Faces and Places ...

 ... an update from Rachel 

It is an absolute joy to be back at Kudjip and reconnect with all of our family here, both missionaries and Papua New Guinean.  Distance and time fade away as we pick up friendships right where we left off the last time we served here.  Pennie & Solomon have adjusted well, and never cease to amaze me with their ability to hop across several time zones and jump into another culture with reckless abandon (literally).  It has been interesting to experience this trip through their eyes, because they have memories of the last time we served here and recognize quite a few faces and places.  Although I anticipated a bit of homesickness from them, there has been little to none.  Pennie & Solomon seem to grasp that our friends here are the soldiers on the front line, serving tirelessly and selflessly…and we are the reserve forces, providing additional reinforcement when needed, and always supporting the mission … both abroad and at home.  

"God has given us the task of telling everyone what HE is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ Himself now: 
Become friends with God; He’s already a friend with you." (2 Corinthians 5:20 MSG)

Below is an assortment of photos and snippets of what the kids and I have been up to since we arrived. Thank you for staying connected with us and the work put before us!

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Each morning, the kids wake up and immediately go out onto the back porch to feed the cat and swing in the hammock seats - thank you for sharing Stewardson Family!  I am all for starting the day with some sensory input and nervous system regulation!  : )

After breakfast, we send Ted off to the hospital, and jump right into school work – very similar to our routine back in Richmond.  We are growing accustomed to a different set of distractions here while working on school.  In Richmond, it is the garbage truck, an occasional Amazon delivery, or the dog barking at a squirrel.  Here, it is an excavator driving past, the sound of sheep, or an occasional knock on the door from a friend selling produce.  

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we take a late-morning break to walk down to the Elementary School to join morning recess.  This allows Pennie and Solomon an opportunity to stretch their legs and play with the other missionary kiddos, and provides a break for one of the teachers to stay inside and get caught up on grading/planning/etc. 

            

         Walking back from recess

                   

            Solomon's friend found a frog to join in the play

 

   On Tuesday afternoons, I teach a Music & Movement class at the Elementary School. I have been introducing the students (K-6) to rhythm and tempo, and have been able to incorporate some fun games and activities thanks to some GREAT suggestions from our Richmond church's Family Ministries Pastor, Lisa Eggert and Arts Academy Director, Nicole Pearson. The class is called Music AND Movement, because we learn… we sing… and then ... we DANCE!      

On Friday mornings, I host a Preschool Group for the little MKs (2yrs – 6yrs).  We play, read books, sing songs, and also DANCE!  Pennie and Solomon are troopers about cramming extra school work in Mondays – Thursdays so that we can have Friday mornings free to host the littles – they are great teacher assistants!  The goal/hope in hosting a weekly Preschool Group is to give the missionary mamas the morning OFF. 

An unexpected addition to my resume here is Shepherdess.  The two sheep that we are caring for occasionally graze themselves into tricky places (a steep jungle ledge).  I have now twice had the privilege of climbing/sliding down the jungle ledge and rescuing a stuck sheep.  Pennie observed and hollered from the porch above, “You’re like Jesus rescuing the lost sheep Mama!”  I cannot help but chuckle at her encouragement and marvel at God’s endless love for us – sliding through the thorny, muddy messes we get ourselves into and hoisting us up and out time and time again with the gentle reminder, “Don’t go there kiddo, it’s not safe.”  

This past weekend’s highlights were: a pizza night with friends, Ted teaching the kids how to play the game of LIFE, a rock-hunting river expedition, and a visit to Konduk Church (a local church that we have been visiting since we lived here 10 years ago).  Our friend, John Opa, and his family, are church and community leaders there.  Ted expertly navigated the very bumpy and even more slippery terrain up to the church, and we were able to walk the steep remainder of the climb with John and his family.  We were greeted warmly by the congregation, Ted shared a word of encouragement during testimony time, and I was blown away (like always) by the heartfelt and genuine worship.  It is a blessing to experience the Presence of God among our PNG brothers and sisters.  (Video with sound at the bottom of the post)

River rock hunting

The game of LIFE!

On the walk up to church

With John and his family

The kids looking out/down at Kudjip in the distance

Ted sharing during testimony time