I confess that the longer I remain here the more difficult it becomes to blog. Mainly because life becomes routine and there seems nothing new or of interest to report on. At yet I am sure that there must be many things of interest that happen around me on a daily basis. It has just become too familiar.
Probably the biggest event going on in the past month has been the Union and Mission Sessions, which take place every 5 years. The week long Union Session was held here at Kabiufa so we had a lot of visitors on campus. We enjoyed hosting two delegates from Australia in our home and making new friends.
Now the Mission Sessions are all taking place and our pilots have been flat out busy flying delegates from here to there. Once the Sessions are over there will be the big job of flying mission personnel, pastors, teachers, and their families to their new assignments and homes.The year-end is always an extremely busy time for AAS.
Several weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the baptism of some friends from the Asaro village. (The mudman tribe) It was held down by the river – a beautiful location.
I have always loved the custom here of showering the baptismal candidates with flowers.
These children wanted a front seat view so they joined the candidates in the water.
This spot is obviously a favorite swimming hole of the children. I found it amusing that as soon as the baptism was over the children leaped in for a good swim and cooling off. It looked terribly inviting but I decided to refrain from making a spectacle of myself.
Roger and Carol Millist’s night watchman and wife were among those baptized.
Recently Bill flew a Fly-and-Build team from Australia out to the village of Kamako to complete work on a clinic they had started before. They were also building a house for the clinic health worker. They received the traditional welcome dance upon arrival.
The villagers all eagerly helped carry supplies up to the clinic sight.
Briana and I returned to the states on December 13. Bill will follow in January after the heavy flying schedule is completed. On our last Sabbath in PNG Bill flew our team out to the village of Maimafu to spend Sabbath with our church members. This was a bit of a home coming for Briana and I. Almost 9 years ago, the girls and I spent some time living in this village in an attempt to learn the language. This was our first time back!
Bennett bravely preached a sermon in Pidgin. After only being in PNG one year I was very impressed with his ability.
These church members rarely get outside visitors and were so excited to have us join them for the Sabbath.
Briana and I enjoyed catching up with old friends. When we lived in this village they gave the girls and I new names. I think they found our English names difficult to pronounce and remember. We were touched that they all remembered us and greeted us by our PNG names. (Tiruba and Tenepone)