New House and a Wedding

Dear Friends and Family,

Tyronza and I are safe and sound with our Papua New Guinea friends. As she told you, the trip over was not much fun; however, one must try to look on the positive side. We did finally receive all of our gear and we didn’t even have to go through customs in Australia or PNG.

Our housing is a little different this time. On the other two visits, we lived in the “Barnabas House” which was built for large groups and had abundant living area with a large kitchen and plenty of freezer and refrigerator space. Our new abode is a small cottage, the “Stone House”. It is new since our last visit. We have an apartment size refrigerator, a tiny oven which seems to have a mind of its own and a tiny washing machine. The bed is great and I seem to sleep like a log! (and snore like a buzz saw, says Tyronza) We had been used to having some large groups over, but a smaller crowd will be a nice change.

Many of our old friends are still here or will be coming soon, but a lot of our national friends have moved on for better opportunity. Because of a big national gas project, things in PNG are going through many changes and those with education can get more money elsewhere. I wish them well.

Not much else seems to have changed here. The medical need is still staggering. The fruit and vegetables are still wonderful. The people are still strange and interesting. The bugs are still present everywhere and in all things; and the climate is still great!

Tyronza adds that on our first Sunday back we were invited to attend a local (bush) church wedding and mumu. It was a lovely Christian wedding. The main service was nice, but after the pastor had finished his part, people were asked to give short testimonials for the bride and groom. Although the instructions were for one minute testimonials, the shortest was 7 minutes and the longest went on for 20! As all of this was in Tok Pisin (pidgin), we really didn’t know what was being said. The bride was lovely and the food interesting. It was a mumu with pig, cooking bananas, kaukau (yams), cabbage and carrots.

I will tell you more in the days to come. Tyronza and I appreciate all your prayers and keep all of you in our hearts and prayers.

Bye for now,

Dr. P & Tyronza