A TYPICAL DAY IN KUDJIP

We arise anywhere from 3:00 am – 5 :00 am partially due to our jet lag and to the time changes (when it is 7:00 am EST in the USA it is 9:00 pm here).  We have our morning devotions and then we eat breakfast together.  I make Bob’s lunch and send him off with prayer and a hug.

Laundry, cleaning, sweeping our wood floors and/or making bread are completed in the morning. Laundry is assisted by a nice washer, but there is not a dryer.  I only have God’s sunshine and air to dry our clothing.  We have a nice clothesline outside and Bob has secured a couple lines in our laundry room space to hang items indoors too. Then I am off to the elementary school by 12:15 pm and prepare to teach four boys 5^th/6^th grade grammar. (Surprise! – I did not expect to teach school- LOL- who would have thought!)  I often walk home with Bob from school at the end of the school day.

Bob leaves for school about 7:00 am.  It is about a 10-minute walk on a rocky dirt road to the four-room school.  He teaches Bible to all the students collectively first thing in the morning.  Then math, language arts, and history to 3^rd and 4^th grade students up until noon.  Lunch and recess run until 12:45. He then teaches first grade math until 1:30.  At that time students have a short study hall to make sure they understand any homework assignments.  They finish their day with chores to set the school back in order for the next day.  Then Bob can get his lesson plans and material ready for the next day.  Jamie, another teacher in our age group, teaches most of the lower grades.  Rebecca is a young single lady who teaches the high school students as well as fifth and sixth grade reading, writing, and math.  One of the parents teaches science for 5^th and 6^th grade.

Our students are very kind to each other, and very respectful, while still being as full of energy as any other child that age.

We walk everywhere on the station; to visit, to stroll, to check out the grounds and to our meetings and even to the church we attended which is just outside the station gates.

Later, I prepare dinner if we are home. Frequently we have been invited out (I believe we have been invited out for 5 of 7 days). This group of missionaries is very social and gracious. We are learning to be more extroverted though it is not our personality make-up. God is stretching us!

Lastly, we catch up on communication with friends, family, and journaling and then onto bed.  We look for opportunities to talk with family either early in morning or late at night since we have a 13-14 hours of time difference.  That can be difficult, but a necessary connection to help us not miss everyone so much.

My typical day will soon be changing as I meet with hospital leaders and define how I can assist them.  It is looking like I will provide some insight into their medical staff education programs or the development of their quality programs.  The leadership is very concerned that they continue to improve care and services and have the best orientation programs for staff. Currently this hospital is the most recognized within the province for providing superior care.

We live within a fenced and gated area.  The station has 24-hour security patrolling the grounds.  Many of the hospital workers, maintenance and security are nationals who are housed within the station grounds.  We also have the nursing college here, so the staff and students also reside in the station.  We have several nationals who come to our door with fresh produce they grow and are selling.  We try to buy a little from several of them.  There is nothing like enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables.  

That is a glimpse of the life we currently are living in PNG.