New Hospital Dedication

This week we had the dedication ceremony for the new hospital. Everyone on the station participated in the cleaning and preparation. Nazarene churches across the district took up donations and gave pigs or chickens for the mumu or picnic. I think there were around 20 pigs, 100 chickens, and a cow or two. They roasted the meat along with bananas and sweet potatoes in big pits of hot coals and banana leaves. I think we ended up feeding over 1000 people that day.

The dedication ceremony itself was beautiful. We lined up outside of the station gate and then marched in two-by-two…dignitaries from PNG and Australia first, followed by missionaries, and then townspeople. The nursing staff sang a thank you song and showered us with flowers petals as we walked by. During the ceremony we had several music specials. Did I mention that by default I was in the missionary choir? We sang Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus. The ceremony also gave the dignitaries an opportunity to give their “remarks”….in 60 minutes or less.

After the ceremony and dignitaries meal finished I only had an hour to recharge before babysitting duties. Luckily there were just as many babysitters as there were children. We had tons of fun making pizzas, playing fort, reading books, and watching The Incredibles in-between power shortages. There are some really great missionary kids here…8 in all ranging in age from 15 months to 16 years. It doesn’t make up for not having my nephew Dylan around….but it sure helps!