Into the Bush

“Can you be ready to go tomorrow at 4:00 (pm)?” (spoken Thursday afternoon)

 

Had you been asked a similar question, you might respond: “Go where?”

We did not have to ask. In fact, we did not have time to ask. Immediately we set about organizing the things that we need during our stint in the bush.

It turned out that our plans changed again according to flight schedules and so we ended up leaving our home in Madang on Sunday instead of Friday.

 

We are now in Wewak, at NTM’s base for the Sepik region, buying supplies and getting ready for the final leg of our trip into Nakui. Wednesday morning (Tuesday afternoon in the States) we will be boarding a Cessna 206 with a month’s worth of provisions and a couple of changes of clothes for a 1 ½ hour flight and a 2 hour hike to the village. There we will get our first real look at the life that we hope to lead here in PNG. We will be continuing to work on Tok Pigin, learning about the myriad of repairs that can be accomplished with duct tape and bailing wire, and spending time picking the brains of an experienced missionary couple. This is considered a vital part of our orientation to tribal missions work here is PNG.

What will the kids be doing? Not to worry. The experienced missionary couple has thoughtfully provided playmates for our boys in the form of six children of their own (ages: 2 to 10 years). We hear that the river is nice for swimming (far enough upstream to be pretty clear and clean), and there are a ton of trees to climb.

We do want to let you know that we will still try to keep you updated during our time there, but it could be a bit more sporadic than it has been. Also we will have to save any pictures for after we come out – as all email will be going over the ham radio. You aren’t off the hook though, please keep emailing, just don’t send any pictures or video for the moment.

 

Thanks for your prayers, your care for us, and your support.

Nate for the 5 of us.