Pacific Propulsion Aussie Project - Day 14 "Farewell Aussies (boo hoo)"

Today was the day everyone was dreading.  So many sad people.  But that's what happens when we develop such strong love for each other and then have to part.

We hired a smaller bus (and cheaper) that took the Aussies (all 9 of them) and Elton to the airport.  The bus came back for us (it's only a few miles away) while they checked in.  We all had a great time with them, telling stories and taking pictures until it was time for them to go through Immigration.

L-R: (some random lady), Stephen, Elton, Linson & Jasmine

When we got to the Immigration, where he had to part, it was hard to leave.  We ended up "clogging up" the area in front chatting for a long while, postponing the inevitable.  But we did form a large 19-person circle and prayed for about 10 minutes - it was very good!  And we did one last (actual last) "Bananas of the universe unite" :-)

Doing the Banana Dance one last time (we had lots of strange looks)

They went into Immigration and we watched them as they left.

Our final goodbye :-(

After leaving the airport, the missionaries & the students were lamenting as we walked up to bus stop.  As we passed a pillar, Linson grabbed it and said something like "I miss them so much".

Linson doesn't want to leave the Aussies

Once back at the guest house, I met for a couple hours with the PNGers to talk about the past 2 weeks and to plan the next 4 weeks until Uni starts, including the First-Year Student Orientation in 2 weeks, which we are heavily involved in (this year we are in the program and get to speak to the students in the large lecture hall!)

Filling out a debrief questionnaire

Debrief - I think Elton was between these 2 pictures

We quit after lunchtime because we were all so tired (and their brains are full).  I fell asleep in my room shortly after lunch while typing some things in the computer.  It's been a great yet exhausting 2 weeks.  Tomorrow morning early, we go to Westpac Bank to start to sort out some of our banking problems!  I have a lot of things to accomplish, please pray that we'll get everything done in the next 2 days (I leave on day 17). Thanks so much for praying!