Medford Team busy with Projects!
June 19th, 2008
The Medford team is busy with several different projects. The ladies are rotating four a day to paint one of the doctor’s flats. They are using an oil base paint called mission white. It sure helps brighten up the rooms. Marilyn has sewn table clothes for the dining talbes and is sewing pillow cases for bedrooms. Two ladies are rotating daily to cook, clean, and do laundry. Three men are helping on the Volunteer House all day. Several other team members are working at the hospital during the morning then helping in the afternoon on the Volunteer House. Of course the Winter’s children are having a blast playing with the mission station children.
Mike is supervising the construction site. Mike has 4 men from Papa Gola’s line working this week. They have poured the siding panels for the front of the house, the roof is just about completed, the windows are being made, and the fascia boards are being painted. It is amazing how any hands make everything come together.
We found everyone working and having fun. They were challenging each other to be the best they could be. Denny was a great superintendent for the project site. The younger members of the team screened sand for the front siding panels that will be poured into the cement for the Volunteer House decoration and look of individuality. We had two members try out the emergency room with a couple of stitches in the head and one in a finger. Other than those two instances, everyone was safe.
Carol, and Jenny finished all the curtains and closet coverings for the entire house. Now there is enough materials to make place mats, table coverings, pillows, and wall hangings. We are looking forward to other teams coming and helping complete the projects.
We know that God will bless them for their willingness to serve and give of themselves. THANK YOU for coming!
Baru drove his coaster (25 passenger bus) with 20 of us as passengers. Mike and Sailas drove the land cruiser with the rest of the team. On the way Baru and Sailas answered questions and explained about the area we were traveling through. As you travel down the road you see lots of people walking along the side of the road headed to their destination.
We were greeted with music from traditional dress men and a tour of the Orchid Garden. As the women began to prepare the fire pit for the mumu everyone was invited to watch the loading procedure of hot rocks, chicken, greens, potatoes and baking bananas. The pit was lined with banana leaves and then covered after the food was loaded. Everyone had the opportunity to ask questions about the traditions and cultural customs of the mumu. As the kiki steamed and cooked, everyone walked around to see the birds of paridise, horn bills, PNG eagle, parrots, kaskas, and the orchid gardens. After eating, enjoying stories, songs and devotions, 
we headed back to the mission station. Ruben’s family provided an experience that will be always remembered in our hearts.
They experienced walking through the river, going up the mountain and through the valley, meeting new friends along the way, singing and fellowshipping with other believers in Christ. 
The morning created a lifetime of memories with our Papua New Guinea friends.
Cassie Alberson heads home after 3 months in Kudjip helping teach the MK students - math and science. Cassie was a very good asset to the school. She made science come alive for the students. They applied what they learned in the classroom to projects inside and outside the classroom. Cassie was a pleasure to work. She is headed back to the United States to work and going to graduate school in a year. We will miss her. Thank you, Cassie.
Carol Brothwell told us that she had been planning the tea for 2 years. We were served tea, lemonade, and scones. Everyone introduced themselves and visited. Heidi talked about all the different elements of the tea and how they relate to being a Christian and establishing a relationship with Jesus. We really appreciated the time and effort that the team put in planning and organization.
The team has worked very fast making up the time lost on the flight delays. Saturday finds the team putting up the last trusses by the end of the day, finishing exterior walls and interior walls. They are making great headway and will continue making progress. Mike has been keep quite busy making sure that materials are available and in place for the team. The beam will be delivered on Tuesday with more siding materials.