The day after we left home, we had an attempted break in at our house.
After arriving at Borroloola, we learned we could not go to Robinson River Station because the roads were so bad.
Our car broke down while we were staying at an outstation. (Bad road major factor on that break down)
Moved into town because it was hard to get in and out without a car.
Our translation work was going well until then, as we could not meet with the people we were working with for the 2 week period.
2 deaths and 2 funerals slowed down the work
Dennis caught the flu and was bed ridden for a week. Still getting over it (4 weeks later)
Translators getting side tracked through to personal issues or travel reasons.
Major problems with one family close to us and us having to liaison between family and police.
This issue kept us in Borroloola for an extra week.
All these problems and we were stressing about getting any recording done at all.
We did not update the blog as we were dealing with people from 6.30 in the morning until 9.00 at night. Then we would fall into bed early.
But, praise God, we did get the Good News script recorded into Garrawa.
We started with a lady called Nancy. She surprised us so much. She would not stop. We kept asking her if she would like to rest but she kept saying no.
She said, that there was no one to teach her about the Bible. She really wanted to know and working with us was teaching her about God. We had no idea she was wanting to know about God.
Another lady, Linda came to help Nancy with the work. Together they worked to put the English into Garrawa.
We supplied the cups of tea, flour for jonny cake and beef. (bribery always works well!). There is a lovely place near the McArthur River under a large number of Tamarind trees. Very shady, full of butteflies and quiet. Only the occasional snake (5 sighted while we were there!)
When we were getting close to the time to leave, we were panicking a bit that we would not get the work done. The family rallied to the call. Several came with us the last 2 days. They fished for julbie (archer fish), made damper and jonnie cake, and encouraged the translatiors.
That way we were fed, watered and encouraged in the typical family way in Borroloola. Every one was so excited when we finished.
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| Linda and Dennis under the Tamarind trees |
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| Cheryl and grand daughter Gracelda with julbie |
Dennis was quite sick with the flu, so we boiled some bush medicine for him. Some he had to drink, and the other he had to 'bogie' (bathe) in it.
Due to censorship issues and personal modesty, this is the best we can show you of him having a bogie in bush medicine
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| Glenys & Linda preparing bush medicine for Dennis |
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| Dennis in bathroom, having a bogie |
We shared with a lot of people about the 5fish app. There was a lot of interest shown. We do feel strongly after being there, that getting the bible stories into Aboriginal English as very important. There is a real lack of understanding when we use material that uses English the way we speak. It really reaffirmed that we should be looking at this as a priority.
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| Dennis and Freddy looking at the phones |
On a different note,we were involved with a crisis that happened with a family in Borroloola. This involved police and was heart wrenching.
As were were involved, we saw how communications with local people and other authorities break down. This is not because of animosity but because of different cultural understandings and set procedures from authorities that are not communicated to the people involved.
We spoke in length to different organizations about the need to communicate with the family group. As Indigenous people are very communal and family clans are strong, they need to be addressed in a group. This did not happen on an individual or communal level
It is sad to see. We understand on a deeper level just how two different cultures have to work together, but not understanding how the other one works.
We do ask you would pray for Indigenous communities. So often they do not have a voice. When they do speak, no one listens. It breeds mistrust and apathy.
During this time, we were able to share a lot about trusting God and seeking him. This would not have happened with out the trouble we all went through.
Enough on that subject.
Now we are on the way home. This will be quicker than we originally planned. Our aim is to be in Adelaide by Friday and spend time with our son and his wife and child before going to Broken Hill and home.
