I found myself feeling like I was wasting my life. Every night I would sit here playing some mindless game, or watching a movie that I’ve seen for the umpteenth time. There are no night activities here, so I basically leave the office, and I either go to the haus sik and play for a while with new babies, and chat with the nurses, or I go straight home. So then I go home, feed my dog, I feed me, lock the doors and … Then? There’s not much to do. I don’t have television, so that isn’t in the way 😏 😁

So, I had this crazy idea… And… 🤔

I decided to go back to school. I am nearing the end of my second-7 week class with Johnson University. My first class was Orientation to the Old Testament. We learned about the Pentateuch. This one is the second part, and we have gone through Joshua and will end with Esther. This is week 6! Please pray for me. I might think I’m still young (don’t laugh!), but sometimes it’s really hard to grasp things. And these 7 week classes go at lightening speed!! I can’t believe the amount of reading that is involved, dang… But I am eternally richer for it!!! I’ve had the same professor for both of these classes and he is a gem!! I feel like God hand-picked a kind and generous person to ease me back into school gently. I’m majoring in Intercultural Studies and Bible Theology. It.is.awesome.to.learn.this.stuff you guys!!! It is a much better use of my time. I should have my Bachelors Degree before I’m 60, if I play my  cards right 😏😁 pray for me please.

This class ends December 9. December 9 is an exciting day for another reason too. I’m going to go to Cairns Australia for Christmas. I’m pretty excited to be getting out of country for a while. It’s been very difficult for a few months now, and I’m more than ready to get away. I look forward to seeing Cairns for the first time, and celebrating Christmas with Jim and Joni. Another couple, Scott and Kathy, will join us a week or so after we three arrive. We all went through POC training together when we got here in 2014. I’ll be in fun company!

But before we can get to the Christmas season, the reason that Joni has planned this trip to Cairns is because she needs to have some skin cancer removed. So I’m going along to see if I can be of any help… Secondly is to get out of town for a while. I’ll be there until the first week of January.

Do you remember my friend Gwenyth from Brisbane? Well, she moved a little north to a new place, and I plan to go see her for a few days when I’m there. I’m really looking forward to it (all of it!)!

Meanwhile, back here in Madang Town, there has been flooding somewhere upstream, so we haven’t had access to city water for a week or so. I’m grateful that it’s rainy season and our water tanks are full.

The haus sik too has been out of water. They have to turn people away. Mamas who are in labor are being sent to Yagaum haus sik, just outside of town. I’ve only been to Yagaum when a mama from Mawan was there for 6 months for TB treatments, and my village mama and I took her food. I can’t imagine being in labor, coming to this haus sik, only to be told to get back on the bus and go out of town to another haus sik to deliver. Cross your legs, right?!? I hope they plan well.

The children’s ward was pretty empty when Sesi and I went to give them color pages, and when we went back the next day to snap their photo with their artwork, and the next day to give their laminated photo to them. It was fun. But there are some really sick children, and that is heartbreaking.

Sesi and I went back to the haus sik today first we went to the market and bought a bunch of fruits; pineapples, a huge red papaya, bananas, cucumbers and carrots. We went to my place and cut it all up and put them in containers.

Esau and her mama.

There are 2 little ones maybe 3-4 who are in Ward 4C. They’ve been diagnosed with TB. One has been discharged, but has no way to get to their village, so they stay… Not a good option, but the best option available.

There is a little girl named Esau (Es-ow), who is desperate for prayers. She is SOO sick. I went to see Esau and her mama as we passed out food. She isn’t hooked up to the feeding tube anymore (as she was when I first met her), thank You Lord, but she is on a very strict diet. I hid the food that I gave her mama. Esau has abdominal tuberculosis.

Prayer points:

– clarity of mind for my classes
– good health, safety
– healing for Joni
– rest for each of us during our time in Cairns
– Gwenyth in her new home
– for medical conditions to change for the better
– for good clean water to flow to my Haus Sik and throughout Madang!
– these sweet little faces at the haus sik (photos below)

Praise:
* He never closes His eyes, He sees everyone of us, He cares deeply for you, and for me, and for these precious Papua New Guineans. Thank You Lord, for never forgetting any of us.

Thank you so much for helping me to live here and minister among these precious Papua New Guineans. I appreciate you!