Craig and Debbie Rayner

Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next.

Low Islands, Great Barrier Reef

April started in New Zealand. On the April 6th we flew to Cairns in Northern Queensland (Australia) to catch up with Craig's brother, Malcolm, and his family. They live in a small town about 100km north of Cairns, called Mo s s m a n . We spent a week with them, spending a couple of days being tourists, visiting the Daintree National P a r k , Kuranda and a day on the Great Barrier Reef.

Stinger Suits, GBR

The day on the reef was spectacular. We had been told to expect to see sea turtles, and we were not disappointed, seeing them as we snorkelled and also from a tour in a glass bottomed boat. It is truly amazing to see the riches of creation, and humbling to be aware that we are endowed to rule this creation.

Talking the Talk

After a week in Mossman, we boarded a Cathay flight and returned to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, we have been busy catching up with people; sharing our vision for the work that we feel has been put before us with the team from our local club. The first talk we did after arriving in Hong Kong was with the youth group.

Union Youth Group

It was a simulation about crossing cultures. Often, Craig and I gain the largest insights when we see other's struggle with the concepts and ideas we are facing as we step into Central Asia. One of the follow up questions was about truth, and is it the same for everyone? The youth are all third culture kids, expats either born or living in a different culture. They have learnt, sometimes the hard way, that not respecting other people's cultures is bad. So it was entirely appropriate when they were wishing us well at the end of the evening one of the youth asked that we be able to share truth without offending anyone. What a fabulous challenge, not to be silent in the face of injustice but to share truth with love!

We are in Hong Kong till 14 May 2009
England: Thursday, 14th May 2009
Canada - Montreal: Thursday, 18th June 2009
USA - Colorado: Y.W.A.M. Training
	Starts: 13th September 2009
Kazakhstan: 29th December 2009

Another Story

Another story is about a Central Asian woman who we don't know personally. She was arrested for talking about the word with a group of like minded friends in her home, showing them a movie about the truth walking. Her court appearance saw the judge asking that all present watch this disturbing film. The film was ruled as not offensive and the woman was freed without conviction or fine. This result was amazing in that it completely overturned the normal outcome for such an incident.

Medical Up-date

"You have a nice leg"

Well, normally it is only Craig that says that! But it was a great blessing to have an appointment set up with a vascular surgeon in Hong Kong for an assessment, and to get into the local system. I was quite pleased with his remark on my leg, but he did also say that the blood clot will probably not entirely dissipate. We agreed to not have another ultrasound until June. He said, we are doing all the right things and to continue the medication till the end of the 6 months. He also said the newest advice is to wear only the half stockings once I finish the medicine. He was reassuring, reminding us both that this is no longer life threatening and to go ahead and live fully!

Point to Ponder and Celebrate

• Encouraging news on the medical issues.
• Budget Completion, Size and Acceptance. (more next month.)
• That telling our story would impact people for the MD.
• Impact of Swine flu on our travels.