Sick, Pitimhan, and Oreos

July 4, 2010

                Well I woke up sick this morning. I was not able to attend the church service. I do not understand why I have to be sick when I am already hurt as it is. I slept most of the morning and early afternoon. Later though I felt I had enough energy to go map the camp. I then slept the rest of the day.

                That evening I got up for awhile to have some homemade fireworks. I know it sounds dangerous, but it was so much fun and I do suggest you try it at home. You take a long piece of wire, put some steel wool on the end, set it on fire and spin it around. Also, when you put bamboo in the fire and it gets hot enough it will explode and make a really loud noise. The evening was ended by the singing of a few songs.

July 5, 2010

                Most of the day I rested for the evening church service. People from surrounding villages came for a time of singing and a message. Our group performed five songs and a skit of the prodigal son. One thing that I remember that happened throughout the service is that between every performance we gave the glory to God. The pastor would call out “pitim han,” “one, two, three,” and we would clap our hands three times. The other groups that shared sang songs that we learned from our family a few nights ago and one group sang a song by Casting Crowns. It was a wonderful time spent together worshipping God, but it went so late and all of us were tired. I was still feeling sick.  

July 6, 2010

                Still really sick today, but I didn’t want to anymore than I already have so I decided to go with the team to climb a smaller mountain. It was a very bad idea, but I never realized how strong of a person I am. I slept once at the top of the cliff while everyone else made paper airplanes to see how far they could go. For a short time after returning I was up just to eat some Oreo’s because seriously if something sold in America is sold in PNG, then it’s good. While in town Dunc was able to get me some antibiotics so hopefully I will be feeling better soon. 

Gombok and Healing Roots

July 3, 2010

                This was the morning most of the group climbed a mountain (Togama). I was not able to go but I was invited to do something else. Wimai’s only daughter, Gombok, invited me to her house because she wanted to do some herbal treatment on my knee. Her house was down a very steep hill that Bea, Wimai’s daughter in-law, helped me down every step of the way. There were several members of our family there to help set up a small mumu and watch the therapy. Gombok rolled juice from the plant and rubbed it up and down my knee. After she finished part of the root was left on the plant and she told me she was going to replant it and as the plant re-grows my leg will heal. I am not sure how effective that will be, but my leg has been doing much better. I now wonder though, what happens if the plant gets cut down or dies…? Gombok made lunch for us and afterwards Ellen and I shared our stories about our families, jobs, school, and hobbies and interests.

                I may have strep throat. I feel very sick and have the symptoms. I went to bed early that night hoping I would feel good enough for church this morning.