TandTfamily

More Baby Perpetua pics

2012-01-30T22:32:00.000-08:00

Perpetua Felicitas - baby pics

2012-01-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

Baby pics for Perpetua - December and January 2012

Our swimming hole in the village

2012-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

The rain moved some logs around, giving us a deep, clean hole to jump into. Alethea is now diving, and Little Perpetua likes to watch Big Brother and Big Sis splash and laugh. Noah has been trying to teach some evangelists' kids how to flip.

Living among a remote, interior tribe is not all hardship and suffering. It's a pretty good environment to raise kids as well.

An answer to Noah's prayers

2011-09-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

An answer to Noah's prayers

The book of James tells us that, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" and I believe this applies to believing children as well.

From the first day that Noah, our soon-to-be 7-year old professed faith in Jesus, he has been praying nightly for a baby brother or baby sister.

Our Father does, indeed, seem pleased to answer the prayers of his people (Matthew 7:7-11;18:19; 21:22; Luke 11:9; John 14:13; 15:7,16; 16:23-24; Philippians 4:6; Philippians 4:19; James 1:5; 4:2;1 John 3:22;5:14) especially the unpretentious prayers of those who follow him as little children, fully trusting in His promises.

When Perpetua was finally born, Noah literally jumped up and down ("YIPPEE! We have a baby!!") and now he always wants to hold and cradle the baby and thanks God every night for her in prayer.

Alethea wants to comb the Baby's hair and fix it up when she gets more hair in, but for now Alethea is content to make togas out of garbage bags.

WELCOMING OUR NEW BABY GIRL

2011-09-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

WELCOMING OUR NEW BABY GIRL

PERPETUA FELICITAS JOHNSON

Perpetua, born on 16 September at 0820, weighed in at 3.9kg (8.6 lbs...yes, a big baby) and has very good lungs and doesn't look overly much like an alien.

Why the weird name?

Okay, here's the reasoning behind the arcane naming:

Not only because our last name Johnson is a very common name, but chiefly because we feel that names should matter, we have chosen the names of two early Christian martyrs, Vibia Perpetua and her handmaiden Felicitas, who, at a time when it was illegal to profess faith in Christ, chose not to deny their Lord. Upon the pain of death, they chose their Savior over any of the comforts of this world and suffered martyrdom in the Roman arena.

The Puritans often named their children after the cardinal virtues such as Patience, Constance, Charity, and so we, too, have chosen a name which will constantly remind our daughter of the meaning of true nobility.

Our first son we gave the name Noah, a preacher of righteousness who followed God despite the whole world going astray. Our daughter we named Alethea, the Greek word for "truth" found in the New Testament. Noah and Alethea both gave the names "Rainbow" and "Sunshine" to the two miscarriages that did not see the light of earthly day but woke up only to the light of heaven. Now. we welcome Perpetua Felicitas Johnson.

In an age where honor matters little and many will sell their good name for material comfort, the noble example of these dignified women, who sacrificed all for the glory of God, is a needed reminder to us. Whereas the record of human history is a history of human cruelty and violence, men killing others for mere material gain, may the noble example of Perpetua and Felicitas provide a constant reminder to our daughter concerning the ideals of true dignity and Christian sacrifice.

'In this trial what God determines will take place. We are not in our own keeping, but in God's.'

- Perpetua's diary

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Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country...they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

... By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

...Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

More great pics from our Mamberamo trip

2011-08-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

The round hill on the far bank of the river is the subject of Fuau mythology; a flood carried it from Fuau to here, near Dabra, and now only Fuau-speakers can get pigs when hunting here.

Trevor speaking at conference

2011-08-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Alethea Conference pics

2011-08-13T05:15:00.000-07:00

Alethea with friends, Alethea getting her face painted, Alethea dancing the Hula and Alethea with her monkey mask.

Another river trip

2011-07-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the plane

2011-07-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

Teaching when we have the opportunity.

Also, seeing local pets.

Also, we had to drain a little fuel - the kids said that the airplane was peeing.

Visiting a WWII Base

2011-07-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

This is where General Douglas MacArthur based from as he chased the Japanese back north in his new Guinea campaign.

At the bottom of the hill was a rest and recuperation place, now called "Hawaii Village" because it reminded American troops of what Hawaii looked like. Some of the WWII Quonset huts are still in use. My grandfather was here briefly, too.

Cerebral Malaria in the village

2011-07-04T04:15:00.000-07:00

We are praising God for Ledipena's recovery.

Backstory:

Tuesday the wife of Endiles start seizing up from severe cerebral malaria at 0530. The seizures grew bad, she was unresponsive, very hot and with labored breathing (it was her 3rd day of sickness at that point and the second day of no food or drink).

We live in a very remote region: We found out there was no heli, and the floatplane is in inspection and the nearest is 2 days downriver, and the weather was rain. So, no way to evac! And she wasn't stable enough to tolerate the travel. We felt very trapped.

We started an IV and infused the WHO Standard high loading dose for severe cerebral malaria. For tuesday and Wednesday her breathing was labored and she had many seizures it looked several times as if she was beginning to decompensate and die.

At one point her breathing was becoming more and more labored and her seizures were very frequent and we thought she was dying. I exited the room and told Teresa that the lady was beginning to breath her last - but then the Dani evangelists gathered and prayed... and her breathing actually normalized again as they prayed. Amazing.

Early wednesday morning we ran out of IV quinine and fluids. And this at a very critical time.

NOTE: We have enough meds for most cases of most things, and we had enough iv quinine and fluids to stabilize a patient and get them out to Wamena....but not enough meds to keep and treat a critical patient totally for an extended length of time in the village. So, we were prepared. But it was bad timing to try to medivac a patient from Danowage with no heli or floatplane.

MAF air-dropped the meds (flew low over the village and pushed out the padded boxes containing meds - only 2 iv bottles broke but the rest of the meds were recovered intact). This allowed us to continue the quinine dosing and IV fluids (she was severely dehydrated when he found her). We tried an NG tube to deliver meds another route, but too many seizures and she reacted violently.

UPDATE:

She is now improving!

Thursday the seizures decreased and we were able to put down a nasogastric tube to start feeding her and to open up the possibility of giving other meds besides just Intramuscular injections and Intravenous IV meds.

Friday morning she began to improve, follow us with her eyes. Then she began to cry for her children. Then talk a few words. We continued iv fluids, meds and oralit and oatmeal through the ng tube.

Now she appears to be recovering. Her mental functioning is slowly coming back.

You say papeda, I say pap-a-dah......

2011-07-04T04:10:00.000-07:00

Some good jungle eatin' right there......

Not sure if the consistency is more like glue or snot.

Papeda is from the sago palm tree and is a lowland jungle staple here. I try to fit in with the culture and eat what they eat, but....BLECK.....I still hate this stuff!!!

Sunday Morning in the M River Region

2011-07-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

The sermon was on the woman who poured oil on Jesus' feet.

The tithe was fish and yams.

And then we prayed for the sick after the service (and told the kid with the cut foot that plastic didn't make the best bandage to keep the wound clean and dry).

Teaching at night

2011-07-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Even at night, locals may want you to teach (though by the pic of the sleepy kid on Danielle's lap it is clear that staying up is a struggle for some).

Crocs

2011-07-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

Croc season is upon us.

Plans move forward for new and bigger croc pens.

Another trip into the M River Region

2011-07-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

A good view as we take off and leave the airport in Sentani.

Me and Noah listening to speakers

2011-07-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

We had our Asia Conference in Bali and here we are listening to a speaker.

Bird Park with the kids and the grandparents

2011-07-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

Everybody's gotta have their picture in the customary bird-on-the-head pose.

Noah and Gramma

2011-07-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

Eating lunch overlooking Mount Batur and Lake Batur in the distance.

The grandparents came to visit for two weeks.

Another Bali Temple

2011-07-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

Vacation in Bali

2011-07-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

This is the inside of a temple (note the offerings in the middle between the statues - apparently the gods are vegetarians, I would have ordered a steak).

Bali is a Hindu island.

Pretty freaky to go out to eat and have your waitress interrupt your service to go offer sacrifice out front at the statue.

Alethea bouncing on bungees

2011-07-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ali loved the Bali Funworld and loved bouncing up and down on the bungees.

Bali Vacation 2

2011-07-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

Me and Noah fought the joust (and I lost a few times...for real...Noah's quite the little Knight).

A Bali Vacation 1

2011-07-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

We were able to take a week of vacation last month. Here we are at Bali Funworld...lots of padded and bouncy stuff to play on and bungees and ropes to swing from.

Mamberamo River Trip

2011-05-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

Singing before class

2011-05-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

These Dani evangelists sing their lessons before beginning class each day. What a great way to remember.

Airstrip progress - end of May, 2011

2011-05-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Who needs a bulldozer, anyway?

Friday night meal with the evangelists and families

2011-05-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

Noah and Alethea like to serve. There is usually singing and prayer before and after.

Plane Day

2011-05-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks MAF, you guys are awesome.

Without your work, it'd be a 2-day walk upriver for us or else the very expensive and hard-to-schedule heli trip.

Sorry my "plane dock" is still a muddy sand bar.

(photo by PJ DeVries)

Church in Danowage - May 2011

2011-05-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Family pic 2 in village - May 2011

2011-05-17T01:41:00.000-07:00

This one is near our little river we use sometimes for bathing (the kids prefer another, bigger, river).

Me writing a letter - in the village

2011-05-17T01:27:00.000-07:00

It is after a late morning swim with Noah and I am writing a letter to be sent by runner to another preaching post 6 hours to my north.

It is hard to communicate between preaching posts here, and even by letter it is hard to communicate since literacy and knowledge of the national language is so low.

Family Pic in the Village - end of May, 2011

2011-05-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

Teresa is showing a little preggo pooch. Noah is trying to keep his eyes open despite the sun (even on this cloudy day), but otherwise not too bad of a picture(Alethea falls in the mud 3 minutes later).

A good pic of the house, too. The zinc roofing is rusting a bit, but still good. You can see our orange gravity feed water tower for our water system, and the awesome VSat satellite internet connection that I am now sending these pics to you with (with solar panel on a platform beside it. Behind the Vsat are two tall skinny poles with a wire between them, that is a radio antenna. You can also see our front porch where medical clinic happens every afternoon at four in the afternoon when Ali helps Mommy bang the metal pot signaling the beginning of clinic (otherwise people come at all hours and drives us nuts). We also dug up the jungle grass and planted Japanese grass to make a smooth, green yard.

Jimi recovering from a pig attack

2011-05-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

A villager had brought a wild pig (with tusks) into the village. The pig chewed through its rope (err....vine). Jimi was worried about the pig harming the many children in the village and so approached the pig with a bow and arrow. He had jungle tangles to his back and when the pig charged, shattering his bow, he had no place to run.

The pig jumped on top of him and bit him repeatedly, almost severing his toe, puncturing his legs, thighs, rear, hands.

When we managed to evacuate him out, he was too weak to stand or walk. His wounds were already starting to fester and become infected.

This pic is post-op after his wounds were cleaned and a steel pin placed in his foot to save his toe.

Over ready to serve, Jimi is using his time on the coast to take courses as a village health-care worker to help the people of his village once he is healthy enough to return.

Scenic mountain with guests (January 2011)

2011-05-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is actually one of the bases of General Douglas MacArthur during WWII as he advanced on Japanese-held territories.

Very scenic, overlooking the lake and very breezy in an otherwise hot and humid clime.

Noah loves to run and climb and play up here.

Late Christmas pics

2011-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...but they're only 4 months late.

Alethea received a little "Princess Dress" but she was sort of tuckered out from playing and didn't model her new wears good in this pic.

I had to put Noah in a headlock before he was still enough to photograph without a high-speed camera.

Recent Survey here in the Mamberamo

2011-05-14T02:04:00.000-07:00

http://thereformingtraveler.blogspot.com/2011/04/were-back-from-jungle.html

See my friend's survey trip into the Mamberamo. Here is what Kyle writes:

"I have just arrived back from a survey trip out to Papua with two dear friends (elders) from two supporting churches back in the States. What a blessing to have both Ronnie and Reagan along for this most important and rewarding trip.

We arrived in Sentani by plane and spent two days within the town preaching and teaching at a local GIDI church located there. We then boarded a prop plane out into the Memberamo region of fuau. A most remote location with very little outside contact. We spent two days in the locations as well teaching and preaching the gospel and meeting villagers there.

After our time there we took a 13 hours dug out canoe trip up the river to Debra, where we once again visited with locals, taught/preached the gospel and surveyed the land. This was a most joyous location as 32 villagers received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Only time will tell and reveal the true nature of their conversions. Please, continue to pray for these who still have yet to receive the bible in their own language and those who continually beg for a gospel/bible teacher to come and live among them.

Once again after about three days there, we were once again in a plane headed for Kaso and the Burmeso regions. We once again spent time teaching/preaching the gospel there and visiting and encouraging local believers.

I once again want to thank Trevor J, Brother Yuli, Ronnie B, Reagan K and both the fellowships of Basswood Church Knoxville, TN and Graham Bible Church Graham, TX for making this all possible. God bless you all and may He continue to use you all for His glory in your communities and ultimately the world."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvab_YNBihY&feature=player_embedded

Yulianus and his source of income

2011-05-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Yulianus and the Fua people support their ministry and community development partially through crocodile farming and hunting.

In a sermon shortly after this picture was taken, Yulianus preached from the account of the miracle when Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves.

Yuli pointed out that it was a little boy who volunteered all that he had, and not someone who was great by the world's standards, and yet Jesus blessed that. Jesus was pleased to use a little boy to help others and to glorify Himself.

Also, Jesus started from what the people had, from what was available, and so Jesus used the fish and the loaves to feed the people.

Finally, this little boy did not hold anything back from Jesus but offered it all to Jesus. Though it seemed small, it was a huge sacrifice for this little boy, and yet this boy handed all of his food over to Jesus without any hesitation noted whatsoever in the story.

In like manner, Yuli explained to his people, God has given the Fuau people crocodiles. Though not rich or important by the world's standard, Jesus has been pleased to bless the Fuau people by what they have available, even if this be crocodiles, and Jesus can use this means, too, if they offer it up to God and use it for His service.

Wedding cake in the village

2011-01-26T05:45:00.000-08:00

We know it is Western, but we made a wedding cake for Jimmy and Perin.

We didn't really know how foreign it was to the Dani workers until Koiles asked me what sort of seeds did he neeed to plant to grow the cake. I did a double-take and thought he was kidding, but he asked again, "What sort of seeds do you plant to get this?" pointing to the cake-bread part.

So, we told them a lot about wheat and grains and cake mix and they seemed satisfied with the answer.

Perin and Jimmy Wedding pics 2

2011-01-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

Jimmy and Perin's wedding 1 - Oct 2010

2011-01-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

I just realized I never posted their wedding pics. Both are serving with me in Danowage, a remote interior village, focusing on trying to educate the youth. Several orphans live with them.

A gecko hunt

2011-01-25T08:13:00.001-08:00

Now, Alethea is even proficient.

I am the Broom-man, I go first and sweep the little gecko guys off the walls.

Then the kids look and listen for the characteristic gecko plop and then grab them while they are stunned.

Noah is training Alethea. For the slower moving ones, he doesn't grab them but defers to Alethea.

Eating out, and a beautiful sunset

2011-01-25T07:37:00.000-08:00

Leaving the village

2011-01-25T07:32:00.000-08:00

Note: Yulianus is under the wing. Also, in the distance you can see the blue roofs of new housing, a community development project arranged by Yulianus.

Got a cassowary

2011-01-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

Well, wahdya know, the dogs ran down a cassowary and we ate good that night.

I didn't go on this hunt, but I am glad my guests did. I got to eat their bounty. Not bad for their first time in the jungle (although the dogs and the locals did do all the work - though the locals did credit my guests with giving them good luck).

An early morning hunt for tired guests

2011-01-25T06:54:00.000-08:00

Talking with Paulus

2011-01-25T06:28:00.001-08:00

We are discussing plans to fit him with a prosthetic foot in April. Thanks to supporters like you.

The inhabitant of the local croc farm

2011-01-25T06:20:00.000-08:00

He is small now, but he will get lots bigger. This village is farming crocs for sale and will use the profits to help education and community development.

Flying into an interior village

2011-01-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

Me and two guests flew into an interior village along the M River in order to teach, see village progress and let the guests see the interior.

Swimming with my peeps

2011-01-25T06:02:00.000-08:00

Swimming at the lower falls

2011-01-25T05:50:00.000-08:00

Alethea was in rare form.

Two great mountain pics

2011-01-25T05:42:00.000-08:00

Eating with friends, and another beautiful sunset

2011-01-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

Checking out a fish-pond on the coast

2011-01-25T04:06:00.000-08:00

Fish-ponds are often a good micro-enterprise by which local people can earn a living and by which one can aid in community development. I know of several started in West J, one with funds from my supporters. There might be occasion here as well to start one.

p.s. a friend snapped this awesome sunset.

Harun Treido

2011-01-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

Two years ago Harun was saved.

Before that he attended church and trusted in his church attendance and church membership to save him, even though he never personally owned his faith.

Yulianus, a friend of mine, was so incensed that someone could so long attend a church and not clearly hear the Gospel that he, that very night after talking to Harun, rushed over to the pastor's house. Yulianus then explained the Gospel clearly that Sunday and following Sundays to the congregation there, making sure that others did not also sit in church and trust in their cultural Christianity or a mere external identity.

Now Harun is in Bible school, being supported by Yulianus' scholarship fund. He has received a laptop, has finished his first year well, is president of his class, and promises to return to the area where he grew up and serve there, in the interior, after graduation. The "brain drain" is huge in interior villages and once young people get an education, few return, but Harun speaks of a calling to return and help those who are interior and lack access.

Yamis Ta-il

2010-12-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yamis Ta-il, a 5 year old orphan from Ujung Batu is now being cared for by Jimi and Perin in my village.

The Ujung Batu people thought he was a witch. Two other children have died, probably due to malaria last month, and one of them (another 6 year old)explained how he saw Yamis in a dream that he had shortly before he died. This, apparently, was proof enough for the majority of the villagers and even his older brother disowned him.

The Ujung Batu people were discussing how best to get rid of him (drown him or go downriver and leave him in another village).

He was tied up and barely fed for two weeks when Ainus, a GIDI... evangelist, brought him back to Danowage.

Yamis is now living and being cared for in Danowage by Jimi and Perin.

Him and Alethea are good little playmates now.

PICTURED: Jimi giving Yamis a haircut. Doses of malaria and worm medicine are to follow, plus some new clothes and a hearty meal.
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For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in (Psalm 27:10)

People going home after Noah's baptism

2010-11-13T23:46:00.000-08:00

People climb back up out of the riverbank through thick buah merah groves and Perin and Alethea walk in front of their garden. Alethea is wearing her little school dress..my favorite.

Noah and Jimi feeding his new pet bird

2010-11-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

Post-baptism joy, and the walk back home

2010-11-13T23:11:00.000-08:00

Noah being baptized

2010-11-13T22:42:00.000-08:00

Jimi prays, then I pronounce the Trinitarian formula, and then together we baptize Noah. Afterward, Noah prays by himself the following prayer:

"God, thank you because I am saved. Please save the K people so that they know about You, please save Ali, and please help all the people here who are sick get better. In the Name of Jesus, Amen."

Noah's Baptism - at the river

2010-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

For a year now Noah has expressed spiritual desires and interest. Starting 6 months ago he stated that he would like to believe and he prayed almost every night for just such a thing. At that point he said, "I want to believe but I am not sure whether I do or not." So he continued to pray for true faith and true repentance. He often told me, "I don't know if I can go to heaven because I am not very good and I know I don't deserve heaven."

The last 3 weeks, however, he has initiated many conversations with me and was very very happy and told us that he is saved now, and that now he knows. Along with this seems to have come a greater love for Jesus too and a real joy. When he is playing alone he sings to himself ("how I love Jesus...because he first loved me..") and has even prayed at non-set times and un-encouraged by us. He wants to pray for sick kids here in the village and when he sees a naked kid or a particularly poor looking kid, he asks us to give the kid some of his own limited toys or clothes or some of his candy out of his (limited) candy supply.

There seems to be a sensitivity and a conviction for sin. For most of this year he stated "I cannot go to heaven by myself because I do bad things sometimes." Now he states that even though he knows that he cannot do enough good things to get to heaven, that he knows Jesus paid for his sin and Jesus is perfect so that he can go to heaven because of what Jesus did. When he does something wrong, he has come and reported it to us, and even when he doesn't know we are watching and he has accidently bumped into Alethea or when Alethea tests him or hits him (she is a bruiser) Noah has tried to apologize or hug or teach Alethea. One time when he thought he hurt a local tribal kid (they were playing rough) he came and sat and wept and told us that he was afraid that he hurt him and he didn't want to hurt anyone. He seems to be a very sensitive soul.

There is also a desire to hear more about God and the Bible. His ears perk up and he requests us to read the bible together. He likes to lay and talk at night and asks many theological questions.

He wanted to be a soldier earlier this year, but now since he has been saved he says that he desires to tell people about Jesus.

He says, "Daddy, you are old and will probably die sooner than me. But I am young and I might live a long time. This means that God can use me a lot longer. I want God to use me"

When talking about persecution that happens in many places here in this country, Noah has stated "It is better to die than to not tell people about Jesus. Daddy, if I tell people about Jesus and they kill me, then we don't have to worry because I will go to heaven."

Teresa teaches him daily and they pray together several times per day.

Noah and Daddy in church prior to his baptism

2010-11-13T22:23:00.000-08:00

Noah has believed and has requested baptism.

This is his public profession in front of the church (the church has seen better days, the roof just blew off last week).

Noah in homeschooling

2010-10-21T20:01:00.000-07:00

Alethea hangs out nearby and plays school. She begins in another year or two.

Perin teaching the kids on our porch in the afternoons

2010-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

She usually uses pictures.

More pics of a typical village church service

2010-10-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes church services run long

2010-10-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

Here's Teresa and the kids in the back. In the absence of seats, a nice pole does well for the back. Sometimes the Dani workers use Dani in their prayers and Noah above has trouble concentrating on prayers in a language he doesn't know.

Picturesque sunset in the jungle

2010-10-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Hard to pray when the cassowary wants to peck your head

2010-10-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

Village church has its challenges. To include pigs running through church and the pet cassowary trying to enter services.

Some of my Dani co-workers

2010-10-17T02:22:00.000-07:00

This is part of the team I work with. This picture was taken after a meeting in my home after church.

Me and Noah playing in rice paddies

2010-08-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Papandayan volcano and Tea plantation

2010-08-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Great place for a camping vacation. Me and Noah slept in a tent on the lip of the volcano and Noah did well camping and hiking with Daddy ("getting dirty is fun" he says).

Nice paddies, and a Buddhist temple

2010-08-13T07:14:00.001-07:00

That funny thing I am holding is to help fling the holy water. Noah had fun playing with it.

Vacation pics from last january

2010-08-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

I have been to Java now twice this year, to host guests from the West who will hopefully come back. Also, I was enabled to take Yulianus and Martinus, two workers from my island, to Java with me in January, above are the pics. You can read more about Yuli here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/33874736/Heart-Cry-65

Summer 2010 family pics - final

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Summer family pics 2010 - The whole fam

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Family pics summer of 2010 - Alethea in her Princess Dress

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Family pictures summer 2010 - Noah is getting so big!

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Our little Blue Eyes is now 3

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"I'm a big girl!" she told us today.

Princess cake and Princess - a matching pair

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Blowing out the candles

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Alethea blowing out the candles. Noah is ready to help, and to congratulate on a job well done. Doesn't look like a big job - until one sees the Ali perspective on this and just how big this cake is compared to our little girl.

Alethea's 3rd birthday

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Alethea showing off her Princess Dress and her crown.

And look at that - Mommy made her a Princess cake too!

The trail from my house to the teacher's house

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Rainbow after an afternoon rain

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Wheelbarrow rides!

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Alethea helps Mommy with clinic

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Everyday except Sunday at 4pm Alethea beats a skillet with a spoon to signal the beginning of clinic. Mommy treats those that need help on our front porch (walking to those too weak, or sending me).

Alethea here helps Mommy and tries on rubber gloves (and sometimes shares cookies with our guests).

A school day for Noah

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Noah learned to read, largely travelling or in the village.

Simple is sometimes better.

Livin' in style

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A double decker evangelist's house with Melenus in front.

Church service in a more accessible village

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Up the river

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Embarking from a more accessible village and heading upriver to check on reports of several sick/dying people. The patients were not as bad as we thought, they had just stopped eating and drinking (sometimes happens here). One pregnant lady had a fall and did not move or speak until we listened to the baby and felt it move (I think she was mute and lay still due to fear).

The kids on the riverbanks use netbags to swim along the muddy banks and try to nab small fish.

Travelling buddies

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Me and Jimmy Weyato, our village teacher, taking a trip.

And yes...it was HOT that day. Wow.

Family pic - May 2010

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Noah and Melenus exploring the gardens

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Noah likes to walk on logs and cross the creeks and see the gardens (and beat banana plants with big sticks - killing bad guys with swords, he says).

Perin reading to Yolincera and Alethea

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Every kid needs a bucket of water on a hot day

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General pics of urban life over here

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Not sure if I took these or a friend did who then transferred them to me, but these pics are good to see what urban village life is sometimes like here.

In the middle is a rambutan ruck filled with that wonderful sweet fruit!

The kids playing in the USA last fall

2010-05-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

Some old furlough pics for the grand-parents.

Furlough pics 2 - the kids marvelling at the Dino at Toys R Us NYC

2010-05-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Some furlough pics 1 - New York Trip

2010-05-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

I am posting these a little late. But oh well.

These are from late fall.

Trip to NYC and NJ.

Noah running in Central Park chasing pigeons. The kids wrestling in bed. And lots of big buildings and lights and traffic and noise and people (get me outta here)!

Beautiful scenary

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