Awakened
by the cries of a child, I glanced through the cracks in the hut and
realized that the sun was beginning to rise. Mothers would soon be
starting their fires and cooking sago, bananas and greens for the
morning meal.
After a few minutes, I climbed out of my screen tent and stepped out the
door of the hut onto a small covered porch. A few men sat eating around
a fire that smoldered on a large clay plate in the floor. On the ground
below, mothers and children squatted around a fire content to eat what
little was left.
That day we examined many patients. Two bone-thin ladies had symptoms of
malaria and pneumonia or possibly tuberculosis. A pair of year-old
twins showed signs of malaria. A woman complained of recurring seizures.
Everywhere we went, little naked children ran around with distended
stomachs, a sign of malnutrition.
This was our first trip to Ama, and we were not prepared to treat
patients. But finding such great need there, we felt we must do what we
could with our small supply of personal medication.
Many people long to travel to Nazareth, Capernaum, Bethany or Jerusalem
in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. But, “We shall find His
footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded
alleys of the great city and in every place where there are human hearts
in need of consolation” (The Desire of Ages, p. 640). —John Lello
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Newsletter: August 19, 2012
Hello again to our wonderful family and friends that are praying for us and our mission.
Sorry it has taken quite a while before writing again, but it isn’t because I am tired, it isn’t because the garden is taking all of my time, it isn’t because the bees are swarming around the house so I cannot get in, and it isn’t because I’m watching John rebuild the downstairs shower. Than what could it be that is taking all of your time, you might ask? Good question family and friends. It isn’t any of the above but the power inverter that has blown and shut down the system of communication. This is the real reason for my lack of writing. A kind village man has loaned us an AC automatic voltage regulator plugged into a generator and this is how we can charge up the computer and the satellite phone.
Since the previous letter we did finally leave Wewak after spending one month there. We were all ready to get on the PMV and travel to the river. One of the church members owns a PMV and we loaded our things on his truck and road in the front with him. After once again riding through the night with the birds, I might say, we arrived at the river safely. Elder Mika who is our boat pilot met us there and we loaded all of our supplies in the 40 foot canoe.
Close to an hour down the river the motor which was rebuilt began giving us problems again. We eventually found a little clay beach to pull next too while John and Elder Mika looked at the motor. They quickly decided it wasn’t wise to push the motor any further and we waited for another boat to pull us to ambunti where mechanics were located. The girls were so excited and begged to swim in the river. I had them change and for the next hour they had fun splashing and jumping in the cool water. I thought maybe the bird’s Ruth and Boaz wanted to play too. So I opened the cage door and out they came in a hurry. Getting in the water was a new experience for them but they soon learned to like it. Ruth was the first one that after walking out where it was too deep began swimming. We cheered her on. Boaz on the other hand stood in the shallow part but would roll over and over in the water. Animals and children alike had so much fun. But all fun eventually comes to an end. With the help of another motor we scooted off to the village of Ambunti and stayed there 5 days until the motor was fixed the second time.
Since we were in the village over the weekend we had the opportunity to visit a small church up in the mountains. Early Sabbath morning Elder Paul met us at the pathfinder boat where we were staying to lead us to the mountain church. Down the path, passed the airport and up the steep mountain we walked. Up, up and even higher we walked but the scenery behind was just beautiful. We could look over the river and swamps to other mountains beyond. After church we went to Elder Paul’s home where he fed us fruit, juice and crackers.
The following Tuesday morning we were up packed and ready to leave after the motor was tested for hopefully the last time. The rum, rum, of the motor was like music to our ears. It was great to be zooming across the water once again to May River station, our home. With our hats on for shade we could still feel the heat from the sun shining down upon us. This is the time we wish for some rain even though it makes a mess in the boat. As I sat listening, something wasn’t right again. I looked at John and he didn’t say anything. I knew he was tired of this whole thing with rented motors and the expense it took to keep fixing it. We all just wanted to get home. After making a few phone calls, John and Elder Mika worked on the engine a few more times and then we were once again on our way. We just kept praying that if it was the Lord’s will He would keep the motor running all the way to May River and to the owner in good running condition.
The sun was beginning to go down and darkness was creeping in all around us. The coolness felt wonderful after sitting in the hot sun all day. Since the moon was so bright we decided to keep going as long as we could see. As the clouds began rolling in and we could see lightening in the distance we decided it was best to pull over and spend the night. We found a nice little bush house (shelter with no walls) off the river and we set up our bug tents and all nine of us slept for the night. That is most of us slept through the night. With heavy rain and thunder and me worrying about the birds in the boat I didn’t get much sleep but I knew that the next day we would be arriving in May River and I had a nice bed waiting for me.
6am in the morning we left the little bush house and around 6 hours later we pulled into May River. I couldn’t wait to walk up the path to our home. After being away for a month I just knew that my garden would be producing vegetables to put on our table. The corn should be ready along with cucumbers and beans. Climbing out of the boat I looked up into the face of Boo Boo, the girls adopted grandma and one of the nurses at the clinic. She came close to me and whispered. “Pam”, she said. “Someone came into your garden last night and stole your corn, cucumbers and dug up some of your sweet potatoes”. As tired as I was, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Maybe I heard wrong and she meant something else. But she repeated herself and then began speaking to all the boys standing around about how it was wrong to steal other peoples things, especially the missionary families.
A man in the crowd came hurrying up to Boo boo and grabbed her around the neck and pushed her down. I was scared for her and John had already gone up to the house with some supplies. I stayed by our supplies until they all were taken up to the house. With tears ready to spill out, I slowly made my way up to our house. The last place I wanted to go now was the garden but John went to have a look. All the corn was picked, sweet potato plants were dug around and roots pulled up, even though potatoes were not ready yet. Most of the cucumbers were gone and most of the peanut plants were pulled up. Boo Boo kept telling me to stay away from the garden and not plant anything more until we move to Ama.. They do not steal your things, she said. Which we have heard is very true from the people who live there. I have been sharing my seeds with Ama people when they come visit us because they have a hard time getting anything because they are so far away. I decided that God knows what happened in my garden and who the people were and that I need to pray for them.
We are now back getting settled and John has supplied a few villages with tools to fix churches, schools and airstrips with. We have also supplied them with a few Sabbath school supplies but there isn’t much of that here. Any old memory verse cards, picture rolls, quarterlies from all the divisions would be helpful. The conference here follows Grace Link. I have been attending the primary division and helping out with that. This Sabbath the leader did not show up because he couldn’t make it back from Ama where he was visiting. I led out and it turned out quite well. I have the children learning there memory verse each week by writing it on a piece of paper in Tok Pisin for them. This week 15 out of 22 children knew there memory verse. I would like to start a chart for them and at the end of the quarter they can earn points towards something special. It is so hard here though because I have no supplies. Everything I brought for this purpose is sitting in the crate which we will not get until next year. We might just have the crate sent straight to Ama by plane, we are not sure yet.
We have been praying for the people here in Papua New Guinea. We desperately need missionaries from their own people. Students that are graduating with a teaching degree are really needed. When visiting the Sepik Mission we found out that not all teachers that are chosen are Seventh-day Adventist. The Mission chooses anyone they can get or they wouldn’t have that many teachers at all. These teachers drink and smoke. We have one school that we are trying to open for this next year close to May River and we need 6 teachers for it. Please pray that the Lord will touch teacher’s hearts so they will come and serve the river people.
Also I would like you to keep my dad in your prayers. He is not doing well and a few weeks ago they didn’t think he would make it. He sleeps a lot and needs almost everything done for him. Hospice is working with him now which is really good. We have Francis, her husband and son who are helping take care of daddy. I called daddy today and he was so tired but heard everything I said. It is really hard being so far away and not being able to be with him and encourage him.
Well, I must go for now, but stay tuned and more news will be shared with you later. God bless you.
Pam
Sorry it has taken quite a while before writing again, but it isn’t because I am tired, it isn’t because the garden is taking all of my time, it isn’t because the bees are swarming around the house so I cannot get in, and it isn’t because I’m watching John rebuild the downstairs shower. Than what could it be that is taking all of your time, you might ask? Good question family and friends. It isn’t any of the above but the power inverter that has blown and shut down the system of communication. This is the real reason for my lack of writing. A kind village man has loaned us an AC automatic voltage regulator plugged into a generator and this is how we can charge up the computer and the satellite phone.
Since the previous letter we did finally leave Wewak after spending one month there. We were all ready to get on the PMV and travel to the river. One of the church members owns a PMV and we loaded our things on his truck and road in the front with him. After once again riding through the night with the birds, I might say, we arrived at the river safely. Elder Mika who is our boat pilot met us there and we loaded all of our supplies in the 40 foot canoe.
Close to an hour down the river the motor which was rebuilt began giving us problems again. We eventually found a little clay beach to pull next too while John and Elder Mika looked at the motor. They quickly decided it wasn’t wise to push the motor any further and we waited for another boat to pull us to ambunti where mechanics were located. The girls were so excited and begged to swim in the river. I had them change and for the next hour they had fun splashing and jumping in the cool water. I thought maybe the bird’s Ruth and Boaz wanted to play too. So I opened the cage door and out they came in a hurry. Getting in the water was a new experience for them but they soon learned to like it. Ruth was the first one that after walking out where it was too deep began swimming. We cheered her on. Boaz on the other hand stood in the shallow part but would roll over and over in the water. Animals and children alike had so much fun. But all fun eventually comes to an end. With the help of another motor we scooted off to the village of Ambunti and stayed there 5 days until the motor was fixed the second time.
Since we were in the village over the weekend we had the opportunity to visit a small church up in the mountains. Early Sabbath morning Elder Paul met us at the pathfinder boat where we were staying to lead us to the mountain church. Down the path, passed the airport and up the steep mountain we walked. Up, up and even higher we walked but the scenery behind was just beautiful. We could look over the river and swamps to other mountains beyond. After church we went to Elder Paul’s home where he fed us fruit, juice and crackers.
The following Tuesday morning we were up packed and ready to leave after the motor was tested for hopefully the last time. The rum, rum, of the motor was like music to our ears. It was great to be zooming across the water once again to May River station, our home. With our hats on for shade we could still feel the heat from the sun shining down upon us. This is the time we wish for some rain even though it makes a mess in the boat. As I sat listening, something wasn’t right again. I looked at John and he didn’t say anything. I knew he was tired of this whole thing with rented motors and the expense it took to keep fixing it. We all just wanted to get home. After making a few phone calls, John and Elder Mika worked on the engine a few more times and then we were once again on our way. We just kept praying that if it was the Lord’s will He would keep the motor running all the way to May River and to the owner in good running condition.
The sun was beginning to go down and darkness was creeping in all around us. The coolness felt wonderful after sitting in the hot sun all day. Since the moon was so bright we decided to keep going as long as we could see. As the clouds began rolling in and we could see lightening in the distance we decided it was best to pull over and spend the night. We found a nice little bush house (shelter with no walls) off the river and we set up our bug tents and all nine of us slept for the night. That is most of us slept through the night. With heavy rain and thunder and me worrying about the birds in the boat I didn’t get much sleep but I knew that the next day we would be arriving in May River and I had a nice bed waiting for me.
6am in the morning we left the little bush house and around 6 hours later we pulled into May River. I couldn’t wait to walk up the path to our home. After being away for a month I just knew that my garden would be producing vegetables to put on our table. The corn should be ready along with cucumbers and beans. Climbing out of the boat I looked up into the face of Boo Boo, the girls adopted grandma and one of the nurses at the clinic. She came close to me and whispered. “Pam”, she said. “Someone came into your garden last night and stole your corn, cucumbers and dug up some of your sweet potatoes”. As tired as I was, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Maybe I heard wrong and she meant something else. But she repeated herself and then began speaking to all the boys standing around about how it was wrong to steal other peoples things, especially the missionary families.
A man in the crowd came hurrying up to Boo boo and grabbed her around the neck and pushed her down. I was scared for her and John had already gone up to the house with some supplies. I stayed by our supplies until they all were taken up to the house. With tears ready to spill out, I slowly made my way up to our house. The last place I wanted to go now was the garden but John went to have a look. All the corn was picked, sweet potato plants were dug around and roots pulled up, even though potatoes were not ready yet. Most of the cucumbers were gone and most of the peanut plants were pulled up. Boo Boo kept telling me to stay away from the garden and not plant anything more until we move to Ama.. They do not steal your things, she said. Which we have heard is very true from the people who live there. I have been sharing my seeds with Ama people when they come visit us because they have a hard time getting anything because they are so far away. I decided that God knows what happened in my garden and who the people were and that I need to pray for them.
We are now back getting settled and John has supplied a few villages with tools to fix churches, schools and airstrips with. We have also supplied them with a few Sabbath school supplies but there isn’t much of that here. Any old memory verse cards, picture rolls, quarterlies from all the divisions would be helpful. The conference here follows Grace Link. I have been attending the primary division and helping out with that. This Sabbath the leader did not show up because he couldn’t make it back from Ama where he was visiting. I led out and it turned out quite well. I have the children learning there memory verse each week by writing it on a piece of paper in Tok Pisin for them. This week 15 out of 22 children knew there memory verse. I would like to start a chart for them and at the end of the quarter they can earn points towards something special. It is so hard here though because I have no supplies. Everything I brought for this purpose is sitting in the crate which we will not get until next year. We might just have the crate sent straight to Ama by plane, we are not sure yet.
We have been praying for the people here in Papua New Guinea. We desperately need missionaries from their own people. Students that are graduating with a teaching degree are really needed. When visiting the Sepik Mission we found out that not all teachers that are chosen are Seventh-day Adventist. The Mission chooses anyone they can get or they wouldn’t have that many teachers at all. These teachers drink and smoke. We have one school that we are trying to open for this next year close to May River and we need 6 teachers for it. Please pray that the Lord will touch teacher’s hearts so they will come and serve the river people.
Also I would like you to keep my dad in your prayers. He is not doing well and a few weeks ago they didn’t think he would make it. He sleeps a lot and needs almost everything done for him. Hospice is working with him now which is really good. We have Francis, her husband and son who are helping take care of daddy. I called daddy today and he was so tired but heard everything I said. It is really hard being so far away and not being able to be with him and encourage him.
Well, I must go for now, but stay tuned and more news will be shared with you later. God bless you.
Pam
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Field Notes: Prayer Group
"Pam, you must come to the ladies' prayer group,” called a friendly
voice. I looked out the door of our home and saw a short older woman
smiling at me. Rosalyn, a nurse at the May River Health Clinic, has
already become Boo Boo—the Tok Pisin word for grandma—to our girls and
Mama to me. I agreed to attend but felt a little apprehensive. It was
our first week in May River, and I didn’t speak much Tok Pisin, but
since Mama spoke some English, I felt reassured.
As we walked down the dirt path toward the church, Mama explained that she had just recently started the prayer group, and not many women were coming yet. My apprehension turned to excitement as I thought of joining other women in prayer and praise.
As the first woman shyly began sharing her testimony, I knew my faith would be strengthened. “This past Friday,” she began, I was hurrying to finish my Sabbath meal preparations and quickly wash in the river before vespers. I wanted everything to be ready to welcome the Sabbath hours. Everything was going smoothly, but as I hurried to the river to bathe, my husband and his friends arrived. When they get together, they like to play music and drink, so I cried out to the Lord and pleaded for His help. ‘Please don’t let the generator work, Lord,’ I prayed. I kept praying silently as my husband pulled the starter cord. Nothing happened. Again and again, he pulled the cord, but the generator would not start. Finally, in disgust, my husband and his friends left the house, and I praised the Lord for hearing my prayer.”
God does hear and answer our prayers. Please pray that the Lord will show our family how to witness daily to His love in this very new and different place. —Pam Lello
As we walked down the dirt path toward the church, Mama explained that she had just recently started the prayer group, and not many women were coming yet. My apprehension turned to excitement as I thought of joining other women in prayer and praise.
As the first woman shyly began sharing her testimony, I knew my faith would be strengthened. “This past Friday,” she began, I was hurrying to finish my Sabbath meal preparations and quickly wash in the river before vespers. I wanted everything to be ready to welcome the Sabbath hours. Everything was going smoothly, but as I hurried to the river to bathe, my husband and his friends arrived. When they get together, they like to play music and drink, so I cried out to the Lord and pleaded for His help. ‘Please don’t let the generator work, Lord,’ I prayed. I kept praying silently as my husband pulled the starter cord. Nothing happened. Again and again, he pulled the cord, but the generator would not start. Finally, in disgust, my husband and his friends left the house, and I praised the Lord for hearing my prayer.”
God does hear and answer our prayers. Please pray that the Lord will show our family how to witness daily to His love in this very new and different place. —Pam Lello
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Newsletter: July 2012
Dear Family and friends, July 2012
Come and join me once again as I share more adventures in our family. What has it been like in the past few weeks? Did I say weeks? Wow! How time flies when we are having fun. Even though there is a lot of work involved when living and working in a remote area, we still find time to have fun.
We were sitting in church one afternoon attending the AY (Adventist Youth) program. Our eyes were focused on the speaker up front when I saw John swatting at his back. Knowing John very well, this was definitely strange behavior especially in church. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw an object flying through the air landing across the church at Boo Boo’s feet. She looks down in amazement to see a big lizard lying at her feet stunned from the blow. In the mean time the girls sitting next to John began to giggle. Sternly he looks in their direction and motions for them to pay attention, especially since the speaker was quoting the text about training up a child. Yes, we do have the most unusual visitors in our church whether they are bugs, birds or lizards passing through. Walking up the hill later we realized the lizard had slipped from the rafters of the church and fell on John’s head. The Lord spared me from the falling lizard because I know sitting quietly would have been hard. I don’t believe there is a text about training up a wife though.
The days that followed were busy ones as we prepared to leave for Wewak to pick up more supplies. We all were looking forward to this day more than anyone could imagine. Getting to town and eating more than just rice. Even though Tokengo and Boo Boo ate with us we shared what we had with each other. We were very thankful when a few church members shared vegetables from their gardens. The day was approaching when we would depart but then plans had changed. The saying, “hurry up and wait” is so real here. I decided to go about my regular schedule until the day before leaving and then I would pack. It was time for elections and voting was in progress which meant each village had a specific time to vote. While we waited for the voting in May River, we enjoyed watching the helicopters come and go carrying those in charge of the whole process. But then the Lord had it all worked out for our safety because fighting had broken out between candidates and a person was killed on the road we would be traveling on. Finally the day came when we could leave.
During the early hours of the morning we followed our torches down the hill to the river where we would be riding a motor canoe to Wewak. The clouds were opening to beautiful colors that spread across the horizon. The girls were relieved to know that the bird cage fit perfectly in the canoe with us. As a good grandmother can be, ha! Ha! I dug a bunch of worms for them to eat on the way to go with the ripe bananas I had. Ruth and Boaz as their called were singing out there concerns for the ride to town. Even though it was a very long trip I let them out a few times to stretch their legs and sleep on our laps, they did quite well.
Listening to the sound of the motor we had rented along with the boat, I could tell it wasn’t working properly. Sure enough, the motor quit working and the clinic boat pulled us the rest of the way. The girls had fun moving from one boat to the other where they could sit with Boo Boo. A little while later as we moved toward the river bank a big fish (bowl-cutter) decided to join us for the rest of the trip. Ok, so I screamed when it jumped inside the boat. On the other hand, Boo Boo was clapping her hands with glee that she would be eating a fish for supper. She is a really neat lady and a wonderful adopted grandma for the girls. She has taught us a lot about PNG culture.
When we arrived in Ambunti for the night our stomachs were growling but we didn’t have any food and the market was already closed. I really need to stop my worrying about things because God always comes through with a plan. There were four people staying at the clinic in Ambunti who were traveling to different villages working for the health of children. They sent word that we could eat supper with them. Boo Boo did cook her fish, but we had rice cooked in Coconut cream, sweet potatoes and greens. What a blessing from God to have food that tasted so good. He is worthy to be praised.
Finally we made it to Wewak after catching a PMV(truck) which seemed to hit all the pot holes on the road. What a wonderful sight to see the Sepik Mission and the transit where we would stay. Instead of a break though, I ended up cooking for 11 men the first week and then 7 or 8 the second week. I tell you, these guys can eat and eat and eat. What a treat to visit the market though for fresh fruits and vegetables. After a week in town I noticed Abby wasn’t eating that well and she complained about having a headache. During the night she woke up with hot skin and a high temperature. We figured it was malaria and gave her medicine but she threw it up.
The next morning her temp was climbing to 102 and the mission took us to the clinic. A quick malaria test was given which was negative, so they treated her for an upper respiratory infection and gave her a shot of Penicillin. During the day I was sponging her head and giving her cool showers and baths, but still her temp went up to 104.7. We were really concerned. The mission truck ended up taking us to the hospital and they rechecked her for malaria and it was positive. With tears and apprehension Abby received two more shots and suppositories for bringing the temp down. Her appetite had basically left her and she was tired and weak. But after another shot the next day and tablets to finish the course of recovery, Abby has bounced back and is eating normally and playing again. Praise the Lord!
To Alissa’s relief Abby is able to help with taking care of the birds again. While they watch Ruth and Boaz run around, people have fun asking questions and petting them. I cut up ripe bananas, papaya’s and even some rice for them to eat. They have found there favorite weed to eat along with some worms the kids dug up out of the flower beds too. They are growing so fast and still are very cute to watch.
As we walk through town purchasing supplies we always bump into people who have questions and want to know what we are doing here. They really like the girl’s clothes, and the way the girls carry the bilum on their head and speaking pigeon, this to them makes a real PNG girl.
Well, another day has passed and we all had the opportunity to reach out to others for Jesus. We have had the chance to receive the blessing of sharing, caring and listening. How did your day go? May God continue to bless you all as you work in the mission field where you live.
Pam
Come and join me once again as I share more adventures in our family. What has it been like in the past few weeks? Did I say weeks? Wow! How time flies when we are having fun. Even though there is a lot of work involved when living and working in a remote area, we still find time to have fun.
We were sitting in church one afternoon attending the AY (Adventist Youth) program. Our eyes were focused on the speaker up front when I saw John swatting at his back. Knowing John very well, this was definitely strange behavior especially in church. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw an object flying through the air landing across the church at Boo Boo’s feet. She looks down in amazement to see a big lizard lying at her feet stunned from the blow. In the mean time the girls sitting next to John began to giggle. Sternly he looks in their direction and motions for them to pay attention, especially since the speaker was quoting the text about training up a child. Yes, we do have the most unusual visitors in our church whether they are bugs, birds or lizards passing through. Walking up the hill later we realized the lizard had slipped from the rafters of the church and fell on John’s head. The Lord spared me from the falling lizard because I know sitting quietly would have been hard. I don’t believe there is a text about training up a wife though.
The days that followed were busy ones as we prepared to leave for Wewak to pick up more supplies. We all were looking forward to this day more than anyone could imagine. Getting to town and eating more than just rice. Even though Tokengo and Boo Boo ate with us we shared what we had with each other. We were very thankful when a few church members shared vegetables from their gardens. The day was approaching when we would depart but then plans had changed. The saying, “hurry up and wait” is so real here. I decided to go about my regular schedule until the day before leaving and then I would pack. It was time for elections and voting was in progress which meant each village had a specific time to vote. While we waited for the voting in May River, we enjoyed watching the helicopters come and go carrying those in charge of the whole process. But then the Lord had it all worked out for our safety because fighting had broken out between candidates and a person was killed on the road we would be traveling on. Finally the day came when we could leave.
During the early hours of the morning we followed our torches down the hill to the river where we would be riding a motor canoe to Wewak. The clouds were opening to beautiful colors that spread across the horizon. The girls were relieved to know that the bird cage fit perfectly in the canoe with us. As a good grandmother can be, ha! Ha! I dug a bunch of worms for them to eat on the way to go with the ripe bananas I had. Ruth and Boaz as their called were singing out there concerns for the ride to town. Even though it was a very long trip I let them out a few times to stretch their legs and sleep on our laps, they did quite well.
Listening to the sound of the motor we had rented along with the boat, I could tell it wasn’t working properly. Sure enough, the motor quit working and the clinic boat pulled us the rest of the way. The girls had fun moving from one boat to the other where they could sit with Boo Boo. A little while later as we moved toward the river bank a big fish (bowl-cutter) decided to join us for the rest of the trip. Ok, so I screamed when it jumped inside the boat. On the other hand, Boo Boo was clapping her hands with glee that she would be eating a fish for supper. She is a really neat lady and a wonderful adopted grandma for the girls. She has taught us a lot about PNG culture.
When we arrived in Ambunti for the night our stomachs were growling but we didn’t have any food and the market was already closed. I really need to stop my worrying about things because God always comes through with a plan. There were four people staying at the clinic in Ambunti who were traveling to different villages working for the health of children. They sent word that we could eat supper with them. Boo Boo did cook her fish, but we had rice cooked in Coconut cream, sweet potatoes and greens. What a blessing from God to have food that tasted so good. He is worthy to be praised.
Finally we made it to Wewak after catching a PMV(truck) which seemed to hit all the pot holes on the road. What a wonderful sight to see the Sepik Mission and the transit where we would stay. Instead of a break though, I ended up cooking for 11 men the first week and then 7 or 8 the second week. I tell you, these guys can eat and eat and eat. What a treat to visit the market though for fresh fruits and vegetables. After a week in town I noticed Abby wasn’t eating that well and she complained about having a headache. During the night she woke up with hot skin and a high temperature. We figured it was malaria and gave her medicine but she threw it up.
The next morning her temp was climbing to 102 and the mission took us to the clinic. A quick malaria test was given which was negative, so they treated her for an upper respiratory infection and gave her a shot of Penicillin. During the day I was sponging her head and giving her cool showers and baths, but still her temp went up to 104.7. We were really concerned. The mission truck ended up taking us to the hospital and they rechecked her for malaria and it was positive. With tears and apprehension Abby received two more shots and suppositories for bringing the temp down. Her appetite had basically left her and she was tired and weak. But after another shot the next day and tablets to finish the course of recovery, Abby has bounced back and is eating normally and playing again. Praise the Lord!
To Alissa’s relief Abby is able to help with taking care of the birds again. While they watch Ruth and Boaz run around, people have fun asking questions and petting them. I cut up ripe bananas, papaya’s and even some rice for them to eat. They have found there favorite weed to eat along with some worms the kids dug up out of the flower beds too. They are growing so fast and still are very cute to watch.
As we walk through town purchasing supplies we always bump into people who have questions and want to know what we are doing here. They really like the girl’s clothes, and the way the girls carry the bilum on their head and speaking pigeon, this to them makes a real PNG girl.
Well, another day has passed and we all had the opportunity to reach out to others for Jesus. We have had the chance to receive the blessing of sharing, caring and listening. How did your day go? May God continue to bless you all as you work in the mission field where you live.
Pam
All I Need to Know
Jarred awake, I reached out in the darkness to steady myself and grabbed
the great pile of boxes and bags that jostled and swayed. Road dust
stung my eyes, and its taste filled my mouth. A woman seated next to me
leaned against my shoulder as she slept. A young boy rested his head
against a box and my knee. Pam slumped against my other shoulder, her
legs pushed uncomfortably between her seat and the pile of luggage. Our
girls slept next to her.
Sleepily, I recalled how, earlier that night, our driver and his helper had piled everyone’s baggage between the two benches that lined the sides of the small flat-bed truck and lashed what remained to the tarp covered frame that sheltered the back. After prayers, handshakes and hugs from the staff of the Sepik Mission, our truck lumbered away into the darkness, stopping occasionally to pick up more passengers
and luggage.
As we climbed into the coastal hills, the lights of Wewak and its harbor flickered in the darkness below and then disappeared in the dense jungle foliage. Beyond these hills lay the vast plain of the Sepik with its winding channels and wetlands stretching westward.
Tomorrow we would begin our voyage up the Sepik through torrential rain and blistering sun. As darkness fell, our motor would break down and allow us to drift dangerously close to submerged logs in the strong current before our companion boat rescued us. Then, with the two boats lashed together, we would limp slowly into May River about 26 hours after leaving Wewak.
But as we bumped along in the back of the truck I knew none of this. All I knew was that the God who had faithfully cared for my family this far would continue to watch over us on the river, and that’s all I really needed to know. Come to think of it, that’s all any of us really need to know. —John Lello
Sleepily, I recalled how, earlier that night, our driver and his helper had piled everyone’s baggage between the two benches that lined the sides of the small flat-bed truck and lashed what remained to the tarp covered frame that sheltered the back. After prayers, handshakes and hugs from the staff of the Sepik Mission, our truck lumbered away into the darkness, stopping occasionally to pick up more passengers
and luggage.
As we climbed into the coastal hills, the lights of Wewak and its harbor flickered in the darkness below and then disappeared in the dense jungle foliage. Beyond these hills lay the vast plain of the Sepik with its winding channels and wetlands stretching westward.
Tomorrow we would begin our voyage up the Sepik through torrential rain and blistering sun. As darkness fell, our motor would break down and allow us to drift dangerously close to submerged logs in the strong current before our companion boat rescued us. Then, with the two boats lashed together, we would limp slowly into May River about 26 hours after leaving Wewak.
But as we bumped along in the back of the truck I knew none of this. All I knew was that the God who had faithfully cared for my family this far would continue to watch over us on the river, and that’s all I really needed to know. Come to think of it, that’s all any of us really need to know. —John Lello
Monday, June 25, 2012
Newsletter: Life in the Jungle
Dear Family and friends, June 25, 2012
I can hardly believe that it is time again. Time again for what, you might ask? Well, news from behind the scenes of the Lello family adventures. We continually face funny experiences and serious ones too.
Most mornings we experience beautiful sunrises that spread across the sky illuminating the creator’s artwork. As I gaze out over the countryside I thank the Lord for another wonderful day he has provided. Today was no exception with work to be done and dirty clothes awaiting my tender loving care.
We usually have a nice breeze too so most of them get dry by the time evening comes. I looked at the bucket full of dirty clothes and with renewed energy began to tackle the pile. Soaking, scrubbing and rinsing are the first part of washing. Then comes the spinning cycle and since twirling them around my head didn’t work, I just rinse them, squeeze the water out and then on the line they go. As I was finishing the wash I noticed the water pressure coming out of the faucet was down to a trickle.
I mentioned it to John and he went to look in the big water tank that we have to collect our rain water. To his surprise the tank was near empty. We wondered where it all had gone. He then discovered the down spout was not connected properly and the water wasn’t going into the tank correctly. With a few village men they repaired the system and then we began praying for rain. We went down to Rosaline and Tokengo’s house to use water and take showers under their outdoor faucet. The girls loved it because it was a new way to get wet. For two days we went without rain and then the Lord blessed us with a whole night of rain. In life we take so much for granted until we have to go without for a while.
Since the clothes were swaying in the breeze I began the next duty of the day which was baking bread. I had been stretching the yeast because we would be going to town soon and I was close to being out. As I pulled the bag of flour out of the plastic container it is stored in I noticed little black things crawling around. Immediately I knew that the time had come to face reality of bugs. I quickly grabbed my strainer and watched as the flour gently flowed through the screening while the bugs stayed on top. Ya Who! I didn’t have to eat bugs after all and I thank the person who invented this straining contraption.
I was so excited to see the dough rising and new that if I didn’t burn it on the barrel stove it would be a real treat for Sabbath. Rosaline, the female nurse (Boo Boo to the girls) always would help show me how it is done on the fire. We have been baking bread for three months now and I think we have the process mastered. It turns out light and fluffy and is worth all the time it takes to mix and bake it.
This particular day Boo Boo and I were out in the cook house concentrating on rolling the dough into buns when all of a sudden a falling object fell into our mixing bowl from the roof of the cook house. We both screamed and looked in total surprise to find a big lizard staring up at us. I jumped back away from the creature while holding the bowl from a distance. Boo Boo grabbed the remaining clump of dough while I tossed the lizard out on the grass. “That was a pregnant lizard”, said Boo Boo. “How could she think of pregnancy at a time like this?" Being a nurse she noticed that aspect of the lizard but I didn’t care if it was pregnant or not, I wasn’t about to share my precious dough with any lizard.
While the bread was baking I went into the garden to check my growing plants. I am so proud of them and encourage them constantly. My corn is about 3’ tall now and my sweet potatoes are crawling everywhere. My cucumbers and watermelons have flowers on them and I noticed today a baby watermelon growing. Then there is my fragile eggplant that I started in my frying pan and transplanted in the garden, it is growing too. There are plenty of weeds that keep growing and I have been weeding and then putting grass clippings down on the ground to keep the weeds under control.
Just yesterday I had a little boy watching me weed in the garden and he just sat and looked and looked. He picked up a few weeds and then watched me some more. I have had others watch and offer to help but I do not think they weed their gardens. When they help me they just snap the top of the weed off and that is it. Oh! I cringe to think the root is still in the ground, but I just smile and thank them. But I feel good when the weeds are under control, but this garden is much bigger than the one we had in Kentucky so it will be a challenge. I am going to get big leaves and put them all over on the ground which will help with the weeds.
One of the most interesting and exciting times since we came here happened a week ago. I was teaching the girl’s school and they were both focusing quite well when we heard a knock at the door. Inviting the visitor to enter we saw an elderly man carrying a bag. I greeted him and he proceeded to pull a big, green oval shape out of his bag. I couldn’t understand everything he was saying, but with delight I asked him if it was an avocado, even though it was the biggest avocado I had ever seen. I have been missing them for so long and no one here is growing any. He proceeded to mention that this was a “muruk” that came from the bush. I then realized what I was starring at was a Cassowary bird egg. It was big and this man wanted to sell the two he had.
The girls excitedly ran off to get John while I just imagined what it would be like to have birds around for pets. Did I want extra work to add to my already busy days? When John returned he spoke with the man and finally decided that the girls could have both eggs and watch them hatch if they promised to take care of them. I agreed but knew want my role would be in this. The man insisted that they would probably hatch in 2 to 3 weeks and so we had to keep the eggs warm till then. Day and night I kept two water bottles full of warm water and placed them on the eggs. I guess it had its affect, because two days later, to our amazement while eating breakfast we heard a whistle coming from the box containing the eggs.
With anticipation and excitement we peered into the box and saw that the first bird had no intention of staying inside that egg any longer. We took pictures and videos of the bird hatching. It was the most amazing thing. I was stressing about what to feed the bird because I was not going to cut up worms or chew them for this bird or any other bird. Village people said that it would eat when his legs were strong. Even so I worried this bird would die. We had to get food for when it was ready to eat. John and the girls went to the village and bought some ripe bananas.
Two days later, like clockwork, the bird began eating banana chunks when I tapped the bottom of the bowl. He learned very well. This past Friday morning around 1am I woke up to discover the other egg cracked and like a good birth assistant stayed with it until 6am when the second bird decided to completely push himself out of the egg. It was chilly that morning because it had rained all night so I wrapped the bird in one of my kitchen towels to keep it warm.
John, like a good grandpa, made a beautiful cage for both the birds because we will have to take them to Wewak with us when we travel in a few days. What an experience that will be, but John says if the birds make it on the boat ride, the PMV and the return trip they will make it through anything. I am praying for a nice day for traveling and no rain.
Every morning there is so many people that come to the clinic for help. Quite a few of them have malaria, pneumonia and respiratory problems. As we visit people in the village we meet more that have health issues and we pray for them. People will come to us and want us to pray for them or their loved ones. God is so good though and has healed people from their sickness and assisted with the three deliveries in the past week of church members. There are a lot of babies here and many children. One thing that John and I are really praying for now is the Ama people. When we went to visit the people of Ama we also saw a few patients that we treated for malaria and others we expected to have possible pneumonia or TB. Two weeks after returning to May River three of them passed away and now we are told another one has a 50/50 chance of living. We were so sad for the people there. We really need to get medical help in the village soon. Please keep the Ama people in your prayers.
May God continue to be with all of you.
John, Pam, Abby and Alissa
I can hardly believe that it is time again. Time again for what, you might ask? Well, news from behind the scenes of the Lello family adventures. We continually face funny experiences and serious ones too.
Most mornings we experience beautiful sunrises that spread across the sky illuminating the creator’s artwork. As I gaze out over the countryside I thank the Lord for another wonderful day he has provided. Today was no exception with work to be done and dirty clothes awaiting my tender loving care.
We usually have a nice breeze too so most of them get dry by the time evening comes. I looked at the bucket full of dirty clothes and with renewed energy began to tackle the pile. Soaking, scrubbing and rinsing are the first part of washing. Then comes the spinning cycle and since twirling them around my head didn’t work, I just rinse them, squeeze the water out and then on the line they go. As I was finishing the wash I noticed the water pressure coming out of the faucet was down to a trickle.
I mentioned it to John and he went to look in the big water tank that we have to collect our rain water. To his surprise the tank was near empty. We wondered where it all had gone. He then discovered the down spout was not connected properly and the water wasn’t going into the tank correctly. With a few village men they repaired the system and then we began praying for rain. We went down to Rosaline and Tokengo’s house to use water and take showers under their outdoor faucet. The girls loved it because it was a new way to get wet. For two days we went without rain and then the Lord blessed us with a whole night of rain. In life we take so much for granted until we have to go without for a while.
Since the clothes were swaying in the breeze I began the next duty of the day which was baking bread. I had been stretching the yeast because we would be going to town soon and I was close to being out. As I pulled the bag of flour out of the plastic container it is stored in I noticed little black things crawling around. Immediately I knew that the time had come to face reality of bugs. I quickly grabbed my strainer and watched as the flour gently flowed through the screening while the bugs stayed on top. Ya Who! I didn’t have to eat bugs after all and I thank the person who invented this straining contraption.
I was so excited to see the dough rising and new that if I didn’t burn it on the barrel stove it would be a real treat for Sabbath. Rosaline, the female nurse (Boo Boo to the girls) always would help show me how it is done on the fire. We have been baking bread for three months now and I think we have the process mastered. It turns out light and fluffy and is worth all the time it takes to mix and bake it.
This particular day Boo Boo and I were out in the cook house concentrating on rolling the dough into buns when all of a sudden a falling object fell into our mixing bowl from the roof of the cook house. We both screamed and looked in total surprise to find a big lizard staring up at us. I jumped back away from the creature while holding the bowl from a distance. Boo Boo grabbed the remaining clump of dough while I tossed the lizard out on the grass. “That was a pregnant lizard”, said Boo Boo. “How could she think of pregnancy at a time like this?" Being a nurse she noticed that aspect of the lizard but I didn’t care if it was pregnant or not, I wasn’t about to share my precious dough with any lizard.
While the bread was baking I went into the garden to check my growing plants. I am so proud of them and encourage them constantly. My corn is about 3’ tall now and my sweet potatoes are crawling everywhere. My cucumbers and watermelons have flowers on them and I noticed today a baby watermelon growing. Then there is my fragile eggplant that I started in my frying pan and transplanted in the garden, it is growing too. There are plenty of weeds that keep growing and I have been weeding and then putting grass clippings down on the ground to keep the weeds under control.
Just yesterday I had a little boy watching me weed in the garden and he just sat and looked and looked. He picked up a few weeds and then watched me some more. I have had others watch and offer to help but I do not think they weed their gardens. When they help me they just snap the top of the weed off and that is it. Oh! I cringe to think the root is still in the ground, but I just smile and thank them. But I feel good when the weeds are under control, but this garden is much bigger than the one we had in Kentucky so it will be a challenge. I am going to get big leaves and put them all over on the ground which will help with the weeds.
One of the most interesting and exciting times since we came here happened a week ago. I was teaching the girl’s school and they were both focusing quite well when we heard a knock at the door. Inviting the visitor to enter we saw an elderly man carrying a bag. I greeted him and he proceeded to pull a big, green oval shape out of his bag. I couldn’t understand everything he was saying, but with delight I asked him if it was an avocado, even though it was the biggest avocado I had ever seen. I have been missing them for so long and no one here is growing any. He proceeded to mention that this was a “muruk” that came from the bush. I then realized what I was starring at was a Cassowary bird egg. It was big and this man wanted to sell the two he had.
The girls excitedly ran off to get John while I just imagined what it would be like to have birds around for pets. Did I want extra work to add to my already busy days? When John returned he spoke with the man and finally decided that the girls could have both eggs and watch them hatch if they promised to take care of them. I agreed but knew want my role would be in this. The man insisted that they would probably hatch in 2 to 3 weeks and so we had to keep the eggs warm till then. Day and night I kept two water bottles full of warm water and placed them on the eggs. I guess it had its affect, because two days later, to our amazement while eating breakfast we heard a whistle coming from the box containing the eggs.
With anticipation and excitement we peered into the box and saw that the first bird had no intention of staying inside that egg any longer. We took pictures and videos of the bird hatching. It was the most amazing thing. I was stressing about what to feed the bird because I was not going to cut up worms or chew them for this bird or any other bird. Village people said that it would eat when his legs were strong. Even so I worried this bird would die. We had to get food for when it was ready to eat. John and the girls went to the village and bought some ripe bananas.
Two days later, like clockwork, the bird began eating banana chunks when I tapped the bottom of the bowl. He learned very well. This past Friday morning around 1am I woke up to discover the other egg cracked and like a good birth assistant stayed with it until 6am when the second bird decided to completely push himself out of the egg. It was chilly that morning because it had rained all night so I wrapped the bird in one of my kitchen towels to keep it warm.
John, like a good grandpa, made a beautiful cage for both the birds because we will have to take them to Wewak with us when we travel in a few days. What an experience that will be, but John says if the birds make it on the boat ride, the PMV and the return trip they will make it through anything. I am praying for a nice day for traveling and no rain.
Every morning there is so many people that come to the clinic for help. Quite a few of them have malaria, pneumonia and respiratory problems. As we visit people in the village we meet more that have health issues and we pray for them. People will come to us and want us to pray for them or their loved ones. God is so good though and has healed people from their sickness and assisted with the three deliveries in the past week of church members. There are a lot of babies here and many children. One thing that John and I are really praying for now is the Ama people. When we went to visit the people of Ama we also saw a few patients that we treated for malaria and others we expected to have possible pneumonia or TB. Two weeks after returning to May River three of them passed away and now we are told another one has a 50/50 chance of living. We were so sad for the people there. We really need to get medical help in the village soon. Please keep the Ama people in your prayers.
May God continue to be with all of you.
John, Pam, Abby and Alissa
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Newsletter: Wewak to May River
Dear friends and family,
Hello again from the bush of Papua New Guinea. We are all doing fine and beginning to adjust. Below is a continuation of our journey from Wewak to May River.
Saying our goodbyes to our new friends at the Sepik Mission in Wewak was easy and hard. The girls had made new friends and now we were moving on. We left for the River at 9:30pm to ride through the night. After two other stops picking up more travelers, we were finally on our way.
Resting quietly on the thin, rough boards they called seats the PMV(public motor vehicle) continued down the dusty road. All of a sudden we were jolted awake and I found myself extended up away from the board I had previously been sitting on. I grabbed Alissa who was resting on my lap and realized it was only a hole in the road we hit, plus Alissa didn’t even wake up. Many times during the night the same experience was repeated to eventually find ourselves back on the boards again to try and catch a few more winks of sleep.
We approached the River to immediately begin transferring our supplies into the boat that would take us to May River Mission. We would be traveling with the clinic boat and the two nurses that were stationed this year. It was a welcoming sight to finally see water and not dust flying in our faces. The girls and I watched with anticipation as our belongings, food and other items were loaded on the boat to venture out into another part of the unknown.
Even though the boat trip took all day and into the evening before we arrived, we had a good time. Between rain and sunshine we finally arrived late in the evening at May River. We climbed out of the boat and waited for our things to be unloaded. People began coming from different directions to help carry our things. In the darkness of the night we followed others down the dirt path, past the church and up the steep hill to the place we would call home for our first year. Out of breath I could only see shadows of the house.
Abby and Alissa immediately went through the house with flashlights choosing which room would be theirs. All I wanted to really do is sleep, so we found two rooms for us to bed down for the night; One for our family and the other for Dale.
In the morning as I Looked out the front door a beautiful sight met my eyes. We were located on the top of a hill along with the clinic and medical housing. We could look all around to surrounding villages, the winding River and the hills beyond. What a wonderful place for God’s mission to be located. I hope and pray that we are His shining light on top of a hill.
Looking around the house I noticed we had four bedrooms, an office and pantry besides a good size kitchen and sitting area. I have a kitchen sink and many cupboards that I will hang curtains on. A big kitchen table is going to be really useful with eating and preparing meals on. The windows all have screens, but most of them need replacing. I hope to purchase material to make curtains for the windows and cupboards. The first thing I did was start scrubbing the walls with bleach. They were dirty, but to me it looked like mold. There is a full size wooden bed off the ground in our room and then single beds in the other rooms. We bought mattresses before coming and they fit perfectly on the beds. Our room and the classroom have closets to hang clothes in. The house is made of wood and is off the ground with posts.
Along with the house that God blessed us with I was also provided with a gas range stove top that I can use to cook on. We have enjoyed “kumu”, which is greens of any type. “I never imagined that I would eat leaves off a tree”, said Alissa. We have a tree out back which is called a two-leaf tree, and it is good to eat the leaves. It tastes like spinach when boiled. We have eaten Rice in coconut cream which is really tasty. Sego with a little salt and ketchup is tolerable, but great when hungry. Sego Pancakes are one of the girl’s favorite foods. We have banana, Papaya, Bread fruit trees in our back yard now and also pit pit(tall like sugar cane, but taste like sawdust when cooked), yum. I am learning to cook many other things and also how to live off the ground. Even though we do not have these in plenty, I am hoping that my garden begins producing soon.
Behind the house is a hill that belongs to the mission. We paid a man to clear the land so I could have space for a garden. With sweat pouring down my face and back I dug on. It sounds like my garden back in Kentucky, but wait, it is not the same. I have been learning how to garden on a hill that when it rains, which is most every night, I slip and slide. I dug steps in the clay soil throughout my garden so I could get to different areas better. I have been having so much fun planting seeds and transplanting other plants. My corn, watermelon and squash seeds are coming up, but I am waiting for my eggplant and tomatoes which have not made an appearance yet. I have my own pineapple garden but it needs lots of prayer. I have transplanted Taro and banana slips too.
Dale Goodson was such a big help to us as we began settling in and we cannot thank him enough. He helped John get the water tank on the roof and connect the pump so we could have water in the house which turned out to be such a blessing. This enabled us to have a running toilet and a shower in the house. This really was more than I had even hoped for. Since the weather is sticky and hot we all have really enjoyed the cold showers, yes, even me. Dale also helped John put the solar panel on the roof and get it connected too so we could have some power for the computer and a few lights. I began my tasks of learning how to survive in the bush.
Bending over a basin in the hot sun, sweat pouring down my face and little eyes watching every move that I made was what I experienced when first washing clothes outside. I am learning to share my space and surroundings with everyone who comes to visit and stay to watch.
Our first assignment is learning the language and since John has worked with the men more than I with the ladies, he is doing quite well. He just gave his first talk in Tok Pisin and I was very proud of him. You could tell from the people how pleased they were that he was attempting to speak their language. I have been spending a lot of my time trying to get settled and get my garden going. Life here takes so much more time to do anything so we have to allow for that. I have purchased books which teach children how to learn tok Pisin and I will be using them. We have been visiting church members in May River and other villages by canoe. It has been neat meeting people in their own homes which are on posts because of the level of water now and different times of the year.
We have taken a motor canoe to Ama and visited the village there. What a welcome we got from most every village we passed on the way. The missionaries there have prayed for so long for a missionary to come and they were delighted to finally meet us.
Ama is a very nice village but more remote than May River. The airstrip there is very long and has been cleared quite well. We can travel by boat or by plane when going to Ama, but it depends on the time of year for the boat travel. The canoe would take around a day to get to Just May River and then 26 more hours to town.
The people provided food for us to eat and also a hut to stay in. There was a small stream behind the hut which we used for “wash wash”(bathing). Walking through the village we met church members and many others that were sick. We were asked to visit some sick people. Even though we were not prepared for that, we did help some that had malaria, but didn’t have anything else with us. There is no clinic in Ama so if the people get sick, unless that travel out by boat, they eventually get worse and die. We tried to help one lady who was so weak. She had been sick for close to a year and we heard later that after we left she had died. Wendy, who was another lady so very sick, came back to May River with us and they treated her for Pneumonia. They thought she also might have TB. There were six in the family that we fed for a 1 ½ weeks and then they had a ride back to Ama. After being back in Ama for a little over a week, we heard she had died too. We took a saliva test before she left and we need to find out if that is what she had, because it could be spreading through the village and other villages too.
The church there has around 35 interest and no baptized members. They are eager to learn more about Jesus though. They are still meeting in the little church that was built by Michael, who at the time was visiting another village. When arriving back in May River, we continued getting more settled.
I have not made friends with the mosquito’s yet and I don’t ever plan too. Since it is dry season right now they are not that bad, but still bothersome and they itch terribly. Abby had bites all up and down her legs, scratched and picked them too much until the bites became infected and were turning into small ulcers. We had to put her on amoxicillin and dress her sores twice a day. They are doing much better now, thank the Lord.
Alissa complained that she felt hot, her ears hurt and she just wasn’t feeling good. I took her temp and it was 102 F. We looked into her ears and found them quite red. The nurse came over and checked her for Malaria and Praise the Lord, she didn’t have that. She had an upper respiratory infection, so we put her on Amoxicillin. She is now feeling quite well again. God is good.
I have started the girls back on their school work and they are doing quite well. We heard that our crate is coming around the 25th of May. We will be traveling to Wewak the middle of June. We are trying to decide how to bring the crate in, because it isn’t safe to leave it in town anywhere.
The weather is quite hot during the day and that is when we usually do our school work. The house stays cool and there usually is always a nice breeze that blows through. I try to work in the garden during the evening hours when it is cooler outside.
We have found that there is a big need for clothes of all ages. These people wear clothes until it is not wearable anymore. The church has asked for clothes. The church in Ama has asked for the same thing, but there, the children run around we nothing to wear and the men and women have clothes that have holes and are torn. We will see what the mission in town can provide. Also we would like to provide song books and Bibles in Tok Pisin.
The church in May River is struggling and there is many back sliders that we need to visit and pray for. There is a problem with drinking and parties that go on late into the night. Please keep May River and the surrounding villages in your prayers as we step out to reach them for Jesus Christ.
May God bless you all.
Love the Lello Bunch
Hello again from the bush of Papua New Guinea. We are all doing fine and beginning to adjust. Below is a continuation of our journey from Wewak to May River.
Saying our goodbyes to our new friends at the Sepik Mission in Wewak was easy and hard. The girls had made new friends and now we were moving on. We left for the River at 9:30pm to ride through the night. After two other stops picking up more travelers, we were finally on our way.
Resting quietly on the thin, rough boards they called seats the PMV(public motor vehicle) continued down the dusty road. All of a sudden we were jolted awake and I found myself extended up away from the board I had previously been sitting on. I grabbed Alissa who was resting on my lap and realized it was only a hole in the road we hit, plus Alissa didn’t even wake up. Many times during the night the same experience was repeated to eventually find ourselves back on the boards again to try and catch a few more winks of sleep.
We approached the River to immediately begin transferring our supplies into the boat that would take us to May River Mission. We would be traveling with the clinic boat and the two nurses that were stationed this year. It was a welcoming sight to finally see water and not dust flying in our faces. The girls and I watched with anticipation as our belongings, food and other items were loaded on the boat to venture out into another part of the unknown.
Even though the boat trip took all day and into the evening before we arrived, we had a good time. Between rain and sunshine we finally arrived late in the evening at May River. We climbed out of the boat and waited for our things to be unloaded. People began coming from different directions to help carry our things. In the darkness of the night we followed others down the dirt path, past the church and up the steep hill to the place we would call home for our first year. Out of breath I could only see shadows of the house.
Abby and Alissa immediately went through the house with flashlights choosing which room would be theirs. All I wanted to really do is sleep, so we found two rooms for us to bed down for the night; One for our family and the other for Dale.
In the morning as I Looked out the front door a beautiful sight met my eyes. We were located on the top of a hill along with the clinic and medical housing. We could look all around to surrounding villages, the winding River and the hills beyond. What a wonderful place for God’s mission to be located. I hope and pray that we are His shining light on top of a hill.
Looking around the house I noticed we had four bedrooms, an office and pantry besides a good size kitchen and sitting area. I have a kitchen sink and many cupboards that I will hang curtains on. A big kitchen table is going to be really useful with eating and preparing meals on. The windows all have screens, but most of them need replacing. I hope to purchase material to make curtains for the windows and cupboards. The first thing I did was start scrubbing the walls with bleach. They were dirty, but to me it looked like mold. There is a full size wooden bed off the ground in our room and then single beds in the other rooms. We bought mattresses before coming and they fit perfectly on the beds. Our room and the classroom have closets to hang clothes in. The house is made of wood and is off the ground with posts.
Along with the house that God blessed us with I was also provided with a gas range stove top that I can use to cook on. We have enjoyed “kumu”, which is greens of any type. “I never imagined that I would eat leaves off a tree”, said Alissa. We have a tree out back which is called a two-leaf tree, and it is good to eat the leaves. It tastes like spinach when boiled. We have eaten Rice in coconut cream which is really tasty. Sego with a little salt and ketchup is tolerable, but great when hungry. Sego Pancakes are one of the girl’s favorite foods. We have banana, Papaya, Bread fruit trees in our back yard now and also pit pit(tall like sugar cane, but taste like sawdust when cooked), yum. I am learning to cook many other things and also how to live off the ground. Even though we do not have these in plenty, I am hoping that my garden begins producing soon.
Behind the house is a hill that belongs to the mission. We paid a man to clear the land so I could have space for a garden. With sweat pouring down my face and back I dug on. It sounds like my garden back in Kentucky, but wait, it is not the same. I have been learning how to garden on a hill that when it rains, which is most every night, I slip and slide. I dug steps in the clay soil throughout my garden so I could get to different areas better. I have been having so much fun planting seeds and transplanting other plants. My corn, watermelon and squash seeds are coming up, but I am waiting for my eggplant and tomatoes which have not made an appearance yet. I have my own pineapple garden but it needs lots of prayer. I have transplanted Taro and banana slips too.
Dale Goodson was such a big help to us as we began settling in and we cannot thank him enough. He helped John get the water tank on the roof and connect the pump so we could have water in the house which turned out to be such a blessing. This enabled us to have a running toilet and a shower in the house. This really was more than I had even hoped for. Since the weather is sticky and hot we all have really enjoyed the cold showers, yes, even me. Dale also helped John put the solar panel on the roof and get it connected too so we could have some power for the computer and a few lights. I began my tasks of learning how to survive in the bush.
Bending over a basin in the hot sun, sweat pouring down my face and little eyes watching every move that I made was what I experienced when first washing clothes outside. I am learning to share my space and surroundings with everyone who comes to visit and stay to watch.
Our first assignment is learning the language and since John has worked with the men more than I with the ladies, he is doing quite well. He just gave his first talk in Tok Pisin and I was very proud of him. You could tell from the people how pleased they were that he was attempting to speak their language. I have been spending a lot of my time trying to get settled and get my garden going. Life here takes so much more time to do anything so we have to allow for that. I have purchased books which teach children how to learn tok Pisin and I will be using them. We have been visiting church members in May River and other villages by canoe. It has been neat meeting people in their own homes which are on posts because of the level of water now and different times of the year.
We have taken a motor canoe to Ama and visited the village there. What a welcome we got from most every village we passed on the way. The missionaries there have prayed for so long for a missionary to come and they were delighted to finally meet us.
Ama is a very nice village but more remote than May River. The airstrip there is very long and has been cleared quite well. We can travel by boat or by plane when going to Ama, but it depends on the time of year for the boat travel. The canoe would take around a day to get to Just May River and then 26 more hours to town.
The people provided food for us to eat and also a hut to stay in. There was a small stream behind the hut which we used for “wash wash”(bathing). Walking through the village we met church members and many others that were sick. We were asked to visit some sick people. Even though we were not prepared for that, we did help some that had malaria, but didn’t have anything else with us. There is no clinic in Ama so if the people get sick, unless that travel out by boat, they eventually get worse and die. We tried to help one lady who was so weak. She had been sick for close to a year and we heard later that after we left she had died. Wendy, who was another lady so very sick, came back to May River with us and they treated her for Pneumonia. They thought she also might have TB. There were six in the family that we fed for a 1 ½ weeks and then they had a ride back to Ama. After being back in Ama for a little over a week, we heard she had died too. We took a saliva test before she left and we need to find out if that is what she had, because it could be spreading through the village and other villages too.
The church there has around 35 interest and no baptized members. They are eager to learn more about Jesus though. They are still meeting in the little church that was built by Michael, who at the time was visiting another village. When arriving back in May River, we continued getting more settled.
I have not made friends with the mosquito’s yet and I don’t ever plan too. Since it is dry season right now they are not that bad, but still bothersome and they itch terribly. Abby had bites all up and down her legs, scratched and picked them too much until the bites became infected and were turning into small ulcers. We had to put her on amoxicillin and dress her sores twice a day. They are doing much better now, thank the Lord.
Alissa complained that she felt hot, her ears hurt and she just wasn’t feeling good. I took her temp and it was 102 F. We looked into her ears and found them quite red. The nurse came over and checked her for Malaria and Praise the Lord, she didn’t have that. She had an upper respiratory infection, so we put her on Amoxicillin. She is now feeling quite well again. God is good.
I have started the girls back on their school work and they are doing quite well. We heard that our crate is coming around the 25th of May. We will be traveling to Wewak the middle of June. We are trying to decide how to bring the crate in, because it isn’t safe to leave it in town anywhere.
The weather is quite hot during the day and that is when we usually do our school work. The house stays cool and there usually is always a nice breeze that blows through. I try to work in the garden during the evening hours when it is cooler outside.
We have found that there is a big need for clothes of all ages. These people wear clothes until it is not wearable anymore. The church has asked for clothes. The church in Ama has asked for the same thing, but there, the children run around we nothing to wear and the men and women have clothes that have holes and are torn. We will see what the mission in town can provide. Also we would like to provide song books and Bibles in Tok Pisin.
The church in May River is struggling and there is many back sliders that we need to visit and pray for. There is a problem with drinking and parties that go on late into the night. Please keep May River and the surrounding villages in your prayers as we step out to reach them for Jesus Christ.
May God bless you all.
Love the Lello Bunch
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