Happy New Year - 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2010 from the HARRIES in TIMOR LESTE

We are excited here in Timor Leste, not just because we have a brand new year ahead of us, but because the RAINS have finally come. Yes it is FINALLY raining here after 7 months of drought! The dust has turned to mud and the boys along with our entire village community do their rain dancing and mud playing every afternoon, providing hours of fun and entertainment.
It is a great relief as it was getting suffocatingly hot here as the humidity was creeping up into the high 90 per cent.

We live near a major river which as been so dry that it has been used as another road access and a place where the kids play soccer. But now it is a torrent and at times threatening to bust it's banks. What a contrast! Everyone's moods have lifted, however I do wonder how those in less desirable accommodation get on, we are so fortunate to be in a well build house with good drainage.

Christmas was here in Timor for us, celebrated with a few friends who were remaining. The World Vision Office was closed between Christmas & New Year, so we were able to hang as a family and holiday here in Dili & beyond. What does that mean? Swimming, swimming and more swimming for the most part.

Mace's first steps - has his protection gear on!

Christmas Morning

Noah's school put on a "P.C - Happy Holiday" concert where the preschool class got to star as Reindeer's and sing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Such a proud moment!

This is the WHOLE school from preschool-secondary - all 51 kids!

We did have a few days away up in the mountains "where you can touch the clouds" and escape the hot weather. The highlight for me was wearing jeans, for the boys it was riding a horse (see pictures below) We also took a necessary day trip (8hrs round trip) to the Indonesian Boarder to have our visa's renewed.

Horse riding was the highlight for the boys! A typical mode of transport in the mountainous regions of Timor

Refreshed by the cool clean air of Maubeisse!
The View!

Picnic stop on the way to the Indonesian Boarder



No rest areas or public toilets in Timor

A while ago now, but in September we had a family holiday to Bali which also enabled us to renew our visa's (ongoing issue!). Steve had to go to Bangkok for work so the boys & I were able to head up to Jakarta for 5 days with the boys and visit the Exells a family who used to live in the Solomon Island while we were there.

Here is how we travelled around Bali - 5 on a scooter!

The Boys... Noah's first term of school has been fantastic and he's embraced learning. He's in a great little class of 11 students (3 & 4 year olds) and comes home everyday with artwork and creations. They are learning Jolly-Phonics so there is constant singing in the back of the car on the way home. He has 2 class mates that live nearby so it's been great being able to share the driving. Due to some school structural changes, next term Noah will have a new teacher, Esther who is also the music teacher so my guess is the singing is just going to get better! Here is a picture of Noah in his classroom

Noah creating a dinosaur with his friend "Sasa" from next door at our house

Roman is desperate to be going to 'Big' preschool, but will have to wait until the next School year in August. for now he and I are keeping busy and he's still involved in a little local Tetun Preschool once a week as well as playgroup and playdates. Roman is full of energy and his favourite question is "wwwwwwwwWHYYYYYYYY?"

Roman, twilight swimming with his friend "Addie"
Collecting Starfish - a favorite pass-time


Mace is now walking and has attitude to go with it . He's desperate to keep up with his big brothers in everyway. He's a pretty cruisy boy and is starting to say a few words too, one being 'dirty' which the boys are constantly so very appropriate!

My days are kept pretty busy running after our three ragga-muffins who are constantly needing me for something, shoes on, shoes off, bum wiping, dressing, cutting sticking, feeding, reading to, fixing, tidying, nappies, undies, moping up spills spills and more spills........... it just never stops! I have also successfully completed my first 8 week Seahorse Swimming Term which was a great hit with both kids and parents. I am also teaching a group of four teen ages in our community English and now have picked up some part time voluntary nursing stuff - doing education, so am definitely keeping busy! I have been trying desperately to get a bit of greenery around our house. Below is a picture of the neighbours helping me plant bougainvilleas (the holes need to be dug with a crowbar!)

Our burnt out electrical system, which of course happened while Steve was away, plunged into darkness! Thank goodness or landlord is an electric an!

Steve has done a great job so far in a World Vision office that has undergone some major re-structural changes. Although it's been challenging and has meet some resistance the changes have been good and are starting to be fruitful. In November there was an international WV meeting (Round Table) held in Timor to discuss the next 5 year strategic work plan & business plan. It was attended by donors, partners & international regional ministry support . This was a very successful week with renewed support achieved.

Halloween party at the American Embassy. Thought we'd check out how the true-blue-Americans do Halloween for a bit of fun. Hooded towels came in handy!

Two birthdays were celebrated in November (Steve & Kris)

Crazy Harries Boys! (some recent pics)

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Our Backyard/Steve's gym in the background

Adventure with Dad

Dress-up at our house with the neighbours kids - "Super-Kids'

Well that's about it from us! We love hearing from you all and always like catching up with your news and photos, so keep them coming so we can stay connected over 2010! Lots of love from the Harries in Timor Leste

(I have a more detailed email letter for those interested -let me know by email)