The youngsters...

About a month ago I wrote a post about my 4th to 6th grade students at the MK Elementary School. For the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of working with the 1st-3rd grade students as well. Their teacher, Judy Ralph, went on home assignment, and so I get to finish out the school year with a range of ages and grades. I have really enjoyed working with the younger kiddos and hope you can catch a glimpse of their wonderful personalities through this post.

Ethan Goossens

Ethan is seven years old and is finishing up first grade. When asked where he was born, he answered, “America.” (You can tell he has been in PNG for a while) : ) He has been living in Papua New Guinea with his family for four years now. Ethan’s favorite subject in school is “Activity Time,” which is a block of the video class where the students learn about Health, Safety, and occasionally do art projects. When he grows up, Ethan said he would like to be a “policeman.” His favorite parts of living in PNG are: “getting ice cream at the grocery store in town” and “getting boxes from people.” When Ethan has free time, he enjoys jumping on the trampoline in his yard. Ethan would like everyone to know that his favorite color is orange, his favorite animal is the tiger, and his favorite song is “We are the Free.”


Viola Stoller

Viola is eight years old and in second grade. She was born in Switzerland and has been living in PNG for most of her life. Viola’s favorite subject in school is Bible, because “it’s nice to hear the stories and sing the songs.” When Viola grows up, she wants to be a farmer. Her favorite part of living in Papua New Guinea is that the “weather is nice all the time.” When she has free time, Viola’s favorite thing to do is “play outside.” Viola’s favorite animal is the pig.


Lexi Goossens

Lexi is eight years old and in the 2nd grade as well. She was born in Washington, and has lived with her family in PNG for about four years. Lexi’s favorite class in school is Bible, because she “likes talking about God.” When she grows up, Lexi wants to be a veterinarian. Her favorite part of living in Papua New Guinea is “the views and the river.” When Lexi has free time, she likes “climbing trees and relaxing.” Lexi’s favorite animal is the snow leopard and her favorite color is black.


Hali Peterson

Hali is in third grade and is eight (almost nine) years old. She was born in Oregon and has been with her family in PNG for two years. Hali’s favorite class in school is also Bible because she “likes singing the songs.” When Hali grows up, she wants to “work with animals.” Her favorite part of living in Papua New Guinea is all the “different kinds of trees and animals.” When Hali has free time, her favorite thing to do is “play outside.” Hali would like everyone to know that her favorite animal is the tiger.


Jorina Stoller

Jorina is in the third grade and is ten years old. She was born at the hospital right here in Kudjip and has lived in Papua New Guinea for most of her life. Jorina’s favorite subject in school is Bible as well because she “likes singing and hearing the stories.” When Jorina grows up, she would also like to be a farmer. Her favorite part of living in Papua New Guinea is that there are “different animals here than in Switzerland.” When she has free time, Jorina’s favorite thing to do is “playing with animals.” Jorina wants everyone to know that her favorite color is blue.

Selfie with the little ones...

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me 

and do not hinder them, 

for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  

~ Matthew 19:14