We are planning to leave the Uk on the 14th of October.
But before then we are having a goodbye party on the 10th. So if you are anywhere near us feel free to pop by after 3pm. Give us a call for directions...(if you need them)
The latest news from the Hopkinsons. On our journey serving with Helimission.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Helimission Pilot Dies - Please pray for his family and Hellimission
Carol Stream, Illinois-International Headquarters of The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM)
With deep sorrow TEAM informs you that Neil Roesler (30) went to be with His Lord Monday, September 20, 2004.
Neil and Sandy were appointed as missionaries to TEAM in July, 2000, seconded to Helimission in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Together with their two children Kaila (2) and Micah (8 mos.), Neil and Sandy had recently completed six months of language study in Bandung, Indonesia and began ministry on-site in Wamena in May of this year.
Please uphold the family in your prayers.
Dr. Charles A. Davis, Executive Director
Our most recent information tells us that Neil communicated with the base in Wamena on Monday afternoon, expecting to be home within an hour.
When Neil had not returned by Monday evening his wife, Sandy wrote a letter requesting prayer for his safe return.
At dawn on Tuesday morning (September 21) the search and rescue operation for Neil began, as Simon Tanner, Director of Helimission explained details of Neil’s flight that day: 16:00 local time: Neil took off alone from the village of Obukain heading towards the home base, Wamena. Around 16:15 he gave his position and ETA (estimated time of arrival) 16:30 to the base, via HF radio. This was the last contact with him. He still had fuel on board for more than 30 minutes.
Search and rescue (SAR) operation was immediately organized. Because it was already too late in the day, the SAR operation could start not earlier than Tuesday morning. Airplanes picked up the ELT signal. Later a helicopter from a mining company rescued Neil’s body.
No other details of the circumstances surrounding the crash are yet known. Rick Willms, MAF pilot, flew Walter Kennedy, TEAM ministry area leader, in to Wamena from Sentani (Jayapura). Along with many other friends, colleagues and co-workers, they are standing alongside Sandy and the children.
Neil’s mother, Ruth retired from TEAM in 1988 and presently resides in Bradenton Missionary Village in Florida. Neil’s father, Cal, went to be with the Lord on November 17, 1998, three weeks before Neil and Sandy were married, after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Neil’s sisters, Donna and Beth, reside in Virginia and Colorado, respectively. John and Jean Whittemore, Sandy’s parents, also serve in Asia and were traveling in the Philippines at the time of Neil’s death. Sandy’s brothers, Christopher and Stephen, reside in Arizona.
Both Neil and Sandy attended high school together at Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines in the late 1980’s. Neil went on to receive a BS in Aviation Technology at LeTourneau University in Texas while Sandy received her BS in Human Resources Management at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. Neil and Sandy’s sending church is the West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Together this extended family grieves the loss of Neil with great sorrow. Many missionaries, fellow MK’s, supporters, and friends are responding to the news of Neil’s home-going with love and concern. Lester Hirst, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific has received many of these calls and has encouraged each one to continue to trust in God and His goodness. Together we are placing this precious family in God’s hands, knowing that He will sustain them in this heartrending loss.
For additional information and assistance contact: TEAM Communications Department The Evangelical Alliance Mission PO Box 969 Wheaton, Illinois 60189 1-800-343-3144
With deep sorrow TEAM informs you that Neil Roesler (30) went to be with His Lord Monday, September 20, 2004.
Neil and Sandy were appointed as missionaries to TEAM in July, 2000, seconded to Helimission in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Together with their two children Kaila (2) and Micah (8 mos.), Neil and Sandy had recently completed six months of language study in Bandung, Indonesia and began ministry on-site in Wamena in May of this year.
Please uphold the family in your prayers.
Dr. Charles A. Davis, Executive Director
Our most recent information tells us that Neil communicated with the base in Wamena on Monday afternoon, expecting to be home within an hour.
When Neil had not returned by Monday evening his wife, Sandy wrote a letter requesting prayer for his safe return.
At dawn on Tuesday morning (September 21) the search and rescue operation for Neil began, as Simon Tanner, Director of Helimission explained details of Neil’s flight that day: 16:00 local time: Neil took off alone from the village of Obukain heading towards the home base, Wamena. Around 16:15 he gave his position and ETA (estimated time of arrival) 16:30 to the base, via HF radio. This was the last contact with him. He still had fuel on board for more than 30 minutes.
Search and rescue (SAR) operation was immediately organized. Because it was already too late in the day, the SAR operation could start not earlier than Tuesday morning. Airplanes picked up the ELT signal. Later a helicopter from a mining company rescued Neil’s body.
No other details of the circumstances surrounding the crash are yet known. Rick Willms, MAF pilot, flew Walter Kennedy, TEAM ministry area leader, in to Wamena from Sentani (Jayapura). Along with many other friends, colleagues and co-workers, they are standing alongside Sandy and the children.
Neil’s mother, Ruth retired from TEAM in 1988 and presently resides in Bradenton Missionary Village in Florida. Neil’s father, Cal, went to be with the Lord on November 17, 1998, three weeks before Neil and Sandy were married, after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Neil’s sisters, Donna and Beth, reside in Virginia and Colorado, respectively. John and Jean Whittemore, Sandy’s parents, also serve in Asia and were traveling in the Philippines at the time of Neil’s death. Sandy’s brothers, Christopher and Stephen, reside in Arizona.
Both Neil and Sandy attended high school together at Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines in the late 1980’s. Neil went on to receive a BS in Aviation Technology at LeTourneau University in Texas while Sandy received her BS in Human Resources Management at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. Neil and Sandy’s sending church is the West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Together this extended family grieves the loss of Neil with great sorrow. Many missionaries, fellow MK’s, supporters, and friends are responding to the news of Neil’s home-going with love and concern. Lester Hirst, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific has received many of these calls and has encouraged each one to continue to trust in God and His goodness. Together we are placing this precious family in God’s hands, knowing that He will sustain them in this heartrending loss.
For additional information and assistance contact: TEAM Communications Department The Evangelical Alliance Mission PO Box 969 Wheaton, Illinois 60189 1-800-343-3144
Friday, September 24, 2004
Mission accomplished!!!
My visa was approved on the 24th!
We left the house at 6am and traveled into London for my medical which was at 8am.
The medical was fine. Had quite a lot of waiting though. I had a blood test and then a chest x-ray, and then a medical. Which was exactly the same as a standard medical. I now have my x-ray which I have to take with me in my hand luggage to show as part of my visa! The medical was over at 10:30am.
We then made our way to the embassy and got a ticket number there were 6 people in front me. When it was my turn we went to a window and handed in our folders worth of documentation. We then had to sit down and wait for our number to be called. About 30mins of horrible feeling sick with nervousness, we got called up.
As I approached the window I recognized the lady from my fist visa meeting when I applied for the J1 visa. She was the one who denied me! I started to panic, but then thought its been 6 months! She's seen thousands of people since then. After our initial fears the interview went very well, she was really nice to us and approved our visa. The only downer is that I may be drafted in to the US army...!
We left the house at 6am and traveled into London for my medical which was at 8am.
The medical was fine. Had quite a lot of waiting though. I had a blood test and then a chest x-ray, and then a medical. Which was exactly the same as a standard medical. I now have my x-ray which I have to take with me in my hand luggage to show as part of my visa! The medical was over at 10:30am.
We then made our way to the embassy and got a ticket number there were 6 people in front me. When it was my turn we went to a window and handed in our folders worth of documentation. We then had to sit down and wait for our number to be called. About 30mins of horrible feeling sick with nervousness, we got called up.
As I approached the window I recognized the lady from my fist visa meeting when I applied for the J1 visa. She was the one who denied me! I started to panic, but then thought its been 6 months! She's seen thousands of people since then. After our initial fears the interview went very well, she was really nice to us and approved our visa. The only downer is that I may be drafted in to the US army...!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Some new pictures...
I have put more pictures up on the photos section of the website...
Check them out...
Check them out...
One day to go!!
Our interview is on this Friday. I have to be in London for the medical at 8am. Anisha is coming with me. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and there are no hicups.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Permanent Residence Interview date set!
The interview and medical for the permanent Residence has now been set for the 24th of September. We will find out on that day if I have been approved or not.
Please pray that this works out for us.
Please pray that this works out for us.
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