so long Ukarumpa....for now.

This could be my last posting in a while. We're heading off to 'jungle camp' tomorrow morning. Internet access is slow in Madang, so posting may not be an option. We'll have to see.

I have mixed feelings about leaving for Madang. It's amazing how quickly you put down roots...especially when you have a family. Although the roots we have here are still shallow they're roots nonetheless.

My greatest fears of jungle camp:
1. living in close quarters with 50 adults and 30 children.
2. the weekly attempt at swimming 1 mile in the ocean.
3. having a break down in front of strangers.

My greatest anticipation:
1. learning tok pidgin fluently
2. living in a village for 5 weeks all on our own
3. a 3 day hike without the boys
4. chillaxin on the beach

But I do know that the Lord promises to be with me wherever I am. He will sustain our family. Daily I think of the promises he spoke to us through our church family...many encouraging words and prophecies. He will see us through it. We're trying to see it as a big adventure...another unique experience. Drew and I have been many places around the world and been through many tough trips with the boys so we're happy to have that experience under our belts. So here's to a good attitude and a positive 'jungle camp' experience. God be with us.


This picture was taken at our church picnic. Our last time with our church family before leaving for png was filled with much love and many prayers.

this one bites. be careful.

Do you REALLY know me?

Thanks Crystal, for giving other the opportunity to get to know me better. I tag Tiffany (if she's not in labour), Karla P., and my new friend Anita.

1. The name you would've chosen for yourself had you had any say whatsoever: Anna

2. Favourite Jelly Belly flavour: Pina Colada

3. If you could trade your citizenship with any other country, what would it be? Scotish. They've got the best accent ever.

4. Have you ever been skinny-dipping? Half heartedly

5. Favourite cocktail: Paralyzer at m&m's

6. Last place on earth you'd ever want to be: south pole

7. Most recent kiss - when and from whom? from Drew.....too long ago.

8. Three earthly friends you can't live without: Drew, Crystal, Tiffy, Heather, AJ (I've got a lot of friends, all right?)

9. A meal memory that surpassed all others: Gourmet burgers and handcut french fries....oh and homemade cream cheese ice cream at Chris & Crystal's.....it was more the people than the food though (that means they're REALLY great people cuz the food was stellar)

10. How many times in your life have you moved? 5ish times

11. We can't all have our own Italian Stallion. But what kind of 'Stallion' would you have? Dutch Stallion....if he ain't dutch he ain't much. End of story.

12. Quick! Right this second, if you could be translated anywhere, where would you go? 3rd St South in Winkler, Manitoba

13. A toy from your childhood that you would still play with: Barbies with Eleroo posing as Ken.

14. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had? 5...and that's 4 too many.

15. Flip-flops, knee-high boots, or Reebok Pumps? flip flops

16. Ever waxed anything before? Yes

17. Favourite dance move? my old church dance which needs to be revived

18. Best sunrise you've ever witnessed: back in the day - working on the farm.

19. The one food that you make that nobody else can come close to (in your opinion, of course): marinated cheese....although Crystal comes pretty darn close.

20. Chrissy, Janet or Terry? Chrissy

21. The band or song you secretly love but would never tell until now: Black Eyed Peas

22. Article of clothing you wouldn't be caught dead in: spandex suit

23. Sprawling one-story or multi-storied mansion? multi-storied mansion.

24. Do you dance in front of the mirror? No, I'm too shy.

25. Weirdest food you've ever loved: beef crackers from PNG

26. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being very strange, how strange do you REALLY think you are? 6

Uses for a Bilum

This is a compilation a friend sent me of all the different ways bilums are used. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did!

I've seen them used as upper body coverings for women who want to be more modest in singsings.

I almost forgot the single mose important use ever of a bilum in PNG. In 1997 the Finongan people used one as a means of delivering a note to us requesting a translator come and translate the Bible into their language.

They were used to catch fish in a stream near Areinduk village.

They are used to express friendship and relationship when given as gifts.

They have been used a sermon illustration explaining how we are like tree bark that is striped off its place of origin, washed and shredded and twisted into string then woven into something useful; a bilum.

PNG kids use them as their school bags.

I have seen them used to hold baby pigs to keep them from running off. The pigs even sleep in them.

I've seen many people wear them on their head, draped over, or even head inside to shield from sun or rain.

Carrying empty bottles to the river, then full bottles from the river. Carrying dirty dishes to the river, then carrying the clean dishes back. Carrying laundry. Jeepers, you could carry almost anything in a bilum!

The Baining women have used them before for clothing and older women still wear them - one draped over each side to dance at the periphery of a firedance.

They also use them for catching freshwater shrimp and crabs by hooking them between their feet at the mouth of the bilum.

"Babies" can be up to 4 years old and still carried in a bilum.

I was given a piece of bilum thread by one group to indicate that there was work yet to be done.

They are given as gifts, sometimes swapped to show friendship.

When I tell people at home that they are used to carry babies, they think that is really weird (carrying a baby in a bag???) until I explain that it is like a hammock and quite comfortable for them.

When I tell people in the village that we have no bilums in my home country, they wonder how we can live life.

Believe it or not, I saw a woman in the village carry her TWIN sleeping4-year olds in one bilum, on her head. I've also seen women carry dozens of coconuts in one bilum.

down by the river

Definitely a Sunday afternoon thing to do. Our wonderful Canadian friends joined us. I think Bill might have his first crush. You've got great taste, Bill.

check out our web album! it's been updated.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lisandrewvb/UkarumpaII

Goin' Bananas

For Jester's next trick he is going to attempt to eat his weight in bananas.

Bill's already been there, done that.