Several Weekends in Review...

Since Teddy gave everyone a “Week in Review” of his life here as a doctor on station…I thought it would be nice to follow up with a synopsis of our last few weekends here in PNG. As I have mentioned before, Teddy and I are always eager for new experiences while we are here at Kudjip, and these past few weekends have certainly been fulfilling! The core event of every weekend has been hosting a Roman’s Bible Study in our home on Saturday afternoons. Several different missionaries have been in attendance, as well as some MAF (Missions Aviation Fellowship) volunteers from Mt. Hagen. We spend about an hour each Saturday discussing different sections of scripture: how they apply to our ministry here as missionaries, and how they challenge us to go deeper in our relationships with God. It has been exceptionally rewarding!

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One of our weekend adventures was an outing with the Crouch Family to Banz…a nearby village/town that boasts a market, several second-hand shops, and a new restaurant called the Jiwaka Mission Resort. We drove to this new retreat center/eatery, that parts of are still under construction, and had a lovely, relaxed lunch with the Crouch’s. One really appreciates having someone else prepare, cook, serve, and clean up your food when you’re used to doing it all for yourself...all the time!

Waiting for our food...

                

Levi exploring...

Anna being a cutie!

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Another recent weekend adventure was a picnic lunch and hike in the Fatima area, courtesy of our fellow Kudjip missionaries, the Stephenson’s, and their friends the Zimmerman’s. The Zimmerman’s teach and work at a Catholic Seminary in the Fatima Parish, and regularly attend our monthly English Lotu service at Kudjip. Our afternoon started with a lovely tour of the Good Shepherd Seminary campus, followed by a beautiful walk up to our picnic spot. It was serene walking up the steep stairway through a forest of tall pines…this place felt magical. At the top of the forest hill, was a beautifully cleared garden area with views of the whole valley. We spread out our blankets and sat down to an amazing lunch. After eating, we quickly packed up and got started on our hike. Little did we know how far and how fast we would be hiking! We had a bit of a time crunch, due to a women’s study group at Kudjip we had to be back for. I don’t think I’ve ever hiked as “hard” before in my life! Luckily, all the hard work was regularly paid off with gorgeous vistas of the mountains and very informative descriptions of the different areas we passed through by Brandon Zimmerman. About half-way through the hike, we realized the hour and marched double-time to our end destination….the next town on the other side of the huge ridge we had just hiked! It was exceptionally gratifying…even though I could barely walk the next day! We’re looking forward to another hiking adventure soon!

Touring the Seminary Campus

The walk through the forest up to our picnic spot

Our lovely picnic spot

And the hiking begins!

Teddy helping lead the charge

Stop to catch our breath & snap a pic!

Our hosts & guides...the Zimmerman's

Who says you need snow to sled!?

One of the MANY magnificent views

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The last, and most recent adventuring did not take us far from home…it actually occurred in our backyard! Several guys on the station enjoy repelling and rope courses…so what to do on Saturday afternoon?? ….set up a trapeze jump 70 feet up the huge Gum Tree in our backyard! : ) Dearest readers…have no fear…these guys have all the right gear (including helmets) and know what they’re doing. Several guys from the station took turns getting to the top of the tree via the winch on one of the trucks on station. Once at the top, they were situated by Morgan, on a branch several feet away from a hanging trapeze bar…the idea is to jump up and out and catch the bar! No biggie if you missed…because Jordan was belaying from below so people could repel down the tree. I did NOT attempt this daring feat…I was getting dizzy just watching…but Teddy not only made the jump and caught the bar…but he also did several pull-ups hanging 70 feet above our house! It was a fun time! I am sure there will be future climbing and repelling expeditions. : ) 

Teddy preparing to fly...

Enjoying his ride up...

Teddy & Morgan at the top...

                              

              And he makes the jump!!!

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Anyhoo…that is just a glimpse of some of the escapades we have had over the past month.  We are so blessed to be a part of such a great mission here at Kudjip, and we are amazed at the opportunities God has provided for us to minister, as well as experience the wonders of this part of the world!