The Chapman's in PNG

Family and Friends,

Time is drawing closer as we prepare to leave for home assignment. One month from today May 13th, we will be flying out of Mt. Hagen, WHP PNG to Brisbane, Australia. We will then be flying into Frankfurt, Germany via Hong Kong. Jon and Kat will meet us at the Frankfurt Airport May 14th. What a wonderful time this will be seeing our kids and grandkids. Meeting Dexter for the first time and seeing JG for the second time. While is Germany we are privileged to speak at Gelnausen Church Sunday morning May 16th in Frankfurt. May 23 will find us in Berlin speaking at St. John Church and attending open fires in the evening. May 29th is a family party meeting all of Kat’s family.

We will end our home assignment in Idaho with our Joe, Bekah, and Alexander. The new baby is due September 23rd. We are praying that he/she will arrive safely.

Prayer Points: home assignment travel and speaking schedule. that final plans go into place. support and project funding goals are meet.
one duplex is on the market. a buyer is needed immediately to prevent going into a foreclosure.
our PNG family will remain strong working for the Lord on the job site and in school.
Praises: staying in USA for the new ID Chapman grandbaby in September.
a donation made to pay the taxes on one duplex, so that it can be sold and not put into foreclosure at the present time.
travel airfare dates have fallen on the exact days needed. prayer cards are ordered.

May 31st Germany to Anchorage, AK via Chicago, IL.
This starts the home assignment USA schedule.

Travel Itinerary – Dates and Churches Listed. We would love to see you if you are in the area.

Alaska District:
June 3 – 4 Alaska District Assembly
June 6 Seward, AK, Soldotna/Nikiski
June 8 Valdez, AK (?)
June 9 Fairbanks 1st/North Pole
June 11 Two Rivers
June 13 Chapel of the Cross; Eagle River/Palmer
June 16 Hillcrest/Samoan
June 17 – 20 Juneau
June 21 – 22 Ketchikan

Wisconsin District “Karen Mitten WI” Please contact for a service date.
June 22 travel “DaveJan Kunz”
June 23 – July 5

Nebraska District
July 6 – July 11th District Superintendent Larry and Linda White Please contact for a service date.

Colorado District Please contact us for a service date.
July 12 – 17th Time spent with my mother, Suzanne Trotter.
July 18 La Junta; Lamar Community Church
July 19 Holly
July 20 Las Animas
July 21 Longmont
July 22 Open date available
July 23 Open date available
July 24 Open date available
July 25 am Open date available
July 25 pm Open date available

Arizona District Marilyn LaRue has advised the AZ churches. Please contact for a service date.
July 26 Travel
July 27 – 31 Open dates available
August 1 am Northwest Community Church
August 1 pm Open date available
August 2 Open date available
August 3 Brothwell Work and Witness Team Gathering
August 4 Open date available
August 5 Open date available
August 6 Open date available

California Upper Desert District – Sandy Ernest Please contact for a service date.
August 7 travel
August 8 Ridgecrest
August 9 Bishop
August 10 Lancaster Valley Waiting on a response
August 11 Lancaster New Life Waiting on a response
August 12 Open Date available
August 13 Open date available Pasadena Area Bud and Rosie Weatherby setting up gatherings.
August 14 Open date available
August 15 Open date available

Oregon District Kathi Kinnaman please contact for a service date.
August 16 travel
August 17 – 20 Open dates available
August 21 Winter Work and Witness Team gathering
August 22 am Open Date available
August 22 pm Medford
August 23 Open date available
August 24 Open date available
August 25 Salem First
August 26 Open date available

Idaho District “Pearl Kreps – ID” Please contact for a speaking date.
August 27 travel
August 28 Open date available
August 29 Boise First Church; Karcher Church
August 30 Open date available
August 31 Open date available
September 1 John Day, OR
September 2 Open date available
September 3 Open date available
September 4 Open date available
September 5 Nampa College Church
September 12 Boise New Hope
September 17 – 18 Northwest Work and Witness Conference
September 19 Portland Area Churches

September 23 BABY CHAPMAN DUE

September 25 travel to PNG
September 27 arrival in Mt. Hagen, WHP PNG

We will be glad to answer any questions or provide more information that will help you understand what our minister is all about while serving in Papua New Guinea. Our home assignment is to share that information. Also, we are raising funds for our support to continue doing the construction and training ministry here in Papua New Guinea.

Thank you for all your prayers and support that you have given us over the past two and half years. We are here because you are part of the Papua New Guinea ministry.

More updates will come.

Have a blessed week.

Diane and Michael Chapman
Special Assignment Missionaries
Papua New Guinea

We are preparing for home assignment.  Some of you will say what is that?  It is the time that we come back to the states to share and present presentations about all the work that we are doing and have done in Papua New Guinea for the Church of the Nazarene as special assignment missionaries.  We will be raising support and funds for more building/training construction projects that need to be  completed in the next two years of our new contract.  The building projects will be at the Melanesia Nazarene Bible College and Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.  Both are in need  of desperate housing for students and staff.  The Bible College is also needing to build additional classrooms and a conference center.  The need for scholarships for students to be able to attend school is critical.  We are excited to see what God is going to provide for His kingdom as we present Papua New Guinea to all our family and friends.

We will be talking with people about coming as a work and witness team or individually to help with the building and construction projects.  We always like to have volunteers and skilled workmen, who are willing to train and work along side the Papua New Guinea workmen.  What a blessing and experience, it is to work along side the Papua New Guineans.

We also want to build relationships/partnerships with people and organizations who will help us meet the vision and goal of educating and training the people of Papua New Guinea to have a better life.  Working with the college students at the Bible College and College of Nursing, there is a big need for social and technical education.

Below you will find a brief summary of our home assignment stops as we travel:

First Stop: May 13 – May 30.  We are very excited to be going to Hille, Germany to see our new grandson, Dexter, who was born in September 2009.  We will be spending time with Jon, Kathi, and JG.  While in Germany we will be speaking in Frankfurt and Berlin.  Our daughter-in-law will translate for us at all the services and presentations.  How exciting to share the work of Papua New Guinea with the Germany churches and organizations.

Second Stop: We will fly via Chicago to the Alaska District Assembly – June 2-4.  We will speak at several churches in Alaska from June 5 – 22nd.  We will be at the following churches: Anchorage Chapel of the Cross, Fairbanks, Two Rivers, Seward, Soldotna/Nikiski joint service, Eagle River/Palmer joint service, Juneau, and Ketchikan.  We do have a few open dates please contact “Rev. Blair Rorabaugh” <bcrorabaugh@juno.com>, so that we may come to your church while in Alaska.

Third Stop: Wisconsin/Michigan Districts.  June 23 – July 4th.  We have dates available.  Please contact us or  “Reggie Holmes” <quizlady@centurytel.net> or “DaveJan Kunz” <djkunz@hughes.net> to schedule a service or speaking presentation.

Fourth Stop: Nebraska District – July 5 – July 11th.  District Superintendent Larry and Linda White are scheduling all services.  “Linda White” <nedist@inebraska.com>

Fifth Stop: Colorado District – July 12 – July 25th.  We will be in La Junta, CO Sunday, July 18th am.  We have dates available.  Please contact us, so that we can schedule a service or presentation in your area.

Sixth Stop: Arizona District – July 26 – August 6th.  We will be at Northwest Community Church, Phoenix, AR Sunday, August 1st am.  August 3rd Work and Witness Presentation with John and Carol Brothwell.  We have dates available.  Please contact us for more information.

Seventh Stop: California – August 7th – August 15th.  We will be at Ridgecrest Nazarene Church August 8th am and pm.  We have dates available please contact us or “SANDY” <grandmothersandy@verizon.net>

Singua Cave is found 1 1/2 hour walk from the Muasugko Village.  We meet people along the way, who joined us for the day.  We hiked or crawled most of the way into the cave for 30 minutes before turning around and coming back out.  It was the first time for a female to be in the cave.  Only men had gone inside the cave before.  The lupine man was very worried about us until we returned.  The nationals were a little bit afraid of going into the cave, but once they understood what the cave looked like and was about they enjoyed seeing all the stalagmites and stalactites.  There was beautiful glistening rocks embedded into the walls.  The water was running out the entire way.

Group following Mike in the cave

The gang hiking up the mountain to the cave

One last rest before the cave

Looking at the moutain where we will enter the cave

We are almost there.  We  rested and visited with nationals along the way.  It was a very enjoyable hike.  Everyone made sure that Diane did not slip or fall going up the mountain and coming down the mountain.   We heard many different stories along the way about the area and who all the village families were that lived in all the different kuni huts.  It was a very interesting history lesson about the Chimbu area.  I am happy that we went on the hike, and we enjoyed the out of doors in Papua New Guinea.  The cave reminded me of the caves visited in Southeast Alaska. What a wonderful Christmas spending it with our special National friends and family.  I am thankful for the opportunity and experience.

Mike and Diane with friends at the cave entrance

Mariam eating Kau Kau (potato) in cook house

We had been asking Ruben for the last year and a half when are we going to your place.  He would say not during rainy season and not until the road was fixed.  Well we finally went with him to the village – it rained and the road was not fixed.  We went with the following families: Ruben and Marion, Pastor Isaac and Rebeka, and John.  The three men are brothers.  All the kids came along.  We participated in all the activities of Christmas and family chores – lotu (church services), volleyball, washing in the water fall, wood hauling and chopping, cooking, cleaning.

Nina and Mana Gigmai

Mode of Transportation to Muasugko Village - 2 Hours

We had an experience of a lifetime going to the village and spending Christmas  with the Gigmai Family.  They were  kind and excepting of us.  Everyone was excited to have missionaries come.  We were invited back.

The  yellow land cruiser was our mode of transportation to the village.  We left Kindiawa and traveled on a bush road for two hours of low four wheeling the entire time.  The road followed the side of the mountain.  The driver was very experienced and did a fantastic job of driving.  I was not worried or fearful at any time.  You could look down the side of the road and see a 1000 foot drop to the river.  So it was important for the driver to know what he was going.

Cleaning the Martama - makes your skin very red!!!

Rebekah, Ruben, and Isaac Eating Martama - a special treat!

Mike did not try the martama  because of not wanting his mouth and fingers all red.  I did try it.   The martama  had an interesting taste that would take time to develop a taste for it.

Kids eating supper

Kids getting the Chicken ready for meal

All the meals are scaled or dished  out to each individual.  The kids eat last when  the adults are finished.  If you have more than you can eat you give it back to the cook and it is scaled with more food to the next person.

Off to the local water kalap for washing/bathing

Diane and Grace at the water kalap.

Mariam, John, Rebecca and Ruben

Mike and Grace enjoying the water

The daily hike to the water kalap was about 20 minutes down a steep trail.  Everyone had fun and always enjoyed the refreshing water.  The kids would go to the water kalap on their own.

The waterfall sure gives you a nice back message and cools you of for the day.  No hot water when you go to the falls.

Rev. Isaac and Mike working on the firewood

Mike splitting firewood

Every meal that is prepared uses firewood carried from somewhere from the mountain.  We helped carry firewood from Marion’s home place to Ruben’s home place.

What a wonderful Christmas spent in the Muasugko Village.  The village is in the Chimbu area where Ruben’s family is located.

Diane is sitting with the ladies after Christmas Morning Lotu (church).  We are telling stories and watching the volleyball game.  This was a wonderful time getting to know the people and building relationships.  The people are so kind and helpful.

Mike preached:   Thursday night – Mary, Friday morning – Joseph, Friday evening – Jesus, and Sunday morning on the Holy Spirit.  Several people came to the altar and were saved.

Rev. Isaac preached Wednesday night on only one road to travel to make it to heaven.  Rev. Isaac is the Nazarene Coordinator for the children  ministry in PNG.  His mode of transportation is a motorcycle.  His wife,  Rebekah, teaches classes at the Bible College.  They have four children – Chris, Kathy, Ellen, and Ruben. We enjoyed getting to know them and be with them for the Christmas holidays.

Gardens with the house in the middle

Blue/Red Flowers

Gardens are straight up the mountain side.  The ground is not the best.  The mountains consist  of limestone with clay on top. Women walk one and half to two hours to work in their gardens.  It is very hard work and heavy bulims are carried down the mountain side.

Mountain Scenery across the valley

Beautiful Flowers on the mountainside

Yellow Butterfly

Mountainside Valley Scenery

Beautiful flowers were found on the mountain side and along all the trails.  Lots of trees and plants can be seen everywhere on the ride out to the village and looking across the valley.  Butterflies of all different kinds of color were seen.

THANK YOU!!!  The West Virginia District sent the MK School several new books for the reading program to help complete our collection.  They also sent pencils, scissors, and construction paper that is used everyday in the school.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and kindness.  We appreciate you very much.

We are finishing our second week of school.  The kids are doing a great job and working hard.  God protected us this week from one of the gum tree branches falling down on the porch.  We had just come inside when we heard the crash.

It was off to Kana Bii, Sunday.  We drove until there was no road left and walked for another 10 minutes.  What a wonderful day we had.  The Pastor’s wife suprised me with a mary blouse and laplap.  She also prepared a wonderful meal for us after church.  Mike spoke in the morning service.

We had our first day!  What a great day!  All the students were ready for school to begin.  We have one first grader, 3 second graders, 1 fifth grader, and 2 sixth graders this year.  Lois Staton will be helping us for the month of August.  Thank you, Lois.  Janet and I will have our hands full with all the different grade levels this year.  But, we are up for the challenge.

We are ready to go!!!

Remo, Emma, Chiara, Lorena Elena, Jerome, and Allison wanting to get started for the day.  Ethan was in the other room.

Lois Staton helping us for the month of August!

Lois and Tom Staton come to Papua New Guinea every August for the past nine years.  Lois has retired from teaching school and been a principal.  When she is home, Lois still subs in a inter city middle school near her home.

Tom is a NTS doctor.  He helps in the hospital while he is in Kudjip.

Aunt Lois reading a story.

We made it to the end of the day with all our activities and lessons.  It was a good day.  Thank you for reading us a story.  The library time was also fun this morning.

Janet looking at lessons for tomorrow. Always something to do!!!

Janet is starting her second year at the Kudjip MK School.  She is a great teacher and always is trying new and different ideas.  Janet likes to challenge the students to do the best that they can do from start to finish.  Thank you, Janet!!!

College of Nursing Students enjoyed an evening of games, Saturday night.  Andy and Judy Bennett joined us.  Judy baked a cake and Mike made popcorn.  I had made lemonade for drink.