30 for April 30

People thought we were TAN!! Oh no...just VERY dirty from our 8 hour ride in the back of a truck!

A year ago we arrived, hot, sweaty, tired and worn to our little community. We didn’t know a thing about “doing life” here and this past year has been a huge learning curve as we’ve adjusted to working and living life well in a country not our own.

As I thought about this last year, I thought about how blessed we’ve been. Sure, there have and continue to be stresses, issues, goodbyes and hard times, but that’s life anywhere you live.

So today I’m looking back and counting 30 blessings over this past year...in no particular order!

1. Our home A gift in and of itself. We were just talking this week that it’s such a blessing for everyone to have their own space and not have to share a room! It has it’s quirks and it’s own personality, but it’s ours and a work in progress.

Doesn't have the red roof any more!

2. Friends who have become like family. We have celebrated, cried and prayed together. Many are leaving this June and it will be hard to say goodbye.

3. Rain We rely on rain water to fill our tank that is used for drinking, bathing and washing.

4. Sun So glad we get enough sun to dry our clothes...just in time for the afternoon rains!

5. School What a blessing to have teachers who love the Lord and talk about Him as they teach the basics. Our kids have been challenged academically over the last year and I am thankful how they’re being stretched.

6. Bananas From our own backyard! 

 

7. Ranger He can annoy me, but he’s a friendly pup to all his “friends” that walk by daily to give him pets so I guess his annoyances can be tolerated.

One of my favorites when he was a few months old

8. Bible Study We’re involved in a couples study and I’m involved in a weekly women’s study. I’ve been challenged and encouraged by these groups and can’t wait for more this year.

9. Rats Okay...maybe I’m not thankful for them, but I’m thankful for a husband who is far braver than I to take care of those pesky visitors that make alot of racket in the middle of the night!

10. Geckos...lizards... While I’m not a huge fan of co-habitating with them, they eat bugs and they’re doing their job so we leave each other alone.

11. Deli...our van. Another unexpected gift. I learned how to drive a stick, on the other side of the road this last year. And I even learned that going too far over on a small road can result in getting ditched and having your friend pull you out...

12. Mail! Getting mail...even a card...can change the outlook on the day. We have been blessed repeatedly with cards and packages full of encouragement.

 

 13.Technology  Yes it’s slower, more expensive, but to be able to send and receive email and Skype is such a blessing and makes living here a bit more bearable.

 14. Fresh veggies The abundance of produce available to us is overwhelming...and delicious...year round!

 

15.  Fresh eggs from Jason's friend and co-worker Orava.

16. The store Depending on the week we have access to familiar tastes of home...noodles, spaghetti sauce, salsa. Makes cooking for these hungry people a bit more bearable.

17. Speaking of cooking...my culinary skills have broadened over the last year. I won’t take restaurants, eating out or a pre-packaged whatever for granted again!

 

18. Fresh roasted coffee. My coffee guru hubby loves supporting one of the local villages by buying their green beans and roasting them here at home. And I love drinking it!

19. Beautiful scenery surrounding us.

20. Aviation/Flying/the Kodiak What a year it’s been for Jason to familiarize himself with a new airplane and country. So much more awaits him in the years to come!

21. Second hand shopping...retail therapy PNG style.

22.  Elijah. Some may call him “baby sitter” but since we no longer have babies, we prefer to call him CMS or "child management specialist". Basically we feed and pay him once a week so week can go to Bible study. His job is to make sure the house doesn’t burn down and the kids stay in one piece.

23. Hamburger Night. The teens frequently host a hamburger night that gives them “job” experience and me a night off from cooking. And for that, I’m truly grateful. (there’s only one more left this school year...boo :(

24. Visitors! Never would I have imagined having family visit our first term, let alone the first year. What a surreal feeling to our our “worlds collide”. Such a gift that we don’t take for granted.

25. Fresh chicken Our Papua New Guinean friends periodically raise chickens to just the right “plumpness”...perfect for dinner! 

 26. Rita She has helped me with my language learning, my house, theories on why bats and rats show up here and shows me up with her tortilla skills. Mine will never be as perfectly round as hers!

27. Ibaco She helps keep my yard from becoming a real jungle and is one of the hardest working women I’ve ever met.

 28.Tok Pisin Lotu These Sunday morning worship services have been a blessing as we praise the One who made us and understands us all.

 29. New people We’re no longer the “newbies” as the second group this year arrived from orientation. I love hearing their stories and being reminded of the calling the Lord has put on each of our lives to serve here no matter our role.

 30. New opportunities  I’m embarking on a part-time position. It’s a little scary, a little exciting and alot of faith and trust all wrapped into one.

His plans for our life the past 15 months have far exceeded anything I could have ever dreamed. We have seen His love, His mercy and His generosity time and time again.

My heart is full of anticipation for “what’s next”.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, 

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11