Rain in Ukarumpa

Further Impressions

Our living conditions are good, despite all the winding muddy paths and roads going up- and downhill Ukrumpa.

There is one store and we have to be creative with our menus. Many times we walk in with thoughts about that week’s meals, but have to adjust to whatever is available at the time…

Here is quick run through of things we had to do in the first couple of (working)days upon our arrival.

-          Inspect living quarters and complete housing inventory forms

-          Complete other housing forms

-          Read meters (electric and gas) and record readings

-          Drop off all paperwork at the housing office

-          Take laptop to CTS (Communication Technical Services) for formatting and setting up with the local network, email address, internet and security settings

-          Open Post office account and get a PO box with key

-          Get a store membership card, grocery shopping

-          Get a tour of the UIS – register Mara and chose adequate courses for 10^th grace honor roll; meet principal; Mara taking test for relevant Math level

-          Visit clinic and get necessary shots, make appointments for check-up and shots which were not available

-          Rest and sleep

So, yes, I am a to-do list writer.  Partially, because I forget things when they aren’t written down and partially because it is very satisfying to see things crossed off the list.

What’s currently on your to-do list?

Ukarumpa - First Impresssions

We have been here for a week now and are a little settled in; we are well, praising the Most High. Our Lord has been and is still watching over us. We arrived last Saturday and were immediately embraced with much love and caring; we even had clothes from generous new friends, until our luggage arrived a couple of days ago.

Mara has started school – she has a full schedule, starting at 7:45 am and going till 3:30 pm with one hour break for lunch.

We marvel, praising God and thanking Him for the sun, for it warms our body, water and house; for the rain, for it is what we drink and wash with; for the grass, which enjoys our eyes and helps clean the abundant mud off our shoes and feet; for the birds, who greet us every morning, before the dark dissipates. The beauty of this place is striking – manifest of God’s glory in His creation – the land, the people; my heart is heavy with the burden I see in their eyes; may the Lord have mercy and reveal His glory to these peoples He has placed so deeply and firmly in our hearts.

Beside the gentle, almost surreal, waking up to the birds’ “speaking” and the weightless fog, swiftly lurking behind the hills, the highlight for me was probably this morning, when I went to a busy market and stopped at each merchant to greet them in my foreign speech and manner. Oh, how big and beautiful their smiles - they light their faces! We must do this again.

Arrival in PNG

Here we are, finally, after two days of travel and losing another in the change of time zone...

Thank you, Lord for your mercy and grace and for your protection.

On Our Way to PNG - (Almost) One day in Manila

When the airline attendant changed the time indicating a delay of over one hour, Mara and I knew we were on a tight schedule (Mara's expression, to make it sound nice!). Basically, we had less then an hour between United Express flight from PDX connecting in Los Angeles to Philipine Airlines. And indeed, the flight was even later than announced...Our flight to Manila was leaving at 10:05 p.m. and we were stuck in LA traffic, in a shuttle moving slow motion toward the international terminal. 9:50 p.m. we arrived at the Philipines Airlines counter, where the manager took us through straight to security. Mara and I thanked God: our Lord was holding the next flight - we knew.

14 hour later, we arrived in Manila, but our luggage did not. Officials, though very kind and helpful, regret that the four baggages will be sent to Port Moresby on Monday - the earliest. By then, Mara and I will already have arrived in Ukarumpa. We trust our Lord; He has carried us through so far. Even if, at this moment, we have clothes to last us for the next three-four days.

In Manila, our adventure continues. Initially, we had not planed to leave the airport, but as you can see - it is very crowded.

Manila International Terminal Departure Entrance

So, we decided to take the local's way to the nearest quarter: Baclaran. First we are riding the bus, then the Jeepney.

waiting for the bus outside the airport

the bus driver was hasting the Jeepney in front of us

Manila traffic at 8 am

Jeepneys - from a WWII model and make

trying to decide which dish looks more delicious

Mara counted 16 of us in this Jeepney :) - the air was already very hot

Finally, giving in to hunger, we ate - Mara decided to have a pork "bbq" skewer with the traditional rice; I could not resist and, as always when travelling, had the locals' favorite.

In case you were wondering "is that fish head" - you were right!; the dish on the left is a stew made with intestine, lungs, kidneys, spline and tripe - yum!

And now, "Mabuhay!" (local greeting), from NAIA, the international terminal in Manila, with the only luggage left with us. We are looking forward to share more in the next few days.

As always, with love from us to all of you. The Lord bless you!