Computer upgrades, heart upgrades

Chad was doing some much needed upgrading to my computer recently.  It got me thinking of how God gets my attention to do some upgrades on not only my heart but my attitude.  

We joke that I have many pop up windows going on simultaneously in my brain.  Chad has 1 box open at a time.  It is one of the MANY differences between Chad and I.  

When Chad learns a new truth or discovers something new in his Christian journey, it is like a light bulb that goes off and he changes immediately. 

Monkey bite, Chad in a skirt , lost 1 flip flop, toilet experiences, and New address......

Yes, all these experiences did happen.  The life of traveling and having holiday oversees.  

We were able to go to Bali, Indonesia from 4 January to 11 January for a much needed holiday/vacation.  Our travels started off with no problems. We woke up early to make sure we had all the last minute things done and the PMV driver picked us up at 9:00am. We chartered a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle)

  to drive us down to the Lae airport, which is about 3 hrs away.  We then flew to Port Moresby which was a 45 minute plane ride from Lae. Port Moresby is the capital city of Papua New Guinea and has the only international airport. 

 We then flew to Bali, Indonesia which is about a 4 hour plane trip but we lost 2 hrs so you can figure it as a 6 hour trip.  

Arrived in Bali late at night and experienced a crowed airport of many people wanting us to ride in their taxi.  We had reserved a driver/car with our hotel so we kindly said no thank you at least 50x. 

Here are some happenings from 2015

Kiery playing flute in beginning band.

Our family picture in front of our home in PNG

Kiery in Intermediate Choir

Anna did wonderful on her first ever trumpet recital.  She has been playing for about 10 weeks.

A first hand look at Bible Translation

Upon returning to  PNG we were honored to be asked to be a support team for a village couple for a short time,as their normal support team is on furlough stateside.  

This is a little of their story...

The first few weeks in PNG consisted of.......

This is what some of the classroom looked like as I arrived on June 18

The classroom was ready for students on July 22

Our house has come a long way since we arrived on June 17th

Happy 4th of July BRRRRR!!!

This is a group of some of the Americans that got together for a big celebration for the 4th of July

Since we have been back in PNG we have heard and seen reports of how hot it has been back in Spokane.  Well it is "winter" here.  It has been reaching the low 40's at night here.  No that isn't too cold EXPECT for one minor detail that is missing; There is no inside heat anywhere, no insulation in the homes.  So whatever the temperature outside it is that inside.  We pile on as many blankets as we possibly can on our beds.  Put on fuzzy socks, and pray that you don't have to get out of your warmish bed too early is how we are coping.  During the day it is beautiful blue skies.  But when the sun goes down there goes all the heat.  Praying for rain for our water tank that is 2/3 empty and also that the clouds would insulate us from the cold more.  

Looking  out onto the field at the Primary Campus watching kids play at the 4th of July get together

One of the guys got these paper balloon things to fly. Adults and kids loved it.

Organized vs Grace and Trust

This last week or so as we have gotten "settled" into PNG life again. I have been struck by how welcoming the nationals* have been to us as we see them around center.  Even if I can't remember their names, they sure remember mine and even our whole family names.  Some even ask about Meliah and how she is doing at university.  I wish I had their memory.