The Police are Here

-

For weeks we have been given promises that the land issue would be resolved, “the next day”.   However, always another excuse arose.  Delay after delay, excuse after excuse.  For over 4 months now, airplanes have not been able to use this runway that we live on.  So on Wednesday night when we had word yet again that Thursday would be the day, it was hard to really believe.

Thursday morning in rolled 3 big police trucks.  Over 60 police were here to protect while the rocks and tall grass were taken care of.  Within an hour a truck load of men and women from the mountains arrived.  Soon 7 weed eaters were running and sickles were swinging.  The mountain people are known for their hard work ethic.  And work they did, men and women alike.  All day long they cut, hauled rock, and raked.  Now even though we did not put the rocks there or prevent the mowing, we at aviation get to pay for all the workers, food, tools, etc. etc.

IMG_1530IMG_1552

IMG_1547

We were all looking on …. at last, it seemed unreal.

IMG_1548

Can you imagine travelling like this?

IMG_1566

Women helped hall the big rocks away.

 

IMG_1584

Mice and snakes were caught in the tall grass.

IMG_1563

All the boys helped some.

Angry men still shouted their protest.  Climbed the gate.  Threatened.  We know the problem is not over.  The police continue to stay here and will for the next 2 months.  The land issue will go to court to try and resolve it for good.

It felt great to see all the work being done and to know we are officially “open” again.  Only time will tell the future of Adventist Aviation here in Papua.  They do a great work, flying into remote places.  Serving where many men fear to go.  We are honored to live here.  As always, thanks for praying.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Last Flight

-
Image
Bob and his daughter, Stephanie, flying on a different day in Papua . Jan and Bob It was another ordinary Wednesday in Papua.  The rain had come down all night.  Leaving the runway soggy.  6 a.m. I had finished reading my Bible and I hear Bob take off on first flight.  I think, “Wow, he is early this morning!”  Then the typical morning craziness starts in my house.  The cooking of a hot breakfast.  Packing school lunches.  Signing forms.  Arranging pick ups.  Off to school.  Exercise.  Home. Unfortunately, the freezer has frozen over so much that the door is on longer sealing.  It’s a forced, defrost the freezer day.  Out comes all the food.  Towels are laid everywhere.  Drip. Drip.  Jacob is on his 3rd day of not feeling well.  It has been a week of no routine.  No home school.  POP a video into the DVD player for Jacob and lucky little brother to watch.  I go into the office. I hear the plane take off again, 2nd flight. BOOM .  A sickening feeling enters my stomach.  That wasn
Read more

Change Never Happens Fast, Except Today it Did

-
Image
Today (Wednesday, Nov. 1),  Darron and Gary were leaving on an afternoon flight to the Philippines.  The nicer of our two cars had just been picked up from the repair shop ( it was an alternator this time).  They are at that stage.  Always, something falling apart.  With the mission mobile, we can’t complain.  It is 21 years old!!!!  Darron just popped down to the hanger to fill up the tires with air and I heard him pip the horn at the gate, to indicate he was read to go to the airport.  Yet, he had a different message.  The tire needed repaired…..or more probably replaced. Groan.  There is ONE thing, I disdain as a woman and that is handling car problems.  It’s hard enough to do it in your home country and a language you are fluent in.  Try doing it in a foreign country.  Also to me, it is a MANS world.  If you want to plop me in my discomfort zone, tell me I have to get the car fixed. So off we drive.  Air hissing out of the tire.  The good news, my husband is by my side.  The bad ne
Read more

Anguished Hearts

-
Image after image flashes through my mind.  I see little but “growing bigger and stronger” two and half year old Azarya coming towards me on the gravel runway.  Wanting to give me a high five and nothing warms my heart more.  Knowing that this is the little boy who drank his way back to life with goats milk.  More images of all over campus this little boy waving at me and smiling shyly, running and playing like normal children should.  Every time I saw him, I rejoiced in the second chance that Jesus had given him.  More images of being with his Mommy and Daddy and their JOY and gratefulness in Ayarya’s strength and change as he transformed before their eyes from being severely malnourished to vibrant.  Ida, his Mommy, is my closest Papua friend, and I see so many images of her and I chatting and laughing together and enjoying her new fat little baby boy, now two months old.  Despite that Ida was still morning the unexpected loss of her father and still mourning the loss of her first ch
Read more