Scot’s role at the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital Station is an
obvious one, physician. And as such, is vastly appreciated and needed. The role
I play at Kudjip is a more understated one.
I see my main purpose as one of support to Scot and to the
missionaries serving and living at Kudjip. As Scot’s wife, I maintain house.
Much like at home, only more so. In Kudjip, meals are what are prepared from
scratch in the home. Dishes are washed by hand. Laundry, although machine
washed (no, I do not wash our clothes at the river) and hung on an outside
line. 
A trip to town is an event and a chore. I am encouraged to
buy groceries for a month at a time. There is a local market for purchasing
fruits and vegetables. It is approximately a one mile walk round trip and I
have to arrange for someone to accompany me. You don’t want to purchase more
than you can carry!
As a support to the Kudjip missionaries, Scot and I host
individuals and families in our place for meals, games and visiting on a
regular basis. We really enjoy the people serving the Lord in Kudjip and
welcome this opportunity. There are nine long term physicians on staff at the
hospital. Two are single and the others are all here with their families. There
are also eight long term support missionaries at Kudjip. These are mainly
families and teach, provide maintenance and constructions skills and maintain
the Field Office for the Asia-Pacific Region. In addition to the long term
missionaries, there is a revolving door of short term (one-three month)
volunteers that come to serve at Kudjip in a variety of positions. Scot and I
obviously come through this revolving door category. 
On this stint in Kudjip, my mornings are often spent either
assisting Judy Bennett, wife of Dr. Andy Bennett, in the storeroom or the old
hospital sorting donated supplies (helping unload the containers the supplies
arrive in) or assisting Joani Goossens, Treasurer for the Asia-Pacific Field,
in auditing accounts or filing. I enjoy my various roles and I’m happy that I have a
flexible schedule. On previous trips, I spent time at the MK elementary school
and also at the Nazarene Teacher’s College helping with registration.
My interaction with the local PNG people is limited, but after
seven trips here there are staff people that I recognize and enjoy visiting
with. Fortunately, a smile, extremely limited Tok Pisen on my part and limited
English on their part goes a long way to establishing a friendship. On this
trip, my work for Joani has me in and out of the Kudjip Hospital Finance Office
which is run by three very capable PNG women. I am really enjoying becoming
better acquainted with them.
I am happy to be able to serve the Lord in my supportive
role. I doubt seriously that Scot would come without me and his skills are much
needed in Kudjip. Please continue to keep us and the people of Papua New Guinea in your prayers.
Lukim yu bihain,
Tyronza
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