Saturday I had a lazy morning while Vi-lay caught up with her friends. I called another Kirkplace friend Toyin to confirm the time we were meeting. We were going to meet at 6pm for dinner out with her boys but then there was a change of plans as the boys were going to a birthday party with their father, FT. It was then arranged that I’d come earlier and Toyin would pick me up at the Holsworthy Station. It was only after I was on the train that I realised there were track repairs and the train would terminate at the station before Holsworthy. Not to worry there was a bus provided. While on the train a blind man asked what the temperature was as it had been so hot. I looked it up just as we were departing the train. I wasn’t sure if he needed some assistance but then realised he was unsure of where to go so gently bumped him with my right arm pushing him slightly towards the ramp. Some people don’t appreciate assuming they need help so I was cautious in offering him my arm. I was relieved when he took my arm for guidance as we continued to walk towards the exit. I asked him where he was going and if I could assist. He wasn’t going the same direction and my bus was waiting so I headed him towards my bus so as not to miss it and handed him over to the station attendant asking the attendant to guide him in the right direction for his bus. I was then shocked to hear the station attendant abruptly tell me I shouldn’t have brought him down into the sun, I should have left him in the shade! Everyone has their assumptions and suggestions without finding out the reasons. At least I knew the guy was in capable hands now even thought he had spent one minute in the scorching 39 degree heat!
The bus wasn’t air conditioned, on the contrary it was stifling hot and stuffy! I shared the front seat with a lady who had come down from the country for her nieces 21st birthday to surprise her.
Toyin found me waiting under a tree at the station, it was so nice to see her and to sit in the air conditioning to escape the heat. We sat for some time outside her house catching up on news before I was very warmly welcomed by Mayowa and then sheepishly by Dara. They were so big now! Mayowa used to sit on my knee at church we were old buddies, I couldn’t believe it was now 9 yrs old but not too shy to give me a very warm hug! On request I had brought my tablet to show photos of my travels. They boys soon lost interest leaving Toyin and I chatting. FT popped in offering to cook me some late lunch before he took Mayowa out. Dara wasn’t feeling well so stayed behind. He later joined Toyin to drop me back at Revesby. It had been a lovely afternoon.
During the week I had asked my friend Grace, in Perth, if she had any contacts with people from the African church we had both attended when she was in Perth many moons ago. She found Ruth and Afam’s number and they in turn had Pastor Yinka’s number. I had called her to see where and at what time the church started. So on Sunday I took the train five stations up to Kingsgrove and walked towards the church. As I was walking, ahead of me I saw an old lady, she had a couple of bags of shopping and was pausing to sit along the way. She sat at the bus stop then before I reached her got up and moved to a wall where she took another pause. She reminded me of my mum, I stopped to ask if she needed some help. I told her about my mum and how I offer her my arm for support which she says steadies her. I was pleasantly surprised when this lovely lady took my arm and allowed me to carry her bags. She didn’t have much further to go and thanked me for my assistance. When we got to her door she hesitated which was my cue to say goodbye. I know it can be rather threatening someone waiting around while you get the keys of your home. She didn’t know me and I could have been waiting for her to open the door before robbing her. She looked relieved when I bid her goodbye.
As I approached church I recognised Victor whose eyes lit up as I approached, greeting me by my Nigerian name. It had been a long time. There was only one other guy who recognised me beside Yinka, the pastors wife, and my friends Bimbola and Caleb. I can remember helping them with the children when they were babies, they were all grown up now. We chatted for a bit after church before dropping me at the railway station where I took a train back to Revesby.
That night Vi-Lay and I worked on my resume which I’m getting ready for job hunting when I get back to Perth. It took a few more days before it was completed and we were happy with it. I haven’t needed a resume since my early days in Sydney in 1996! It was interesting going over all the experiences I’ve had over the years. The Lord has truly given me such a diverse and interesting life full of adventurous. I’m truly grateful.
Monday the 13th February I visited my accountant to sign my tax return papers as my computer has been playing up and I’ve been unable to open the PDF file. It was pouring with rain again as I got off the train in Bexley North and walked to the bus stand. This time I was determined to wait for the bus. It didn’t take long and I was able to get off at Forrest Road before walking a short distance in the drizzle to his office. I then called my friend Susan to see if she was home which she was. She offered to pick me up but by the time she had driven the car out of the drive I was already nearly at her place. She was trying to fix a sticky window so I had come just at the right time to give her a hand to hold it while she screwed it back onto the window frame. She later dropped me at Rockdale station to take the train into Town Hall where I was meeting up with Grace who had been one of the prospective buyers of my business. She had instead started her own business designing mobile apps. I had suggested we get together for a chat as I had an idea I thought might be successful and wanted to know if she was interested in being a partner. She could do the app and manage the website and I could do all the marketing which was not her forte. We had a long chat about the possibilities and are now praying and seeking further advice. So watch this space for a new project to emerge!
After parting I headed back towards Banksia where I disembarked and walked to my favourite Lebanese bakery. I arrived just before their closing time at 4pm but they had already packed everything away so I missed out. Back on the train I continued on past Rockdale and Kogarah this time getting off at Allawah. I had planned to catch up with Mel and Ale who I’d known from Kirkplace. Mel was visiting her friends with Samuel there son. Another walk but not too far from the station this time. Ale joined us later after work. I had met Ale when he was a student from Argentina, at the time he lived not far from me in Arncliffe so we would catch up to practice his English. He later dropped me off in Padstow where Vi-ay picked me up on route to her home group. That was also a lovely night. This was the first gathering of the new year. Everyone brought food for a BBQ so there was a feast. If it wasn’t for me limiting my meals to two a day I’m sure I’d have put on more weight! It was such a lovely night which closed with prayer for the Lord’s blessing for 2017.
Tuesday 14th February was the day my sister Jen was flying back to Melbourne. She had set up a few things for mum to be able to survive while she and I were not there, with a friend from church, Joan, calling in to keep an eye on things. I’m so grateful for my church family and to Jen who did such a marvellous job that I’m sure it’s going to be hard for me to follow in her footsteps.
Wednesday afternoon I went into Sydney CBD to meet Vi-Lay after work. I arrived early so I could have a bit of a walk around then coffee at McCafe while waiting for Vi-Lay to finish work. We then met up for a walk around the botanical gardens before having dinner at Vi-Lay’s favourite Indian restaurant. It was a lovely treat which included a typical Indian tea.
I was back in Rockdale on Thursday, this time I borrowed Vi-Lay’s car as my physio appointment was at 10:30 and the dentist at midday and I didn’t want to be rushing or late for either. After this I drove to Banksia for a Banksia Bakery Special which is a Lebanese Za’arta pizza made into a wrap, filled with fresh cut tomato, spinach, ricotta cheese, onions and black olives. It was delicious despite the understanding I may have a reaction and itch for three days. The previous night Vi-Lay and I had been praying together, she prayed that the Lord would heal me of the gluten intolerance. Our prayers had been answered as I had no reaction to the gluten, no itch at all! The Lord had totally healed me. Thank you Jesus!
That night after driving back to the flat I worked on the blog before driving to singles night to meet up with Vi-Lay. We had a lovely night and dinner of rice paper wraps which we made from fresh ingredients before discussing the book on marriage.
F
riday I caught up with a work associate, Poh Lin. We knew each other through health conferences and because we are both Christians had many thing in common. I met her for a coffee at Hurstville then walked to her home to continue our chat and to catch up with her husband Michael. I then took the train back to Revesby dropping by bag before heading back out to take the train to Campbelltown where I was picked up by another work colleague, Bev. Bev and I had worked at Karitane together, I also knew her daughter Wendy and her family after helping them out with a reflux baby. Everyone was there, including Bev’s other daughter whom I’d met years before, Caroline. We had such a lovely time catching up on things. There was so much to talk about.
The train back to Revesby was very quiet with a heavily tattooed man sitting opposite me in a deserted carriage. I wasn’t scared just cautious as I paused to get up at Revesby. He was getting off at the same stop and probably wondered why I was following him LOL
That night both Vi-Lay and I packed. She was going on a camping trip after dropping me at the airport. I was packing more luggage than I had bought which I suppose is not unusual for a stay in Sydney. We then prayed together before turning in for the night as we wanted to leave for the airport by 7am.
It was a quiet flight back to Perth. I was flying away from the rain into the heat. Perth had had lots of rain while I was away which was a real blessing, not only for my garden but my water tank was now full!
Photos: 1. Flower at Botanical Gardens Sydney CBD 2. Toyin and her boys 3. Ps Yinka, Caleb and Abimbola 4. Vi-Lay’s home group 5. Hyde Park 6. Banksia Special
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for the wonderful time I had in Sydney being able to catch up with so many of my friends. I truly feel so blessed. Praise God for Jen staying so long and for friends calling in to check on Mum while we were away.
Praise Him for Vi-Lay’s generous hospitality and friendship.
Please pray continue to pray for my sister Jenny to find work and for me also as I put my resume in a few places.
Praise the Lord for mum’s continual good health and safety on the road. Please continue to pray that she will give up driving before her licence expires on 21 April this year.
Please continue to pray that I will know the Lord’s leading, strength and wisdom as I encounter the challenges that lie ahead.
Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners. I really do appreciate you.