Day 13 and 14
This is my second and third day since my return to Elcho and I am feeling the pain of living in community. The sun is HOT, with no canopy.. but it is HUMID too, as the clouds pass by with no rain. As one person described their beloved island - it's like hell! When I visited the workplace and church with Wäŋgarr I found the asbestos replacement program for February had been delayed by Cyclone Lam. Not only is the Translation Centre and the church in an incomplete state of replaced building materials on the inside, but there is a general concern for the spread of asbestos from other buildings that are broken that need attention. It is going to be some time before things return to normal at the Translation Centre.
Back at home I have been cleaning inside, one room at a time, and dodging the hot sun to clear the debris around the yard. My 'Lot' has been listed as needing help by a team of 5-6 working on the fallen trees. They have been clearing the school area ready for school to begin yesterday, and making their way around the town, lot by lot. Meanwhile I continue to do my 'bit' in the backyard.
How encouraging to sit with 6 yolŋu at 5.30pm after work, for planning and prayer for the coming Thanksgiving weekend to be held on the 14th March. This year it is being declared as a 'local' program, for Galiwin'ku only, with a special emphasis on thanks to God for no loss of life during cyclone Lam.
This is my second and third day since my return to Elcho and I am feeling the pain of living in community. The sun is HOT, with no canopy.. but it is HUMID too, as the clouds pass by with no rain. As one person described their beloved island - it's like hell! When I visited the workplace and church with Wäŋgarr I found the asbestos replacement program for February had been delayed by Cyclone Lam. Not only is the Translation Centre and the church in an incomplete state of replaced building materials on the inside, but there is a general concern for the spread of asbestos from other buildings that are broken that need attention. It is going to be some time before things return to normal at the Translation Centre.
Back at home I have been cleaning inside, one room at a time, and dodging the hot sun to clear the debris around the yard. My 'Lot' has been listed as needing help by a team of 5-6 working on the fallen trees. They have been clearing the school area ready for school to begin yesterday, and making their way around the town, lot by lot. Meanwhile I continue to do my 'bit' in the backyard.
How encouraging to sit with 6 yolŋu at 5.30pm after work, for planning and prayer for the coming Thanksgiving weekend to be held on the 14th March. This year it is being declared as a 'local' program, for Galiwin'ku only, with a special emphasis on thanks to God for no loss of life during cyclone Lam.
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