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.