Happy Christmas

The angel said, "Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master." (Luke 2:9-11)

Wishing you a Joyful Christmas and a fabulous New Year!  

Highlands Christian Grammar

Working at Highlands Christian Grammar is incredibly rewarding.  Every day I know that I am contributing to the future of PNG and providing a service that no-one else can provide.  I’m not just a number.  I am valued, appreciated and have an amazing staff who rise to the challenges I set before them.

The school started the year with an influx of new students.  More than a third of the school was new.  This was exciting but has also meant some hard work to maintain the culture of the school. 

This year we had our first Independence Day mumu (traditional way of cooking food in the ground).  All the students learnt traditional dance from different regions of PNG.

 

We were tremendously blessed to have Jess & Andy from Gateway come up to Hagen to direct our Christmas musical.  They did a fabulous job and were loved by the kids.

Staffing has continued to be a challenge.  Thankfully one of my part-time teachers has agreed to work full-time next year but I desperately need another teacher by Easter. 

If you know a teacher…encourage them to come and make a difference.

Adventure

Lumusa

At Easter Steve, Pete and Harvey came up to visit me.  It was a great time.  We trekked over to where we first began our PNG adventure in 1977 at Lumusa.  We had thought we would drive over and then walk the “short cut” back but the road was washed out and we had to hike there and back.  Harvey loved hiking in the rain on the way over.  We were all thankful the next morning was fine for our steep decent down the slippery clay.

The Sepik River

Birgit and I took off to the Sepik River on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.  We flew to Wewak and then took a 4 hours PMV (public transport van) ride to the river where we boarded a motorized canoe and spent a night in a village.  It was a whirlwind trip but great to see another part of PNG with a culture all of its own.

Mt Hagen

With Birgit and Melina I climbed PNG’s third highest peak at 3778m above sea level.  It was one of the toughest climb’s I have done.  It was physically challenging full day with a sense of achievement at the end.  It was a shame we didn’t have a clear day to enjoy the view form the top.  Our guide warned us in the morning that the view would not be good because of the “snow” (Think he meant fog.  No snow to be found.)

Looking to 2014

I’m looking forward to another year at Highlands Christian Grammar.  This year I am getting a 4WD so look forward to more PNG adventures! 

I would love some friends to visit.  PNG is absolutely stunning from beaches to mountains. So book your holiday while you can.