Monday-Friday

Just some little ‘extras’ that were thrown in our week. Not the everyday or weekly rituals of office work, committee meetings, housework, piano lessons - you know what I mean?

Monday - Tea with Italians

The Italian group that came for the recent Reach Conference stayed for a couple extra days. We had them over for ‘coffee’ in the evening - or so we thought. After brewing a couple of pots, we found out all of them preferred tea. (I guess that makes up for about 95% of our British guests taking coffee!)

What a great group - we admired their endeavors in using the English that they knew, and not hesitating to try food they had not previously had. (Me and my ever growing fondness of trying new recipes - this time Strawberry/Kiwi tarts.)

Tuesday - Survey Reminiscing The evening found us talking about a people group in Northern Luzon that would love to have missionaries come live with them. At a recent barbecue here in our back yard, Ragnar was casually talking about a survey he did a few years ago, causing a young German couple’s ears to perk up, as this area has still not been reach. Wanting to know more details, and to see pictures of the survey, they invited us over for pizza and salad before the questions began.

Oh the great memories of slugs, walking through rivers and over mountains in the heat, but the joy of meeting the people at the end of the 12 hr. hike. Exciting to know people are interested in that area!!

Wednesday - Grading Papers & Hospital Run

The Last day of Literacy Classes, which I have been assisting. Liz Cuthbert who taught Literacy in PNG, and is now ministering in Northern Ireland, comes over each year to teach the class. After joining us for lunch, we spent the afternoon grading papers, writing up evaluations and returning files to the proper place for next year.

Just when we were beginning to see double, we received word that a dear friend and coworker who had gone to the hospital for some tests, would be taken by ambulance to another town, 1½ hr. away.

Quickly dropping our pens and papers, we called Ragnar and the 3 of us were soon on our way to the hospital. His wife would need a ride to the next town. As we were speeding along we realized we didn’t have a pence between us - hopefully we wouldn’t need to buy gas. Thankfully we were met with good news on the other end - plans had changed, the surgery would not take place that night and our friend would go home instead.

Arriving back home 1½ hr. later, we were greeted with 6 smiling faces on our front lawn. A soccer game would soon be starting - let’s go in, put the coffee pot on, get out the Doritos and Salsa and see if the ‘right’ team won.

Thursday - Waffle Night

One of the sweet volunteers from last year who was on her break in Germany, offered to come help for 3 weeks. Her smile lightened up the campus and her help was much appreciated as well as her presence at our Monday night meetings.

On her last night here my friend and I were blessed to be invited to join her and her housemates for her ‘farewell feast’. We followed our noses to the apartment featuring that flavorful aroma of freshly cooked waffles. And to top that of, they were served on purple plates with a yummy cherry sauce!

Driving her to the train station the following day, gave us extra time to talk about her recent experience here.

Friday - Pizza Farewell

Last day of classes for this semester. Another volunteer is on her way back to the States. We have really gown to love her and enjoyed having her in our home on Monday nights. You know the type that stays after everyone else has left, lays down on your coach and chats til 1:00 a.m.!! The type that keeps ya young!

Two couples (that we went to Norway with) were taking her out to Xtreme Pizza and invited us to go along. A bittersweet evening. Of course we enjoyed our time together and the food was excellent, yet at the same time it was not far from our minds that the sad good bye was quickly approaching. It is the week end now - the beginning of a 2 week break for the students. We’ll still be going into our office everyday, but I wonder what little extra things will be awaiting us this coming week?