Arrival at Rumginae

On Friday, Nov. 11 we moved from Mt Hagen to Rumginae. Here we will be stationed for the next little while. Rumginae is in the Lowlands to the West of the Country near the Indonesian border. it is several hours flight time from the sea, but still only 100 feet over sealevel. It is hotish (25-35C) but very humid (around 90%). Below you see our temporary home (yes, one more), and the MAF base building.

Rumginae with hospital in the background

Rumginae Base

The White House, our temporary home

First week of flying

This week I was en tour for the first time with a MAF airplane. I didn’t fly myself, since I do not have a licence yet. But being a passenger was enough to start with. It was exciting to land at all those crazy airstrips at the craziest places out in the bush. It’s amazing to see to what length villagers went to build those strips at those locations. And it’s even more amazing if you realize that they didn’t have any excavators or even shovels to build them. All is done by hand and digging stick. It often takes years until such a strip is finished.
The region we were flying in had not received regular MAF service for a long time. Even though there are plenty of airstrips around. In fact, some of these strips were build and no plane ever landed. A lot of places have coffee to be flown out, but we just couldn’t take it all. So it is likely to rote and bring no income to the community and families won’t be able to pay school fees, etc.
You wonder why that is? Well, the answer is quite easy, almost too easy. There’s simply not enough pilots in PNG. For years the MAF programme in PNG has been short of at least 10 pilots. So bases had to be closed, the service restricted. And when I saw the people out in those villages, saw their needs and realised what MAF could do my heard ached. Therefore, I like to ask you to start praying for new pilots in PNG. A lot of them. I am convinced that God will provide if we only ask. Thank you.

Village Orientation: Sangapi

For a week we lived in a remote village in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Sangapi can only be accessed on foot – in a three-day hike. Or by MAF-plane in 30 minutes. I guess it's pretty obvious how we travelled.
The goal of this week was trifold: To practice PNG's trade language (Tok Pisin), to learn about PNG culture, and to see how daily life looks out here. And, of course, to to experience the impact MAF makes in the life of these people.

Below are a few pictures from our time in Sangapi. A more detailed report will follow shortly:

Arrival with the MAF Airvan. As soon as it's gone we only have to walk three days to civilisation.

Our home for one week (only 1/3 of the house). 1 bedroom, cold water, gas stove, no electricity. Who needs anything more.

Niklas and the sons of our landlord. Actually, these aren't his sons, but his brother's. Though, nobody really cares in PNG.

Medical Evacuation. The woman had an open fracture on her leg and lost a lot of blood. She was carried for several hours from the bush to the health clinic in Sangapi. Due to bad weather, however, the MAF-plane was only able to come the following day. Unfortunately, the clinic had also run out of morphine.

Gian was the big attraction. To hold him is the most exciting thing for a PNGian, and we could have made a lot of money. However, nobody has money here.

Joelle with the neighbour's son.

Traditional housing. Mind you, this is no historical village. Most of the people in PNG still live like that.

The week's main activity was strolling around. We always found someone willing to chat and in no time there was a bunch of people gathered.

And home we flew.

Here's home

If you want to know where we presently live, here are the coordinates:
5˚ 51' 20.82" S
144˚ 14' 26.58" E