A while back we left the village around 8 in the morning determined to be at the airstrip on time. It is a one hour\’s drive. We left and we sat at the airstrip for 2 hours. No plane. We drove back the bumpy road to the tribe. Once there, we found out via radio that the airstrip was closed and had been for 2 weeks. How could we NOT know this? There was no hope of a flight that day.
What were we to do: We had been highly recommended to see the mission doctor at some point during my pregnancy. All the details had worked out so we could go…but now this.
Our house was all closed up which is a big job. So, we had a decision to make. Would we cross the seas to make another flight on Thursday, or would we make the drive up to the town on the north tip of our island? We along with the Kunzers, who were headed out for meetings piled back into the truck. Ten of us in the little truck with our belongings made for a long 7 hour drive. Being pregnant and with Sierra on my lap with a fever from malaria I thought the road would never end.
Thursday came, and so did the mission plane to take us up to the Highlands. After a 1 hour flight we landed, where we dropped off our partners. We boarded the plane once more for another 2 ½ hour flight. We finally got there and at 3 that afternoon we got a small, long awaited lunch.
Friday we had a great doctor\’s appointment, and found out lots of good information. We REALLY wanted to find out if this little one was a boy or a girl, but the child was feeling a bit modest that day and refused to let the doctor have a look. I guess the joke was on Dad and Mom!! We also found Sierra to have recovered beautifully from her bout with malaria.
Was it all worth it? Yes. Sure, there are inconveniences that come with reaching a tribe for Christ, including having some travel difficulties in order to keep up with our health check-ups. It\’s not about us, though, and we are so thankful for how God provides for us to get these check-ups. So, next time you think of your drive and hour wait at the doctor\’s office, try to remember….it could be worse.
As a result of counsel from leadership and our medical doctor here in PNG, and some visa issues as well, we will soon be on our way home to have this precious baby. Please pray for a safe trip home in March. Hopefully we will get the opportunity to be in touch with many of you while we are at home for a couple of months.
Thank you for your many prayers, and for all of you that are there in the states reaching others for Christ, and supporting ministries like ours around the world. We could not be here if it weren\’t for your prayers and giving!!!
In His Hands, Lori, for the family
Aaron and Lori Luse Missionaries to the Patpatar people of Papua New Guinea with New Tribes Mission