Happy Birthday to Me!

 Heidi and Hope came over to say "Happy Birthday" with a few gifts and smoothies. :)

 A Birthday kiss from Jonathan. :)

 Birthday fun in the pool!

 My birthday, Oct 9th, was also my good friend, Erika's last day in PNG! Very sad! So she joined us at the Boutique for lunch!

We also went to the NEW store in town called Papindos. Jonathan loves the grocery carts! And I love being able to find almonds and cashews to snack on!

Emergency Trip to Goroka...

God plans come unexpectedly and shocking sometimes yet He always cares and provides for us. On Friday, Oct 2, I had a concern about my pregnancy. When the email came from the doctor letting us know that we needed to fly to Goroka for a checkup, our NTM pilot "just happened" to be in Wewak getting ready to head back to Goroka. Our NTM plane only comes to Wewak every 1-2 months so it was definitely God’s timing that the pilot was there to take Beth to the clinic. I was able to see the doctor right away for an ultrasound. And we found out the sad news about our baby… he or she only lived 4-5 weeks, yet I was 10 weeks along before we found out about the miscarriage. When Jacob told Jonathan the sad news, he responded, “Well, mom will come back and we’ll get another baby”. We are very sad but know that God is still good and has a bigger plan then we can imagine in our own little minds.

Jacob and Jonathan flew up to be with me the following day. We are so thankful for the love and care of our friends in Goroka who provided a house for us to stay in, delicious meals and snacks, and lots of prayer and encouragement. So thankful that I am healthy and there were no complications with the miscarriage. And we are looking to the future and maybe even another pregnancy and addition to our family. Please pray with us, that we would finish well here, have wisdom and strength to pack up to head home for about a year. We leave in 2 weeks! There is still a lot of transition to take place as Jacob's replacement will be coming this week. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!

We did get a lot of rest in while we were in Goroka and got to see many friends, very encouraging! This is Jonathan's first experience in a recliner. :)

As soon as Jonathan and Jacob arrived we ate dinner with some friends...and Jonathan could barely sit to eat because he knew there were a lot of toys to play with! And then he was quiet for a long time!

  And Jonathan couldn't wait to get a chance to play on playground! But it was a little colder in Goroka then it is here in Wewak, hence the long pants and long sleeve shirt. :)

 There "just happened" to be a dental hygienist in Goroka when we were there for a few weeks. So we all were able to get our teeth cleaned. And Jonathan enjoyed his first teeth cleaning. He was excited to sit in the big fancy chair. :) And he did a great job!

 Eventually Jonathan got used to the cooler weather and wore shorts and took off his shoes and played in the sand box! :) But Jacob couldn't bring himself to brave the 'cold' of 70 degree weather. :)  It was so excited to play in the sandbox with dad!

Rice to the Starving...

 Jacob had the opportunity to help out the PNG Army. They were taking some donated rice to Biem Island to help the people since they haven't had much to eat during the drought. But they didn't have a trailer for their boat. So Jacob used the NTM boat trailer to pick up their boat and helped launch it into the ocean.

Jacob was scared driving across this bridge but he made it.

Preparing to load the rice on the boats.

Our new Internet Satallite

This is Norbert, our NTM ICT expert. He came down to Wewak for a few days to help install our new internet VSAT. And Jacob helped him put up the new one... they used ropes to put it in place because the hands for the satellite didn't get shipped with it. A few days later they were shipped via plane and arrived a bit later then expected. But the job was eventually done. :)

Picking up a Biem boat

 Many times there are people coming back from the Biem island where some NTM Missionaries serve, so Jacob takes the boat trailer down to pick them up.

Cutting down a talis tree..

 Jacob is always amazed at how the people here can climb trees with no fear of falling! This is Kapi one of the men who works with Jacob.

Jonathan saw this picture and says, "Can I have that?". :)

Random Happenings of Life...

 Jonathan was given a rocking chair which needed a little work. So Jacob fixed it and now they can sit and rock together. :)

 Nice job showing all your teeth!

 We found a 'new' corner hutch... another missionary was selling it... and it fits perfectly in our house!

 Sunday Morning waffles with papaya, mango and soursop sauce. Yum!

 Playing Cow with Mom! :)

 "Fixing" the couch

 

Dad is off to work and Jonathan took a picture. :)

Big Events in Wewak!

 The Papindos store chain opened up a bigger and better Papindos grocery store in Wewak, quite exciting stuff! It is clean and full of stock! Jonathan especially loves the grocery carts because there is a kids car attached to it... picture to come.

 Getting ready for the PNG Independence Day parade... celebrating 40 years! Jacob saw the floats as he and his co-worker were driving around town buying supplies.

And no matter where you are in the world, Coke is there!

The Randomness of Jacob's work week..

 Picking up cargo from the NTM Hangar and meeting passengers visiting NTM's Wewak center.

 Fixing a flat tire for a missionary who has to leave in 1/2 hour for an international flight.

 Driving around town doing many different errands.

 Paying a bill here at Christian Books Melanesian.

 A stop at the police station to get a stamped copy of a police report for the robbery.

 A picture of the pipes we have on hand needs to be sent via email to a bush missionary for a well he needs to dig because of the drought... Jacob wonders if these pipes will work?

 Buying a pump in town... for the missionary's well, will this work?

 Checking with the Sepik Coastal workers to find out if the crate that we are waiting for has arrived at the wharf yet.

Helping Kapi cut down a tree. :)