question and answer

Well, we returned safely to the states on Thanksgiving Day. We would have both loved to stay, but that wasn't really an option. Some may be disappointed that the trip was such a success and others may be happy, yet others are quite amused at the whole joke. So here are a few questions that may be asked and our attempts to satisfying them.

Why move?
The "why" question is classic example of ten most asked question. For some, it is asked with assumption that we are living in heaven to begin with, or something very close to it. As was mentioned in an offline way, the answer is multifaceted. Religious, economical, political, and personal preferences led us to choose Australia, although there were other things happening surrounding the time that we decided to pursue an old vision of ours. The things that happened were fortunately or unfortunately interpreted as signs from God, which would suggest the next question. (Of course, from all the spokes that were already in the wheel of decision, visiting Australia added a few more to the wheel.)

Is this venture really a missions trip? Are you planning on moving back?
I'll answer that with a question. Is living in Lancaster County a missions trip? Are you going to move somewhere else? From a missional standpoint, the first obvious characteristic about Australia is the oncoming post-Christian generation. In other words, major steps have been taken to secularize schools and public institutions. They have succeeded in many ways. Very few people attend church. Religion is almost a non-issue in some respects. But you are respected even if you are religious. However, if you pray in a restaurant, you may get some boos, but more often stares and snickers. So call it a missions trip if you'd like, but we understand from others experience that the label "missionary" is not helpful. (How would you feel if Muslims tried to convert you, or better yet, be funded by Al-Qaeda to live in our communities?) If we do move, our view of doing missions does not allow us to be supported by a mission organization as such. We understand God's call on our lives in particular ways, and that caused us to pursue this venture. Again, we really don't know if we are moving. The future in God is characterized by endless possibility. In that sense, we are not programed robots with predetermined futures.

What did you gain visiting Australia?
Most importantly, we gained a connection with the people, especially the Hutterite style Christian community in Northwest Tasmania, and the Christian community in Gympie, Queensland, where Jason Kauffman and his family live. The contacts made will greatly assist in immigration, establishment, and spiritual support. To be blunt, we feel drawn to the place. Secondly, we gained the feel of some of the country's culture -people and society, economics and arts, media and politics. We aren't totally clueless as to what is legal and illegal, or how to mobilize ourselves, or where to get things that are needed.

Was it like you imagined it to be?
Somewhat. I didn't try to expect too many things in fear of being dissapointed. We were pleased with what we saw, especially in Tasmania with the local weather patterns, land, housing, job opportunity, and community.

When do you plan to move? And what are the red lights?
The flat answer is we don't know when. What is holding us back has more to do with our personal responsibilities to our workplaces and our homestead. We also want to care for our grandmother who lives with us. An old peoples' home is not the place for the elderly who have taken excellent care of us.

How difficult is immigration?
Obviously, immigration can be an annoying hassle. There is a Russian who immigrated from Germany into Australia many years ago who has helped dozens of people gain permanent residency. He has an excellent knowledge of how the agency works, what buttons to push, and which strings to pull. He is a conservative Christian man who graciously hosted us for one night. It is not impossible to jump a few hoops, only hard work.

Are there job opportunities?
We were told that one of the easiest ways to gain permanent residency or at least a worker's visa is if the immigrant can prove that there is a job opening in Australia that has been advertised for at least six months and hasn't been filled and that he or she is capable of filling that. In northwestern state of Tasmania, which is the area we have been interested in, there are many such opportunities especially on dairy farms and with seasonal orchard work. There are proffessional skills which are in demand but in order to prove that you are a skilled worker, you must have a certification or some sort of college diploma. Even if you can weld, they will only consider those who have been in a trade school apprenticeship program and/or have a certificate.

I will be posting a picture gallery to upload a few more pictures. Feel free to ask questions on the comments page.