So what were we doing in PNG anyway?

We went up  to the western province at helped out at a hospital.  Two doctors were visiting from Australia. They were in their 2^nd week of 2 weeks of elective surgery. I helped out in the theatre with prepping before surgery, cleaning up afterwards and getting  things as needed during the procedures. I was able to assist in all kinds of interesting medical things. The doctors were very skilled and did an excellent job!

Craig was busy! The maintainence department was in need of some leadership. Something you can’t  really do when you are only there temporarily. He was able to do a lot of upkeep on the missionary houses. Our house in particular.  He was able to get the gas going so we could cook, and he was able to get the hot water working. (yay for plumbing husbands!!) He was able to show some of the local workers  some new things that are important in relation to plumbing. He also tried to reinforce the fact that some things need regular maintainance BEFORE there is a problem. Craig was also to clean out a lot of the tanks to keep the bugs away!

Both of us had our try at a little home schooling. One of the families next to us were home schooling. I guess sometimes it’s nice to have variety in teaching. It’s probably good for both mom and students!! Craig spent a little bit of time with Tom and I spent a few mornings with Rosie.

It rained a lot there. Sometimes 4 or 5 times as day. It was very humid.  Many things went moldy! Craig had brought a jacket with him. We didn’t wash it there, and we never got it wet. But within 3 weeks, the wrists had grown green fur!!

It wasn’t all work though. The afternoons were hot so we often went for a dip in the river. It was refreshing! Sometimes, we borrowed rubber tubes and went for a float. It was so relaxing and a nice walk back  to the  base.

We also got to take a boat trip out to the village. It was called Sonai. We went with some hospital staff who were doing an immunization clinic. We stopped at various villages along the way, to tell them to come to the clinic the next day.

They had a lot of moms come to the clinic with their children to get immunized! The staff were pretty busy with weighing kids and giving them their shots and talking with the moms about family planning.Kids are the same everywhere ! Most of them were scared and some cried before they even got the needle! Poor little guys! 

We had a great time with the medical staff who came on the trip  and enjoyed visiting with them after the evening meal. We also really enjoyed going on a jungle  walk to collect firewood.  Very humid and slippery!

All in all, it was a very good experience! The scenery was amazing and  more importantly, we really enjoyed the people that got to know!!  We are grateful that we got to have this  valuable experience!