To the Uttermost Parts of the Earth - Sudest & Rossel Islands, PNG

Part I

3:30 pm Saturday, 11 october. Depart Alotau

Well underway, Austin hanging with Captain Gerald in the wheelhouse.

Gerald cleaning one 0f the many catches of the long voyage. Note Austin's "pirate" dagger used to dispatch the scallywag. AARRRGH, MATEY!

View of a small island through a "pirate's looking glass" - OK, binoculars

Everyone on deck to enjoy the fine weather and watch porpoises playing off the bow (unfortunately the photographer was too slow to capture the latter).

One of the many beautiful sites: a lush green island and silvery moon both reflecting the glow of the afternoon sun.

8:30pm Sunday, 12 October - Arrive at Pamela Village, Sudest Island

Neddy and Austin delivering the first load of cargo to shore

Warm welcoming committee at Pamela village

Mike and Thera Anderson - finally at home in Pamela village, Sudest Island; colleagues Anne and Jim Henderson - still a day's journey away from their home on Rossel Island.

5:30 am Monday, 13 October. After anchoring overnight at Pamela village (Anderson’s place) we departed before daybreak Monday hoping to make Rossel (12-13hrs away) before nightfall.

One quick stop at Nimoa Island to drop off Geraldine, the Health Center manager

Nimoa was yet another idyllic place we wish we had more time to visit, but we were on a mission and were burning daylight.

Austin earning his keep - helping weigh anchor with the manual windlass.

First view of Rossel Island - one of God's remotest treasures.

6:30 pm Monday. Fantastic sunset - but we wanted to be through the passage and at anchor by now!

More spectacular sunset fireworks!

Austin's pick for the safest place to "rest" as dusk fell and we hit a heavy swell rounding the windward side of the island.

This was the crew’s and Kwadima’s first run to Henderson’s place on Rossel Island (the far easternmost point in PNG – about 230nm ESE of Alotau) so though we navigated with the digital chartplotter, we didn’t have confirmed waypoints or verified routes to go by. We arrived after dusk, so instead of risking the reefs around the passage into their village, we entered the reef through a larger passage nearby and anchored overnight.

Meet Guaca and Mole!

We have acquired some very beautiful green tree snakes as pets. Dad and the boys love them and Kylah and I tolerate them. Most Papua New Guineans (men and women alike) are terrified of snakes. All of Austin’s friends think he is sooooooo brave to carry the snake around. Austin came to the market with me wearing the snake wrapped around his shoulders and I felt like Moses when the Red Sea parted. Needless to say the snake made only one appearance at market. When they are not eating, Tim keeps them loose in the house. They tend to stay in one place. However,Ttim is currently out of town and both snakes have retreated behind furniture. I am hoping neither comes out for food. I really don't know what I would do. Yikes!!!!!

Thanking God for the Kwadima II

On a recent trip to East Cape (a two hour drive east of Alotau) we were able to capture a picture of the old boat, MV Mark (which we sold to a local man in town) and the new boat, MV Kwadima II. Once again we are so thankful for all the hard work that has gone into the provision of the new boat and know that these sentiments are even more heartfelt from the translation teams who routinely travel aboard to their allocations. Thanks to all who have made the boat program possible in PNG.

Now that is a Namesake!

Austin is cuddling the daughter of Carol, one of our full-time center employees. Namesakes are very important in this culture and our family was honored by this baby’s name. Her full name is Stacie Rose Kylah Samuels. Kylah Rose and I are happy to share our names!

Bush feet

Our kids enjoy the fact that shoes are optional everywhere. The kids have gone to the grocery store, church, restaurants and any other place you can name in bare feet. I know there will be complaints when we return to the U.S. "Do we have to wear shoes?"

Of course, the drawback is the extra toe/foot sores that come from running around in bare feet. Lucas had something in his foot that we could not get out. He was scheduled to have it lanced but it came out the night before after this awful boil popped when Weston accidentally sat on it. So GROSS!

Kid's Artwork

Lucas paints a giraffe

Fingerpainting is so much fun!

Canoe

Austin is so proud of his new outrigger canoe.



I think it's a little on the small side for Dad!