair blood vessels in her brain, which was a 10 hour operation. We are really thankful and grateful that Karen’s sister was able to return home a couple of days ago. It will take some months for her life to get back to normal, and we continue to pray for a full recovery, and that the operation was successful. I can only imagine how Karen’s parents felt to know that their 3 adult children were all having operations at the same time, in different locations.

She really loves walking down at the Nightcliff and Rapid Creek foreshore (pictured), and watching the sunsets down there most evenings. She is looking forward to being a part of the Kids Games program in Katherine in the July School holidays, it will be first time in a while that we’ve served together in a hands on ministry program. We are going to take a short break afterwards, and hopefully go camping with our 2 girls.

Amber The last couple of months did look a bit different for Amber. Spending a few weeks in Darwin at Trade School, and getting to stay a bit longer to hang with the family. After not working in the actual hanger much over past couple of months (due to lack of work), she was fortunate enough to be a recipient of the Job Keeper, meaning she was able to secure an income during this uncertain time. We are so thankful to God that just over a week ago, her boss put Amber back on Full Time work, as their business in picking up with the restrictions easing across the NT. Thank you all for your prayers for Amber during these past few months. We know many others haven’t been as fortunate in regards to keeping their jobs. She and her flatmate also recently adopted a cat from the Vets, they have named him Barramundi (Barra for short). He is a little cutie, and is pictured. Amber really loves having their own pet. She will be back up in Darwin for Trade School in July and in August, is supposed to go to Cairns for another block (if the borders re-open soon). Emma Emma has been going really well this past few weeks. She has enjoyed getting back to school (for social reasons), and was able to return to TAFE, doing her Commercial Cookery certificate. The more she does, the more she’s been enjoying this, and thinking it may be a career path.

She also turned 18 a couple of weeks ago, and you can see by the pics, Karen made her a beautiful cake. She had a few friends over to celebrate a low key event, having a swim, watching a movie and playing a few games. She has really settled in this year, and has found herself a really good bunch of friends who love hanging out and spending time together. Today (Saturday) a number of them went Geocaching (finding navigation points around Darwin and surrounds). Something she learnt at Coola, and in getting more into. One of her gifts for her birthday was a decent SLR camera, and she has been playing with and learning how to take photos.

Prayer/Praise points

• For opportunities to share about our Hope in Jesus, both during programs and in general life situations.

• For Ox and the SU crew as programs re-commence over the coming months.

• For Karen’s sister Suzi, that her operation on her brain was successful and now to recover fully.

• For Amber in her apprenticeship. Praise God she is back to working full-time and able to receive Job Keeper.

• For Emma undertaking Year 12. Thank God she has found a great group of friends and she is now an “adult”.

• For more people/churches to partner with Ox in his role, particularly through prayer and financial support.

Upcoming Events for the family

June 29 - July 3 Kids Games - Darwin - Ox and Emma involved. June 29-July 3 Amber @ Trade School (Darwin) July 13-17 Kids Games - Katherine - Ox, Karen and Emma all involved July 20-24 Amber @ Trade School (Darwin) August 11-28 Amber @ Trade School (Cairns) - if our Borders are open by then??

Your prayers, involvement, support and generosity are a real encouragement and make such a difference both to our family and to the ministry of SU in the NT.

If you are able to partner with Ox in his role in the NT, here are a few ways you can do so:

Direct Debit: Acc Name: Scripture Union NT BSB: 035306 Acct Number: 813944 Please mark the Description for your gift as ’Partner Ox’ and for Remitter name (ie. J and M Bloggs - ie your full name)

Credit Card: you can give online via our secure website at https://sunt.org.au/donation-page/ You can choose to give a tax or non-tax deductible gift, and please write “support Ox” in the comments section.

NOTE: Now is a great time to make a Tax-deductible donation prior to June 30.

*Please advise if you wish for your contribution to be tax-deductible, and you will be sent a tax-deductible receipt.