June 4. It has been a busy day. I was glad for a little walking time this morning after breakfast and quiet time.
When the school kids came, I had to explain to them about the new seating arrangements since we don’t have enough chairs or enough space around the table for everybody. So some of them sat on the benches and some sat on the floor, and they used their lap desks to put their papers and workbooks on for writing. All the papas sat on the floor when they came for English class. We now have five regular students and four papas so am having to do some things a little differently.
Bethuel had a certificate for completion of third grade, but has quite a ways to go to catch up to the other students, especially in English and reading. He does fairly well in math, but needs to learn the routine that these second grade books follow and needs to pick up speed quite a bit. I hope that he catches on quickly.
Mike did really well in spelling today even though this was only his third or fourth day in class.
Daddy went out this morning and started cutting grass. After lunch and short nap, I went outside for a while and raked up the rest of the grass that I didn’t get time to rake the other day. Took some trash out to get a fire going. The grass was fairly wet after the rain, however, so didn’t burn very well. I enjoyed having that bit of time out in the sunshine before getting down to business with things for school tomorrow.
Tania and her mother came this afternoon with Tania’s new baby. It’s the first time I’ve seen her mother since we moved up here. The baby’s name is Filiben. I talked with them a little bit and then went to get a few things out for the baby. They wanted me to pray with them before they left which I was happy to do.
MAF twin otter came in for coffee about the time we lay down for nap. While we were still napping, we heard the engine revving up, then cutting down, revving up again, cutting down. We had a feeling they were having problems with the plane. Daddy got up and went over to the airstrip to see what was happening. I heard the revving up and cutting down several times so thought they might not get off from here today. So I put some eggs on to boil so we would have enough for sandwiches in case they came down. Soon I saw Daddy coming with two pilots. Jason (from Alberta, Canada) and Philip (from Switzerland) are here to spend the night.
Daddy and I did a quick cleanup job in Connie’s bedroom and got the mess organized a bit better so they could sleep in there. We had to go through drums to find sheets and blankets and pillows. These two men are our first guests since we moved to this house. They didn’t want us to go to a lot of work for them, but we were happy to do it. After that, I got supper on. Then did the dishes. Jason and Philip dried them for me so that was a blessing.
Then I excused myself and made sure that everything was ready for school tomorrow. Now Daddy is talking with the men, and I am busy at the computer, thankful for a little sit down and relax time.
“22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:22,23
June 5. Yesterday evening, Matthew came to the door all concerned because the moon was broken. I quickly figured out that there must be an eclipse of the moon. I explained to him briefly about how the moon reflects the light of the sun, but sometimes the earth comes between the sun and moon and makes a shadow on the moon. I guess he figured out what I was trying to tell him. After we finished Bible reading and prayer time, Daddy and the pilots went out to see the eclipse. Then the pilots retired for the night.
“They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens.” (Psalm 65:8a)
I was just starting to get a good sleep when it was time to get up this morning. So have felt a little bit tired today. Took a looooong nap this afternoon. It was quite warm and muggy today too so that added to the body’s feeling of tiredness.
Got breakfast on the table this morning and let the men eat by themselves. Then I fixed my breakfast and took it to the bedroom so I could have my quiet time while I was eating. Then I went out to clean up the kitchen, and the men went up to move the plane off to the side so there would be room for another twin otter to land.
We started school at 8:15 as usual this morning. The twin otter from Hagen arrived around 8:45 with two mechanics, both nationals. They worked on the plane most of the morning, trying to find the problem and finally found it and got it fixed. Daddy was up there a good part of the morning too and took some pictures.
In the mean time, the Hagen plane did five or six coffee shuttles between here and Aiyura. It was about 12:30 when both planes finally left here. The Goroka plane took another load of coffee out to Goroka. Usually by this time of year, the companies do not buy the previous year’s coffee. However, since there is no coffee crop this year, they are buying last year’s crop. There is a still lot of it around waiting to be sold.
After nap this afternoon, I went out and raked for about a half hour. It has been a blessing not to have rain or wind in the afternoon so I can get a little sunshine. Came in and had a snack and worked on lessons for tomorrow. I had Daddy cut up a pumpkin for me, and I fixed that for supper along with spaghetti.
“24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26