WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOME

 

Our plane landed in Mount Hagen at about 1:30 in the afternoon of Thursday, April 13^th.  We were hot from sitting in the “lounge” at the Port Moresby domestic airport, a room about 50 x 80, filled with several hundred people awaiting all the flights leaving for the next several hours. It was 90 degrees with 100% humidity that day.   We were stressed from having one flight canceled, being bumped from a second flight, and now wondering if the third flight we were scheduled for this day would actually fly out.  And we were exhausted from being in either an airplane or an airport for the past 70 hours. We found out that flights in PNG do not go by departure time or schedule of any kind.  They seem to go by if there is enough fuel to run the plane, if attendants are available or any other unknown reasons. But we are sooo glad the travel is over.

All our friends and family had been praying for us through this entire time.  God had watched over us, and we were safely on the ground in PNG.  Our new missionary friend, Jordan Thompson, sent a text, “I’m standing outside…. The tall guy with a blue shirt.”  YES! We were NOT stranded in a remote corner of the world by ourselves!

Jordan weaved us through the heavy traffic of congested cars and people without use of traffic signals, signs or lights.  We drove the short distance onto a NEWLY PAVED road, Highlands Highway, that travels past the Kudjip hospital all the way to the coast.  Our friends who have been here in the past would not recognize this road, we hear it has never been this good before.  In no more than 40 minutes we were entering the Kudjip mission complex, and Jordan was pointing out and telling us about the buildings and ministries that are building the KINGDOM on this property. 

Then we started meeting our (and your) extended family.  Our first stop was the Radcliff home, where Katherine came rushing out to greet us.  It was our first “in person” conversation after months of phone and online communication while we pulled together on this tug-a-war battle with paperwork and bureaucratic frustration. 

From there we drove to our “new home.”  The sign by our front door, decorated by the MK (missionary kids) students said what we have since strongly felt, “Uncle Bob and Aunt Gayle Welcome to Kudjip.” We were warmly greeted by several missionaries, teachers and students.

Rebecca Krupp, our mentor, and fellow teacher had stocked groceries in our pantry and refrigerator.  Our home is so much more than we imagined it could be.  We are one half of a duplex that has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, one bath, dinning room and living room: all furnished! 

Everyone here seem like members of a huge family.  They work together, play together, and keep track of each other.  Four of the missionary families have invited us to dinner for the first four evenings.  What a great welcome and opportunity to get to know our new friends better. 

Bob turned 70 Friday, and that news traveled fast.  The Crouch family had a birthday cake for him that evening and sang “Happy Birthday Uncle Bob.”  They didn’t use all those candles, however, because there isn’t a fire department in this area.

Several families have left on home assignment or moved on from this ministry.  A couple more will be leaving at the end of the school year.  We are one of three “quite new” families.  The veteran families have been pulling a big load to keep the operation of this ministry moving forward. 

Bob shadows the current teacher Monday and Tuesday, then takes over instruction Wednesday.  Gayle will be overseeing one session of grammar with the 5 & 6 grade students each afternoon and will meet with hospital staff soon to identify where she will serve.

We hope to catch up from our jetlag within the next week and are looking forward to getting into the serving mode.  We miss you, and we thank you for prayers. 

 

Please continue to pray for:

·         Kudjip hospital and the staff serving over 55,000 nationals a year

·         For God to supply teachers for next school year for the MK school

·         Bob as he assumes the lead teaching role

·         Gayle in whatever role she serves

·         Continued safety

·         God’s peace and presence as we are away from our friends and family