Today (Sunday) is day 12 of 12 for the Aussies - their last full day here with us!
(sorry for the delay in posting this)
Since today was the Aussies last full day with us, we wanted to give them a traditional meal (a mumu). So 2 PNGers spent the day with Eva yesterday going to the market (in the rain) and preparing & starting to cook the food. This morning all the other PNGers went to her house this morning to cook and get ready for our arrival, while Greg (PNG staff) took 3 of us to church before we headed over to Eva's house at 3 pm.
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| Greg, Nathan & Danika - early in church! |
Greg's church is the same one where George's funeral was, and this is the first time I've been back since (21 months). It was a bit sad for me - a great church with good sining and a great sermon - but my mind kept flashing back to George (former PNG National Director).
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| The "Boroko River" (we named it today) |
On the way home, we passed by a stream that we named "Boroko River" (Boroko is the suburb where our guest house is.
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| Welcome Aussies! |
At 3 pm we all went to Eva's house and had a great final party together. The PNGers met us at the street and gave the Aussies leis and ushered us to the house. There was laughing and speeches and gifts and dancing, and of course so much food - it was great. But what made it the best were the friendships that we made with the Aussies. All of the PNGers drew very close to them and our lives will not be the same again - that's a good thing :-).
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| Mumu |
The big meal (lunch-dinner) was chicken & lamb cooked traditionally (East New Britain style) amongst hot rocks from the fire. There were greens and a couple different cooked bananas. They call it a Mumu, and the Aussies loved it (they dove right in)!
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| Great feast! |
After the meal, several PNGers (and myself) shared what it meant to us to have the Aussies there! I shared about the time when we were in Australian last July and I was talking with some of the Australian Student life leaders about their mission trip this year. The idea came up to move it to February instead of Easter, and I called Eva (in PNG) to discuss it with her. She listed 3 reasons why it would be difficult to pull off (3 obstacles), but that we should still try it. Then in December, when Eva was in New Zealand with us, we listed about 12 things that we hoped would happen as a result of this project - all were completed within a few days! The result was way beyond my expectation. God is good!!! And He worked these past 12 days!
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| Lillian (PNG staff) gives here gifts to Danika |
After our sharing, the PNGers gave gifts to the Aussies and then the Aussies gave gifts to us.
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| The PNGers do a dance for the Aussies |
The the PNGers did a dance for the Aussies... and then the Aussies joined in. After that it was dancing all over the place. Kind of what I imagine heaven to be like - pure joy for all!!
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| The Aussies try the dance :-) |
It was a great day. Thank you John, Danika, Nathan, Shei, Heidi, Alex, and Vanessa for giving up your time (and money) and coming to make an impact in PNG that will ripple across the country to the world! It's a joy to work with you. And as John said to me, "don't get emotional on me", I'll quit right here :-)
Hahaha - I don't recall saying that, but it sounds like something I may say. - John M.
ReplyDeleteIt was the day before, and we were joking about something (I forget), but I liked your comment. I don't think I used it out of context :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a load of fun!
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