In Madang:Jason's sister and brother in law, our family, and Jason's brother who just left to go back to the States.
As we flew out of Lengbati for the first time on the new airstrip it struck me that this was the first time I didn't close my eyes on take off. It felt good to be taking off on solid ground! Normally I am a little sad when we leave our home in the tribe. But this time I felt relieved and didn't look back. It has been a long and tiring 6 months and I needed to get out to town and fellowship with people of my own language and culture. I needed to walk in a grocery store and pick out my own food and go to a restaurant where a pile of dishes wasn't waiting for me. And you know what the kids favorite thing to do here is? Going for a ride in the truck. An airplane they can do "any day" but a ride in the truck, now that is fun!
Jason is at a 2 week translation workshop in Goroka town, a 20 min flight away. So that means mom and the kiddos are trying to make the time go fast until Daddy comes home. Even though we miss him dearly it has been so wonderful to be able to just hang out with the kids in a non-tribal atmosphere. We don't have an audience every time we step outside and we can wear shorts!
This week I "get" to go to a Dentist to get 2 root canals. I should be thankful for the fact that I was able to find a dentist but all I could think about was if I lived in the States I wouldn't have to pay to fly to a dentist! But I am so grateful that my months of pain will be taken care of and we have awesome family in this country to baby-sit the kids while I am gone for a couple of days.
While we have been out I got a chance to go to a retreat for missionary ladies given by Women of the Harvest magazine. At my table there were some ladies who haven't gotten a single e-mail, letter, or package from their churches or friends in over 2 years. I was shocked. There is rarely a week that goes by that we don't hear from someone from home. And there is never a month that goes by that we don't realize the many who sacrifice financially to keep us here. Thank you so much for that much needed encouragement by your prayers, e-mail, letters, and packages. God uses you to keep our batteries charged and to accomplish His will in all our lives. Thank you for loving us and taking the time to tell us and show us that.
Jason is at a 2 week translation workshop in Goroka town, a 20 min flight away. So that means mom and the kiddos are trying to make the time go fast until Daddy comes home. Even though we miss him dearly it has been so wonderful to be able to just hang out with the kids in a non-tribal atmosphere. We don't have an audience every time we step outside and we can wear shorts!
This week I "get" to go to a Dentist to get 2 root canals. I should be thankful for the fact that I was able to find a dentist but all I could think about was if I lived in the States I wouldn't have to pay to fly to a dentist! But I am so grateful that my months of pain will be taken care of and we have awesome family in this country to baby-sit the kids while I am gone for a couple of days.
While we have been out I got a chance to go to a retreat for missionary ladies given by Women of the Harvest magazine. At my table there were some ladies who haven't gotten a single e-mail, letter, or package from their churches or friends in over 2 years. I was shocked. There is rarely a week that goes by that we don't hear from someone from home. And there is never a month that goes by that we don't realize the many who sacrifice financially to keep us here. Thank you so much for that much needed encouragement by your prayers, e-mail, letters, and packages. God uses you to keep our batteries charged and to accomplish His will in all our lives. Thank you for loving us and taking the time to tell us and show us that.
We are truly blessed by you,
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp
