Who are these people?
Well, here you have it...I have labored long and hard to accomplish two tasks. Here you may have a good look at the Stakes family (L to R -- Ryan, Paula, Ty and Tyson) and it is posted in this blog. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that it was a learning experience to get it done!
As I look at my loved ones in this shot, I am reminded of something I feel all too keenly these days. After 17 days away from home on a work assignment, I miss my wife and boys like the sky misses the sun after a winter of night. I will see them in less than 48 hours...ahhhhhh...
Excuse me...I'm new here...
To blog...are you a blogger?...do you have a blog? It's such a strange word...blog...but as the bandwagon hurries by, I thought I might jump on! So, welcome to my "blog"...Willing Mind...
I ask myself, "Why have a blog?" Well, let's start it out as a place to update our friends on what's happening with us. If it evolves into something else over time, that's OK. If it morphs between posts, I guess that's all right, too!
To begin, let's play 6 questions...
Who are you? We are the Stakes (Ty, Paula, Tyson and Ryan), hailing from northwestern Indiana in the US, serving with HCJB World Radio in Melbourne, Australia. We lived in Quito, Ecuador for 4 years prior to moving to Oz. Ty (the blogger) is a radio producer/presenter for HCJB Australia. He produces a radio program called "Habitation", co-produces another called "Asia Focus", and dives into all sorts of other production work for HCJB Australia. I am on assignment in Kununurra, Western Australia right now, but when I get back to the office, I'll be working on a new "world music" radio program, which will be a gas!
What is HCJB World Radio? You can find out about HCJB at this link: www.hcjb.org
What is HCJB Australia? You know the drill: www.hcjb.org/australia
What it Habitation? Check it out here...click the "Habitation" link at: www.willingmind.org
If you have a fast connection, you can download the program and give it a listen...go for it!
What's a missionary? Literally, a missionary is a person sent out to represent another in a foreign land, like an ambassador. It's interesting that even diplomatic folks call their work in foreign lands "mission". I believe that all Christians are by definition missionaries, with Jesus as the represented foreign Dignitary (there is none more dignified) and Earth as the foreign land. Our homeland is a new heaven and a new earth to come. In this world, we are strangers, foreigners, missionaries. Now, some of us are sent out by our friends and loved ones to work for God vocationally...that is the kind of missionaries that we are.
Why are you in Australia? HCJB World Radio is broadcasting by shortwave radio to Asia (i.e., India/Pakistan, China, Indonesia, the proverbial eastern "10/40 window") from Australia. Our production studios are in Melbourne, so we are in Australia serving in that effort.
That's pretty good for a first post. I'll see if I can't get a few photos up here soon. Remember, I'm new at this...
