Week of Volcanoes

What to write? There’s so many directions I could go, review the flying here, talk about hitting the wall of tiredness and bouncing back this week, write about amazing friends here encouraging me, friends at home who have given me encouragement upon encouragement with their beautiful letters, what about my students?

How about some photos:

Two days before I left the US, my cat had kittens, and we all know the internet was created for photos of cats. So I had to post this. I’ve been informed they are doing well and now open their eyes.

Patric, Dad and Mom saying the last good-bye in San Francisco. See how I’m the excited one and everyone else appears to be sad. That’s because they don’t get to fly to and live in gorgeous Papua New Guinea.

My first greeting in Papua New Guinea, Moesly pointing to God. He shuttled me from the international terminal to the Mission Aviation Fellowship Hanger just down the street. Praise God, He truly gave me a most peaceful smooth, and safe journey. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!

My last flight. There were enough seats for 9, including the pilot, who told us this is a non-smoking flight and pointed out where the fire extinguishers were. Brandy took this photo. She’s been a good friend to me.

 

View of Port Moresby in-flight

Monday, the 25 of February: My first birthday in Papua New Guinea. Thanks to Laura for making cupcakes to share with our class. My roommate, Donna, gave me a bilum, a woven bag; a co-teacher, Laurie,  had me over for Birthday dinner Tuesday night; and then this week they slipped in my birthday with the March-teacher Birthdays at school. I’m thankful for all the Birthday love.

My first greeting upon entering our grade 3 classroom. These kids are what it’s all about. I love them!

I’ve been teaching them in-between orientation classes and tours of the centre and Kainantu. Beginning term 4, the 10th of April, I’ll be their full-time devoted teacher. 

Next week is the last week of term 3 and then all SIL-members have a week-long biennial branch conference, which includes me, everyone who lives on-centre, and several dozen other missionaries, translators, and support staff who are flying in. It has been busy on-centre getting ready for conference.  I even got another roommate who flew-in in time for conference.

I arrived just in time to instruct Volcano building and erupting! We made paper, can, and tubing volcano apparatuses on Monday, and then on Wednesday we poured red vinegar over baking soda and look at the reaction…not of the volcano, of the students: Smiles and yelps and much excitement!

It’s been a great week overall. Much less adjusting and a lot more teaching and living. In Social Studies we’ve been discovering Sweden, and in Math we’ve been doing our best to tell time. Friday night I ate a burger and chips (fries) at the teen centre with some of “The Crowd” (singles group) After that we played “hand and foot,” a 6-deck card game. I’m grateful to God for good company and friends. 

Today I’m going to play on an improvised water slide (a piece of heavy plastic laid on a steep hill) and then I’m going to a farewell for two of “The Crowd” who are going on furlough. I’m glad it’s just that…they’re not going “gone finish” (Pisin for retiring or not returning).

I hope you are well. I pray for you and thank God for you! Be on the look-out for a newsletter, likely to highlight the Huon Gulf language cluster, before the end of March.   

Everything is New

I can’t believe that only 1 week ago I was stumbling into my new home in a jetlagged stupor. It feels like it has been months already, and not in an exhausted way, but in such a way that I feel I’m beginning to know my way around. Still, I have hourly reminders that everything is new.

Let’s recap:

First upon, deplaning, I had to get the hang of getting into the correct side of a van which is the left passenger side, since I have yet to get my license in PNG or learn to drive manual.

Next I’ve had to figure out how to get around Ukarumpa Centre using a map and my feet mostly. And speaking of feet…I’m still trying to figure out how to get those clean after a day of dirt roads. I am totally enjoying all the walking, which calls for a leisurely pace.

While walking I’ve come to relearn eye contact.  A ‘morning’ with the ing sung out is appropriate in the morning, if I’m greeting anyone besides a young man, ‘Happy Noon’ after lunch and all with a big smile, but minimal eye contact.  

After 3 days of families graciously hosting me for meals, the next biggest challenge is feeding myself. The store “on-centre” is very well stocked, this week anyways. I’ve been repeatedly reminded that if I want it, get it. Whatever it is may not be there next time.  

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we have a fantastic local market, literally meters from my front door. I’ve enjoyed muli (citrus), tree-tomatoes (a kiwi sized, cantaloupe tasting, tomato textured fruit), pineapol, and strawberries. There are loads of fresh veggies too! I’ve gone twice now, once with help and once by myself.

Both the store and the market operate in Kina, fortunately for me the exchange rate is 2 Kina to 1 US dollar, so pricing isn’t too difficult to figure out. It’s also not difficult to figure out that it is somewhat costly to import most items up to these highlands. Fresh produce, it is then! I’ve been surprised what is available, including Martinelli's sparkling cider… at 16Kina a bottle.

Papua New Guinean woman walking to Kainantu

 That’s where the nearby city of Kainutu comes in. I went on a ‘tour’ of sorts led by David Smith, an American living in Ukarumpa, who enjoys spouting lots of extra information about everything. This works out great when you’re brand new and need to learn everything! Most products in Kainutu are a little less expensive as it doesn’t have to travel as far, but still not the economical prices I’m used to. What is amazingly inexpensive and a load of fun to peruse is the second-hand clothing shipped from Australia and New Zealand. I found neck ties for 50 toya (cents) and a skirt for 1 Kina. I ran out of time or I would have looked for hours.    

I could go on and on. Internet access is by the megabyte, and each department has unique every-changing hours, security and the culture of ‘opportunity’ are new to me, a language as well.  A new address: I got a PO Box. If you would like to send a letter, card or international flat-rate box, you can find that in my profile. Besides all that there’s all the usual new learning that goes with a new job and home: Names, routines, and personalities.

How have I learned all this? Loads and loads of patient and helpful missionaries and Papua New Guineans guiding me along. Last Friday I briefly met a ‘meri’ who cleans at the school. On Tuesday when I was starting to head the wrong way, out of town, she was coming in. She, another national worker, and I had a lovely time laughing at my misdirection and chatting all the way to school. A veteran linguist explained to me over dessert how valuable it is to embrace PNG culture or face the consequences of being stressed-out. This is probably the best piece of advice, besides “don’t lock yourself outside of your house,” that I’ve gotten.

And through it all, one person is not new, not at all: Jesus, my love and friend is here leading, guiding and comforting every step of the way.

More next week on my class of 12 amazing kids in Grade 3 and photos too!