And We're Here!

Autumn update 2026

Since Christmas, it has been non-stop for the three of us. I've spent time doing a few courses and finishing up at the Flight Training Centre, while Naomi (and Flossie) almost single handedly packed up our entire house! I write this seated on our new (to us) couch in Arnhem Land, where we find ourselves after what feels like an eternity in transition. This update certainly falls in the "better late than never" category...

Old Endings...

As can be imagined, we've said our fair share of goodbyes recently - to our house, our friends, our church family, our favourite places and the list goes on. What a journey in rediscovering the important things in life!

Flossie and I saying goodbye to the couch.

One of my last flights as an instructor in Mareeba where I was privileged to fly with students like Callym for nearly three years.

I'll miss the terrain around the Atherton Tablelands in north Queensland. It's very flat in Arnhem Land!

Not as hard saying goodbye to a desk...

... and New Beginnings

Our goodbyes have quickly morphed into a whole new set of hellos. Since we arrived in Arnhem Land a few weeks ago, we have been the recipients of wonderfully warm and welcoming hospitality from the MAF team here. Please pray for us as we continue to settle in to our home in Yirrkala and life in general up here.

Before leaving Mareeba, I completed training to allow me to fly the Caravan - one of the two aircraft types we fly in Arnhem Land

Happy to be the one under the pump for a change!

Me and Steven Biggs on a training sortie. Biggsy was in Arnhem Land with us when I was a kid so this definitely felt like a full circle moment!

I was thankful able to fly to Gove with our belongings in the same Caravan I did my training in (instead of driving, as originally planned). A four day journey reduced to four hours! This is just prior to crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria.

All hands on deck! Ben, our country director, showing us that no one is above helping out around here.

One trip home is all I needed.

Exploring our surroundings! Naomi and Flossie flew over with Naomi's parents a few days after I did.

Our new home, complete with colourful bins. We are living in Yirrkala, a small indigenous community ten minutes from Gove airport.

Naomi's World

And just like that, it's time to unpack the bags and boxes! Leaving Atherton was sad and the last week was hard. I'm grateful for the time we had there, especially the relationships we built. It was a wonderful place in which to begin the journey of parenthood, from weekly catch ups with other church mums to visits to our favourite cafe, were Flossie was known by name from 5 days old! In between leaving Atherton and arriving in Arnhem Land, Flossie and I spent Easter weekend in Noosa for a family wedding. We also had a relaxing few days staying at Trinity Beach in Cairns with my parents, before flying (with almost 80kg of extra luggage) to Gove. Checking in for our flight took a long time! I was amazed at the welcome we received when we arrived here - almost 20 people came to the airport to greet us. I am looking forward to investing in new friendships here and am hoping to catch a glimpse (from a distance) of a local buffalo soon!

With Florence at the wedding.

Flossie's Forays

I'm now 8 months old! I love rolling around and have two bottom teeth. At my new home, I love looking out of my bedroom window, giggling at Bob my neighbour's cat and sliding my books under the couch. I also have a new highchair and am enjoying trying new foods. There has been lots of rain here and I get excited when I feel it on my arms and legs. Last week, I went to the library and made some baby friends at rhyme time. It's fun to smile when I see people and sometimes I giggle too, especially when they play peek-a-boo with me!

My first Easter (with Aunty Emily holding me).

My first playground visit.

Prayer Points

Please be praying with us in the following ways:

• As a priority, please pray that we will be able to make meaningful relationships in the community. Pray for patience and perseverance as we sit, listen and learn.

• Give thanks that we had a relatively smooth move and that most of our stuff has made it. In the same breath, please pray that our car and remainder of our belongings arrive in a timely manner!

• Pray that Naomi and Flossie adapt well to life at home as I'm out and about. Please pray for us all as we commence the second stage of transition together.

• Give thanks to God for his goodness to us in the many blessings, big and small, that we have come across.

That's us for another update. Thank you for your continued support of us in our ministry!

'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.' - Galatians 6:9

With love,

Michael, Naomi and Florence

*Our new postal address is: PO Box 1342, Nhulunbuy NT 0881.