Shiloh, Joey, Kevin, Lori, and I arrived in Mibu on Friday morning. Shiloh was promptly scooped up by the Husas' oldest, who had great plans for her.
(By the way, in an attempt to maintain some level of privacy, in general, we will not name any specific names from Mibu on this blog, as well as avoid mentioning any names of children).
Lori and I wanted to spend extended time with Shannon, and we were able to do that on the first day, as well as smaller snippets as the days went by.
Geoff and Joey took Kevin down to Mibu to allow for a pig hunt. I think Geoff put that on the Husa blog, and perhaps Kevin will write more about that as he adjusts. I am sure I would not be able to do the story justice, as all I have to go by is hearsay.
However, they did bring back meat from said pig, which Geoff and Shiloh ground for us to have pork burgers that evening, which were really good, even for a turkey burger fan like me.
Everyone but Shiloh slept in the Tartaglia house. Shiloh had a slumber party of sorts with the Husa kids. We awoke in the morning full of hope that Dennis would be able to make it in.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Shannon
A main goal of the team for this trip is to encourage the Husa family. I like to think part of that is simply hanging out with them. Lori and I had a great time with Shannon in her house sipping chai on the first day we were in Mibu. It was such a blessing to do something so normal in a setting so remote.
a friend
One of the first friends I made in Mibu is pictured here with Shannon. We connected because she has the same name as Perry's mom. Later, she, along with two other women, did their best to show Lori and me how to create a bilum (their woven bags).
Two vocab words in the Ma language (spelled with my own phonetic language):
Epi Jim: Good morning (often accompanied by a handshake)
Awi: thank you
Lori's piggy
And, no, this is not the one some of you have heard about that involves killing of a pig.
Before the trip, each of us had hoped certain things would happen. Some were the same thing, and some were unique. One of Lori's hopes was to pet a little pig. Not five minutes after arriving in Mibu, she saw this little pig and got to pet it. Check that off the bucket list.
greeted at the helicopter
Geoff and Shannon and Theresa
A lot of Mibu people came out to welcome us.
Shiloh with two missed friends.
helicopter ride to Mibu
In order to get to Geoff and Shannon's house in PNG, you either can hike for a day or so, or you can take a helicopter ride. Those are the two basic options, as the terrain of the country make it impossible to create roads to certain areas. We, as you may have guessed, chose the helicopter option.
To get to Mibu, it is important to leave in the morning, because the fog moves in mid-morning and sticks around in the afternoon, making it impossible for a helicopter to make its way in. (High visibility is apparently important when a pilot is negotiating his way through mountains).
To get to Mibu, it is important to leave in the morning, because the fog moves in mid-morning and sticks around in the afternoon, making it impossible for a helicopter to make its way in. (High visibility is apparently important when a pilot is negotiating his way through mountains).
back home
Almost all of us have made it safely home. The remaining two members of the team are enjoying a few extra days in hospitable and friendly Brisbane.
Even though the trip is complete, I am sure the journey is not for any of us, as there is much processing that remains. It was certainly worthwhile, yet a challenge, which is also a good description of life in general a good percentage of the time.
I hope to backtrack a bit and do some picture posting in a chronological manner, particularly for those of you following in from other areas of the country. For those of you who live locally, the team will gather to do "the skinny on Papua New Guinea" (or whatever we choose to call it), at Sun Valley Tempe. Shockingly enough, I cannot remember or find anywhere exactly when we chose to do this, although I think it is October 21, after second service. Perhaps some kind team member would confirm this for us.
Also, individual team members are welcome to have their own PNG updates in their homes, for friends who are not able to make it to the group one, but are interested in finding out more about what happened. As those dates and times are decided, we will include them here as well.
Alright, now that we have reliable connections, let the pictures begin. : )
Even though the trip is complete, I am sure the journey is not for any of us, as there is much processing that remains. It was certainly worthwhile, yet a challenge, which is also a good description of life in general a good percentage of the time.
I hope to backtrack a bit and do some picture posting in a chronological manner, particularly for those of you following in from other areas of the country. For those of you who live locally, the team will gather to do "the skinny on Papua New Guinea" (or whatever we choose to call it), at Sun Valley Tempe. Shockingly enough, I cannot remember or find anywhere exactly when we chose to do this, although I think it is October 21, after second service. Perhaps some kind team member would confirm this for us.
Also, individual team members are welcome to have their own PNG updates in their homes, for friends who are not able to make it to the group one, but are interested in finding out more about what happened. As those dates and times are decided, we will include them here as well.
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