I wrote this a few days ago if some of the dates I mention get confusing..

The Gibello family has been visiting with us for one week.  They brought their two children ages 4 and 2 with them, and we have had such a great time!  I've had light saber battles, played hide and seek, been thrown in "jail", and attacked with toy snakes and frogs.  It's been lots of fun having them around, not sure what we'll do once they leave!

On Friday afternoon, Hannah and Ariel rounded everyone up to play some baseball.  It seemed everyone in the village came to play once they got home from work.  Each team probably had 25 to 30 players.  Ages 5 to 45, and anywhere from 3 feet to 6 feet tall.  I think the women cheered and shouted more than I've ever heard them even say a word.  Although my team lost, I would say we had the best team spirit ;)

Saturday was the first sunny day we've had in a while.  I walked outside, and almost lost my breath at how good it felt to have the sun shining on my face!  After choir, I sat outside the church for nearly two hours with some of the youth girls singing different songs from the church song book. They taught me the chorus of "Oh How I Love, Jesus" in Kamea, and I taught it in English.  So we would sing it in English, then Pigin, then Kamea.  I'm positive I'm still pronouncing the words wrong, but they were very encouraging, haha!

Our time outside ended, when a mother came asking for help for her young boy.  The story was a bit confusing, but somehow a tree or piece of wood had fallen on his foot and cut the top open pretty badly.  It definitely needed stitches.  I went to get Rachel, and on my way back saw him hobbling over on one foot with a stick for extra support.  He had walked all the way here, and I could tell he was trying hard not to cry. I felt so sorry for him, and I just couldn't stand there. I asked if he wanted me to carry him the rest of the way, which wasn't far, and he did.  I saw myself in that little guy, struggling, hobbling along, and clinging to my little stick for support. Just trying to make it as far as I can on my own. Only asking for help when I can't do it anymore, if I even ask for help at all. All the while my Heavenly Father is right there, waiting for me to let go of my wobbly stick, and lean on Him instead.

At dinner the same night, another man came needing stitches right above his eye.  He had been playing soccer after dark, and ran into the goal post.  It took quite a while to get the bleeding to stop, so I held pressure on the wound, Rachel stitched, and Andrew and Hannah held up a lamp and a flashlight. "How many white people does it take to sew one man up?"

For tea time today, Ariel and I opted for water instead.  The weather has been getting so much warmer lately, and hot tea didn't sound very appetizing.  So we drank our water, and chatted in the hammocks on the front porch.  The Gibello's little boy decided to come visit us, and he seemed quite enamored with all the spiders I have hanging around the place, and all the different ways into and out of the house.  We went in and outside nearly 50 times, and then settled down with a banana to snack on.  

I hope you enjoy reading about the everyday happenings in Kunai! Thanks for reading, and thanks for praying!

An Answered Prayer

Last week Sunday, my spirit felt rather dry.  My mind had been preoccupied with worries, and other things I had put above my time with the Lord.  I needed refreshing, and before church began I prayed that God would use Pastor James to speak to me.  To give me something that I personally needed.

Usually his sermons are roughly estimated, 75% Kamea, and 25% Pigin.  In other words, I spend most of that time letting my mind wonder.  But this Sunday I determined would be different.  I sat down on the wooden bench, and pastor began by telling us to turn to "buk Rom, chapter 4."  My heart skipped a beat. This is one of my favorite passages about the faith of Abraham.  A passage God has used to guide and encourage me over the last year.  I wondered which verses he would preach on.  He then began reading verses 13 to the end of the chapter, all in English.  Maybe you're thinking what's the big deal? - Well, I can probably count on one hand the times he has read any verses in English this year and last year combined. The majority of people in church that day couldn't understand English, but he was reading them in English. His sermon continued in spurts of Pigin and longer spurts of Kamea, but all I could do was be amazed at what God had just given me.

Maybe it sounds silly, but I know my God is personal.  He knew I needed that reminder not to loose faith. To keep my eyes on him. And he gave it to me in my own language so I wouldn't forget it.  

Catching up!

Hey everyone!  

I apologize for being a failure at blogging! I feel like I've almost forgotten how to, but I'll try my best to remember some of the recent things I've been getting to be a part of! I apologize for the briefness of each story, otherwise you'd be reading for days. 

Early in September, Bro. Matt and his family were out for a few weeks while Andrew, Rachel, and I hung back in Kunai.  One weekend we hiked to the site of the radio tower to do a little painting.  We packed a lunch and made a day out of it.  At the top, we made a quick phone call to Bro. John and Mrs. Lena back in the states.  It was so great to hear their voices on the other end!  We ate our biscuits and granola bars, took a few fun pictures, and then got to work.  The weekend before the Allen clan came back, Andrew gathered up all the scrap wood around the guest house to make a bon fire.  Rachel and I concluded that you can't have a bon fire without smores, so we made some with Bush Biscuits instead of graham crackers. They turned out quite yummy! 

While the Allens were gone I had the opportunity to teach Jr. Church in Mrs. Becky's place.  I was nervous at first, thinking about teaching 50 or so kids and keeping their attention.  It turned out great though! I had my friend Anna translate for me. Without her I'm sure the kids would have been lost with my half Pigin, half English stories.  We also learned a new English song, "Behold what manner of love..." I think the kids enjoyed it because they always asked if we could sing it again, "2 more times! 3 more! 4 more!" I usually would settle for 2 :) I didn't realize I had an interest in teaching, but those 3 weeks filled me with so much joy unspeakable! 

A couple weeks later, Bro. Brad Wells and three of his children came to help set up the radio tower.  The tower here will be a repeater of Bro. Brad's station in Mt. Hagen.  People here will be able to listen to preaching, scripture reading, and Christian music in Pigin. This is something many have been dreaming and looking forward to for a long time.  On Thursday, the 19th, many of us woke up early to carry pieces of the tower, supplies, tools, and lunch to the top of Mt. Yemya.  That trip up the mountain was the hardest one yet! Usually I just carry a pack of biscuits, and water - not hammers and nails.  When we reached the top, I was amazed at the amount of people that had made the climb.  Looking at the many faces, tears came to my eyes as I realized that I was standing in the middle of a dream come true.  

Zipping right along to this last week!  Andrew and Rachel were out for one week getting supplies.  Which meant I would be the only nurse on the property.  I don't know if it's funny or sad, but my prayer life dramatically increased while she was gone.  I've found that when I start to get comfortable, God has something planned to remind me of my great need for Him. - On Friday of this week, Margaret coached me through a stitch up job.  This particular lady had cut the palm of her hand all the way around to the top with her bush knife.  Ouch! 

On Saturday, my friend Manandi and I walked down to the soccer fields at Kotidanga together.  She had a game later that day, and I was free so I told her I'd come watch.  The boys game was intended to start at 9:30.  At 9:30 no one was there, just a few vendors at market.  So we rounded for a little while, and bought some tapioke, bananas, and a pineapple to eat for lunch. We found a spot on the grass and sat there for an hour or so as different friend's of her came to talk with us.  After a while many more people had come to sell things in market so we made another round, and met up with our friend, Anna.  By this point it was nearly noon and the first game hadn't even started yet.  We talked with Anna until the boys game started at 12:30. The afternoon rain started early in the guys game so they ended up postponing the girl's game. Even though I didn't get to see the game I had wanted to, I had a great time sitting and talking with Manandi, and meeting some of her friends. 

Today is Monday which means Rachel and Andrew, along with Bro. Matt and the two interns will be returning if weather permits.  Tomorrow the Gibello family is coming to visit for 1 week.  I'm sure we'll be having lots of fun since they have two small children!

Til next time!