Launch Edition

We are excited to introduce to you the very first installment of the flickerflame eNewsletter. Every month we look forward to sharing with you the latest news, photos and a few thoughts from the Buxtons. So far our Summer has been jam-packed with travels, paperwork, BBQ's and the arduous and somewhat sad task of packing up our lives here in New York. We do hope you enjoy this months 'launch edition' highlighting our journey from New York to Iraq. Feel free to forward this eNewsletter to others who might be interested.

"On Set", shooting a short video for our new website flickerflame.org

iRecommend

I've been dabbling in this book for the last few weeks, after borrowing it from a friend. I must say, it has brought my Bible reading to a new dimension, bringing great insight to the culture and true impact of Jesus' teaching. Check it out

eNewsletter

Inside this Edition

Video for New Website
iRecommend
New Mexico Trip
Inside Kurdistan Video
Australian Lay-over
Moving Sale
Outfit Our Iraq Home
Dual Nationalities
A Righteous Addict

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A Little New Mexico Adventure

Last month we had the wonderful privilege of visiting some new friends, Josh & Bevin Bold and their beautiful little girl, Haven! Since meeting them in Soran last Thanksgiving during the tail end to their 4+ year stint living and working in Kurdistan, we have enjoyed getting to know them and have been super encouraged by their love for Jesus and heart for the Kurdish people... read more.

This is great 3-minute video from the fearless traveling connoisseur, Anthony Bourdain, who stopped by the neighborhood! It gives a great glimpse into the life, culture and taste of Iraqi-Kurdistan.

Buxton Family Moving Sale | August 17 & 18

The weekend of August 17 & 18, we will be opening our apartment selling most of our furniture, home goods, kitchenware, linens, sporting gear, books & CD's... practically everything but the kitchen sink is for sale!

All of the proceeds will help us buy our plane tickets, furniture, home needs & car once we arrive in Iraq. For more information click here.

Lay-over in Australia

On October 9 we will be flying to Australia for an extended layover before moving to Northern Iraq. There are three main purposes for our Lay-over in Australia.

1. Visit Family & Friends - It has been 8 years since Tim moved to New York from Australia, and so we wanted to take the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends before we relocate. We especially wanted to spend time with Tim's mom, who has been receiving treatment for Breast Cancer. We are confident of complete healing, please pray with us for her.

2. Raise Support - We would love to connect with churches, schools, groups & people that have a heart for the Middle East and are interested in supporting the work that we will be doing. We are responsible to raise 100% of our financial support. To learn how you can partner with us, click here.

3. Sarah to Give Birth - You read it right! Sarah & I are thrilled to be having our third child. Once our baby is born and receives the first round of immunizations we will head to Iraq, most likely some time in the Spring of 2014 (Australian Autumn). Please pray that Sarah has a healthy pregnancy.

Can You Help Outfit Our Entire House in Iraq?

Just last week we received an email from a family in Iraq that is moving back to the US. They have an entire house of furniture, appliances, kitchenware, home goods, linen etc., that they are looking to sell. They also have 2 children (a boy & girl) with furniture, toys and books for kids. Most of the items are less than 2 years old and in great condition. We are so amazed at the opportunity to completely outfit our home in Iraq before we even get there. It would make for a very smooth transition for us and also be a great blessing to the family that is moving back to the US. We need $6000 by August 14, which includes the truck delivery charges. Will you help us with a one-time gift to outfit our home in Iraq? Your gift could help us buy a couch, washing machine, kitchen cabinets or bedroom set. Click on the button below to download step-by-step instructions on how to give to the Buxton's and help them meet this financial need.

GIVE NOW TO OUTFIT OUR IRAQ HOME

When U.S.A. = United States of Australia

On May 9, Elliana & Charlie became Australian citizens - Aussie Aussie Aussie... Oi Oi Oi!! Also,Tim will be attending his final interview to become a United States citizen at the end of August. And so, after many visits to the Australian Consulate, the USCIS, loads of paperwork & thousands in filing fees; dual citizenship will soon be a reality for Tim too. Please pray for wisdom as we look at the best options for Sarah's Aussie visa.

Are You Addicted to Righteousness?

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” - Jesus

I’ve probably read this verse a thousand times, but it was only recently that I started to understand the true desperation pictured in this “Beatitude” in Matthew 5:6. In contrast to much of the developed world today, those in the Middle East hearing these words of Jesus would have personally known what it meant to experience unabated hunger and severe thirst. I remember doing the 40-hour famine as a kid and somehow telling myself that I now know what it means to be hungry - how wrong I now know I was. The more I started to think about it, the picture I believe Jesus was trying to paint here more resembles the single-minded, unrelenting pursuit of an addict. There is a scene in the movie “Finding Nemo” that my 2-year old daughter loves to play over and over, where Bruce, the “recovering fish-addict shark”, gets a sniff of Dory’s blood, reawakening his tenacious hunger for fish. Bruce is suddenly jolted into an unstoppable pursuit of Dory and Marlin, where nothing or no one was going to get in between him and those poor helpless fish. Could this be the kind of pursuit God wants us to have for righteousness? If so, what kind of righteousness is this?

I’d always thought Jesus was referring to some high moral lifestyle or ethical norm until I came across a broader explanation in the book, “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes”, by Kenneth E. Bailey. What I discovered was that the word “righteousness” used here and throughout the Bible is packed with meaning, much like a multi-faceted diamond. At times there is the idea of justice, coupled with a strong connection to peace as an outcome. On other occasions it referred to the mighty acts of God on behalf of His people throughout history, and none greater than Jesus own death and resurrection. In each situation, God leaves us with an example of how we are to treat one another, especially those in need around us. I think the prophet Micah summed it up pretty well when he explained what is good in the eyes of God.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you  but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

It's also worth noting that unlike every other addition, there are no negative side effects to being addicted to righteousness. Jesus plainly states that this is the true picture of a full life, a happy and content life. It begs the question; “will I only know what it means to live a full and happy life when I become addicted to this kind of righteous living”? So I recently I started praying, “God, I want to be addicted to helping those in need around me. I desperately long to see your mighty acts performed on behalf of others, especially those that don’t understand the greatness of what you have done for them. I want to be in single-minded pursuit of what you say is truly good.

Feel free to join me in that prayer - my new addiction.

Tim & Sarah Buxton

youBelong

35 Cotswold Hills Drive

Toowoomba, QLD 4350

Australia

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