Log-3 Not in Kansas Anymore!

It's 3:30AM on Sunday November 28th (at least here in PNG) and my body has no business being awake. After sleeping less than 5 hours in the span of two days, I really shouldn't be up but the biological clock alarm has gone off and there doesn't seem to be a "snooze" button!

Praise God we finally made it to the Thyng's after a grueling itinerary, but thankfully it was a relatively uneventful trip comprising almost two entire days of our lives. I'm sure the Apostle Paul would have something to say about my complaining of the modern day luxury of air travel. Truly, all things considered, what amazing technology to be on the other side of the world in a matter of a couple days. What a neat time in history we live in.

We arrived to a balmy 90+ degrees in Port Moresby and then boarded a plane to our final destination of Goroka. The last plane flight was beautiful with the intermittent sand beaches and jagged ravines outlining the massive ocean against the dusty, dry land of Port Moresby. However, the conditions changed dramatically as we moved west along the coast and came to an obvious region that was much more watered and lush. Thunderclouds loomed ahead as we made our way inland to Goroka and you could see swaths of rain covering concise areas of densely forested mountains. These mountains are amazing, cropping out of the land like bulging muscles on a weightlifting champs biceps. One after another in succession each varying greatly in height and breadth and intermittent with rivers snaking through deep valley's between the steep "hedges" on either side.

The pilot literally navigated dark thunderclouds like a Nascar driver in a Sunday afternoon wreck and we were thankful that a flight we all thought could turn ugly, turned out to be extremely smooth! As we approached the Goroka airport there was a blanket of rain directly over the landing strip but we landed safely in a matter of minutes despite the inches of water covering the asphalt. Exiting the plane to the "terminal" (I use that term loosely) was wet but exciting. To know we were just minutes away from seeing family negated any dampness caused by rain drops that doused our clothes on the "run" to the "baggage claim area" (also use that term loosely), no jet bridges in Goroka... see pics.

The temp had dropped probably 20 degrees according to Dan since the rain started and this was refreshing compared to the sauna we had experienced a couple hours earlier in Port Moresby.

Matt and Jake after landing in Goroka... finally here!

We arrived around 5pm PNG time, loaded up the luggage and made our way the short 10 minute drive to the Bible College. Dan and Amy's house is the first building on the left. It was neat to see in person the house and landscape that I had only seen in pictures or videos. Like the tree I had watched them tie a chain to and remove their shipment container from the truck in the absence of a fork lift, or the water tanks we had been praying would be filled soon over the last few months of rainless weather (God was blessing with plenty today!)

Baggage Claim in Goroka:)

But the best of all was seeing their precious family in person. The kids are absolutely adorable and the house was decorated for Christmas already which was a pleasant surprise and added a little Holiday flair to the air! Kate and Clair gave a great exposition on the different ornaments (there are lots!) while Amy bathed Ben and put him to bed. Jake, Matt and I were able to shower for the first time in a couple days Hallelujah for us and the Thyngs:) Thank God for water and hot water to boot!

After Ben was asleep Amy got to work in the kitchen... I was unsure of whether I was going to eat because my stomach had not responded well to the malaria medicine, making for some interesting travels:( But once I saw the Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Tea, crescent rolls, etc. I couldn't resist. It was AMAZING! I must admit that a couple days earlier I had internally griped about the fact that we didn't get to have a traditional Thanksgiving feast since we left on Thanksgiving day. We had opted for left-over Chinese take-out at Jake's house in the midst of packing and all the normal craziness encompassed by a trip of this magnitude. But here we were in PNG having a Thanksgiving feast with all the fixins (did I mention the sweet tea?) It was a special treat and needless to say I decided to partake after all, surprise I know! Thanks AMY!


Well, I guess I better try and see if I can force myself to sleep so I'm not useless the rest of my stay here... I've got to pay for that meal you know!