Interior Trek with Norm's Team

Hi Everybody!

I didn't get a chance to upload these photos amidst all the Christmas bustle. Kim (director) and I went to the interior (Mazaruni District) with a fabulous team from the US in the beginning of December. It was about an hour-or-so flight across the jungle to Chi-Chi Airstrip.

Just as soon as the plane is undloaded, it turns around and takes off, leaving us stranded pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It's a grand adventurous feeling watching the plane disappear.And the trek continues on foot ...Into the trees...watch out for snakes!This time it took about 4 hours for us to reach Chinoweing. What a welcoming sight, as we crested the hill and spotted the village in the distance, knowing we'd soon be able to rest our weary bodies and drink hot tea in the night.Here I am greeting "Grandmother"Kim shields an elder from the rain on the way to church.Norman participated in an Akawaio traditional dance, a rare privilege in the village.This beautiful mom gave birth in the woods a few hours from the village. Her 3 year-old daughter cut the umbillical cord. I don't know how many days (if any) they waited until mom proceeded to hike back to the village with her 2 children.Catie and the kids enjoy looking at pictures.En route to visit a couple of sick men who weren't well enough to come to the clinic themselves -there were 5 of us on the ATV all together. I thought I was going to fall off the whole time. The medicine, blankets, and machetes (very useful tool in the interior) we gave out were greatly appereciated.Mount AyanganaI was amused by this poster in Captain Roger's house.By day 3 we were on our way out. The people of Chinoweing were so thankful for our visit, especially those who are hungry to learn more about God and His Word. There is an eager anticipation for our return sometime in the new year.The views were breathtaking. God is such an awesome creator.We lugged a lot of stuff down a really steep mountain. It was seemingly impossible but the Lord gave us strength and agility. During the entire trip I think I only fell over twice.Five hours of almost non-stop hiking is follow by 2 hours of boating on the Mazaruni River. When others moved to the bottom of the boat I was grateful for a chance to stretch out. I definitely felt the journey in my muscles and joints but it was kind of a satisfying pain.We spent 2 days in Imbaimadai, a mining village on the river. I volunteered at the children's feeding program and visited people I'd met on previous trips. We also blessed the school with textbooks and a pencil sharpener. I am so looking forward to going again!

Kim and Norman had a good talk with this rum-shop owner (dude who owns and runs the bar/haberdashery). He closed down his shop one night and let us hold a church service there.

Thanks for tuning folks, and THANK YOU for praying for us. It was a safe, fun, rewarding journey with few and minimal injuries. I did have over 20 chiggers (little egg-laying critters) burrowing in my skin by the end of it (and I wasn't the one with the most) but, hey it's all a part of the adventure!

I'll be posting again soon now that I've got the luxury high-speed internet while I'm in Candada.

God bless you,

eM