October 6. Mostly cloudy and cool until around 10:00 a.m. I was thankful not to have kitchen work to do this morning, although I did have the bed to make after changing the top sheet. About 4:15 this a.m., I got up for necessary reasons, and when I moved my right leg into a good position to get up and go back to bed, I heard a snap (like a twig snapping in two) and felt terrific pain. I thought I was going to have to call Daddy to help me back to bed. but I hated to wake him up since he often doesn’t sleep well. I finally managed to stand, move myself to the sink to wash my hands, then to the kitchen table to get a drink of water, and finally to the bed, holding on to something each step of the way to try to keep from putting weight on my leg. It was hard to get my leg up into the bed; but once it was up there with a pillow under it, I was able to relax and get back to sleep. By daylight, it was very stiff and painful, and I did have to have Daddy help me to the other room. Once I started moving around, however, I was able to balance myself and hold onto things so most of the weight was on my left leg. So that was the end of my hopes of going out for a walk today. I was finally able to get my breakfast, although it took more thought to get everything out at once that I needed so I could reduce the amount of moving to and fro. After I got the bed made, I sat in the recliner and finished praying and finished the fifth wee bilum. One more bilum to go. After that, I read a chapter in I Chronicles and wrote a bit in my journal. Was able to get the progress report written today and have it proofread before putting it in a word file and transferring it to a flash drive to go in an e-mail in Daddy’s computer. Finished one more wee bilum and started on the last one. Was thankful there were only a few dishes this evening. “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” (Psalm 55:16) October 7. Thankful to the Lord for a good night’s rest and for less pain today. This morning, I looked over the income report, made several corrections, and got it set up in word for Daddy to send. I also wrote an e-mail to C&C and sent them journal notes. Sent a few pictures, too, in another e-mail. Actually, none of them went anywhere. Daddy tried to send them, but kept getting a message that they can’t find the server. Finished the last of the wee bilums right after dinner before nap and took a picture of them this afternoon. Now they are ready to be filled with candies. Besides doing laundry and sweeping today, Anna Jean cut up a pumpkin and a few potatoes for us this morning so I could get them cooked and ready to whip up for soup tomorrow along with the carrots and uxai that are in the fridge. She did not stay and practice computer today, but went to get ready to go fishing along with the rest of the community. She said she and Ana had decided on Monday for the school closing, but then said that Nuanda and family are all sick. We don’t really want them to come if they are all sick. Also they are planning to go to town on Tuesday to be with Manila for his exams. So, we still don’t know for sure when the closing will be. This afternoon, I noticed that the Bible verse cards were all gone so got a few more ready to print out. This evening, I printed them out, cut them, and put them in the box in the entry area. Later, I worked on the Ephesians outline. October 8. It turned out to be another kitchen morning. Breakfast and Bible reading first plus some prayer time. Two popo to wash. A smoothie to make for breakfast. Pancake syrup to make. Just as I started getting ready to blend the soup that had been cooked yesterday, Apekio came with some kaukau (white sweet potato) so she could get yarn. While she was here, I worked on the soup. Added first the leftover carrots and uxai plus two boiled eggs that hadn’t gotten eaten yet. (Forgot to add the milk powder — too many things distracting my attention. There turned out to be LOTS of soup. Don’t know how there got to be so much, but I’m guessing it will need more seasoning. Then there was the blender to rinse out, the filter pitcher to fill up too, and a couple eggs to fry for Daddy to have on his morning pancake snack. Took a break from the kitchen, and Daddy helped me make the bed. Then I relaxed in the recliner and took more time to pray. Back to the kitchen to rinse out the pressure cooker that had been soaking (I had cooked the soup in it) and cut up the two popo. Part of the popo went into a container to use raw, and part of them went into a small skillet and was made into popo crisp for Daddy. When the crisp was done, I turned on the computer, read a chapter in I Chronicles, and wrote a bit in my journal. Felt overcome by the heat so went outside for a stretch. It was hotter outside, but the wind was blowing. Looking around outside makes me feel so sad. The world is so barren and dry. All the grass in our yard is dried up, leaving only weeds growing. We are thankful for the flowers that still thrive in the dry weather — twelve new lily stalks are coming up; the bird of paradise flowers continue to produce; and the yellow flowers that trail along the fence (whatever they are called, we don’t know) look bright and cheery in the midst of a cheerless environment. Daddy joined me outside, and we counted the lily stalks together. It was a few minutes after 12:00 when we came back inside. We each heated up our bowl soup and ate it; then relaxed a bit before nap. Praise the Lord for helping Daddy send all the e-mails today even though we keep getting a message that says “can’t find the sending server.” In the afternoon and evening, I worked again on the Ephesians outline. I also found balloons to decorate with for the closing of SCMS and filled the wee bilums with candies for the children. Daddy tried to call Mike this evening, but there was no service on the phone.
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October 4. Anna Jean came to wash clothes, and Zeph came along behind. It is nice to have Zephy in the house too. He played for a while with the building blocks, and then went down and played with Amos’ boys for a short while. Then he came back and had a snack with his mama after she peeled and cut up carrots. He played with the building blocks again while she practiced computer. Ana came this morning, too, and worked on her lessons. I enjoyed my quiet time during and after breakfast and making the bed. Then I read a chapter in I Chronicles in the computer and wrote in my journal. Made a list of verses used in the school Bible lessons, book 1. Got book 2 set up and ready to start writing lessons in it. Printed out a couple pages of Bible verses and cut them out to give to people who come to the door. Praise the Lord, Daddy was able to send e-mail today. He heard this evening on the news that the country will only have satellite internet until they get the cable fixed that was damaged in the earthquake. That could take a few months. This evening, I got journal notes ready to send to Connie. October 5. Praise the Lord for uxai* and a couple popo (though small) which Betty brought this morning. It was a busy day in the kitchen. I’ve been putting off making bran muffins because there has been some other big task to do every day. Even though I would have to make a meal today, I decided to go ahead and make the muffins. I was thankful that we were up early, and I even finished breakfast before 8:00 so I could start the muffins early and then rest a bit. I did have to wash out the mixing bowl first because it had cockroach goop in it. The wild fowl egg Amos brought us the other day was perfect — no blemishes. I put in a chicken egg too. With the two eggs side by side, what a difference! And they say that the wild fowl isn’t much bigger than a chicken. How does she ever lay an egg that size? After making the muffins, the bed needed to be made and yesterday’s laundry needed to be folded and put away. That was a job I hadn’t thought about so hadn’t counted on that one today. I also hadn’t known about having to wash the two popo since we didn’t get them until this morning. But they are ripe and needed to be washed and cut up. The time to sit down and study a couple verses in I Chronicles 4 was refreshing and needful after being on my feet for a while. About 10:45, I went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Another job I hadn’t counted on was husking and cutting up uxai (because we didn’t get them until this morning either), but they looked pretty ripe so needed to be cooked. Had cooked a panful of carrots yesterday (which Anna Jean prepared) and had planned on those for our dinner veggie, but ended up having uxai instead. After getting the uxai ready to cook, I started on the rice. Decided to try fried rice today with our chicken. Cut up a couple large pieces of garlic first to sauté in the oil and then added the rice to brown. When that was brown, I added the water, two bouillon cubes, and a little more salt. (I guess I added a little too much salt, as the dinner turned out to be a little too salty. I usually end up with under-salted food, not over-salted, but somehow I blew it today.) While the rice was cooking, I cut up the chicken breast into small pieces and then fried it in some butter with some seasonings. When the rice and chicken were almost done, I put them together to finish cooking. It tasted good except for the extra salt. After nap, I cleaned up the muffin tins. That was a job! A lot of stuff stuck to the pans, I guess because the muffins got over-baked. (Hmmm, I guess I overdid things today. 😊) Worked on the computer for about a half hour and then cut up the two popo. Started working on the September progress report. Lots of dishes to do this evening. Praise the Lord for His strength throughout the day. When I had time this evening, I relaxed and worked on a wee bilum. Ana came this evening and finished the rest of her SCMS lessons that hadn’t gotten done when she missed classes. Praise the Lord for helping her. Now we need to schedule a date for the closing program. *Uxai – a somewhat mealy, somewhat starchy vegetable with a taste slightly reminiscent of corn. It is very delicious. October 2. It was so nice to get out for a walk this morning. We decided to walk down the airstrip instead of up as unbearably wild music was coming from up on the hill. Met Luke coming up the airstrip. He was on his way to the village of Marivo to attend church over there. How dry everything looks out there! Even the weeds are starting to turn brown and die. Finally sat down and worked out an e-mail to Bro. L. It was so hard to know how to answer his e-mail, and I mulled over it for a couple weeks before I had peace about how to reply. The rest of my computer time for today was spent working on Bible lessons for YSCA. This evening we listened to a message by missionary Dalton Heath entitled “If Thou Forbear….” based on Proverbs 24:11,12, If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain…. applying it to forbearing to share the gospel with the unsaved. October 3. Wan and Amos came early this morning to put the antenna on the roof. They had a little audience sitting on the hillside watching them. Because Daddy was outside guiding Wan and Amos in the work, I was quite busy answering the door so it was somewhat late when I finished my breakfast, got the bed made, and finished quiet time. But I was glad for the quiet moments I was able to have alone in the house. Later in the morning, Daddy tried sending and receiving e-mails. It received e-mails, but it wouldn’t send. It kept saying that it couldn’t find our sending server. I had gotten three e-mails ready to send, but they are still sitting in the outbox. I noticed when I went outside late morning how dry and hot it was. It seemed that there was no moisture in the air, and it was hard to breathe. I did not stay outside long. I was thankful to the Lord for His help today in finishing a lesson set in the first grade Bible lesson series. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3) September 30. Another very hot, dry day, a picture of the spiritual drought among which we dwell. I pray often for rain, but how I pray for showers of blessing, for false teaching to be revealed, and for barren souls to drink of the water of life, and new life to spring forth within their thirsty hearts. The morning didn’t go according to my plans, but we had some profitable conversations with neighbors. Anna Jean came early to work, and Zephy followed along behind. I’m happy to see him spending more time with his mama. Anna Jean did the laundry, swept the floors, and peeled and cut up carrots. Then they had a cup of coffee and some crackers. While Anna Jean was working, I was making my breakfast — tea and apple pancakes with mixed fruit syrup and yogurt. I was thankful I had made the yogurt before we went to town. After breakfast, I started putting a clean sheet on the bed, until I heard Apekio talking with Daddy. Apekio had come to see what we need from market. I went out to the other room to greet her and talk a bit, and the conversation turned to other things including the great spiritual need of the people in Owena, especially the young men who know not what to do with their lives other than drink, play cards, and do drugs. Before Apekio left, I shared a Bible verse for the day. Then she asked me to write out Galatians 5:22 and 23 for her so she can memorize those verses. Anna Jean stayed the rest of the morning and practiced keyboard, and Zephy played with the building blocks. Late morning, Amos came along, and he sat and talked with us for quite a while. By the time Amos left, it was time for me to start dinner. Started the carrots cooking. Put on a pot of water for spaghetti. Cut up some garlic and browned the meat for the spaghetti sauce, and then added the bottle of pasta sauce. It took a while to clean up after dinner; and, by that time, I was very grateful for a nap. This afternoon and evening, I wrote more of the English Primer called “Outside the Garden” and finished that after our devotions together. Now I need to find pictures to go with the story. October 1. Wan and Amos came in the early part of the morning to help Daddy put together the antenna he had gotten from MAFTech to try and see if it will help us get better reception with e-mail. They worked until about 11:00 and got it together to where they now have to get up on the roof and get it fastened together up there and fastened to the roof. They plan to do that next step on Monday. Today was another very windy, hot, dry day. Food is getting more and more scarce. We are told that the greens gardens have been used up so about the only veggie left is pumpkin. Maybe the people have corn, I don’t know. We don’t eat their corn — it is too tough and not too tasty. We could put up with the taste if the corn weren’t so tough; but, as it is, it is too hard to chew and digest. Since the ground is too hard for digging and planting, it is hard to know when a new crop of food will be available. I guess the hot weather makes me feel like sleeping because I take such long naps at the hottest part of the day. It was 3:30 before I got up this afternoon (a two-hour nap); and not long after that, I had to get busy in the kitchen making tortillas which I forgot to make yesterday. Was thankful for the Lord’s help in finding pictures for English Bible Primer #9 and then proofreading it. Now the set of first grade Bible primers is complete. September 28. A very quiet day. No internet working. However, Skype did work somehow so we got to have another chat with C&C. Worked on another wee bilum and nearly finished that this evening. Started an e-mail to C&C and finished that after dinner, but the internet wasn’t working so we couldn’t send it. Finally, this evening, Daddy was able to somehow send it by using our modem, which also uses the internet so it doesn’t make sense why some things work sometimes and the rest doesn’t work at all. Got my suitcase all packed with necessary things in case trouble came up and they moved us out of here to Lapilo. We went out in the yard late morning to walk around and get some sunshine and exercise. Everything was so quiet. Even one of the security guards remarked about how quiet everything was. Talked a bit with the two security guards who said that the issue with the possible fighting is that the body of the port authority man who was killed would be coming back here from Moresby for burial. It had been sent to Moresby to lie in state since he was a government official. After we walked around a bit and enjoyed the sunshine and flowers, the clouds came rolling in, and a cool wind came up so we came back inside. This afternoon, I washed my hair and did the dishes. After Daddy found out from MAF that they could fly us in tomorrow, I repacked my suitcase. After supper, I spent time packing up our food box. This evening, Daddy talked with Wenera and also with Nehemiah. Nehemiah is staying with Mike’s brother Simon in Moresby. Simon is going to buy Nehemiah’s ticket to Lae. Simon and family are unsaved, but Simon asked Daddy to pray for him on the phone so Daddy prayed for his salvation. Then we finished our devotions, and now it is time to pack up everything and go to bed. September 29. Praise the Lord for MAF and Glennys being willing to bring us back home today. There is still a lot of talk about fighting, but nobody knows for sure about anything. So the flying is being done cautiously, and the stores are open cautiously, but could close at a moment’s notice. Was up around 6:00 to finish packing, finish cleaning up the flat, eat breakfast, and wash the dishes before heading to the hangar at 8:00. Plane left Goroka a little before 9:00, and we arrived home around 9:15. Praise the Lord for safety both in town and on the flight home. Thank the Lord for the help of all those who carried cargo to the house and for Anna Jean and Wan’s help in taking in the cargo at the door and giving out the chocolates. The Lord helped us, too, to get everything unpacked (except our suitcases) and put away quickly. Then we ended up having mud come through our water line, and the water stopped running. We sent Anna Jean down to ask Amos’s help, and Amos kindly went up the line to try to find the problem. Everything seemed okay all up and down the line until he got to the join under the house. Dirt had apparently traveled down the line and stopped there, blocking the flow of water into the house. Amos was able to clean out the dirt, and water started flowing once again. Praise God for water. This afternoon, I spent time on the 9th English Bible Primer. Also unpacked most of my suitcase. September 26. My, how quickly this month is passing! The first couple hours of the morning were rather rushed in getting breakfast, having quiet time, and getting ready to go out to the dentist. In spite of a couple delays, we arrived at Dr. Nellis’s clinic a few minutes before 9:00. Daddy left me there and went out shopping with Mike and Lawrence. Benson had come around, too, sometime during the morning. I was in the dental chair from 9:00 until just about noon. Had five fillings done all together. One of the two teeth he thought would need a root canal was not as deep as he suspected so there is just one that may need a root canal later. That one he filled with different substances which, he said, should be good for three to six months; and there is a 50-50 chance that the tooth could heal itself. I praise the Lord for Dr. Nellis’s skills, his carefulness in treating his patients, his efforts to promote healing rather than just jump at the chance to extract a tooth or do a root canal, and his ability to work without anesthetic and only causing minimal tolerable pain (except when he happens to hit a nerve 😊). I could leave the clinic, even after five fillings, without feeling like my face is blown up like a balloon and without talking like I have a speech problem. I could also eat with comfort. Dr. Nellis helps the time go by quickly too, telling lots of stories about his dental experience. And he laughs a lot. He is a pleasant and fun person to be around. Dr. Nellis called Daddy while I hurried to use the available facilities. When I got back, Dr. Nellis was studying the x-rays and saw that he had forgotten a cavity on the right side.. So I was ordered to sit back down in the dental chair just before Daddy came in. That was a small cavity, however, and the work of drilling and filling didn’t take long at all. It was 12:00 when we headed on our way. Went to Papindo café for lunch. Daddy and I each had a hamburger, and Mike, Lawrence, and Uriah each had a bowlful of chow mein. While we were eating, a man came by and talked with Daddy about wanting to watch our vehicle for us. Daddy told him that there were security out there watching it; and even if he watched it, Daddy wouldn’t pay him for that. I noticed the store security watching as the man talked with Daddy; and after the man walked away, the security asked Daddy what the man wanted. He said the man is a street person and hangs around there from time to time. When we finished eating and went out to the car, we were escorted by the security guard, but we didn’t see the street man around anywhere. From Papindo, we went to a small store where Daddy was able to find the black and white yarn we couldn’t find anywhere else. It was upstairs so I stayed in the car. Had already climbed up and down lots of stairs for the morning. Then we stopped at King Wee and got beef mince and gala apples. Last stop was Greenland to buy eggs, tissues, and bread; but they were out of whole grain bread. After that, we headed to the house. The three guys helped us carry things upstairs. We talked a while, and then they left. It was then that I noticed there was a big hole in the 50-50 tooth Dr. Neillis had filled. Where had the filling gone? Had I spit it out with the pieces of beef that were too fatty to chew? Had I swallowed it? We called Dr. Nellis who said he was out somewhere, but he would call us when he got back — probably about 4:30. Praise the Lord, there would be time for nap. I had just gotten up from nap (about 3:35) when Dr. Nellis called and said he was back in the office. So we got ready to go and headed out. Praise the Lord, only the top layer of the filling was lost, and it only took a few minutes to put a new one in. In the meantime, Daddy walked down to Papindo and got a loaf of bread. After he got back, Dr. Neillis’ assistant took a picture of us with him. Back to the house for supper. Relaxed while writing in my journal and listening to another EBC missions conference meeting. Also did the dishes. September 27. The day began around 6:00. First order of business was to put the laundry in the machine and let it get washed. Had my early morning drink and read a couple chapters in Pidgin I Timothy. Somewhere around 7:00, Daddy noticed that Fran (Dad's brother) was online, and there was a message for Daddy to call. So we had a good chat with them for not quite an hour, until almost time for business to open downstairs. By then I was quite hungry, but had forgotten all about the wash. It was well done and waiting. Daddy kindly hung out the clothes while I fixed myself a breakfast. Decided to have the pancakes today because there wouldn’t be time for me to have them tomorrow. We’d have to be ready bright and early for our flight back to Owena. I was supposed to be able to eat on the right side today so shared the chewing with right and left molars. As soon as I finished eating, I felt the 50-50 tooth with my tongue. Oh, no! Not again! The filling was gone again. Where did it go? Did I eat it? Daddy rang Dr. Nellis’ office. He wasn’t in, or else he was busy with a patient, so his assistant took a message. After that, Mike and Lawrence, with two other Owena young men, came to help Daddy load up the truck and take cargo to the hangar, ready for tomorrow. While Daddy was waiting for the return call from Dr. Nellis, he went up town so Mike could shop, and he picked up a few things too that we were lacking yet. He had just come back to the flat when the phone rang. Dr. Nellis said to come on over. Mike and Lawrence took their backpack and headed for the bus stop to head back to Minj. The other two went their way as well. Daddy and I went on uptown. When we got to Dr. Nellis’ office, he looked at the tooth, but wasn’t concerned. He said as long as all the first layers of filling are still intact, it should be fine until we come out again in November. He didn’t see any need to redo it now. In November, after the tooth has had time to heal, and the fillings have set well, he will put in a proper filling. Just eat soft foods on that side and harder foods on the other. He did take a minute to smooth down a sharp point that was on the tooth. Also Daddy paid him for the work he had already done. From there, we stopped at a little shop around the corner and got some flex cards for Mike’s father. Then went to Papindo and got bread. Our next stop was Yida where we got toilet paper, soap (for Danny), and meat pies. Final business was to get the vehicle’s fuel tank filled up and ready for the next person’s use. It was late when we got back to the house for lunch — after 1:00, but I’m not sure how long after. After lunch, we worked a bit more on packing. It was 2:30 before I finally lay down for a nap. After nap, it was back to packing, that is, until we received a call from Famiri letting us know that MAF is going to be closed tomorrow, and there will be no flights. There are supposed to be “peace talks” here in town, but people are concerned that fighting will erupt. MAF does not know when they’ll be able to reschedule — Thursday or later. Daddy had to let the MAFTech office know, and had to ask if the place would be available for us to stay longer. MAFTech hadn’t yet heard the news; but when that was confirmed for them, they decided to close business tomorrow, but yes, we may stay here. If there is fighting, and it gets bad in this area, arrangements have been made for us and Lucas’ family to be escorted to Lapilo by police. We need to have an overnight bag ready. In the meantime, I finished crocheting the third wee bilum, washed the dishes, and warmed up the rest of the stew for our supper. |
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