PNG Photo Journey 4: Go Girls!

Here is Rachel and I just finishing another drama about forgiveness called "The Water Bottle" at the High School. I'm really proud of both of my girls for the way they participated in activities with us in PNG. Rachel got malaria about a week into our PNG adventure. She suffered terribly for about four weeks and we seriously considered leaving so she could get well under better circumstances. Despite feeling awful for pretty much our entire PNG experience, Rachel really helped anchor our family. She was also a huge encouragement to me personally. Had it not been for her faith-filled insistence that we had come to PNG for a purpose that we would complete, we may have left much earlier. Rachel's fortitude and faith kept us on track. We are grateful for how everything turned out in the end on account of her wisdom and courage. Rachel expresses a true missionary heart and real tenacity.

Here Abigail is performing a drama with Isabel at the local school. Abigail was spared from malaria, but she had a bout with illness and lost an alarming amount of weight. One of my favorite memories of Abigail is the joy she expressed when she received real encouragement and direction from God for us after a special family prayer time. Abby was also very popular in Kerema and we were greeted virtually everywhere we went by children calling out “Hello, Abigail” with distinctive Papuan accents. Naturally she was a big hit when she unveiled this latest drama at the Primary School that she wrote and performed with her friend Isabelle and when she shared her talents at a children's program. It seems everywhere Abby goes she's a star!

As many of you know watching Allyson present at church gatherings, she is extraordinarily well prepared when she speaks about the Bible and spiritual matters. I can't be sure of the ratio, but it would not surprise me that she spends an hour in prayer or preparation for every 2 minutes of actual speaking time. Maybe more. What may surprise you then is to learn that Allyson actually learned to give testimonies and encouragement to large crowds with, gasp, no preparation. There are dozens of reasons for why I'm proud of Allyson's accomplishments in PNG. After years of her restless longing, my best memories will always be associated with watching her finally step out in her ministry calling. Allyson was made for this job and it shows.

Rachel is looking a little "Rock Star" in this one.

One of my friends remarked that this one could be Abby's headshot. I agree!

We meet some really great people in PNG and already want to go back.

This is a photo toward the end of our time in PNG of all the women on our team wearing the meri blouses that were given to them as gifts by the local women in the churches.