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

Wheels of Ukarumpa (Matt)

Our New Ride! Half Truck. Half Van. All Unique.  Imported from Japan years ago. It maybe the only one in PNG. What is written on the side? I think it probably says "Road Dragon"!

Old Land Cruisers!

Andrew Koen's special! "Ai gris" (Eye Grease) When you want something you don't have.

Vehicle that shouldn't be running, but is. Plenty of these vans.

PMV Public Transportation- This is why our Truck has a window guard!

What is this? I'm told their first vehicle was a 4wd but it was destroyed by the shipping company, or actually may have fallen off the ship and went in the ocean. This is what the company sent them as a replacement. Impractical? Completely, but arguably the sweetest looking ride at Ukarumpa. 0-30(center speed limit) kilometers/hr in under 2 seconds, if the road has no ruts deeper than 4 inches.

 The vehicles of Ukarumpa are as unique as this land. Most are kept running well past their expiration date. This is just a smattering of them.

Toyota Land Cruiser- Best Ride In PNG

Smith's Ride

Love this one!

Honorable mention: Although I've not seen it drive yet, it does run.

Auto shop truck hauling a submarine?  For the story check out http://pngandrew.blogspot.com 

Center Fire Truck.

Change of Seasons (Laura)

Seasons…it should be getting cold, maybe even flurrying outside my window. I should be getting out our warm coats, scarves, hats, and gloves, but instead it’s getting hotter and I’m helping Grayson put on his swimming suit to go run in the hose.  I’m putting sunblock on the kids and smelling freshly cut grass instead of the crisp air of the coming winter. As dry season turns to rainy season here in Papua New Guinea, I’m missing the colors of my favorite time of year. But instead of seeing the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn, the colors of purple trees full of blooming new flowers, bright yellow bananas hanging from our porch and brown grass turning a vibrant green, pull at my senses.

Not getting to see the four seasons change and enjoy the approaching holiday season with my family back home is one of the sacrifices I’ve made to be here. I’ve been missing my friends and family and comfort zone. But, the Lord is teaching me that by giving up some things, He blesses me in ways I never knew possible.

I know that this is a “season” of my life that will soon change…a season of busyness with my own young children, teaching school in a new place and culture, never feeling caught up with what needs to be done; of trying to build new relationships while maintaining ones from afar. To many eyes, it seems foolish and against all common sense to leave my home and family, but something worth doing is often hard to do. I know that the work we are here to support is worthwhile – especially when I see the faces of people here receiving the Word of God in their own language.  

Right now, about 316 translators are actively working on projects in 190 different languages in Papua New Guinea, and we have celebrated the completion of New Testaments and other books of the Bible every year! The photos below say it all…even though it’s not always easy, I’m so thankful to be able to be a part of the task of bringing literacy and God’s love to the people of Papua New Guinea.

The following photos were taken this past year during the Maia, Awa, and Marik language groups' Bible dedications and distributions:

This man is listening to an audio Bible...technology is making it easier to give people the chance to hear God's Word in their own language without having to know how to read!

 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb."

Revelation 7:9

Divided, yet United (Laura)

We’ve just experience our first Sports Day at Ukarumpa International School! The entire primary campus is divided into two teams, red and yellow – and our family will forever be on the red team (once the oldest child is assigned a team, all of the other siblings are automatically on that team, too as they grow up). Go red!

(I know you’re probably thinking, what’s the big deal? But trust me, there aren’t a lot of sports teams we can follow around here and we really miss that. So, GO RED!)

The students in my first grade class were really excited to perform in all of the events they had been practicing during P.E. class this term.

Apparently, Brianna’s a speedy runner! She won her first heat in both the sprint and the two-lap race! She says her favorite event is the sack race, though.

Brianna, making her way through the obstacle course.

Grayson spent most of his time finding shade with his friends.

I think my favorite event was the tug-of-war that the ENTIRE student body competes in. It was so cool to see the students, of all ages and nationalities, working together for a common goal. But, the best part was when the red team won and the yellow team came over to congratulate them. I can tell everyone learned a lot; divided into two teams, yet united in love for each other.

I had to include this video of the tug of war - I think Brianna may have run out of gas! :)

Where there is no Bridge (Matt)

In June, Laveryl Voss (an experienced builder here), Kay Hapawo  (a local carpenter), and myself went to Lae to work on a house for Nathalie and Foreting Simonsson. They are both deaf and are working with about 80 deaf people in Lae, a large port city. They said that number should be much higher, but many deaf children are believed to be mentally handicapped and many times pushed out of a village or abandoned.They asked us to help assist in finishing the outside of their house.

   We drove 4 hours and brought in all of our materials, tools and equipment. There is no power there so we brought a generator, too. We forded a river to get there. When we went there, there had been little rain so the water was low.

Almost all the people that we interacted with there were deaf. It was exciting to see a world that I was unfamiliar with. Many wanted to help us build. At times, it was quite a challenge to communicate while building, but we really enjoyed it and made friends too! We were only there one week but we got a lot accomplished. The last three days, there were heavy rains and when the morning came for us to leave, it was pouring. Foreting's father came and told us that the river was impassible. We went to check it out after a larger vehicle came through.  Several people from the village waded across to find the best route for us and then we went for it.

I was really happy to be able to work on a village project. It's fulfilling to help other missionaries on the field.