Odyssey Notes
Tales, Wisdom & Misadventures of Leading an Outrageously Courageous Life
Painting the Community Center
During our family visit to Iraq in May, Billy Ray & I took to some painting at the community center. There's still plenty of work to be done before the center is fully functional, but it's already in use and can always use a little help. Could you see yourself volunteering in Iraq? If you have questions, let me know by completing the online form on the "Fan the Flame" page.
Iraq's Rival to the London Eye
While the adults are enjoying the dancing festivities of a local Wedding, outside, the kids have a little fun of their own with a mini ferris-wheel. I don't think I'd let Elliana on this ride, no matter how much she begged!
Anthony Bourdain | Lunch with US Soldiers stationed in Iraq
Learn how three US soldiers make the most of the culture wherever they are stationed. I reckon it applies in all kinds of situations whether you are in the military, on a short-term trip, or a tourist on vacation.
flickerflame eNewsletter | Launch Edition, August 2013
We are excited to introduce to you the very first installment of the flickerflame eNewsletter. Every month we look forward to sharing with you the latest news, photos and a few thoughts from the Buxtons. So far our Summer has been jam-packed with travels, paperwork, BBQ's and the arduous and somewhat sad task of packing up our lives here in New York. We do hope you enjoy this months 'launch edition' highlighting our journey from New York to Iraq. Feel free to forward this eNewsletter to others who might be interested.
Click on the image below to open the eNewsletter.
A Little New Mexico Adventure with the Bold Family
Last month we had the wonderful privilege of visiting some new friends, Josh & Bevin Bold and their beautiful little girl, Haven! Since meeting them in Soran last Thanksgiving during the tail end to their 4+ year stint living and working in Kurdistan, we have enjoyed getting to know them and have been super encouraged by their love for Jesus and heart for the Kurdish people. This family sure know how to serve God and have a blast all at the same time. And so when we discovered our United Airlines miles were expiring in September, we thought about who we could visit, we didn't think twice and booked our award flight to Amarillo, TX (nearest airport we could find to Clovis, NM). During our times with them we have been super encouraged and learnt so much and are exited about the season they are in of launching others into the missions. Pray for them as they plan trips to Germany, working with Kurdish refugees, and to an orphanage in Juarez, Mexico. Here's a few snapshot of our New Mexico adventure.
Anthony Bourdain | A Kurdish Picnic
In this video, Tony discusses the future of Kurdistan with one of the locals while partaking in a Kurdish past time - the picnic.
Choni... Let's Learn Kurdish
And so the fun begins, as Sarah and I attempt to learn the language of the Kurds. We've got some great children's books, a great CD/Book learning kit & are having fun with some great Kurdish iPhone Apps.. who would have known!
Inside Kurdistan with Anthony Bourdain | Kurdish Wedding & A Theme Park
Here is the first in a series of short videos from the fearless traveling connoisseur, Anthony Bourdain. Each giving a glimpse into the life, culture and taste of beautiful Iraqi-Kurdistan.
Hanging with the Bold Family
On our way through to New Mexico we just had to grab lunch at The Big Texan. The steak was deelicious!
A Smoldering Wick | A Poem By Richard Weismann
Meet Richard (bottom left), a truly faithful friend of Times Square Church, who has volunteered in the Missions Department every Wednesday for over 10 years. Among many other hidden talents, Richard is also quite a remarkable poet. And so, after I shared this morning in staff devotions about our family's move to Iraqi-Kurdistan and the verse God had put on our hearts in Isaiah 42:3 (it's on the bottom of the page), Richard comes up to me and hands me a poem he had written about that very verse. It simply blew me away and with his permission it gives me great honor and pleasure to share it with you below...
A Smoldering Wick
By Richard Weismann
It began as a tiny spark
Buried under a mountain of darkness
Stones that were too heavy to move
And too numerous to count
Stones of destruction
Burns of charred forest burnt beyond recognition
Waves of despair crashing against a fragile heart
It was a world permeated with unbreakable chains of cynicism
Where self was king
Deep within the mountain, hope was born
Amidst the seeds of hopelessness,
A small light could be perceived
It was like a drop of water in a universe of burning sand and oil
There was a longing to right the unrightable wrong,
To beat the unbeatable foe;
A longing to go when his arms were too weary
It seemed like an impossible dream
With no more substance than a smoldering wick
At the point of defeat, a deliverer appeared
The one who could transform the tiny spark into a mighty fire
A mighty God with tender heart
His majesty beyond comprehension
His eyes so kind
His words were like a gentle rain that could melt the hardest of hearts
The one true God who came to heal the brokenhearted
None could ever compare
To the Son of the living God
Who came to take away the sins of the world
His name is Jesus Christ
Turn off ignition while pumping gas!
One of the local gas stations in Soran... Can you come up with the best caption for this photo?
Here Comes A Dust Storm
In May 2013, we were treated to a little dust storm which swept through the Soran Valley. It was just a small one, but as you can see packed quite a punch with winds at near hurricane speed! This is just a taste of things to come for the Buxton Family as we get ready to move to Iraq.
The Buxton Family Moving Sale | Saturday & Sunday, August 17 - 18
The Buxton Family are moving to Iraq and you can help them get there and grab a bargain all at the same time! The weekend of August 17 & 18, the Buxton's will be opening there apartment selling most of their furniture, home goods, kitchenware, linens, sporting gear, books & CD's... practically everything but the kitchen sink is for sale!
Our apartment needs to be empty by September 1st!
All of the proceeds will help us buy our plane tickets, furniture, home needs & car once we arrive in Iraq.
Here's the details along with a slideshow of just some of the items up for grabs...
When: Saturday August 17, 10am-5pm & Sunday August 18, 1-6pm
Where: Email Tim at nyaussie@gmail.com OR message my Facebook account for address.
*Cash Only
The sweet taste of America on a hot Iraqi day
No matter where you are in the world, you will always find a bottle of Coca-cola... and when it's 110 degrees outside, you are quite glad too!
Sewing classes at the Community Center
Though we are still in need of funding to complete the Community Center in Soran, a local Kurdish group of women are already putting the classrooms to good use! Here is a sneak peak at what a Kurdish sewing class looks like...
Elliana getting dirty & having fun in the Iraq sun
During our family visit to Iraq in May, it didn't take Elliana long before she was covered in dirt. It was a welcome change to be playing outside after the cold New York winter, where she spends most of her time inside our Manhattan apartment. Enjoy the slideshow of Elliana having a blast outside.
How's this for a 4am wake-up call
Five times a day, from as early as 4am and as late as 8 o'clock in the evening, this poetic call to prayer echoes throughout the Soran valley. Sung by Imams through the megaphone speakers of every local mosque, the rather intrusive call reminds the faithful Muslims to stop and pray to Allah.
Aussie passports for the kids
We just submitted the kids Aussie passport applications today. I rode the brand new #citibikenyc system and made it to the consulate on 42nd St/Park Ave and back in 30mins. Only a few glitches but it was a great experience riding through the traffic.. felt like a real messenger boy!
Please pray for Tim's USA citizenship application which is in process and also for Sarah's Australian visa application. So much paperwork just to leave the US... Oh the joy of it all!
Video of Elliana Enjoying Some Kurdish Dancing
After a delicious picnic lunch with some friends we decided to join in the dancing. It's kind of like Line Dancing, but in a circle. Elliana caught on quick and it was a lot of fun as you can see.
Celebrating The Kurdish New Year (Newroz) with Fire
Each Spring the Kurds welcome in the Kurdish New Year, Newroz, with dancing and festivities throughout Kurdistan. One of the ways they celebrate is to light up the mountainous countryside with blazing fires. We are believing for God to do the same thing, setting this land ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit and bringing in a new chapter and season of His love into the lives of the Kurdish people.