8th Grade Graduation

1 December, 2011  (Maggie)



Note to self: When you live on the equator, babies get sunburned even
in the shade. 

We went to a graduation ceremony today and poor Bailey
came back looking like a lobster. We had to drive about 27 Km to get
there, so it wasn’t far, but the road was so bumpy that it took us
almost an hour and a half. Chris was driving, and Tom was in the front
seat, so me and Auno and the four kids were all in the back of the
little double-cab pickup. Cole was sitting next to the door and he
kept banging his head on the window because of all the bumps, so we
had to stop and everyone got out and then back in to rearrange the seating
order. We happened to stop in front of a house and the entire family came
out to see us. We shared our chocolate chip cookies with them. When we got
to the village we went to visit Tom’s parents’ place and meet lots of his
relatives. They don’t get many white people up that way so we caused
quite a commotion wherever we went. For a while it was awkward because
we were standing on one side and all the PNG people were standing on
the other, and there wasn’t much interaction between the two sides.
More like observation and private discussion. But between us and Tom
trying to keep our kids from falling over the cliff into the river,
eating raw peanuts and passion fruit, and nursing the baby inside the
mama’s house, there was enough to take our minds off the awkwardness. They were so hospitable and accepted us as family without a second thought.

When it was time to go to the ceremony we all got back in the truck,
but in the bed this time. It was much easier to ride that way.
Something about the threat of smacking your head being gone and the
freedom to move your elbows. Anyway, it wasn’t far to the school, and
when we arrived we sat in the shade and soon drew a crowd of
thousands. Not really, but pretty much everyone who was already there
came over to have a look at us pale-faces. The kids handled it pretty
well. Even Micah, who can get really embarrassed, ate his lunch with
an audience and didn’t complain or try to hide under my skirt. Cole
sat under one of the school buildings and had about 50 kids laughing
hysterically at him as he made faces and did just the weirdest little
things to be funny. And Maisie was fine because everywhere she goes
people like to give her things. She got two free popsicles today, free pineapple, and a banana or two!



So we sat there waiting, listening to Amy Grant and Point of Grace on
the loudspeaker, and every 15 minutes or so a voice would call out to
the surrounding area that it was time to gather for the graduation.
When it was time to start, we all took our umbrellas and went to
the viewing area to bake in the sun until golden brown and firm in the
center. I had all the kids with me for a while, and it was hard to
organize so many arms and legs under the shadow of one umbrella. Then
one of the mamas came to my rescue and took Bailey to go sit under the
shade of a tree and eat her papaya. We gave the boys the Gameboy, so
that pretty much took care of them for the next several hours, and
Chris took Maisie somewhere to go play because she refused to sit
still and I didn’t want all of her skin to peel off from horrific
sunburn. Like any graduation, lots of people gave speeches – a teacher,
one of the board members, a pastor, and a nurse. Then the teachers gave prizes to the top students of each class in
different subjects. Each winner got a wrapped gift. Many of the
classes had a first and second prize for personal hygiene, which is
something I didn’t expect. And the parents had the opportunity to have
their child presented with a special gift from them. It was fun to
watch. Children are very valued here and education is coveted.

I still can’t get over how much goodwill we receive everywhere we go
just because we’re white. I heard a few people call me “Missus” today
– which is a more traditional term for the wife of a European man
(whom they called “Master”). They recognized our presence at the
ceremony as one of the honored guests and had everyone clap for us.
When we got home Auno told us how happy everyone was that we came and
that they consider us family, and that the mother of the young
lady we went to see graduate cried when we had to leave early. She
really wanted us to spend the night!



We had to leave early because we had to make it back for a meeting this
evening. I was really sorry to have to leave, because Tom and Auno
came back with us, which meant that they had to leave early too, and
also that I didn’t get to take pictures of the people that they asked
me to take pictures of for them. I tried to tell them how sorry I was
several times. I’m glad that we are comfortable enough with them that
I feel I can be honest about how I’m feeling and know that they will
be honest with me, too.
It’s almost Christmas time! We’re going to a Christmas “festival” on
Saturday and we’re hoping to score some decorations so we can make our
house look a little more Christmas-y. I was talking to Chris about how
I’ve been feeling homesick, and it makes me sad that I’m missing
Christmas in MN. I love Christmas, and this year I don’t even feel
like playing Christmas music. I’m sure that it’s all a part of our
first Christmas away from our family and everything else familiar, and
we’re planning some fun family things to make up for it.