Our first Christmas in PNG
Merry Christmas, dear friends and family!
Well, on this side of the world, Christmas Day is nearly over. All the carols have been sung, the pork and potatoes and rich desserts have been consumed, and the presents (shipped at astronomical prices from dedicated grandparents across the globe) have been unwrapped and thoroughly enjoyed. Our only wish is that we could have shared this precious time with YOU!
Some highlights from our PNG Christmas...
-Sharing American christmas cookies with our dear national friends (to their delight...sugar is used very rarely here and is an extra-special treat!)and being invited to muu-muu (steam) tapioc and coconut milk in return next week.
-acting out the Nativity story with our co-workers on the support base here at Madang. (Noah was Joseph, Tim was a shepherd, Nate a wise man, and Elias? A wayward sheep, of course!)
-enjoying glorious sunshine and 90 degree weather...while we have days when we long for cool winter temperatures, it's just not all bad to live in the tropics!
Prayer points for the week:
-Tim spiked a fever today - complete with chills and all - as we were sitting down to our communal Christmas dinner. His symptoms are fairly classic for malaria and we began treatment after checking to see if tylenol would bring down his fever at all (it didn't). If he does indeed have malaria he will cycle the fever again tomorrow, although it will be lower due to the treatment. Please pray for us to have wisdom in how to treat this and care for him! We have been very faithful with our malaria prophylaxis but no prophylaxis currently available protects against all forms of malaria.
-I (Elizabeth) am due to take my first "language check" at the end of the week. Please pray that as I study and speak my brain would retain! And that we would have balance in maintaining home, family, and language study.
-That we would choose to walk with our Loving Father day by day, moment by moment, in HIS grace and peace!
We love and miss you all-
Elizabeth for the Claasens
Well, on this side of the world, Christmas Day is nearly over. All the carols have been sung, the pork and potatoes and rich desserts have been consumed, and the presents (shipped at astronomical prices from dedicated grandparents across the globe) have been unwrapped and thoroughly enjoyed. Our only wish is that we could have shared this precious time with YOU!
Some highlights from our PNG Christmas...
-Sharing American christmas cookies with our dear national friends (to their delight...sugar is used very rarely here and is an extra-special treat!)and being invited to muu-muu (steam) tapioc and coconut milk in return next week.
-acting out the Nativity story with our co-workers on the support base here at Madang. (Noah was Joseph, Tim was a shepherd, Nate a wise man, and Elias? A wayward sheep, of course!)
-enjoying glorious sunshine and 90 degree weather...while we have days when we long for cool winter temperatures, it's just not all bad to live in the tropics!
Prayer points for the week:
-Tim spiked a fever today - complete with chills and all - as we were sitting down to our communal Christmas dinner. His symptoms are fairly classic for malaria and we began treatment after checking to see if tylenol would bring down his fever at all (it didn't). If he does indeed have malaria he will cycle the fever again tomorrow, although it will be lower due to the treatment. Please pray for us to have wisdom in how to treat this and care for him! We have been very faithful with our malaria prophylaxis but no prophylaxis currently available protects against all forms of malaria.
-I (Elizabeth) am due to take my first "language check" at the end of the week. Please pray that as I study and speak my brain would retain! And that we would have balance in maintaining home, family, and language study.
-That we would choose to walk with our Loving Father day by day, moment by moment, in HIS grace and peace!
We love and miss you all-
Elizabeth for the Claasens
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