The Chapman's in PNG » Feb News Letters

What's in the Belim?

diane — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:49:51 +0000

What is in the Belim? The ladies carry their babies in the baby belim.

The baby sleeps and likes the ride. You see the women carrying all their items in a belim – vegetables, fruit, coolers, whatever is needing to be taken from one place to the next.

Tun Visit on Sunday 2/24

diane — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:38:05 +0000

Sunday we drove to Tun with Jonathan and Dr. Erin. Jonathan is the chief of police who is taking care of the project security. We drove through beautiful country and saw lots of beautiful gardens.

At one point we crossed a river and then the road turned to a trail. We attended church with Jonathan and his family – Agnus, Morine, Darlene, and Sarah. We were to go on a hike up the mountain to the waterfalls but the weather didn’t permit us to go. We will plan on going at another time. We enjoyed attending church with the Pastor Samuel, Jonathan, and the local people.

Michael on the Basketball Court

diane — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:03:29 +0000

Michael has played a few times on the basketball court with the doctors. He said that it is good exercise but he sure isn’t a bolt of lightening like in the younger days. I took pictures one day just so there is proof that he can still handle a basketball. It isn’t all work and no play.

Trip to Nazarene Melaniesa Bible College

mike — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:18:39 +0000

Diane and I had the opportunity to go to the bible college to spend the day with Marvin & Patty Thrasher. We arrived in the morning and attended the church service at the college. It was a fun service to be in with lots of singing and testimony’s. One of the pastors of the college then preached. Diane and I had a hard time following him but we are getting better with or pigeon. After the service Patty told us she had a harder time also he was not being real clear. After the service we had a good time visiting with students from the college.

We then went to the Thrashers to have a good time eating lunch and getting to know Marvin and Patty. We were able to get out and take a walk around the campus in the afternoon. The campus is very well maintained and beautiful. Lots for flowers and greenery. While we were on a walk we met two pastors outside there homes. Marvin then introduced us from Alaska, then they told us that there homes were built by Alaska Work & Witness teams. There are 3 house’s and 1 bath/shower facility. They did not know what year they came but everybody seem to think that it was early 70’s.

A Sing Sing!

mike — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:36:22 +0000

On February 2nd, Mike went to a Sing Sing (Celebration) in Ming. Just north of the Kudjip Station.There were dignitaries that came to speak to the tribes of Ming. I was able to take some pictures of people at the celebration. Apparently from what I was told is that the politicians give money for the celebration when coming. This pays for the expense. (Left click on picture to enlarge)

Lots of people came to see the celabration. Kids and adults!

MK School Kids Bike

diane — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:49:15 +0000

The MK School kids are biking on the station every Tuesday. Uncle Mike took a picture of us on the way by his office. The kids love to fly around the corners and over the speed bumps. They leave Aunt Diane in the dust most of the time but will wait at the end for her to catch up. The rocky road does not encourage speed. Bike riding is a great way for outdoor activity. Erin does PE on Thursday – soccer, basketball, football, dodge ball.

Teacher Shopping Day

diane — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:35:02 +0000

Today is Teacher Shopping Day! I am off to Mt. Hagan for the once a month grocery shopping. There will be 6 plus the watchman going in the vehicle – Jeff, Erin, Nimi, Becky, Kristen, and myself. Today, we will run lots of errands and get all the items that we have been writing down on the list for the last month. The day will end by going to the open market for vegetables and fruits before coming home.

Sunday was a sad day in Mt. Hagan. Two tribes got into a terrible fight and several lives were taken. Monday all the stores and banks were closed. Tuesday they reopened most of the stores and business was back to normal. There are policemen on all the corners in town. Today, we will have to be very observant and stay together.