In our family we often times talk about how everything is relative. We are very rich when compared to many of our national friends here in PNG but not by US standards. Our hospital here is very technologically advanced compared to the many health centers not far away but we are decades behind a typical small town hospital in the US. The variety of goods available at the big grocery store in Mt. Hagen is amazing compared to the trade stores in the nearby small town of Banz but they are nothing compared to a Super Wal-mart in the States. It is all RELATIVE! This past Sunday, going to morning service was an adventure by any one's standards! The trek to Tumbang made Disney Land's Indiana Jones ride seem like a stroll in the park!
But first, let me share with you a little history leading up to the current event. Pastor Robert is in his third year at MNBC (Melanesia Nazarene Bible College). Robert was born with a problem in his right eye and has very little if any vision in that eye. In his "good" eye he developed a cataract and so has struggled for some time to carry on life's daily tasks. He felt called to the ministry but could hardly make out the words on the pages of his Bible. His wife, Kauantz, has never been to school and therefore never learned to read and write. She is committed to Robert and he to her and so he taught her to read. Now she can read the Bible to him! Between the love and help of his wife and his Bible College classmates he is able to proceed with his studies.
But first, let me share with you a little history leading up to the current event. Pastor Robert is in his third year at MNBC (Melanesia Nazarene Bible College). Robert was born with a problem in his right eye and has very little if any vision in that eye. In his "good" eye he developed a cataract and so has struggled for some time to carry on life's daily tasks. He felt called to the ministry but could hardly make out the words on the pages of his Bible. His wife, Kauantz, has never been to school and therefore never learned to read and write. She is committed to Robert and he to her and so he taught her to read. Now she can read the Bible to him! Between the love and help of his wife and his Bible College classmates he is able to proceed with his studies.Pastor Robert has been assigned to Tumbang Nazarene Church for the past two years. Robert and his wife leave the Bible College campus every Friday or Sat and travel about 30-40 minutes on a PMV (public motorized vehicle) and then hike 
about 2 1/2 hours, mostly uphill, to Tumbang in order to be there for the Sunday morning service. After the morning service they make the return trek.
about 2 1/2 hours, mostly uphill, to Tumbang in order to be there for the Sunday morning service. After the morning service they make the return trek.Some months back Dr. Steph, our newest full time medical missionary doctor here at Nazarene Hospital, saw Kauantz in the clinic. In so doing, she became aware of Pastor Robert and Kauantz's story, specifically his near blindness. Thanks to Dr. Steph's sensitive spirit and willingness to be used by God, Pastor Robert got some desperately needed help from an eye specialist in Goroka, about 3 1/2 hours away. Pastor 
Robert doesn't have anything close to normal vision but is much more easily making his way through life!
Robert doesn't have anything close to normal vision but is much more easily making his way through life!Pastor Robert and the Tumbang church invited Dr. Steph to come speak at their church. (Steph mentioned to us that she would need the vehicle, which we look after, for that Sunday and we in turn volunteered to go with her.) They had food prepared and had done some amazing decorating with flowers, fruits and vegetables! They even had a small pool with two large gold fish in it (which Robert would later take home to cook and eat...Steph had politely declined along with the rest of us!!) There was a printed program and plans for a baby/children's dedication as well. This Sunday was to be a really big deal for this church. No Nazarene Missionaries had ever gone out
that far on that road to visit a church! Although we didn't know all the details of the decorating we knew enough to know that Dr. Steph not being there would be a huge disappointment and you can imagine our dilemma when we were advised not to go! The road was not in good condition. Some of our Swiss missionary friends have a mission close to there and advised not going stating that they had not been sending any vehicles out there for some weeks due to poor road conditions. We prayed about it, pondered it, weighed the risks and benefits and...ultimately decided we would head that direction and if it got too bad we would turn back.
that far on that road to visit a church! Although we didn't know all the details of the decorating we knew enough to know that Dr. Steph not being there would be a huge disappointment and you can imagine our dilemma when we were advised not to go! The road was not in good condition. Some of our Swiss missionary friends have a mission close to there and advised not going stating that they had not been sending any vehicles out there for some weeks due to poor road conditions. We prayed about it, pondered it, weighed the risks and benefits and...ultimately decided we would head that direction and if it got too bad we would turn back.
The bottom line is that God made a way!!! It was, in fact, the worst road we have traveled on in the whole 8 years we have been serving in PNG! We only got stuck once! The service was great! The people were thrilled! Dr. Steph was wonderful! We enjoyed the lunch prepared for us! The Lord blessed us, we were blessed by the people and we were able to be a blessing to the Tumbang church! Thank you Lord for a great time 4-Wheelin' in PNG on Sunday Morning!!
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