The month of September was our first full month back in the tribe. It was a very full month with home-schooling starting again, getting on track to finish culture and language study in the near future, celebrating Papua New Guinea’s independence, making some emergency runs the aid post to help the Patpatar, and all the other things that make village life so exciting. Many good things happened, but there were also a few bumps along the way.
One of the good things this month has been about sports balls. A growing activity among the Patpatar people is organized sports. This year a message was sent out to all the villages within about 10 miles to see if a sports season could be organized. The day of the big meeting a huge crowed showed up with the largest age group from about 16 to 30. I (Aaron) attended to observe and by the end of the day had somehow been placed on a committee to help run a two month sports season. So now every Saturday, I get to interact with over 500 young adults who meet to play soccer, rugby, and volleyball. Though it has demanded a lot of time it has been a unique opportunity to interact with so many people, many of whom I do not normally get to see.
At the same time we have had to endure some bugs and boils. Though by God’s grace the illnesses have not been severe and we have been able to treat them, it seems as though we have gone from one issue to the next in our family. Colds, asthma, scabies (fun microscopic bugs that like to burrow in your skin), boils, and malaria have been part of the experience. Nurse Lori has been a great help to our family and at the moment all of us are doing well. The new bug that has decided to be an issue in our lives is the termite. We recently discovered we have some termite damage to our house and will be taking steps to show our lack of hospitality to these unwelcome guests.
Our family has not been the only one with “bugs.” Right now, there are several elderly people in the village that are not doing well. Could you please pray for them, that God would restore there health? Thank you for your prayers as we continue to work among the Patpatar people to see them reached with His Gospel.
For His Glory,
Aaron and Lori