The students finished their first math workbook today too. We went over into English class time to finish. Then I told them to say “hooray, hooray, hooray.” They thought that was fun. In English class (what was left of it), I just read a book that Bonita picked out.
Nuanda came back from town today. He brought quite a bit of money with him to buy coffee. There is lots and lots of coffee around. At first they thought this was going to be the lowest coffee year ever. But the coffee came several months late and has produced abundantly. Amos sold a couple bags to Nuanda and came and paid Bonita’s school fees for the rest of the year.
August 11. Daddy’s birthday. 64 today.
Thankful to have slept a bit better last night. Got up early. Started the laundry about 6:45. There were lots of small items so it took quite a while to hang everything out. Took up all of the line space.
After a short break, it was time for school family day. The kids did really well. It was a joy to see them sitting with their papas and mamas and reading their little Owena books. After refreshments, we talked with the parents a bit. Didn’t have a lot to say this time. Just mentioned the due date for fees for second term of school, and also the fact that our being short on food and water may necessitate our taking a short furlough or furlough until the drought ends. The water problem can probably be remedied if we can get the water tank in. But the food problem is another thing. The people are rationing their food and pretty much keeping it to themselves right now. They do market a few things like beans and bananas.
In the afternoon, it was time to start packing and getting ready for town. Took time out to relax and play the keyboard before supper. I needed the encouragement of Frank Garlock’s song, which says, “Jesus loves me, He’s my Friend.” Fixed fish patties for supper because we had our sandwiches for lunch. We had planned to have leftover rice for lunch, but it was spoiled.
August 12. Went to bed early last night, and woke up early this morning. Actually I was awake off and on since 4:00. We finished packing up. Cleaned up the dishes. Daddy had to call MAF on the phone because Nuanda’s battery was dead, and Janet had gone off somewhere with the keys to the haus sik so he couldn’t get in to use the haus sik radio. Richard said the plane would be going to Boiko, then would come and get us. It was already loaded up. He would call us and give us an ETA later. Well, he didn’t call, and after a while, we heard a plane go over. So Daddy called Richard to see if it was MAF’s plane. Richard said the plane would be in Owena in a half hour. So we closed up the house and headed for the airstrip. I knew I would be moving slowly as I was not feeling very strong yet after being sick. I was hoping we would have time to stop and talk to Taro, but we didn’t. About the time we got to Gibson’s house, the plane came over the mountain. He landed before we got up there, but only had to wait a few minutes. The people took the cargo on over to the plane. Daniel came out to Goroka on the plane with us today. He is going to get stuff for his trade store. I guess the people will be needing other food to supplement their meager garden supply.
Arrived in Goroka around 10:30. After taking care of our bill (plane fares have gone up 8%, but avgas has gone up 24%), we brought stuff over to the flat, then went out to do some shopping. Went to Papindo, SVS, and Bintangor. Stopped by the post office after Papindo’s. Only two letters and not one package. Wonder what is going on with the mail delivery. (They found out later that there were 2 packages waiting for them. The Post Office workers, for some reason, had just not put a notice in their box. There was a third package, but it was returned to us, apparently without even making it to Goroka. Not sure what happened with that one.) Had lunch at SVS. We were thankful that fresh veggie prices seemed to still be about the same at Bintangor. Got some stew veggies (peas-carrots-cabbage combo), some carrots, and some broccoli.
After Bintangor, we came back to the house for a nap. Daddy went out again this afternoon. After nap, I got up the e-mails from the last six weeks. Fixed the veggies for supper. Boiled some eggs for egg salad sandwiches. It was so good to have fresh veggies again. Thank you, Lord, for that blessing.
"The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice." Psalm 97:1
"God is God; He sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, 'mid thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."
"Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts,
God defends who in Him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."
"For this life's long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns." —Morning and Evening
Photos:
Family day fun
Reading to Dad at family day