We have been asked if the Mudslide that took place a few weeks back has affected us. Yes this has definitely affected us! It cuts us off from the coast, which means no trucks cars or anything, which means no food, diesel and medical supplies. We had all done shopping with the thoughts that it might be months before this is fixed. There is a real possibility that it won’t be completely fixed even before we leave for furlough. This landslip is massive it broke off from a limestone section of the mountain and it took out everything in it’s path. Mike 
Chapman went to the sight with a National and he said that it took him about 25 minutes to walk across it. It took place just past Kundiawa on the way to Garoka. We are not driving anymore than we absolutely have to. Deisel is out in Hagen for the most part although I did hear rumor that they were able to get some diesel from the Southern Highlands. It has caused the PMV (PNG Taxi) fares to go up considerably so it is harder for our Nationals to get around. So you can remember us in prayer. 
It has been several weeks since the Mudslide took place and things are getting back to normal. The spot in the road that was taken out is still not fixed and who knows how long that may take to complete. But pressure was applied by the Prime Minister to get a by pass road in and that has taken place. I heard that a 2 week time period was given to get the by pass road in because that was about all the diesel that was left to the Gold mines that are in the Highlands and who depend on the Highlands Highway, the same highway we depend on. The day the opened the by pass road 
was kind of a time of celebration along the highway. Here is an email that Mike Chapman sent to us when the by pass road was opened,
"If you have not heard the trucks going by like gang busters then you should know that the road was opened last night to all traffic and today I watched fuel trucks and all kinds of trucks going by the station for Hagen. Praise the Lord! Thanks all for your patience during this time."
I did notice the last time I was in town that Best Buy looked to be out of rice and bread flour, 2 important food items here in PNG. But with the raod opened enough to get trucks through things will be getting back to normal. Thanks for your prayers and please continue to pray that the main road will be fixed and opened again soon and that other slides that have or will take place will not be as devastating.
These pictures were taken by Mike Chapman just a couple of days after the Mudslide took place.
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