I safely arrived yesterday afternoon to the station here at Kudjcip Nazarene Hospital.
On my plane from Cairns to Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, I sat next to a former PNG ambassador. Before I knew that, he had asked where I was from, and he had been to Delaware. He actually had watched some ice fishing in Maine (near Kennebunkport), sent time in Lancaster, PA because he was curious about the Amish, loved the leaves in Vermont (where he stayed at the chateau run by the Von Trappe Family), and he thinks that New York City is an interesting place. Small world, right?! He was very careful to make sure I found my way to the domestic terminal. Great introduction to PNG.
After I made it to the domestic terminal, it was advised I buy a phone here, so I did. I called one of the missionaries, and she realized my flight wasn't for hours. So she told me about a free shuttle to a nice hotel where I could relax and have a meal, instead of waiting at the airport. So I had a relaxing time in air conditioning at the Gateway Hotel. They were so kind, and then drove me back to the airport.
I arrived in Mount Hagan and was greeted with a very nice welcoming committee. The Bennetts (missionaries here) welcomed me with a delicious meal. I also made my first new friend, pictured below! My roommate, Reny, came too. She's from Switzerland, and is getting experience here at Kudjip before heading off to a nearby mission where she'll be for the next 3 years. And guess what, she spent time at Nalerigu Baptist Hospital in Ghana (same hospital I was at). Small world? God really knows how to make a person far from home, feel so close to home.
Before this gets too long, my first impressions of PNG are that the people are lovely, the weather is perfect (80-ish in the day, 60-ish at night), the hospital facilities are rather nice (ok not like Christiana, but also much nicer than we had in Ghana or El Salvador), the land is quite plentiful (people have the most luscious gardens).
Tomorrow is my first day in the hospital!
Elizabeth! I got a call today from a lady at lost luggage in Port Moresby and your red suitcase has made it that far. They will put it on the plane tomorrow and Marsha will pick it up at the airport! Good you didn't buy more second hand clothes today! Judy
ReplyDeleteYAY!! Did you call my DigiCell? I saw missed calls, and you and Marsha are the only ones with my number!
ReplyDeleteThe sign at the hospital is very cool! We just studied Matthew 8-9 in Bible study, with lots of healings. I'm going to tell everyone about your sign, and alter it for us to "We pray, Jesus heals"!
ReplyDeleteYour new friend is darling, what is her/his name? Great story about your roommate...so glad you are there safely....love reading your blog. :)
Aunt cathy
Glad you got there safe. That is the cutest kitty. Hope you have a great first day in the hospital. The boys say hi.
ReplyDeleteTerrific news about your suitcase:). Your boys don't want you to get too attached to your new friend.
ReplyDeleteThe little kitty is named Spike. Although his owners do not seem entirely set on that name.
ReplyDelete