Many Goodbyes!

Jeff writes:

The last two weeks of our final term in Papua New Guinea literally flew by. We send our apologies to those of you who regularly follow our blog, but to say the least we have been busy. It is no small feat to leave one home and get ready to move to another 10,000 miles away.

There were many heart-wrenching farewells. Our friends and neighbors hosted us for one fantastic meal after another. We reminisced, laughed, cried, hugged, shook hands, and laughed some more. We said our farewells, shared prayers, encouraged others and were encouraged ourselves. Five-and-a-half years had come suddenly to an end. My, oh my!

As I write this we are in Singapore. We came for a few days of R&R prior to a 22-hour airplane ride that will take us to Los Angeles. After a two-week stay in California, we head east where we will land in Washington, DC. After visiting our former pastor and his family there, we head for Blacksburg, VA, where our children live. Lord willing we will be able to continue our ministry for one more year as Missionaries in Residence at Washington Bible College/Capital Bible Seminary.

For now, enjoy some of our farewell photos.

Dinner with Andira's Family

Sue Received a Gift from Therese Kaetavara

Our Neighbors Give Us a Farewell Dinner

Farewell Meal at Warala Church

We  model presents given by Jennifer and Matthias Koim.

Baby Equipment

Sue says:
Above are some examples of an indispensable item for Papua New Guinean babies. The baby bilum. The picture was taken at the nursery for the students' babies. There are four babies sleeping in their own bilums. They also sleep in them at home or wherever they are. In a home, the bilum would be suspended from a hook from the ceiling.

Baby bilums are also used as baby carriers. A mother can suspend the bilum from her own head to have her hands free for other tasks.

Do babies like them? Hannah seems to show that she feels relaxed. Children as old as three-years-old may continue to sleep in their bilums because they are so comfortable--like a hammock.

Phillipians: A Road to Joy!

Jeff writes:

Last weekend I enjoyed a weekend retreat with some of CLTC's workers. These men labor in our poultry, rice, farm, mechanics, plumbing and other departments. Most earn less than a dollar per hour, but their contribution to the college is invaluable. It has been said that 80% of the cost to educate a student here comes as a result of the fruit of their labor.

Paul and Silas Bound in a Philippian Jail

A Chicken on Every Plate!

I led them in a study of Philippians. It was entitled Rod Bilong Amamas: Pas Pol i Raitim long Ol Filipai (Philippians: A Road to Joy! ) We certainly had a joyous time sharing God's word in drama, testimony and song. The food came in abundance. (I ate enough rice to relieve a Chinese famine!)


Pray for these men. They work hard. At the end of a day their backs and legs ache. They perform repetitive tasks day in and day out. However, without their hard labor this college would not exist.

The Happy Campers!

Round of Good-byes Start

Sue says:
Well, guess it's that time now. Time to praise the Lord for His goodness to us while we've been here in PNG, and time to say our good-byes to quite a number of friends we've made while here.

Last Sunday, I said good-bye to the village church (picture above) our student cell group has been ministering to this college year. The students will continue to minister to them until graduation in November.

This week-end, Jeff is saying good-bye to the college farm workers at a retreat. Jeff will speak on the book of Philippians to inspire them to keep on rejoicing as they walk with the Lord. They'll probably also have some fun swimming in a stream and watching movies together. And a big part of any retreat is enjoying eating together as well.