Ministry Entry

It has been difficult and some what discouraging over the past couple of months, feeling as though we were not getting anywhere with regard to “ministry opportunities”. People had seemed to be a little stand-offish, even bordering on apathetic, and to be honest it was all getting a little frustrating. However, in the last couple of weeks we have finally seen doors opening and relationships forming. I guess in typical PNG fashion; people have been standing back and observing the way in which Natalie and I relate, with each other and other people, and just generally trying to work us out. It is a very Papua New Guinean “thing” to relate to new people by initially being “diplomatic”, so as not to offend anyone, whilst continuing to observe them. Once they feel safe with you, then they will allow you to integrate into their lives (I guess, you could kind of equate it to being quarantined). It is kind of amusing because, looking back; I know this is how I related to a lot of you when we first met. I guess coming “home”; I didn’t expect to be viewed as an outsider. Then again, I know that I am not the same person now, as I was when I left three years ago.

Natalie and I went to Waigani United Church Youth Group on Friday night and met the youth leader, who by chance, I know. It is funny because when I knew him, he was anything but a “Christian Youth Leader”. We had a really good time and they seemed like a really hungry bunch of young people. This Friday night Natalie and I have been invited to meet with youth leadership of Boroko Baptist Church, and I spoke with the new youth leader earlier on in the week and he seemed to be a really good guy and was really interested in what Natalie and I have to say. We also met another young American couple that are here Pasturing the Church of Christ here in Port Moresby. We had dinner with them last week and had a really good time. They are a black American couple from Virginia and have to young boys. When we first met them and they said they are from the “Church of Christ”, I automatically thought….. Mormons! And Nats thought…..the religious church her mum grew up in. We were glad when we came to discover they are neither Mormon nor religious.

It is exciting to see God going before us, and His plan and order being laid out for us. I think for a while there I was hoping God would conform to mine.

Tre News: 32 weeks and counting...

Well again, I get the privilege of updating you all on my pregnancy. It’s so hard to put everything I’m feeling in an update, but I will do my best. I just wish you all could be here to see for yourself. It so far, has been a beautiful journey, a walk that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Even though it’s been one of the most challenging experiences I’ve yet to face. It’s caused me to run into the arms of Jesus more than I have before. That makes it all worth it… I am now 32 weeks (on the USA Sun.) and it seems like time has flown by faster than I anticipated. When you think of nine months, it always seemed like an eternity away, but here I am with only 2 months to go and I am in awe at how fast it’s come.

Tre is doing great, very active and moving constantly. He is growing at what seems to be a daily rate and consequently, so am I. Making adjustments for this ‘big’ belly has been interesting. Our newest delight has been Tre recognizing and responding to David’s voice. Watching them interact has been the most precious sight ever. For example: If Tre is kicking and needing to calm down, David talks to my belly and within seconds Tre is calm. It’s amazing! David loves his times with Tre, and can’t wait to play with him in person.

Many of you have e-mailed us asking how things are going with hospitals, doctors ect… and I have to be honest; it’s taken some adjustments. We have been really happy with our doctor and are thankful he’s a devoted Christian, but they do, do things differently here, which is not always a bad thing. I think once you realize that you can’t put American standards, on a third world country, it’s a lot easier to handle. So we are learning to roll with the punches and embrace each step. We have an ultra sound next week to confirm our due date. We can’t wait!! Other than that, we are just counting the days till Tre is here, while putting the final touches on his room.

General Conversation

Since we last updated you all, we have celebrated three birthdays (Mum, Dad, and Dad), gone to an Orchid Show, seen my cousin Nissain walk for the first time, been selected for the national rugby squad, pulled my hamstring, and watched Tre grow rapidly. It has been extreme.

My Mum, Liz, and Nats’ Dad, Bruce share a Birthday on the 3^rd of August, and my Dads Birthday is the week after theirs. On Mums Birthday Nats and I made a big pancake breakfast for the family. We had to get up early because Breakfast had to be ready before everyone had to head off to work, but it all worked out great and mum was really blessed. That day Nats also made mum a Birthday cake, which by the way, was spectacular. It was picture perfect, and tasted better than it looked; so much so that dad placed an order for the same cake for his birthday the following week (only my Dad…..he’s a funny one!). Even though mum and Bruce share a birthday, because of the date line, Bruce’s birthday is actually the day after mums. So we had to keep that in mind when calling him to say Happy Birthday. For Dads birthday we got up and made breakfast as well, only this time we made a “Man” breakfast; eggs, bacon, baked-beans, toast and fruit. Ironically, that night DAD took US out for a lobster dinner – well, dad had the Lobster, I had a T-Bone and the girls had the buffet. It was a very nice evening.

Also this month, the PNG Orchid Society held its annual Orchid Show, to showcase the beautiful and unique orchids found in PNG. It was really beautiful, and this is the second year Nats and I have gone. Orchids are one of those things that make PNG special; there are so many different species here, and a lot of them can only be found in PNG.

Spending time with my cousins (Katherine and Nissain) has been really special. They are both young, and I have been absent for most of their lives; so getting to know them and building a relationship, has been nice. My youngest cousin, Nissain, has just recently started walking. It is now impossible to keep up with her.

Since being back in Port Moresby I have started playing rugby again. I have managed to get back into top grade club rugby, but to my surprise, I was approached by the coach of the National representative team (the “Pukpuks”) and asked to begin training with the squad. The first training session that I attended, I promptly pulled my hamstring. I guess the Pukpuks was not in Gods plan for me. I have not played rugby since, but I hope to make it back for the finals.