Still on the Adventure!

This has been a jam packed week starting with church on Sunday, reception with Jesse Middendorf and his wife Susan, Beauty Salon being opened three days this week, making strawberry jam, attending the ladies Luncheon, Attending the pastors Conference, and a special time with the grandchildren as we send Jeff and Susan away for an overnight stay at the Highlander”.
We attended the Emmanuel church Sunday morning. There were a group of pastors that had come in for The National Pastors Conference that was taking place this week. In the testimony of one pastor he had walked five days to get here. Are we as committed to attending God’s house in the States as this young man who walked for five days…its fuel for thought…isn’t it?
A reception was held at the College of Nursing for General Superintendent Jesse Middendorf and his wife Susan who were here to speak at the Pastor’s Conference. The ladies here at Kudjip planned a delicious meal of lasagna, several different salads, home made bread and dessert. Dr. Middendorf brought words of greeting, encouragement and appreciation to the missionaries for their service.
Jeffrey had to leave Monday as he was the videographer for the event and would be back late Tuesday. The Salon opened early to give him a hair cut before he left. My thought was, I’m open, and I might as well cut John s hair while I’m at it. Susan went to join him after work on Monday and I would meet up with her on Tuesday for the ladies luncheon at the “Highlander” in Mt. Hagen with Mrs. Middendorf and Natalie Ward. In the meantime, John and I held down the fort. We made freezer Strawberry jam until we ran out of Sugar. Finished up just as the children were coming home from school. Jeffrey had six gallon bags of strawberry’s all ready for us in the freezer to use. We have one week, to find the time, to do the last bag.
The ladies luncheon, on Tuesday, was enjoyed by all. Mrs. Middendorf shared from her heart. At the end she told the ladies that they could ask any question that they wanted to and they did!
On Wednesday, the Beauty Salon was opened all day. We are just finishing up with Becky Morsch. The Barnesville Zone on the East Ohio District has her for their Link’s Missionary.
On Thursday morning John and I enjoyed visiting Jessica and Ethan’s school. We arrived at Ethan’s school for the third act of a play they were doing and was invited to stay and have stone soup with them. They did the first two acts earlier in the morning. The story goes that a peddler wanted to sell kettles but no one was interested in buying. He decided to make soup, so he started with stones and thought it would be better if all contributed…one brought potatoes, one brought carrots and so on until the pot was full. When the soup was done they all sat down and ate. He sold lots of kettles. The children did a super job! They are enjoying their new teacher Mrs. Diane Chapman
We went to the Pastors Conference Thursday evening. It was held on the Togaba School grounds in a big white and yellow stripped tent. It took me back to the beginning of the East Ohio District. The service was scheduled for 6:00 but began at 6:45, becuase not all of the pastors had been able to make it through the food line. They began to trickle in by 7:15 the tent was packed with people elbow to elbow. Harmon Schmelzenbach brought the message through an interpreter. He is quite a story teller…he held them spell bound. They made a great team! During his message the electric went off and on several times then completely off…stayed off approximately 45 minutes. It was pitch black…that didn’t stop the service they just regrouped and kept going. We saw car lights come on and begin to drive around and a car ended up at each side with their lights shining into the tent. Toward the end of his message the lights played with us a bit more then stayed on. We thought we were back in Kudjip. I love to hear the nationals pray. They do not pray quietly. It sounds like a roar as they send their prayers up to the Throne. They are all praying out loud. During the invitation, they were eight, nine rows deep …completely around the alter praying for those who went forward. This went on for twenty five minutes and was still going on when we left to return home. The presence of the Holy Spirit was very real. Normally the missionaries do not travel after dark but we arrived home safely. I’m so glad we went…I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It’s a very special memory of PNG that I will take home with me. Till our final chapter next week, take care.

Blessings

John and Hilda

Another Week in the Life and Adventures of John and Hilda!

It’s hard to believe that we only have 2 weeks left before we board the plane for home.
Last Sunday we went to a bush church…Tuning Church of the Nazarene. Michael, a security guard for the compound, went with us and served as our guide. Dr. Erin Meir, also, went with us and upon returning home stayed for dinner. We started out on a paved road…then it went to stones, dirt and mud, a portion of the road reminded us of out trip to Mondomil…forded a river and kept going.

As we drove through the gate we were greeted warmly by children who were waiting for us. As I walked into the church, it was dark…no electricity. I noticed benches on one side and none on the other…it ended up the men sat on the benches and the women on the floor. Although the women are often thought to be less than the men, this is the first time that Jeff and Susan have seen this. The service was excellent …God’s presence was very real…the singing went on for fifty minutes. They had a young man, who played the guitar, as worship leader. As I sat there, I wished that I had had a tape recorder with me to record the music. He was very good! Jeffrey brought the message in pidgin and John and I did a duet in English. Susan gave them a synopsis of the song before we sang. The people were very responsive! As we left, they gave us nearly a bushel of vegetables which was shared among the Myers, Dr. Erin and Michael. On the way home we stopped at the Bible College to give the Swesey’s and Thrasher’s their Christmas gifts. They were in Australia for Christmas. We were a hungry bunch when we arrived home and were ready for the dinner that Jeffrey had put in the crock pot.
It’s been a very busy week trying to accomplish much before our time is up to leave for home.
We had company in for dinner on Wednesday and attended prayer meeting on Thursday. Jeffrey didn’t get to go because doors could not be closed due to being painted that day and were not dry yet, rain and humidity can make drying a slow process. Before going to bed the Lord answered prayer and we were able to close the doors for the night without sticking.
Friday a youth group came in from Goroka doing an in country mission trip. Karen Comstock was organizer of the group and along with Jeff and Susan led them on a tour of the compound.
We left Saturday at 9:00 AM for Mt. Hagen, mainly for souvenirs. It has been the only opportunity to do that so Jeffrey took that opportunity, also, to get a few supplies and items for his project. One of our first stops was the “Potato Trading LTD” for potatoes. You can see the man weighing the potatoes. We finished our shopping then went to the “Highlander” for lunch and swimming for the children. On our way home we stopped at the Bible College to see the Radio Director’s new house but he wasn’t home so will have to try again, radio Ministry will be having the dedication service Feb 1 just before we leave on Saturday. It isn’t quite finished but Pastor

Daniel has resigned his church to go full time as Director of Radio Ministry. We arrived home around 4:30 PM…unloaded our goodies…Jeffrey went to play basketball…had a bite to eat and the men were off to watch the recorded Ohio State National Title game at the Radcliffe’s. The children, Susan and I did the dishes then watched a recorded program on TV.

Until next week,
Blessings,
John and Hilda

Another Chapter in the Continuing Saga of John & Hilda (Ch. 5)

We attended the Emmanuel church outside the compound this past Sunday (the 6th) due to having the English Lotu in the afternoon. Some of the songs they were singing I recognized and some I didn’t. I could catch a few words but decided to participate by making up words to the ones I didn’t know to fit the melody and sing along with them in English. The Spirit is something we all can sense regardless of the language. I love to watch the babies and children….they are so precious and they have such large beautiful eyes.
John and I participated in the English Lotu service in the afternoon…It’s the first Sunday of the month when all the missionaries come together for a service even those who are not of our denomination. I played the piano and John and I sang a duet. James Johnson, Strategy Field Coordinator, brought greetings and Patrick Hall from the CLTC (Christian Leaders Training College…non denominational) brought the message.
We celebrated Jeffrey’s birthday today (Wednesday) with gifts and cards. In making his birthday cake it was a challenge baking at this altitude. In spite of that it didn’t turn out to bad.
John and Jeff laid tile today (Thursday) in the mud room….It’s looking great! While they are waiting for the tile to set Jeff is initiating John into the second project, working in the attic. I have taken on many duties in the house so that Jeffrey has more time working with his Dad on his projects.
Saturday, we were planning on going to Mt. Hagen for a day out….looking for souvenirs, then having lunch at the Highlander and relaxing for a while as soon as Susan came from making her hospital rounds. When she came through the door at 9:30 AM she said I just saw the container pull in. You have to understand, the whole compound had been waiting on that container. We had sent boxes back in September and couldn’t remember what we had sent because my list was back in the states. We were as excited as every one else. Needless to say the trip to Hagen was cancelled and the morning was spent unloading the container.
What an exciting time to be on this end when a container comes in! All hands and vehicles respond. The container is on a large truck and has to be unloaded by hand in approximately three hours….Bill Swesey came from the Bible College with a truck and helpers to claim his boxes and help….Trucks were filled with boxes that were designated for the Lab, storage room, and pharmacy and missionaries looking for their personal boxes. About the time the contianer arrived a helicopter landed on the mission grounds, bringing someone for medical help. The Nationals thought this was exciting so they went to investigate…during a lull back they would come back to watch the unloading. When the helicopter left back they went to watch it take off. Many thanks to Todd Winter in OR who was obedient to God’s voice in organizing “Nazarene Hospital Foundation” which packs and sends the container here to PNG. Since our plans were changed, when we arrived back from unloading the container the men decided to make use of their time and work on their project so Susan and I went to the Beauty Salon to use the products that came on the container.
We ended the day by going to dinner at the Bennett’s. What a great way to end an exciting day! The food and fellowship were great! Dr. Andy said that the lemon pie, we had for dessert, was the reason that he stayed married all these years:) but we know differently. They are a lovely couple along with their son Sam.

Until next week, God’s blessings on you indeed!
John and Hilda

Continuing the Adventure Chapter 4 John & Hilda

Another week is almost over. Our New Year’s Eve was quite eventful. We started out with dinner at the McCoy’s ….came home and brought in the New Year by watching a movie….Ethan wanted to call his cousin at midnight with the Digicel phone card he received for Christmas. At the stroke of midnight, all of a sudden, sirens went off ….I wasn’t expecting that to happen here in PNG. Susan said they were ambulance sirens. Trucks were going back and forth blowing their horns. We added the noise makers; we brought with us, to the bedlam going on. Jessica used the last sparkler she had been saving, you can see her in the edge of the picture showing Ethan on the phone. It was a great beginning for the New Year.

At last, on New Year’s Day I came down with a bug and spent the day in bed with my faithful bucket by my side. John and Jeffrey carried on in the kitchen making pigs, kraut and ice cream for the evening meal….did a superb job! Dr. Bill took Ethan and Jessica fishing in the afternoon to try out the new fishing rod that Dr. Bill and Marsha gave him Monday night. The evening was finished off with watching several favorite DVD’S.

The PNG Beauty Salon was opened on Friday afternoon. This week’s clientele included Ray Comstock who is working with maintenance and our very own Susan. I do enjoy getting to know our missionaries.

John and Jeff are coming along nicely with what Jeffrey says will be the “show piece” of the house when they are done. It has been framed in with the plywood applied. So to date the outside is covered with corrugated tin, the window is in and framed, glass cut and the whole works. Also as stated before the plywood is in and has been painted with a single coat of primer and the ¾ inch plywood for the floor is in and will soon be covered with ceramic tile. So they are moving along on this project. This week we try to finally understand 240 electric and get the light to actually ... light.

Till next week

Blessings
John and Hilda

Chapter 3 Of John & Hilda's Adventure

Dear Family and Friends,

(Sorry to our avid readers for the lateness of this chapter, but with Holidays and our trip we didn’t make our deadline. This weekend we will do better!)

Another busy week has passed….Christmas has come and gone….we have returned home from our trip to Mondomil.

It is a tradition here to go caroling through the wards at the hospital during the Christmas season. A nice way to start the Christmas week. As we concluded our singing, gifts are given to each patient from items that you have sent in boxes. Here we are getting organized just outside of the hospital.

We spent Monday getting ready for Jeffrey and Susan‘s Christmas Eve party. We were to go “Dyna” (a flat bed truck) caroling around the compound at 5:30 PM then back here for snack food and fellowship….we had to cancel due to rain. The rain did not stop our celebration though we continued on with games, fellowship and lots of good food. We had a great time with the missionary family. We topped the evening off with watching Santa Clause 3.

It’s Christmas day! Susan has made her rounds at the hospital and is back home….children are up and ready to open gifts but first a breakfast of sticky buns and Grandpa reading the Christmas story. What a precious time together…. after opening gifts on to preparing Christmas dinner. A young couple the Benedick’s shared it with us. After a time of fellowship and rest we topped the evening off with a Christmas movie.

We took Wednesday to prepare for our trip to Mondomil on Thursday. We were going to spend a few days at the EBC mission guest house…Evangelical Brethren Church….the road is indescribable….the trip is very rough….I prayed the whole way up and down the mountain….through the deep mud holes….over rocks and deep holes….a wash out and that doesn’t even began to describe it. Jeffrey did a superb job of driving!!! One side of the road was straight down. We arrived safely and set up camp.

The house we stayed in was very nice but due to the electric wire being cut and stolen several times and sold the mission decided not to do any more wiring but we were prepared with our crank lanterns and headlamps. When it’s dark in PNG its pitch black. We played domino’s one night till 12:30 AM using our headlamps and lanterns….fun was had by all. For hot water, fire had to be started in a special fire place in the living room….it had coils arranged in the bottom and up through the chimney, when a fire was started it would heat the water. The roar of the river in the valley was heard night and day….it was very peaceful. Hikes, trips to the river, a tour of the mission, games, reading, picture taking, enjoying the scenery, flowers being delivered by little boys were enjoyed by all. One of the things we enjoyed most was looking from our mountain across the valley to the next mountain at the little huts set in the trees and the very neat hill gardens being tended. It’s amazing how they stand upright. Jessica says that sometimes the sides of the mountain are so steep that they must tie a rope around their waist with the other end to the tree above them.
One interesting thing that we had never done before was cook bread on bamboo poles over the fire….it was delicious! To my delight I saw not one cockroach. Then it was time to make that journey back to Kudjip….more praying but made it safely back Sunday afternoon.

Arrived back to find the two boxes that had been sent before we left had arrived along with other mail. Fun was had by opening the boxes. We finished the day off with pizza and a Christmas movie.

Until next week…..
John & Hilda