January 17. Rain again last night. Up early this morning to pack up and clean and get ready to go back to town. We are thankful to the Lord for the restful time at Sobega. We left Sobega around 9:30. Put away food and a few other things when we got to CRMF. Then went off shopping — Papindo, Bintangor, SVS. Came home for lunch. Had nap. Daddy packed up boxes with supplies we had already gotten. Then he went out shopping again — more looking than actual shopping. I worked on notes for Kristen Famili so we can send the book back to Sobega. Fixed rice and tuna for supper. Worked more on the notes after supper. Then did dishes.
I feel pretty lousy this evening. I could tell this morning that I was getting a sinus cold. Put some fenugreek seeds in my soup at noon. Also had a cup of fenugreek tea before supper. Took extra clear lungs and olive leaf at supper time. Just took some ibuprofen so hopefully that will help me sleep tonight. Probably will have another cup of tea.
“27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27,28
January 18. I am thankful to have gotten a fair amount of sleep last night. I did have to get up in the middle of the night and take more ibuprofen. Slept in a little later this morning.
After breakfast and reading e-mails, we went out shopping. I was really tired most of the morning. Went to New Century first. Then came back to the flat for a little break before going uptown. Daddy went into the office first to see if they had a little screwdriver to tighten his glasses. I had knocked them on the floor last night after he set them on the table in the bedroom. The lens and screw came out. He put the lens in, and found the screw and got it back in with a knife, but wasn’t able to tighten it.
The Crowes were down at the office. I was waiting in the truck for Daddy, trying to pray, but I fell asleep. Next thing I knew, someone was knocking on the truck. It was Julie Crowe. I jumped out and gave her a hug, and we talked for a while until Daddy came. Samuel has been here for the holidays. They will be sending him back on Friday.
The first place we went up town was the bank, so Daddy could deposit some money. I stayed in the car and prayed while he was in the bank. Then we went to NTM hangar to confirm our flight for Friday and see if Daddy can bring boxes over tomorrow. After that, we went to Chemica — the entrance door was closed and we had to go in the exit. The exit is quite narrow so we had to wait for exiting customers before we could go in. Everything in the store was on sale. We wondered if they are going to go out of business, but they said they aren’t. Even though we had already gotten baby blankets at another store, we got some more there — they were marked down to K3.90 — good-sized, soft, cuddly blankets. Can’t make them for that price. Then we went to City Pharmacy to get some cough syrup and look around at their sales. Our friend Dulcie wasn’t there today. After that, we stopped at Papindo. Found a dipper for our kitchen water bucket. Got some string rope for Erisapet. A loaf of bread and milk for Daddy.
We are thankful to have finished most of our own shopping. Got back to the flat around noon. Daddy has a few bulk things that he will get tomorrow. And he will take things over to the hangar. After lunch and nap (I slept quite a while — was really wiped out), I worked on checking some Owena translation that hadn’t been checked yet. Daddy took the new computer down to the office to have them fix the e-mail so it can send. A storm came up and the power was out for a while. We are thankful it is back on now.
Had an e-mail from Jethniel Wyler this morning, telling about his grandfather’s home-going. He passed away Sunday on his 75th birthday. I thought, what a wonderful birthday present for him!
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10
January 19. Another day is coming to a close. It has seemed like a long day. I have been running on almost zero energy. I guess that means I’ve barely been running at all. Took three naps today — one in morning, one in afternoon (as usual), and one in evening.
Went out for a little while later in morning with Daddy so he could get stuff at the bulk store and I could sit in the truck and keep an eye on things. That was all I did – just sat in the truck. Out again for a short time in the afternoon to try to help him find a few things. We got a couple more single mattresses to put on our bed so the mattress will be thicker. The mattresses we have on it are thin, and I can feel the hard bed board right through them. Also got tuna, batteries, nappy pins, hair clips, a torch for Erovi, onions, a couple fresh veggies, laundry soap so we can wash clothes tomorrow, another bucket for keeping extra water in at the house, a few other things. There is no baking soda anywhere in town, no glue traps, and no cockroach powder.
Wrote a few e-mails today, and worked on putting corrections in Owena translation of Matthew chapter 2.
“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” Proverbs 19:8
“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil." Proverbs 19:23
January 20. Didn’t go to bed quite as early last night, but didn’t need to after three naps yesterday. Sleep was restless, but at least my nose didn’t run so that was a blessing. It is so sore from constant running, blowing, and wiping.
We were up fairly early this morning. Had laundry to do. And Daddy figured people would be calling from Owena asking for last minute things.
After breakfast, Daddy took off for town to do last minute shopping. I stayed here and wrote a few e-mails and got the income report up to date. After lunch, we got the clothes in. Then had nap. Then Daddy went out again. I folded the clothes and did some packing. Still haven’t felt like doing much today, but wasn’t quite as wiped out as yesterday. I am thankful for that.
This afternoon, I started working on a Pidgin children’s tract. I have really been burdened for the children who follow us around in the stores. We need something to give them, rather than just sending them away. They need the Gospel. They need someone to care about their souls.
“….but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” I Samuel 30:6