2003 news from Raoul and Helen
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December 2003

Dear family and friends,

We wish you all a blessed Christmas celebration and a good peaceful New Year in a world that seemingly has become less safe, at least in the short run as countries and regions strive for power and use religion for this purpose. We pray that the mighty of this world will find their way back to peace on the basis of international law and understanding.

It was certainly not a dull year for us. The year began with an enormous fire that destroyed some 2500 square kilometres of forest and bushland, and 491 homes in and around Canberra. With the fire roaring towards out home across the bushland reserve we fully expected to lose everything. Thanks to the work of helicopter crews, a helitanker, and many helpers on the ground, plus a last minute wind change, our home survived. The 18th January 2003, our 37th wedding anniversary, was a day we will never forget. When the crisis had passed Miriam brought a delicious meal to us that we ate together by torchlight on our patio. The many concerned phone calls and emails that we received meant so much to us. Thank you. We certainly felt for those affected by the recent wildfires in southern California.

This was a year of small journeys, rather than one big one. We explored Tasmania for two weeks in March, enjoying our new Subaru Forester that we took with us on the ferry across Bass Strait. In May we spent a few days with son Robert in Loxton, South Australia, getting to know the area better. Raoul accompanied Helen in July to her teaching weekend in Brisbane, and together we flew to Cairns to explore a little of tropical Queensland. It was fun to meet up with cousin Julia Hazel in Townsville. You can see pictures of this visit at http://jupacami.net/family

Raoul's beard is a new development (Helen still hasn't got used to the prickly feel!). He started to grow it a year ago when he was not allowed to shave for a time, having been burned in the face. Fortunately there is no scarring, but the beard remains! In November we spent two weeks exploring the South Island of New Zealand. We loved the magnificent countryside and were able to hike on most days. Raoul has just completed his travel report.

We appreciated having a number of family members stay with us this year. Son Richard, Keryn, Martin and Thomas joined us for Easter from Germany. Both boys now attend school in Sonnenberg. Daughter Nicola and Craig made a special trip to be with us all at Easter. Even Miriam, who lives close by, stayed overnight, and then was asked to write into the guest book! Two lots of South African Middelmanns visited this year: Mish, Colleen, Shingi and Temba from Johannesburg and Jessie from Cape Town. There were plenty of lively discussions, as well as sightseeing tours. Our brother-in-law John Langford has been a regular and welcome visitor, once with Christina. Niece Jenny Williams, with Richard, Rebecca and Catherine visited twice and will be here again for Christmas. Jenny's brother Andrew now lives in Canberra, so we see him and Miriam quite regularly.

Raoul has continued his involvement with the University of the Third Age, teaching a course on the Middle Ages and organising weekly forums, from June to October, on a variety of topics (attendance 50-130 mostly retired people). He has completed his chapter on the years 1853-67 of the first Lutheran church in Melbourne that has just celebrated its 150th anniversary. The book is due out early in 2004. Two vignettes, offshoots of the chapter, relating to the first and second pastors, Goethe and Herlitz, appeared in the Journal of Friends of Lutheran Archives, No. 13 (Oct. 2003).

Helen retired from her position in pastoral care at Calvary Hospital in March, but continued with other pastoral work, counselling, mentoring and teaching until September when she stepped aside for a break, having become "peopled out," i.e. very tired. She is enjoying the break and feeling much better already. A special challenge this year was to prepare and present two Bible Studies on "Living Hope." (1 Peter 1:3-9) to 250 women (and a few men!) at the General Convention of the Lutheran Women of Australia in October near Sydney.

We hope that you are in good health, at least in accordance with your age. We love to hear that you too have had an interesting year and that with courage, expectation and humility you face 2004.

Raoul and Helen



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