Life.: Emily's Words from PNG

The longer I'm here, the harder it is to write. Maybe I'm just tired, but I sit and gaze and the computer screen and hardly know where to begin. So much of what we are doing here has become routine (normal, even). We go to class, we eat, we visit the village, we shower (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh), we eat again, we go back to class, and then it's time for bed. In the midst of the routine, we are learning. But sometimes I wonder if coming home will be more of an education than being here. Things that used to seem out of the ordinary a couple of weeks ago have become familiar.I wonder if things that used to seem familiar will appear out of the ordinary.

Today was a break in the routine - a mumu in the village. Just after breakfast we headed up the trail and gathered with our language helpers to prepare a special feast. First we peeled kau kau (sweet potato) and bananas.The men built a fire and covered it with grass and banana leaves. The kau kau and bananas, along with lamb flaps, greens, pumpkin, cabbage, and more were piled onto the leaves. More leaves were placed on top, then covered with dirt. They poured water down the center and let the food steam for almost two hours. We played with the children, practiced our Pidgen, and worked on our bilams as it cooked. Then the men dug the food out of the ground, tossed it onto more banana leaves, and we sat around it and ate. With our hands. It was an experience. The pictures will say much more than my brief description ever could.

I think I've mentioned that it's been raining here. The mud is unbelievable. Last night one of the Interface trucks became bogged on the road between here and Goroka. In their attempts to get it out, two other vehicles (including some sort of tractor) got stuck as well. One of the staff told me that the mud is over two feet deep. Can you imagine? The men worked all through the night to get the trucks out. And until the road begins to dry, I don't think anyone will be coming or going from the Interface campus.

We are scheduled to leave for our side trip on Friday. It will be a little shorter than we thought -- only four days -- and it will be in the highlands. We will fly on a much smaller plane to get there, so this will be a new experience for me. We are looking forward to it.

Megan has sent some of your comments back to us via e-mail. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement! We feel very blessed to have your support and prayers.

I'll close with a few pictures from our time at the mumu: