Christmas with the Gigmai Family

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.