A picture is worth a thousand words...

Greetings friends!  

Below are some recent snapshots of our lives at Kudjip.  We carry you with us in our thoughts and prayers, and hope that these photos/videos allow you to engage and connect with us from afar.  

We would appreciate your prayers for God to prepare ALL of our hearts for the transition back to the US.  Pennie and Solomon are absolute troopers jumping from one culture to the next, but as they get older they are more aware of the differences between the developing world and the western world.  We pray that we can navigate these conversations with wisdom and discernment.  

In HIM,
Rachel (and Ted)

The heavens declare the Glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 
Psalm 19:1

The "rot bung" (street market) is just outside of Kudjip Station.  It is our weekly stop for produce, and Pennie and Solomon are amazing helpers carrying large bags of cucumbers, papaya, carrots, pineapple, greens, etc...  The second photo shows Pennie carrying her Aldi bilum like a true PNG Meri with the straps across her forehead and the bag on her back - she saw the other ladies doing it, and she followed suit.  

We finished our school year this week!  Homeschooling can often be a challenge, but I am so grateful for the flexibility to bring school with us when we come to serve at Kudjip.  

Pennie and some of her gal pals playing with a pet cuscus.  A cuscus is a small tree kangaroo - this one particularly enjoys climbing on top of children's heads!

Ted and Mark spontaneously decided to cut new lines for the outdoor volleyball court. 
A weekly pickup volleyball match is a long-standing Kudjip tradition. 

Our caterpillar cocoon hatched! We were greeted by a beautiful creamy yellow moth.  We gave it a day of rest with some papaya to nibble upon, and then let it free in the front yard.  

Ted had the opportunity to join a few gents from the Maintenance Team at a local rugby match. Our Jiwaka Province Team (Waghi Tumbe) crushed the National Champions, the Mount Hagen Eagles, 30 to zero! 

We recently were able to enjoy a missionary family Bonfire Gathering - everyone brings food to cook or reheat over the fire.  

We brought some friends with us on a hike to Mise Church last Sunday.  This is our favorite way to commute on a Sunday morning.  : )

More bugs!  The children have an admirable appreciation for the insects here in PNG.  Pennie has now been trained by local friends how to safely pick up huge banana spiders, and she and Solomon are both willing to let all sorts of creatures climb on them.  

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small.  

All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."  

For our last Music Class, we took one last field trip out to the hospital and sang a few songs for the children and families on the pediatric ward. We ended our time by stretching out our hands and praying over the children and staff. I am SO proud of these missionary kids for stepping out and sharing the gift of music with others.  We ended our class time with doing some of their favorite games and line dances! 

A beautiful sunset to commemorate the closing of this chapter in Papua New Guinea.