We just returned yesterday from a trip to the other end of New Ireland. We have never made the trip before so it was fun to be able to see another bush location. It is a long trip by truck down the length of the island. I was missing the interstates in the USA as we bounced through potholes, rivers and dirt roads for close to 6 hours each way. Yesterday on the way home the truck started stalling on us and we were not even half way back so that was scary but thankfully we made it! With the rain and high winds we have been having, we almost couldn’t make the last part of the trip via boat until the water calmed down right before dark. I have been helping organize the school testing for our area and that is why we made this trip. We had 12 – 1st to 7th graders to test for this year. While I was administering the tests, Ned was able to do an translation check for another missionary in the Patpatar language. So, we made good use of our time. 🙂 The fellowship with our friends we rarely see made it special.
We have had a great time this past month with Bethany and Savannah home for school break. This was Bethany’s last time on the island. We tried to go to all her favorite places in between the wind and rain. 🙂 Hopefully she has some great memories to take with her as she transitions to life in the USA. Paska brought us all to tears as he shared at her “kaikai” (meal) what a great part of our ministry our kids have been, saying that he could see the gospel being played out in their lives. Paska had also caught eight octopuses to make our favorite national dish which you can see in the round pot at the front of the picture. Even if you don’t like octopus you would like this! He does an amazing job cooking.
