Boring Blog? Maybe not!

Three weeks have ticked by since Aubrey’s finger break.  Sometimes the time has ticked slowly as he is so limited in what he can do.  Other times the clock has rushed forward, as life does regardless of the circumstances.  Aubrey has no pain now. So we need to have a follow up x-ray and see if he is cleared by the Dr. to start using.  It clearly has some abnormal alignment and calcifications.  The next few weeks will reveal much.  Lately, Aubrey is completely engrossed in drawing up the plans for the strip kayak that he and Darron will make together.  They are inspired by another missionary here, who has made two exquisite kayak’s.  They have been lent the book and already Aubrey has spent at least a dozen hours reading and preparing the plans.  The missionary friend, guesses that his first boat took him 2000 hours, the second boat half that time.  Another pass time, is a teacher at the International school gave Aubrey and Andrew all her extra stamps.  Perhaps this is almost a lost hobby?  Their favorite stamp so far is a Tin Tin stamp.  Well over 750 different stamps from all over the world are being organized into books.

 

Two weeks ago we were able to visit with a man at the Catholic mission who is going to get all our Visa’s in order.  He feels quite confident that in 3-4 weeks from start he can have it all as it should be.  (Audible sigh of relief).  Perhaps we will even have legal papers to drive our car?!?  I am still praising the Lord that Aubrey’s broken finger brought all our Visa needs to light.

 

Still no resolve to the land situation.  Fortunately all was quiet this week.  We are no longer allowed to mow the grass.  As the trouble makers took the lawn mower to make sure of this.  This past Saturday, the Papua Adventist church members fasted and prayed in regard to this situation.  We are very appreciative for all the prayers on this matter. Also approximately around 100 pastors, support staff and families came out early, early Sunday morning for a special prayer service.  The support was very much appreciated.

Our home continues to make progress in completion.  It now has a roof,  and most of the electrical is in place.  They are putting a nice plaster like finish on the inside brick walls.  Also putting the ceilings with a simple molding in each bedroom.  Every day it feels more and more like a home.  Every day I marvel at how few tools they have to work with.  The race is on to see if the home will be finished before we take off for annual leave.  We do not have our hopes set on that, as there is still much to do.  So I need to begin packing again.  That way, upon our return, it will be very easy to move into our new home.

 

 

In the meantime we continue to boil our water to wash the dishes and as of lately the youngest three children have been heating water to take a “bath”.  I personally choose to simply not think about it and just dump cold water on me.  There are advantages, I have discovered to this method of bathing and bathrooms.  One: it makes sure that you are wide awake as the cold water gets your eyes fully opened.  Two:  you can throw water anywhere in these bathrooms, which actually is quite convenient.  The floors are always wet, which takes much getting used too. Especially at night, when one has wet feet and you want to get into bed.   I will not miss these bathrooms, even though I now feel quite versed in how to utilize them.

 

 

Sad I just spent a whole paragraph on squat potty bathrooms.  This must be a boring blog!

 

A few weeks ago found us at another missionary friends house who are getting ready to return to America.  So they are selling many of their possessions.  It was like a moving sale on steroids.  These sales are quite popular amongst us expat’s.  It was our first, they were really kind to us and two other families, allowing us to preview the sale and call first dibs.  So some of our treasures were two big wardrobes, a lovely bookshelf and storage shelves.  What a blessing!  Many of the goods for sale have been imported and are very difficult or expensive or impossible to obtain here. 

 

Two Saturday evenings ago we attended a classical concert, put on by Jan Roberts.  It is quite something to be so far in the world and be listening to all this amazing music from mainly the expat community.   One violin player stood out as he played a piece fit for a professional orchestra.  I’m hopeful he will be Aubrey’s teacher in the fall. 

 

Jacob jumped out of the hammock yesterday and landed on a camping chair.  Unfortunately, the way he landed displaced his tailbone.  If you’ve ever experienced this, I am sure you have great empathy.  Our medical visits have excelled rapidly since moving here.  I’m trying to figure out if it is living in a 3rd world country, or if it is the age of my boys (and their parents).  Picture is of Jacob (prior to accident) using umbrella to stay dry as rain entered our house.

Speaking of the clinic, I am now medically fulfilled.  Today, was the first day our only doctor for the mission community was back after being gone for at least 4 weeks and I was her nurse.  We worked rapidly and efficiently together.  It was challenging and rewarding.  I am learning to do malaria slides, and complete blood counts.  I marvel at many of our patients who serve far out in extreme remote places.  They sacrifice not only their time and energy, but often they sacrifice their health too.  I am also enjoying seeing patients ranging from babies to greying adults. 

 

Darron killed 2 Death Adder’s in our yard last week.  They were just babies (which means there are probably more).  Darron was pulling weeds from around the house when he felt a gentle bump/nudge/strike on his hand.  I heard him yelling Andrew’s name.  I wondered why he sounded angry.  When I went to assess I realized that he was not angry, just adrenaline was surging through his body as he was calling for Andrew to bring him a tool to kill these serpents.  One strike each and they were dead.  The locals say, one strike and 5 minutes later their prey will be dead.  We left them on the back patio sidewalk.  The ants marched in for supper.  By the next morning, all that was left was snake bones.  

 

Boring Blog?  I guess not, much has been happening around here!