November 23. No rain again.
Went out around 8:00 this morning to the second hand store. Found a sweater for Monika to use for yarn. Found a few little baby things. Also a pretty dress for a young girl for only 80 toea.
After that, we went to the bank to deposit money into the Meridian Life account so they can send Daddy’s supplements. Then to Remington to pick up the computer and printer. We will have to install the Microsoft Office and have it activated next time we come out.
Brought those back to the flat. Went down to the office and faxed a note and the deposit slip to Meridian Life so they would know the money is in their account. Then went out again to do some other little shopping. Most of our shopping is done. And most of the e-mailing is done too. So that will give me time to work on a few other things. Daddy took the new computer down to the office so they could set it up for internet use. It has a 60 day trial Microsoft office, but needed the internet to get it going.
Early afternoon, we already had a text message and an e-mail back from Meridian saying that they have sent the supplements on their way. Praise the Lord! They are really on the ball. We are praying that they will be here by Thursday.
After nap this afternoon, I washed my hair. Used the Noni soap we got yesterday. Am hoping it will keep my hair from breaking and thinning out too much. Wrote a couple e-mails. Had a pear for snack. Worked on November progress report. Had supper. Played on the new computer. Did dishes. Finished the progress report up to present date.
“1Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. 4The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, 6Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” Psalm 113:1-6
November 24. No rain yet, but looks like it may rain this evening. There was thunder and lightning earlier this afternoon. Power was off for a while this afternoon.
We went out early this a.m. to New Century before West Goroka was too crowded. Got mostly bulk items.
After that, we came back to the house. Daddy labeled all the bulk items with our name and village name and took them, along with boxes we already had packed, over to the hangar. He was hoping to find Nuanda (Nuanda said he would be around this morning) to help him with other bulk buying. Nuanda wasn’t there, but Danny Jack showed up in town. So he and Daddy did bulk shopping together for our workers and for his own trade store stuff. That took until noon. I stayed here and worked at the computer. Also got a macaroni salad made for lunch using the leftover noodles. Boiled some eggs to go in it, and added tuna, cucumber, and onion as well. It tasted really good. We don’t have salad very often.
After lunch, we had a nap. Then went downstairs to make bookings for our next time in town. Called Sobega to make arrangements to stay out there for part of the time, since we’ll have a two-week break next time. Then went shopping uptown. Got bread and butter to put in the freezer, some onions, a few other little things that we hadn’t gotten yet. On the way back to the house we saw Nuanda, Ana, and Traipina along the road. Stopped and talked to them a few minutes. Nuanda said that Sipora was probably at CRMF waiting to get Solomon’s money. Solomon is in Lae.
When we arrived back at the flat, there was Bryan with a package for Daddy. Praise the Lord for answered prayer. Daddy’s supplements had arrived. The K1000 purchased one month’s supply of crypto and cleanse.
Sipora was waiting here too. Also Dave Crowe was just pulling in. He will be here a few days for meetings at one of the churches, we think probably Southgate. He is going to try to come for lunch tomorrow, unless Pastor Kipsi has other plans for him.
Worked a while this afternoon on some songs to send to Connie.
“13Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 14The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. 18Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. 20Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. 23Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. 24And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isaiah 33:13-24
November 25. Thanksgiving Day. And so should every day be. It was a blessing to receive a thanksgiving e-mail this morning from Mrs. Leonard, pastor’s wife at Park Avenue Baptist. That was so thoughtful of her.
Still no rain. Things are very dry and dusty this week.
Awful music the past two nights. Slept part of Tuesday night in the “office” bedroom, and slept there last night all night. The loudest music was coming from the double bed bedroom side. Music started up again early this morning so we got up early. Needed to get laundry done anyway while Daddy was still here to handle the water buckets. They don’t have a hose running into the machine. It has to be filled using buckets.
Daddy didn’t get to eat breakfast this morning. He left some time after 8:30 for Lapilo, and didn’t get back until after 12:00 noon. The doctor gave him a very thorough checkup and told him that, for a man in his 60’s, his general health was at the top. That was good news. Doctor did an EKG, pulmonary function test, urinalysis, and drew three vials of blood for other testing. Some will be sent off to Australia, and some will be tested here. Dr. Morton will let Daddy know if there is anything serious. Otherwise Daddy will get the results next time we come to town. Daddy also had influenza and pneumonia vaccines, and was given oral typhoid vaccine. Everything together was $268.37.
While Daddy was gone, I made some pudding and put it on graham crackers. Used some of the coconut cream powder in it, and it made it taste really good. Did a little packing. Worked on some songs to send to Connie. Sharon (don’t know her last name) put a picture book and other simple health information on a flash drive for us to take back and translate for the people.
After lunch, we got the clothes in. Then went off to finish up last minute shopping — mostly fresh veggies to take home, and a few empty boxes to use to finish packing. No nap today. After we got back, we folded the clothes and packed them up. Most of the packing is done, and we’ll be able to pack a few more things after supper. The rest will have to wait until morning — last minute things. Daddy went down and paid the bill.
“ 2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger…. 6Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee…? 10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other…. 13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” Psalm 85
Well, I’d better get the bathroom sink cleaned, have a snack, and get a shower - last shower until next time we come to town. If they can get the dam fixed in Owena, maybe we can at least get a bath again now and then. Please continue to pray for rain so that we will have water.
Once again, the journal closed with these words:
We love you and miss you very much.
Praying for you,
Dad & Mom