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.

Medford’s Team luggage arrived Wednesday morning in Mt. Hagen.  Todd, Ruben, Jeff, Sam, and Ryan head to town to pick up the 34 pieces of luggage that got left in Sydney as they traveled.  Everyone was happy to see an extra pair of pants and shoes arrive.  They did fare well with the clothes left from the Brothwell team.  Judy Bennett got toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other personal items for the team.  Dr. Todd said in devotionals Tuesday morning that God had impressed upon him that what he needed and what he wanted were two different things.  May we learn to be happy with what we have.

Medford team arrives today - only thing is there is no LUGGAGE!!! Mike was in town purchasing supplies when Todd Winters - we are in Port Morseby, we will be on the 4:30 PM flight into Mt. Hagen but we have no luggage. At this point and time we still don’t know where the luggage is but by tomorrow, we pray for good news - that it is on the afternoon plane. Mike and I came home and got the clothing left by the Brothwell Team so that they could have clean shirts to wear. The team is in good spirits but very tired. Tomorrow, they will start the day on the work site and shopping crew heads to town.

We had prepared a meal for the team when they arrived on the station. Dr. Andy Bennett, Judy, and Sam eat supper with the team then Dr. Andy did their orientation class. Everyone on the station is always willing to take part in making the volunteers feel welcomed.

We are looking forward to having the Medford Team with us for the next two weeks. They will continue building on the Volunteer House - complete the roofing, siding, windows, and doors. Our goal is to have the Volunteer House dried in and secure by the time they leave.

Dr. John, Carol, and Ryan Brothwell stay another week. Dr. John is a surgeon, who helps with all the surgeries in the hospital. Carol and Ryan are going to continue working on projects for the Volunteer House. Sunday night, we found ourselves playing a fast game of Sequence. It was a challenging evening. We had a great time playing games and visiting. We plan on getting another couple of nights in for games before the week. ends.

Brothwell Team completes the framing and roofing of the main roof. The porch roof needs copper (tin). What a team! They worked extremely hard the entire 7 days that they were on the Volunteer House site. 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.

The ladies were extremely busy with keeping the meals prepared and ready for the day, cleaning, and washing clothes. Terri (chef) knew what she waited and the others followed her lead. Lois found out that keeping the water filters fill, ice made, and water jugs filled that she had a full time job on her hands. Cheryl, 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.

Dr. John was presented with the Barnabas Award while here. It is an award that is given for all the work that has been done for the hospital. Dr. John and family have been to PNG several times

When the team left Friday, we knew that we had new friends! We appreciate all their time, effort, and willingness to build relationships with the local people. We know that God will bless them for their willingness to serve and give of themselves. THANK YOU for coming!

Sunday afternoon, Mike and I left the station with Sailas, Baru, and the Brothwell Team for Avi Orchid Garden and mumu. 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.

Ruben’s family owns the Avi Orchic Gardens. 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.

Thank you, Ruben and family for inviting us to the beautiful Orchid Garden. The afternoon was absolutely outstanding.

Sunday morning found the Brothwell Work and Witness Team walking to bush churches in groups of 5. 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.

The Brothwell Team Ladies put on a fantastic afternoon tea for the Mission Station Ladies. 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.

Dennis and Michael work to keep the guys in work during the day. Working in metric was a little mind twisting at first but Kendall converted fast.

While on site working Michael