Nana and Papa's Visit

Looking back, it seems impossible that Matt's parents, Bruce and Carolyn, were actually here in Papua New Guinea with us. It's like we blinked, they were here...then we blinked again, and they were gone! It's hard to put into words what is was like to have people we love and miss so much, here with us. To have Brianna and Grayson make memories with them again was amazing, especially Grayson who often has a hard time even remembering the U.S. and our friends back home.

That's one of the hardest parts and biggest sacrifices for me...knowing my kids are missing out on getting to know their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and my own friends. But, we're so thankful for the short time we had with Nana and Papa! Here's the story in pictures...

Waiting at aviation for their plane to arrive. Can you tell we were excited?

They've made it...5 days and 5 flights after they left home!

The kids enjoyed some special gifts from Nana and Papa and other family in the States. Papa was quite impressed that Grayson could put his new Lego truck together! He's growing up!

Nana got lots of cuddles in while she was here!

Brianna, reading to Nana.

This turned out to be quite a challenging game of Memory!

Going to the market, bright and early!

After a week at home in the Highlands, we headed to hot Madang Province to visit our old stomping grounds from our first 4 months in Papua New Guinea. We were so excited to show Nana and Papa a different side of PNG!

Papa and the pilot, finding our way to Madang.

We enjoyed being able to go out to eat while we were in Madang Town. A restaurant...what a treat!

Grayson ran over to show Papa the room that we called "home" for several months during our Pacific Orientation Course last year. He remembered right where it was!

Beautiful Brianna, sitting on the coral reef outside the Guesthouse we stayed in. The day before, she hit her head during an unexpected jolt in the car and we thought she was going to need stitches! Unfortunately, the hospital was closed for the day...so...we made a make-shift butterfly band-aid out of tape. Good to go!

We had a great time exploring the coral reefs and swimming in the ocean together. This is such a wild, beautiful country!

 

Our last day together was spent visiting our village, Surumarang, where we had lived for 5 weeks. We hadn't seen our wasfemili (host family) and friends there for almost a year! It was surreal to have Matt's parents sitting in our little village house, sharing a meal of kaukau (like potatoes) and boiled fish.

Matt's dad, Bruce, meeting the chief of the village, also named Bruce! They really hit it off!

Here I am translating the conversation between Matt's parents and the chief and other members of the village.

There's nothing quite as refreshing after a long, hot day than a kulau (green coconut). Jacob, the man passing them out, had just climbed a 50 foot tree to cut them down for us.

Before we knew it, it was already time for Nana and Papa to head back home. No amount of time with them here would have been long enough!

It's always hard to say good-bye!

We praise God for health and safety for Matt's parents while they were traveling and while they were here with us! We thank Him for making it possible for them to come and we feel encouraged as we continue our time serving here.

"Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4b-5