top of page
Search

Guwatjman (to visit)

Writer: Michael and Naomi Lindsey
Michael and Naomi Lindsey
18 hours ago
5 min read

Spring Update 2026


Yo, Bukmak! (Hey, everyone!) As usual, the three months since our last update have flown by. Lots has happened, so let's fill you in...


A Sad Farewell


After a 14 year long journey with frontotemporal dementia, my father went to be with the Lord in July. We were very fortunate to be able to spend 4 weeks with family in Alice Springs to say goodbye and remember his life.


Showing Flossie the paths we used to walk as teenagers - when we were first dating!
Showing Flossie the paths we used to walk as teenagers - when we were first dating!

Out and About


I've still been flexing my instructor muscles since leaving the Flight Training Centre in Mareeba. Here I am preparing one of our experienced pilots, Ethan, for an upcoming proficiency check.
I've still been flexing my instructor muscles since leaving the Flight Training Centre in Mareeba. Here I am preparing one of our experienced pilots, Ethan, for an upcoming proficiency check.
Sitting on the beach in Buymarr as I wait for my passengers. Chris and Richard (two of the locals) were working together to catch some mullet.
Sitting on the beach in Buymarr as I wait for my passengers. Chris and Richard (two of the locals) were working together to catch some mullet.
Body charters are one way we can get alongside the Yolŋu. Quite often we fly bodies from Gove out to the person's homeland or community where they are given a traditional funeral. It is a heavy and sad time, but we are honoured to be able to support them in this way.
Body charters are one way we can get alongside the Yolŋu. Quite often we fly bodies from Gove out to the person's homeland or community where they are given a traditional funeral. It is a heavy and sad time, but we are honoured to be able to support them in this way.
Taking some teachers and students from Gäwa Christian School back to Gäwa after a camp in Nhulunbuy
Taking some teachers and students from Gäwa Christian School back to Gäwa after a camp in Nhulunbuy
Making the most of my time on the ground in Gän Gan... The process of learning language is long and tough, owing mainly to the fact that there are limited resources, but also because there are so many dialects. Djambarrpuyŋu is only one of about 12 dialects spoken in Arnhem Land. Please pray for us as we continue to learn-by-doing.
Making the most of my time on the ground in Gän Gan... The process of learning language is long and tough, owing mainly to the fact that there are limited resources, but also because there are so many dialects. Djambarrpuyŋu is only one of about 12 dialects spoken in Arnhem Land. Please pray for us as we continue to learn-by-doing.
On a recent flight to Numbulwar (the place I spent much of my childhood), I was able to get a lift into town and have a look around. Here we have the home where we lived for five years. Sadly, it is now unliveable, but that meant I was able to ignore all the danger signs and have a sneaky walk through!
On a recent flight to Numbulwar (the place I spent much of my childhood), I was able to get a lift into town and have a look around. Here we have the home where we lived for five years. Sadly, it is now unliveable, but that meant I was able to ignore all the danger signs and have a sneaky walk through!
While in Numbulwar, I bumped into my adopted ŋapipi (uncle) at the airport. It was great to reconnect after so many years.
While in Numbulwar, I bumped into my adopted ŋapipi (uncle) at the airport. It was great to reconnect after so many years.
An evening flight back home was a nice way to cap off my afternoon in Numbulwar
An evening flight back home was a nice way to cap off my afternoon in Numbulwar

Gapuwiyak Visit


A few weeks ago, Naomi's cousin and his family were visiting Gapuwiyak, the community they lived in for many years. We flew out to spend a few days with them!


Thankful for the 30 minute flight that meant we didn't need to drive the dusty track for three hours
Thankful for the 30 minute flight that meant we didn't need to drive the dusty track for three hours
Flossie's first MAF flight!
Flossie's first MAF flight!
At the bunggul (ceremony) in Gapuwiyak. One of Tom's first employees had passed away, and so we were paying our respects to him. It had been 20 years since I'd danced so I was a little rusty...
At the bunggul (ceremony) in Gapuwiyak. One of Tom's first employees had passed away, and so we were paying our respects to him. It had been 20 years since I'd danced so I was a little rusty...

Flossie making friends on the dance floor. This baby's father came over telling him, "Yaka buma! Yaka buma!" which means 'don't hit'. We all had a good laugh at this!
Flossie making friends on the dance floor. This baby's father came over telling him, "Yaka buma! Yaka buma!" which means 'don't hit'. We all had a good laugh at this!
A short break in proceedings meant that Flossie was free to roam!
A short break in proceedings meant that Flossie was free to roam!
Tom organised a hunting trip for us one day. No buffalo, but we had some kangaroo and duck for lunch.
Tom organised a hunting trip for us one day. No buffalo, but we had some kangaroo and duck for lunch.
It isn't every day you get to light bushfires on purpose. The Yolŋu practise of back-burning or "worrk" manages the dead weeds and grass and allows for better hunting, while also allowing the vegetation to grow back in the next wet season. It makes for smoky flying conditions during this time of year.
It isn't every day you get to light bushfires on purpose. The Yolŋu practise of back-burning or "worrk" manages the dead weeds and grass and allows for better hunting, while also allowing the vegetation to grow back in the next wet season. It makes for smoky flying conditions during this time of year.

Naomi's World


We've now been in Arnhem Land for 6 months! The time has gone quickly though it also feels like we've lived here for much longer. Our visit to Alice Springs in August was bittersweet. It was special to spend so much time with family and friends - and introduce Flossie to many people for the first time! Since arriving back in Arnhem Land, Flossie has started weekly swimming lessons which are fun for both of us. We also enjoy our morning and evening walks around Yirrkala, often accompanied by friends and dogs! I am regularly asked when I'll go back to teaching, to which I respond 'not yet'. While I miss being in the classroom, I am incredibly thankful to be able to stay home with Flossie - who is now 1 and looking more like a toddler everyday! She is a beautiful blessing to us.


Flossie's Forays

Now I'm 1 year old! I have started swimming lessons and I love kicking my legs in the water. Our town pool has lovely green grass (not like our backyard) and a fun playground too. My (current) favourite foods are strawberries, yoghurt, avocado and sourdough. I had a great time visiting my cousins in Gapuwiyak and I loved meeting the two joeys they were looking after. One of the joeys even came on our MAF flight back to Gove (along with a cat and a puppy)! When I'm at home, I have fun looking at books and playing on the back verandah. I can understand some more words in Yolŋu Matha, like 'gapu' (water) and ŋatha (food).


A picnic with my grandparents to celebrate my first birthday... my cupcake disappeared very quickly!
A picnic with my grandparents to celebrate my first birthday... my cupcake disappeared very quickly!
Wearing my new dress made by Aunty Emily
Wearing my new dress made by Aunty Emily
Fun at a cafe in Darwin on our way back from Alice Springs
Fun at a cafe in Darwin on our way back from Alice Springs
Ready for my first swimming lesson!
Ready for my first swimming lesson!
Do you like books too?
Do you like books too?
Practising standing (in my signature Arnhem Land outfit)
Practising standing (in my signature Arnhem Land outfit)

Prayer Points

Please be praying with us in the following ways:

  • Family: Give thanks for a good time spent away with family in Alice Springs and Gapuwiyak.

  • Language learning: Pray that God will continue to give us motivation and perseverance as we go about learning Yolŋu Matha.

  • Relationship building: Please be praying for us as we seek to build meaningful relationships in Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy.

  • Wisdom: Pray that God will give us wisdom in how we spend our energy. We want to be here for a long time, and to do so we need to manage our fatigue levels. This can be quite tricky in the build-up and wet seasons!

  • Community: There seem to be a never ending stream of Yolŋu funerals at the moment. Join us in praying for them, and pray for us as we come alongside them.


That's all from us...



'Ga ŋarrapiny ga dhuwal bukumirriyaman nhumalaŋ God-Waŋarrwala ŋunhi ŋayi ŋuli ga gurrupan ŋayaŋu-mulka'kunhamirr rom, ŋayi dhu dhaŋaŋguman nhumalany ŋoy-djulŋithinyaraynha ga mägayaynha romdhu ŋunhi nhuma ŋuli ga märr-nhirrpanmirr nhanukiyingala yan, märr nhumalaŋ dhu ŋunhi ŋayaŋu-gatjpu'yunawuynydja ŋuthandja ḏälthirra ŋuriŋiyin ŋunhi nhanukala Dhuyu-Birrimbirrwalnha ganydjarryuny.' -

‭‭Rawumlil dhäwu‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭DNT‬‬


'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.' - Romans 15:13


'


Blessings,


Michael, Naomi and Florence


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



 
 
 

Comments

©2022 by The Flying Lindseys. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page