Well it has been awhile since we posted to the blog. We have been overwhelmed with the shock of getting used to our lives back in the states. We had a wonderful service on April 1 and everyone is now getting adjusted to life in the U. S. In the days and weeks ahead, we hope to be posting some pictures and links to the trip. As time allows, we will continue to update you on the results of this trip.
Thanks for your prayers
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Hey there Everyone!
I just wanted to let you know (as you may have already heard from them) that the Team is on there way home! It was not with out adventure as they seas were pretty rough on the way out of Bom! (High Seas) Anyway, I assume they made there flight since they rushed off to the airport! It was a Blessing to have them here!!!!! There was lots of work accomplished and lots of memories that were made! Thanks for those who had a part in making this happen!!! Thanks Jean for giving up Jim for the Last couple of weeks! Lori we missed you & I know it will be good to have Aaron back! Let us know when you have #3. Thanks again & we love and miss you guys!
With much Love, Butch for all!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Last Day on the Island
Well today was the final day on the island. Last night after my email, the guys went to the house boy. The house boy is a place in each village where the men go each evening to talk and some sleep in the house boy. We stayed until 11pm and some of us headed for home. Aaron, Chad, Jimmy, & Jared decided to spend the night in the house boy. They arrived home at 6:00 this morning. They have some great stories and even some video of the evening.
Today we finished a number of projects. I was able to get 2 coats of epoxy primer on the boat. Chuck was the exterminator guy and sprayed the houses for termites (a very real problem here). Chad relocated an overhang on a door. John & Jared finished some louver work. The ladies helped get Aaron’s house sealed up for the next few months. At about 12:30 we made our way to the village. The people had been preparing all day for our visit, since we were the honored guests. It was a traditional Moo Moo – which is a feast, a celebration, or a special meal (often at funerals). Aaron bought a pig and Butch bought a pig ($100 US) and we invited the whole village to join our celebration. We had pig, rice, yams, sweet potatoes, and Karo. The food was delicious and we all enjoyed ourselves. The people said that we eat too slow. Aaron explained to the people that we have come from America to help them. He explained that we have heard the “God talk” and that we desire for them to be able to hear it as well. That was why we came. The people applauded and were very happy to have us. It was a sobering experience for us all, but one that helps us see the need and the work in PNG.
Our plan is to load the boat at 5:00 am and be on the seas at 5:30 am. We would covet your prayers as the seas have been very rough the last 2 days. If the seas are the same tomorrow, we will wait until we have calm seas. We love our families and look forward to getting home, but we want to arrive safely – so we will not take any unnecessary risks. God has protected us each step of the way and we are grateful that we have ended this trip with no major health issues or injuries. The next time I will be able to contact anyone will be by phone late Friday morning US time. I will be calling Jean and she can update the prayer list and the blog to let you know when we safely arrive in Australia. Thanks for your prayers.
The 2007 Mission Team
Well today was the final day on the island. Last night after my email, the guys went to the house boy. The house boy is a place in each village where the men go each evening to talk and some sleep in the house boy. We stayed until 11pm and some of us headed for home. Aaron, Chad, Jimmy, & Jared decided to spend the night in the house boy. They arrived home at 6:00 this morning. They have some great stories and even some video of the evening.
Today we finished a number of projects. I was able to get 2 coats of epoxy primer on the boat. Chuck was the exterminator guy and sprayed the houses for termites (a very real problem here). Chad relocated an overhang on a door. John & Jared finished some louver work. The ladies helped get Aaron’s house sealed up for the next few months. At about 12:30 we made our way to the village. The people had been preparing all day for our visit, since we were the honored guests. It was a traditional Moo Moo – which is a feast, a celebration, or a special meal (often at funerals). Aaron bought a pig and Butch bought a pig ($100 US) and we invited the whole village to join our celebration. We had pig, rice, yams, sweet potatoes, and Karo. The food was delicious and we all enjoyed ourselves. The people said that we eat too slow. Aaron explained to the people that we have come from America to help them. He explained that we have heard the “God talk” and that we desire for them to be able to hear it as well. That was why we came. The people applauded and were very happy to have us. It was a sobering experience for us all, but one that helps us see the need and the work in PNG.
Our plan is to load the boat at 5:00 am and be on the seas at 5:30 am. We would covet your prayers as the seas have been very rough the last 2 days. If the seas are the same tomorrow, we will wait until we have calm seas. We love our families and look forward to getting home, but we want to arrive safely – so we will not take any unnecessary risks. God has protected us each step of the way and we are grateful that we have ended this trip with no major health issues or injuries. The next time I will be able to contact anyone will be by phone late Friday morning US time. I will be calling Jean and she can update the prayer list and the blog to let you know when we safely arrive in Australia. Thanks for your prayers.
The 2007 Mission Team
Wednesday on the Island
It rained most of the day today. While that made many of the projects harder, we still got much accomplished today. I have been giving Aaron a hard time, since we have not had a sunny day since we arrived. The Islanders said last week was sunny all week. The rain does keep the bugs to a minimum, so that is a plus. Today Jimmy & I fiberglassed the boat. We were able to fiberglass all the sides and the seams. Aaron added a “doghouse” in the front of the boat to store life preserves, etc. we were also able to fiberglass that in place. Tomorrow we will prime the floor and hopefully paint the boat if the weather holds. Jimmy worked on computers for the afternoon. Jared & John have become the louver experts. In PNG your windows consist of louvers that open and close to let in air. Over time they rust, so John and Jared have been replacing them on the Luses home, the Kunzer’s home, and the office. Chad has become the 12 volt electrician for the group. He replaced lights and chokes for most of the day. John got the generator fixed at the Kunzer’s and Chuck has become the screen expert. He is patching and replacing screens on both homes. He doesn’t mind being on a ladder most of the day so no one is fighting him for the job.
Cheryl is working on the meals and the gals help whenever she needs a hand. Michelle & Gloria are playing “grandma” and enjoying the time with the kids. Today involved sewing, crafts, baking cookies, and games. Tomorrow is our last day of work. We are going to have a traditional “Moo Moo” which is a celebration feast. We had one with the 2004 team, but this one is being held with the whole village and involves roasting 2 pigs. One of the ladies remembers me from the 2004 team and is anxious to see me again.
Everyone n the team is doing well. We do miss our families and are looking forward to seeing everyone again. It will be very hard to leave on Friday. Some of the tribal people told Aaron the other day. “When you and Butch came, we thought Americans were small. Now that we have seen 3 groups come form the states, we realize they are not”. These are wonderful people who have a deep spiritual need. It is our prayer that God can continue to use the Kunzer’s and the Luse’s to reach them for Christ.
The 2007 Mission Team
It rained most of the day today. While that made many of the projects harder, we still got much accomplished today. I have been giving Aaron a hard time, since we have not had a sunny day since we arrived. The Islanders said last week was sunny all week. The rain does keep the bugs to a minimum, so that is a plus. Today Jimmy & I fiberglassed the boat. We were able to fiberglass all the sides and the seams. Aaron added a “doghouse” in the front of the boat to store life preserves, etc. we were also able to fiberglass that in place. Tomorrow we will prime the floor and hopefully paint the boat if the weather holds. Jimmy worked on computers for the afternoon. Jared & John have become the louver experts. In PNG your windows consist of louvers that open and close to let in air. Over time they rust, so John and Jared have been replacing them on the Luses home, the Kunzer’s home, and the office. Chad has become the 12 volt electrician for the group. He replaced lights and chokes for most of the day. John got the generator fixed at the Kunzer’s and Chuck has become the screen expert. He is patching and replacing screens on both homes. He doesn’t mind being on a ladder most of the day so no one is fighting him for the job.
Cheryl is working on the meals and the gals help whenever she needs a hand. Michelle & Gloria are playing “grandma” and enjoying the time with the kids. Today involved sewing, crafts, baking cookies, and games. Tomorrow is our last day of work. We are going to have a traditional “Moo Moo” which is a celebration feast. We had one with the 2004 team, but this one is being held with the whole village and involves roasting 2 pigs. One of the ladies remembers me from the 2004 team and is anxious to see me again.
Everyone n the team is doing well. We do miss our families and are looking forward to seeing everyone again. It will be very hard to leave on Friday. Some of the tribal people told Aaron the other day. “When you and Butch came, we thought Americans were small. Now that we have seen 3 groups come form the states, we realize they are not”. These are wonderful people who have a deep spiritual need. It is our prayer that God can continue to use the Kunzer’s and the Luse’s to reach them for Christ.
The 2007 Mission Team
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday on the Island
Today got to see another set of projects progress one step farther. We were able to get the boat foamed and the new floor in place. Jared & John were able to replace the louvers in the Luses home and will start on the Kunzer’s tomorrow. We were able to set a new basketball post and backboard in place at the Kunzer’s. The ladies helped Tammy around the house and they got some time to play “Grandma” with the girls. We all went to visit some of the hamlets on the Island. Michelle & Gloria passed out candy to the children in the villages. Later we hit a beach ball around with a number of the children.
Here are 2 stories from the Island. Yesterday Chad had to fill a drain field with some stones. He collected them from a small pile by one of the trees in front of Aaron’s home. Later we found out that they were special stones that people haul from 2 miles away to use for cooking. So now we ask twice before moving anything. Today one of the villagers brought us some coconuts he had collected for the team. He placed them on a bench in front of the Luse’s home. Some of the Kunzer children were sitting on the bench when some of our ladies sat down next to them. One of the braces broke and the bench collapsed. Of course everyone was laughing and one of the men from the village showed the utmost respect by telling the ladies that the bench broke because the coconuts were heavy.
At the Luse home the temperature read 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 87%. It was overcast and a fairly typical day on the Island. Everyone on the team is doing well. We are all very tired at the end of the day and no one has a problem getting to sleep. Each day sees a few more projects completed and all of our hearts a little softer. Thanks for your prayers.
~The 2007 Mission Team
Today got to see another set of projects progress one step farther. We were able to get the boat foamed and the new floor in place. Jared & John were able to replace the louvers in the Luses home and will start on the Kunzer’s tomorrow. We were able to set a new basketball post and backboard in place at the Kunzer’s. The ladies helped Tammy around the house and they got some time to play “Grandma” with the girls. We all went to visit some of the hamlets on the Island. Michelle & Gloria passed out candy to the children in the villages. Later we hit a beach ball around with a number of the children.
Here are 2 stories from the Island. Yesterday Chad had to fill a drain field with some stones. He collected them from a small pile by one of the trees in front of Aaron’s home. Later we found out that they were special stones that people haul from 2 miles away to use for cooking. So now we ask twice before moving anything. Today one of the villagers brought us some coconuts he had collected for the team. He placed them on a bench in front of the Luse’s home. Some of the Kunzer children were sitting on the bench when some of our ladies sat down next to them. One of the braces broke and the bench collapsed. Of course everyone was laughing and one of the men from the village showed the utmost respect by telling the ladies that the bench broke because the coconuts were heavy.
At the Luse home the temperature read 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 87%. It was overcast and a fairly typical day on the Island. Everyone on the team is doing well. We are all very tired at the end of the day and no one has a problem getting to sleep. Each day sees a few more projects completed and all of our hearts a little softer. Thanks for your prayers.
~The 2007 Mission Team
Monday, March 26, 2007
Well today was the first full day on the island. I would like to report that the work done by the 2004 team is still in good shape. The cement is still hard, used the storm shutters today, and even the walls look the same as we left them in 2004 (absolutely amazing since we had no idea what we were doing). Even Todd’s welding project on the gate has held. (3 out of 4 hinges are still welded on – which as Todd will tell you is a God thing!)
The girls worked with Tammy to get the house back in order after being shut up for 3 weeks. Most of the time was spent dusting (volcanic ash accumulates over time) so yes – you even have to dust in PNG. Chuck, John and I worked on the boat and got everything cut and fit in place. Chad, Jared, & Jimmy worked on digging a gray water line for the Kunzer’s and another one for the Luse’s. They had so much fun digging (just kidding) they dug a hole for a new basketball goal.
The 2004 team set up a small foot washing drain that had plugged – so Jimmy and
Chad dug it out and realized we had placed a filter on it and it had clogged with sand over time. Jared was busy assembling the new basketball backboard and goal. Jimmy was talking to one of the children in the tribe and told him he was Aaron’s friend. The kid came to Aaron and asked if this was true. When Aaron asked what Jimmy said and he was told that Jimmy’s sister was Aaron’s wife. Aaron was able to straighten everything out.
The weather has been hot, humid and cloudy with a small sprinkle once in a while. Tonight we are spending time fellowshipping and singing. Everything is going well and we are pleased with the pace of the projects. The boat looks like we will be able to finish it without too many complications. Thanks for your prayers everything is going very well here.
The 2007 Mission Team
The girls worked with Tammy to get the house back in order after being shut up for 3 weeks. Most of the time was spent dusting (volcanic ash accumulates over time) so yes – you even have to dust in PNG. Chuck, John and I worked on the boat and got everything cut and fit in place. Chad, Jared, & Jimmy worked on digging a gray water line for the Kunzer’s and another one for the Luse’s. They had so much fun digging (just kidding) they dug a hole for a new basketball goal.
The 2004 team set up a small foot washing drain that had plugged – so Jimmy and
Chad dug it out and realized we had placed a filter on it and it had clogged with sand over time. Jared was busy assembling the new basketball backboard and goal. Jimmy was talking to one of the children in the tribe and told him he was Aaron’s friend. The kid came to Aaron and asked if this was true. When Aaron asked what Jimmy said and he was told that Jimmy’s sister was Aaron’s wife. Aaron was able to straighten everything out.
The weather has been hot, humid and cloudy with a small sprinkle once in a while. Tonight we are spending time fellowshipping and singing. Everything is going well and we are pleased with the pace of the projects. The boat looks like we will be able to finish it without too many complications. Thanks for your prayers everything is going very well here.
The 2007 Mission Team
Sunday, March 25, 2007
We arrived this afternoon at Bom. Chuck left early this morning with the Kunzer’s. They had a pretty rough ride, but made it safely to Bom. The rest of the team went to the morning service. They were many tearful good byes and it was very hard to leave. These people really appreciated the efforts of the team and the church to help assist them with this conference.
It was raining when we left Hoskins. When we got to Rabaul everything was cloudy, but no rain. Then a downpour started and we considered spending the day in Rabaul and leaving the next morning. Aaron and some of the guys went to Kokopo to see what the weather situation was. Jared, I and the ladies stayed at the airport with the remaining luggage. After about 30 minutes the rain stopped and the weather turned nice. The seas were not rough – so we started out. The ride was smooth almost the entire way (Jared even tried to sleep in the front of the boat (Aaron informed us that is usually what Avalon & Sierra do). It got a little choppy by the end of the trip, but nothing that concerned anyone. We all arrived safely and are settling in our new home. We start the projects tomorrow, but are planning on trying to get to bed early tonight. Thanks for your prayers and we will try to email when we can get a good connection again
Mission Trip Team 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Well today was the last day at the conference. It rained all morning and for at least part of the day. Today involved making about 200 cheese sandwiches for lunch and a supper which consisted of steak, potatoes, salad, and dessert. We finished the day with a skit time. It was the first service the entire team got to attend. By the time everything was said and done, the team served 1600 meals, to people from 9 countries representing 14 tribal people groups and the support staff on the base. We spent 3 hours each day for the last 4 days teaching children and teens and 2 hours each day providing games for the teens, kids, and adults. We have helped build, poured cement, worked in the store, done pedicures, babysat little children, done skits, even gone to town for supplies. We cooked all of the meals on 2 kitchen size stoves, 3 barbeque grills, and half of a 55 gallon drum. To say that we are exhausted would be an understatement. This team has worked together very well. Everyone has pitched in and we have worked together on just about every project. It was a very good feeling to finish serving the last meal of the conference. We started saying goodbyes today and it was very difficult. Tomorrow will be even harder. We have seen first hand the tremendous need for support and the unbelievable dedication of these people. We all will leave a small part of our hearts in this place. We appreciate your prayers for us as we begin the second part of our journey.
At 6:00 in the morning the Kunzers and Chuck will fly out to rabal. They will buy supplies and take a boat to the Island. The team will follow at 11:00 and take 2 boats to the Island. We are all praying for calm seas. I do not think we will be able to send any pictures from the Island. As soon as we have a good internet connection, we will email you from the tribe. We have had a good connection at the base so we have been able to read many of your emails. Unfortunately this is much more difficult when we get to the Island. We do appreciate your prayers and want to thank you for being such a large part of this ministry to the Island Missionaries. We cannot wait to see you and share our journey with you.
Mission Team 2007
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