7/10
Praise the Lord, we’re here!

It was an amazing feeling finally flying over Townsville for the first time. Curiosity and a sense of adventure had filled our hearts over the last few months, but now actually arriving in our new home there is an overwhelming sense of relief. Sure, the blue ocean, green and brown craggy hills and historic architecture in the city are amazing and beautiful, but my greatest happiness at this point is just getting into our new home and unpacking. Traveling can be very exciting especially when many of our stops along the way have been with friends and family, but it is wonderful to be done and settled in.
Our first flight from LAX to Sydney was uneventful and went by fairly quickly. Thanks again to Mom, Brad and Shannon for helping us get to the Airport and sending us off. The real trial began as we changed planes and made our connection to Townsville. I won’t go into too much detail now, but it rates right up there with one the most difficult experiences that I’ve ever gone through, quite the boot camp. Kay threw up twice at baggage claim, then fell and knocked her head on the tile floor and she and Cam were quickly surrounded by medics and strict looking airline workers who nearly prevented us from catching our flight. Not to mention transporting 17 50 pound bags, guitar, 10 carry-ons to a different terminal! Nevertheless, it is mostly out of my mind now and the events of the last few days and excitement of the future is now paramount.
We had nearly a week to adjust to the time difference and to get moved in (more about the awesome house and yard later and our first Sunday morning church experience). During that week we had a few opportunities to be exposed to some of the ministries offered by the base. First, we enjoyed a sausage BBQ dinner at the base which is open weekly to the community. This was well attended and neat to see many of the staff mingling with the locals. Second, we were driven down to the Townsville harbor where we were fortunate to be able to take a ship tour on the Pacific Link, the YWAM Mercy Ship which motors through the western Pacific doing outreach to Aussies and medical missions to Papua New Guinea (PNG). The ship has facilities for dental, ophthalmology (eye surgery), and general medical. There are many health professionals and general ship staff/officers to run things as well as Discipleship Training School students on board to help out. Lastly, we attended the weekly youth outreach called Youth Street. This is an event on Saturday nights which gives the local youth an opportunity to listen to live music, watch dance and other kinds of performances, skate the small skatepark (Ya!), and generally goof around in a safe environment with many Christian staff to oversee and mentor the kids.
Having settled in a bit, Monday morning came and we were up and ready for our first real YWAM Reef to Outback event: the annual staff camping trip. With all the traveling and transition our family has gone through lately, I was not real hot on the idea to go camping, but I knew that this would be an invaluable opportunity to meet and spend time with our new co-laborers. We traveled north for about 40 minutes to an innocuous turn-off leading west across sugarcane fields to a place called Paluma. I was warned from here on up to the campground the road would get a little curvy but like many sayings in Australia it was a gross understatement. I was so thankful to be in the front seat and that it passed without any regurgitation from any of us. I guarantee next time though, I’m taking Dramamine! The camping area called Hidden Valley was the epitome of Australian bush. At about 3000 ft. of elevation we camped on privately owned cattle ranch land. We spread all of our 150 or so campers on about 50 acres of land bordered by dirt roads and a shallow chilly creek. At the center of the area was a field with abundant coarse wild grass and a steel outbuilding on a slab for nice shade where much of the cooking was done and all around us were hundreds of eucalyptus trees of varying sizes and shapes providing more valuable shade. The Kookaburras and gigantic huntsman spiders visited our camp daily as did various other critters such as miniature Kangaroos, their real name escapes me, and the odd grazing bull (Ryan thought it was a camel at first as they look quite different!). Being at elevation, the nights were clear, brisk, and full of stars, totally different stars than what we’re used to and the Southern Cross was plain as can be. The days were pleasant, though it is evident that the sun is of much greater intensity here. I’m told that you must buy Australian made sunscreen because other lotions aren’t potent enough to protect adequately. Our big goofy looking straw hats blessed us once again with valuable shade and we were envied by many because of it.
Our days were spent fellowshipping with our new friends, fishing in the creek, exploring the immediate area, playing board games, cards, and practicing field games like Frisbee, baseball, and especially Footie (did I mention I got to play in my first ever organized footie or Aussie Rugby game…I’m still sore!). The staff put together some great meals including an authentic island style pig roast and we all enjoyed extended times of worship and prayer in the evenings. On that first morning of our arrival in camp I realized and tried to explain to Ryan, that I was experiencing stepping into the photos and television shows that I had intently watched and studied in the past, what a strange feeling. After two nights and three days, we packed everything up and headed back down the windy road to the highway and on to Townsville. It’s nice to be back. I feel even more settled now and am eager to get to work.
The house is awesome!! It’s what’s known as a classic Queenslander house, up off the ground for lots of air flow, high ceilings, fans, some windows and shutters throughout (no windows on the shutters and no screens--pray for mosquito or "mozzie" season). The many doors and fans keep air moving thereby bringing some relief to the stifling heat which abounds for much of the year. We do not have any air conditioning and apparently with the right construction it’s not really needed, though we’ll wait on making a decision about that until the temperature starts raising. There are three bedrooms, a really comfortable living room area, two French doors that open onto a large covered back porch, and modern kitchen (the envy of many of the RTO staff). There is one bathroom with a jet tub (can you believe it!) and separate shower. There's also another toilet outside connected to the laundry room. There is a washer but everyone here line dries their clothes since the temperature is so high most of the time. The yard is a large, tamed jungle, perfect for four kids who are ready to get outside and explore. There's a see-saw, small rope swing, a yet-to-be-reinforced fort for the kids. With such nice spacious digs Peggy has fit right in with us. We are so thankful for her presence, and the extra money that we save as a result we believe to be good stewardship.

Last Sunday we visited a local non-denominational church that meets conveniently at the RTO base. It is a good church with many lovely Believers who’re really excited about the Lord, but not quite the flavor we’re looking for. We’re looking forward to getting settled into a comfortable fellowship, but the search will continue for another Sunday.
Blessings to you all, we’re so happy to be in God’s will and look forward to the next post when we’ll be able report with greater detail what specific ministries we will be involved with as the internship program begins July 11 and we’ll be working diligently in the ministry alongside our new friends.

Thanks again for your prayers and support!
The Botkin Family and Nanny Peggy

►Answered Prayer:
-We got here safely and only had one of 17 bags misplaced and that was only for a couple of hours.
-The kids made the plane flight fairly well, except for Kay's difficulties, but she was very much the survivor!
-The folks at the base have been extremely hospitable and loving toward us; all are excited for us to be here and say they've been praying for us.

►Prayer Requests:
-Dressers and shelf units for the house, so we can organize and put stuff away. (There are no closets or cupboards, except in the kitchen).
-For the family to get into a routine of napping, cleaning, schooling, cooking, and working.
-A good solution to the mozzies which will only get worse as the weather heats up and moistens, they especially like Kay and Cameron.
-For God’s leading in placing Jeremy (and Cameron part-time) in the ministries that are most appropriate.

Time To Go...

It was a pretty warm morning in LA and as my bother and I went to a disc golf course for 18 holes of frustration and elation. We made our way down Melrose to make a quick coffee break and passed many Jewish men dressed smartly in black on their weekly circuit to synagogue. As you might have guessed, today is Saturday and we were driving through the heart of Hollywood on the eve of our flight out of the US.
Today was filled with family, World Cup and packing….the packing never seems to end! It’s been a wonderful road trip down from Port Townsend where we set off nearly three weeks ago. Along the way south we’ve been hugely blessed with the generosity, hospitality, and fellowship of our relatives and friends who’ve taken our troop in for visits often lasting multiple days and nights. Thanks again for hosting us and dealing with the added stress of our large family. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers, the van and trailer have done really well and we’ve had no breakdowns or mishaps so far.
Sunday, we plan on heading out to church, packing more, and spending the rest of the day with family. What an enjoyable blessing to receive all the love and encouragement but we are definitely ready to arrive in Townsville and settle in to our new digs. It turns out that the home we were going to share with another family did not work out and so the folks at Reef to Outback (RTO) have worked to secure another rental for us near the base. We’re told that it is a three bedroom with one and a half bathroom home, fairly spacious with a nice patio and jungly vegetation out back. Apparently, it is difficult to find affordable and adequate housing in this area so we feel very blessed to have it arranged for us at such short notice.
The kids have had a blast with all their cousins and other family over these last few weeks. They are now eager to jump on the airplane, see their new home, meet new friends, and to settle back into a routine. We’ve been reading up on Townsville and studying the maps on Google Maps to try and get a good lay of the land but there will be plenty of exploring done soon after we arrive. With that in mind, the staff at RTO informed us that a few days after we arrive, we will be joining the eighty plus staff members and their families on their annual three-day camping trip out in the bush. This is a time of fellowship and relaxation where everyone gets to know each other and spend quality, focused time together. We “just happened” to have our travel arrangements line up perfectly with this exciting event and so we are looking forward to starting out on the right foot.
It’s getting pretty late, but one last note. We’ve ended our cell phone service, so our 360-640-4627 phone number is no longer working. As a result if you need to get a hold of us you’ll need to use one of the many IT ways. SKYPE: jrbotkin7, Facebook: Jeremy Botkin, Email: jrbotkin777@gmail.com
We also have a calling card which we will use constantly to keep in touch.

God has been wonderfully faithful in answering our every prayer…The list has been long and sometimes daunting in our estimation, but God’s powerful hand has moved on our behalf at every juncture, especially when it seemed like we hit wall after wall and this whole thing wasn’t going to happen. But though we might be at times faithless, He remains faithful and I am really glad for that!

►Please continue to pray for our trip:
For no lost kids or bags,
For opportunities to shine for Christ to those around us,
For good attitudes and patience through the trial that traveling can be sometimes,
For all the loose ends to be tied up back in the States,
For continued financial provision and wisdom as we get settled in and adjust to a different country’s economy,
For continued vision for our family’s role in walking in God’s will in Australia both in the short term and long term,
For perfect transition into serving with our new family at YWAM RTO and acceptance in the community.

ANSWERED PRAYER!!! The Visa application has been accepted...time to buy plane tickets. Praise the Lord! Rev. 3: 8

May/June

AND AWAY WE GO!!!

That’s right, the time has come to depart from our friends and family in the Northwest and begin our long drive down to Los Angeles where we’ll, Lord willing, eventually fly over to Townsville, Australia. It’s rather strange, like having your mooring lines cut and floating off on the tide and current, but I take great joy in knowing that God is the one who’s directing out voyage and that He’ll get us to out destination perfectly.
We were waiting for two events to occur to be free to pack up and depart. First, our home in Forks needed to be sold and second for the Australia government to approve our visa. As some of you already know, I am pleased to announce that our house went into escrow for the second time at the beginning of May which brought measured rejoicing in our family since the first time things didn’t work out. Sure enough when the closing date came and went and extensions were signed, we were feeling like we’d heard this song before. But God came through wonderfully and all of the hard work of the real estate agents and loan officers paid off with the sale closing on Friday the 28th of May! The following Tuesday our bags were packed and we were ready to go. The visa is still in the works but we feel confident that it will be issued soon and we should be flying out by mid to late June.
It was with break-neck speed that we packed our belongings in our temporary home at YWAM Discovery Bay and piled into the van to begin our road trip south. Special thanks to all who helped in the packing and cleaning process, we’re unbelievably blessed by your servant’s heart and willingness to give of your time and energy. When I think of all of the effort that has been put forth by family and friends in getting us from Forks to where we are now it makes my heart swell and brings tears of love and appreciation to my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
There have been many times on this journey where we’ve needed to receive some kind of confirming encouragement from the Lord to let us know that we’re indeed, on the right track and that He’s opening the doors. Here’s an example of how He does this from a little over a year ago. Ryan, Aubry, and I were cruising around Big 5 in Sequim making our way onto the highway when we stopped at an intersection with a midsize Chevy truck in front of us. We were a bit bleary-eyed from a long day at school and piano lessons but as we were stopped behind the truck God drew my eyes to the bumper where on the left side was an Australian flag sticker and on the right another sticker stating, “Jesus is coming back, get busy!” The car just erupted with praise and astonishment from all of us as we accepted God’s confirmation of our direction. Likewise, a couple of weeks ago, having just left an emotional send-off from our home church, Calvary Chapel Forks. We were again, at an intersection awaiting our opportunity to enter the highway when a large RV passed us heading south, no doubt en route to the Olympic National Park…or Bella’s house. It was one of those Rental RVs that become increasingly prolific this time of year on the west end of the peninsula. I watched it slowly go by and then remarked to Cameron shaking my head in amazement, “Check it out.” There in the back window were two Australian flags. After a while these “road signs”, or as Cameron refers to them, “cups of water on our marathon” become almost commonplace and it’s easy to take them for granted, but the following confirmation really blew our minds. It was a week later, when we were attending Calvary Chapel Sequim, after second service, where I was able to give an update. I was in the foyer meeting people and handing out newsletters, when I was approached by a young woman who introduced herself as “Becky” and then proceeded shockingly to tell me that a few years ago she had done her DTS (discipleship training school) at the same YWAM base that we’re going to in Townsville! God is so good. He knows just when we need to know with certainty His direction and pleasure in our service for Him and I am once again speechless at His presence in our lives. As Psalm 46: 7 states, “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Currently, I’m writing this entry from Cameron’s brother’s home in Oregon where we’ve been spending the week. We will be sharing at Calvary Chapel Gresham on Sunday, June 6th and shortly thereafter make our way down to Redmond and then Redding to visit a friend and more family. Then it’s off to the Central Coast of California to see Cameron’s Grandma Lucy and more family, and finally to Los Angeles to wrap up our visits and catch the plane Down Under.
You may be reading this blog having just received out blanket newsletter mailer, and if so, welcome! I hope that you will join the blog and keep up with all of the entries as we continue on our adventure. We truly appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and financial support and look forward keeping you up on all of God’s divine appointments and blessings.
God Bless You,
Jeremy & Co.

Prayer Requests:

Obtaining our visa
Safe and successful travel down to LA
Good visits with family and friends