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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