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.