Okay, I admit it. Greg not getting his visa issued because of the APEC conference was great! I can’t remember when I last flew six days in a row and I have enjoyed it immensely. However, the first three days, spent in the Goroka area were more than just tinged with sadness as it is likely that it was my last time there.
Each area of PNG has its own unique beauty and the Eastern Highlands and Chimbu Province are no exception. Each area has its own blend of languages and cultures. If I do go back again I’ll have to face going through the farewell process all over again.
On the last day I said goodbye to Pastor Kimin at Karimui. He’s a leader in the local Baptist church and was a great help when MAF ran a series of concerts around the country featuring Steve Grace, an Australian gospel singer. Kimin’s eyes misted when I told him I most likely wouldn’t be back, and my FO, Glenys, asked if she detected a tear in mine. “Klostu” was my Tok Pisin reply which you can work out for yourselves.
I was working out what I carried during the week:
• Passengers, including pastors for the first ever Baptist Union of PNG National Pastors Conference.
• Trade store supplies – rice, tinned fish, oil, flour, crackers, sweet biscuits, sugar, salt, batteries and more.
• Coffee and peanuts.
• Big rolls of water pipe for a water project in one community.
• Medical supplies – at last some are being sent out.
• Body charter – taking a deceased person back to his home community
• Disaster relief – food aid to a community still affected by February’s earthquakes.
And I took lots of photos:
Each area of PNG has its own unique beauty and the Eastern Highlands and Chimbu Province are no exception. Each area has its own blend of languages and cultures. If I do go back again I’ll have to face going through the farewell process all over again.
On the last day I said goodbye to Pastor Kimin at Karimui. He’s a leader in the local Baptist church and was a great help when MAF ran a series of concerts around the country featuring Steve Grace, an Australian gospel singer. Kimin’s eyes misted when I told him I most likely wouldn’t be back, and my FO, Glenys, asked if she detected a tear in mine. “Klostu” was my Tok Pisin reply which you can work out for yourselves.
I was working out what I carried during the week:
• Passengers, including pastors for the first ever Baptist Union of PNG National Pastors Conference.
• Trade store supplies – rice, tinned fish, oil, flour, crackers, sweet biscuits, sugar, salt, batteries and more.
• Coffee and peanuts.
• Big rolls of water pipe for a water project in one community.
• Medical supplies – at last some are being sent out.
• Body charter – taking a deceased person back to his home community
• Disaster relief – food aid to a community still affected by February’s earthquakes.
And I took lots of photos:
Coffee at Owena
Trade store supplies at Simbari
Earthquake disaster relief supplies at Walagu
Medical supplies at Bomai
A deceased person returned home to Muluma
A water project for Negabo
Simbari: children
Simbari: young hunters
Simbari: elderly lady
Would you trust your child with a bush knife 2/3rds his height?!
Next week Nicki and I will be in Kompiam with Dr Dave and Karina Mills, so the next News will most likely be in a fortnight's time.
